One of Italy’s most overlooked cities by tourists is the medieval city of Bologna. A major road and rail hub between Venice, Florence, Rome and Milan, it hosts numerous internationally important trade fairs. Few visitors however explore this city much loved by Italians, and whose historic centre is the second largest in Europe. Bologna’s university was founded in 1088, and is the oldest in Europe. Not surprisingly, the town is filled with students, and has a great nightlife and energy. Sophisticated and gracious, its streets are lined with several kilometres of covered walkways and paths known as porticos. Whilst food lovers also must not miss Bologna which is renowned for being Italy’s food capital. 

See:

• Towers of Bologna – The city’s most famous landmarks date back to the middle ages, when these two twisting, leaning towers were built as a symbol of wealth and power for the families who constructed them.  There are also several towers in varying stages of ruin scattered throughout the city.
• Piazza Maggiore & Piazza Nettuno – At the heart of the old city are these two adjoining squares, flanked by some of Bologna’s most important medieval monuments and filled with popular cafes and street performers. 
• Basilica of San Petronio – One of the largest in the world, it was to be larger than St Peter’s in Rome until its original design was altered.
• University – The oldest university in Europe has 23 faculties, with 68 departments and 93 libraries housing extraordinary collections of art, manuscripts and history. 

Experience:

• Food – Forbes.com voted Bologna as one of the top 10 food cities in the world in 2007, further reinforcing its centuries-old status as Italy’s food capital.  Nicknamed “La Grossa”, meaning “the fat”, Bologna is the birthplace of lasagne, tortellini, tagliatelle, mortadella, and ragù alla Bolognese.
• Nightlife – Thriving bars and clubs fill this young student-filled town.  Music festivals in summer attract people from around Italy, and Bologna was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2006.

Secrets of the City:

• Lamborghini – Although now a subsidiary of Audi and Volkswagen, the sports cars from this renowned local manufacture are global icons among the rich and famous.  The factory and the adjoining museum are located just outside Bologna.