Bologna Day3- day trip to Modena

 We started off the day sort of late.  Decided to do a day trip to Modena, round trip was under 17 euros total for us both.  We walked to the train station which is literally like 5 minutes from our hotel grabbed a cappuccino water and apricot filled croissant and off we went. 

We arrive in Modena less than a half hour later.  

look at the pretty streets of Modena

Another day another piazza!

But we were in Modena and I was in search of balsamic...a tasting a something.  The first store I went in to had very, very high end balsamic you could do a tasting for a price and the cheapest bottle started at 60 Euro.  This was not our balsamic market.  This was a little above where we wanted to buy and we have tasted the really expensive stuff before.  But then we found a reasonable store.  Giuseppe Giusti offers free tastings of their balsamic at all different levels and their vermouth.  It was all fantastic.  We decided on some items, and they ship to the US if you like it and ever want to buy again!  

And then of course no city is complete without visiting at least one church.  I cannot believe that is all we did.  But so many were not open at the times we were walking through town.  Again, the majesty and beauty of these churches is so unmatched by anything we see in the US.  

So many of the churches have Saints tomb buried in them and are built on other sacred ground as well.  It is just amazing and blessed to be in these spaces. 

For my dear Carol- look an optometrist!

As much I would have loved to do street food for lunch, I needed a bathroom so we found ourselves a restaurant so we could eat and use the bathrooms.  It was called Mara.  It was a small menu but everything well prepared.  Ronnie had Birra, I had the good Lambrusco again.  And the rolls have pistachio on them- so delicious!

Ronnie went with a pasta fagioli- the pasta was homemade sheets like sagna pats and I had a salad with sliced beef, tomatoes and parmesan cheese.  Served with olive oil and the Giusti Balsamic.  It was delicious.  

After lunch we continued walking around the city, Ronnie went to Dobbleganger- his favorite men's store and found a suit at an amazing price.  And we stumbled across an incredible market.  I wanted to video more, but my battery has been garbage and running out way too fast.  But they sold everything cheese, meat, salumeria, olives, produce, frutta, and had stalls to buy food and places to eat, bere vino, fantastic.  I wish we had found his before lunch t would have been a great place to check out a casual local lunch.  

And of course in the afternoon we need our espresso!  It is just so good here.  Not scalding hot, super dark and flavorful.  Why cannot we not get this in America without it tasting bitter.  

It was then time to head back to the train to take an afternoon nap and figure out our evening plans.  We need to start repacking to figure out bring stuff back to the US.  I cannot believe that tomorrow is really our last day in Italy before we begin the journey home on Friday morning bright and early.

Another walk through Bologna another church  The Cathedral of San Pietro.  

Even the floors are gorgeous

The lion holding the Holy Water.  

As we were walking we had no plans for dinner and we just sort of took in what we saw.  We saw a tank with crabs and lobsters in it.  And just a beautiful street.  

We then stopped at the Mercato di Mezzi and decided on an app and an aperol spritz.  The shrimp with avocado was delicious.  The sauce was olive oil, lemon and avocado.  It was so fresh and good.  

More meat shops- I mean it is so beautiful 

The coolest thing is that some of the meat shops serve wine, sliced meats and cheeses.  We decided to stop and have some for our next course.  So we stopped here.  

Look at this meat and cheese platter- ham, prosciutto, mortadella, sopressatta-mild and hot, 3 kinds of hard cheese including parmegiano reggiano and a local cheese that is soft and creamy.  They serve it with this local bread that is warm and toasty and delicious!!!!!

Our last stop for the night was Gran Bar.  Ronnie had a drink made with vodka, lime, elderflower syrup and soda water it was amazing.  I had an aperol spritz- I mean when in Italy!  I want to note this is the 2ndx i got a spritz with an olive as the garnish.  They served olives and potato chips with it.  FANTASTIC place.  So much fun people sitting around talking and laughing and just enjoying the evening.  This is what we feel so much as the Italian way of life.  Just enjoying the evening and dinner and drinks.  But people do not get drunk or seem to overindulge.  It is all just a part of socializing and enjoying company with each other.  It is such a relaxed way of life.  

While walking back to the hotel we could see all the preparations for the festivale con San Francesco that will be going on.  I guess this is a huge event for Thur-Sun.  Not sure how that will affect tomorrow but it looks huge!!!!