A quick 30-minute train ride from Florence and you can be in Bologna! Exit Tuscany, enter Emilia Romagna. Bologna was a city I had never visited before on my many trips to Italy, although my great great grandmother, Cesira Bettuchi was born there.

The region of Emilia Romagna is the area of Italy known mostly for its reputation of being the best place for gastronomical of experiences, which is saying something considering how many great food experiences can be had in our mother country.  Bologna is not called la Grassa (The Fat) for any other reason.