The Ferrara Balloon Festival: You May Never Be Earth-Bound Again

When travelers think of historic Italian cities, theywere able to bike to the Balloon Festival.
often think of Florence, Rome, and Venice. But forThe region of Emilia Romagna is known world-wide
those who know the real Italy, there are otherfor its food, and our dinner at the Big Night
incalculable riches. One such treasure is the town ofRistorante (+39 0532 242 367), a restaurant that
Ferrara, protected by UNESCO on the World Culturalshares an entrance and collaborative relationship with
Heritage list as a priceless example of a living,the hotel, was no exception. We ate a crostata
breathing work of Renaissance art.salata di ricotta, which is a ricotta pie topped with
A vast portion of the town survives from the middlegrilled radicchio. This was followed by pasticcio di
ages and in the off-season, before the arrival ofmacaroni alla ferrarese con tartufo, a wonderful
eager tourists, a quiet morning walk in the pedestrianmacceroni pasta with truffles covered by paper thin
center along the cobble-stoned streets and brick andand crispy pasta dough. Our second course was
stone palazzos will bring you back hundreds of yearsfiletto di manzo in crosta con punte asparagi, crema
to a less complicated existence. Now picture a crispdi Roquefort profumato al tartufo nero, which is a
cool day in September and try to imagine the skybeef fillet in pastry with white asparagus tips, a hint
above that beautiful city filled with the dancing colorsof Roquefort and black truffles.
of hot air balloons. First one, then five, twenty, thenAll dishes melted in our mouths and were some of
thirty.the finest I have tasted. The entire dinner was
Alex and I braved an actual take-off, but even fromtopped off with a chocolate masterpiece, dolcetto di
the ground, the festival is filled with sights andcioccolato fondente con crema alla vaniglia, gelato di
sounds that most of us are not used to experiencingpistachio e curry indiano. If you can picture this, it
in every day life. Imagine a flaccid piece of coloredwas a warm chocolate cupcake with a liquid center,
parachute-like material, slowly inflating to a balloon thewith vanilla cream, homemade pistachio ice cream and
size of a three story building and then float off intoIndian curry. It would be the one food I would
the sky amid the sound and sight of the flamingrequest should I have the misfortune to find myself
forced air entering it. Let's face it, your adrenaline ison death-row some day. The chef, Fabio Zanella, is
going even if you are not one the lucky ones to takesure to have been scooped up an aggressive hotelier
a celestial journey. It's not necessary to wait untilsomewhere else in the world, were it not for the
next year. Ferrara has many other sites, none offact that he was born and bred in Ferrara and
which should be missed. But should you decide toreluctant to leave.
combine your trip with the experience of theFerrara has many other sites, none of which should
magnificent "mongolfiere," the hot air balloons will bebe missed. They include La Pinacoteca Nazionale (The
waiting for you next September.National Picture Gallery), a home for a panorama of
Our favorite hotel is Hotel Ferrara (+39)paintings from the mediaeval era to the 18th century
0532-20.50.48, in the historical center in the mainand many other beautiful museums. The most
piazza overlooking the Castello Estense an imposingheart-rendering, however, and one not to be missed
14th century castle and the symbol of power andby those exploring their Jewish heritage is that of the
refinement of the historical presence of Ferrara.Jewish Ghetto, beautifully preserved with its three
There could be no better base for a visit of thesynagogues.
town. Using the complimentary hotel bicycles, we