What do you say about Modena, Bologna and Verona except don’t talk with your mouth full – for eating is what you will be doing most of the time. And it is delicious, mouth watering with never ending culinary creations that one had to leave home for.

Modena is the relaxed retirement village of the three, the food is stellar and surrounded by rolling hills, and this rolling individual after days of eating…and that was just to the shower each morning!

Bologna is the edgier brother who regularly gets into trouble but has an energy and passion that in true Italian nature gets through any situation. Architecture is more defensive in design and dark in finish compared to Modena, but locals here know how to have fun, dance and eat the day away.

Now Verona you need to watch out for. Stunning, seductive with her fashion, ample features with classic lines and surrounded by everyone…you will want her for yourself, but be prepared to share – for she has many admirers! Even as rain took me inside for the first night – a rustic bar, oozing with a candlelit charm, Italian providore Nicnaks and playing movie orchestral hits – proved that Verona will thaw any cold hearted … um … person :). Another night the bar had 80s music, seemed to be an old version of the sitcom Cheers but in Italian…I felt instantly at home, distant and welcome at the same time.

Italian Days was a food quest I undertook and went through DOP Balsamic olive oil growing and bottling, Parmigiano-Reggiano creating and Prosciutto aging. It was brilliant and by the end we were deciding if we should buy a wheel of cheese and have a wheel party…I said that would be better than a fake party….cheesy I know…yes, just seeing who is reading…yes, I can hear you groan.

Lake Garda is a short drive away and well worth the trip, with it’s dizzying heights to curving tunnels and sun drenched water, you will be sure to let your guard down.

The Autostrada is the way out of here and it made me think how many tortelloni (larger tortellini) would be needed to block it and keep me here…apparently firsti, more firsti, secondi and dessert – twice a day for a week isn’t enough, I know – I tried! Merda sono piena.