Recs for Bologna, Italy

If you’ve never been to Italy before, why are you spending 10 days in Bologna?

A couple friends want to meet there and I was outvoted. I still want to make the most of the trip and especially the food!

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

We were originally going to take day trips to Venice and Modena, but WuFlu is fucking our plans.

In Bologna all seems to breathe peace and freedom, and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils.

How are the markets?

Any good bars?

OP, I was last there eighteen years ago, so i have few specific recommendations for you. The town has a great tourism website, though, with plenty to recommend. Be sure to see the two tilting towers: they're hard to miss from anywhere in the old city, and they're really remarkable (they're the city's symbol). Bologna has the oldest university in Europe, and it is really worth seeing: one of the most amazing things in it is the Renaissance era-surgery theatre, which has an amazing wooden statue at the front of it of a human body with half its skin peeled off, so the students could learn about anatomy.

Bologna is famous for having THE best food in all of Italy, and it is really true, so I highly recommend splurging on some good dinners. But I remember when I was there in 2002 it just wasn't that expensive.

Be prepared that it is a very busy and bustling city--I was expecting something more sleepy, like nearby Mantua (which is absolutely worth a trip!), but it's thriving.

I didn't go to the bars, but one thing you should realize about Italy (if you've never been there before) is everywhere you go men are very cruisy and predatory on the street--but if you confront them, they are pretty timid about taking it any further.

How's the baloney in Bologna? Try some for me, OP!

R8 will be here all week. He suggests you try the veal.

Beware of the gypsy women pickpockets at the foot of the two Medieval towers. It is their preferred spot and they are fierce and cops can't chase them fast enough.

We ate often at this taverna at the link so reasonable and so good. It can be packed.

Bologna is very central to take a train to just about anywhere. I see Mantua as a suggestion above. We went to Ferrara several times for more excellent food. Venice is an easy day trip.

If you show face, you might get my bologna.

We were in Bologna for a week in January. It’s very centrally located for easy train access to Venice, Milan, Florence, and Pisa.

But Bologna itself was fantastic. The arches walk was great.

Mantua is is the coronavirus red zone now.

RIP, OP

The coronavirus is headed our way, too, girls. The CDC said to expect it to hit the US.

Enjoy Bologna, OP!

The centre is quite compact. You can’t miss the markets. There are also two Eatalys in the centre with a good range of local, albeit expensive, produce. There is something to see around every corner. It is a lovely city, but I dare say you will be bored if there for 10 days. I’d suggest if you have already booked everything and can’t change, to rent a car or take a fast train elsewhere for day trips. We ate well everywhere we went which isn’t always the case in Italy. Centro Storico was our favourite museum. There is also good shopping if you are interested. It is a wealthy town. Do go for a walk through the Jewish quarter by the university. It’s a very interesting area and quite different from the rest of the city.

Make reservations if you want to walk up the tower. We thought it would be easy in January, but it was booked days out. Of course, maybe no one will be there because of the virus.

Who would go to Italy and shop at a fucking Eataly? I don't get it.

Eataly is about local produce.

What R1 said.

Isn't the country of San Marino not too far away?