MODENA GUIDE

"So in another way in your mind you feel tradition is oppressive... it's so difficult to be creative with such a heavy heritage." – Massimo Bottura

WHERE TO STAY And what to do:

Modena is a small city and anywhere you stay in the town center will be great. Instead of an Airbnb, we opted to stay at  Quartopiano Bed and Breakfast. Let me tell you, this is the best B&B we have ever stayed at. Located on the top floor of an apartment building, the two room apartment felt like your own Italian home. Each morning, either in the kitchen or at the owner's cute Mon Cafe nearby, freshly baked pastries were available with your choice of caffeine. Best part of all? I really think its the owners, Alessandro and Antonio. They made us feel extremely welcome and answered any questions we may have had. 

We came to Modena for Osteria Francescana and I am so glad the restaurant gave us the opportunity to explore this incredibly charming and wonderful city. For a city like Modena, leisurely exploring the city and stopping to eat along your day is really the only way to go about seeing this place. Just live like the locals would and you'll walk away loving this city more than when you first enter it. I can't wait to go back! It was really one of our favorites on our Italian tour. 

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK:

Modena is located in Italy's great gastronomic centres, the force behind real balsamic vinegar, giant tortellini stuffed with tantalising fillings, sparkling Lambrusco wine and colorful backstreets crammed with some of the best restaurants no one's ever heard of (and one, Osteria Francescana, that everybody has heard of, Top Three in 50 Best Restaurant in the World). I want to spend a week here exploring all the delicious local gems. 

Osteria Francescana: What could I even say about this place to convince you to go? If you can get a reservation, make a trip out of it. We've been to many 3 Michelin Star restaurants before and while they're all good in their own rights, nothing was as memorable as Osteria. Perhaps its the setting and location, but its actually the only restaurant I can still remember all the dishes we had and when it comes to this kind of dining, there's usually too many to recount. It's safe to say, this may be the best restaurant we've ever been to.

You honestly can't go wrong with food in this city so here is just a list of spots we loved and spots we couldn't get to that I'm sure are just as wonderful. Make sure not to miss out on Tortellini in broth: Osteria Stallo del Comodoro, Ristorante Enzo, Da Danilo, Franceschetta 58, Bloom Gelato, Trattoria Aldina, Oreste.