Hi - six of us are going to be traveling to Italy and Croatia in May/June and we were planning to spend 5 nights in either Bologna and/or Florence. We want somewhere that we can walk to places to eat/drink/etc. and we also want easy train access to take day trips to Venice, wine tours, Milan,etc. Any suggestions.

thanks

Hi racegirl, since you did not mention an interest in museums, art etc., I would suggest Bologna. Food and wine is wonderful and from the train station you certainly can take a ride to Venice, Milan, Florence etc. Not the choice most would make but why not try something different. I am sure you will receive many more suggestions. BTW, if you do plan on staying in Bologna make your hotel reservations ASAP as due to a lot of trade shows Bologna can be a difficult city for reserving hotel rooms.

Nearby Florence has all that culture and history, so you will be there quickly if that is what you also want to incorporate into your trip.

Bologna has its own share of that, having been an old and important city all through the ages, but not the colossal biggies of Florence.

But Bologna is a very cool city, good to walk around and browse, and good eating is among its major claims to fame, and there are the two wacky towers on top of two buildings in the middle of town that give the leaning tower of Pisa a run for its money.

Bologna is a major hub for trains - at the crossroads of the big lines to Milan, Venice, Ravenna-Rimini-Ancona, Florence-Rome. From what you describe, it is your perfect choice.

Hi R,

I would stay in Florence and daytrip to Bologna.

I definitely recommend _against_ a daytrip to Venice. It will be crowded with daytrippers and you will not enjoy it.

Venice should be at least one overnight.

Is there a reason that you want to go to Milan?

Have you considered staying in Venice and daytripping to Bologna or Florence?

Bologna would be my choice based on what you write. Large university scene with lots of things to do at night; great food, train station is walkable from center city. You are closer to Venice and Milan than from Florence. Not as many wine-related activities, though, as in and around Florence but plenty of good wine bars.

Bologna for all the reasons others have said. Also, it will be so much less crowded with tourists. I'm glad to see you are interested in visiting Milan. It's such a special city that doesn't get it's proper due here.

I agree about Milan.

Last July my husband and I spent 5 nights in Bologna. We stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel...great location for getting around. During the heat wave even. We enjoyed walking around Bologna...would have been even nicer in cooler weather. Bologna is way different than Florence and Venice and may be more "Italian" because there are not so many tourists.

But, we did take a day trip to Florence AND a day trip to Venice. We didn't know what to expect in either city. Florence was OK but we really loved Venice...even if we only had 1 day there. It is someplace we will probably go back to but even for a day trip it is worth it.

Just leave on the earliest train to either place and you will be able to get the "feel" of each city.

My vote is for Bologna also ( was there this past November - my trip report is almost done. As for my Sept. Croatia report - well...) Easy day trips - great food - a city for Italians, not tourist oriented like Florence.

thanks everyone for your replys - Bologna it is!