All - was hoping I could get some advice. We are flying to Bologna this weekend and landing at approximately 7 pm at which point we have rented a car. We only have one week so every day is 'precious' so to speak. Our plan is to spend our entire week in Tuscany, but our dilemma is the first evening. Is it worth staying in Bologna for one evening and leaving the next day, or drive straight to Tuscany and skip Bologna? I am finding it difficult to get reasonable priced accommodation in Bologna, also I have not seen anything particularily compelling about Bologna on these message boards (except for some good food suggestions). Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you are arriving after a long flight, I would suggest eating a nice dinner in Bologna, taking a stroll along the arcaded streets, spending the night there and then going on to Tuscany.

Michael, arriving after a short flight (only 3 hours). Is your advice the same?

Yes. But I enjoyed Bologna as a base to come back to. See my report (type Faenza in the search box for a quick retrieval).

More thoughts: Arriving at 7 pm probably means that you will not get out of the rental lot before 8 pm. Do you really want to drive to your first destination at night? My specific suggestions: stay at the Miramonte B&B which is on the south side of town, eat at Cesari, stroll to the central sqaure and the streets around it, looping back to the B&B.

Michael, thanks very much for your suggestion. I will look into it.

Hi aa,

I also suggest an overnight in Bologna. The arcades and various monuments will be lit.

Other good places to eat are Da Cesarina and Nuovi Notai.

Stop by Gelateria Moline, Via delle Moline 13 for some terrific gelato.

Before leaving, make up a picnic at Tamburini, Via Caprarie 1.

Another vote for Bologna. Spending just an evening there will give a real feel of Italy. Piazza Maggiore and the downtown arcades, to me, are quintessential Italy!

On recommendations from several friends we are spending 5 days in Bologna and doing day trips!