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Bologna Small Group Tours & Trips
8 Bologna trips. Tours from 10 tour companies. 106 reviews.
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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...
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.
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