A Spontaneous Roman Detour: Simple Reminders for Mediterranean Living

After a week of honeymooning in Italy, we found ourselves departing Venice for what should have been a straightforward journey to Bologna. However, Pope Leo XIV's ascent to the papacy days before we left for our Italian adventure set unexpected events in motion. Now, a week into our trip, we were boarding our high-speed train to Rome for a Villanova University alumni meet-up (Pope Leo and my husband's alma mater). With simple travel provisions including a cafe americano, and a tomato, mozzarella, and olive panini, we settled in for our nearly 4 hour transport.

Our impromptu stop in Rome turned into a masterclass in Mediterranean dining. From the train station, we chose to walk to the luncheon, but couldn’t help stumbling into a local shop along the way. There, we found what can only be described as the ultimate walking fuel: a pistachio and mortadella panini that redefined what something so simple could be. The combination of silky mortadella with crunchy Sicilian pistachios on pillowy soft bread created a texture symphony that exemplified the Mediterranean's love affair with nuts, quality cured meats, and artisanal bread.

The event was hosted at Trattoria Polese, where over 50 Villanova alumni gathered to celebrate Pope Leo XIV. We experienced Mediterranean dining at its most authentic—family-style sharing that brings people together around exceptional food. This last-minute gathering for such a unique celebration attracted major news outlets, including The New York Times, where we were quoted about how we arrived at this place at this time—our honeymoon and last minute visit making for excellent reading. The spread was a textbook example of the Mediterranean diet's emphasis on variety, fresh vegetables, and moderate wine consumption:

• Caprese Salad: The perfect marriage of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil

• Prosciutto e Melone: Sweet cantaloupe balancing the salt-cured ham

• Arancini: Sicilian rice balls showcasing the diet's grain foundation

• Fave Bean and Pea Salad: Protein-rich legumes, a Mediterranean diet staple

• Endless red and white wine: Moderate consumption as part of the meal, not separate from it

Wine Pairing: The trattoria's house wines likely included a Frascati for the whites and a Castelli Romani Rosso for the reds—both perfect representations of Lazio's winemaking tradition and ideal companions for this varied feast.

After meeting new friends, we scurried back to the train station (by cab this time) and back to our previously scheduled planning. (We get the pleasure of revising Rome as part of our final stop.)

Bologna: Where Mediterranean Meets Emilia-Romagna

Our abbreviated Bologna stay proved that even brief encounters with a city's cuisine can be profound. Despite arriving exhausted after navigating to our airbnb with four oversized bags (a cautionary tale for future travelers!), we managed to sample the local specialties that showcase how Mediterranean principles adapt to different regional expressions.

At Pizzeria Margheri, we discovered pizza as Mediterranean art form: a canvas of two-color tomatoes providing the antioxidant-rich base, aromatic pesto delivering healthy fats from basil and olive oil, peppery arugula adding bitter greens, and aged Grana Padano contributing calcium and protein. This wasn't just pizza—it was a nutritionally balanced Mediterranean meal disguised as comfort food.

Wine Pairing: A Sangiovese di Romagna DOC would be my choice here. This local red wine's bright acidity and cherry notes complement the tomatoes while its earthy undertones enhance the pesto's herbaceous quality.

The obligatory bowl of Bolognese reminded us that even Italy's most indulgent dishes can align with Mediterranean principles when prepared traditionally. Authentic ragù Bolognese contains vegetables (the soffritto of onions, carrots, and celery), uses modest amounts of meat, and is typically served with fresh pasta in reasonable portions—all hallmarks of Mediterranean moderation.

F1 and Mediterranean Fuel

The next day we boarded the train from Bologna to Imoa where race day proved that Mediterranean eating isn't just about fancy restaurant meals—it's about sustaining energy throughout active days. After a 6-mile walk to reach our seats, we fueled up with track-side Bolognese that, despite the heat, provided the perfect combination of carbohydrates and protein needed for a long day in the sun.

The single spritz we enjoyed embodies the Mediterranean approach to alcohol: a light, refreshing drink consumed slowly and mindfully, enhancing rather than overwhelming the experience. While neither one of our teams (Ferrari nor Mercedes) had a successful outing, we left feeling energized and connected—reminded that the true win lies in savoring good food, mindful moments, and the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Mediterranean Lessons from an Unexpected Journey

This spontaneous interlude through Rome and trip to Bologna reinforced several key Mediterranean diet principles:

Simplicity Reigns Supreme: The most memorable meals—from that pistachio mortadella panini to the family-style feast in Rome—featured quality ingredients prepared simply and eaten mindfully.

Community Matters: The Villanova alumni gathering reminded us that Mediterranean eating is inherently social. Food brings people together, creates connections, and transforms simple ingredients into shared memories.

Local and Seasonal: Every meal showcased ingredients from the immediate region, supporting local producers and ensuring peak freshness and flavor.

Balance Over Restriction: From morning café americanos to evening wine, we practiced moderation rather than elimination, enjoying treats as part of an overall balanced approach to eating.

Active Living: Whether navigating Rome's streets, or trekking to our F1 seats, we integrated physical activity naturally into our daily routine—a cornerstone of the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Sites to Explore in Bologna

While our time was limited, Bologna offers numerous attractions for future visits: the medieval towers of Asinelli and Garisenda, the stunning Basilica di San Petronio, the historic University of Bologna (Europe's oldest), and the vibrant Quadrilatero market district where you can source ingredients for your own Mediterranean feast.

The Takeaway

Sometimes the best travel experiences come from saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities. Our Roman detour didn't just give us a unique story it was a blueprint in Mediterranean eating that we'll carry with us long after our return home. From simple train snacks to celebratory feasts, every meal reminded us that the Mediterranean diet isn't just about what you eat, but how you eat it: with gratitude, in good company, and always with an openness to adventure.

Salute to unknown journeys and the Mediterranean meals that fuel them! Next up..Tuscany.