I know this is a broad question, but I'm very open to ideas. My family of four (2 teen boys) will end a week in Tuscany and head to Venice where we will fly out. We have two days open and I'm trying to figure out where to stay and what to see those two free days and nights. (This will be mid-May.) Given that we will be exploring towns for a week based in Montepulciano, I think my boys will be a bit tired of hilltowns. I have thought about heading north to Sirmoine on Lake Garda, but am interested in learning more about that area or any other ideas people may have. We will have a rental car, so are pretty open. I just don't want to go way out of the way from the general direction of heading toward Venice where we'll spend two days before leaving Italy. Thanks for your thoughts!!
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Bologna.
Posted by
OP
Ely, MN, USA
274 posts
Our whole trip will take us to Rome, CT, Bagni di Lucca/Apuan Alps, Tuscany (+ Florence), and then Venice for our final 2 days. It's 2 days before Venice that I'm trying to fill. I've certainly read about Bologna in my guide books, but from your perspective, why Bologna?
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Bologna is a remarkable medieval city, beautiful architecture and is famous for the best food in Italy. It's also a handy base from which to visit Parma and Modena. It doesn't get the tourist crush other cities do, but is vibrant and well worth visiting on your way to Venice. There are tons of young people, too.
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
I'd go to Verona and then, I agree with Doug--Bologna!
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Hi Cindy - I had a small group in Sirmione and Lake Garda last season and they ABSOLUTELY loved the area - It's tough to go wrong in Italia But I really do think you've got a good idea there!!
Greg
Posted by
US
157 posts
Bologna, Padova, Vicenza and Verona.
Posted by
Atlanta
3250 posts
Bologna really is a beautiful city with covered porticos so that it's easy to walk the city even in the rain. The restaurants and markets are excellent--some of the best food that we ate was in Bologna on our recent trip to Italy. We picked up our rental care fo traveling around Tuscany in Bologna.
Posted by
Denver
787 posts
If you're only spending 2 days in Venice, I'd add extra time there. There's a lot to see there, and young people seem to enjoy Venice.
For Bologna, I'm not totally sure that teenagers would love it, but possibly so. Our 10yo daughter enjoyed our one night there recently (and I LOVE Bologna). She especially liked the church of Santo Stefano, which is successively-older churches built on top of each other (she likes history and that kind of stuff).
Bologna, in addition to what previous posters have said, is also a college town, so it does have a good vibe for young people, especially close to the university. It would probably provide a nice complement to your probably-quieter time in rural Tuscany.
The main piazza, Piazza Maggiore, is always lively with people of all ages.
It's also nice in that it's not so touristy as some of the other places that you'll be visiting.