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10 days in Rome/Bologna - how would you split them?

10 days in Rome/Bologna - how would you split them?

Old Sep 18th, 2016, 02:26 AM
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10 days in Rome/Bologna - how would you split them?

Hello all:

I am in the very early planning stages of the trip - just woke up this morning with an urge for Italy I am planning for mid-October, so not much time. I would probably fly into one city and out of the other, as long as it proves not too expensive.

Trying to decide how to split the days. I have been to Rome several times, but its been at least 10 years since the last visit, so everything will be new. I was in Bologna once, but that was in the days following 9/11, so I was too sad to enjoy the trip.

I am thinking of a 7/3 split -what do you think? Alternatively, I could spend all 10 days in Rome and just do a day-trip to Bologna?

regards Ger
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Old Sep 18th, 2016, 04:36 AM
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Personally, I would look at your proposed 7/3 or a 6/4 split since even though it's been 10 years, you've been to Rome enough that some of the core sights are still the same, and you'll add to that base with new sights, places to eat, things to do, etc.

With the great train and road connections of Bologna, I'd make sure you have enough time to visit the city itself AND other close places in Emilia-Romagna or the Veneto (Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna, Padua maybe Verona come to mind).

It does depend on your interests as well. I would not recommend just doing a daytrip to Bologna from Rome though if you really do have interest in the sights and tastes of Emilia-Romagna.
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Old Sep 18th, 2016, 04:42 AM
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They are such different cities, it really depends on what you prefer...big and bustling with many attractions or smaller with fewer "big" attractions. I think 6 in Rome and 4 nights in Bologna. I would want at least 3 days in Bologna which would include a day trip to Ravenna to see the fabulous mosaics. Lots of other day trips you could go to fromBologna if you wanted to. Bologna is a lovely university town and should be much less crowded than Rome. While I enjoy the food everywhere in Italy, I remember the food in Bologna as being absolutely wonderful. While I like Rome a lot and one could certainly easily spend 10 days there, the crowds at the big attractions are a drawback.
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Old Sep 18th, 2016, 09:43 AM
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Since you've been to Rome several times, what about doing the entire 10 days based in Bologna?
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Old Sep 18th, 2016, 10:06 AM
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7/3 or 6/4. Include a day trip from Rome, and go to Ravenna from Bologna if you haven't yet been--it is marvelous. I took a similar trip a couple years ago, Bologna three nights and then on to Rome for 8 or 9 (was taking a class in the mornings).

I've been to Rome many times, including again this summer. I enjoyed Bologna quite a bit, but prefer Rome for a longer stay. More to do and see that holds my interest. On the other hand, I had wished I had time to visit Ferrara from Bologna, but I needed time for the city itself.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 01:59 AM
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It's very hard to give useful advice without knowing what interests you. Ravenna would't interest you, for example, unless you think beautiful Byzantine mosaics are worth three hours on the train.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 02:52 AM
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Going to Ravenna by train from Bologna doesn't take 3 hours. There are trains departing from Bologna central that take just a minute under one hour. You might want to look at pictures before you go because the mosaics are not isolate mosaics or floor mosaics or in a museum, but cover the entire interior walls and ceilings and domes of very large buildings, so the effect is stupendous.

In addition to Ravenna, there are many, many towns with fascinating and beautiful sightseeing attractions in small towns within an hour or less of Bologna by train or bus. Some as close as 20 minutes away, plus Bologna itself has many beautiful antique attractions. I agree, however, only you can decide if they are attractions for you that would make you want to take time from Rome. However, Bologna is too far I think for a day trip from Rome. Even with the fast trains, it takes a long time, and Bologna is a rather old-fashioned city that closes most of its shops and many of attractions during the middle of the day.

Even though you have been to Rome before you should keep in mind that there might be a lot more tourists there now than what you experienced before. That can slow you down when it comes to how much sightseeing you can accomplish each day, if you have to wait in lines or move slowly through crowded museums.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 05:43 AM
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I second the suggestion of Ravenna. We did a day-trip from Bologna this past May and it was fabulous. Ravenna have several amazing "mozaic" sights, and a few other sights as well.

There are three or four trains a day that take about an hour (plus a lot of slower ones that take about 1:20). Plan well and it's a breeze.

ssander
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 07:09 AM
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One hour and 20 min times two for return trip seem close to 3 hours to me.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 07:31 AM
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Here's what I posted in the lounge FWIW:

Hi OReilly, if you get a chance, please read the Bologna section of my TR

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ellagio-tr.cfm

on the subject. We did a couple of train day trips from there so you might want to add a day or 2 if they are new to you.

Looking forward to reading what you do!
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 11:15 AM
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Thanks all:

Inspiredexplorer: Thank you. Yes, I am planning at least two, if not three, side trips from Bologna (see below)

Yestravel: Very much looking forward to the food in Bologna . Yes, I am probably somewhat concerned about the crowds in Rome, so I am planning to have a series of ‘escapes’ to smaller town if it gets too much.

Suze: Interesting option, but there are many museums in Rome that I have to see

Leely2: Ferrara: would you recommend it?

