Bologna

We stayed here last year for one night. Mercure Bologna Centro

https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1310-mercure-bologna-centro/index.shtml
The hotel is across the street from the train station - about 10 minutes walk from the centre of Bologna.
It is a chain hotel so not a lot of "charm" but it was clean, rooms and bathrooms were a good size and it has AC.
Summer rates start at 90Euros.

It looks like "Lucifer" the heat wave is abating. Projected temps in Bologna next week are highs in the 80's and low 90's which are fairly normal. Evenings in the mid 60's. I wouldn't stay outside the city to avoid the heat which peaked in the 100's last week. Before making reservations at a property, you can usually verify if they have a/c.

Thank you Philip and Joni !! Very good of you.

Our children booked these flights for us as a gift, so this is why we are nervous , we live in the west coast of Ireland by the sea, so temperatures here are around 17. .

Lucifer seems !! scary !! . Its a good tip Philip not to go outside the city as we were thinking of going up the Mountains , to get away . But may be better to stick around.

I will check out the hotel, but looking at Air B&B , never tried it, but a lot of the hotels are booked out. Thank you. Anne

Hi Anne
We stayed in Bologna for one night on our way to Ravenna. When we returned for an extended stay in Bologna we rented this flat - https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p430422vb
It is excellent.
AC and a beautiful terrace. Close to the train station, 10 minutes from city centre.

Dear Joni

Thank you so much for this. It looks wonderful. But sadly we have decided to postpone the flights to late September, I wish I had discovered this sight before. Everywhere was booked out and it was very difficult to find somewhere, Booking . com is hit and miss.

But definitely we will look this up in September and plan our holiday.. Thank you again Anne

Bologna can be problematic for snagging a hotel room on short notice. I finally managed to see the city in 2015, on my third attempt. The first two tries were long ago, pre-internet. Twice I arrived in town and went by the tourist office (my usual modus operandi back then) to arrange a hotel room, only to find that there was absolutely nothing in my price range. On the recent trip I visited over a weekend, which may have helped. I don't remember how many days in advance i booked.

You may find a lot of places closed during your stay as it's right in the middle of Italy's ferie (vacation) season, when all the Italians are either at the beach or in the mountains. Also note, August 15th is a big Italian holiday called Ferragosto so most places will definitely be closed that day and since it's on a Tuesday, Monday will probably be a 'bridge' day. Check with your hotel and they'll give you the scoop.

Be sure to visit Gelateria Gianni on Via Montegrappa 11a, the best gelato in Italy.

Hi Thank you again. I will be dreaming of that Gelato in Connemara !! In the wind . mind you weather is good now. Very disappointed we had to cancel , as I was looking forward to it immensely,

Bad idea also to book Ryanair, as of course wont allow one change , so we lost flights. We will book Aer Lingus for the new flights and make sure to go to all these places you recommend.

Thank you for all the help . It was really appreciated..

Best Anne

Hi

My husband and I have been in Bologna since Saturday. Lovely vibes and a really relaxed airbnb with 2 air conditioners, right next to a bus stop off the city center (in the main street) for €60 per night.

You can look on airbnb it is right across from the big hospital (bus stop ospedale maggiore bus stop or something like that).

But I just came on this forum because we got a €130 fine on a bus today because I didn't have change for €10 to buy a €3 bus ticket on board and the conducteur claims I tried to bribe him with €10. Be careful, if you don't know any Italian they will refuse to reason with you.

I hope still that you do come to Bologna because food is cheap, delicious, around every corner and the wine is fantastic. Be sure to visit signorvino on the square of the unfinished basilica and ask for the wine expert to help you decide!

Regards
Amy

if you don't know any Italian they will refuse to reason with you.

Maybe they just think that being a guest you should speak their language and not expect the opposite; or maybe they don't know enough English to reason with people with strange accents from all over the world... while driving!

If you can't get a ticket for whatever reason you just have to get off at the first stop. If you decide to stay on board you'll be fined.

I'm still waiting to meet a conductor abroad that wants to reason in Italian. Maybe in New Jersey?

Just a note for anyone visiting in too sunny or too rainy weather, Bologna is a good destination - it's known as the city of colonnades. You can walk a lot of the city protected from sun and rain.

I love Bologna. Many covered brick walkways should protect you from weather...i.e. rain, heat. I stay at Hotel San Donato. Great, centrally located hotel with a/c in rooms and a great breakfast. Walking distance to piazza with Neptunes Fountain and San Petrino church with meridian line. Climb one of the towers for a great view of the city. Wonderful food everywhere. Enjoy!