And the winner is ...India? Egypt? no, Italy!
Nov 26th, 2017, 08:04 AM
#41
indeed, Bilbo - I've been reading about him. Not only was he Irish [through his mother] but he was brought up for a while in Brum. This meant that he was ideally positioned to carry out his work in Italy, the UK, and Ireland as he spoke both Italian and English. Impressive chap, despite his flirtation with fascism in his later years.
Nov 26th, 2017, 08:34 AM
#43
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's actually Sasso Marconi (the town name goes the other way around). I've never gone out there but I have the impression it isn't difficult to do by bus or maybe even train and that there are several nice places to eat in town that serve more rustic food than one usually finds in the center of town.
Also, the airport is Marconi airport. Same guy.
Fingers crossed your hostess will be happy to let you boil water and melt butter, which is really all the "cooking privileges" you need. If not, I think your schools is not far from Sfoglia Rina, where if they let you out of class by noon or so you can get a plate of fresh pasta for lunch.
The Bolognese are more strict about their tagliatelle than they are the ragu. Every home cook and every restaurant spins the ragu this way or that -- some add a little liver while others forbid tomoto paste. Variations abound within certain parameters. The tagliatelle, however, must be exact, according to official measure as posted in the center of town. (I forgot the exact address, but it is official and publicly posted).
It is really worth getting to know the other fresh egg pastas of Bologna province that you will never find elsewhere. In particular passatelli in brodo is a terrific winter dish. Gramigna, garganelli, tortelloni as well as tortellni, and lasagne (the noodle) in either green or white -- you can find most and probably all of them in Sfoglia Rina.
Also, the airport is Marconi airport. Same guy.
Fingers crossed your hostess will be happy to let you boil water and melt butter, which is really all the "cooking privileges" you need. If not, I think your schools is not far from Sfoglia Rina, where if they let you out of class by noon or so you can get a plate of fresh pasta for lunch.
The Bolognese are more strict about their tagliatelle than they are the ragu. Every home cook and every restaurant spins the ragu this way or that -- some add a little liver while others forbid tomoto paste. Variations abound within certain parameters. The tagliatelle, however, must be exact, according to official measure as posted in the center of town. (I forgot the exact address, but it is official and publicly posted).
It is really worth getting to know the other fresh egg pastas of Bologna province that you will never find elsewhere. In particular passatelli in brodo is a terrific winter dish. Gramigna, garganelli, tortelloni as well as tortellni, and lasagne (the noodle) in either green or white -- you can find most and probably all of them in Sfoglia Rina.
Nov 26th, 2017, 12:09 PM
#44
thanks for correcting me on the name of the town, massimop - that enabled me to consult my brilliant Swiss train app which tells me that there are trains every 30 mins from Bologna Centrale that take 30 mins. I'll have to try to find out what there is to see there.
I am told that I will have use of the kitchen [whatever that means] but as my hostess is said to be a keen cook it should be ok at least. School finishes at 1pm every [week] day - there are 4 hours of lessons with a coffee break mid morning, then a lunch break, and activities some afternoons. I will certainly explore the Sfolgia Rina and the different sorts of pasta; their website looks very interesting:
http://www.sfogliarina.it/contatti#/contatti/
I am told that I will have use of the kitchen [whatever that means] but as my hostess is said to be a keen cook it should be ok at least. School finishes at 1pm every [week] day - there are 4 hours of lessons with a coffee break mid morning, then a lunch break, and activities some afternoons. I will certainly explore the Sfolgia Rina and the different sorts of pasta; their website looks very interesting:
http://www.sfogliarina.it/contatti#/contatti/
Nov 27th, 2017, 04:40 AM
#45
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lots of people (me included) would consider it a dream come true to be several weeks in Bologna at the mercy of a keen native cook. It is wonderful to watch how they operate in the kitchen and the results are typically wonderful.
Sfoglia Rina also makes its own "pinza", which is a strudel-type pastry filled with the local "mostarda", a sweet compote made chiefly of quince (which should be great in February). While the strudels are certainly big enough to share, if you just wasnt a taste, the same ingredients are used to make a "sweet ravioli", small pastries about the size of a small turnover, or pasty as they are called in the UK.
Sfoglia Rina also makes its own "pinza", which is a strudel-type pastry filled with the local "mostarda", a sweet compote made chiefly of quince (which should be great in February). While the strudels are certainly big enough to share, if you just wasnt a taste, the same ingredients are used to make a "sweet ravioli", small pastries about the size of a small turnover, or pasty as they are called in the UK.
Nov 29th, 2017, 10:23 PM
#48
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Ann, I’m a bit late to the party. If you go to Padua for the Scrovegni Chapel, get tram tickets at the station, maybe a couple of tickets. They are timed, swipe them as you board. There is a booth to the left as you exit the station where you can buy tickets, the tram stop is beside Maccas. The tram avoids a pretty boring walk to the chapel.
Something you’d enjoy in Padua, I’m sure, is the Orto Botanico, the world’s oldest botanical gardens, UNESCO classified. It is near St Antony’s shrine. The greenhouse is very special, demonstrating five different climatic zones.
