BPG_Bologna

Accommodation

Bologna has seen an increasing number of hotels and B&Bs in recent years, particularly those catering for tourists. However during the major trade fairs the accommodation is never sufficient and booking well in advance is crucial. Unless you are going specifically for a fair, these times are best avoided altogether, especially as hotel prices double or even treble. The main fairs are Cosmoprof (Cosmetics) in March, Fiera del Libro per Ragazzi (Children’s Book Fair) in early April, Cersaie (ceramics) in late September and Saie (for the building industry) in mid-November. Finding a hotel room in the historic centre at other periods is generally not a problem. The quietest periods are the second week of January, February and mid-summer when it’s very hot and many Bolognesi leave the city. Some restaurants may be closed for a couple of weeks or more in August.

Bologna has plenty of upmarket business hotels, many on the periphery of the city, but to have a true sense of the city stay in the historic centre even if it may mean paying more. Particularly appealing are the four ‘Art hotels’ that have cornered the market in seductive boutique hotels, all family-run, intimate, romantic hideaways. All occupy atmospheric palaces in the pedestrianised part of town and provide bikes for guests free of charge.

The centre has a good choice of B&B accommodation. Quality and price often compare favourably with 3-star hotels and any lack of amenities are more than compensated for by the personal welcome and the intimacy of the setting. B&Bs in the historic centre tend to be very small so early booking is essential. If you arrive on spec the Bologna Welcome tourist office (www.bolognawelcome.com) will advise on available accommodation and will do the booking for you.

Prices vary depending on season and days of the week, as well as trade fairs. Substantial price reductions can be found in mid-winter, and also in July and August which are low season. Bear in mind however that locals tend to go away in August (though less so than previously) and quite a few restaurants are closed for a couple of weeks or more.

When making a reservation, a deposit of one night’s stay, payable by credit card, is usually requested. Failure to inform the hotel in advance of cancellation will normally incur the loss of the deposit.

Beware of Bologna’s tourist tax, introduced in 2012, which will add €1.50−5 per person per night to the cost of your room, depending on the rates. This has to be paid directly to your hotel at the end of your stay. Children under 14 are excluded from the tax.

I’d like a single/double room/twin beds Vorrei una camera singola/matrimoniale/due letti singoli

With bath/shower con bagno/doccia

What’s the rate per night? Quanto costa per notte?

Airport

Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport (www.bologna-airport.it) is a mere 6km (4 miles) northwest of the city centre and has easy access. The Aerobus-BLQ shuttle service (http://aerobus.bo.it) provides a regular link with the city centre and Bologna Central Station. It runs daily from 5.30am to 12.15am, departs every 11 minutes, takes around 30 minutes and costs €6 for a single journey. Tickets can be bought at vending machines at the airport or railway station, at TPER ticket offices or online. For the city centre alight at Via dei Mille, the next and last stop is Bologna Central Station. Another shuttle service is Vivara Green (www.vivaraviaggi.it) that connects the airport to city hotels and needs to be pre-booked. Online bookings are accepted until noon of the day before the service (you fill in times of flights, name of hotel and pay in advance). For late reservations tel: (00 39) 051 760 622. The cost is €8 one way and the transfer time is around 30 minutes. The service was suspended at the time of writing so check online.

Taxis from the airport to the central station cost around €20−25 to the city centre, slightly more at night and on Sundays. The taxis at the airport have meters but it is always wise to check first on the approximate cost of your journey.

Taxis: Cotabo, tel: 051-372 727; Radio Taxi, tel: 051-4590.

Bicycle Hire

In Bologna the uneven cobbled streets and ubiquitous pedestrian-only colonnades don’t make for ideal cycling. Very few locals choose to cycle, even in the university quarter – a sharp contrast to Ferrara where cycling is a way of life. Bologna’s historic centre is very compact and much of it pedestrianised, making it very easy to go by foot. But for those who prefer two wheels there is no shortage of bikes to hire. Walk ‘n Ride by BIKEinBo (www.touremiliaromagna.it) charges €15 a day, €30 for three days (including helmet, locks, map and raincoat) and there is a delivery service with or without collection (€5 or €8 accordingly). L’Altra Babele at Via Gandusio 10 (www.laltrababele.it), close to Bologna Central Station, charges €10 a day. A valid ID and deposit are required and there is no delivery service.

