JBX

The "Bologna Low Cost offer" is available through Trenitalia. On their website they explain the details of this offer ... costs 50 euros, and includes:

- return ticket in first class on inter-regional trains up to 350 km and on Intercity trains from Florence;

- voucher for staying overnight in one of Bologna's twenty one 3- or 4-star hotels taking part in the initiative;

- daily bus ticket with free visits to the city's museums, & entrance fee included to the events of Bè Bologna Summer

This offer is good until Sept 4th.

111op

Thanks for looking it up, JBX. Do you have the link to Trenitalia?

I wasn't planning to spend a night in Bologna, as my itinerary is already very tight. But maybe with the right incentives I'll think about it.

Which is the larger city: Bologna or Florence? I'd imagine that there's more going on in Bologna at night?

111op

Bologna special offer on Trenitalia:

http://www.trenitalia.com/en/promozi..._low_cost.html

111op

FAQ on the special offer:

http://urp.comune.bologna.it/IAT/IAT.nsf/img/IATBO50/$FILE/Bo50EuroFAQGB.htm

It looks like one needs to book with a travel agent in Italy. Obviously more trouble for me, but I suppose I can potentially save money this way. Just not sure how I can fit all this in though.

111op

I wrote the Bologna tourism office, who directed me to this list of travel agencies:

http://www.trenitalia.it/it/treni_st...a_agenzie.html

I also asked if I can do an "open-jaw" (i.e. travel to and from Bologna from a different city) -- don't think it's possible.

Lastly, when I looked at the offer again, I got the impression that ES* trains are not allowed. I didn't ask the tourist office about this though.

I'm still thinking about what I want to do.

111op

Just in case anyone cares, I did look into the 50 euro special for Bologna today.

I looked at a list of the approved agencies that the Bologna Tourism Office sent me (on Trenitalia's website). I figured that I'd use Amex in Florence. They didn't know anything about the special and suggested I call Trenitalia.

Then I called the Bologna Tourism Office and asked about the special. They gave me two agencies in Bologna (there're no Bologna agencies on the Trenitalia list).

I called both. Neither knew about the special. The second agency had a staff of one (office closed until Aug. 22), and she said that she read about the offer in the newspaper but she didn't know if the agency could book it.

So it looks a "phantom" offer and I think I'll give up, as my schedule is quite tight.