Birthday trip to Bologna, Italy

We have traveled through Bologna several times, but only for 1-3 days at a time. We loved the architecture, atmosphere and of course, food. We have been fortunate to take advantage of milage award trips to Italy several times. So last year, when we’d accrued enough miles for another off season trip, my husband asked, “where do you want to spend your 65th birthday?” I quickly responded, “Bologna”. So glad I did. We flew into FCO and took the fast train that goes from FCO to Venice, stopping at Bologna on the way. We then walked to our Airbnb near Piazza Maggiore, and after a quick nap and shower we went out for appertivi and dinner at The Middle Market. We then had fantastic gelato at Cremeria Funivia. We were in Bologna for a week. Highlights included The National Pinoteca museum, the Russian Art exhibition from St. Petersburg at the modern art museum and exploring neighborhoods. Favorite meals were at Trattoria Zita (out of the city center a bit), pizza at Pizzaria da Toto (a memory lane), fresh pasta lunch at Sfoglia Rina, traditional lunch at Tamborini and several great meat and cheese plates (Salumeria Simoni) and many memorable appertivi with negronis. For my birthday, we had a great lunch (seafood risotto) at the fish restaurant, Banco 32, in the Erbe Market and marvelous dinner at Ristorante la Colombina (eggplant parmigiana and a soufflé appetizer). It was wonderful to be able to settle into our apartment and take each day slowly. After Bologna, we flew to Sicily for two weeks (one with a car) then to Rome for our final 3 days. All in all, I feel very blessed to have had such a wonderful birthday trip!