we will be making our second trip to italy and plan to be in tuscany area for about 10 days. We plan to spend 4 days in florence, 1 day in bologna and the balance in the chianti, form which we plan to explore the area. My questions are, should we take a train to bologna for the day and return to florence at night or rent the car that day and take it to bologna and from there to chianti? Also, where can i get estimated driving time between places? Finally, is there a road map of tuscany that is recommended?

Florence and Chianti are closely linked parts of Tuscany; Bologna is a side trip. Unless you have some very specific reason for doing otherwise (say, an appointment in Bologna on a given day), Florence and Chianti should stay together as a unit, with Bologna either before them both, or after them both.

Bologna as a day-trip is odd. I did it once, by accident, having intended to stay for two or three, but discovering I didn't like the place and had other items on my calendar I was eager to get back to. But less than 24 hours in Bologna is not giving it a fair shake (and in fact I expect to go back); I'd either skip it altogether -- it doesn't fit in your trip -- or then give it 3 days.

Bill

Gazetteer of Italy

HI Ire

I wouldn't particularly disagree with Bill's advice, but assuming you are set on going to Bologna, it's a pretty easy trip by train or car.

By road, it's just over 60 miles and can be done in less than an hour and a half. Personally, however, I would take the train, purely because I would hate having all my luggage in the car for a day trip. Worrying about it would probably detract too much from the enjoyment of the day.

For road maps I would recommend the Touring Club Italiano maps, which are both attractive and easy to use. The Michelin map of mid Italy is also perfectly up to the job and a bit cheaper.

Ricardo

[This message was edited by Ricardo on 25 January 2004 at 03:20 PM.]

Hi!

I would rent something in Chianti if you want to go there and go to Florence from there.

As for Bologna, go by train because there are always traffic jam in the highaway between the two cities.

I agree that it will be a very short visit to Bologna if you go just for one day. You should consider spending a night there.
It is a lovely city.

Ciao!

The New Happy Weeks and Last Minute offers
at Casina di Rosa - Holiday home in Tuscany

Recommended road maps.

Pauline from Slow Travelers

quote:

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Originally posted by Ricardo:
By road, it's just over 60 miles and can be done in less than an hour and a half.

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By train, getting from Florence to Bologna takes 50-55 minutes. Go by train ^_^

Alice Twain
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ItinIt