ACDB

Recently saw brief video on the Emilia-Romagna area. I need help in planning 5 days in this part of Italy with Bologna being our main place to stay and make day trips (is that possible) to other areas. This is a trip we are looking for in April/May 2017. Do not feel comfortable driving and hopefully could use train or buses? Interests. Historical sites and food... general site seeing. Have couple in their late 60's going. Lots of stairs MAY be an issue. Any suggestions? I realize this is rather sketchy, but just starting to plan and don't know where to start.

Thanks for your kind suggestions.

greg

>>> don't know where to start
That is why there are things called GUIDE BOOKS.

>>> could use train or buses?
To find out what kind of train connections are there, use www.bahn.com. It is a German site but has Italian train schedules and accepts geographical names in several languages. The Italian site, www.trenitalia.com requires using Italian spelling of names.

RonZ

Happy planning!

http://wikitravel.org/en/Emilia-Romagna

Our favorite Bologna hotel by far is the Albergo Centrale, but if you wish to be near the train station, search Stazione Bologna Centrale on booking.com

inspiredexplorer

For day trips oriented around history, food, and general sightseeing in the area, take a look at these places, which you can easily get to by train from Bologna:

Ravenna
Modena
Parma
Ferrara

Other options with slightly longer transit would be Verona, Padua, Florence.

With 5 full days, I might give two to Bologna proper and use the other three for day trips. You'll have to take a look and see which places interest you most to narrow down your choices.

Southam

The first place to start planning, as for most tourist destinations, is with the local tourist authority website: http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/
The main train station is not in the centre but the transit system has lots of connections, and to the international airport. Good food, relaxed atmosphere, more than 40 kilometres of covered arches protecting sidewalks from sun and rain -- nice place.

tonfromleiden

I support the above advice: stay in Bologna and use it as a base for daytrips for the cities around.
Bologna is one of the most agreeable cities in Italy I know, with a refreshing lack of tourist crowds.
Most, if not all, of the smaller cities around you're likely wanting to visit, are within 1 hr by cheap »Regionale« train (no need for advance reservation; buy the tickets at the window or from a machine).
The railway station - Bologna Centrale - is on the edge of the historical centre (look at GoogleMaps or ViaMichelin). Using the website of the Italian Railways won't be a problem. Only when you want to venture further, you'll have to remember the Italian original place names, such as »Padova« and »Venezia«.

ACDB

THANK YOU ALL! The 5 responses were exactly want was needed. Suggested itinerary fantastic. Guidebook was just like a sunami of info. and I wanted good insight. You guys rock. Let the planning begin!!

bilboburgler

Good news, most of ER is flattish and there are loads of trains, so getting about is easy.

I like inspired's list but also have a look at the walled cities to the south and west of Padova (padua). There are about 5 of them (don't include Soave). Now the actual border between ER and Veneto will run south of these cities but basically they are in the same cultural area (same food etc), their present provincial situation is more about the wars in the 1400s than about modern day Italy. http://www.padovatravel.it/en/villag.../walled-cities

Bologna is the obvious rail hub but may be too big for you, I'd base Modena or Ferrara

You'll also find that bike hire is dead easy in M and F. in fact many of these cities ban the car so getting about is best done by bike, though walking is allowed .

The Po valley also has a few exceptional wetland national scientific areas, these can be visited and tours are given, even in English. They can be fascinating and the flow of the Po explains why the Roman Capital of Ravenna (once a port) is now 35 km inland.

The position of Modena and Parma in modern Italian cooking cannot be over emphasised and a number of companies will wisk you away for a little balsamic tasting or a slice of ham. For me, once I knew where I was staying I'd look at local tourist info and see if you can get on one and include a wine tasting.

Just saw this, thought of you
http://www.cp2015.unipr.it/doc/CP%20...nd%20wines.pdf

Ciao

bilboburgler

You might like to stay in a agriturismo, for some reason fodors will not let me link to the site but it is basically "agriturismo dot it" not all of them are out in the wilds and there is a pleasure in eating zero-miles food. But checking I can see none on a good train route.

ACDB

Thanks bilboaburger. Great info

lancer11

Check out Italian days food tours. We did the three factories, (cheese, Balsamic vinegar and Ham) an amazing day and worth every penny. The two hour lunch was unbelievable. Alessandro is a great tour guide very
funny. It is a great day for those who love food.

ACDB

lancer11 - thanks - perfect idea!!!!

kybourbon

Trenitalia is not the only rail line. There are some private lines in some parts of Italy. You can look at some of the transport map links for the Bologna area on this page.

http://www.tper.it/percorsi-orari/mappe