We left Sulmona a week ago , and headed to Ferrara , but on the way we dropped into San Marino for lunch. San Marino is one of the worlds smallest and oldest republics. It’s situated on top of a rocky outcrop with great views all around. We took the cable car up to the Centro Storico and found lots of people shopping as it is a tax free haven for the Italians.

Lunch was fantastic and Rhonda’s vegetarian ravioli with peas and cherry tomatoes was her best pasta yet! Greg’s vongule was rather good too.

We arrived at our Air BnB in Ferrara and it is fabulous! It’s inside the City Walls in a cobbled one way street and a 15 minute walk to the main piazza and Pippo has his own little parking spot , a 5 minute walk away! Perfecto! We have a private walled garden which is lovely to sit in the late arvo and have a few drinks, and we also have air-conditioning, which is a God send, given the temperature has been 32 plus ever since we arrived.

We did a 2 1/2 hour walking tour through Ferrara with Massimo, our guide. We learnt a lot of the history of Ferrara and in particular the Este Family. The Este Castello is the centrepiece of the Centro Storico and it is magnificent.

Massimo told us some interesting stories of the Este Family who ruled Ferrara from the 13th to the 16th Century. One Duke apparently had over 800 lovers, many illegitimate children and the last Duke had 3 wives , to try to produce an heir. His last marriage was to a 15 year old girl when he was 45 ! But after 3 wives he didn’t produce the son , so the Catholic came along and threw the Family out and Ferrara became ruled by the Church.

The main Pizza in Ferrara is the Piazza Trento-Trieste , top right.

We also walked around the Jewish Ghetto Quarter. In 1500 , 2000 Jews were invited by the Este Family to relocate in Ferrara , to bring more wealth to the city ,however in 1598 when the Este Family were sent packing the church segregated the Jews from the city and locked them in the Ghetto at night. It is a lovely area to wander around. Ferrara is also a walled city, which we walk around…….a little…….each morning. After Amalfi we cant do the full 11 kilometres!

We did a day trip to Bologna , by train. It was interesting to note that masks are required, they must be P2 , and there was security on the train checking that people complied. We had been to Bologna before but still enjoyed wandering the streets and had a fabulous lunch . We started with a great bruschetta , and being in Bologna, we had to have the traditional tortellini bolognese! It was YUM.

We also took a drive to the Pomposa Abby, a Benedictine Monastery started in the 9th Century, and by the 12th Century it became a privileged destination for hermits, emperors, nobles, saints and pilgrims. Take your pick of where we fit in! There were magnificent frescoes from the 14th Century and beautiful ceramic floors from the 12th Century. It was worth the drive and the 5 euro entrance fee!

Another interesting building is the Palazzo dei Diamanti, a “Renaissance Palace clad in diamond shaped marble”. It is alleged that at the time of construction, an actual diamond was embedded in one of the diamond clad bricks, but no one has found it yet!

Although it looks like we have been eating out a lot, Rhonda’s personal chef is , as usual, doing a great job cooking up a storm , and making the “occasional” Aperol Spritz for her!

Last night , being Friday it was Pizza night , and for those who are interested, the current leader of the pack in the best Margherita competition is the one we had in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast. Last nights is currently in second place , but seeing we still have about 9 Pizza Friday nights to go , the competition will heat up!

So it’s that time again,

Ciao ciao

Greg and Rhonda