First visit to Bologna May 2017. Can you recommend an apartment or a hotel for four nights? Around $150 a night for two people. Also would you recommend a trip to Rimini and San Marino? TIA.

We rented a wonderful apartment from Graziella Bertozzi in 2011. She advertised on perfectplaces.com. A fodorit ee

Sorry for the "blip." A fodorite recommended and you may be able to find pictures from that old post. Her email is [email protected]. Have no idea what she charges these days or if she is still renting but we loved the place and location. Bologna is fabulous. Do look up Italian Food Days experience.

We stayed at Albergo al Capello Rosso which is just a block or two from Piazza Maggiore. Although I think their hotel rooms may be out of your budget, the hotel also has a few apartments which, if you're willing to pay in advance, would be on budget.

Location was perfect, and the staff was very helpful with city and day-trip information and gave very good restaurant recommendations.

http://www.alcappellorosso.it/en/hotel/chi-siamo/

We drove through Rimini several years ago. I thought it was interesting enough, but if I had somewhat limited time in Bologna it wouldn't be high on my list. San Marino was much more interesting, but unless you have a car I'm not sure how realistic it is as a day trip from Bologna. Have you investigated the travel logistics? There are other destinations that I think would be much easier. Ferrara, Modena, Parma...

Have you considered at B&B? We stayed at antica Casa Zucchini for several nights and it was fabulous. The Villa is in the center within walking distance to everything and the owner offers cooking lessons. Her breakfasts were fabulous and her helpful info about the University Town was spot on. There were numerous eating places for foodies up the street as well......... http://www.anticacasazucchini.it/engl/

Might check out Fodor's forum centered on Bologna and around:
http://www.fodors.com/search/results...search=Bologna

Thank you, all. This gives me a good start.

We had a very pleasant stay at the Hotel Porta San Mamolo in Bologna. It was a very nice and short walk the center of the historical center (it is located in the historical center). The breakfast was wonderful, the rooms very well appointed and large bathrooms. I especially enjoyed the staff, who made our dinner reservations for us each night. We would definitely stay there when we visit Bologna again.

love love loved this airbnb studio apartment. had a good kitchen. owner lives in the apartment next door and left some staples for us. just a block from a grocery store.

....best of all!!!!
it is ON the little canal!! my husband and i joked that we could charge people to allow them to come up to the apartment and hang out the window to have their pictures taken.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1189302

sweet old building, too.

We have stayed twice at the Hotel Paradise; they also have studio apartments in a separate building. It is a short walk to the center, and not very far from the train station. Modest, comfortable, nice breakfasts.

I've yet to visit this airbnb apartment (I'm going in September) but it looks lovely and is in a beautiful, traditional Bolognese building - with aircon: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/12641...3-c2c997b527cf

I lived in Bologna for 6 months some years ago. I never went to San Marino or Rimini so can't help with those but if you get the chance to visit Vicenze, I'd recommend it highly. You can get there by train.

Also, should you become all porticoed out at any time, take the number 20 bus to Casalecchio di Reno (approx 15 mins)and spend some time in the HUGE park there: http://www.parcodellachiusa.it/

Try Rezidencia Petronio on booking.com. Across the street from the twin towers, keyless entry, my favorite in 27 trips to Italy.

Thanks again for your excellent recommendations.