Italy Redux: END TO VENICE - GREETINGS TO BOLOGNA

On our final night in Venice we ate at Al Cantinon. Wonderful, wonderful. Such an enjoyable evening and such good food! Then home to bed.

This morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then packed up for our train trip to Bologna. Walked to the train station and boarded a very nice Italotreno train. Our friend Margaret had told us about this line which is different from the main line most people use. The train was clean and efficient. I noted that we were traveling at 220 km/h. I used to google (free wifi) and discovered it was 136 miles per hour!

Bologna. Took taxi to Hotel San Mamolo. Long ride. Sights were not inviting. But we are only here for 2 nights so we should be fine. Our little hotel is cozy...if a bit antiquated. For instance, the only power outlets are below the little wall lamps on either side of the bed! None by the desk! We have 2 rooms accessed by an elevator that only goes to our floor. Only two rooms on this floor! It feels rather special and a little odd at the same time.

For our first walk around town we headed to the 'best gelato shop in Bologna.' No complaints there. Then head to the main piazza, Piazza Maggiore, the library and the welcome center. (Our friend, David, told us we had to see the library.) Streets are narrow, cars drive crazily and sidewalks start and stop. Not an easy outing...and it turned quite cold. Plan had been to walk north of the piazza for a restaurant tonight, but we changed our minds. Hotel recommends a little place right on the corner of this street. We gladly accepted their recommendation!