Bvlenci: As far as my likes are concerned: Its Art, Architecture, Archaeology and just wandering around gorgeous towns/cities; really good food and wine; I am equally comfortable in major cities (I live in London) or small towns and countryside.

Frencharmoire/ssander: Ravenna is a given. I will do at least one more, if not two, side trips. Ravenna, perhaps Modena. Still looking for another.

TDudette: Thank you - I read your lovely trip report early this morning and loved it! You sure love your food honey .

OK, I have made a commitment! Firstly, I decided to extend from 10 to 13 days to accommodate everything I want to do. I am flying on 6th in the morning and returning on the 12th in the evening. I grabbed a deal with Alitalia – Business Class from London City/back to LHR at an amazing £230! I have always had really bad experiences with Alitalia, always choosing them based on price other than service, so hopefully this will be different.

Checking out hotels _I now remember why I have not visited Rome for 10 years … the PRICE of the hotels!!!

I am leaning toward the following split: Bologna – 4 days; Rome 9 days.

Bologna: 2 days exploring the city, day-trips to Ravenna (a MUST) and one more (Modena?). After further reading, I may decide on an extra day and another day-trip (Parma/Ferrara?)

Rome: At least three of the days will be spent outside Rome on day-trips (Orvieto, Villa D’Este/ Hadrian’s villa, some other – open to suggestions). That will give me 6 days in Rome proper, and I know I can fill these easily with the museums and churches.

Once again, many thanks.


Best regards … Ger
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 12:12 PM
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Sounds like a great trip. I'm envious! I didn't make it to Ferrara, unfortunately. Only to Ravenna, which I loved. I spent the rest of my time in the churches and museums of Bologna. I also had to leave a lot of time for sampling the delicious food.

Just FYI, when I was in Rome this summer I stayed at Hotel Nerva and enjoyed it. Hadn't stayed in a hotel in Rome in many years, instead preferring apartments. But this was pleasant. Though the views are of the back of wall of the Foro di Augusto. Friends stayed for a few nights a couple weeks after I did and enjoyed it. Small rooms, though.

Stayed at the Corona d'Oro in Bologna and found it very comfortable. They do get some groups, although I suspect that's common in Bologna, which sees so many business and academic-conference travelers.
http://www.hco.it/en
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 12:15 PM
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<there are many museums in Rome that I have to see>

OK then... thanks for the reply.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 12:31 PM
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Glad you enjoyed the TR, OReilly (guess I should change it to FR as in Food Report). We loved the food in Turin and Bologna. And in our hotel resto in Spoleto!

Your trip sounds great. Orvieto's Duomo is spectacular on the outside and we liked that it was not hilly once one got to the top of the hill!
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 04:37 PM
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Glad you are going to Ravenna. There are trains from Bologna to Ravenna that take longer than an hour, but you don't have to take them, because there are others that take less than an hour. Most people don't spend 3 hours on a train doing a day trip to Ravenna (I don't think.)
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Old Sep 20th, 2016, 03:12 PM
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Modena has a very beautiful Romanesque cathedral, but it's rather buried amidst other buildings. The Estense library is also well worth a visit, if you can find it open.

Ferrara is a small city, one that I like quite a lot. It has a charming center, with a big ducal palace.

Rome has many wonderful museums and archaeological sites that don't attract tourists at all. Six days give you time to visit some of them. Is there any particular period that interests you most?

There are several palazzi in Rome that are known for the art displayed in them, for example, the Palazzo Farnese, the Palazzo Medici, the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, and the Palazzo Colonna. Not a palazzo, but the Villa Farnesina is in the same category.

Since you're interested in archaeology, you shouldn't miss Ostia Antica, the ancient port city of Rome. It's within the city limits and easy to reach with the Ostia Lido train, which departs from the the Porta San Paolo station. A single €1.50 ticket will pay for your bus, metro, and train fare all the way to Ostia Antica from wherever you start. There is also a medieval castle in the town of Ostia Antica, just outside the archaeological site. I've never visited the castle, though.

http://www.ostia-antica.org/

Another less-well-known archaeological site is the Case Romane, under the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo. It would be best to take a tour, because the site is very complex, with layers from several centuries, and not easy to decipher.

In Orvieto, apart from the Duomo, I suggest you visit the Well of St. Patrick (Pozzo di San Pietro). It has an interesting double helix staircase, which was designed so that the mules who transported the water to the surface didn't get distracted by their brothers going in the other direction. I've also heard that the Underground Orvieto tour is interesting, but I've not done it.

Assisi is not really too far for a day trip, and the train ride is rather scenic. There is one direct train, at 7:58. Otherwise, you have to change somewhere, usually at Foligno. There is a bus to take you up to the town from the station.

Viterbo has a nice medieval center, and a big papal palace, which is famous for a very long election of a new pope. In the end, the exasperated citizens locked them in to force them to concentrate, which I think it what gave rise to the word conclave, and let food down to them on a rope.

Several of the Castelli Romani towns are within an easy day trip distance from Rome. I haven't been to any of them, though, so I won't venture an opinion.
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