It is quite the paradox when the worlds worst meat on earth just happens to have the same name as one of the places that creates the worlds greatest food…and with that I present Bologna, Italy.
We didn’t have the greatest of weather but thankfully the porticos that line the streets serve as a refuge from the rain. We didn’t see as many sights here and stuck to doing some city walks and exploring local shops, bars, and cuisine. Bologna was different compared to the other cities we have visited so far, less touristy with more “grit” as in graffiti, poverty, homeless, and colorful locals. Regardless Italy is not all full of frescoes and sunshine so it was cool to see another side while still enjoying the very old and historical city of Bologna.
Building
Basilica di San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore. Hundreds of years old the gothic Italian Architecture of this church is different and pretty cool, much like the rest of Bologna!
Sight
Did you know Bologna also has a leaning tower? Well we climbed all 498 steps of Torri Degli Asinelli and it was the sketchiest tower we’ve climbed so far…creaky wood railings, claustrophobic and the top seemed like hurricane season weather. Regardless we made it in one piece and the views were splendid!
Don’t fall down this
Food
As Bologna is located in Emilia Romagna the food capital province of Italy (no big deal) we were extremely excited about trying the number three rated restaurant on trip advisor, a hole-in-the-wall (always the best) called Pasta Fresca Naldi. We ate our AMAZING pasta dishes at a bar across the street filled with some cool and crusty punk rock locals.
Tortellini Al Pasticcio- Tortellini served with cream and Bolognese sauce
Maccheroncini agli asparagi- Macaroni with asparagus sauce
Drink
The Italian drink of choice seems to be an Aperol spritzer with Campari, prosecco, and an orange peel. The punk rock bar made a great one but we missed a picture unfortunately!
Moment
We ended up sitting at a table later in the evening near these Italian communists (as I later found out) and a couple Germans. They were clearly talking about us in Italian and didn’t sound like they were saying very nice things so I took the liberty of starting a conversation with them. Later we (mildly) discussed politics and I was taught some German words. We shook hands when they departed so it must have ended successfully!
Miscellaneous Picture
Me at the train station after I had too many drinks. Ciao Bologna!
