Day 9 – Bologna to Modena and Parma

We left our Bologna campsite in the morning and took the scenic route, avoiding motorways, to reach the elegant city of Modena—birthplace of Pavarotti and home to Enzo Ferrari. We parked in an underground car park, then wandered through a lively clothes market toward the main piazza, where the grand Duomo stood beside yet another proud leaning tower.

A mid-morning coffee gave us pause: Gill went for a delicate single pancake with a drizzle of syrup, while I couldn’t resist a cheeky croissant. Strolling through Modena’s portico-lined streets, we ducked into the cathedral before discovering the vibrant indoor market—a glorious mix of fresh cheeses, pasta, fruit, vegetables, balsamic vinegars, and more. We gathered supplies for the day: sliced bread (not to be touched, as I was sharply reminded by the baker!), cheese, spring onions, basil, and balsamic for lunch; and ravioli for our evening meal.

From there, we drove on to Parma and headed straight to a leafy park on the edge of town. We weren’t quite sure if picnicking was allowed, but we set up anyway and enjoyed open sandwiches in the sunshine—crusty bread layered with our fresh market produce.

After a relaxed couple of hours, we made our way to our Airbnb—an unassuming little apartment in what looked like a rough area, but turned out to be quiet and comfortable. Gill, of course, put a wash on first thing, and then we headed into town to scope out parking and meeting spots for the following day’s plans.

Dinner was our market ravioli with salad and a homemade dressing—simple, fresh, and perfect. Some of us slept well that night. Others… were kept awake by snoring. Still, it was another full and satisfying day on the road.Read more