Meredith Paslawsky – EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog

Bologna: Drogheria della Rosa, a classic restaurant

Meredith Paslawsky — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:51:27 +0000

Ethereal truffle ravioli that melt in your mouth. Heavenly mascarpone sprinkled with bitter dark chocolate shavings. Dreams are made of such things.

At Drogheria della Rosa in Bologna, jovial owner Emanuele Addone keeps you smiling all night. After all, he did take home the prestigious San Pelligrino Cooking Cup. If his contagious enthusiasm doesn’t hit you, the continuously flowing wine certainly will.

Drogheria della Rosa’s cellar has several hundred choices of vino for every budget. Second piatti range from €9 to €15 per dish. Each dish is simple, made from the freshest ingredients, and prepared to perfection. Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time. During the summer months, we recommend outside tables.

Drogheria della Rosa
Address: Via Cartoleria, 10
Telephone: +39 51 22 2529
Hours: 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., and 8 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday

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Florence: The World’s Most Beautiful Pharmacy

Meredith Paslawsky — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:09:23 +0000

How many pharmacies can claim frescoed ceilings and whispering shoppers? Only the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella in the former chapel belonging to the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.

Since the 15th century, this herbalist and pharmacy has collected a faithful following of jet setters and average Florentines who fancy luxurious soaps, perfumes, pomades, and ancient infusions. Our top picks include Pasta di Manorle, a sweet almond hand cream perfected by the Monks, and a magic blend of handmade organic potpourri.

Good luck finding these rarities outside of Florence. If you do manage to do so, prices are double or triple what you pay in the original Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. Although not quite as cheap as the items on offer at the corner Boots or Duane Reade, these 600 year-old potions a relative bargain when purchased on site.

The pharmacy is located a stone’s throw from the Santa Maria Church on Via della Scala.
39-055-216-276

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Venice day trip suggestion: Torcello

Meredith Paslawsky — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:28:09 +0000

The islands surrounding Venice are a godsend for travelers wanting to veer off the well-beaten Venetian path. Pack a picnic basket lunch and head over to the nearly deserted lagoon island of Torcello to relive Katharine Hepburn’s romantic picnic in the 1955 movie Summertime.

You’ll get lost in Torcello’s tranquil haven of enchanting rose gardens and ancient vineyards. Hemingway fell in love with the place and is even rumored to have written one of his novels on the island.

No Torcello jaunt is complete without a visit to the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, a stunning Romanesque church. The Cattedrale’s colorful 12th-century Byzantine mosaics are particularly amazing.

To get to Torcello, take the 12 or T vaporetto.

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