Bologna

Bologna is the real Italy - not dependent on tourism, but it has everything you need for a visit. I would say three nights is fine, use one day to visit Ravenna and another for Ferrara, both easy to get to by train.

Or, if you want smaller towns, stay in Ferrara and visit Bologna and Ravenna from there. Bologna has the most transportation options, though.

Bologna is real Italy. Believe it or not, not all Italians live in the countryside with mama eating pasta all day while driving a Vespa. We spent a full week in Bologna and would have happily added more days.

Thanks for all your thoughts! I'm looking forward to Bologna!

I love Bologna and could easily spend a few days. You could always day trip to Parma if bored.

Do not discount the churches there as there are some real gems.

And they have the best horse meat steaks too. Tastes like the best prime rib.
Try the Trattoria Del Pontelungo.

I love Bologna. If you have a chance, take a food tour with Alessandro.

http://www.italiandays.it/

You can also do day trips to Modena or Reggio-Emelia by train. Both have great squares, churches, buildings and food. But I agree that Bologna has enough sights and atmosphere for many days.

Be sure and try the WHITE CHOCOLATE TORTELLINII candy. You can only get it there. It's delicious. The city is beautiful. Easy train ride to Ravenna. Enjoy your trip.

I concur with the other posters. I love Bologna. RS doesn't cover it in his books and it is real Italy. Great food. Lots of sights. See the San Petrino church with the meridian line. Lots of chapels and some altars done by Michelangelo (if I remember right) Neptunes fountain in the same square is picture worthy. Great university town, vibrant night life. Did I mention great food? I can give hotel and restaurant recommendations, if you need them. Just PM me.
Karren

I know Bologna very well - I graduated from their university years ago, and I have returned to Bologna every 5 years since. I think Bologna is a great place to visit. It has mainly a pedestrian old town center, with many of its buildings dating back to the middle ages. The main sites are all within walking distance of the central square, Piazza Maggiore. These include the two central towers, a very pretty square of Santo Stefano with churches dating back to 600 AD, the university dating back to 1088 and its museum, multiple churches, including San Domenico, which has a beautiful tomb of St Dominic, which includes 2 small statues of Michelangelo. There are numerous churches to visit.

Bologna is vibrant, with many outdoor cafes and restaurants and music, especially in the centrally located area known as the quadrilatero, just off to the side of Piazza Maggiore. Bologna's cuisine is exceptional.

I think Rick Steves was not right when he referred to the city as charmless. Granted, it does not have the incredible wonders of its neighbors, Venice and Florence, or of Rome which 1st time visitors to Italy should see first. But if you want a real slice of Italy in Emilia-Romagna, visit Bologna. Its train station is a major hub, and from there you could easily visit some other very enjoyable cities, including Ravenna, Parma, and Ferrara.

janets,

Three nights in Bologna is about perfect to have a brief look at the city. I was there last year for about the same time, and quite enjoyed it. As others have said, it doesn't have the same number of big sights as some of the more famous cities in Italy, but Bologna does have it's own charms.

Of course one of the big attractions there is the food, which is why the city is referred to as "La Grassa". Be sure to try the original version of Spaghetti Bolognese, Tagliatelle al Ragu. Regarding the best place to try that, one guidebook has stated, "the concoction made at Osteria dell' Orsa is popularly considered to be the Verdi of its field".

I was solo in Bologna for 3 nights and really loved the town. I went to the Visitor info center on the main square and joined a walking tour of the city (in English). It was wonderful....
I climbed the tower, walked all thru the University area, had wonderful meals.
I say "don't miss Bologna"

I really liked Bologna, and it's easy to take the train to smaller towns for a day, like Ferrara.

We also love Bologna. The appertivos on the food market streets (near the main piazza) are well worth checking out. It is a wonderful walking city with great architecture, food and life.

I leave for Bologna tomorrow evening - it is so great to read all the positive notes. We are staying in a flat for 10 days and visiting several towns/cities nearby. We are even lucky enough to be in Modena for the La Bonissima food festival - YUM!

If you are at all interested in music, esp. Classical music, don't miss the music instrument museum. It has an amazing collection, not only of historic instruments, but original scores, letters, composer hand written music manuscripts, etc, a beautiful jewel of a museum.