I'm planning a trip for October and I could use some help with the timing. I'll be spending a few(2)days in Turin visiting a friend, but the rest of the time I want to be in the Bologna area. I'd like to see Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna and maybe Faenza. My problem is I don't know how much time to devote to each place. I thought I might base myself in Bologna and do day trips to the other towns, but I don't want to short change any of the towns. I'll have about 2 weeks vacation. If I need to skip any of the towns which ones should I skip and why?
You can do all of those towns in easy day trips by train from Bologna, which I think is a great base. Modena could be a half day trip - it's pretty small. In fact, they are all close enough for a return trip if you felt you had missed something. If you like ceramics, the ceramic museum in Faenza is a treat as are the ceramic shops. Another great little town is Dozza (not sure about train access) where they have a festival every other year when artists create paintings on the walls of houses and buildings. The last festival was September 2011 but you can walk around and see the paintings anytime. We got a map at the tourist office showing the locations of the paintings. It's really quite a small town. It's very close to Bologna, almost a suburb. Ravenna is a must see for the mosaics. I love this area and have spent quite a bit of time in it over the years.
Another traveler's opinion here - Ravenna is doable as a day trip, but if you really want enough time to see all the wonderful mosaics AND to get a sense of this wonderful little town, it deserves at least two days. In addition to the mosaics, the town offers a large pedestrianized zone, and being able to participate in the passegiata in the evenings and relaxing in the quiet atmosphere was a pleasure.
BJinNM blogged about her October visit to Ravenna from Venice here, and I reported on our two night stay a couple of years ago here.
Judy
Posts: 7785 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Originally posted by LisaF: I'm planning a trip for October and I could use some help with the timing.
You might want to consider the biennial Salone del Gusto in Torino in late October. An amazing event if quality food products from small-scale producers interests you. A wonderful showcase for Italian gastronomic delights, but with many stands from other European countries and from other parts of the world.
Posts: 403 | Location: Israel | Registered: 21 July 2007
Thanks for the great ideas! I have read many of the posts on Bologna...I'm just trying to gather as much information as possible. I will certainly try to work the Salone del Gusto into the itinerary. It sounds very interesting. Thanks again!
