Ferrara & Bologna - 5 days
 

After much deliberation we have decided to spend 5 days visiting Ferrara and Bologna while traveling from Venice to Rome by train. We are thinking of spending 3 nights in Ferrara (Venice to Ferrara is 1.5 hours by train) and 2 nights in Bologna (Ferrara to Bologna 30 minutes and Bologna to Rome about 2.5 hours) so the route seems ideal. But we would appreciate any comments on our plans. We do not want to take day trips to Ravenna, Parma or elsewhere, even though they have their own appeal. We are particularly interested in the Este castle and bicycling in Ferrara but beyond that we know little about both places and how to allocate our time. Suggestions?

By the way, we previously posted questions about a side trip to Sorrento between Venice and Rome, and we decided the itinerary made no sense, but we appreciated everyone’s answers and intend to use them for a future trip. Thanks for those responses.

It depends when you are going, and when you are going may influence the weather. I was in Bologna last November, and it was so vivid in alive - - it gets dark early, the central city is closed to traffic, and it is totally buzzing - - while this July, it was deadsville (the students were gone). Cycling in Ferrara is fab, but not if it is raining (then it might be better to train to Ravenna and walk around with an umbrella and see the mosaics!); one full day cycling in Ferrara could be enough, though two full days will let you get really casual. I think your plan will probably be great, but just in case, leave the option open for a daytrip to Ravenna or Parma, if it fits your mood. No matter what, you will eat GREAT.

We stayed 5 nights in Bologna and visited as day trips Ferrara, Ravenna and San Marino.
As Ferrara is so close to Bologna, I think that it easier to stay in one place only and not to pack-unpack again.

I'd stay in one place too. Bologna is the central train hub in the area so much as I like Ferrara I'd probably stay there. If you decide on Ferrara try the Carlton, not super posh but the staff are good (Cockney Breakfast Manager would you believe) and you are pretty much in the centre of everything there, even the square outside the hotel is teaming with good restaurants.

You will find lots of bike paths to nearby towns in Ferrara

http://bilboburgler.hubpages.com/hub...ice-to-Ravenna

may interest