Bologna

Some of the best food in Italy can be found in Bologna and the surrounding towns. The city itself was pleasant, but busy. The university (the oldest in Europe) was very interesting.

In fairness.. we were there on a Sunday.. but we walked around all day.

Ok.. there was one funny bit – a huge guy wearing a little black vest playing a tiny guitar by his motorcycle. Not folksy strumming stuff.. but epic songs like Toto – Africa. Topping it off, he had speakers playing an orchestral backdrop.

Ok.. there was another funny bit – it was international volunteer day, so one of the parks had a bunch of booths set up and one guy approached us, passionately advocating Esperanto.

Don’t do the hike up the mountain. It’s long and the church up top isn’t very impressive. Plus, you have to make your way through a pretty shit part of town to get there.

Beautiful views of the city’s red roofs
Great food (spaghetti bolognese – mmm! :)

Don’t drive into the city unless you plan to pay a lot for parking in a garage and don’t mind signing a paper, giving personal information about yourself. The center of the city has a controlled system for only authorized drivers into the city to control traffic. You become an authorized driver once you park into a garage and sign that paper, which they send into the city counsel to retro actively say “okay for the day.” Otherwise, your picture gets taken and a ticket with a heavy fine will arrive in the mail.

This place is fantastic though. Great shopping, great people watching, fantastic buildings, the whole nine yards.

Great for days trips, as well as a nice city.