lavender

Going on a daytrip from Florence to Bologna by train ( DH wants to check out Ducati Factory) and read on website about a City Red Bus Tour of the city. Thought maybe we could fit this in too if it's worthwhile.

Anyone been on this?

socaltraveler

Topping as we will be in Bologna in June.

charnees

http://tinyurl.com/RedBusTour

Let me know if you like it, as we will be going to Bologna in September.

lavender

No one? Maybe not a good sign! I know that sometimes these tours are a waste of time and money and you're better off sightseeing on your own, but figured that with only one day in Bologna, time is of the essence!

Sally30

Unless you have trouble walking, I would pass on the bus trip. Bologna is compact. You can easily walk around the central area in one day. You could also actually go into the sites that interest you as well as stop at all wonderful food shops along the way if you aren't trapped on a bus. It isn't really spread out like Rome and most of the streets are pedestrian only. Even if it is raining, the side walks are covered with the portico. Forget the bus and enjoy the city on foot.

LoveItaly

Hello lavender, I have only taken a "Hop On Hop Off" bus once and that was back in the 70's when it was the first time we were in Rome. We were bored out of our minds so to speak. So I am not a fan but many people are of course.

I have always found Bologna a very easy city to walk in and my opinion is to really get the flavour and feel for Bologna one does need to walk. But I love walking and can walk all day. If one can't than the bus would no doubt be a good second choice I think although I know nothing about the RedBusTour. I have never read about any other Fodorite using that bus company either.

lavender

Thank you Sally30 and LoveItaly, your comments are exactly what I needed to find out (and you confirmed my suspicions!). For me Italy is always about walking the streets and discovering interesting alley ways- so on foot it is! Was just curious about the Bologna tour.

The only hop on off bus tour I've done in the past was in London and with very limited time in the city, found it to be great- but then it did cover quite a large area.

LoveItaly

Lavender, I believe you will truly enjoy strolling around Bologna. You don't find the hoards of tourists as say in Florence. The shop windows are so interesting, oh the beautiful shoes on display and the food items etc. And as Sally said with the porticos be it rainy or very hot you are protected to an extent. Btw, Italian friends in Italy told me one time when I was in Bologna with them that the reason there' are the porticos is because centuries ago the residents living in their residences above the shops use to throw the remains from their slop buckets out of the windows and consequently pedestrians were hit with the contents, eeeeew! So consequently the porticos were added to the buildings. Fact or fiction I don't know but I tend to think they knew what they were talking about as their families lived in the area going back generations. I did wonder what the top of the porticos looked like from the windows of the residences, lol. And enjoy the food! I am sure you will have a wonderful day in Bologna.

ellenem

Skip the bus, since you will miss the pleasure of wandering through the porticos, a key aspect of a visit to Bologna. And because of the porticos, you won't be able to see many of the shop windows and such from a bus. As others have mentioned, the center is compact.