Pignoletto in Bologna

A new grape for me: pignoletto. And, for a usually red wine drinker, a wonderful surprise: Classico Pignoletto at a winery in the hills just outside Bologna.

Bellini , Catania Sicily, Pizza

Sadly today was the final day of our tour in Sardegna and Sicilia.
We left Siracusa after breakfast to check out the amazing Fish Market of Catania, and a visit to the nearby Duomo of Catania. Probably the most famous son of Catania was Vincenzo BELLINI, born here in 1801.  A child prodigy, he composed several operas  one of the most famous being "Norma" in 1831. So we've been eating a few versions of "Pasta alla Norma". 
Although Bellini lived most of his short life in Italy, he actually died in Paris in 1835, and only later were his remains brought to the Duomo of Catania, where stands his large marble memorial. And the opera theatre here of course is Teatro Bellini.

So tonight, alone after a wonderful fortnight of dining with our fellow travellers, what better than a "Pizza alla Norma", delivered to my door at a cost of only Euro4.  Hard to believe!  So here's a promo for Pizzeria La Principessa, in via Sebastiano Catania, 175 - in case you're ever in Catania searching for an excellent wood fired pizza.
P.S. we also enjoyed drinking more than a few "Bellini"s.... same surname, different family, artist not composer.

Orgosolo, Sardegna

Orgosolo, in the mountains of central Sardegna, is steeped in history, hundreds of Murals on the walls of houses, rocks and shops telling stories of shepherds lives, people's struggles, and political  comments.  Allow yourself an hour or more to stroll down the main street, and other more secret places.

Rome

My limo and driver were at Fiumicino airport to pick me up and drive (quickly) to my modest hotel, not far from Termini stazione, and on the second floor. My room is about 3m x 4m, with a single bed, plus wardrobe and ensuite.... but every possible thing I could need, including marble tiled floor, HD TV, desk, lights with functining globes, hot water etc.

I took the #40 bus from Termini to my favourite spot in all Rome, the Pantheon. I got off near the Vittorio Emanuele bridge, and wandered the old windey streets, pedestraians only (sort of), eventually reaching Piazza Navona. Unfortunately Bernini's fountain covered by white safety boarding as it's being restored. After a gelato, a side street leads to the Pantheon. It was raining lightly all afternoon. I put on my attractive blue plastic raincoat from the $1 shop, immediately identifying myself as a straniera: no Italian woman would reduce herself to such comfortable practical attire. Not "una bella figura".

The Pantheon exterior is presently half covered in scaffolding, but the half that can still be seen is grand and somewhat awe inspiring. No charge to enter today.... lots of people, some there obviously to evade the rain. With the large round hole in the roof, of course the rain came in, so a largish space in the middle of the floor was cordoned off, and for the first time I noticed small holes in parts of the floor for drainage, amomgst the beautiful mosaics. Raphael's tomb, Vittorio Emmanuel's grand tomb, and the fabulous ceiling with the light and shadows making it look even more spectacular... will put a few photos up on the blog when I get a chance.. not able to now, sitting in my hotel room without correct facilities.

Where is Alghero?

Alghero
Alghero, an ancient town in the North-West of Sardegna , has a facinating archaeological heritage and very rich history. We find evidence dating back to prehistoric times, although it's now sometimes referred to as "Little Barcelona" - no help in guessing why. We're booked into a fabulous hotel in a spectacular position right on the ocean .
Will be there in a few days!