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Best aperitivo in Bologna: enjoy happy hour where locals do

Aperitivo in Bologna is taken very seriously. Here is a selection of Aperitivo bars popular with locals: enjoy appetizing drink, snack and perfect time out

After a whole day around the city it’s time to relax a little … and to taste one of the specialties Bologna is known for: the Aperitivo.

Aperitivo time starts around 6:00 PM, when the Bolognese finish their work and study activities, and can go on pretty late, often substituting the dinner: you may hardly still be hungry after a large cured meats and cheese “tagliere” and delicious “bruschette”.

Aperitivo in Bologna is an old and very popular tradition, just like in Milan and in Venice. On top of that, Bologna is a beautiful and lively town, so people just like to stay out, enjoy a drink and spend time with their friends.

You can literally find hundreds of great places to sip a glass of wine (or a cocktail, or a beer), chatting with friends and enjoying life.

Mentioning them all in this post is unfortunately not possible, so I’m just sharing my favorite places, the ones where I go when I’m in Bologna. Feel free to add your own in the comments!

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Hell in Bologna

The Basilica of San Petronio is the main church of Bologna, and the fifteenth largest church in the world (132 metres long and 66 metres wide).

One of its most fascinating masterpieces is the Chapel of the Magi, hosting the awesome Heaven and Hell fresco by Giovanni di Pietro Falloppi. It depicts Dante’s vision of “Inferno”, with a gigantic figure of Lucifer consuming sinners.

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Bologna in one day – amazing itinerary in Italy food capital

Italy in 4 weeks Bologna

Visit Bologna_Mortadella

Mortadella made Bologna towers

Free walking itinerary to explore Bologna in one day. Discover Bologna amazing art and culture, its lovely porticoes and its delicious food.

Surprisingly enough, the vast majority of tourists see Bologna only from the window of a high speed train, moving from Venice to Florence and vice versa. A real pity for them, indeed.

Though neglected by  the mainstream touristic flows, Bologna is home to the oldest university in the Western world,  and is known for its lavish porticoed walkways and squares, its fascinating medieval center and its bustling night life. Bologna is also one of Italian food capital: great pastas such as tagliatelle, lasagne, tortellini as well as delicacies such as Parmesan Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar and some of the finest cured meats in Italy hail from Bologna and the surrounding Emilia Romagna region. Continue reading “Bologna in one day – amazing itinerary in Italy food capital”

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How to visit a Balsamic Vinegar maker in Modena

Discover the making of traditional balsamic vinegar in Modena and learn how to visit a  Modena Balsamic Vinegar maker. This is a very easy half day tour from Bologna or day tour from Milan.

If you have a taste for “slow food”, you can’t ignore Balsamic Vinegar (“Aceto Balsamico”), which needs not less than 12 years of aging (but usually as much as 25!) before being savored!

This is still a family handmade product, and you can visit an “Acetaia” (litterally: the “vinegar place”). This is a fantastic experience to discover a century old tradition, and one of the most exclusive Italian food products.

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One day in Ravenna, Italy

Visit Ravenna_Sant'Apolinarre nuovo 6

This Ravenna in one day walking itinerary will let you discover one of the most amazing towns in Italy.  Ravenna has been the last capital of the Roman empire, and displays the most amazing mosaics you could see in Europe. It’s an easy day trip from Bologna. 

The greatest mystery about Ravenna, Italy, is why it is so far from mainstream touristic itineraries. This tiny town one hour away from Bologna has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites  and a glorious past. Its 1,500-year-old churches are decorated with best-in-the-West Byzantine mosaics.  By the way, Ravenna hosts the human spoils of Dante Alighieri (they are in here and not in Florence as most people think…). Like most ancient tiny towns in Italy,  Ravenna will seduce you with its laid back atmosphere, and its delightful Italian provincial town sensations.

If you have a spare day in your  rushy tour of Italy, you will find the peaceful charm of this untouristy and classy town and its extraordinary churches and mosaics definitely worth the effort.

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