Venice was as expected out of a fairytale, albeit a fairytale swarming with tourists even in shoulder season. Luckily my friend yelena was kind enough to show me around her city, eat the cheapest and best paninis wine and coffee, and find my way through all the winding streets. Great art galleries off the tourist circuit and of course the guggenheim museum sits there too. winding one's way through the labyrinth of streets is a pleasure in the presence of a local!! Of course the architecture and canals are charming and steeped in history
bologna is one of my favourite cities, absolutely charming with a big student population and energetic nightlife, as well as fine architecture, lots of history and beautiful scenery. Highlights were jogging through the portico di san luca, the restaurant osteria dell'orsa, the nighlife on via zamboni, the architecture including the towers and the basilica, the festivals at piazza maggiore, the very fine shops too. feels very stylish and cultured