Sasso Marconi Tartufesta (Part One)

My first weekend in Bologna I went to the Tartufesta in Sasso Marconi. The Tartufesta is an annual event that focuses on the white truffle of the Bologna hills. It was the main reason I chose to go back to Bologna in October.

Getting to Sasso Marconi was easy…just a 30 minute train ride into the Apennine mountains outside Bologna, at a cost of 4,30 euro round trip.  I had a pleasant five minute walk to reach the Tartufesta in the center of town. It seemed like everyone in town was involved with the festa and they were all so very happy to see me…such a warm welcome.

Everywhere I went someone was trying to feed me. I sampled cookies, candy, olives, olive oil, various meat products, cheeses, wine, chestnuts, bread, mushrooms, spices, honey, truffle oil, truffle salt, truffle salsa…on and on and on.  There were also places to eat various meals made with fresh truffles…heaven on a plate!

There was something for everyone, including crafts, flea market items and rides for the kiddies.

 

Stay tuned for more about the Sasso Marconi Tartufesta.

A Great Place to Stay In Bologna, Italy

I’m back from my trip to Bologna. It was very hard to leave, but I had to come home so I could make money to go back to Bologna. It’s a vicious circle, but I love it!

Part of the reason I had such a good trip was the I PorticiHotel. Marc and I usually rent an apartment if we’re staying in one place for more than a week, but this time I was traveling alone, so I wanted to stay in a hotel where people would see me coming and going…a little bit of security. I also wanted to stay close to the downtown area, so I would feel comfortable walking alone at night.

The I Portici Hotel was the perfect choice. The hotel is an easy 7 minute walk from the train station. Since it’s located on Via Indipendenza, one of the main downtown streets, the 13 minute walk to Piazza Maggiore is loaded with eye candy…shops, churches, various places to eat…even a flea market! My Italian language class at Cultura Italiana is a 25 minute walk from the hotel and a great way to begin each day.

 

My room had everything I needed. The bed was very comfortable, I had a nice view of the courtyard, a powerful hot shower every morning, warm toasty towels, and the room was always spotless. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful.

One evening I returned to find a concert in the lobby. That night I studied to LIVE classical music! What’s not to like? This may be my favorite place to stay in Bologna. Do you have a favorite hotel?

I'm Off To Bologna, Italy

WooHoooo! Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving for Bologna and I'll be blogging.

I hope you'll join me.

Which Furla Bag Should I Bring Home?

When I return to Bologna I plan to purchase a Furla handbag…I just can’t decide which one I want. Furla is an Italian company that makes beautiful bags. I’ve drooled over them several times, but never actually bought one. This time I’m bringing one home with me!

The plan is to buy a black bag that can be used on a daily basis. My life is pretty casual, so here are pictures of the bags that would work well for me. I like bags that I can sling over my shoulder, but it isn’t a requirement.

 

What do you think? Which one should I choose?

Back To Bologna

     In a few weeks I'll be headed back to Bologna, one of my FAVORITE Italian cities. Bologna is the kind of place I could live...when I'm there I feel at home and I don't want to ever leave. The people are warm and friendly, the food is good, and there aren't many tourists.
     Did I mention the food? The food is fabulous! The picture on the banner of this blog is Tagliatelle Bolognese that I learned to make at CIBO in Bologna...very tasty!
     Here is a picture of a typical shop in Bologna...doesn't it look inviting?

     This trip I'll be attending an Italian language school. I've spent enough time in Italy that I think it's about time I learned the language. I know bits and pieces, but I'm hopeful that Cultura Italiana will help improve my skills.
     Maybe I'll also get to attend a truffle festival, or maybe an antique market. There is so much to see and do in and around Bologna, and it's fall...my favorite time of year.
     I'll be blogging from Italy, so please check in.
     Have you ever been to Bologna?

French Baking Class in Paris

Don't you just love croissants? I do, and now I can make them...thanks to COOK'N WITH CLASS in Paris, France! I took their hands-on Baking Class and learned how to make croissants, pain au chocolat and a few other pastries.

Croissants take about two days to complete, so we made the dough and put it in the refrigerator for the next class, and used the dough the last class made.

It was very interesting making the dough with so many layers of rich creamy butter. There were only five people in the class, so we were all involved in the entire process.

When we were finished baking, we had a feast of warm, flaky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness! 

We each went home with a bag of pastries, and by the time Marc and I returned to our apartment, our instructor, Emanuelle, had emailed us the recipes, written instructions and a video showing each step of the process.

If you like to bake, and Paris is calling your name, I encourage you to check out this school. I can't wait to take more of their classes! 

The Fleas

Marc and I enjoy roaming the flea markets when we travel, sometimes finding a treasure or two to bring home. Les Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest flea market we’ve ever been to, and the most famous one in Paris.

We spent several hours at the market and saw everything from cheap plastic toys to expensive antique furniture. We didn’t see any bargains, but it was a very interesting adventure. When we got hungry we ate a warm Nutella crepe…mmm…it was yummy!

This piece called out to us from one of the antique shops. It now has a home in the niche in the entryway of our house.

Do you browse the flea markets?

A Diet in Paris…I Don’t Think So!

One thing I was really looking forward to in Paris was pastry/bread, and I was not disappointed. It seemed like there was a boulangerie and/or patisserie on every other corner. I was in heaven!

 

Each morning I walked across the street from the apartment and purchased fresh warm croissants for breakfast. This could easily become a morning ritual.

 

 

I think I ate about five pastries/croissants a day and never gained a pound because I walked so much. I could go to Paris just for the pastries! A word of advice…INDULGE...leave the diet at home.

I Love Fragonard

I have a weakness for European soap. I love the way is smells and the way it feels on my skin. It’s so creamy and perfumes the whole bathroom. I purchased these soaps from the Fragonard store in Montmartre. They smell WONDERFUL and I can’t wait to use them!

Do you have a weakness for soap?

 

 

 

 

Montmartre Photo Shoot

While strolling in Montmartre we came upon a photo shoot, which was quite interesting. It was very low-key. Everyone was quietly doing their job…I’m sure some people didn’t even notice what was going on. We didn’t want to get in the way, so these are the only pictures we have to share.

 

The model…

...the backdrop.

Perusing Place du Tertre

Near Sacrė-Couer is an area called Place du Tertre. It’s a bustling area where many artists set up their easels and paint. Some artists do portraits for the tourists while others paint Parisian landscapes. Marc enjoys purchasing pieces from local artists wherever we travel.

He purchased this piece…

…from this artist.

Basilique du Sacrė-Couer

Here are a few images of the Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacrė-Couer), which was a two minute walk up a few hundred stairs from our apartment.  This is not the front of the church, but the view you see at the top of our stairs.