Anyone been to Bologna?

[TomAllenWife]

Just wondering if it's a nice city break

It's wonderful. Very walkable, pretty, interesting, food and drink are totally wonderful. Emilia-Romagna is the most celebrated area in Italy for food. There's tourists around but it's not MOBBED like some other Italian towns / cities.

Main culinary highlights are lasagne, tortellini and of course, linguine bolognese

I enjoyed it a few years ago on my own. Walked through some incredible architecture, went to the world's oldest operating theatre. But I was there over the late Aug BH, and much was closed.

Yes - it's a great place for a weekend break. Food is amazing. As is the architecture.

Bologna is walker friendly and known as one of the last Red (Italian Style Communist) cities, so good social facilities. DS wants to do post-graduate work there.
Apart from the Torre degli Asinelli and the Neptune fountain I can’t think of many monuments. Maybe the Pinacoteca Art Gallery.
But yes, a weekend in Bologna would be a great idea if only for the food!

Yes, it’s a lovely compact city with friendly people and amazing food.

The whole region is incredible, but also suffering terribly in floods at the moment so I'd give it a little time to recoup!

Ok thanks all, maybe something for the future then

I have relatives there so have been a few times (from down here in the south of Puglia) It's nice enough for a couple of days, but it's not my favourite city tbh. If you do go, avoid the summer as it's reputation as the hottest, most unliveable city in Italy isn't without foundation. Due to its position it's a furnace.

Lots of Emilia Romagna are just getting over floods (Cesena, Faenza, Ravenna area in particular)

Lovely. Lots of walking but shady and tower takes some climbing!

Yes, but I was on a flight to Florence so was not best pleased. By the time the coach dropped us a Florence airport, the luxury transfer to the hotel DH had booked and paid for was nowhere to be found.

There is currently a series on iPlayer with Clive Myrie (?) doing a tour of Italy and his think he goes there in one episode; really lovely "off the beaten track" series

Yes but temperature in September was mid 30s and put us off most sightseeing.

@TomAllenWife DD was at university there, so we visited. It’s the oldest university in Europe. It’s predates the founding of Oxford or Cambridge. I think it was founded in 1180. If gave the world the bachelor degree. As a city it has chuches, an ancient university, small museums, a fantastic produce market and some great restaurants. Plus some touristy ones!

The best thing about Bologna is that it’s a hub for the region. It’s within very easy reach of Ravenna (a truly must see), Parma, Ferrara, Modena and the Ferrari museums. As a result, a weekend is not enough. All these places showcase food of the region and are great to visit. Do not go in summer. Spring is ideal and Bologna has arcaded street pavements. It’s a great place to visit and explore the region via rail.