Bologna River Cruise Tours & Trips

9 Bologna trips. Tours from 7 tour companies. 106 reviews.

1 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
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River Cruise
Gems of Northern Italy
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

Encounter unforgettable sights on this odyssey through Northern Italy that begins in Milan, home to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and ends in legendary Venice, the “Queen of the Adriatic.” These two iconic cities bookend an exploration of Northern Italy that rewards the curious traveler with amazing experiences in Verona, Padua, Bologna and Ferrara.

10 days$340 / day
Trip details
River Cruise
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Italy Real Food Adventure
By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • Stay in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse near San Gimignano, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, and tour the grounds, indulging in tastings of their local wines and rich organic olive oil.
  • Take a cooking class and watch a demonstration of how Bologna pasta is made right in the heart of this culinary namesake before sitting down to enjoy the fruits (or pasta sheets) of your labour for dinner with your host.
  • Swap stories with a Roman local as you feast on seasonal dishes, homecooked for your group for dinner right in their home.
8 days$416 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy - 2024
By Collette
premier
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Journey by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a lovely welcome dinner.
  • Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor in San Gimignano.
  • Learn the art behind Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking lesson.
12 days$354 / day
Trip details
Group Tour
Quick view
Parma to Florence: Italy's Culinary Highlights
By Exodus Adventure Travels
premier
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Visit producers ofculatelloham, Parmesan cheese, Modena balsamic vinegar and olive oil
  • Join a cooking class led by a local chef to make a traditional Bolognese menu
  • Discover Brisighella, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
7 days$576 / day

Generous cancellation

Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Highlights of Italy in Winter
By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews

Health Safety +

Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • This winter trip is a great way to see the highlights of Italy without any of the crowds.
  • Wander around Rome's famous landmarks including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, St Peter's Basilica and much more. This is a city where you'll be able to tick a lot off your bucket list.
  • The floating city of Venice is one place you’ll be happy to get lost in. The city's maze of alleyways, canals and lagoon islands lead to over 130 churches, all with their own distinct character.
8 days$311 / day
Trip details
Small Group Tour
Quick view
Italy's Treasures Art, Food & Wine of Italy - 2025
By Collette
premier
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Journey by boat to Isola dei Pescatori for a lovely welcome dinner.
  • Taste authentic Italian gelato from an award-winning ice cream parlor in San Gimignano.
  • Learn the art behind Tuscan cuisine during a hands-on cooking lesson.
12 days$354 / day
Trip details
Group Tour
Quick view
1 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
River Cruise

Bologna Reviews

K

Kathleen

Oct 2024

Written on

Venice to Rome by Rail

My 1st time in Europe! Our tour leader Paris Bermuda was so organized and genuinely very pleasant and sweet. The stops along the way were fascinating, picturesque an...

E

Eileen

Sep 2024

Written on

Venice to Rome by Rail

Well-planned trip, full on but plenty of spare time to rest or do extra things. Nice mix of other travellers. Our leader dealt very professionally with enforced ch...

F

Fred

Jul 2024

Written on

Venice to Rome by Rail

This was an interesting tour. Viviana, our tour leader was excellent. All the hotels were excellent, except the one in Florence, which lacked a breakfast room so t...

R

Ronald

May 2024

Written on

Venice to Rome

Very good tour. Whilst we enjoyed the pasta making lesson in Bologna we thought we would have preferred to miss Bologna and add more days to one of the other cities....

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Venice to Rome

Great trip, well organised. Could have done without the stay over in Bologna and had another day in Rome, but the pasta making experience in Bologna was very good. G...

