we have 5 days to sightsee and thought to make Bologna our base. we are thinking of visiting Florence, Venice, Lucca and some other surrounding towns. has anyone done this recently? does it sound too aggressive? we will be renting a car.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1883 posts
we based in Bologna last year. visited Verona, Ravenna and Modena from there. Wanted to get to Bolzano, but it was too far by train. You should have no trouble getting to Florence or Venice from Bologna. Lucca might be a bit far for a day trip.... We had 4 nights in Bologna.
Bologna was nice after having stayed in Florence and Rome, it's a college town, so lots of kids walking all over. Not much of a main piazza, and the church isn't much from the outside, but there are tons of churches in Bologna. the food was great!
Stay near the train station if you can, that will make it convenient for travel, and to walk the covered sidewalks to the main piazza for dining and sightseeing.
The towers are fun, and almost unexpected - especially the leaning one!
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
To see the range of towns you want to visit, Bologna is a good location - it's on the Autoroute to Florence and Lucca and also the route to the north to Venice. However, choosing a place to stay in Bologna will be a tradeoff between being able to stay within walking distance to the historic center or being able to make quick exits to the Autoroute for your day trips. It would really be easier to forego the rental car and use the train for the cities you mention - they go city center to city center and you don't have to worry about parking or navigation.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Same advice as Doug: Do yourselves a big favor and take the train to those 3 destinations. You'll avoid a big headache, hassle and probably save a bunch of euros as well, by taking the train. And then, if there are any rural towns not served by train that you have just gotta go to, take a day to see those by bus.In Italy, if trains go there, take the train.
Posted by
Henson, Florida, USA
466 posts
Forget the car, It's just going to be a huge headache. The train or bus is the way to go. You don't want to be worried about a car and parking and tickets when you are on vacation. Please skip the car and the drama that will go with it!!! Have fun!!