We're traveling by train from Rome to Venice in early October and are considering stopping in Bologna for a short visit and mid-day meal. We have traveled Italy several times but never had an opportunity to visit Bologna. This would not be an overnight stay. Is it convenient to store luggage at the station, take short tour/survey of a central area and visit a typical bolognese trattoria? We are also interested in buying and sampling local food products. We would hope to continue on, arriving in Venice that evening. Thanks--Paul

I have never been to Bologna myself, but 2 friends of mine stopped there and found the people to be VERY rude to them - noone would sell them a bottle of water! Just a warning - but don't let that stop you from going, the worst that could happen is that people are rude.

I did just that a year or so ago and its very easy. You can store bags at the Bologna Station and the town is very walkable having 34 km of covered walkways. I suggest Tambourini (sp?) for both a fun lunch and excellent local food shopping. Anyone in the city will tell you where Tambourini is, its that popular.

Aduren: What kind of response was that? Sorry, I'm mystified.
drjarchitect: Thanks for the recommendation of Tambourini--sounds like just what we're looking for. Any trouble scheduling arrival and departure times? Any other input out there?

Good morning, have been into Bologna twice over past years and can not say we had been treated in anything but an acceptable manner. Beleive that a dislike for English and Americans goes back to WW2 from the bombings that this city suffered near the end of the conflict. However did enjoy a most memorable dinner at the trattoria DA ADOLFO, Corte Galluzzi, 7. resvn a must. it is located about a half block up the Via Massimo d'Azeglio from the
Pza Maggiore..A very small typical ma and pa trattoria. Richard of LaGrange Park, Il.

I second DRJ's proposition. Bologna equals Tamburini.
www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/article/ 0,13005,901021230-401956,00.html will tell you something about Tamburini.
It is in the old city center not far from the cathedral.

They also have a website: www.tamburini.bo.it/eindex1.html

You can try trainitalia for schedules, but it seems that there is a train to Venice every hour or so.

Keep in mind--if you travel by ES train, you will need to purchase two individual tickets, one that reserves a seat for each leg of the trip. If you travel by IC, you can just get off at Bologna and take the next IC to Venice that is covenient for you--without reserved seats of course.

There are hourly trains from Bologna to Venezia on which seats do not need to be reserved. There is a "deposito bagagli" office at Bologna Centrale station where you can leave your luggage. The city is famous for its cuisine and it is difficult to go wrong in choosing a restaurant. Allow at least twenty minutes to walk from the station to the centre, but the walk will take you along a main street lined with shops, cafés and bars, so there's no need to rush. It's a beautiful city and you won't regret stopping.

Hi mac,

Good idea.

From my Bologna itinerary:

From train station take Via delle Independenza (at east end of train station) south. At Via Augusto Righi go left 3 blks to **Gelateria Moline**, Via delle Moline 13. Return to Via delle Indipendenza and go south.
Gelateria delle Moline is in the top 5 of Bologna's gelateria..

Continue South past Piazza Nettuno (See the Neptune Fountain) to Piazza Maggiore. (Abt 1 mi)

Continue to Via Drapperie. Go left. Look for **Gilberto**. Go 1 blk to Via Caprarie 1 and **Tamburini** delicatessen.

You can bring back vacuum-packed real reggiano parmiggiano cheese.

Enjoy.

I lived in Bologna for awhile and never heard of Tamburini. Weird. Ira's gelato recommendation is a good one.

I'm delighted with the info you all have given to us. We always seem to haul back cheese from Italy and the reggiano parmiggiano will go well with the pecorino we hope to score in Pienza later on! Ellenem & Geoffhamer--thanks for the train travel tips. We've always driven in the past but this trip we are bound and determined to do the trains for a large portion. We're looking forward to a change of pace this trip.
And to dickv--thanks for reminding me about Da Adolfo! I'm sure I've read other glowing reports of them in the past--just so much to remember! Now I've got food and cheese and gelato.... there must be something else you can't get anywhere else. Balsamico?
Thanks again for all your help. Paul

For something else in the edible variety, I'd look out for Torrone, a type of nougat. We were in and around Bologna for the New Year (bad idea - a lot is closed) and they were lots of stalls selling various different varieties. I'm sure that's a Christmas thing, but you should be able to buy it in shops all year round.

Try to go up Bologna's leaning tower (just off the main square) if you get a chance, there is a very good view from the top. Better do that before your lunch ;-)

Parma and Modena are both very near to Bologna so cheese, ham and vinegar are other obvious choices.

Prosecco is a very pleasant drink, more lightly sparkling than Champagne or Cava. It's produced nearer to Venice than Bologna however; you'll have plenty of chance to sample it there. I don't know if you've been to Venice before, but it is nice to get out to some of the other islands such as Murano or even Torcello - they are quite different, especially from the crowd point of view (or lack thereof).

For something else you can't get anywhere but Bologna, a University of Bologna t-shirt or sweater There is a shopp on Via Marsala that sells them. It's kinda crazy when you look down at your shirt and you re-realize the university was founded in 1088.

Thanks for all the replies. Rar: I like your idea of the Univ. of Bologna shirt with 1088 on it--my high school students will love it! Blorg: the climb up the tower will be a must for me as I've tried to do similar climbs all over Europe and always hate it when I skip one. I'm looking forward to visiting "the Fat" and picking up some for our picnics. Can't wait--thanks again! Paul