Hi everyone. I have heard this is worthwhile destination despite. I have also noted on this forum that rick thinks it is skippable. We are traveling to Tuscany in the fall and I would like to fly into hear and stay for a few days because I want to judge for myself. Can anyone recommend a good hotel? I am thinking we will rent a car and drive to Sienna where well will be staying. Restaurant recommendations and other tips would be welcome. Thanks.
Charlie
Parking a car is always a concern for me. So, we stayed at the AC Hotel just off Via Stalingrado. It is a Marriott hotel not far from the heart of the city.
Be careful about driving in Bologna; there are ZTLs (no-go zones for non-residents). Make a mistake and a very expensive traffic ticket will eventually find you at home. I'd want to stay between the hotel station and the center of the (large) historic district. Much of that area is pedestrianized.
We stayed at B&B Santo Stefano and everything was walkable from there. The owner can direct you to parking nearby where you can avoid the ZTL.
We've stayed at the Savhotel several times. They have parking and can tell you where to catch a bus into the main part of Bologna- not a long ride. The hotel has a great buffet breakfast and usually a free welcome drink. Bologna a great.
Hotel Metropolitan, in the pedestrianized center. Rent your car on the way out. Daytrips from Bologna are easy by train and/or bus.
I always stay at Hotel San Donato at via Zamboni 16. Easy walk to piazza with Neptune's fountain and San Petrino church and good restaurants. Food is GREAT in Bologna, a vibrant night life, university city with lots of young people. Last time I was there I came in by train and rented a car for the rest of the trip. I will send you restaurant recommendations when I get home and get my travel journal where I have those things listed. We have never had a bad meal in two trips to Bologna.
I stayed in Bologna for 3 days this part September and loved it. I can second the Hotel Metropolitan above. We stayed there and it was a great location, and a nice rooftoop. http://www.hotelmetropolitan.com/en/
I did the Food Tour with Allesandro based on several people from this forum and that was a real fun trip. I'm still stuffed from all the food. Highly recommend it. He'll pick you up from your Bologna hotel. http://www.italiandays.it/
If you are a foodie, and if you can get a dinner reservation then try Osteria Francescana. I booked months in advance for Massimo's creations and I would do it again in a heartbeat. It's expensive being 3 Michelin stars but worth it. Another great place was lunch at Hosteria Giusti (again well in advance as this place only has 4 tables and open for a few hours in the afternoon).
