Holiday in Bologna

What makes Bologna special as a destination?

Bologna has three nicknames: La Grassa (the Fat) for its outstanding cuisine, La Dotta (the Learned) for the oldest university in Europe (founded in 1088), and La Rossa (the Red) for the ubiquitous red brick facades and its leftist political tradition. Each nickname hits the mark. Emilia-Romagna is Italy's culinary treasure chest, and Bologna is its capital: Tortellini in Brodo, Mortadella (the original, not cheap cold cuts), handmade Tagliatelle al Ragù (here no one says 'Bolognese'), Parmigiano Reggiano, and Prosciutto di Parma. The Mercato di Mezzo and the Quadrilatero district are foodie paradises. The city impresses with 40 kilometers of arcades, under which you can stroll dry-footed in any weather. The two leaning towers Asinelli (97 meters, climbable) and Garisenda are the landmarks. Piazza Maggiore with the unfinished Basilica of San Petronio (the fifth largest church in the world!) forms the center of city life. Shaped by the university, Bologna is a young, vibrant city with excellent nightlife and a cultural scene that ranges from avant-garde theater to jazz. The portico pilgrimage route to the Santuario di San Luca (3.8 kilometers, 666 arches) offers a magnificent panoramic view.