Looking for assistance. Arriving and leaving from Rome. Skipping it this time, having visited there many times. Need a base to see another city/region and Bologna was recommended as well as Ravenna before continuing to Florence. Will rely on trains and buses. Which city would you recommend to start our trip and depart for upon arrival at FCO? Thank you!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
Bologna is definitely a good base for the region. Ravenna is on the coast, so further if you are interested in Padua or Verona. An alternative is Ferrara. A smaller walled city just up the train line from Bologna towards Venice.
However, these are all past Florence from Rome on the train line, so you could do Florence first.
Rick doesn't cover Bologna but covers some of the region's cities in his Venice guide book (he considers cities on the train line towards Milan as 'day trips'. Alternative publishers cover this region more extensively.
If you want to make Florence your furthest North destination, then consider Orvieto.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
We stayed in Bologna but the highlight was the amazing mosaics in Ravenna (had been on my list since Art Appreciation in the 60's)
Posted by
8428 posts
We visited Bologna and were underwhelmed. Ravenna was amazing.
I suggest visiting Umbria: Perugia, Orvieto, Assisi, Spoleto and more.