Hanging At Luciano Pavarotti's Country Crib

Ahh, to live like an opera rock star! You can pretend for an hour or so, at the country villa of Luciano Pavarotti, near Modena in Italy. Time to go smash a TV or something.

House and grounds. Oh, and a giant Pavarotti portrait, him bursting through a curtain. Subtle.

Living room. Piano, for when inspiration strikes, tuxedo when super hero need strikes. A painting by the master. Pavarotti dabbled.

Big kitchen. Yellow was in that year. Double dishwashers!

Big bedroom and bathroom.

Half the house has been cleared of furniture and is now devoted to trophies and wardrobe. Probably plenty more keepsakes in storage.

Building The Brand At The Enzo Ferrari Museum

Wait, there's more than one Ferrari museum? Yes! So many fancy cars, so little warehouse space. For those people in disbelief, an explanation: The museum in Maranello concentrates on racing while the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena focuses on the man and what he made. Got it?

Enough words, let's see some wheels. Patience, let's start with the original factory building.

Plotting and planning. Globe for taking over the world inspiration. "We need to be dominating Oslo!" Where it all begins, big engines.

The grand showroom. Super cars and super duper cars.

Drawers of finishing options. "Can I get you in some blue leather today?" Getting crazy with performance and body color. No one will see you coming, you'll already be gone.

All excess aside, the Enzo Ferrari Museum features a beautiful parade of iconic street models that span the decades.

Seeing Red At The Museum Ferrari Maranello

Of course, that's Ferrari red.

The Ferrari museum in Maranello is an easy day trip from Bologna. Who doesn't want to see things you can't afford that go really fast?

About that red color. Out in force.

And out in history, on iconic old racing cars. Sleek. Worn leather cockpit of a 1948 166 MM. Rich.

The real racing arena, Formula One machines.

Back to work. The boss' desk, complete with masculine paperweights and an ashtray with your logo. So much winning. The trophy case.

Perhaps the most famous Ferrari, the 1984 GTO. Thanks, Magnum PI TV show!

Pick color. And leather. If you're spending 250k+ for your ride, get what you want.

Testing your Formula One skills at the pit stop tire change challenge. Sorry, you don't get to keep the tire.

Bologna At Night

European cities have a nice aura at night, all dark alleys, hush cafes, dappled cobblestone streets. Time to head out into the darkness of Bologna.

The full moon is out over the Neptune fountain in the Piazza Maggiore area.

Sparkly tree. Civic drinking fountain.

"The rave is that way." Monument of the priest, Ugo Bassi.

Street light illumination.

Back at the Piazza Maggiore, the moon as strong backlight.

Wandering Basilica Of San Stefano In Bologna

Otherwise known as the Complex of Seven Churches, San Stefano is a group of Catholic buildings in Bologna. One can drift between churches and intimate courtyards, finding Jesus whenever the mood strikes.

View from the front piazza.

Impressive marble pulpit. Impressive painted wood carved statue of the classic Pieta.

Getting grotto in the Basilica San Vitale.

Good artwork. Virgin Mary in an alcove and Jesus holding up some sort of goat horse animal thingy.

Valuable. Baby in a gold case.

Curious Things At Museo di Palazzo Poggi

The Palazzo Poggi museum in Bologna, Italy is either a classic, historic collection related to the early years of science, anatomy, research or it's a Ripley's Believe It Or Not-like rabbit hole of curiosities. Maybe both views are true.

An anatomy gallery. Humans in tanks.

The unique and unusual, worth saving. A two-headed calf and a one-eyed infant.

Welcome to the gallery of obstetrics. From where do babies come? So many options!

Self portrait wax model of Anna Morandi Manzollini. She did breakthrough work in anatomical modeling back in the 18th century. The eyes have it. At least several ailments.

Painting of a frog dissection. In the style of a rococo, Sunday luncheon garden party. "Who's ready for an appetizer?"

Moody Santa Maria dei Servi

The church of Santa Maria dei Servi in Bologna is filled with all sorts of eerie, moody displays of art, icons, artifacts. Sure, a grand altar may be impressive. Small details can also be rewarding.

Front exterior. A nice courtyard, framed with an arcade of columns.

Inside, accept the mysteries. Double painting and a baby (Jesus? Who else?) in a box.

Christ on the cross with crazy, horror film shadows surrounding the painting.

Important, framed priest. Bearded, old man sculpture as usher. "You have a password for me, to go through the red, velvet curtain?" Uhm, no.

Back in the center of the church, overflow seating has become a random scatter.