Riffic

I need some quick advice!

We had planned to head from Munich to Siena/Florence on Thursday of this week, but just a few minutes ago we decided to leave one day earlier, in order to break up the drive.

We're debating between these three cities and want to reserve a hotel today. We would have almost the entire day on Wednesday to visit the city and will plan to leave Thursday morning for Siena.

I guess our primary interest would be food. We'd also like to buy some olive oil, vinegars and prosciutto (we'll bring a cooler with us!).

Which would you choose?

ira

Hi Rif,

>I guess our primary interest would be food. <

"Bologna the Fat", by all means.

>We'd also like to buy some olive oil, vinegars and prosciutto.<

Tamburini Via Caprarie 1

They also have vacuum-packed Reggiano Parmigiano that you can bring home.

Riffic

Hi Ira,

Well, I'm taking your advice on Il Retrovo (did you also recommend Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco?) in Florence,
so I may as well stay with tradition and book in Bologna! What are your restaurants of choice there?

I've found a few reasonable hotels in the center of Bologna, but I understand that parking will not be too easy.

I must admit that Ferrarra looks tempting as well...Hotel Carlton has a free car park and looks to be in a great location!

I still have a few hours until booking the room, in case anyone wants to change my mind...

ira

Hi Rif,

>...did you also recommend Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco?<

Yes

>so I may as well stay with tradition and book in Bologna!<

Excellent idea.

>What are your restaurants of choice there?

See the Bologna part of my trip report. It also has our one-day tour of the city.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

The historic part of Bologna is not very big. You don't have to stay in the city center to see the whole thing.

Enjoy your trip.

Peggyann

In Bologna, Hotel Orologio, small, in the center of things and a parking lot very nearby for which the hotel give a pass or something to allow you to use the parking lot.Great city.

HowardR

It's a tough choice, but if your main goals are dining and shopping, then it has to be Bologna! It's one of the unexpected gems of Italy.
However, if you decide on Ferrara, I strongly recommend dining at Trattoria il Bagattino on Via Correggiari 6.

Riffic

Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions.

We have chosen Bologna and were able to book last minute at Hotel Holiday through venere.com--my favorite hotel booking site of all time.

Well, Ira, it looks like we'll be having lunch at Da Cesarina. As you note, I'm sure it will be a forerunner to Il retrovo in Florence on Friday night. Then, we'll meander over to Tamburini and fill up our grocery basket. I think next trip, I'm just going to ask you to plan it for us.

I also will try to reserve a table for dinner at Osteria il 15. Gosh, it seems that our entire trip is centered around eating. What could be better?

newt

Make sure to leave some room in your shopping basket for a trip to Gilberto's. It's in the same area as
Timburini, has a wide varity of oils,
balsamics and wonderful things from all over Italy. Don't miss it.......
Newt

Riffic

thanks, Newt. Gilberto's is on the list

ira

>..it seems that our entire trip is centered around eating. What could be better?<

Be careful.

In our past trips to Europe, I have always lost weight (except in Germany) because the food is lighter and I do a lot of walking.

This past trip I gained 8 lbs in 3 wks.

My wife says that 2 - 3 gelatos a day is fattening. I think that that is true only if you eat them while sitting.

She also thinks that pizza for lunch and pasta with every dinner is fattening. I say that can't be true, because there are very few fat Italians.

I think the problem was all of that bottled water.