Beautiful Bologna

The multi talented Italian region of Emilia Romagna has the good fortune to have the richly cultural and gastronomic city of Bologna as its capital.

Not just home to the most celebrated sauce and the best tortelloni, Bolgna can lay claim to some of the best cuisine in Italy.  It also happens to be home to Europe's oldest university, established in 1088, and endowed with a rich variety of history and culture.

You can see why Bologna's nickname is La Rossa.  The lovely medieval streets, arcades, churches and Renaissance palazzi appear as a palette of dusky pinks and burnt umber. 

Bologna's spiritual and geographical heart is the gracious Piazza Maggiore, flanked by some of the city's most important landmarks. Two of Bologna's main thoroughfares converge here; Via Indipendenza and Via Ugo Bassi – the decuman, or main entrance, of the Roman city.

As with most of Italy's old cities, Bologna is best explored on foot. The historic centre has traffic restrictions making it safe to wander and enjoy the authentic cobbled streets.

The main tourist office is in the Palazzo de Podestà, Piazza Maggiore 1 (00 39 051 239 660; bolognaturismo.info which may be amid renovations. Check just behind for the temporary office open 9am-7pm daily.

Must-See Cultural Experiences

The original university site was in the Archiginnasio, at Piazza Galvani 1 now the main city library. Its beautiful arcades are adorned with more than 7,000 hand-painted coats of arms of former students. The first floor is home to the stunning wooden 1637 Anatomical Theatre. archiginnasio.it

In the heart of the university quarter, the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, Via Belle Arti 56, houses an impressive collection that includes works by Tintoretto, Titian, Giotto and Carracci pinacotecabologna.it

For a more contemporary gallery, try the MAMbo at Via Don Minzoni whose permanent and temporary exhibitions are displayed in a former bakery mambo-bologna.org

Must-Eat Gastro Experiences

Visit the medieval Mercato di Mezzo in the Quadrilatero district just off the Piazza Maggiore and try the hand-made mortadella sausage from Simoni at Via Drapperie 5   and the local Parmesan-like cheese, sua maesta il nero, at Vecchia Malga Negozi at Via Pescherie Vecchie 

Take a picnic from the market to the Osteria del Sole at Vicolo Ranocchi  osteriadelsole.it which has been open since 1465. No food is served but you can order a glass of wine for €2 and tuck into your spoils at one of several tables dotted around its two rooms.

Book in advance to secure a table at Da Gianni tucked down a small alleyway close to the Piazza Maggiore at Via Clavature 18 (closed Mondays). Sample delicious Bolognese fare such as green lasagne, tortellini in brodo, veal cutlets and a superior Bolognese ragu – eaten only with tagliatelle, not spaghetti.

Join the Sunday morning buzz at the fashionable Caffè Pasticceria Zanarini on the corner of Piazza Galvani and Via Farini. Order a creamy cappuccino for €1.50 plus a delicious pastry such as a crema-filled cornetto or bombolone.

Must-visit Architectural Experiences

The piazza is overlooked by the Palazzo Re Enzo which became the luxurious prison of Enzio, king of Sardinia in 1249. Aim south-west across the square to the adjoining Piazza Maggiore flanked by several of Bologna's most impressive landmarks: the magnificent 13th-century Palazzo del Podestà, the City Halls and the huge Basilica di San Petronio currently undergoing a facelift in time for its 350th anniversary in 2013.

Along its southern edge is the Palazzo dei Banchi built in 1412 to hide the narrow streets of the market behind and named after the banks and moneychangers that once occupied the site. Cross the square and bear right under the Palazzo dei Banchi's portico. This, the Pavaglione, is the finest section of Bologna's 50 kilometres of covered walkways (a Bolognese will never bother taking an umbrella when going out for a walk).

Pass the Piazza Galvani to your right, cross the Via Farini and look up to the ceiling of the portico of the Palazzo della Banca d'Italia with its stunning 19th-century decorations by Gaetano Lodi.

Continue along the upmarket Via Farini until it meets Via Santo Stefano and the Abbey of Santo Stefano – actually a cluster of seven churches and a museum. Head along Via Santo Stefano until you reach the shadow of the Asinelli and Garisenda towers at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana under the loggia of the Palazzo della Mercanzia.

The most extraordinary of the porticoes is the Portico di San Luca, which connects the Porta Saragozza with The Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca which sits atop the Colle della Guardia hill above the city. Reputedly the world's longest stretch of porticoes, this architectural marvel extends for 3.8km and features 666 arches sanlucabo.org

Best of the Rest

The Giardini Margherita, named after the same queen as the pizza, is a verdant sprawl of gardens, open since 1879. Stroll the shady avenues of lime, cedar, sycamore and oak where you can also see two reconstructed huts of an Etruscan settlement  uncovered during the construction of the gardens. Open 6am-midnight, free.

Domenico, who established the order of Dominican Fathers, founded the Basilica di San Domenico in the early 13th century. He was laid to rest here, and his tomb is adorned with two statues later sculpted by Michelangelo. Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 10.30am, noon and 6pm centrosandomenico.it

Start at the north-eastern corner of Piazza del Nettuno and admire the city's most celebrated water feature, the Fountain of Neptune, also known as "The Giant".

