Bologna

 

Bologna is a quaint, sleepy college town (actually, Europe's oldest) with a massive amount of charm. Simply put, Bologna is one of Italy‘s hidden medieval diamonds. Home to the famous dishes such as Spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, and tortellini, this region is the perfect place for a pasta foodie to indulge. When you walk through Bologna, you immediately realize why it was one of Henry VIII's favorite cities.

 

Where To Stay
Staying in or near Bologna’s city center puts you right in the middle of the action without breaking the bank. I stayed in a lovely apartment, Attico Bellavista, with a killer view of the city’s towers for an incredibly low price. From the center, you’ll be able to walk to most of this city’s main attractions, to the train station, or to access other public transportation. To get to the city center from the airport (BLQ), take the Aerobus (it’s quick, easy, and cheap). The Aerobus runs every eleven minutes and connects the airport to the center and the train station.

 

Things To Do

• The Two Towers
  Le Due Torri, or the Two Towers, are Bologna’s two leaning towers, which are icons of this city. The towers originally served military purposes (think lookouts), and signified a family’s prosperity. You can climb the taller of the two towers, but the smaller one is off limits due to its gravity defying 3.2m tilt.

• Piazza Maggiore
  Bologna's main square is the height of all tourism. This pedestrian zone has tons of shops and restaurants, but make sure to get further away from the square when choosing a place to dine. The restaurants outside of the tourism center are much more delicious, authentic, and less expensive.

• Basilica di San Petronio
  Basilica di San Petronio is one of the world’s largest churches. It sits along beautiful Piazza Maggiore. Although the work on this church began in 1390, it was never finished and it remains incomplete to this day.
• Fontana del Nettuno
  Neptune’s Fountain, which is located in Piazza del Nettuno adjacent to Piazza Maggiore, is an incredibly detailed statue of Neptune.
• Mercado di Mezzo
  This is not your average market. Here, you'll find zero tourist items. There are no leather goods sold here. Instead, indulge in Bologna's locally sourced and 100% delicious gourmet food market. Did I mention the selection of local craft beers on tap here as well? Don't miss the pizza place, Rossopomodoro, located at the top of this market if you want some of the best pizza in town.