Hello, We are traveling with another couple and had planned to stay for 3 nights in Bologna in September. We did not however realize that our travel was during the time of a huge convention for tile and masons in Bologna. The hotels are booked or triple in price. Does anyone have any suggestions for an alternate home base or different itinerary with perhaps a day trip to Bologna? I am not sure how crowded and overrun the city is at that time due to the convention. Does anyone have any knowledge of this and/or suggestions? Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8472 posts
If you’d still prefer staying within Bologna, maybe there’s an Airbnb with room for 4, plus a kitchen and maybe a washing machine, and with a consistent price that does’t change with whatever convention is in town that week. Airbnb app or airbnb.com .
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1835 posts
Ferrara is half an hour by train from Bologna and became one of our favorite towns in Italy on a recent trip. Also, would you consider an apartment?
Posted by
Vignola, Modena, Italy
596 posts
During the Cersaie week the city is always very busy, even if you note it mostly during the evening when the visitors of the trade fair are at hotel and go out for dinner.
As alternative base I suggest Parma. In nearby cities like Modena, Imola and Ferrara the hotels are almost sold out too, so very expensive. Parma is very nice with a good nightlife and a lot of good restaurants. Is on the main train line so you can easily reach other cities of Emilia-Romagna (and other regiones) without losing too much time.
Posted by
SoCal
1879 posts
Parma is also a beautiful city in its own right with plenty to do and see. And eat!
Posted by
North Italy
547 posts
We liked Ferrara very much. The old centre is mostly pedestrian and a very pleasant place to stroll around. We spent four nights there:
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2023/12/ferrara-trip-report.html