Day Trip to Bologna


I never thought I could find a gritty cool art scene and devastatingly delicious tortellini in the same place but, Bologna, you managed to have it all. Home to one of the best universities in the country, Bologna is full of shaggy-haired students, cheap eats, and graffiti. If cool and youthful isn’t really your thing, you can find more classic fare around every pink-painted street corner. Situated in the famous Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is not only one of Italy’s creative hubs, but its undisputed food capital as well.

1.5 hours and 10 euros later, I arrived in Bologna from Florence’s main train station. I was greeted with a sprawling market, in which students and families alike paw through vintage and used goods. From the market I took a stroll to CafĂ© Terzi, a warm, traditional coffee spot offering cappuccino with milk-chocolate shavings and Bologna’s famous Tagliatelle, a desert composed of almonds made specifically for Carnival.

Friday Morning Market 

Cafe Terzi
For lunch, I headed to Osteria D’orso, a lively, popular spot serving world-class pasta dishes for under ten euros. As a lone diner, I was seated at a table of six and enjoyed my handmade ricotta tortellini family style.

I ended my day at Camera a Sud, a funky bar hidden in Bologna’s Jewish district. Sipping on my Americano (a very Italian cocktail of Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda), I couldn’t help but think of my lunch at Osteria D'orso, when I told the table I was studying in Florence. “Sure, in Florence, you visit.” stated my dining partners between bites of salumi and fried bread. “But in Bologna, you live.”


Drinks at Camera a Sud


Pink Street Scene

Afternoon in Bologna

Student Biking

Youthful Piazza Scene

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