Bologna

(Bologna · Emilia-Romagna)

This beautiful city, free from the hordes of tourists that dominate many Italian destinations, houses the oldest university in Europe and some of the best restaurants in the country. Its Renaissance towers, medieval walls and beautiful roofs, which create an impressive mosaic of red tones, have helped to expand its well-deserved reputation as one of the most photogenic cities in northern Italy. However, while in Florence, Milan and Venice you will find large crowds of tourists, if you travel to Bologna you can enjoy an intimate and local atmosphere. Bologna houses the oldest university in Europe, and its large student population encourages nightlife. The history of Bologna is long and fascinating, but its contemporary cultural scene is not left behind, as it offers some of the best restaurants, galleries and festivals in Italy. Bologna is beautiful throughout the year, but if you want to see the famous image of the sun that bathes the roofs and the streets of the city, visit it in April or October. But if you find a good offer of travel to Bologna in winter, take advantage of it: you will love to cross its famous porticos, which allow you to travel the city center regardless of the time you make. Through them you can reach the main attractions of the city, such as the Asinelli Tower and the Garisenda Tower, the famous Renaissance twin towers of Bologna. Food is one of the main passions of the Italians, so the fact that Bologna is considered the gastronomic capital of Italy should in itself be a reason to visit this city. Thanks to the excellent quality of the products and the importance given to the kitchen, it is very difficult to eat badly in Bologna. Let yourself be guided by instinct or by the masses: pizzeria and trattorias with more customers will probably be the best in the area. And you can't miss the real spaghetti to the Bolognese: this is where the exquisite recipe of pasta with tomato sauce and meat that has become famous all over the world was born. Bologna is well connected with the main Italian cities thanks to Italy's high-speed train network, but it is also easily accessible for visitors from other countries with its international airport. Once in the city you can use buses, taxis or walk, but if you want to explore the city as a real Bologne, the best thing is to rent a bike.