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-   -   Day trips from Bologna (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/day-trips-from-bologna-1024211/)

cruiseluv Aug 29th, 2014 07:26 AM

Day trips from Bologna
 
Sorry, this is a duplicate post because by mistake I tagged the original one with Spain!!

This October I'll be staying 4 nights in Bologna, arriving on a Saturday mid afternoon. I was in Bologna a couple of years ago just for an overnight and really liked it so I'm looking forward to spending more time in it. However, would like to do at least one day trip by train. Having a tough time deciding between Parma, Modena or Ferrara. Would appreciate any insights / recommendations that help me with this decision!

sandralist Aug 29th, 2014 08:43 AM

A great many things in Bologna are closed on Sunday so I would recommend heading out of town that day. Ravenna is not on your list of places to see and I highly recommend it. Simply an outstanding place in Europe to visit.

If you like food markets then the trip to Modena in the morning is truly fantastic. It also happens to be a lovely sparkling small town.

If you like bicycling and castles and medieval ambience then Ferrara has a lot to offer.

If you love music and theaters and Renaissance art (and perfume!) then Parma is marvelous (plus it has all that great ham and cheese).

You can see both Modena and Parma in the same day if you get up early and make the effort. If you are mainly interested in food go to Modena in the morning for the market and a stroll around town plus lunch. Then move on to Parma for a couple of hours and some afternoon shopping. If you are more interested in art and culture then to to Parma in the morning to see the attractions that are only open in the morning and swing by Modena in the afternoon for a stroll about town and a visit to the church where Pavarotti learned to sing.

But I would seriously consider putting Ravenna ahead of them all. Everything of interest will be open in Ravenna on a Sunday. You can have a nice seafood lunch somewhere as well.

However pick according to your own interest. All the destinations have their cheering squads and they are all quite enjoyable in their own way.

yestravel Aug 29th, 2014 08:54 AM

Agree that Ravenna is defintiley worth your time.

bilboburgler Aug 29th, 2014 01:25 PM

Faenza has a world class ceramics museum in it. http://www.micfaenza.org/

As Sandra says.

Padua is a bit far maybe, but well worth a visit. Ferrara is my favorite city in this area.

lincasanova Aug 29th, 2014 01:32 PM

yes, Ravenna was nice.

RonZ Aug 29th, 2014 07:50 PM

Great Parma restaurant: La Forchetta.

cruiseluv Aug 29th, 2014 08:18 PM

Thank you all for your replies. Ravenna had been high on my list however my travel companion prefers train rides that are less than an hour so I'm trying to satisfy that.

Sandralist, do you know if the Modena market is open on Sundays? Train schedules would allow us to do both Modena and Parma in one day so we may go for that. Thanks RonZ for that recommendation, it looks great!

sandralist Aug 30th, 2014 01:42 AM

The Modena market is not open on Sundays and I am sorry I wrote my original post in a way that didn't make that clear. If you do combine Modena and Parma in a single day then check to see what is open in Parma in the morning but closed in the afternoons. It is possible you might want to see Parma first even though it would mean missing the market in Modena.

isabel Aug 30th, 2014 03:09 AM

I loved Ferrara - great atmosphere and beautiful buildings.
Also really like Modena for the same reasons.
Ravennna has the magnificent mosaics and it's worth a trip for that alone, although the rest of town was not as interesting or beautiful as Ferrara or Modean.
Parma was 'OK', although I don't get why people seem to prefer Parma over those other towns.

Here's my photos of all those towns: www.pbase.com/annforcier/italy_emilia_romagna

sandralist Aug 30th, 2014 05:28 AM

>> I don't get why people seem to prefer Parma over those other towns.

Parma has a couple of undeniable masterpieces in its religious monuments plus it has unusual and historic theaters. Verdi fans and Stendhal fans have reasons to enjoy Parma so lovers of perfume. Parma ham and Parma cheese are exquisite -- and it is no fib that tasting them on their home ground is a revelation. Last but not least the pleasant golden hue of Parma due to Parma yellow makes it a unique experience to be there enjoying its bicycle culture and gracious French-style parks.

I also find the centro storico of Ravenna quite handsome. I find Ferrara pretty gloomy but understand its draw for many people.

All that said I'd probably rather live in Modena or Bologna -- or better yet the unsung and utterly beguiling Reggio 'nell Emilia.

cruiseluv Oct 13th, 2014 05:24 AM

Ended going ro Parma, loved it!! The Battistero , as well as some of the churches, is a gem. Thanks Ron Z for the restaurant recommendation. la Forchetta was excellent for our lunch. Among several things we had risotto Alla parmigiana which was out of tbis world!


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