Lovely relaxed day in Bologna

A relaxed start, and we had breakfast in a caffe at the station - right near us, and wonderful coffee, juice and pastries. Then we made our way into the centre as we had a 10.30 appointment to go up the famous tower. Bologna is famous for towers (like San Gimignano?) and there are 2 famous remaining ones - the due torri - and you had to make an appointment online to go up. We love towers, so we signed up…I must say I assumed that there was a lift as there was no warning for cripples or people with heart problems as there normally is, but when our time came and we started up it was obvious that we had to climb and climb and climb up narrow stairs!!! That is why the timing is strict, as you can’t pass people coming the opposite direction…anyway, once I had my head around it I plodded on! And made it!! It did seem endless, but we knew it would be breathtaking looking down from the top. And it was just amazing…once up there you could take as long as you wanted gazing down at the red roofs of Bologna, and in the distance to the surrounding hills and the Santuario di San Luca. Fabulous, and well worth climbing up the 498 stairs. It was built in the 12th century, has survived all that time. It looks straight, but definitely the smaller tower near it is at an angle…they are a famous Bologna landmark.

After that we wanted to explore the city along the side streets and places we hadn’t been. I lose my sense of direction very swiftly in all the little streets but Amr is pretty good and we had a map. We have stayed here twice before - in 1991 and 2011 - and it felt rather different and we realised that both those times were in January which is cold and grey (and thank goodness for all the arcades)! So at this time of year it has been cloudless and warm, and all the eateries have outdoor seating and at lunchtime and especially in the evening are crowded and pulsating with life.

We also came across another wonderful basilica - San Stefano. We usually pop into churches to look as they usually are good, but this turned out to be sensational (found it is one of the highlights of Bologna)…it has a complex of many churches and chapels, and cloisters. Beautiful and looks Romanesque. After more wandering, and a snack we had kindle time in a pretty park…the leaves are starting to colour.

Dinner tonight in the hubbub of restaurants - we always choose a different one. Good meal. I started with ratatouille and Amr a salad. Perfect as I wanted a veg fix, then we shared a lasagne verde, with mortadella and pistachio! Different and yum! And we got chatting to the couple at the next table (always rather intimately close) - they were Swiss, live in Bern, and she is Japanese.

We are loving our time here…Bologna is not a tourist destination, though of course there are always some tourists, but basically it is a busy bustling city filled with people going about their business. And its university is famous, and the oldest in Europe. As we walked today we went through the university area and realised it was orientation week - just buzzing, welcome signs, clubs advertising for members and lots of activity…tomorrow is the last full day here…we think we will have a visit to Ferrara, a short train ride away.Read more