We are going to have 7 nights in the Emilia-Romagna region (landing in Milan and spending 3 nights there). Trying to figure out if we should rent a car. Planning to have either Modena or Bologna as a base. Obviously FOOD is priority number one here, but want to explore as well. With only 7 nights, do you think relying on trains will work for exploring, or would you rent a car?
This is our second trip to Italy, but first time to this region.
Thank you!
If you are renting a car, you don’t want to have Bologna as a base. Too big, too crowded, very congested. Modena or Parma would be better but beware of the ZTL zones. The need for a car depends on what you want to see and how you want to see it. If you are interested in tours of farms where parmigiano cheese, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto de Parma are produced, consider taking organized tours for the best experience. Traveling between Parma, Modena, Bologna and Ravenna is simple and stressless by train.
I disagree about the comments on Bologna. When we traveled to Bologna on several occasions we rented a car to get to the Lamborghini factory, to the Ferrari museum and other small towns. I now have lived near Bologna for 6 years and of course am partial to Bologna. Yes, their are ZTL in many towns... it is not difficult to avoid them in Bologna and there is plenty of parking. That being said... it is easy to get around Emilia Romagna by buses and trains and Bologna is the train hub for northern Italy so it is easier to get a train from Bologna than Modena, Parma etc. If you want to explore the region then a car could be useful but you can easily get around by train. But I would use Bologna as a base not Modena. Also to explore by train... Ravenna, Ferrara, Piacenza and there are many small towns along the train line that I've enjoyed. Bologna is NOT crowded like Florence, Milan or any of the major touristic cities. On the weekends is is packed with locals and students and is quite lively. Welcome to my favorite region.
I stayed in Parma 3 years ago on a solo trip, and took a food tour from there, which included Parma ham. No rental car, and I later took the train for a few nights in Bologna.
I liked Bologna so much that my husband and I went there this last September for a week, and took a food tour from there - better Parmagiano and balsamic vinegar (and Saba) segments, although the prosciutto portion wasn’t as good as the Parma tour. The tour company provided transportation in a Mercedes van, and the Modena region was part of the route. And the city of Bologna itself - fantastic food experiences without even leaving the city!
We picked up a rental car in Bologna as we headed to other parts of Italy. Based on the brief time exiting Bologna in the car, plus the time spent as pedestrians, if you wanted a car while staying in Bologna, find lodging outside the ring road, where parking is easier, and ZTL’s aren’t a concern. Driving in the very center, as in most major cities in Europe, is not how to spend your vacation.
If you want to explore the villages and little towns and not only the main cities: yes, the car is necessary. Someones can be reached even by public transport, but usually wasting much more time in travel and matching timetable.
If you want to visit main cities (Modena, Parma, Reggio, Piacenza, Ferrara, Ravenna, Cesena, Rimini...) the train is a better solution from Bologna: cheaper and you aren't worried about parking and driving.
Some example of places difficult to be reached by public transport but deserve a visit: Sogliano sul Rubicone (pit cheese), Vignola (medieval fortress and traditional cherries), Dozza (medieval fortress and official Regional cellar with 2000 wines), Torrechiara (Medieval fortress and next to Langhirano => prosciutto di Parma), Ferrari-Lamborghini-Ducati museums and factories (next to Parmigiano-Reggiano dairies), Fontanellato (Medieval fortress and next to the Masone Labyrinth), Vigoleno and Castellarquato (next to several charcuterie producers), Sassi di Roccamalatina (natural park for hiking and the center of the borlenghi and tigelle production area), Santa Sofia (tortello sulla lastra and close to the Foreste Casentinesi natural park), Comacchio (wonderful lagoon and eels production area), Cervia (on the sea and production town of the "sweet" salt), Busseto and Zibello (Verdi borthplace and production area for culatello).
