Vignola - Italy

The town of Vignola, in the province of Modena, is mostly famous for its cherries, and if you visit in spring all the hills are full of cherry blossom, and with cherries in June. When I was 16 I also picked cherries for a couple of weeks in one of the valleys near Vignola, hard work but what delicious fruits!

Anyway, this time I was there in winter, not a cherry in site so I had to console myself with the town's most famous cake: Torta Barozzi, a bittersweet soft chocolate cake, created in 1907 and named after Vignola's famous architect Jacopo Barozzi.

After breakfast in the famous Pasticceria Gollini it is time to visit Vignola Castle

Such amazing frescos....

... and a ghost???

The city is cute and tranquil, no tourists around, but there are some excellent restaurants, so much as many people from nearby cities and towns come here just to eat. Below just a few suggestions (but you better book first, especially for Trattoria Bolognese!)

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Back home in Italy

A few pics of my village in Italy, Sestola, in the province of Modena, Emilia Romagna. Usually I go back in winter or spring, very occasionally in Autumn, but this time I made it in summer, and it was great, and hot!

The symbol of the village is La Rocca, the castle, here a few pics.

The other landmark is the bell tower, in the village centre.

And in front of the bell tower the obligatory stop at the Bar Veranda for breakfast (or a Spritz).

But the happiest I am is at home, in Poggioraso, just below the village.

Picking flowers in the fields or working on the 'shabby chic' decor of the house.

Or foraging! No mushrooms this time but I found lots of berries!

Then I love walking in the mountains, here is Lago della Ninfa, a little lake above Sestola.

There are several tracks for hikers, and I don't pick flowers here, I just take photos!

Finally there is the food, fresh pasta is a must, especially if you find people who make it with you (because they are always making pasta anyway, like Agnese!)

My favourites are taglatelle and tortelloni with ricotta and spinach, served with sage (from the garden) and butter and Parmigiano made in the local dairy (1km away from my house!)

And of course crescentine and gnocco fritto from one of the many good restaurants and trattorie in the area (there are dozens!!)

And to finish a simple cake with nocino. 

More photos of Sestola here!

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Bologna, Italy

Bologna, one of Italy greatest city, is only 80 km from my village, easy to reach for a day trip and a dose of art and culture. Just strolling around the old city, the portici, the churches and squares you have the feel that this is also a very liveable city, full of grand things but also little details.

I stopped in a cafe for my morning cappuccino in front of this church and I got an art piece!

Something to discover: a little window on the last canal of Reno gives you the illusion that you are opening a window on Venice! 

The Nettuno fountain is beautiful during the day, and stunning at night!

What to eat in Bologna? Well, first of all I have to say that you eat well everywhere here, absolutely everywhere! But the best thing for me is fresh pasta, find any restaurant where they make their own pasta (and some are pretty low key) and you won't be disappointed! We had vegetarian filled pasta and gnocchi, all delicious! 

For dessert I recommend this calorie bomb called tenerina, a semisoft chocolate cake, here with a mascarpone cream. 

 Bye Bologna, beautiful city!

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©