mo_han1

We'll be in the Emilia-Romagna area for 2-3 weeks in June. Planning to stay in Bologna and want to see the coast as well. If we've got time then we'd like to go the the west coast and stay in the Portofino area. Do we hire a car for the whole holiday? I believe you can't have a car in the central town of Bologna? How long will it take to travel by car from Bologna to Portofino?

julietita

Of course by car, it's amazing this system of picking and droping in different cities, countries, continents!!!
By car you can stop wherever whenever you want, take your time to travel... admire the real ladscape of a country (i was told that in motorcycle is even better, you can smell it, maybe some day) and when you get lost is quite funny, in the end you always find the right way!!

Cheers!!!

Mimar

What do you mean by the Portofino area? Portofino itself is a pretty pricey destination. Santa Margherita Ligure is close to Portofino (a walk or a short bus ride) and it's on the train line south to the Cinque Terre and north to Camogli and Genoa. None of these destinations make for easy car parking.

And neither does Bologna. So are you sure you want a car?

julia1

Take the train to Rapallo, then visit up and down the Portofino-area coastline by ferry. If you like to walk, there are also some good trails criss-crossing the Portofino peninsula. Walking from San Fruttuoso to Portofino is every bit as spectacular as walking in the Cinque Terre, plus the trails aren't crowded with Rick-Steves-guidebook-toting tourists.

scatcat

I'm going by train from Bologna to Santa Margherita in April. Seems easy, change in Milan.

Sculptor

We love traveling by train in Italy b/c it is convenient and easy. Bologna to Ligurian coast is easy ride to Santa Margherita via La Spezia for Portofino. Car would be hassle, especially if you drive June 2 a national holiday.

scatcat

Sculptor--I'm thinking about taking that route to SML. I checked on the Italian rail site, but it didn't show it. But I can go to Florence Rifredi, then onto SML.

mo_han1

Thank you for all your responses. I'm thinking it will be better to take the train then. We're looking at staying at Santa Margherita and then we'll walk or take ferry. Will we need a car in Bologna then? Staying 8-10 days and wanting to see Modena, Ferrara etc

GeoffHamer

Bologna is a major railway junctions with frequent trains.
The journey to Modena or Ferrara takes about half an hour

caroline_edinburgh

A car is a liability in Bologna. If you are staying in the controlled zone (i.e. the centre) you can take a car if you a) notify your hotel in advance and get them to send you directions on the correct route to take, b) buy a vistor's parking permit from your hotel on arraival and c) are able to find a vistor's parking space free (not easy). Plus as is usual in historic centres, many streets are very narrow & difficult to negotaite (we scratched a hire car quite badly there twice - once on arrival and once on departure). Much easier to take the train. That apart, Bologna is wonderful and I'd definitely go back.

zeppole

Your call: If you want a car. It's useful to have one to tour Emilia-Romagna -- and in the hot muggy summer it beats waiting on train platforms. But then stay outside the city of Bologna, preferably in the countryside at an agriturismo with a good cook, and you might think of making the Modenese hills your base for that. You can daytrip into Bologna as you like, using public transportatio, or you can even take the car if you are willing to learn the forbidden zones and pay for parking.

If you are thinking want to stay inside the city, which is rich with treasures, music, great fun and food markets, then skip the car most of the time and use the trains to see Parma, Ravenna, Modena, Ferrara, Faenza, etc. It's not hard. Just splurge on taxis when you want them, and make sure you get air conditioning in your rental (try not to stay in a hotel, have a kitchen.)

To get to the Portofino promontory without a car, take the fast train via Milan/Genova to any of the nearby towns: Camolgi, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo. Book first class so you have a guarantee of air conditioning. To get to the Portofino promontory with a car, consider dropping it off in Rapallo and using only public transporation for the rest of your trip. There is really nothing you can do with a car around Portofino except park it, and it isn't cheap.

zeppole

Sorry -- I misspelled Camogli.

mo_han1

Thanks Zeppole, this is a great help. And Caroline thanks, everyone seems to have the same opinion that Bologna is a place not to be missed.

caroline_edinburgh

Another tip - book a double length evening slot at the Scrovegni Chapel, get a guidebook with a detailed description of the Giotto frescos, read up on them beforehand & take the guidebook in with you. Absolutely wonderful - a highlight of that 4 week trip for us.