I have a free day and I am looking for a day trip from Florence. I've never been to either city? Can only squeeze in one free day. What do you think? Are they both easy to get to? Am I better off on the bus or the train? If I go on Sunday would there be much to see? Thanks

Mary Beth

Hi MB,

Lucca is a very pleasant, quiet town and makes for a very pleasant, slow relaxing day.

Bologna is a somewhat more active city.

They are both easy to get to bu train from Florence SMN.

Can't help with what's open on Sunday in Bologna.

I don't think you could tell the difference between Lucca on Sunday and any other day.

I would opt for Lucca--a very pleasant small city with real Italian family life on Sunday.

Hi MB,

Lucca is smaller than Bologna, also more quiet.

Lucca responds more to the image of a 'medieval town in Italy', while Bologna has known more development over the centuries.
Interesting feature of Bologna: its arcades, covered passageways for more than 35 km all through the town. Might be interesting when visiting the town when the weather is too hot or uncertain.

Have seen both, think I would choose Bologna by 51 to 49%... I think Bologna has left me a 'fuller' impression.

Thanks for your help. Any restaurant or markets for either city?

MB

Hi mb,

You might find the Lucca and Bologna parts of my trip report helpful.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

We were in Bologna on a Sunday last summer and it was very quiet. Virtually every shop, bakery, and cafe were closed. We did have a wonderful lunch at Da Cesarina and saw the "major" tourist attractions, but I left wishing we had made the trip during the week.