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 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

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

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

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

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

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