A venice web site I recently found is www.theveniceinsider.com. Some very useful info, and it’s designed for the repeat visitor like you.
We did a Ghetto tour, and it included visits to three synagogues (sp).
And I hope the world is treating you kindly.
Cheers
Peter
Something you’d enjoy in Padua, I’m sure, is the Orto Botanico, the world’s oldest botanical gardens, UNESCO classified. It is near St Antony’s shrine. The greenhouse is very special, demonstrating five different climatic zones.
A venice web site I recently found is www.theveniceinsider.com. Some very useful info, and it’s designed for the repeat visitor like you.
We did a Ghetto tour, and it included visits to three synagogues (sp).
And I hope the world is treating you kindly.
Cheers
Peter
Nov 30th, 2017, 08:13 AM
#49
welcome aboard, Pal, [though i can't actually remember if you were already here] 5alive and Peter - and as ever thanks for the info. I had thought about the Orto Botanico but wasn't putting it at the top of my list due to the time of year, but I will now investigate further. The tram sounds an excellent idea.
I'll have a look at that Venice website too.
5alive - so far I've enjoyed all the language schools I've been to though they have all been very different, so I'm looking forward to this one. I will certainly be reporting back.
I'll have a look at that Venice website too.
5alive - so far I've enjoyed all the language schools I've been to though they have all been very different, so I'm looking forward to this one. I will certainly be reporting back.
Nov 30th, 2017, 12:39 PM
#50
When we went to the Scrovegni Chapel you could reserve what was called a "double." It is what it sounds like, you get to stay for 2 of timed entries. What was esp nice was inbetween the 2 timed entries, you are alone in the chapel. That was fabulous. Dontknow if they still do that or not.
Nov 30th, 2017, 01:37 PM
#53
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Learn up on Padre Pio and know why his pictures are ubiquitous in transportation devices. At least were when I was last there- even impromptu shrines in parks - maybe not the rage several years ago.
Nov 30th, 2017, 03:17 PM
#55
"Is photography allowed?" I don't recall, but looked at the website and still not sure.
http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it...n/how-to-visit
Sort of contradictory, don't you think?
http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it...n/how-to-visit
Sort of contradictory, don't you think?
Dec 1st, 2017, 01:43 AM
#57
When we went to the Scrovegni Chapel you could reserve what was called a "double." It is what it sounds like, you get to stay for 2 of timed entries. What was esp nice was inbetween the 2 timed entries, you are alone in the chapel. That was fabulous. Don't know if they still do that or not.>>
yes, but not when I am visiting, sadly. I think that they are only available when they offer night visits which are not happening when I am going to be there. If they had, I would seriously have considered spending the second 2 nights in Padua so I could take advantage of that.
<<Yep..."No cameras allowed...photography inside ok" Hmm.>>
I looked at the italian version of the website thinking that there might have been a translation failure, but what seems to have happened is that the word "camera" has been inserted into the english version, the italian makes no mention of it:
Leely2 - thanks for the endorsement of the ragu at Twinside. It's on my list.
"E' vietato introdurre animali, borse, cibi, bevande. I telefoni cellulari e gli smartphone dovranno essere silenziati"
In fact both versions go on to say this, more or less":
"Inside the Scrovegni Chapel and Eremitani Civic Museum visitors are allowed to take photographs for personal or private use but only from a distance to the object (not touching it) and without the use of flash, incandescent lamps, tripods or other support".
So I think that cameras are allowed, but with those limitations. In any event I shall be taking my iPhone, duly silenced of course.
yes, but not when I am visiting, sadly. I think that they are only available when they offer night visits which are not happening when I am going to be there. If they had, I would seriously have considered spending the second 2 nights in Padua so I could take advantage of that.
<<Yep..."No cameras allowed...photography inside ok" Hmm.>>
I looked at the italian version of the website thinking that there might have been a translation failure, but what seems to have happened is that the word "camera" has been inserted into the english version, the italian makes no mention of it:
Leely2 - thanks for the endorsement of the ragu at Twinside. It's on my list.
"E' vietato introdurre animali, borse, cibi, bevande. I telefoni cellulari e gli smartphone dovranno essere silenziati"
In fact both versions go on to say this, more or less":
"Inside the Scrovegni Chapel and Eremitani Civic Museum visitors are allowed to take photographs for personal or private use but only from a distance to the object (not touching it) and without the use of flash, incandescent lamps, tripods or other support".
So I think that cameras are allowed, but with those limitations. In any event I shall be taking my iPhone, duly silenced of course.
Dec 1st, 2017, 03:25 AM
#59
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ann, I am so pleased to see that you are out and about.
You will be in Venice before us, as we arrive 4th May. Say hello to Caro and Phil from us. We have timed our visit to suit Phil launching his next Venetian novel.
Come on, book that EasyJet flight and come to Phil’s party. You can do it, girl.
You will be in Venice before us, as we arrive 4th May. Say hello to Caro and Phil from us. We have timed our visit to suit Phil launching his next Venetian novel.
Come on, book that EasyJet flight and come to Phil’s party. You can do it, girl.
