Bologna for new year's with kids

[Hashtagihearya]

Hello!
We are off to Bologna with kids age 10 and 8 for New Year's. Anyone have any tips for restaurants, things to do or trains to Florence for the day etc? We have found out not a lot is open on New Year's Day!
Thanks in advance

The Macchina Del Tempo (VR time machine) is great fun.
The Museo della Storia is very child-friendly - lots of interactive and hands-on exhibits.
It doesn’t take long to get to Modena on the train and the Ferrari museum there is pretty good.
Just outside Bologna in Anzola dell’Emilia, there’s a gelato factory. There are a variety of family-friendly tours available.

New Year’s Eve in Italy is better IMO than the UK. People in restaurants get dressed up and there’ll be a huge gathering and a pop concert in the Piazza Maggiore main square.
But it will be quiet until maybe 10pm so try to get a nap (for the kids) in the afternoon.
https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/blog/how-to-spend-your-new-years-eve-in-bologna-

On NYE you’re expected to eat lentils and boiled pork rind (cotechino) sausages for good luck and lots of money.
I’m not a fan and prefer capon or Guinea fowl (faraona) with mashed potatoes or polenta. Bologna is a gastronomy centre so you’ll have plenty of choice.

Thank you so much for your tips! Much appreciated x

The museo Enzo Ferrari is located within walking distance of Modena station, the Ferrari museum is located in Maranello which is about 10 miles distant. You can get tickets for both online.

Florence is only 37 mins on the train and an amazing day trip! Buy tickets in advance, they're cheaper.

@Hashtagihearya Can I ask which company/airline you're using, please?
I looked for a City Break for DH's birthday for late January 2023, but couldn't find anything - the breaks didn't start until April.

@Georgyporky My DD was at uni in Bologna and both Easy Jet and BA fly there. Book a hotel with them. BA do flight and hotel package. I’m pretty sure they fly all year round.

From Bologna, Ravenna is an absolute must. Its mosaics are fantastic. Plus Ferrara and Parma are worth a visit too.

Hi @Georgyporky ! We used our amex for vouchers with BA for the flights! Then I booked a separate apartment x

Thank you for the extra tips @TizerorFizz !

@Hashtagihearya @TizerorFizz

Thanks for the replies. We lost a lot of money in 2020 by having different elements booked with different companies, so now we only use companies covered by package holiday regulations.

I looked at BA & EJ as we've used them both, but there were no holidays at that time. Just checked & BA are now possible, but EJ don't do them.

We now book a package and BA are usually good enough.