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CHECKING IN WITH CHUCK
MILAN HIGHLIGHT: DA VINCI'S LAST SUPPER
We understood that visiting Milan meant we had to see da Vinci's Last Supper. Securing tickets for this requires some timing and patience. Tickets are released approximately 4 weeks before your intended visit date. They can be purchased directly from the Cenacolo Vinciano museum, but getting in the queue is essential. Tickets are released at noon in Italy, which is 3AM in California where we live, so I had to wake up in the middle of the night to make the purchase. You can bu
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BOLOGNA HIGHLIGHT: TEATRO ANATOMICO
We started our tour at the Teatro Anatomico in Bologna, a remarkable venue steeped in history and significance. The university itself dates back to the 11th century, making it one of the oldest universities in the world, a prestigious institution that has attracted scholars and medical students from throughout Europe for centuries. This illustrious history is reflected in the grandeur of the Teatro Anatomico, which was constructed in the 17th century as a place for public dis
BOLOGNA HIGHLIGHT: TRIP TO MODENA TO CHECK OUT REAL BALSAMIC VINEGAR
In our trifecta of food production tour, the third stop was a family owned balsamic vinegar "winery". We got to see how balsamic vinegar is produced and that was a much more enjoyable experience to see and smell than the hanging hams of Parma. We visited a place that has been producing vinegar by he same family for many generations called Boni. To begin the process of making balsamic vinegar, the first step is to press white Trebbiano di Castelvetro grapes. The resulting liq
BOLOGNA HIGHLIGHT: PROSCIUTTO and other cured ham
Next up in our food adventure was a trip to see how prosciutto and other cured meats are prepared. In all fairness, this is not for the squeamish, as it is a bit morose to see thousands of pig hinds and thighs on racks and the hanging from hooks in the factory. I love prosciutto, but even for this retired surgeon, I had moments of vegetarianism thoughts. In medieval times, the legendary salt-cured hams of the Italian peninsula—such as the sweetly bold Prosciutto di Parma in E
BOLOGNA HIGHLIGHT: PARMIGIANO REGGIANO Production and Consumption
We again booked this experience with ToursByLocals and our guide was Sara F. She was absolutely lovely. What a pleasant way to spend a day driving around the countryside and hearing more about her life in Italy and studying in France. We spend the extra money for private guides because it is an opportunity to hear firsthand from them what life is like where they are living, which is hard to do when you are walking about a city with your own guidebook. I understand that the e
PADUA: ACCOMODATION
We had just finished hiking in the Dolomites for five days and chose a pitstop in Padua for a couple of nights to see some of the notable sites and more importantly, to do laundry. Instead of staying at a hotel and getting charged outrageous fees to get our stuff cleaned, I decided we should check out an Airbnb instead, with laundry machine!! If you're new to using Airbnbs, check out my travel tips on choosing accommodations in my Bologna Accommodation post. In Padua, I opted
BOLOGNA: ACCOMMODATION
We usually travel just as a couple and stay in chic, smaller boutique hotels that offer a unique charm and personalized service. These accommodations often provide a more intimate experience, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the local culture and enjoy the finer details of our surroundings. However, for this particular trip, we were excited to be traveling with friends, which opened up a new realm of possibilities for our accommodation choices. This time, we decided to exp
PADUA: HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE
Padua is a delightful ancient city rich in culture, art, and history, making it a nice destination for travelers especially after the hordes of tourists in Venice.. Among the numerous attractions this fascinating city offers, two key highlights stand out, drawing visitors worldwide: the Scrovegni Chapel, famous for its stunning frescoes by the renowned artist Giotto, and the carefully maintained Botanical Gardens, cherished by nature lovers and scholars alike. The first stop,
MILAN: PINAOTECA di BRERA
The Pinacoteca di Brera is not only the main public gallery for paintings in Milan, Italy, but it also stands as a pivotal institution in the realm of art and culture within the city and beyond. Established in the late 18th century, the gallery houses an impressive and extensive collection that includes some of the most significant works of Italian art spanning from the 13th to the 20th century. The Pinacoteca di Brera's collection features a diverse array of paintings that r
PADUA HIGHLIGHT: SCROVENGI CHAPEL
The Scovengi Chapel is a stunning architectural gem located in Padua, Italy. This remarkable structure was completed by the renowned Italian painter Giotto di Bondone in the early 14th century, specifically around 1305. Giotto's work within the chapel is considered a pivotal moment in the history of Western art, marking a significant departure from the Byzantine style that dominated the preceding centuries. The chapel was commissioned by Enrico Scrovegni, a wealthy local merc
DOLOMITES BACKROADS LODGE TO LODGE HIKE: ACCOMMODATIONS
When we planned this trip to Italy, we focused on the north, as we have visited Rome, Florence, Amalfi and Sicily in the past. Specifically, we wanted to check out the Dolomites and selected Backroads to take us through them. Backroads has many tour options that are either single activity or multi-activity. We chose to do a hiking tour, but they also have other multi-activity tours that include biking and kayaking. We were extremely happy with choosing Backroads as the tour
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