Bologna (Emilia Romagna, Italy)

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Bologna is an attractive, vibrant, cosmopolitan and prosperous city with a medieval heritage to rival that of the more renowned Venice or Florence.

Bologna remains relatively tourist free, letting the locals enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Italy unmolested. Founded by the Etruscans as Felsina, on the Po Plains in 600BC, the northeast Italian city was renamed Bononia by the Gauls, whose French overtones still can be heard in the local dialect.

Today, 40km (25 miles) of ochre-hued arcades still shadow the streets - covered walkways that give Bologna its unique style. The heart of Bologna is around the twin piazzas, Maggiore and Nettuno - a handsome public space sealed on all sides by medieval palazzi and the hulk of San Petronio. Here, amid the pigeons, the Bolognese come to shop, to pray, to chat and, of course, to demonstrate.

Most of interest to leisure visitors lies within the ring road, which follows the ancient walls and forms a boundary to the fairly compact city centre (1½ mls by 1¼ mls). The vast square of Piazza Maggiore is the focus of the well-preserved historical core of charming old lanes, many of which are pedestrianised.

The city is particularly noted for its superb vaulted walkways and 25 mls of porticoed streets. The lively university quarter hosts many cafes, nightspots and trattorias. As one of Europe's largest exhibition venues, Bologna receives a fair number of business visitors. The city is also a good base from which to explore surrounding towns and countryside.

Many locals themselves head for the cooler hills of the Apennines in the summer, and late spring/early autumn are good times to visit.

Locality:

Occupying flat land between the rivers Reno and Savena and backed by the northern foothills of the Apennine Mountains lies Bologna, 200 mls N of the Italy's capital, Rome. Bologna is 90 mls SW of Venice, 60 mls N of Florence and 60 mls NW of Rimini. The Small Marconi international airport is 5 mls NW of the centre.

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Bologna in terms of tourists is a predominantly business travellers and convention-goers. Increasing numbers of backpackers and weekenders have begun to add this place to their travel itinerary.

Those interested in medieval architecture, brickwork, churches, culture, art and food are also well suited. Bologna is also a good base for exploring the Emilia-Romagna province and the Apennines.

Accommodation is mostly middlemarket options concentrated in the centre, by the railway station and around the trade-fair complex in the N suburbs. Availability is limited and prices high during the city's many trade fairs and exhibitions.

Shopping enthusiasts are also well catered for from speciality food shops along Via Drapperie to designer boutiques, there's quality and variety. Top fashion outlets line the narrow lanes around Piazza Maggiore, more affordable options along the Via dell'Indipendenza thoroughfare and bargains aplenty in the university district. Several food markets and antique shops are worth browsing.

In terms of entertainment and attractions, there are numerous medieval churches, including San Petronio (huge brick-built Gothic edifice), San Stefano (a collection of Romanesque churches) and San Giacomo Maggiore (impressive frescoes); museums of art, astronomy and archaeology, notably Palazzo Poggi with numerous themed exhibits; Asinelli tower (one of 2 leaning towers) for a stunning city panorama (though you have to climb 500 steps to see it); walking tours embracing piazzas, palazzos (mansions), gardens and beautiful porticoed walkways.

By night their are open-air concerts during the summer arts festival, together with dance and theatre performances in some piazzas and courtyards (August generally quiet). There are also several live-music venues and popular bars in the animated university district, where things start gearing up late in the evening. The centre is populated with stylish bars, with many traditional pub-like "osterias" in the narrow lanes. Eating out in Bologna is a also favourite local pastime. From top restaurants to traditional trattorias, quality is high and fresh pastas (particularly tortelli and tortellini) are a speciality.

Restaurants are relatively good value, but more expensive in the centre. There are many cheaper options in the university district.

Excursions in Bologna consist of half day: hills around Bologna for walks, scenery and cooler summer temperatures; superb portico at the Madonna di San Luca shrine.

Full day excursions consist of: exploring the region's many towns, such as affluent Parma, with its fine restaurants, Ferrara and Modena (both medieval cities); villages and countryside in the foothills of the Apennines, such as charming Vignola and Zocca, and the spa town of Porretta Terme; Verona; Florence. Two day excursions consist of trips to: Rimini (popular Adriatic resort), nature parks and beaches of the Po delta; Tuscany's beautiful scenery and villages.

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Population: 58.103.000
Languages: Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Italy - Rome

Italy - Rome

Country Dialling Code: +39
Voltage: 127/220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

2 circular prongs aligned with earth connector

Italy is often described as an open-air art gallery - every town and village seems to have a beautiful little church to wander round or a historic square where you can sit and enjoy a cappuccino. You will stumble over theatres and other buildings dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Visit Roman ruins, gawk at Renaissance art, stay in tiny medieval hill towns, go skiing in the Alps, explore the canals of Venice and gaze at beautiful churches. Naturally you can also indulge in the pleasures of la dolce vita : good food, good wine and improving your wardrobe.

Italy dips down out of Europe and into the Mediterranean like a women's leg firmly planted in a sleek stiletto, so it's hardly surprising that Italians are known for their impeccable style and fashionable dress sense. They're also known for once having an empire that stretched across the globe, and for having the most spectacular churches, frescos, sculptures and Renaissance paintings in all of Europe.

The Italy of today is littered with the relics of more than 3,000 years of history, and an atmosphere that ranges from the Armani-wearing-scooter-driving-espresso-drinking buzz of its cities to the quiet, pastoral existence of its hillside olive farms and seaside fishing villages.

From the depths of the canals in Venice, which floats on a series of islands in an Adriatic lagoon, and the bleached sands of San Remo on the Riviera, to the rocky crags of the Alps, Dolomites and Apennines, Italy has everything from beach holidays to luxury mountain ski resorts.

Italy's cities reveal awe-inspiring architecture from the curved arches of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to the crumbling magnificence of the Colisseum in Rome. Home of da Vinci, Michelangelo, Carvaggio and Botticelli, its artworks are a visual delight to all visitors.

Nestled into the outskirts of Rome is the independent Vatican City, the seat of the Pope and home to the famous St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The influence of the Holy Catholic Church on the people of Italy is still evident today in a series of holy festivals, carnivals, and parades involving young and old alike in almost every city, town and village.