We woke slowly today. We got breakfast and got out – we decided to go to the Pinacoteca de Siena, the painting gallery in Siena. No pictures and no catalog, so there's not much for me to do but say that the art is very interesting. Sienese art is very gothic.

A painting of a city (Citta) by Sassetta from the Pinacoteca

Which car is ours? The Mercedes on the left or the one on the right with a colorful package of pastries on the trunk?

An internet cafe in Siena - I saw at least three, and the hotel had an access point

We drove to Bologna after a quick lunch. The drive was uneventful, and the new hotel, a Holiday Inn (everything else is booked to a big construction conference) is pretty nice but the people running the place are not very nice or helpful.

Aviva is amazed at the small cars in Italy

We returned the car. We then took a cab downtown and shopped for an hour or so before dinner. We ate at Ristorante Pappagallo, which was expensive but wonderful! I highly suggest dinner at this restaurant when in Bologna; make sure to have whatever lasagna is in season – that is a specialty in Bologna.

The street sign for Pappagallo

Business card for Pappagallo (front)

Business card for Pappagallo (back)

Now we're getting ready for bed – tomorrow is my last day in Italy. I'm both sad and glad, as my back is hurting occasionally but I really enjoy the people and seeing new places.