Bologna

Bologna has one of Italy's best preserved and most beautiful city centres; saunter up and down labyrinthine streets, stroll through exquisite squares, and amble along sweeping porticoes.

On a clear day, you can see as far as Verona and the Dolomites from the top of the Asinelli tower - even when it's overcast, the red rooftops can be viewed far below. And with plenty of restaurants to choose from in the cuisine capital, feast on reasonably priced bowls of Bolognese tortellini and jugs of Sangiovese.

Le Due Torri is Bologna's most famous landmark. Climb to the summit - the higher of the towers is almost 98 metres with 498 steps. On a clear day the view is stupendous.

Art lovers shouldn't miss Pinacoteca, via delle Belle Arti 56. The sight centre of Bologna, with a magnificent collection of artistic masterpieces reflecting the Bolognese School, from the Renaissance to the Counter-Reformation (closed Monday).

The beautiful city of Florence is only 100km away, where you can gaze in awe at Il Duomo, Uffizi Gallery and wander along Ponte Vecchio lined with jewellery shops.

And Parma is just over an hour from Bologna by train. Parma is the home town of Verdi and Toscanini. Rightly proud of its opera house, the city's Teatro Regio lives up to its reputation.

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Airport information

Bologna (G. Marconi) airport is 6km northwest of Bologna. easyJet flights arrive at terminal A.

By taxi

From the terminalinto the city centre, the journey time is approximately 15 mins; cost EUR 13.

Pre-book your airport transfers with A-T-S4 easyJet.com, and save yourself the hassle of having to search around an unfamiliar airport for transport. A-T-S offers a shared minibus service, or a private taxi to take you to your final destination.

By bus

Aerobus runs every 20 mins from 5.40am to 11.20pm from the terminal exit; journey time 20 mins, depending on traffic; cost EUR 4.00 - buy tickets on the bus or from the machine at the bus stop. Always punch your ticket in the machines provided.

For Florence

  • Train: Journey time about 1 hour; cost EUR 25.
  • Taxi: Journey time around 1 hour, 10 mins; cost EUR 206.