If you are looking for a city to visit during your Italian vacation that your friends may have ignored, Bologna may be what you are looking for. Off the beaten tourism path generally, the capital of the famed Emilia Romagna region can offer you a plethora of food, nightlife, culture and history. A settlement has sat where current day Bologna is since the 6th century BC. Though it changed hands many times during it's history, it still stands today despite invasions by Napoleon, Lombards, Gauls, Romans and wars involving the Papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor as well as heavy damage in World War II.
Bologna is a perfect destination for a foodie who wants to experience what Emilia Romagna has to offer. Touted as a center for gastronomic delights, Bologna is also known as la grossa or 'the fat one'. Of course home to the popular Spaghetti Bolognese, but the city is also well known for its cured meats such as mortadella, salami and pancetta. Tortellini is also a specialty of the region, and it wouldn't be a Italy if local and delicious wines weren't readily available everywhere. It can be hard to find a meal in Bologna that could be considered poor.
It is also a well known college town, as it has one of the oldest University in Europe, founded over 900 years ago. The large youth culture here lends the city to having an exciting nightlife, with many bars and discos to enjoy the evening in. During July and August the city transforms parks in the north part of the town into their own version of a German biergarten, with dance music, wine, beer and food all sold in the open air party areas.
It is also a well known college town, as it has one of the oldest University in Europe, founded over 900 years ago. The large youth culture here lends the city to having an exciting nightlife, with many bars and discos to enjoy the evening in. During July and August the city transforms parks in the north part of the town into their own version of a German biergarten, with dance music, wine, beer and food all sold in the open air party areas.
If you are considering a place to rent your villa in Emilia Romagna, or if you are staying nearby in a villa rental in Tuscany then a trip to Bologna can offer an experience that is sure to delight and sense while remaining off the beaten tourist paths. It is situated in between Venice and Florence, and as such can either make a great place to stay while visiting a large swath of Northern Italy or a perfect place to visit while staying in the more popular cities of Italy.