Dynamo La Velostazione (https://dynamo.bo.it) organises guided and self-guided cycle tours in Bologna in English.

The tourist office has a leaflet of cycling trails around the city (or accessible at www.comune.bologna.it). A few hotels have free bikes for the use of guests.

Budgeting for your Trip

Flights to Bologna with a low-cost carrier start at around €60 return from the UK in low season, but are more commonly €120−250 return. Expect to pay €20 per person in a youth hostel, €120 upwards for a decent double room with bath or €100 in a simple hotel or B&B. Typically a three-course meal with wine costs from €30−40; a sandwich with a drink and coffee €8, coffee €1.50−€2.50; an aperitivo with nibbles or buffet included €10. Drinks at the bar are often cheaper than those served at a table. A metro or tram ticket is €1.30 if bought in advance, €1.50 if bought on the bus (exact cash required). Museum entrance charges range from €3−12. Entrance to state museums is free for EU citizens under 18 or over 65; and there is free for all entrance to state and some other museums on the first Sunday of the month. Look out for free concerts in churches, also free outdoor performances in summer.

Camping

The Campeggio Città di Bologna at the Centro Turistico Città (Via Romita 12/4a, tel: 051-325 016) is close to the Fiera District but surrounded by greenery. A regular bus service links it to Bologna Central Train Station. Bungalows and mobile homes are available, as well as a restaurant, large swimming pool in summer (free of charge) and fitness centre (paying).

Car Hire

Most of Bologna’s centre is closed to private traffic (see Driving) but you may want to hire a car to visit other cities of Emilia Romagna. The best rates are usually found online. The major rental companies have outlets at Bologna’s G. Marconi airport. Hiring a small car costs €15−50 a day depending on the season. The cost includes third-party liability and taxes, but excludes insurance excess. Drivers must present their own national driving licence or one that is internationally recognised.

Climate

Spring, early summer and early autumn are the best seasons to visit the city. The climate is hot and humid in summer, though the Apennine range can bring welcome breezes. Winters tend to be cold and wet, often with snow (particularly January and February). Lack of wind in winter also leads to fog and mist, often with high levels of air pollution. But there are also plenty of sunny days. A bonus of Bologna is the civilised system of porticoes allowing you to cross the city protected from rain and excessive heat.

Clothing

Apart from the summer months, when all you need is light, cool clothes, bring plenty of layers, an umbrella and raincoat and in winter a warm coat or anorak. A pair of comfortable walking shoes is essential as you’ll probably spend most of your time on foot. When visiting churches cover shoulders and don’t wear skimpy attire.

Crime

Take precautions against pickpockets. Leave important documents and valuables in the hotel safe, and keep a firm hold of handbags especially in crowded public areas and on public transport. For insurance purposes theft and loss must be reported immediately to the police.

I want to report a theft Vorrei denunciare un furto.

My wallet/passport/ticket has been stolen Mi hanno rubato il portafoglio/il passaporto/il biglietto

Driving

Bologna is at the crossroads of major motorways and can be reached directly from many major Italian cities. The A1 from Milan turns south at Bologna towards Florence, Rome and Naples; the A13 runs north to Ferrara and Padua; the A14 connects Bologna to Rimini and other coastal resorts on the Adriatic. Unless you are visiting sites outside Bologna a car is a positive drawback. The centre, which is a maze of one-way streets, is a mainly limited traffic zone (a ‘ZTL’) from 7am to 8pm daily, with access only for residents and authorised vehicles. In the so-called T area (via Ugo Bassi, Via Rizzoli and Via dell’Independenza) all traffic − even public transport and taxis − is forbidden at weekends, from 8am on Saturday to 10pm on Sunday. Entrance to the ZTL area is electrically monitored. Visitors staying in the city centre are allowed access but must provide their hotel or B&B with the car registration number in advance of arrival. Fines are imposed for those entering without a permit.

Road assistance: tel: 116

Parking. You can park in the blue lines, where price and times depend on the zones. Payment can be made with a smartphone or mobile. A list of car parks can be found on the www.bolognawelcome.it website. If you are staying at a hotel or B&B in the centre you are allowed access but only by giving advance notice. Hotels in the city centre with parking facilities charge around €30 a night.

