1. Travel

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Read More
  • As we approached Milan, a glimpse of the Alps

    As we approached Milan, a glimpse of the Alps

  • The view from our room in Modena (free! courtesy of couchsurfing.com), looking out over the city center. The Torre della Ghirlandina, the cathedral's bell tower, is the tall structure rising from the middle; it was unfortunately covered while restoration work is done on it.

    The view from our room in Modena (free! courtesy of couchsurfing.com), looking out over the city center. The Torre della Ghirlandina, the cathedral's bell tower, is the tall structure rising from the middle; it was unfortunately covered while restoration work is done on it.

  • Modena

    Modena

  • Modena's Piazza Grande and Duomo (Cathedral), together with the Torre, are UNESCO World Heritage sites for exemplifying 12th-century Romanesque art.

    Modena's Piazza Grande and Duomo (Cathedral), together with the Torre, are UNESCO World Heritage sites for exemplifying 12th-century Romanesque art.

  • Another view of the plaza, cathedral, and covered bell tower.

    Another view of the plaza, cathedral, and covered bell tower.

  • Italian nonni. Love the guy on the bike.

    Italian nonni. Love the guy on the bike.

  • The 12th-century Duomo

    The 12th-century Duomo

  • Duomo from the side

    Duomo from the side

  • Espresso break

    Espresso break

  • Modena salumeria balsamic vinegar tasting, where we had our first taste of the thick 25-year, 80-euro "black gold."

    Modena salumeria balsamic vinegar tasting, where we had our first taste of the thick 25-year, 80-euro "black gold."

  • Central Modena

    Central Modena

  • You gotta love a city advertising Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on its tiny cars.

    You gotta love a city advertising Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on its tiny cars.

  • Of course, bikes are the preferred method of transport.

    Of course, bikes are the preferred method of transport.

  • Electric wires for Modena's local buses

    Electric wires for Modena's local buses

  • Untitled photo
  • First night tortelloni-butter-sage deliciousness

    First night tortelloni-butter-sage deliciousness

  • Modena's famous indoor market, Mercato Coperto

    Modena's famous indoor market, Mercato Coperto

  • Carciofi, my favorite

    Carciofi, my favorite

  • Fresh gnocchi and ravioli...

    Fresh gnocchi and ravioli...

  • Parmigiano, pecorino...

    Parmigiano, pecorino...

  • Gooey gorgonzola, more cheeses than I was allowed to taste...

    Gooey gorgonzola, more cheeses than I was allowed to taste...

  • Delicious prepared foods, of which we sampled a few

    Delicious prepared foods, of which we sampled a few

  • Scott "works" while I shop. ;)

    Scott "works" while I shop. ;)

  • Happiness found, in a lemony artichoke heart...and the rest of the goodies we bought for lunch.

    Happiness found, in a lemony artichoke heart...and the rest of the goodies we bought for lunch.

  • A pretty, quiet piazza

    A pretty, quiet piazza

  • Untitled photo
  • Aceto Paolo Rossi Barattini, a balsamic vinegar farm in the town of Formigine that offers free tours

    Aceto Paolo Rossi Barattini, a balsamic vinegar farm in the town of Formigine that offers free tours

  • Balsamic vinegar vines

    Balsamic vinegar vines

  • Untitled photo
  • The wooden barrels in which the vinegar is aged for years. Different types of wood are used for flavoring, such as ash, juniper, oak, and chestnut. The vinegar you buy at your local supermarket is probably aged in stainless steel for a few months.

    The wooden barrels in which the vinegar is aged for years. Different types of wood are used for flavoring, such as ash, juniper, oak, and chestnut. The vinegar you buy at your local supermarket is probably aged in stainless steel for a few months.

  • All of the barrels are left unsealed; there's an opening under each white cloth. After at least 12 years, a small amount of vinegar is withdrawn from the smallest cask, then each cask gets topped off with the next largest cask, which holds the next oldest vintage vinegar.

    All of the barrels are left unsealed; there's an opening under each white cloth. After at least 12 years, a small amount of vinegar is withdrawn from the smallest cask, then each cask gets topped off with the next largest cask, which holds the next oldest vintage vinegar.

  • Modena's imposing military academy

    Modena's imposing military academy

  • Untitled photo
  • At Maddy's Bar, where the 6pm (free) aperitivo spread of prosciutto, mortadella, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and more proved the perfect antidote for an afternoon rain shower

    At Maddy's Bar, where the 6pm (free) aperitivo spread of prosciutto, mortadella, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and more proved the perfect antidote for an afternoon rain shower

  • Ms. Maddy herself, our new best friend

    Ms. Maddy herself, our new best friend

  • The Romanian girl and Albanian guy who bought me a rose for our anniversary that day

    The Romanian girl and Albanian guy who bought me a rose for our anniversary that day

  • The whole crew

    The whole crew

  • Next stop: Caffeteria Giusti. The aperitivo here (again, free with a drink) was more sophisticated, with lots of little zucchini breads and spinach pastries, but the best part was the plate of prosciutto di Parma bought for us by a woman at the bar...another anniversary gift!

    Next stop: Caffeteria Giusti. The aperitivo here (again, free with a drink) was more sophisticated, with lots of little zucchini breads and spinach pastries, but the best part was the plate of prosciutto di Parma bought for us by a woman at the bar...another anniversary gift!

  • Our patron demonstrates the correct way of eating the prosciutto with the breadsticks.

    Our patron demonstrates the correct way of eating the prosciutto with the breadsticks.

  • Probably the best cappuccino of the trip, for obvious reasons

    Probably the best cappuccino of the trip, for obvious reasons

  • Modena curves

    Modena curves

  • Shutters

    Shutters

  • Engraved pews at a small church

    Engraved pews at a small church

  • Labor Day (May 1) draws out the big crowds in Modena...of a certain demographic.

    Labor Day (May 1) draws out the big crowds in Modena...of a certain demographic.

  • Ferrari in Modena...its main factory is in the province, just outside the city

    Ferrari in Modena...its main factory is in the province, just outside the city

  • In Bologna, tagliatelle with Bolognese ragu and a curly pasta called gramigna with sausage and saffron...heaven on two plates.

    In Bologna, tagliatelle with Bolognese ragu and a curly pasta called gramigna with sausage and saffron...heaven on two plates.

  • Bologna, near the university

    Bologna, near the university

  • Untitled photo
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2022 SmugMug, Inc.
    As we approached Milan, a glimpse of the Alps
    The view from our room in Modena (free! courtesy of couchsurfing.com), looking out over the city center. The Torre della Ghirlandina, the cathedral's bell tower, is the tall structure rising from the middle; it was unfortunately covered while restoration work is done on it.