I'll be in Bologna for about a week, and should have time for a quick side trip. Both Parma and Ferrara sound appealing, but I can't see both. What to do?

Thanks!

Forgot to add...

Any hotel and/or restaurant recommendations in either city are most appreciated.

If you can only see one, my vote is strongly in favor of Ferrara. Lovely old city, nice palace, pretty square, beautiful cathedrals, good town just for walking and exploring. Good luck.

With one week you could make it both. Both cities are easy daytrips from Bologna, requiring less than one hour of travel by train. If forced to choose, I would opt for Parma, which is a more lively city than Ferrara. No need to change hotels, and to move from your Bologna location, as I said before. Just take a train early in the morning anbd be back at night.

I would choose Parma...if you only have one day you can hire a guide to pick up you up at the train station and take you to see one of the castle outside town and then a short tour of the center of town.
Do not forget to try the wonderful food Tortelli d'erbetta, Prosciutto with melon or figs and the Malvasia (the local sparkling wine).

I agree with Alice. If you're in Bologna for week, you can do both.

PS: For a restaurant in Ferrara, I strongly recommend il Bagattino Trattoria on Voa Cprreggoaro, 6.

If your a food lover Parma is the place a great Restaurant Maxim's it is located in the Hotel Maria Luigia .viale Mentana 140,43100 ph#0521281032 Also a good hotel Parma Ham ,Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese and Pesto are some of Parma's best foods. Parma 1 hr by Train. Ferrara 40 minutes by Train That is Italian Minutes !

Do you still need the hotel rec. for Ferrara? A friend gave me one, but I won't be using it, since I'll be staying in Bologna. I could search and find it in my e-mail, though.

If I have to choose between the two, I'll visit Ferrara, but I hope I might be able to see BOTH.