The Most Beautiful Park in Italy

    Last month, my friend and I went to visit a place dubbed as 'The Most Beautiful Park in Italy'. It is this 60-hectare paradise named Parco Giardino Sigurtà. It is a perfect place to visit during spring.  You can hire a golf cart or a bike to roam around. It has ponds, fountains, a mini-zoo, a hermit-house, function hall, bar, rose plantations and off course its famous tulips. Each flowerbed is carefully arranged by color, height and kind. No need to go to Holland! There are also different kinds of trees, shrubs, herbs and flowers!

Bees are busy this time of the year!

The ground is large enough for kids to run around without hurting themselves!

It includes ponds and fountains too.

Just a kilometer away from the park is this beautiful town called Borgetto. It is an old village situated near the river of Mincio. It's one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Borghetto is a unique town where you can feed a swan while drinking cappuccino.

Love locks.

Boating after breakfast?

'Good luck',  the bucket says. There is always something interesting everywhere you look.

Hello Spring!

Parma (Part 2)

   Here are some photos I took of my short visit to the interesting Parma.

Some lovers left this on one of the bridges of Parma River.

The Baptistery of Parma

Typical Street

The city center

The park lake

Typical houses among some ruins.

      This cool guy with a magenta jacket shouted, "Coco, come here!", when I was next to him. I thought he was calling out for his dog or son etc. but suddenly I saw this goose flapping its wings from the other side of the lake. It started quacking, swimming and dancing excitedly towards him. The guy caressed the goose's wings and head for a while while it rubs its head to his palms. This happened for about 5 minutes. I've never thought there can be a connection between a man and a bird this intimate... or that these birds can recognize a name given to them.. Amazing!

Parma: A Quick Visit

Last Sunday, I went to visit Parma, little a town of Emilia Romagna. Have you ever heard of the Parmesan cheese? It came from this place. I had one of the most unforgettable experiences ever here which I will tell on my next entry. Here is a sweet little quote I saw along the Parma River. It means 

" There is no city without poetry."

I hope you had a HAPPY VALENTINE' S DAY!

Hiking in Bologna!

    Italy is surrounded by hills and mountains. The most famous is the Apennines. Apennine Mountains are a mountain range consisting of parallel smaller chains extending 1,200 km along the length of Italy.

  When I have a free time, I would go to the mountain with my grandmother or with my cousin and spend a lot of time hiking. Yesterday, my cousin and I went for a hike in one of the mountains of Bologna. Our route is from the Bosco di San Michele to the Forte Bandiera. It is a very hot day so we brought about 3 liters of water.

Our trail started here. It is located just below the Church of San Michele

cooling canopies

During the rest of the hike, you will be guided by these signs.

These are unmatured figs that can be found along the trail.

Sigs that guide you along the way.

my cousin enjoying the view!

Beautiful villas can be seen along the hillsides.

Finally, we have arrived. In here you can see a wonderful view of Bologna and have picnics too!

A heart-shaped track ended our hike. =)

The trail is about 8 kilometers and took us about 3 hours to finish. It was a very rewarding experience! You can get more info (in Italian) here: http://www.bolognawelcome.com/da-vedere/itinerari-suggeriti/params/Percorso_3/ref/San%20Michele%20in%20Bosco%20-%20Forte%20Bandiera

in English here:

http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/places-to-see/suggested-itineraries/params/Percorso_3/ref/