Bologna-recommend your favorites

I didn't like Bologna, but I do have three happy memories from my visit there: 1. Eating in Trattoria Gianni, in the center (get reservations, as it's popular). 2. Eating in Trattoria da Gigina, on the outskirts (an easy cab or bus ride). Their website: http://www.trattoriagigina.it/
3. Going up in the tower in the center, and seeing Bologna's street plan from above. The city has a totally intact medieval "bicycle wheel and spokes" layout, and it was quite striking from above.

The below guide has themed walks around the city. Also the Tourist Info office in Piazza Maggiore, located opposite the Basilica of St Petronio, is very good and will provide you with maps etc. http://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.com/en/publications/donwloads/GuidaBologna.pdf/view?searchterm=guides http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/ IMHO the church complex of Santo Stefano is a must see. Have not seen anything quite like it in Italy or anywhere else for that matter.

As Harold said above, Trattoria Gianni is very popular with locals. On my first visit a few years back my friend (Italian girl who lives there) tried to take me there because she said it's genrally known as the best but it was booked so we ended up at a little trattoria just to the left of the Due Torri (Two Towers) called Il Tinello. I ended up having one of the all time best meals in all my years in Italy. I've been back a couple times since then and had similar experiences each time. Still haven't tried Gianni's yet. My friend also introduced me to Gelateria Gianni (This Gianni guy's got much game, apparently) and said it's claimed by many Italians to be the best gelato in the country. A pretty lofty claim but after the first visit I wholeheartedly agreed. I've taken a handful of people there over the years who agreed it's the best they've ever had as well. I've heard he's opened a second location near the Two Towers but the locals say the original is still the best, it's on Via Montegrappa.

Thanks so much for the feedback! Especially since it's food related. We love memorable meals. Harold, why did you not like it? I am curious if there is something that you would recommend not doing or did you simply not like the town. Thanks again, all!

If you're a little bit gruesome, Bologna can be a lot of fun. I was there a few years ago, and had a blast. There are some amazingly weird old-timey science/medical museums (kind of like the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia or La Specola in Florence), chock full of skeletal remains and anatomical waxworks. Atlas Obscura has some good introductory info on the two really interesting sites (http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/anatomy-obstetrics-collection-museo-de-palazzo-poggi and http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bologna-instituti-di-anatomia-umana-normale). And if you're a fan of incorrupt saints (and who isn't?!?!) you should check out the church of Corpus Domini, about 10 minutes south of Piazza Maggiore, to see Saint Catherine of Bologna. (http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/saint-catherine-bologna) She is truly something to behold. If you're going church hopping, Santa Maria della Vita is about a block and a half away from Piazza Maggiore (follow Via Clavature east), and there's an absolutely stunning group of Renaissance terracotta sculptures by Niccolo' dell'Arca depicting the Lamentation.

Kat, that is creeptastic!!!