I posted a message a few days ago and found it over 600 down with only one reply, so I will narrow the field a bit.<BR><BR>We are planning to spend a week in Bologna from 29 June this year. We like to soak up the atmosphere, eat, walk, taking small amounts of art and architeture and so on. We would like some advice on easy day trips by bus/train and great things to see, do, eat in the area. Is there anyone out there who has some suggestions?<BR><BR>With thanks, Jo

Hello Jo,<BR><BR>Take your pick from Florence, Ravenna, Parma, Verona, Venice, Padova, Ferrara, the Adriatic Coast resorts, ... to name a few!<BR><BR>Steve

Steve... I was asking for information on beach resorts on the Adriatic coast and yours was the only match. Could you elaborate please? We were there in early April 2000 and it was still coolish and not too busy. Do you have any advice on places to stay and best time of year? We had been in Teramo finding family and being Californians wanted some beach time.We plan to go again to visit and would like to choose a better time and get info on lodging. Thank you to any one reponding

Most of the beach resorts along the Adriatic Coast are not particularly beautiful until you get down to the Gargano Peninsula in the Province of Foggia (Puglia Region). Adriatic resorts also get mobbed during July and August. I'd avoid them at that time. Rimini and Riccione are a sea of human locusts that time of year. Mid-June would be a better time. Do some research on the Riviera del Conero (Ancona Province, Marche Region). This area is a bit more scenic than the coast of Abruzzi and Emilia Romagna. You can also visit the nearby Shrine of Loreto, if that's your thing.

Haven't been there but will be spending 2 nights there in June. Check out the Bologna virtual tour at http://www.unibo.it/avl/vr/bo/tour/tour.htm (really good); there's a good map of the historic area at http://dest.travelocity.com/website/destinations/local_maps/localmap_2129.pdf<BR> Bologna, of course, is noted for food. We're doing a side trip to Imola (a taxi ride) to San Domenico which has been touted as the "best restaurant in Italy." My own view is that the entire idea of a best restaurant in a country is silly but I'm expecting it to be good. See menus etc at http://www.sandomenico.it/html/setinizioita.htm

Joanne - I stayed in Balongna for a few days last October and took two side trips, by train, to Venice and Verona - both HIGHLY recommended. I had planned to go to Ravenna also, but ... a word of warning here ... the trains went on strike that week (little warning) and I spent far too much time in train stations waiting for trains that never came.<BR><BR>Perhaps someone can comment on renting a car and driving to these destinations, perhaps as a backup plan? <BR><BR>Regards ... Ger

Jo, we spent a week in Parma last fall, and it's a wonderful little town. We enjoyed the sights and especially the food, though our trip was dampened somewhat by the fact that September 11 fell right in the middle of our stay. If you'll be in Bologna for a week, definitely go see Parma for the day.

try the villiage of modena where pavarotti lives in italy. nice town to spend the day and so not miss the church in the town center