Italy Questions...Venice and Bologna?

Question

I have to be in Milan in May for a tradeshow. I am taking four days off before to do some sightseeing with a friend and travel by train. Originally I was going to spend all for nights in Venice, but someone told me that four nights might be too much time. So, I wanted to break it up and I was thinking of Bologna. Has anyone been there? I heard it is a fantastic "foodie" locale and very quaint. Is it worth going? Or, any ideas of other places I could go? And should I do Venice or Bologna first before going to Milan?

Answer 1

I'm Italian...

Bologna is a beautiful city, but very dirty (that's the correct word??)

Why don't you visit Firenze??

It's fantastic and wonderful...

Answer 2

Bologna is my favorite city in Italy! Doesnt have as much toursit as other places. Venice is full of toursit! Food in Bologna is amazing. I was there in November and I'm going again next month for some cooking lessons.



Venice is nice to see for about a day and half and then take the train . I would go to Bologna for 2 days then hop on the train to Ferrara for another before you go onto Milano.

I like to see as much as I can but some people think its tiring.

Have a great trip! Italy is amazing

Answer 3

It depends what you interestes are...on you way to Venice from Milan, you could stop in Verona (Romeo and Juliet's town)- Have a look on the web and decide what enchants you more...I would suggest, as many others, four days non-stop relaxed in Venice

Enjoy, what ever you decide

Answer 4

If you spend your entire four days in Venice you'll appreciate you did.  Your trip will be much more relaxed and you'll have the time to let it all soak in.  Allow yourself to get lost until you hear nothing but your own footsteps.  Ah, it's wonderful!!!!  I wish I was going soon.  Have a fabulous trip!  One tip:  If you buy a Venetian mask make certain it's authentic and actually crafted in Venice.

Answer 5

Given the choice, I'd far rather spend four days in Venice than break up the time and go to Bologna.  Bologna was disappointing to me in several ways.  Although I got recommendations from locals on restaurants, the food was, I thought, mediocre and not nearly the quality of what you'll find in Milan.

Venice is pricey, but it is SO worth it.  I've traveled pretty broadly, and stepping out of the train station and getting that first view of the Grand Canal never fails to choke me up.  It's that spectacular.  The shopping is wonderful, the hotels top-notch.  There is excellent food (again, ask the locals), but expect to pay top dollar for it.

When exploring Venice, just remember to wander and not worry about getting lost.  You're on an island - you're not going to get too far!  The out of the way spots (little piazzas, cafes, etc.) that you'll stumble onto are a big part of what makes my memories of Venice so special.

Have fun - I'm envious!

Answer 6

I have never been to Bologna but my parents loved it there. We spent most of our time in Rome which was great...but when we went to Venice it seemed more like going to Epcot at Disney. There was tons of shops there..expensive restaurants..but..nothing else. yea, a few pictures are great but one of those gondola rides was 90 euros! If i was ever going to go back it might be a romantic place to go because it is quite beautiful at night, but I think Italy has so much more to offer. Go to bologna and depending on your age if you are looking for a place to enjoy food then that would be the place to go. enjoy your vacation. (i will be in Europe from aug 1-27 and we are going to Rome again. I have been to Florence too which is OK as well, but kind of reminds me of Rome.) have a great time.

Answer 7

Bologna is one of the finest cities in Italy, you can never go wrong visiting it.

Four days is not too long in Venice unless you are one of those people who just like to rush around and hit the high points. You could spend months there and still have things to do and see.

I'm one of those that like to spend time in one spot and soak in the people and culture (as every place is unique in both respects). It's your choice, you can easily be happy visiting both or just one. If you can only do one, pick Venice.

Have fun and stay longer!

Answer 8

I've lived quite a while in Bologna. Beautiful. Don't rely too much on public transport. Except, from the airport, that's not so bad.

May is a wonderful period for Bologna.

Winter is very cold and summer is too hot and humid.

Spring will have fully exploded.

The weather is crazy this year so don't rely too much on my words.

I hope you have a wonderful time in Italy, wherever you go.