We took train Frecciarosso 9524, business class, carriage 3, seats 13D & 14D from Rome Termini to Bologna Centrale (307 km, 190 miles) with a brief stop in Florence.
The Hotel Roma is our hotel in Bologna for two nights. It's in the center of things near the Basilica & tourist center..
Now in Bologna
The taxi driver was good. We took wide streets until we were close to the Plaza Maggiori, then into little tiny narrow streets to let us off at the back door to Hotel Roma. Then I remembered the front door lets out onto a pedestrian street. We checked in and left our passports for whatever they need them, and went to a very nice room. I did battle with the temperature control (the room is on the south side) until I convinced it to speak English. We checked out the lighting, and the safe and the closets. Loafed for a few minutes.
Then down, out, and 30 meters left into the P. Maggiori. We spotted first the large statue of Neptune (It: Nettuno), a famous landmark. The Plaza has about 200 chairs set up for tonight's open air movie. Huge screen on one side. The Basilica of San Petronio fronts the plaza also - huge with 28 side chapels. We went into the Welcome center to get maps and advice. Chatted with a young lady and came to the conclusion that we can take the Red hoho Bus, the red train, or the Walking Tour. The Red Bus seemed the best choice.
The bus took us all over town. Saw all sorts of things including a street named for Antonio Zamboni, the inventor of the ice smoother. Another street for Dante. A stop at the Hospital Razzoli offered a great overlook of the city.
After the ride we wandered a little around the Plaza trying to cool off. D had run her iPhone dead but wanted to go into the Basilica for pictures and then Mass. So we swapped iPhones; I went back to the room to charge hers. After a while she returned and now both are charging.
I was looking for places to eat here. Most of the restaurants open at 1900. We must be in the land of real Italian dining - go a little late and stay a long time.
In our wandering we found that most of the tourists are not American but the Americans are mostly young people. The younger Italians speak English better than those somewhat older. We also found that the high-end stores are clustered all around the Plaza, like Swarovski. Foot Locker is a few doors down the street.
Around 1930 we went to the next street over and entered Restaurant 051. 051 is the area code for Bologna. Wind outside led to us requesting seats inside. This area is known for its ham; there are hams hanging from the beams over the backbar.
Our waiter (the one at the extreme right in the picture at left) was one of those who scurries and is never still, and very proper. We ordered a bottle of water, and a bottle of the local red (27 Euro). D had lasagna (which she pronounce superior to all others she's had this trip) and a four-piece chicken. O had tagliatelle al Ragu' and small meatballs. All were pronounced superior by their consumers.
Next to us (see O-Photos) was an old hand-powered slicing machine. I spent half the meal trying to envision how it works. Next to that were the stairs to the Toilettes. One of the doors (or both) slammed shut noisily as the person left. Still it was a nice night out. D says she's tired of Italian food and wants to get to the ship.
Retuning to the hotel we passed through a corner of the plaza where the movie would be seen. The seats were starting to fill.
Then we returned to room 203 and eased off to bed.
O Photos
There's a 1030 departure walking tour of the Piazza Maggiori and nearby notable places. Maybe.
Instead, we took the San Luca Express, an open-top small bus, to outside the city and up a hill (left) to (get this >) Allómbra del Santuario della Madonna di San Luca.
From the web site of this church and the city: https://www.bologna-guide.com/the-church-of-san-luca-in-bologna/
comes this note:
The current appearance of San Luca dates back to the eighteenth century but the history of the Sanctuary is much older: there are several legends that narrate the birth of the place and its venerated icon.
It seems that as early as 1100 there was a hermitage on the top of Colle della Guardia linked to two female figures. While, another tradition reports of the birth of the sanctuary by the will of a Bolognese nobleman, Angelica Bonfantini, and in the laying of the first stone in 1194.
I'll let you look up the details. The little bus then wound its way down the hill and back to the center Plaza.
We took a short stroll through the old streets behind the Plaza buildings. Most shops in this area are food stalls but there are some shops with other merchandise.
Owen bought a pair of shorts to alternate with those he brought along. Pricey, but nice. The sales person said they were 30% off the 100 Euro price.
Then we took a break in our nearby hotel room before whatever is next.
We got a picture (R) of the two towers that are famous here.1700's families put up tower homes to show their power and wealth. The taller one is about 300' tall.
We continued down the street under the portico. Unfortunately, entering a store, D stubbed a toe on a 2"high threshold and fell. Several people helped O help her up. She felt around and discovered she'd cut the inside of a lip. That rather took out of her what energy she had left. I was ready to get cool also, so we returned to the room.
The staff had fixed the a/c control we could not figure out, so the room was cooling. But as the day went on, it became obvious the a/c could not cool the room no matter what you told it to do.
O Photos
Later we went out to a tiny trattoria and had small dishes for dinner. A little wine, a lot of people-watching, a nice breeze, not too shabby.