My husband and I are traveling to Italy for 8 days -he has been there many times, but it is only the second trip for me. The last time we went we spent 6 days in Rome (which we loved), but this time we are focusing on two cities Florence and Bologna (the main attractions being art and food).

We fly into Milan and will take bus/train to Bologna. We will spend the first three (+half)days in Bologna (at Il Canale)and focus on rest, food (Tamburini market!)and whatever day trips we feel up to (we will do Ravenna for sure, but are still deciding between Parma and Modena).

The second half of the trip will be spent in Florence (at Antica Dimora) and will be faster-paced, with most of the time spent at various typical tourists sights and art museums (I will spare everyone the details) and then one day trip to Siena if we haven't bitten off more than we can chew.

We are leaving the driving tour of Tuscany for another time and plan on using trains and buses for the majority of our trip.
We fly out of Rome early on a Weds and plan on leaving Florence the night before so we can be closer to the airport.

I have two questions related to this itinerary:
1) Should I book the train from Milan to Bologna from here or wait until we arrive? (I will use the official Italian train website) I saw some conflicting advice when I did a search on the forum.
2)Should we stay near the airport in Rome the night before we leave, or would staying near the the train station be just as easy? Does anyone have any hotel ideas for either of these locations (moderately priced since it is simply for overnight sleep)? I am a little stuck.

Any help would be welcome. Sorry for the long post - I am so excited to go I am having trouble editing myself.
Pam

For your 2) I suggest:
I would suggest that you stay near the Termini and train to FCO. Since the train actually parks inside the airport, you will be at the check-in a lot more easily.
You may also get more food and stroll options near the station.

Hi pam,

We stayed at the Holiday Inn EUR Parc Medici for about 110E.

It was a nice, International Style hotel with a shuttle to the airport.

Next time we will stay in Rome where it is more lively and more Italian.

Is there a reason why you ar flying out of Rome?

We were lucky to get a good rate flying out of either Milan or Rome as opposed to Florence or Pisa (and I will do anything to minimize my time in the air!)

We chose to go through Rome instead of back to Milan because it seemed simpler and shorter - the trains are more regular et al.

pam, you don't say when you are traveling. If it is anything but peak season, you could certainly wait until you arrive in Milan to book your train from Milan to Bologna.

That is what I would do since flights can often be delayed and I would not want to worry about missing my train. The worst that might happen is that you have to take a slightly later train, but if you look at the schedule you'll see there are a lot of trains daily from Milan to Bologna -- it's on the Milan-Rome route.

sorry, can't help much as we will be making our first trip to Italy ourselves at the end of March. I was just curious though, how did you come to choose Antica Dimora, was it recommended to you? I've visited their website and it looks very nice and reasonably priced. We don't have all of our lodging booked yet.

I would not stay near the Termini but rather is a nice section of the city. It is an easy cab ride to the airport and there are several shuttle services as well.

IMO, the area around the station is not one of the nicer parts of Rome and there is no good reason to stay there.

First, you'll love the market area in Bologna. The displays of prepared foods in some of the stores is beyond mouth watering, plus all of the fresh pasta's , salumi and so forth. In Florence visit the Central Market. Not as elborate displays as Bologna but still a foodies heaven.

You may be interested in Caffe Verenzzano in Florence. Owned & opertaed by the Chianti winery. The Caffe serves a very good selection of Tuscan salumeria standards as well as cheeses, crostini & other delights with a selection of Verazzano wines. The caffe is small but it also has a bakery that sells pastries & breads along with a stand up espresso bar.

As to Rome, if your going to arrive in Rome in the late morning or afternoon I would advise staying in central Rome. Staying near the airport is only worthwhile if you arrive in Rome very late in the evening possibly not making a trip into Rome worthwhile. Since it appears that you'll have plenty of time that last day I'd enjoy as much of Roma as possible, to the last minute. No need to stay near the train station. A taxi will get you to the station in a few minutes from all parts of central Rome. By the time your eyes & brain recover from the vertigo of Roman cab driving you'll be at the station.
I would purchase my tickets for the next days ride to FCO the day you arrive in Roma. Just less to do that morning.

Almost forgot, the Food Channel has a special episode running of, Fine Living, it's an hour on Italian cooking schools. One class featured visits Tamburini market, great video of the shops & items.

Thanks to everyone for their help - particularly enjoyed the food recos from Lorenzi! We have decided not to stay at the airport, but enjoy our last night in Rome.

In answer to sthomp61's question about the Antica Dimora, I found recommendations for the hotel when I searched this site and one other travel source, which I now can't recall.
Pam

Pam,
I noticed that you don't post on here very often, but in case you check back, I would like your opinion on the hotel you stayed at in Bologna. (il canale)
Also, would you talk about where you ate and what you would recommend? I have read such good things about the cuisine in Bologna!
Thanks,
Carol