.

Exams are over and I'm ready to drink till I die - and eat lots of spaghetti beforehand! No, really, this Thursday I'm bailing out to Bologna, Italy with my boyfriend for five days. That means there will be LOTS less of me on the org (somebody needs to take over the job of keeping MsSmartyPants in line) and Italy will need to prepare for me to drink 'em outta house and home.

Has anybody ever been to Bologna before? What's worth seeing? Which cities closeby are worth day trips (Florence is a definite YES, as it's lovely, only an hour away, and they have David, Birth of Venus, and that badass church/cathedral... oh and the DOME!) Seeing how Bologna is a small town, five days there is a loooong time, so we're going to want to get out a day or two.

I'm hard-pressed to find a public library here in London (who woulduve thunk? ) and reluctant to buy tour books... so any input would be greatly appreciated. (2the9s and any of his eight bazillion alter egos need not apply.)

Florence, Venice, Rome, Vatican City, Pisa I really enjoyed Italy. Watch out for the gypsys, they work in groups and will rob you without you knowing. Italy is lovely, enjoy the food, it's the best.....

luv4u said:

I've been to Rome, Venice, and Florence... the only reason I would go back to Rome is for St. Peter's Church and the Sistine Chapel. I found if you totally ignore the gypsies who approach you in train stations and just talk to other people in English, they'll leave you alone. But thanks for your help!

MsSmartypants said:

I'm going to boot you up the ass.

<-- little Italian man

<-- another Italian man

Natsume said:

LMAO, damn natsume I didnt think you got wicked like that.
I see you in a whole new light.

<-- Natsume

crazyhorse said:

MsSmartyPants doesn't deserve to live, anyhow!

MsSmartypants said:

That does kinda look like me, huh...

What happened at the end of Bleak House?!

2the9s said:

So-and-so spontaneously combusted! I know because I read it! I also read Clarissa and Tom Jones in five hours in time for my exam this morning!

I am a model student!

2the9s said:

They died!

MsSmartypants said:

Even better!

Siena is beautiful

Or you could go to Pisa or Assisi....

To see

Look out for Bologna's two leaning towers the Fontana di Nettuno and Piazza Porta.

The Basilica di San Petronio in Piazza Maggiore is dedicated to the city's patron saint, and is noted for its artworks and red-and-white marbke facade (the colours of Bologna). It was here that Charles V was crowned emperor by the Pope in 1530.

The adjacent Palazzo Comunale (town hall) is a huge building combining several architectural styles in remarkable harmony. It features a bronze statue of Pope Gregory XIII (a native of Bologna), an impressive winding staircase and Bologna's collection of art treasures.

The Basilica di Santo Stefano is a group of four churches including the 11th Century Chiesa del Crocefisso which houses the bones of San Petronio.

Places to Eat

Mercato Ugo Bassi (Via Ugo Bassi 27) is a covered market offering all the local kinda stuff.

Pizzeria Bella Napoli (Via San Felice 50) serves really good pizzas at cheap prices as does Pizzeria Altero (Via Ugo Bassi 10).

Getting Around

Bologna's train station on Piazza delle Medaglie d'Oro is a majot transport junction for northen Italy. Buses to major cities depart from the terminal on Piazza XX Setembre, around the corner from the train station.

Bus 25 goes from the station to the historical centre.