Getting There

There are 3 airlines departing from Gatwick:  EasyJet easyjet.com, BA ba.com and Ryanair ryanair.com. Ryanair also departs from Stansted and Edinburgh.

Guglielmo Marconi airport is just 6km north-west of the city centre. A cheap shuttle bus  leaves every 15 minutes, stopping at Bologna's main train station to the north of the old centre and Piazza Maggiore. A taxi will set you back around €20.

For help to plan and book a trip to Bolgna, click here http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/regions.php?id=6

A Perfect Italian Lakeside Holiday

Gorgeous Italian Lake Caldonazzo deserves an airing. The largest lake in Trentino offers waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing, peace, tranquility and of course, clusters of fabulous Italian villages perfectly set around the lakeside.

Everyone has heard of  Lakes Garda, Como and Maggiore but we think Lake Caldonazza is worthy of much more publicity than it currently receives. The great news is that its off the main tourist trail and offers idyllic Italian picture postcard scenes year round.

The beautiful lakeside villages such as Caldonazzo, Calceranica al Lago, San Cristoforo, Ischia or Santa Caterina host mainly Italian holidaymakers (its one of their biggest secrets). Its for this reason that prices have remained moderate by Italian standards.  The Dutch appear to make up the remainder of the tourist numbers.

The lake is home to a large variety of wildlife and fish species, including trout, perch and tench, making it very popular with fishermen. It is also possible to spot various species of birds of prey, especially in the afternoon hours.

There are also a number of camping areas around Lake Caldonazzo with families generally preferring to locate on the lake's southern section. Bathing is possible from June to September, when the lake waters are between a pleasant 20 and 24 degrees Celsius.

Its also great for hikers. A trip to the Rifugio Casarota – a refuge run by the Alpine Club and situated at an altitude of 1,572 metres.

The route winds its way past the small church in Campregheri, then up a narrow country road and through a forest. In summer, temperatures can climb quite high but refreshments are available at the Al Bosco guesthouse. The climb to the refuge is steep and takes up to three hours but the trek is well worthwhile, not least just to sample the cooking talents of hut-keeper Goretta Zambon.

The panoramic view of the Valsugana valley with its lush green forests are fabulous, Lake Caldonazzo can also be seen glimmering in the distance.

Ask one of our ABTOI members for more information www.loveitaly.co.uk

What else is there to discover in Chianti aside from fine wine?

When you first plan to rent a holiday villa in Italy, you are probably dreaming of days soaking up the warm Tuscan sun and nights sipping on a glass of locally-produced Chianti Classico.

But there is much more to this stunning region of Italy than its fine wines - and you may find that your relaxing break is even better than you may have imagined!

While vineyards and wineries make up an important part of the local culture and you'll no doubt want to spend plenty of time exploring them, you may also wish to examine the other delights Tuscany has to offer.

Chianti is renowned as one of Tuscany's most beautiful areas, with postcard-perfect landscapes that have inspired artists and photographers for many years. The lovely landscapes here are made up of gentle, rolling hills, fragrant olive groves and countryside homes made from stones - keep your camera at the ready to capture the beauty as you pass through this stunning region.

For a close-up look at Italy's exciting past, why not stop at the Basilica of Santa Croce, the world's largest Franciscan church? Located in Florence, this is where some of Italy's most illustrious citizens are buried, including Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Rossini, in a part of the building known as the Temple of the Italian Glories.

You may also wish to pay a visit to the former market town of Greve, which dates back to the Middle Ages. The municipality is most well-known for its unique triangular piazza and is a brilliant place to learn more about the history, art and culture of the Chianti area thanks to its fascinating architecture, museums and galleries.

Nearby, you'll also find several well-preserved castles - many of which are still inhabited as elegant residences today. Originally designed with defence in mind, some of these structures are now famous estates.

No matter where you choose to visit during your time in Italy, when you rent a villa in Tuscany, you are sure to have a brilliant time exploring all the area has to offer. Start planning your stay in Chianti today!




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Italy Voted Best Holiday Destination!

Travel Weekly, the main travel industry newspaper has just revealed the World's best holiday destinations in its 8^th annual Reader's Choice Awards programme.

Italy received the title of best destination, beating France and Spain in the European battle.

South Africa, Australia and Jamaica took the top awards in the categories covering Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean.

Arnie Weissmann, Travel Weekly's editor-in-chief, said: 'The professionals who read and rely on Travel Weekly have the expertise to select those businesses, destinations and hotels that provide a higher level of service to their clients.

'Our readers can be confident that these winners represent the best this industry has to offer.'

Find your perfect Italian holiday and an operator to help you:  http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/discover_italy.asp

"Tuscany still the most popular holiday region in Italy!"

The results of the most recent survey of ABTOI members has revealed that Tuscany continues to be the leading holiday region to Italy for UK travellers. 55% of UK operators named Tuscany as the top area for bookings between July and September this year.  


Read more at Opodo Travel News


Find out more about Tuscany - visit LoveItaly.co.uk