Lolo

I just got back from northern Italy and I thank all who contribued on this site their experiences and suggestions.
The hotel in Bologna, the Orologio was superb. It isn't much to look at from the outside, but inside it is a delight. Nice room ( a bit noisy from the outside, though), the best breakfast, helpful staff and great location. Restaurants we ate in were Cesare, Fagione and Da Carlo. All very good, especially Cesare.
Verona - Torcolo Hotel - very quaint, helpful staff, adequate room, teensy breakfast room with even teensier breakfast. Although we had alot of rain, buying the Verona card for 8Euros was a big help. We got to see almost everything.
Restaurants were Cipetta and 12 Apostles. The latter, quite expensive but wonderful. If you go, make sure you ask to see the cantina in the cellar.
Sirmione - Villa Contine, a truly 5 star hotel in every sense, although I would have liked to see some fresh fruit for breakfast. We drove all around Lake Garda, a wonderful day's outing. Restaurants were Antica Contrada ( just outside of the town) and La Fiasca, a small excellent neighborhood place.
Bellagio - Hotel Belvedere, up the hill from the lake, a short walk into town. Beautiful view and nice help. Restaurants - Bilasca ( excellent) and Silvio, also excellent.
Altogether, considering the trip began on a sour note because Alitalia cancelled our flight, it wound up to be a very memorable and exciting trip. Northern Italy is a great place to visit. The scenery is breathtaking.

annabelle2

Thanks for the report Lolo. Could you tell me a little more about the Bologna restaurants -- what you ate, price range etc?
Thanks!

Lolo

The 3 restaurants we ate it were all between 55 and 65 euros. We normally had a bottle of water, a bottle of local wine, a first course (appetizer) and main course and espresso or cappachino. As for the first course, we would usually have either a salad, or caprese (mozzerella and tomato) or a pasta dish. For the main course, it would be either fish, or some kind of meat. We rarely had dessert, preferring to have gelato later from a gelateria.
the 3 restaurants we went to were Cesari, Fagione and Da Carlo.
Everything was in walking distance from the hotel which was right off the Piazza Maggiore.

annabelle2

Thanks for the tips, Lolo.

BTilke

Thanks, Lolo! Question, Is Bilasca, in Bellagio, different from Bilacus, another Bellagio restaurant recommended highly here? It's the first time I've heard of Bilasca. Did you reserve a table for both of your Bellagio restaurants and if so, how far in advance? I will be in Bellagio in about 2 weeks and would like to dine at Silvio's one night and probably Bilacus the next, but perhaps Bilasca is another restaurant to consider.

Lolo

BTilke- You are right -it is Bilacus in Bellagio. Jet lag must have gotten to me!! We happen to accidently pass it by in the afternoon so we made a reservation for the next night, which was this past Saturday. The food is excellent and the service is quick and efficient. I would highly recommend it. S I would contact your hotel and have them make a reservation for you. I imagine as it gets closer to the high season the crowds get bigger. Silvio's is also wonderful. We had a table overlooking the lake. Their spagetti alla Silvio is to die for!!
Enjoy your trip.