Fast train to Bologna

Travel day.  We took a taxi from our hotel to Milano Centrale to catch the 10:22 to Bologna (it goes all the way to Salerno, but...)  I love European trains.  They're sleek, fast, and not that expensive.  You do, however, have to port your own luggage.  So I lugged my 50+lb suitcase and my 20lb backpack up the steep stairs to the interior.  Ugh.  Oof.  Found some space on the luggage rack and headed to our reserved seats.

I'm a huge people watcher - sometimes a little too openly - it's kind of a sport.  Anyway, sitting across the aisle from Joe was one of the most beautiful (I'm sure Italian) women I've ever laid eyes on.  Sofia Loren + Ferris Bueler's girlfriend + Eve Mendez.  She was gorgeous.  No story here...just advising on the scenery.  By the way, the men aren't bad looking either.  Moving on.

Our hotel is smack in the middle of the old city centre - right where our tour operator (Roberto Torrini - thanks, Roberto!) likes to put us.

We were starving, but it was raining today so we kept close to the hotel - even so, we found a fabulous trattoria nearby.  Pizza, tagliatelle alla Bolognese (a spicy meat sauce generally regarded as Bologna's claim to fame), good beer, good wine, good bread...no surprise!  Afterward, instead of wandering around in the rain, we decided to head back to the hotel and take a lovely nap.  Finally!  A worthy bed!

Roberto told us that, from our hotel, we were just steps away from the massive Basilica - San Petrionio - in the center of Bologna.  He wasn't kidding.  Here's the view from our window.

The rain let up early evening, so we strolled about the piazza and found something to eat.  Let me just say this, there is no want of cafes, restaurants, bistros, bodegas, and/or food carts in Bologna.  We have died and gone to foodie heaven.

Tomorrow we have a walking tour of the old city.  And then we have to find the Parma ham and cheese shops Bologna is so famous for.  My stomach is growling already!