9247 Bologna or Verona for three days?

Ok, I'd appreciate your comments please.
I have the choice of a three night overnight stay in either Bologna or Verona.
on a journey from Rome to Venice in July this year travelling by train.

I'm 62 years old. Australian. Parlo Italiano un pocco. I want to experience the passegiata at first hand, and practice my feeble Italian. Which place would be the best to do this.

Regards. Chaib.

Category
Travel & Holiday Advice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 03:25

I know the two cities and I would advise you to choose Bologna. A fantastic place, plenty to see and do and not crowded by tourists. It is the real, buoyant Italy at its best.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 05:36

Both are wonderful cities and having lived in Verona I suppose old loyalties should advise you to go there. However, during July I would agree with Gala, I think Bologna would give you more of a 'true Italy' feel. Verona will be overflowing with tourists, Bologna will be that bit quieter and more enjoyable.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 06:59

Thanks for your replies. Bologna it is! See you there 16 to 19 July.
Hotel Centrale looks good.

Now then for another question, Is is advisable to book the train from Rome to Bologna in advance over the net, or can I just turn up on the day and get a seat. I'll be carrying a largish suitcase. Is there anything I should be aware of orher than the obvious validating my ticket before I board?

Grazie Phil

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 07:11

I've travelled the Northern part of that line several times, between Firenze and Bologna, and taken pot luck each time. On the only occasion when I couldn't get a seat, I selected first-class instead and got one. The fare was a massive €6 more. (That was Bologna-Firenze just before Easter, and the train was full of Southern workers returning home from their jobs in Milano.)

I've always used the automatic ticket machines in busy stations in Italy. People obviously don't like dealing with machines, so there's never a big queue, even when there are very long lines at the ticket windows.