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For a Half Day
Parma: Standing on Via Emilia, about 90km (56 miles) northwest of Bologna, Parma became an important trading colony during Roman times. Today, it is the third most populous city in Emilia-Romagna. Although justifiably famous for its eponymous tangy Parmigiano (Parmesan cheese) and sweet cured ham, Parma is much more than Italy's glorified larder. Home of Verdi and resting place of the renowned violinist Nicolo Paganini, Parma boasts a fine musical tradition and is home to one of Italy's most important opera venues, the Regio Theatre (tel: 0521 039 399; website: www.teatroregioparma.org).
The city enjoyed an intense period of artistic and architectural development during the long reign of the Farnese dynasty (1545-1731). Aside from the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral and Baptistry, there are some exceptional frescoes by Correggio and Parmigianino in the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista. Meanwhile paintings by Fra Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci and El Greco are found in the National Gallery (tel: 0521 233 309), located inside the Palazzo della Pilotta, which also contains the magnificent Farnese Theatre.
Trains depart for Parma from Bologna's central station every hour (journey time - about 45 minutes). The Ufficio Informazioni ed Accoglienza Turistica (tourist office) is located at Via Melloni 1/b (tel: 0521 218 889; website: http://turismo.comune.parma.it) and is open Monday to Saturday 0900-1900, Sunday and holidays 0900-1300.
For a Whole Day
Florence: The artistic orgy of Florence (Firenze) is one of the key reasons why Bologna has so often been overlooked by visitors to Italy. Tourists flock to Florence in droves. Located some 80km (50 miles) south of Bologna, just one hour by train, the city lies at the heart of the Renaissance and is home to some of the world's greatest works of art, including Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Michelangelo's David and Masaccio's Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Architecturally, the gravity-defying dome of Brunelleschi's Cathedral and Giotto's elegant Campanile dominate the skyline but every nook and cranny of Florence holds a surprise. From the Ponte Vecchio to Santa Croce, the city dazzles with genius. Florence is easy on the eye but often hard on the feet. Any visit should include a cappuccino in one of the famous piazzas or a picnic in the Boboli Gardens, surrounded by gargoyles and the local cats.
Agenzia per il Turismo, Via A Manzon, 16i (tel: 055 23320; website: www.firenzeturismo.it) can provide further information. Alternatively, check out the Columbus City Guide to Florence.
Parma: Standing on Via Emilia, about 90km (56 miles) northwest of Bologna, Parma became an important trading colony during Roman times. Today, it is the third most populous city in Emilia-Romagna. Although justifiably famous for its eponymous tangy Parmigiano (Parmesan cheese) and sweet cured ham, Parma is much more than Italy's glorified larder. Home of Verdi and resting place of the renowned violinist Nicolo Paganini, Parma boasts a fine musical tradition and is home to one of Italy's most important opera venues, the Regio Theatre (tel: 0521 039 399; website: www.teatroregioparma.org).
The city enjoyed an intense period of artistic and architectural development during the long reign of the Farnese dynasty (1545-1731). Aside from the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral and Baptistry, there are some exceptional frescoes by Correggio and Parmigianino in the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista. Meanwhile paintings by Fra Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci and El Greco are found in the National Gallery (tel: 0521 233 309), located inside the Palazzo della Pilotta, which also contains the magnificent Farnese Theatre.
Trains depart for Parma from Bologna's central station every hour (journey time - about 45 minutes). The Ufficio Informazioni ed Accoglienza Turistica (tourist office) is located at Via Melloni 1/b (tel: 0521 218 889; website: http://turismo.comune.parma.it) and is open Monday to Saturday 0900-1900, Sunday and holidays 0900-1300.
For a Whole Day
Florence: The artistic orgy of Florence (Firenze) is one of the key reasons why Bologna has so often been overlooked by visitors to Italy. Tourists flock to Florence in droves. Located some 80km (50 miles) south of Bologna, just one hour by train, the city lies at the heart of the Renaissance and is home to some of the world's greatest works of art, including Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Michelangelo's David and Masaccio's Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Architecturally, the gravity-defying dome of Brunelleschi's Cathedral and Giotto's elegant Campanile dominate the skyline but every nook and cranny of Florence holds a surprise. From the Ponte Vecchio to Santa Croce, the city dazzles with genius. Florence is easy on the eye but often hard on the feet. Any visit should include a cappuccino in one of the famous piazzas or a picnic in the Boboli Gardens, surrounded by gargoyles and the local cats.
Agenzia per il Turismo, Via A Manzon, 16i (tel: 055 23320; website: www.firenzeturismo.it) can provide further information. Alternatively, check out the Columbus City Guide to Florence.
View Our Airport Guides for Bologna:
Bologna G Marconi Airport
