Porticos and A River Path

June 6, 2016

Cliff opened the window to our room in Bologna to rumbling thunder and a steady rain at 5:30 in the morning and memories of Scotland 2015 flashed through my mind.  Not to worry though, by the time we finished breakfast, dropped our proceed bags off in the lobby of the Hotel Porto San Mamolo and shouldered our backpacks the sun was beating back the clouds for what would be a clear and sunny 12-mile hike with a altimetric profile shaped like a skate board trick ramp.

Our first steady climb (~1500 feet) took us through the 666 porticos of the covered passage from downtown Bologna to the Basilica Santa Luca high above the city.  All along the way were plaques recognizing the Italian benefactors who made possible the marvelous course of covered stairs and terrazzo floors that connect the city to the basilica, which dates back to the 1100's.  The ascent took a little less than an hour -- and Cliff and I agreed it would be a must-do add to our workouts if we lived in Bologna!

Out of the city and through a local park, we found ourselves walking along the Reno River on a wooded path that had enough mud to make us thankful we weren't walking in the rainy season -- when the path no doubt turns into a small stream running parallel to the Reno.  The path made for a long and sweaty slog (humidity was rising) until we popped out of the woods just at a small damn across the Reno.  Having found  perfect place for a picnic lunch we veered off the trail, found a flat rock on which to cut our pradano, salami, apples and bread, poured wine and toasted the pleasures of great weather, great food and drink and great friends.

On a solid pace in spite of our many photo pauses (and lunch break), we were at the pick up point (our hotelier collected us this evening) two hours early.  A quick call brought round a car -- whisking us off to clean the dust (and mud) off before dinner.

Ah and dinner . . . Must be noted.  The five (count 'me, five) courses each were delicious and distinctive.  Thank goodness this is a walking vacation!

Journal question: best holiday last year?  For me, St Paddy's Day in Santa Fe.  And you?