Lesser known than the likes of Rome and Venice, Bologna is a great Italian gem in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Its nicknames of La Dotta, La Grassa and La Rossa which translates in to ‘the learned one’, the ‘fat one’ and the ‘red one’ gives an insight into the wonders that the city has in store for its visitors.
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Bologna has an extensive historic core bursting with squares, narrow streets and markets waiting to be explored. Most of Bologna is connected by decorative porticoes, so you can explore this charming city under a safe shelter even in bad weather. Bologna also features an array of notable churches; discover the incredible painting inside the Cattedrale Matropolitana di San Pietro, or visit the Basilica di Santo Stefano, also known as the Seven Churches, which is another favourite with tourists.
Be sure to head to the cultural centre and heart of the city, the splendid Piazza Maggiore, which is one of Italy’s largest and oldest squares. The Piazza Maggiore is bursting with history and fantastic architecture, and it is especially beautiful as the sun sets and the square becomes lit up at night. Along with the Basilica of San Petronio, the City Hall, and the highly impressive Neptune Fountain built in 16th century to symbolise the power of the Pope nearby, there are lots of restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy these great views from. Being a vibrant student city, Bologna also guarantees to be a fun night out, with a great selection of bars, nightclubs, and live concerts to suit every taste.
Florence, which boasts Michelangelo's 'David' and mouthwatering local food and wine, lies just one hour south of the city. Take a day trip to this beautiful city to admire world-class art and taste the superb flavours of Tuscany.
* prices based on cheapest quotes made in Skyscanner.net throughout 2018