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Trip Report
A girls weekend getaway in Italy - Bologna and Modena
Visiting Bologna and Modena with my friend. An extended weekend filled with delicious Italian food, plenty of Aperols and lots of laughs.
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Highs & Lows
Italy is life
Literally nothing I can think of
Itinerary Overview
We were based in Bologna as we flew there directly. From there we could take train trips to neighbouring cities. Bologna is really well connected and traveling around is quite cheap, fast and very convenient.
Bologna A weekend getaway with my best friend
23+Bologna is the capital city of Emilia Romana region and there are so many gorgeous towns around to visit if you have a bit more time.
We chose Bologna as our base and planned to do some one day trips from there. Our Airbnb was just a few steps from Piazza Maggiore and thanks to that we were able to walk pretty much anywhere without having to use the public transport. There are quite a few touristy spots if you're into that but I also recommend to take a day or two to just enjoy the city. Walk around and admire the famous porticoes - the city has over 60km of them and in 2021 UNESCO recognized them as a World Heritage Site. And let's not forget the countless restaurants and cafes where you can indulge in the local cuisine. As a foodie, I particularly appreciated Gelaterias on every corner, pistaccio ice-cream for everyone!
If you happen to be in the city on Friday or Saturday I recommend to pop into Mercato Piazzola. It's an open-air market very close to the main train station in Bologna. What do they sell? Literally everything. And I mean it. Anything from authentic vintage Yves Saint Laurent to cheap plastic shoes. But if you are lucky and have some patience, you can find real gems there.
Modena Charming city, excellent for a weekend stay or a day trip
8+Modena is famous for two things, balsamic vinegar and upper-class sports cars. But I'm sure you'll love it even if you're not into Lamborghinis, Maseratis or Ferraris :)
We came to Modena just for one day. It's very convenient to take a train from Bologna Centrale (takes half an hour and tickets cost 4 EUR). Modena is a very cute town filled with gorgeous cafes and restaurants, and charming little boutiques. I recommend to come here and get lost in the little streets and piazzas. If you have a bit more time or decide to stay here overnight, you should totally go to an Enzo Ferrari Museum. I went there during my previous visit to Modena and loved it. I'm not a car freak but I still found it very interesting, even to simply admire the amazing Italian design.
Q & A
Restaurant recommendations?
Calling all foodies as I have so many restaurant recommendations:
- Marsalino - for drinks or delicious food or non pretentious, wonderful vibes
- Sfoglia Rina - great pasta fresca and quite a chilled out atmosphere. We've been there twice and one time we were served by a guy who was clearly having a bad day and was way too grumpy. Still, delicious carbs so no regrets
- Cremeria Santo Stefano - oh boy, for finger licking pistachio ice-cream. I mean they do have other flavours but I have no idea who orders anything else than pistachio ;)
- Salumeria Simoni - posh grocery store, lot's of charcuterie but they do have some antipasti like delicious olives and cheese. Beware: if you're sensitive to meat smell, avoid at all cost as the place is literally filled with enormous parma hams, etc
- Le Stanze - bar in a repurposed chapel. Super nice place with frescos above your head but keep in mind, it's fancy. Not Ritz fancy but they do have a bouncer at the door who will most likely tell you that they are full if you show up wearing a North Face rain jacket.
- Cremeria la Vecchia Stalla - again, pistachio ice cream to die for
- Mercato di Mezzo - nice food hall with stalls but also bars and restaurants inside, it can get quite busy and noisy
- Bar Volare - vibrant and excellent drinks, very local vibe
- Ristorante Casa Monica - delicious pasta and risottos
- Blue Hush - great local bar with authentic atmosphere and delicious drinks
- Trattoria de Me - tortellini in broth was SO goodTips you would give a friend?
Don't forget to bring a spare stomachPacking tips?
Bring comfy shoes and preferably some free space in your luggage because it's so worth to take advantage of Italian delicacies and bring them home as souvenirs. Bologna is famous for tortellini and you'll find plenty of shops where you can buy some to take away. Apart from that it's the usual suspects, delicious olive oil, prosciutto, etc.Transportation Tips?
Transport from the airport to Bologna Centrale is super cheap and easy. Don't bother with taxis as the train is cheap (8EUR one way) and takes about 15 minutes. The city itself (at least the central part of it) is very walkable.Any surprises?
It didn't surprise me but it might surprise you. Remember that in Italy most restaurants will add a coperto to your bill (which is like service charge) if you decide to sit down at the table. Even if it's just for coffee. If you drink at the bar, no coperto but if you drink at the table then you'll very likely have to pay something. Usually it's 2EUR but there are some restaurants=tourist traps where they can charge you 5-8EUR per person. Obviously that's a rip off so it's good to check before you sit down somewhere.
Lodging
Airbnb in Bologna Centrale. I recommend staying in the center because then you'll be able to walk pretty much anywhere you want and you won't have to use taxis/public transport.