Bologna

For a foodie and wino like myself, Bologna is a place that I had looked so forward to visiting, and it lived up to its reputation! If you love the Renaissance period, medieval architecture, and a happy travel buzz of a small city - Bologna is your destination! If you love food, you’re in luck because this region has some of the best food in Italy!

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is full of happy people and incredible history. I would recommend staying somewhere in the middle of the city and explore all of this in at least three days.

 

What to Do

• Taste Bologna - This company is your go-to if you want an exclusive tour of Modena, Parma, or Bologna. Even better than the city tours are the Pizza & Gelato Tour and the Cooking Class! We took advantage of an excellent cooking class where we handmade our pasta for Tortellini, Bolognese, Sauces and more! It was incredible and we highly recommend it.

• Fountain of Neptune (above) - This is my favorite of the Neptune statues so far as it’s very artistic! Check it out in the Piazza del Nettuno. It was completed around 1567 and is made of bronze and stone. There are inscriptions on each side in Latin that translate to “To Decorate the Square,” “Built Thanks to Public Money," “Built for the People,” and “MDLXIIII,” the Roman numeral of the year.

• Piazza Maggiore - If you enjoy sipping on coffee or drinks at quaint cafes while people-watching, this will be an excellent place to hang out! It’s just around the corner from the Fountain of Neptune, and there’s plenty to see and do!

• Basilica di San Petronio - A minor basilica and church of the Archdiocese of Bologna. It’s located in Piazza Maggiore as well and is just beautiful. The designation of minor basilica is a designation given by the Holy See.

• Santo Stefano - A cluster of churches, a museum, and more on Piazza Santo Stefano. This also features the designation of minor basilica.

• Palazzo Re Enzo - A majestic 13th-Century palace located by Piazza Maggiore. It’s beautiful inside and out. The porticos around it are just magnificent!

• Cathedral of Bologna - This cathedral is designated to Saint Peter and is the metropolitan cathedral of the Archbishop of Bologna. It’s stunning!

Where to Eat

Da Cesari

This restaurant is a staple of Bologna and has been serving up classic Bolognese fare for over 50 years. It’s one of those places that you have to visit when in the city, and you’ll know it will be consistent every time. Make reservations ahead of time and enjoy classic fare such as Mortadella, Rolled Eggplant in Tomato Sauce, Tagliatelle all Bolognese, Tortellini in Beef Broth, Ravioli Verdi with Rabbit and Goat Cheese, Balsamic Fillet of Beef, and much more!

(See their: Facebook, Twitter)

Osteria Bartolini

Fresh seafood in a beautiful setting, what could be better? Oh, right, the excellent wine to pair with the seafood. Check. Osteria Bartolini is a 2017-2019 Michelin Guide recipient and deservingly so. This means they serve up Michelin quality food but without the tiny portions and steep invoice. We stopped in for lunch, and it was terrific. I’m betting the setting at night is beautiful and would make for an even more fantastic experience.

(See their: Facebook, Instagram)

Ranzani13

Fantastic food and delicious beer! This amazing Pizzeria is located just outside of the SS9 loop and was the absolute perfect stop for lunch! The service was incredibly friendly and helped us narrow down the right beers for our preferences. The fried meatballs with smoked mozzarella were delicious. The pizza offerings vary as you can get a classic pizza or specialty pizzas on the freshly baked specialty amaaazing dough. The restaurant has a very relaxed environment and is a great place to spend a couple of hours midday with great people and delicious food.

(See their: Facebook, Instagram)

Ristorante l’Arcimboldo

We enjoyed our final meal in l’Arcimboldo in the heart of Bologna! You’ll need to make reservations because this little gem is quite popular! They are currently a Michelin Guide restaurant, and like Bartolini, it doesn’t come at an absurd price. The restaurant expertly executes Michelin quality fare with classic Bolognese ingredients and style. From the Tagliatelle and Tortelloni to the Lasagna, all were incredible and is on our list to visit on our next trip in Bologna!

(See their: Facebook, Instagram)

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