inor

During an upcoming driving trip to Northern Italy, I am torn between spending a night in Verona or Bologna. They both sound great and we only have time for one. <BR>

alan

Hi <BR>I have only been to Verona. It was a pleasant city that we enjoyed. The ampitheatre was magniicant. The old city has some nice streets to wander. The piazza Bra has many restaurants etc. There was enough for us to stay 2 nights. <BR>alan

claire

What are your interests? And, what will the weather be? Personally, I enjoy Verona during the opera festival in summer and because its a wonderful place for wandering, cafe sitting in the open air, etc. You can make it worthwhile as a stop for a day or two, and you can spend a bit more time if you have it, even expanding out to the Lake Garda area. As you'll be driving, that would be easy. I prefer Bologna at other times of year. There is a statistic that says more locals leave Bologna in August than any other Italian city. It is deserted and most things of interest are closed. And, remember it is home to the oldest university. It is a foodie's heaven! Many cultural activities in season, etc. Either way, August will be over so enjoy, whichever you choose!

inor

Thanks, for your replies. We will be taking our trip in late May early June. <BR> <BR>Our itineray is: <BR>2 nights Milan <BR>3 nights Florence <BR>3 night Venice <BR>3 nights Lake District <BR> <BR>We have one more night? what do you think? <BR> <BR>We've been to Rome & Tuscany before and we are flying in and out of Milan, that is why we aren't venturing south of Florence. <BR> <BR>Inor

Bob

On balance, I'd go with Verona. Bologna has better shopping with more stores with covered walkways (better when it rains). It also has a few sights to see (a tower that has 500 steps to get to the top gives a great view of the city) but it is less tourist oriented than Verona. Verona has more sights to see and has a history which reflects both the Roman Empire and Medieval periods. <BR>P.S. - Your trip will overlap with the Giro D'Italia so if you're a bike race fan, you may want to try to see a stage or two. I'm not aware that the race itinerary has been released yet though.

sandi

I loved Verona and haven't been to Bologna. We only stayed there a couple of nights but it's a great walking town with a lot to see. You can see some nice shots of Verona on my "virtual" photo album at: <BR> <BR>http://www.imagestation.com/album/?i...39&mode=invite <BR> <BR>

janie

Bologna is known for having the best food in all of Italy. Does anyone agree?

richard j vicek

Good afternoon, Janie Do totally agree with you that Bologna has the <BR>best food in all of Italy!!! <BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il.. <BR>just for interest check &lt;www.tamburini.com/&gt;

Barbara

I went to both Verona & Bologna in May & prefer Verona. Bologna to me was more "citylike." Probably because I stayed at my friend's apartment & had to take the bus or use her car to get downtown. Bologna is also more humid. Verona is much more quaint & walkable. The hills are beautiful & I just prefer towns with rivers flowing through them I guess. Your itinerary is similar to how mine was.

Auleen

Hi Inor,<BR> One and a half years ago we took a similar itinerary, with some added time in Tuscany. One of our favorite places was Verona. We spent 2 nights there. It would be a fine one night stop between Milan and Venice. Very relaxing and beautiful place--awesome Roman Coliseum right on Piazza Bra--and Brek's restaurant, also one of our favorites. E-mail me for hotel or suggestions for sights we enjoyed.<BR>

Helen Donegan

Look up:<BR>http://www.italywithus.com/ezine/022002<BR>you may enjoy the article on Verona.<BR>

Tania

We visited Verona last March. Despite the rain we found the town walkable and quaint. Did the Juliet's balcony thing. Hokey, but my 13 year old daughter loved it and wants to see the play in Stratford this summer. We started to look for a place to lunch way too late in the afternoon and found Brek...

Christy

Verona sound like a wonderful city I'd like to include in our travel plans (between Venice and CT) for July 2002 but I am having trouble finding a hotel for three of us for one night because it is opera season. Can anyone recommend a reasonable (130-200 EUR) hotel for 2 adults and a teen? <BR>Thanks, <BR>Christy

sandi

In 2000 we stayed at the Guilietta e Romeo hotel. (Vicolo Tre Marchetti, 3) Very clean, well decorated rooms, large full bathrooms and excellent location to the main piazza (Bra)...The hotel was about $150.00 US dollars for 3.

kam

You can easily stop in Verona between Milan and Venice or you can stop in Bologna between Venice and Florence. Verona is a perfect sized tourist city--perfect walking, much pedestrian. Very romantic. Bologna is also lovely, but you have to get through the rather industrial outer layer and into the heart of the old city. I think Verona would be easier, but yes, Bologna has fantastic food!

Sally

My husband and I visited Bologna a couple years ago, and found it to be a delight! The food is fantastic.The food markets are amazing as well. We are going again in April, and we will include Verona on this trip. Can anyone recommend a really great hotel in Verona? Something with charm-but not without the essential ammenities, like a decent size room and bath....I am looking for something centrally located. Anyone???

kam

The Due Torre Hotel in Verona where each room is furnished with antiques of a different time. Very centrally located, close to Romeo and Julliets houses, the pedestrian area, the Piazza delle Erbe market. You can walk to almost any place in Verona. Favorite restaurant in Verona is 12 Apostoli--walking distance from hotel.

peter

i vote for the old section of bologna. great city with lots to see. food incredible.

Kathy

I lived in Bologna and have visited Verona. They are very different cities. Verona is more quaint, Bologna cosmopolitan. Bologna has IMO the best food in Italy. The Due Torri in Bologna lean further than Pisa's. I don't know if they still let you go up in them. But, it is quite a sensation. The Hotel San Donato near the Due Torri is a great hotel, centrally located.<BR><BR>

Lilli

I have been to both Verona and Bologna, Verona is more of a tourist place as many said, but I think Bologna is really special, a city that not everybody visits, but is just wonderful to walk around (in the old city center) and discover beautiful little places with old houses in ochre and red. And definitely Bologna has THE BEST FOOD!!! There are wonderful small little restaurants serving fresh made traditional food. <BR><BR>Maybe you could try to do both: Bologna and Verona. And maybe stay a night less in Milan (not a very interesting city, apart from shopping, it is very dirty).<BR><BR>Have a good time in beautiful Italy!