Day trip to Bologna?

I love Bologna, the main sights are close together near Piazza Maggiore. A little beyond the piazza are the two "leaning towers". The university area is interesting, too.

My favorite restaurant is a small one, La Colombina, on vicolo Colombina near the Duomo.

From recent experience, I'd stay in Bologna as my base for day tours elsewhere. Compact, picturesque, less crowded, tantalizing cuisine, collonaded sidewalks in case of rain or midday sun -- great place. The walking tour sponsored by the city tourist board is a good way to get oriented. Efficient train connections, too, plus an international airport.

I love Bologna and the one thing I would add is it is not overly crowded.

Bologna is an easy day trip from Milan, only one hour each way by fast train. Rick prefers Verona and Padova, if you have not been, or if you have time for more side trips, but those are slightly longer train rides.

Bologna's historic university has several museums and I would not miss the anatomy/dissection theater in the frescoed Archiginnasio buiding. You can walk or take a city bus from the train station to the historic center, but bus routes are completely different on the weekends, when the old town is basically car- and bus-free. Lonely Planet sells their downloadable guidebook chapter online for $5.

Bologna is cool. You might also consider Parma, it is a cool place also.

We also love Bologna. Also liked the smaller cities of Modena, Reggiano-Emelia and Parma which are between Bologna and Milan, on the train route. They are all beautiful cities with great food!

We also love Bologna. Also liked the smaller cities of Modena, Reggiano-Emelia and Parma which are between Bologna and Milan, on the train route. They are all beautiful cities with great food!