Bologna

Sorry I don’t know how to do a link, but if you put in Trip Report Bologna in the search box, you can see my Trip Report on Bologna. Lots of restaurants mentioned. Bologna is well worth visiting.

Thank you I found it!

Angelina, How long will you be in Bologna? By the way, hotel prices really go up if a trade fare is in town.

We'll be there for about a week! In the process of planning day trips, etc now.

Thank you, Sandra, that link is very helpful!

What month are you going?

I highly recommend a day to Ravenna.

At the end of a trip to Italy we were flying out of Bologna and stayed 1 night at Albergo delle Draperie which is in the historic center and very close to Piazza Maggiore. It was fine and a great location. If you are going to be in Bologna for a week, I would look into renting an apartment through vrbo, Air BnB, etc. Buon Viaggo!!

Thank you all for the great feedback I really appreciate it.

We are staying in Florence for a week this June and we're trying to decide between Bologna and Siena for a day trip. We are leaning towards Bologna. We know Rick highly recommends Siena, but . . . Your thoughts?

We are staying in Florence for a week this June and we're trying to decide between Bologna and Siena for a day trip. We are leaning towards Bologna. We know Rick highly recommends Siena, but . . . Your thoughts?

Well, it all depends what you're looking to do. Siena is great, I spent a week there a few years ago. However, in my opinion, the food in Bologna is a big reason to go. I've traveled throughout Italy and I think next to Sicily, Bologna has amazing food. You can also take the bus to Eataly-FICO from Bologna and indulge!

We went to Eataly-FICO World this March. For those who plan to go, take the FICO bus that stops across the street from the main train station. It cost 6€ roundtrip. FICO World is about a 40 minute drive and not near any local transportation.

Gelateria Gianni (the main one on Via Monte Grappa 11) is said to be the best gelato in all of Italy. Having tried it all over the peninsula I definitely agree and everyone I've taken there does as well.

Cremeria Funivia has our favorite gelato.

Hotel San Donato is a great hotel in a good location. A gelato shop is just around the corner and the hotel is within walking distance of the piazza, Neptune's fountain and San Petrino church. We like the restaurant Diane. There are also many bread/cheese/meat/vegetable shops. We purchased items for lunch most days that we ate on the piazza or in a park.

We came back from Italy on Monday. We spent the first six nights in Bologna at Albergo Centrale. We enjoyed out stay, but the WiFi was very inconsistent. Otherwise would stay there again. It's just off of Piazza Maggiore. We did many day trips, but were back for dinner most nights. All the food was good, but we most recommend Ristorante Cesari and Trattoria Anna Maria. We also liked Trattoria Anita and had some great salumi at Simoni. Enjoy.

My bad. Trattoria Anita was in Florence.

We stayed for 4 or 5 nights at one of the nicest airbnb apartments we have stayed at in Italy AND it was right across a very small street (more like an alley) from one of our very favorite restaurants in Italy. The apartment is "Melograno's house downtown Bologna" and the restaurant (which you will need reservations for) is Osteria Broccaindosso.