MFNYC

Nina88, I just responded to your post on my other thread (with links to photos). Anyway, the building is actually an office building, which appears to have lots of lawyer offices in it! The name, if I remember correctly, was indicated on the buzzer panel. It's a small street off the main drag with some restaurants and cafes. It's a few flights up, and there is an elevator. Felippe (owner) greeted us, but that was the only time we saw him, or anyone else for that matter. We did have his phone #, and did use it when we had questions. He was very helpful. The room also has a small fridge which they stock with some water and juice, and they stock the room with snacks and a coffee maker (no extra charge for any of this). There also is common room with more of everything. The terrace is private to the suite. The bathroom was huge.

MFNYC

It's a bit of a walk from the train station if you're dealing with luggage.

nina88

Thank you MFNYC that helps a lot. Yes, we plan to take the taxi eventhough our luggage is just a small, 21"roll on. Wow and I thought the terrace is a common area for the building! Supposedly, we will have 2 breakfast... early morning (coffee and brioche) and regular (at a cafe nearby) included on the daily rate. Did you have the same? If so, if you did not see the owner after the check in, how did you get the early breakfast?

MFNYC

Nina, We had breakfast at the local cafe. They leave a little card in the room that you bring to the cafe, although the cafe never asked for it. You just tell them you're from the b&b. The room has a coffee maker and snacks. We did not see Felippe after check-in, but did speak to him a couple of times by phone (so if you have questions when there, just call him). The building is mostly offices. I don't think we saw anyone in the building during the 3 days we were there! There was another guest in the other room, but we never saw them either.

nina88

Thanks again MFNYC... we're having good weather lately here in NYC! Just wondering how you found this small B&B?

massimop

Not answering for MFNYC but Casa Faccioli is listed on Booking.com

If you want a truly outstanding cup of coffee in the morning on top of your complimentary, it's a very short walk from your B&B to Terzi in the via Oberdan (number 10/d)

http://caffeterzibologna.com/en/about-us

If after you eat at Hosteria Giuisti in Modena you don't feel like eating a full dinner, the Salumeria Bruno e Franco is also on the via Oberdan, and has high quality deli products & prepared foods to go. There are nice pictures of what's available on Tripadvisor

http://www.la-salumeria.it/

nina88

Thank you massimop. I included both of them on our growing list of restaurants, cafes, etc. The salumeria will be perfect for an evening on our terrace.

nina88

Casa Faccioli does seem to function like a airbnb vs. a typical b&B which is OK with us as we're pretty self sufficient. Just surprised by the almost no-interaction with the host other than the check-in.

MFNYC

Yes, it is on Booking.com. I usually first look on TripAdvisor, and click on the "B&Bs and Inns" filter, as well as hotels. Then I check what I find there on other sights to see if reviews seem pretty consistent.

I tend to lean towards small and charming, as opposed to big and generic, whenever possible. I've had very good luck with the smaller B&B and guest house type places. As long as bathroom is ensuite and it is clean, quiet and well located.

The AirBNB in Manarola, my daughter actually found when she went there. She tends to gravitate towards AirBNB in general before even looking at hotels or B&Bs.She was pleased with that rental, and I loved the view from the little balcony, so I booked it.

MFNYC

Just want to add, that I thought the food shops in Bologna were to die for. So many great, fresh ingredients. I'm 1/2 Italian and like to cook so to me this was paradise. If I could stay for an extended period, I'd love to rent an apartment so I can cook, and take some pasta making classes.

PalenQ

Do they have good baloney in Bologne?

MFNYC

Actually mortadella is more or less baloney in my eyes. Not a fan. Now prosciutto is another story.

nina88

MFNYC, Uova e Farina on Corte Isolani (right next to Piazza Santo Stefano)is a shop that makes fresh pasta, etc., wouldn't it be nice to have this with just fresh herbs and olive oil, whatever cured meat, cheese, bread from the salumeria, a bottle of wine and sit on the terrace with the church bells ringing at sunset? Then stop by Caffe Tersi for a shot of espresso or maybe a mocha with of course whip cream and chocolate shaving. Heaven on earth!

goddesstogo

"If I could stay for an extended period, I'd love to rent an apartment so I can cook, and take some pasta making classes."

And that's exactly why we got a flat in Bologna rather than a hotel. Some very helpful fodorite said that the food in the area is so fabulous that occasionally we'll want a small lunch or dinner at home. We both love markets and my SO loves to cook.

We also chose a small studio with a kitchenette at our Turin hotel so we can keep a few 'small meal' foods there -- fruit, yogurt, etc.

massimop

>>"a bottle of wine and sit on the terrace with the church bells ringing at sunset? Then stop by Caffe Tersi for a shot of espresso or maybe a mocha with of course whip cream and chocolate shaving.">>

The coffee drnk to try at Terzi's (or other specialty cafes in Bologna is a "cremino"

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...1d99e533e9.jpg

However, coffee bars in Bologna close before dinner, so it's a beverage to sample earlier in the day.

You won't find bread in the salumerie of Bologna. You'll need to go to the panificio (some of which sell fresh pasta).

There are nice fresh pasta shops in Turin if you have a kitchen. But the "tagliatelle" of Bologna becomes "tajarin" in Torino, and is much more narrowly cut, and more delicate, more often served simply with butter and cheese, not meat sauce. Stuffed pasta is made with beef or even lamb, not pork

http://www.gamberorosso.it/it/food/1...resca-in-citta

The American name for mortadella is "baloney", since immigrant vendors in the US identified sausage/salami by its point of origin -- Bologna -- even when they couldn't match the product precisely in terms of ingredients & quality. Finding a vendor in Bologna whose mortadella you prefer (even cherish) is like finding a sfoglia whose tagliatelle you prefer. It's just a subjective thing. I like mortadella sliced thin from several salumerie in Bologna, but the unique treat is a thick slice of grilled mortadella drizzled with balsamic vinegar at Da Gianni.

http://www.trattoria-gianni.it/i-nostri-secondi

nina88

Thanks Massimop...yum!

nina88

We are are finalizing our itinerary and would appreciate it if someone can give feedbacks or recommendation re the following:
1) Your favorite restaurant in Bologna, Modena, Parma, Cinque Terre (including surrounding towns/villages) and Lake Como. We prefer non-touristy restaurants, does not have to be fancy as long as food is good and a bonus if it has a nice location and where locals dine also.
2) Favorite site/attraction from above towns/cities as well as Ravenna.
3) If we just want to visit one villa in Lake Como which one is your favorite. Or, would it be better if we just take a ferry pass and view all those villas from the ferry? My concern would be since we will be there in Oct., the garden might not be that attractive (versus doing a tour in spring when the garden will be in full bloom.)

Thank you.

nina88

I just got most of our train tickets already through Trenitalia and most are discounted. Do I need to get a printed ticket when we arrive in Italy or are the receipts good enough to present to the train conductor? Thanks.

Macaroni09

Hello MFNYC!

Your Italy posts are awesome!

Just talking to Carol about a trip to Israel and would love to contact you. Would you be willing to share your planning successes?

Molto Grazie!