family month in Bologna or Verona?
 

Hi I have read so many wonderful stories and helpful suggestions on this list I wanted to offer a question of my own. My family of five, including two teenagers, my wife and I are trying to get an apartment in Italy to rent for the month of July. At the moment we're working on Bologna because one of my children will be taking classes in Bologna for that month. But I wonder if people who have experience in the cities around that region of Italy have any other suggestions for us? I don't want a place so small my children get bored but not so large that they can't go out alone in the afternoons etc. Would we find enough to occupy ourselves for a month there, or might Verona be as good or maybe cheaper? We have rented apartments for a month in the summer in the past but never in Europe and we have always found inexpensive ways to live, walking everywhere, eating lunch but not dinner out, etc. Thank you, I really look forward to interesting answers from this amazing group of people.

Full disclosure: I have only spent 1 day in Bologna. For what it's worth --

Bologna is more of a city atmosphere, with all the usual attractions and interests of a city. Verona (where I've spent a little more time) seems smaller and more manageable. It has some interesting areas and attractions, too, such as the colosseum. I wouldn't rule it out.

What you may want to consider is availability of day trips. For instance, Verona is just a short train ride to Venice or Lake Garda, which may be a nice place to visit in July.

I stayed a week in Verona in a wonderful apartment just across the river from the old town center. I have never been to Bologna but I could easily spend a month in Verona! Lots of shops, restaurants, atmosphere and easy train or car distance to a lot of places.

Thanks Monica and Niente, your ideas are really interesting and helpful! So I am keeping in mind Bologna but going to Verona apartment sites to see what I find there.

Please keep the ideas coming in!

azusoar

Here is the link to place we stayed. The unit we were in would be too small for your family but there were others that are bigger. The owners were so nice, I would rent from them again in a heartbeat. http://www.knowital.com/veneto/veron...partment2.html