Destination: Bologna, Italy and Parma, Italy

After our layover in Madrid we hopped on a morning flight to Bologna, Italy, to begin our road trip.  After landing, we picked up our rental car and headed North to Parma.  Being that we are super huge cured meats fans, we definitely didn't want to miss out on a trip to Parma to get some real Parma ham, aka Prosciutto di Parma.  So, that's what we did.

Since it was Sunday, we expected the town of Parma to be quiet, which it certainly was.  We got lost wandering up and down the romantically quiet cobblestone streets.  I loved the post WWII restored buildings and their colorful paint schemes that speckle the roadways.  Our first Italian meal was simply stuffed ravioli, Prosciutto di Parma, and a bottle of wine.  The city of Parma was a great place to begin our Italian adventure!

Parma Baptismal - the pink marble is so light and romantic

Parma city street - I love the painted homes, cobblestone streets and iron work

Prosciutto di Parma, ravioli, wine -- If you don't want to pay for the bread, you can always send it back.

After we checked into our hotel, we headed into Bologna.  The city was basically closed down since it was a Sunday night.  We found one restaurant who advertised "authentic" Bolognese sauce, which was our main reason for hitting the city.  Bolognese is my favorite!  Well, the restaurant was certainly a tourist trap and the sauce was pretty terrible.  I will always recommend grabbing some bar food or street food if you are in Italy and hungry on a Sunday night!!  Oh well, we were able to see the University, statue of Posiden, and as many sites as we could on a Sunday night.  Unfortunately, I brought the wrong camera lens into the city, so my pics didn't turn out at all.  Travel Fail!!

Have you been to Parma or Bologna?  I would love to go back during the week or a Saturday to see these cities when they are alive.

Stay tuned.  The next post is our Valentines dinner in the Tuscan country side.