We are having a difficult time deciding which of these day trips to take from Venice.

I know there are trip reports here, but for those who have been to either or both, could you just list your 3 favorite things about both places?

Of course, I'll be happy to read anything you have to say comparing the two, if you have been to both places.

We will be there at the end of April this year, fyi. Two females, adult mom and daughter. We like scenery, history, art, good food.

Thanks Fodor Friends!

Paula

Bologna:
1) Food
2) Buzz of the city
3) Climbing the tower (I forget the name of the tower, but lots of stairs!)

Verona:
1) The beauty of the town - people watching on the squares, ped streets, buildings, etc.
2) Juliet's balcony
3) Climbing the tower (you will see a theme ... I enjoy towers)

If I had to chose one to revisit I would pick Verona. Good luck!

I have been to both.

Verona . . .
. . . is closer to Venice than Bologna.
. . . has an intact Roman arena and other Roman ruins.
. . . has good food and great wine bars.

Bologna . . .
. . . has great food.
. . . has many miles of covered sidewalks--great on rainy days.
. . . has interesting churches an museums.

I agree with ellenm
Spent several days in each and really loved them both. They are very different. Bologna has less of a tourist feel to it-lots of students. I think the fabulous food in Bologna would tip the scale 4 me if u don't mind going a little further.

Well, I've looked at the fast trains on Trenitalia and the fastest to Verona is 1 hr 10 mts; to Bologna, 1 hour 23 mts.
Doesn't seem like a big difference to me.

I was going to purchase all my train tickets this week (we save 30% if we buy them 30 days in advance), but I think we will pay the full fare for these. We will maybe wait until we get there to figure out if we are up for something slower or faster. Being that it is Venice, I'm guessing we'll head for Bologna.

So, y'all- food is great in Bologna? So where are your restaurant recommendations?

And THANKS!

I can't give you a current restaurant recommendation, but if you are headed to Bologna, I highly recommend that you go into the chruch of Santa Maria della Vita at via Clavature, 8, to see the extraordinary terra cotta statues there, and also the Anatomical theatre in the Bilblioteca. Both of these are easily reached on foot from the Piazza Maggiore, where you might take a moment, in addition to seeing the fountain, to look at the wall memorial to those who died liberating the country from fascism.

Hi Sarge56. Yes, the food is great pretty much everywhere in Bologna. Make sure to try the Tagliatelle Ragu (which is the original dish which inspired spaghetti bolognese in the rest of the world). Ristorante Bolognese is located dowstairs in a funny little shopping arcade just opposite the train station, but the food is very traditional and very good there. Or, I would recommend a visit to Tamburini in Via Caprarie (not far from Piazza Maggiore), which is an amazing gourmet deli, but which also has a self service/cafeteria type restaurant at the back where you can have a great meal for not a lot of Euro. The area around Via Caprarie, Via Drapperie, Via Clavature etc. is well worth a visit in the mornings if you are a "foodie". It's packed full of gorgeous produce, bread, wine & flower stalls and is my favourite part of the city.

If you're not afraid to exert yourself a bit, then you could try climbing the Asinelli tower, which is the taller of the city's iconic "Le Due Torri" (the two towers). It's 400+ narrow stairs to the top, but provides a wonderful view over the "red" city.

Bologna gets a bit forgotten by many tourists, despite its many great features. To me, the absence of throngs of foreigners also gives a more authentic, "slice of life" feel to this vibrant Italian university town. I hope you enjoy it.

thanks for the info Wooders!