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Bologna Tour Selection Trips

  • Language could be a major problem in Bologna as most locals do not understand English. It is better to learn a few Italian words or phrases that would help you to communicate if you are going to spend some time there. Or you can bring and English-to-Italian dictionary to solve the problem.
  • The city has a very well-maintained bus system. You can get all the routes and timings online and can get your tickets in advance. You can also get tickets on the bus through an automated machine but that will cost you more than regular. Get your tickets validated from the machine at the front or rear of the bus. The validation is valid for only one hour on any bus or route.
  • If you plan to ride a taxi, make sure you negotiate the fare before sitting. It is a custom to leave small cash for the driver and the total ride fare is rounded up to a convenient amount.
  • The best way to explore the beauty and charm of Bologna is on foot. Take advantage of the walkability of the area and do sightseeing on foot, while taking time to explore each and every point on the way.
  • Mostly local shops and shopping centers open early, around 8:00 a.m. and work till 8:00 p.m. However, the local markets close by the afternoon. Banks also open early and remain closed for some time in the afternoon before reopening, like 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. mostly
  •  The lively city is great to have fun but when you want to sleep the noises at 3 a.m. do not sound so good. Therefore, try to get accommodation at some distance where you can take rest peacefully. In the small and walkable city of Bologna even if you are staying at some distance from the center it will never be too far from major interest points.
  •  Pickpockets are very common in this region and work in groups. They can be disguised as anything, especially beggars. While one person distracts you as a beggar, by holding your hand or something like that, meanwhile the other member of the group takes out your wallet.
  • Make sure to keep your cash safe in the inside pocket of your handbag or if in your wallet be attentive towards it, especially in crowded places. Try not to take out cash or wallet from your pocket in public or you are telling the thieves where to find your money.
  • Always keep change with you. There are certain shops or points where you might need it. Some local shopkeepers do not accept international cards so you need cash there. Another place is the paid toilets where you need to insert the exact amount of cash to go inside. No cash might mean no access to the restrooms.
  • Call 118 in case of an emergency. You will find various pharmacies throughout the city and two hospitals. This city has a wonderful health system and Emilia-Romagna is even recognized at the European level for its well-maintained and efficient health system.
  • Overall Bologna is a safe city but unknown to you so avoid straying alone in the streets at night. It is better to be cautious than getting hurt for nothing.

Additional details

Where is Bologna

This beautiful and lively place is the largest city as well as the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy and is located on the Florence-Venice route. The city lies between the Savena and Reno rivers, to the north of Florence, and at Apennines northern foot.

Getting to Bologna

Bologna has a prime geographical location in northern Italy that makes is easily accessible through various modes.

By Air

The closest airport to Bologna is Guglielmo Marconi International Airport that is about six kilometers from the city. Many airlines approach here, including the low-budget European flights. You can hire a taxi or utilize the special bus line service, the Aerobus, to reach the city center.

The taxi may cost about €15 while Aerobus will take you in €6 and drops at Bologna Train Station. You can purchase the tickets onboard or from the machine just outside the terminal. The validated Aerobus ticket is also valid for one hour to be used on other buses as well.

By Rail

The geography and central location of Bologna have made it the main hub of rail transport in northern Italy, through its well-connected railway system.

The high-speed train line between various major cities has made the journey fast and easy. The travel time between Bologna and Florence is about 37 minutes, to and from Rome is 2 hours and 20 minutes, 1 hour for Ferrara, and so on.

By Car

Bologna is situated at the junction of three highways; A1, A13 and A14, therefore, it can be easily accessed by road from any place in the country. Beware of the rush hours if you plan to travel by road as these routes, especially A1, get horrendously packed during rush hours.

Best Time to Visit Bologna

Bologna witnesses all four-seasons, and every season has its pros and cons. The best time to visit is during spring (April to June) or fall (September to November). The temperature is between 6 to 18 °C and in this pleasant weather, you can enjoy most of the activities in the region.

During the summer months (July and August) there is a huge tourist crowd in Bologna but this might not be the best time to visit. The temperature can rise to 30°C and you might also face some accommodation problems. Prices are high and many of the hotels do not have an air conditioning facility that can cause inconvenience in the warm weather.

Wintertime (December to March) is the second most popular time to visit the beautiful city. Weather can become harsh with heavy snowfall but if you can handle the cold you will enjoy the magical effect it has over the area. The temperature rarely rises above 14°C and can fall to -2°C.

Weather impacts the Bologna Italy tours a lot, but every season has something to offer like various festivals, attraction points, etc. and most importantly Bologna food. Hence, no matter what time you choose to visit the magnificent capital, you will not be disappointed.

Always Find the Best

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