Volterra to Bologna

 Not a lot to report today as it was a transit day. As we left the bar this morning we said Arrivaderci rather than Ciao. It was a bit sad to leave Volterra because we have had a great time in a place that we previously thought was dull.

We chose the fast route rather than the scenic route as we had to have the car back in Florence by 11.30 am. As it was, the route was scenic too. I am in love with Google Maps GPS.  It is so good that we no longer get lost, we no longer argue and the driver can actually hear what Madame GPS says. She took us through the outskirts of Florence, through the one-way restricted zone and right to the rentals car parking. 

Even better still there were no excess charges and the staff were polite. Well done Green Motion Car Rentals.

Thanks again to GPS, our walk to Santa Maria station was straight forward (literally) and we got out tickets with ease. Unfortunately the trip involved a 10 minute train ride to a suburban station called Rifredi. There we sat for nearly two hours for our train to Bologna. Not a pretty place but we we did have a breeze to go with our tuna sandwich. Italians really like tuna in a panini roll.

We travelled first class for the 65 minute trip, comfortable, quiet and germ free.

Our apartment in Bologna is quite near the station but not on the city side. A walk of less than a hundred metres and we were being met by our next host Ares. The unit is small and modern and has everything we need, including washing machines and dryers. It also has an outdoor area, which is almost essential for us.

After a walk around the block looking for supplies, it was out with the table cloth from Naples and the cold drinks and nibbles. It was time for journals and the Blog.

Later we had crispy Italian biscuits, soft cheese and grapes accompanied by prosecco. Italians do not eat many sweet things so I have been yearning for 'something nice.' Bologna is the capital of the Emilia - Romagna region and they have different foods and different names for familiar foods. Emilia-Romagna is known as the food bowl of Italy.

This is our mystery dolce, something sweet. Called Le Pinze - alla Mostards tipo Bolognese. A typical Bolognese sweet made with a sweet short pastry filled with apple, orange juice and grape products ... as near as I can translate it ;)

Yes, it was something nice!