We stayed in a gorgeous Airbnb for our 3 nights in Como. I think the pictures say it all. Our host, Jennifer from J&Co Homes was very professional. She and her husband manage several properties around Como. I loved this place so much that I thought we wanted out of the States for a bit, this could be our happy place!!!

Local cuisine features Northern Italian specialties, including fresh lake fish, polenta, risotto, and an array of classic pasta dishes. Dining in Como often comes with breathtaking views of the lake. I like to decide on restaurants using multiple sources to book ahead of our trip. I have found that often the concierge at our hotels will have some great recommendations, but on this trip, we were staying in Airbnb's, so while we did not have the benefit of a concierge, our host

Travel in Italy is not without its challenges, or it would not be Italy. The day we were planning to go from Milan to Como, there was a train strike. We hired a car which of course was much more expensive than our train tickets, but it was comfortable and actually worked out well because it was a rainy day and it would have been challenging to drag our suitcases to and from the train station or secure a taxi or taxis given that we were four people with luggage. The regional t

While strolling around the charming streets of Bologna, you never have to worry about going hungry, as this vibrant city is a culinary paradise filled with an abundance of markets and eateries that cater to every taste and preference. The aroma of freshly prepared dishes wafts through the air, inviting you to explore the numerous tratorrias, osterias, enotecas, restaurants, and pizza shops that dot the landscape. We were traveling in mid September and the smell of fresh truff

After leaving the Teatro Anatomico, we found ourselves standing before one of the iconic medieval towers that dot the skyline of this historic city. Bologna, known for its rich cultural heritage and architectural marvels, boasts numerous towers that were built during the Middle Ages, serving various purposes from defense to demonstrating wealth and power. As we gazed up at one of the towers which are scattered around Bologna, our wonderful and informative guide Elena S. from

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

Just outside Milan's historical center lies the Sforza Castle, a magnificent 15th-century structure erected on the remnants of an earlier medieval fortress, commissioned by Francesco Sforza, the city's ruler at the time. Throughout the centuries, the Castle saw various rulers, both local and foreign, such as Emperor Charles V and Napoleon Bonaparte, who governed Milan before the Unification of Italy. Following World War II, the Castle became home to the Modern Art Gallery, wh

We could not visit Bologna and not take at least one cooking class and there was no question in my mind that it would be making pasta. We found a chef named Leonardo Iacono through the daughter of a friend who spent a semester in college abroad in Bologna and in her free time, he taught her how to make pasta. Leonardo and I first communicated through WhatsApp, and he acknowledged that he did not speak much English, but that turned out not to be a problem as he was able to cle

First stop was the Duomo of Milan, which is renowned for being the third largest in Europe, following the illustrious St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The Duomo of Milan tells a story of faith and art spanning over six centuries. Construction work on the Duomo of Milan probably began in 1386 and ended in 1965. In October 1387 the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo was founded at the instigation of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, with

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