Journey north

We packed up and were headed to the station by 9am ready to venture north but reluctant to leave Florence. The simplicity of life in Italy, especially viewed through the eyes of a vacationer from NYC seems very surreal and very appeasing. Florence is bliss! After a quick cafe Americano and a croissant we boarded the train to Milano. Wet from perspiration, we dragged our gear down the isles filled with perfectly tailored men and women on their way to work. Next to white tennis sneakers and a disposable camera nothing screams tourist like our frazzled manor... needless to say we were given more looks than a mirror. We found our seats and settled in and for the first time in my life had absolutely no idea where I was or what I was doing there. Beyond the obvious, as we rolled through the barren farm land on our way through Bologna I sat in anticipation of what to come with a side order of boredom from the heavy fog and dilapidated terracotta roof tops. Would I enjoy the northern regions as much as I liked Tuscany? In short, would there be delicious wines and to-die-for pastries?