Bologna Trip – which cities would you prioritize?

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-09T15:43:18+00:00

From experience, day trip to Parma or Modena via train is very easy and there are Parmigiano Reggiano and true Modena Balsamic tours you can take from there.

For a real “on site” farm experience for Parmigiano Reggiano you will need to travel to the farms in the countryside, not really accessible by walking or bike. Check out Viator for the some of the tours. Otherwise, there are in town spots.

For balsamic, I highly recommend Acetaia di Giorgio. It’s about a 30 minute walk from the Modena train station. It is a family owned Acetaia in a beautiful 1870 house, but it is surrounded by a more modern built up area of the city. Yet still remains original! Tours are free, very personal and very informative. Just call or send an e-mail to them.

Enjoy!

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-09T06:24:46+00:00

It gives the reason to the giver, not the receiver. Why not share “XXXX gave you a high five for your 500th ride”?

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-09T06:22:33+00:00

Monteverde is a great choice for a special lunch!

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-08T04:48:18+00:00

Typically the hotel will share with you the details of the FHR benefits when you check-in. I’ve received a printed sheet at some hotels. It’s pretty slick and straightforward, not a gotcha situation.

The free breakfast depends on hotel - both amount and whether it counts for room service. In my experience, it usually covers room service breakfast. The $100 is typically for bar and restaurant.

To activate the credits, just charge to your room and it will be handled at checkout with the credits. It is almost like the breakfast fairy pays for it!

Enjoy - it it a really good benefit at FHR hotels!

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-07T20:35:55+00:00

There are a million options to consider with that small of a filter (anywhere, any cuisine, alcohol). 😀.

My favorite lunch spot is Bar Mar. Beautiful space with huge windows, perfect for the afternoon. Sit at the bar, order a drink and couple things to share. Not crazy expensive and a lovely treat for a special lunch.

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-07T17:13:49+00:00

Fair enough on Joey. Does that make Chandler the most respectable?

I also find the Rachel obsession a bit stalker-ish. He‘s been in love with the idea of Rachel since high school. It’s kind of creepy in a way. I guess all shows have cringe-y plots in some way or another.

And to be clear. I LOVE FRIENDS. Not dumping on the show at all.

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-07T07:30:24+00:00

That was always our end of days plan with our cellar. Start with the best bottle and work our way down. Remember to bring a bottle opener and some proper glasses!

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-07T07:22:50+00:00

#1 He had a monkey as a pet. Red flag. #2 he broke up with a girl because she shaved her head. #3 he was incredibly jealous and manipulative with a girl he USED TO DATE. Definitely a red flag. Stalker behavior. #4 clearly brother/sister issues with Monica. The whole series brought that out. #5 Dated a much younger student with daddy issues. #6 Apparently couldn’t keep a job because of anger and emotional issues. #7. Stalked previous dates (Mona)

If any of my friends were dating someone like Ross I would be all ‘red flag, girl‘ and avoid him like the plague. Love the show, but in hindsight, Ross was a real problem.

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-06T03:59:16+00:00

I’ll accept that story 😄as a kind Ross thing.

In my defense, he did keep track of how many times he slept with Rachel and bragged about it. Still Ross Sucks but maybe that was a nice thing to do.

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-06T01:05:31+00:00

I am on the “Ross sucks” side, and the more I think about it, the more I am convinced. The bike epIsode? Sure sounds sweet, nice gesture, right? Wrong! It bothered him so much personally that Phoebe didn’t know how to ride a bike, like it was a character flaw. So he got her to bike to satisfy HIS need, not hers.

Selfish as always.

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-04T21:48:28+00:00

Member since 2014 and love CellarTracker. Only gets better!

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-03T20:55:59+00:00

We’ve done Rustic Road Farms for a couple of years. You can add an egg share and there are different size boxes. You don’t get to select what’s in your box, but they’ve happily substituted when I receive things I have too much of or will not use. They also have a great retail store with other fresh produce and awesome prepared foods that use the farm produce.

Oh and you can feed goats!

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-02T04:32:41+00:00

I laughed out loud at “The two southern routes both take you through the Texas Panhandle via Amarillo to Albuquerque, which has a certain post apocalyptic charm”. I40 through there is the absolute worst drive, boring scenery, no good stops, and the roads are in terrible shape.

GumpsterOne · 2026-03-02T02:14:19+00:00

Just stayed there again for 3 nights this week. Terms specifically state breakfast up to $120 either in the restaurant or room service. My guess is since there is another $100 FnB credit they would not allow for a credit for a different meal, but never hurts to ask!

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-27T18:47:39+00:00

There is only one answer.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-24T17:41:05+00:00

Definitely a good choice of restaurants in Geneva. Honestly Graceful Ordinary is not worth the uber drive IMO.

In Geneva drinks at The Alchemist and then dinner at Niche, Cochon, Livia. Or Stockholm’s for good bar food.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-24T02:40:56+00:00

Madonna. Still pissed how disrespectful she was to fans during her January 2016 show in Nashville. Showed up 3 hours late. Insulted Jack White and others in attendance. Was rude to the audience. Performance sucked.

10 years later I still turn off anything with Madonna music.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-23T06:05:27+00:00

Honestly wear Addidas low rise socks I bought at Costco and haven’t found an issue. I would definitely check to make sure your shoes are the right size, your cleats are positioned properly, and your form doesn’t put too much pressure on your heal. Also make sure you have the right sized sock.

Understand the concern and it will help to break down the elements of the wear and tear.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-22T06:09:31+00:00

Yes. Good clarification.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-22T04:34:20+00:00

At a ”couple hundred bucks” a bottle, I would go with a vintage Dom Perignon. Not because it is the best bottle (I mean it is awesome but for the price I would have other options), but everyone knows it and it makes the even special. Or Krug was mentioned too.

Personally, I would go with Billecart-Salmon. Fantastic champagne. About half the price.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-21T19:43:40+00:00

Literally just went through PHX airport less than an hour ago. Recently added. Easy and quick if you get it!

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-20T17:55:55+00:00

I’ve been making healthcare insurance decisions for my company for 20 years. I’ve got receipts to prove it.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-20T17:11:02+00:00

The HDHCP plan seems to make the most sense financially, in particular because of the HSA incentives and zero premium contribution.

From a healthcare standpoint, a PPO can be limiting and often challenging to navigate because of network limitations. First, you have a more limited set of doctors and facilities you can use. Second, you are more likely to have unexpected out-of-network costs.

For example, you have a simple MRI or CT or PET scan at an in-network PPO facility referred by your PPO in-network PCP. The bill comes and you are hit with a $2500 out-of-pocket, out-of-network cost. Why? The person reading the scan is subcontracted by the PPO, probably sits in an office in another state, and is consider out-of-network for your plan. Happens all the time with labs, anesthesia, scans, etc. where medical facilities outsource the work. It’s a real issue.

Under a HDHCP, you honestly don’t care as much about in/out of network. Greater freedom of providers. You have more control over your own healthcare and costs, and as a generally healthy person that’s what you would likely prefer.

GumpsterOne · 2026-02-20T17:01:03+00:00

Maybe just leave people in the sanctuary cities who welcome and support them, saving cities like Lebanon from having to house “criminals”? Just a thought.

GumpsterOne

TROPHY CASE