Bologna as a base

Old Sep 27th, 2015, 07:08 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
Bologna as a base

A few years ago we went to Tuscany.

We based in Florence for the entire 10 day trip and trained on day trips on 6 of those days. Two of the day trips were actually overnighters where we kept our base hotel so we didn't "lug" luggage and took with small backpacks with toiletries and a clothing change.

As we get older carrying luggage around becomes less enticing.

We just went on a trip where we changed sleeping locations three times. On one of them we had to carry our luggage up a flight of stairs in a train station. On two of them we had to maneuver luggage onto and thru the train. We want to reduce some of that "work".

We're thinking of using Bologna as a base (using air miles and AA or a partner flies there).

I realize matching Florence as a base is a challenge but will we be bored spending a few days and all of those evenings in Bologna?

We'd probably go on a couple of overnight day trips (Florence and maybe Ravenna/Rimini?) so that reduces the number of evening in Bologna.
Myer is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2015, 07:55 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We only spent one night and two days in Bologna a few years ago, on our way, driving from Milan central station to MOntone in Umbria.
We happened to find an American chain hotel forget exactly, but I think maybe a HOliday Inn Express, (I was emarassed to ven mention it in a report!) which was in an eastern suburb. I would look it up for you, but at the moment we are in Paris)

It turned out to be a super base place, if you will be driving.

There is a bus that goes in to Bologna every 30 minutes or so, and the food is so good in Bologna, I can recommend this place, as a base.

I will look it up on the Internet and will reply again.
taconictraveler is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2015, 08:27 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's a good question as to whether you might be bored in Bologna for 10 full evenings. Most evenings in Bologna only the students are out and about, cavorting, and you are likely to feel the age difference if you are over 27. The rest of the "nightlife" of the town is all about eating in restaurants -- and it is very filling food. For 10 nights in Bologna, an apartment is HIGHLY recommended. If you are planning many day trips -- and I would recommend not only Ravenna and Rimini, but also Modena, Parma, Parma and Brisighella -- then I also recommend getting an apartment generally closer to the train station, so it's an easy walk in heat or cold, or else one with a very good direct bus connection to the train station that runs into the night. Unless of course you don't mind a 7e taxi fare twice a day.

People who enjoy extended stays in Bologna usually fill up part of their time cooking classes and food tours as well. These are not available at all times of year.

Another Bologna-sized city with excellent train connections for interesting day trips is Verona, and you might find the non-student atmosphere a bit more to your liking. Also, many peope prefer strolling about Verona in the evening just for aesthetics, and absence of graffiti. Interesting day trips from Verona include Trento, Modena, Vicenza, Milano, Padova and Venice.

With either Bologna or Verona you can usually find a few more unusual day trips using purely local transportation for festivals and small town charm.
sandralist is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2015, 08:28 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I meant to add you can easily revisit Florence from Bologna.
sandralist is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2015, 08:28 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
(And in the summer you can go to the opera in Verona plus make excursions to Lago di Garda.)
sandralist is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2015, 08:30 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Instead of Parma, Parma I meant to write Parma and Ferrara as easy day trip from Bologna.
sandralist is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2015, 08:33 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,204
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 1 Post
I'm getting the feeling about 8 evenings in Bologna might be way too much.

We visited Verona, Vicenza and Padova as day trips from Venice a couple of years ago.

We won't have a car so travel is mostly by train with the odd bus.

Modena and Parma were also on my list of potential day trips.

I think I may rethink this trip unless the comments begin to shift in the other direction.
Myer is offline  
Old Sep 27th, 2015, 02:20 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've just come back from Bologna and I found it one of the most agreeable cities I know in Italy. The historical centre is intimate, full of surprising corners and squares, lively and - not unimportant - still very much a normal living and working city, not overflowed with tourists like Florence or Siena. Having said that, in itself it won't occupy you for much more than two full days.
Up north, a couple of years ago I've used Padova as a base for similar reasons. A normal city with anough attractions to keep you busy for a few days, and strategically situated for day trips to - in this case - Venice and Vicenza.
tonfromleiden is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2015, 09:12 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I visited Bologna 4 times since 2006, I love it there: the architecture, food, general atmosphere, piazze. 3 of my trips have been 6-7 days long and I don't think an 8-day stay is too long. Easy daytrips (all great) include Ferrara, Modena, Ravenna, Mantova (this one takes longer since it requires a change of trains in Modena).
Keren is offline  
Old Oct 1st, 2015, 03:58 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10,256
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I stayed for three or four nights in 2014. I had wanted one or two more nights there, but I doubt I would have been bored with even seven or eight. Day trips and leisurely eating/drinking, plus relaxing (yes, now that I am in my 40s I like to include some relaxing while on vacation) seemed to eat up a lot of time. All of a sudden I had to ramble on to Rome. I do plan to return to Bologna someday.

You could do a five-three split somewhere if you're concerned.

I wish you a wonderful holiday.
Leely2 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mikej48
Europe
34
Oct 6th, 2015 08:55 AM
Myer
Europe
6
Feb 4th, 2015 04:51 PM
act
Europe
14
Aug 2nd, 2010 06:09 PM
leahinsc
Europe
18
Oct 3rd, 2008 08:34 AM
Marycang
Europe
25
Dec 7th, 2006 12:05 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -