Must do's in Bologna and nearby

Old Jul 14th, 2015, 11:35 AM
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Must do's in Bologna and nearby

We are going to be in Bologna in late September and are looking for things to do in Bologna and nearby. We will have a car. We are foodies and are especially interested in Parma ham, Parmigianino reggiano, tortellini, and wine, as well as historical sites and art. Any suggestions are appreciated.
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Old Jul 14th, 2015, 05:07 PM
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Italian Days food tour is not to be missed. Allesandro is fantastic. You will visit a Parmigiano reggiano factory, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar factory and a Prosciutto Ham factory. After,there is a two hour lunch in the countryside. You have so much food during the day and at lunch you won't eat for days. You also have the opportunity to buy cheese and vinegar. A fantastic day.
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Old Jul 14th, 2015, 05:19 PM
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The city's tourism office has crammed its website with information and activities http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/
It suggests itineraries for do-it-yourself walking tours. Some have audio guides to download. I took a nice tour with a live guide around the city centre from its downtown office last year but I can't see it listed on the site now; ask. There are plenty of commercial tours which you can find through Google, including the highly advertised Viator (which merely sells other companies' services) and Tours by Locals, none of which I have used. There are assorted ways to visit the nearby auto installations Ferrari (Maranello), Maserati (Modena), Lamborghini (Sant'Agata Bolognese), Ducati (in Bologna itself.) See more at: http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/pla...pufmotorcycles)
Other tastes might want to check out balsamic vinegar production. I can't guess whether my must-do is your must-to-avoid, but I loved the food, and just walking the many kilometres of sidewalks covered in archways was good enough for me.
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Old Jul 14th, 2015, 06:52 PM
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A must-do for me was a visit to Ravenna to see the breathtaking (not hyperbole in this case) mosaics. I will surely revisit. Just fantastic.
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Old Jul 14th, 2015, 11:29 PM
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Ravenna is the crown jewel of the region for art and architecture, and one of the most beautiful and important sights of Byzantine art in all of Western Europe. It's also a pleasant town.

Within Bologna itself, two of the most unusual sights in Italy are the terracotta statues in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (only open in the mornings) and the anatomical theater in the Archigennasio. Both are in the heart of town. I would also recommend visiting the piazza Santo Stefano and having a close look at the architectural decoration.

If you want to taste the best Parma ham and cheese, it is best to go to Parma itself and raid the delis. However, be aware that Parma ham is not the only cured meat produced in the region, and you might want to sample mortadella, culatello and felino salume. Many important historical sights are only open in the mornings in Parma, and others close for lunch hour. The cathedral of Parma has an astounding frescoed ceiling and a fascinating and beautiful adjacent baptistry. All of Parma is colorful and gracious (and not very large).

To me, the best wine from the region comes from vinyards around Modena, and Lambrusco di Sorbara is my favorite. But even that wine is pretty much every day table wine, and that is generally what you find in the region, not something to make a special trip to experience.
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Old Jul 15th, 2015, 11:20 AM
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Great advice. Thanks to all for the replies.
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