RJames

I have been to Florence but never to Bologna, Siena or San Marino. I am thinking of spending four nights in the area in December (I know not the best time of year to be in Tuscany). I would base myself in Bologna and travel to each city as a day trip to avoid schlepping my luggage around and so that I keep my schedule a little flexible in case the weather isn't cooperating (I've read what the walks are like in San Marino and would like to the city on a rainy day). As many things in Italy are closed on Sunday, I plan on flying to the country on Sunday (from within Europe so jet lag isn't an issue), and will have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to see the sights. I have no intention of going back to the Uffizi or Academia in Florence, but would like to stroll around the city's historic centre.

Is Bologna a good base for visiting these cities? My flights would be in/out of Bologna airport - I've checked flight schedules an open jaw flight isn't possible.

As I'd like to keep my schedule flexible, I don't plan on purchasing train tickets in advance. Is there a Tuscany train pass that would work well for this trip? Any other ways to avoid paying full price for train tickets?

Any information on the destinations will be appreciated.

Thank you.

HappyTrvlr

No time alloted for Bologna itself?

RJames

Of course I plan on sightseeing in Bologna itself. I will arrive early in the afternoon the day I fly in, which sadly is a Sunday so not the best of days to sightsee. I leave Bologna in late evening on Thursday, so essentially I have two half days in the city. I haven't booked my flights yet, I'd like to hear what fodorites say about my plan before I commit to flights.

Michael

According to Google, it takes a train to Rimini, then a bus and then a taxi to get to San Marino, with an optimum time of 2hr45min. I would consider alternatives, such as Ravenna for its mosaics and Faenza for its ceramics museum.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4200858661/

wekewoody

I am not sure this is correct, but google shows that it will take approximately 4 hour 30 minutes or more to get to Siena from Bologna using train/bus. Have you checked the train schedules? Perhaps taking the train to Florence and then the bus to Siena would be quicker?

If it were me, I'd spend my time in Bologna and/or take the train to Ravenna or Modena or Parma. These cities are much closer to Bologna.

Lexma90

Bologna is a great little city, not so touristy. Ravenna is incomparable for its mosaics, and you should definitely plan a day trip there. We visited Bologna, Ravenna and San Marino several years ago, but with a rental car. After time in Bologna, we picked up the car as we left the city. We spent the day in Ravenna viewing the mosaics, including the one outside of town. From there, we made the easy drive to San Marino. It was an interesting town, but worth the amount of time we spent there - evening, the night, and a few hours the next morning. I'm not sure how enjoyable it would be in December, and probably not worth taking a train, bus and taxi. to get to as a day trip.

Siena and that area is worth at least several nights on its own.

kybourbon

Bologna is not a good base for Siena.

I'm not sure why you think things are closed on Sunday. Most museums close Monday or Tuesday (mostly Monday).

>>>I've checked flight schedules an open jaw flight isn't possible.<<<

Open jaw are always possible. Don't know why you would think otherwise unless you are flying some budget airline that doesn't fly anywhere else.

>>>Is there a Tuscany train pass that would work well for this trip? <<<

Tuscany is better seen by car or bus as trains don't go to many of the smaller towns. Bologna is not in Tuscany, but there isn't such a thing as a Tuscany pass anyway.

asps

San Marino is relatively uninteresting and not worth a long day trip when there are a lot of more interesting places within reach (Parma, Ravenna, Ferrara, Verona come to my mind).
Florence is now 37 minutes from Bologna by fast train, but a standard ticket is euro 24 each way. No train passes, the only way to spare is reserving non-refundable tickets on the internet well in advance.
Siena is 1h 15min by bus from Florence so you understand you can hardly to Bologna-Siena in less than 2h 15min (it depends on how long is the connection time).

bilboburgler

Be aware a fair number of things are closed on Mondays too. So museums that are open over the weekend or on just Saturday let their staff have Mondays off.

RJames

Thanks for the replies.

kybourbon, I am looking at booking an One World Explorer award ticket using miles, this ticket allows a maximum of 16 flights but only one open jaw. It just doesn't make sense to use the open jaw in Northen Italy as I would have a much better use for the open jaw outside of Europe. Hence, the reason why I said an open jaw isn't an option.

I've been thinking about the short time I would have in the region and that it will be winter and the weather could be miserable and have decided to axe the destination from my upcoming trip. I will look at other destinations instead.

Michael

Morocco might be a good choice. We flew to Marrakech, took the train to Meknès and Fès, and then the long distance bus from Fès to Marrakech to fly back to Paris.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4182569651/