Italy 2015: Churches,Towers and Nutella

Monday morning and a misty rain surrounded Venice. I had a few hours before my train and decided to try and find the Acqua Alta bookshop. I had an address (but that means nothing in Venice if you aren't at San Marco or the Rialto) and a rough pinpoint on a map. Needless to say, I gave up after about 45 minutes of getting not-so-wonderfully lost. I did get a few more photos to make a lasting impression of this unique city.  Not sure if it was the yogurt from breakfast, or the "insalate russe" from dinner, but something made me really ill, really fast. Surrounded by water but no toilette in site, I made it back to the hotel in the nick of time. Good thing I had Pepto pills with me to calm my wrenching stomach.

After a two hour train ride I was in Bologna. Still feeling ill, but determined to see the city, I walked down to the Neptune Fountain (complete with a lactating nereid). Another symbol of Bologna are the Two Towers. It was almost impossible to actually get a photo of them due to the surrounding buildings, a spiderweb of cables and recent road construction.












In the same basic area was the Basilica of St. Petronino, imposing and impressive by any measure. This one looked just as big on the inside as it did the outside. I sure gain much more of an appreciation of open churches with benches inside when I travel in Europe and walk EVERYWHERE!

Last stop was the Church of St. Stefano - seven churches in one and a very simple, old world feel to the buildings. Truly a sanctuary in the middle of a bustling city. The Gregorian chants echoing throughout the building were a nice touch. With all the walking over the past few days my sore feet and unsettled stomach enticed me to call it a day and to head back to the Hotel Donatello - great location 10 minutes from the train station and a pretty nice room. A COOP store was nearby and so I picked up something simple - a baguette with mozzarella and tomatoes. I took the top off so I had something to dip into my Nutella (I am pretty sure it is cure for all that ails you). The plan is to take the train out to San Marino tomorrow morning...