Carnival Pride 10-day cruise to (Pompeii), (Mt. Etna), Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, Olympia, Turkey, plus train around Italy

[IntrepidFromDC]

Parma is another beautiful,  clean city. All public transportation is electric.  Parma has a few famous composers and artists in its history. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Parma is another beautiful,  clean city. All public transportation is electric.  Parma has a few famous composers and artists in its history. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Emelia-Romagna Governor's Home.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Zoom in on the brickwork of this church...

[IntrepidFromDC]

I stopped at a deli/bar and had several types of exquisite Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, plus local red wine. For dinner tonight I'm having Culatello di Zibello and fresh, hand-made pasta at the restaurant in the photo.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Parma downtown. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

The duck was delicious,  juicy breast with crispy skin, just fatty enough. I didn't like the pasta dish at all. Reminded me of my last trip to Olive Garden,  21 years ago.  Thickener ball city and nothing subtle or complex about the too-salty, smash-you-in-the-mouth creamy sauce.  3 stars on TripAdvisor,  my first less than 4 stars since Carnival food. (disclaimer: I still LOVE  Carnival). I almost tried the raw horse.

[IntrepidFromDC]

Tomorrow morning I catch the train to Bologna, it's one hour away. Planned is HOHO bus tomorrow and guided walking tour on Monday. Both tours promise to be chock-full of history and other educational stuff I'll be sure to share, don't worry Roscoe I won't let you down.

Edited September 24, 2022 by IntrepidFromDC

[Saint Greg]

Was that duck from Newfoundland?

[emm126]

9 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Tomorrow morning I catch the train to Bologna, it's one hour away. Planned is HOHO bus tomorrow and guided walking tour on Monday. Both tours promise to be chock-full of history and other educational stuff I'll be sure to share, don't worry Roscoe I won't let you down.

hi- I was speaking to a friend yesterday and she was saying her nieces are in Italy and there was an earthquake in Bologna. I believe it was on Wednesday, so they had issues with the trains not running. I hope you don't have same issues. Safe travels.

[IntrepidFromDC]

4 hours ago, emm126 said:

hi- I was speaking to a friend yesterday and she was saying her nieces are in Italy and there was an earthquake in Bologna. I believe it was on Wednesday, so they had issues with the trains not running. I hope you don't have same issues. Safe travels.

Thanks. I'm in Bologna on the HOHO now. Train service has been perfetto the whole trip.

[ninjacat123]

What made you not order the horse?  Have you had horse before?  I don't know if I could but it would be unique to me.

[IntrepidFromDC]

2 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

What made you not order the horse?  Have you had horse before?  I don't know if I could but it would be unique to me.

Ninjacat, I always like your questions and comments about food because I think we are kindred.  As for horse,  I think I would have to both NOT see something else on the menu I WANT, AND be in an adventurous mood.  That said,  I have eaten some pretty crazy stuff, warthog, kudzu, scorpion,  zebra, etc. But I would never touch turtle soup or dog meat. Horse is one of those things I want to read about before trying.  Turtle and dog are off limits and I don't want to go into why other than to say I love those animals. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Bologna is deeply rich with history.  Foods that originate here are world-famous,  including lasagna. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

I arrived in Bologna and boarded the HOHO bus immediately because my airbnb would not be ready for 3 hours. These pics and the next bunch are from the HOHO bus (yes, the dog was allowed on the bus).

[IntrepidFromDC]

More from the HOHO

[IntrepidFromDC]

Misc pics from walking from my airbnb near the train station to the old city.

Edited September 25, 2022 by IntrepidFromDC

[IntrepidFromDC]

Italian protesters against Iranian religious law, and banner against russian agression against Ukraine. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Nightfall approaching in Bologna 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Hard to believe,  but I hit my first bar since Carnival tonight. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

Italians love their dogs like we do, but the dogs are allowed everywhere  - trains, ristnoorantes, etc.

[IntrepidFromDC]

These guys were standouts among the street musicians. I will try to post video with sound.

[IntrepidFromDC]

[ninjacat123]

The sandwiches at the deli look devine!  I miss the food in Europe.(Le sigh.) Great pics, especially at night👍

[Anyislandwilldo]

On 9/16/2022 at 7:06 AM, IntrepidFromDC said:

Beautiful whitewashed buildings with many great views of the deep blue water,  and more of those pink flowering trees. I don't know what they are but they're everywhere and bloom several times a year.  Their bark is like Crape Myrtle..

This store would be dangerous for my credit card LOL