A Month in Bologna

We spent an incredible month soaking in the rich culture and vibrant atmosphere of Bologna, Italy. We chose Bologna as our destination because it has an excellent location in the heart of Italy and offers easy access to many other beautiful cities throughout the country. We rented a delightful Airbnb that was ideally situated right in the city center—just a few steps away from the bustling Piazza Maggiore, which serves as a central hub for locals and tourists alike. Over the course of our stay, we dedicated countless days to exploring the charming streets of Bologna and indulging in its numerous fantastic restaurants and quaint eateries. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to take the train to nearby gems such as Florence, Verona, Parma, and Venice. All in all, this was truly a glorious and unforgettable month spent immersed in the beauty of Italy.

May, 2024

Central Bologna

Our constant home during our time in Bologna was the lively and captivating Piazza Maggiore. The photos below showcase the enchanting beauty of the Piazza in the early morning hours when the crowds and tourists had yet to arrive, lending a sense of peace and tranquility to the scene. However, this calm atmosphere was destined to change as the day gradually progressed, transforming into a bustling hub of activity. Hundreds of both locals and enthusiastic tourists flocked to the Piazza on a daily basis, creating a vibrant tapestry of life. On Saturdays and Sundays, all the streets leading to the Piazza became car-free, inviting pedestrians to freely stroll and explore. One of the standout highlights of the square is the magnificent statue of Neptune, which captures the attention of everyone who visits.

A large historic brick and marble church with a Gothic facade and arched doors, and a surrounding open square with a few people and parked cars, under a partly cloudy sky.

A large historic brick and marble church with a Gothic facade and arched doors, and a surrounding open square with a few people and parked cars, under a partly cloudy sky.

Historic brick palace with clock tower and arched windows, people walking in the town square, under a partly cloudy sky.

Historic brick palace with clock tower and arched windows, people walking in the town square, under a partly cloudy sky.

A historic brick building with a clock tower, featuring flags, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

A historic brick building with a clock tower, featuring flags, under a partly cloudy blue sky.

A view of historic brick towers and buildings in an Italian city with a cloudy sky overhead.

A view of historic brick towers and buildings in an Italian city with a cloudy sky overhead.

A historic brick building with a clock tower and an Italian flag, situated in a bustling square with people walking and sitting, under partly cloudy sky.

A historic brick building with a clock tower and an Italian flag, situated in a bustling square with people walking and sitting, under partly cloudy sky.

A lively European outdoor street scene during dusk with people sitting at cafes, walking, and cycling among historic buildings featuring arched windows and a tall tower in the background.

A lively European outdoor street scene during dusk with people sitting at cafes, walking, and cycling among historic buildings featuring arched windows and a tall tower in the background.

Narrow canal between colorful residential buildings on a sunny day with a blue sky

Narrow canal between colorful residential buildings on a sunny day with a blue sky

A historic square with a decorative statue fountain in the foreground, surrounded by old brick buildings and a person walking nearby against a blue sky with clouds.

A historic square with a decorative statue fountain in the foreground, surrounded by old brick buildings and a person walking nearby against a blue sky with clouds.

A historic fountain featuring a large statue of a muscular man holding a staff, surrounded by smaller statues of mythological figures, situated in a city square with old brick and stone buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

A historic fountain featuring a large statue of a muscular man holding a staff, surrounded by smaller statues of mythological figures, situated in a city square with old brick and stone buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Bronze fountain with a statue of a man holding a trident, surrounded by cherubs, in front of a brick building with arched windows and a crenellated roof, under a partly cloudy sky.

Bronze fountain with a statue of a man holding a trident, surrounded by cherubs, in front of a brick building with arched windows and a crenellated roof, under a partly cloudy sky.

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View of an illuminated historic building with a clock tower at dusk, with people gathered in the square in front.

View of an illuminated historic building with a clock tower at dusk, with people gathered in the square in front.

A historic building illuminated at night with arches on the ground floor and a tower on top, located in a busy square with people walking around.

A historic building illuminated at night with arches on the ground floor and a tower on top, located in a busy square with people walking around.

A couple is hugging on a cobblestone street at night in front of a large brick wall with a shadow of a man’s head and shoulders cast on the wall. The wall features ornate decorative elements and plaques.

A couple is hugging on a cobblestone street at night in front of a large brick wall with a shadow of a man’s head and shoulders cast on the wall. The wall features ornate decorative elements and plaques.

Florence

Our very first trip by train turned out to be an exciting one day adventure to the beautiful city of Florence - a journey that was just an hour by train. During our visit, we managed to see quite a few remarkable sights in that short period of time, and we also enjoyed a delightful dinner at one of our all-time favorite restaurants. Even though it rained at times, it never stopped us from making the most of our experience.

Crowd of people gathered in front of historic architecture with statues and arches in Florence, Italy.

Crowd of people gathered in front of historic architecture with statues and arches in Florence, Italy.

View of Florence Cathedral with the Giotto's Bell Tower and dome, surrounded by pedestrians and cars on a city street under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

View of Florence Cathedral with the Giotto's Bell Tower and dome, surrounded by pedestrians and cars on a city street under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Front view of the Florence Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy, with people walking and sitting at outdoor cafes.

Front view of the Florence Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy, with people walking and sitting at outdoor cafes.

View of a river with colorful buildings along its banks, a stone bridge in the distance, a cloudy sky with some sunlight breaking through, and a lamppost in the foreground.

