I think I'm going to Like it Here (https://wordpress.com/posts/dramababyabroad.wordpress.com): tiny acid trip

Since the Major has a training class to attend in Oberammergau, Germany, we decide to make a bit of an adventure out of the trip north. We schedule an aggressive itinerary with a different stop each night - hoping that Smalls will be a willing participant.

First stop is the country of San Marino.

If you have never heard of this country, well, that's probably because, like the Vatican, it's really a part of Italy. We marvel at the ability of a tiny (24 square miles) country to remain autonomous.

Without reservation, I can say that it's the cutest little country I have ever seen.

Getting to the top of the mountain where the country is situated, it becomes clearer that the defense of this nation was a priority, and likely resulted in its current independent state.

Well, that and the vampire population, apparently...

Ravenna beckoned us with her churchly mosaics spanning four different styles of architecture.

Friendly faces accompany us on our walking tour...

Where tiny shards of glass twinkle stories of religious fervor.

Dizzying heights reveal scenes of struggle and redemption.

Admiring the handiwork works up an appetite. We press on to Brisighella where we hear rumors of a truffle festival. Our efforts are rewarded...

We investigate new fruits we have never seen before...

Then the Major sways my previous stance on preferring black over white truffles with a panzerotto di tartufo bianco.

Our appetites whetted, we press on towards what some consider the stomach of Italy, Bologna.

But since we were passing through Modena, we decide to make a pit stop for the infamous Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena.

When we visited the country many years ago, we had a fantastic tour of a house that makes balsamic vinegar. We learned all about the making this unbelievable product, and developed a deep respect for the process. If you are wondering about the hype, this kind of vinegar takes a minimum of 12 years to produce, and it tastes almost nothing like the kinds you generally find on the shelves in the US.

Not remembering where we went before, we got the address for a place to visit in Modena from friends. When we showed up, we realized that it was the same place we had been before.

We were very excited to revisit the same family and taste the precious treat.

Arriving in Bologna, we have pretty much only one thing on our mind: gelato. Although we are wearing winter gear, we have been advised that there is some excellent ice cream in the vicinity. Our source does not disappoint. Suddenly it's a warm summer day in the middle of winter...

Milan was the final Italian destination, and although most would probably head for the fashion, our destination was La Scala, the famed opera house.

From the outside the building is pretty ordinary, but the inside is breathtaking. No photos allowed, but here is a neat old postcard that shows the boxes we got to tour...