While Venice, Florence and Rome are spectacular holiday destinations, the problem is, many others think so too. During the midst of summer, travelling to one of these hotspots will have people bombarding you from all directions.
The hoards of tourists flocking to such places means there are other problems too, such as lengthy queues to see the main attractions, low-quality “tourist trap” restaurants, and pickpockets. One far less busy destination where you can experience a true authentic Italian city is Bologna. With a history dating back to millennia, it’s home to the world’s oldest university that is open to visitors.
But it’s Bologna’s traditional gastronomy that people truly remember when visiting the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy.
Bologna is said to be the origin of Italian dishes such as tagliatelle al ragu and lasagne, as well as the home of prosciutto, tortellini and mortadella.
Plus, there’s classic bars offering an aperitivo (an early evening drink) that is typically served alongside a selection of cold meats and cheeses to nibble on – free of charge.
Journalist Steffan Rhys, who is a fan of Bologna, recommended the restaurant Officine Degli Apuli.
He admitted: “Ironically, [it] is a restaurant specialising in food from Puglia in the south of Italy, but don’t let that put you off.”
But any trattoria (Italian restaurant) in Bologna will surely impress diners with their menus.
As for the customary social hubs, there’s Piazza Majore – which dates back to 1200 – and is the biggest square in Italy.
Then there’s the cobbled streets, gelato bars, and shops to explore while soaking in the historic architecture.