Sorrento

We took the train from Bologna to Naples and then a car to our place in Sorrento on the southern Italian coast. The city is perched above the water and you look over cliffs to the ocean. There are walkways down to the water, or you can take an elevator down.

Our first day, we arrived around lunch, so we dropped our bags off and went into to town. Had a nice lunch and explored the city. We w not back to the house and decided to stay in for dinner. It had been a long day!

The second day, we had breakfast, then made our way to the piers on the water. There were chairs and umbrellas for rent. Danielle, Melanie and Melissa jumped in the water for a swim. It was cold, but we had fun! Spent the early afternoon having a lazy "beach" day. After we showered and rested, we went out for seafood back by the water. Fresh fish and shrimp were wonderful.

Parma

Melanie had to go to work on Monday - the whole reason for the trip! So, Melissa, Danielle, Dawn and Mickey took a day trip to Parma. It took about an hour by train. Parma is famous for Parmesan cheese and Parma ham.

We wandered around town, had a fantastic lunch and did a little shopping. We saw a leaning tower in Parma - they are all over in Italy! 😀 We hopped back on the train to meet Melanie after her busy day, picked up some pizzas and hung out.

Off to Sorento!

Cooking in Bologna

On our second evening, we went to a cooking class. We helped make a traditional Bolognese Ragu and hand made pasta. Danielle now needs a pasta maker! Johnny and Loretta welcomed us in their home and shard cooking techniques and lots of wine!

The homemade pasta was so delicious, we scarffed it down - even Mickey was slurping noodles like a pro! Then we were told the second course was coming - whoops. So stuffed.

We had a wonderful evening and are excited to make pasta when we go home.

Day 1 & 2 Bologna

Abbazia di Santo Stefano

We all arrived in Bologna, Italy! Our flights were long, but it was worth it to get here. Our littlest member, McKinley, was a trooper for all the flying. Enjoyed a meal in our room of meats, cheeses, breads and, of course, wine!

Towers in Bologna

Abbazia di Santo Stefano

Today, we wandered around the city center of Bologna. We visited the Abbazia di Santo Stefano, a jumble of seven churches from the 5th, 8th and 11th centuries.

Anatomy Theatre

University Crests

We also visited the Palace and Biblioteca Archiginnasio. The palace was constructed between 1562 and 1563 by the Papal Legate of Bologna, as a university. The galleries are decorated with inscriptions and monuments commemorating the masters of the ancient university and thousands coats of arms and student’s names. We toured a theatre designed for anatomy lessons, built of spruce wood decorated with statues depicting celebrated doctors like Hippocrates.

Lunch was wonderful pasta and then we went through more piazzas and saw lots of beautiful buildings. A little gelato and nap fortified us, and tonight we are heading to a cooking dinner where we will help make and eat:

•  Eggplant with balsamic vinegar
• Tagliatelle pasta with ragù sauce
•  Cotoletta (breaded cutlet) alla bolognese
• Tomatoes au gratin or sautéed vegetables
• Ricotta cake with zabaione cream

Off to Italy!

We are going to Italy!

Melanie is flying out first and Danielle, Melissa, Dawn and McKinley follow a few hours later. We land in Bologna on Saturday. 

Looking forward to a wonderful trip and making great memories together!