View of a river with colorful buildings along its banks, a stone bridge in the distance, a cloudy sky with some sunlight breaking through, and a lamppost in the foreground.

A river with a bridge and buildings on both sides, under a cloudy sky.

A river with a bridge and buildings on both sides, under a cloudy sky.

View of the Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River in Florence, Italy, with historic buildings and dramatic cloud-filled sky.

View of the Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River in Florence, Italy, with historic buildings and dramatic cloud-filled sky.

Verona

Our next trip was to the beautiful city of Verona. We had purchased tickets to experience the magical performance of Il Volo in the stunning Verona Amphitheater, and let me tell you, the concert was absolutely amazing. During our two delightful nights in Verona, we took the opportunity to explore and soak in many of the captivating sights this beautiful city has to offer.

Ancient Roman amphitheater with stone arches and red gates, located in a city square with colorful buildings and people.

Ancient Roman amphitheater with stone arches and red gates, located in a city square with colorful buildings and people.

A woman wearing a yellow jacket walks her long-haired dog on a city sidewalk, with a man partially visible behind her leaning from a doorway. The setting features old buildings with textured walls and a narrow street.

A woman wearing a yellow jacket walks her long-haired dog on a city sidewalk, with a man partially visible behind her leaning from a doorway. The setting features old buildings with textured walls and a narrow street.

Exterior of the ancient Roman amphitheater, the Verona Arena, with arches and tourists in the foreground under a clear blue sky.

Exterior of the ancient Roman amphitheater, the Verona Arena, with arches and tourists in the foreground under a clear blue sky.

Historic brick building with striped pattern, arched doorways, and a staircase leading to an upper entrance, with several people nearby.

Historic brick building with striped pattern, arched doorways, and a staircase leading to an upper entrance, with several people nearby.

A busy city square with a historic building in the background featuring arched windows and frescoed walls. People are walking, shopping, and sitting under umbrellas at cafes. A fountain is in the center of the square.

A busy city square with a historic building in the background featuring arched windows and frescoed walls. People are walking, shopping, and sitting under umbrellas at cafes. A fountain is in the center of the square.

Statue of Dante Alighieri in front of a historic building with arches and decorative windows, with additional statues along the roofline, against a cloudy sky.

Statue of Dante Alighieri in front of a historic building with arches and decorative windows, with additional statues along the roofline, against a cloudy sky.

Venice

One of our favorite and final destinations during our travels was the enchanting city of Venice. We had the pleasure of staying two delightful nights in a wonderful hotel that was perfectly situated right on the picturesque Grand Canal. During our time there, we experienced the allure of “La Serenissima” through a series of incredible meals that celebrated local cuisine and through nighttime journeys on the vaporettos. With its mesmerizing canals and stunning architecture, Venice is truly a magical place that captivates the heart and soul.

View of San Giorgio Maggiore church and bell tower on the waterfront in Venice, Italy, under a cloudy sky.

View of San Giorgio Maggiore church and bell tower on the waterfront in Venice, Italy, under a cloudy sky.

Colorful buildings along a canal with boats, on a sunny day with a blue sky.

Colorful buildings along a canal with boats, on a sunny day with a blue sky.

A man is standing on a gondola with ornate decorations, rowing in a canal with several other gondolas docked along the street in Venice, Italy, with historic buildings in the background.

A man is standing on a gondola with ornate decorations, rowing in a canal with several other gondolas docked along the street in Venice, Italy, with historic buildings in the background.

View of the Rialto Bridge over a canal in Venice, Italy, with buildings on either side and a clear blue sky.

View of the Rialto Bridge over a canal in Venice, Italy, with buildings on either side and a clear blue sky.

Gondola floating on a canal in Venice, Italy, with the iconic Rialto Bridge in the background, flanked by historic buildings and boats.

Gondola floating on a canal in Venice, Italy, with the iconic Rialto Bridge in the background, flanked by historic buildings and boats.

An apartment building with laundry hanging on a balcony. The building has a brick facade on one side and a peach-colored painted wall on the other. There are small balconies with potted plants.

An apartment building with laundry hanging on a balcony. The building has a brick facade on one side and a peach-colored painted wall on the other. There are small balconies with potted plants.

Gondolier with a red and white striped shirt, red hat, and dark pants standing on a gondola on a canal in Venice, Italy, with another decorated gondola nearby and colorful historic buildings in the background.

Gondolier with a red and white striped shirt, red hat, and dark pants standing on a gondola on a canal in Venice, Italy, with another decorated gondola nearby and colorful historic buildings in the background.

View of historic buildings and a church tower along a waterway in Venice, Italy, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

View of historic buildings and a church tower along a waterway in Venice, Italy, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Colorful buildings line a narrow canal with several boats docked along the sides, under a partly cloudy sky.

Colorful buildings line a narrow canal with several boats docked along the sides, under a partly cloudy sky.

Venetian canal at dusk with moored gondolas, historic buildings along the water, and a cloudy sky with part of the sunset

Venetian canal at dusk with moored gondolas, historic buildings along the water, and a cloudy sky with part of the sunset

Nighttime scene of a waterfront promenade with street lamps, wet cobblestone paving, and two people walking with a suitcase near a brick building.

Nighttime scene of a waterfront promenade with street lamps, wet cobblestone paving, and two people walking with a suitcase near a brick building.

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