On a beautifully, unseasonably warm Friday afternoon, we stumbled across the adorable Question di Gusto, a wine bar and bistro on a side street in Iseo. We took a table outside with a lovely view of the lake and struck up a conversation with the owner who had a real passion for wine. After the…
Category: Travel Guides
Iseolago Hotel Review: Vintage Charm by the Lake
On the return journey from the trip to Bologna, we decided to stop in the Franciacorta region to taste some favorite bubbles in their home region. What a better way to celebrate a first anniversary than with a celebratory glass. We opted to stay at the budget-friendly, yet old school Italian charming, Iseolago Hotel, right…
Solo Dining Delight: La Trattoria del Tempo Buono in Bologna
On my “fancy lady day” in Bologna I needed a break between Renaissance art and gift shopping for the family, I stumbled on La Trattoria del Tempo Buono. After a quick glimpse of the menu posted outside, I thought I’d try my luck with a table. Luckily, the crowded restaurant had one for and all…
Osteria Broccaindosso Bologna: Homey Italian Dining
After reading lots of local reviews, without wanting to walk into the city center, we landed on Osteria Broccaindosso on the outskirts of the university area. The small rustic room was about half full when we entered at it’s 7:30pm opening time. Throughout our meal, a number of walk-ins in addition to plenty of reservations,…
Il Portico di San Donato: A Hidden Gem in Bologna
In the need for a cheap and cheerful, but generously caloric meal after the long trek to Santuario Madonna di San Luca, we found the wonderful Il Portico di San Donato in our neighborhood. The hospitality was lovely and the main owner/manager of the restaurant didn’t speak English, but his warmth was felt during our…
Exploring Bologna: Aemilia Hotel Experience
For my first trip to Bologna, with the need to be in close(ish) proximity to the conference center, we selected the Aemilia Hotel. The hotel seemed to be full of pilots and flight crew as well as equipped with many meeting rooms and a lively bar that was well conducive for work. The common spaces…
Discovering Osteria dei Servi: A Parma Culinary Gem
On a gloomy weekday night, under the less than romantic market stalls and bus stops of central Parma, is Osteria dei Servi. A strange location, and greeting with a rather large grill (that I knew The Husband would love), this restaurant quickly became a favorite of the weeklong tasting of the Emilia-Romagna region. We were…
A Dingy Stay at Hotel Sina Maria Luigia in Parma
Passing through Parma for a quick overnight on the way to a tradeshow brought us to the Sina Maria Luigia hotel, part of a small group of hotels near and dear to our heart. Despite the mixed reviews online, we persisted with a reservation for romantic reasons. However, had this have been our first experience…
Taste of Syria: An Exquisite Dining Experience at Al Dar
In search of a new cuisine, yet not so far from the hotel, as the weather was abominably cold, we found ourselves at Al Dar. I was pleasantly surprised at just how lovely the interior was with its moody lighting, starched white tablecloths, and lovely clusters of orchids adorning all of the tables. We opted…
Top Burgers in Hannover: Jo’s Food & Craft Beer
After hearing that Jo’s was one of the top burgers in town, it seemed like an easy choice to test drive it on a rainy, cold January night where you can’t feel your feet walking to or from the restaurant. On a Monday, with no reservation, the place was packed! Glad to have gotten there…
Incredible Pizza Experience at Bestia
Recently I enjoyed my second visit to Bestia Pizza and really, the name just says it all. This pizza is incredible! I never ever ever finish a pizza and this gorgeous pistachio-obsessed concoction was no trouble. The crust is so light and fluffy, and the toppings are interesting twists on classics like this (not at…
Panu Pizza Review: A Unique Dining Experience in Hannover
After a long day of meetings capped with a long drive to Hannover, we sought a quick and easy dinner near our hotel and landed on Panu Pizza. I’ve been impressed with just how consistently good the pizza is in Europe, outside of Italy, so I’m always happy to land on a spot for cozy,…