Rules of the road. Drive on the right, overtake on the left. Unless otherwise indicated, speed limits are 50kmh (30mph) in towns and built-up areas, 90kmh (55mph) on main roads and 130kmh (80mph) on motorways (austostrade). Headlights must be kept on during the day on motorways and state roads (strade statali). Seat belts are compulsory in the front and back, and children should be properly restrained. The use of hand-held mobile phones while driving is prohibited. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent, and police occasionally make random breath tests.

Breakdown. In case of accident or breakdown call 113 (General Emergencies) or, for the Automobile club of Italy (ACI) 803 116 free from landline or mobile with Italian provider or 02-6616 5593 or 06-491 115 from a mobile with a foreign provider. The ACI provides an efficient 24-hour service.

Where’s the nearest car park? Dov’è il parcheggio più vicino?

Can I park here? Posso parcheggiare qui?

Fill it up please Faccia il pieno per favore

Unleaded/diesel senza piombo/gasolio

I’ve had a breakdown Ho avuto un guasto

There’s been an accident C’e stato un incidente

Electricity

220V/50Hz AC is standard. Sockets take two-pin, round-pronged plugs. Visitors from the UK and the US will require an adaptor or transformer.

Embassies and Consulates

Australian Embassy, Via Antonio Bosio, 5, 00161 Rome, tel: 06-852 721, http://italy.embassy.gov.au

Canadian Embassy, Via Zara 30, 00198 Rome, tel: 06-854 441; www.canadainternational.gc.ca

Irish Embassy, Villa Spada, Via Giacomo Medici 1, 00153 Roma, tel: 06-585 2381; www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/italy

Honorary consulate of South Africa, Via degli Agresti, 2, 40123 Bologna, tel: 051-272 600, http://lnx.sudafrica.it

Embassy of New Zealand, Via Clitunno, 44, 00198 Rome, tel: 06-853 7501, www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/europe/italy/new-zealand-embassy

British Embassy, Via XX Settembre 80/a, 00187 Rome, tel: 06-4220 0001, www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-rome

US Embassy, Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Rome, tel: 06-46741, https://it.usembassy.gov

Emergencies

Police 112, Fire 115, Ambulance 118, General Emergency 113

Getting to Bologna

Bologna is well connected to the major cities of Europe. From the UK direct flights to Bologna are operated by British Airways (www.britishairways.com) who fly from London Heathrow, easyJet (www.easyjet.com) from London Gatwick and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Stansted, London Luton, Edinburgh and Manchester. Flight costs vary according to the time of year and day of the week. An off-season return booked in advance with a low-cost carrier can be as little as €60 (hand-luggage only).

American Airlines (www.aa.com) operate the only direct flights (June–Sept) from North America (Philadelphia) to Bologna. Otherwise there are many indirect flights with a change at one of the European hubs (Rome, Milan, Paris, Frankfurt or Zurich).

Guides and Tours

Two-hour walking tours of the city depart daily from the Bologna Welcome tourist office in Piazza Maggiore. In Italian and English, the guided tours take in the Basilica of San Petronio, the ancient market area, the Two Towers and other cultural highlights of the historic centre. (€15 per person and free for children under 12).

Bologna Welcome offers a host of other guided tours, both within the city and in the province of Emilia Romagna. Many of these are gastro-themed, eg the food stores of the medieval market, Sangiovese wine tours, a visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory, a truffle factory or a tour of Modena’s prestigious balsamic vinegar production. Motor aficionados can test drive a Ferrari, visit the two Ferrari museums and see the Ducati and Lamborghini factory floors and historical collections.

Il Salotto di Penelope (www.ilsalottodipenelope.it) is one of the city’s 25 cookery schools where you can learn the secrets of making Bolognese pastas and other Emilian specialities.

Health and Medical Care

All EU countries have reciprocal arrangements for reclaiming the costs of medical services. UK residents should obtain the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), available from post offices or online at www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card. This does not cover emergency repatriation costs or additional expenses. To cover all eventualities a travel insurance policy is advisable, and for non-EU residents essential. When/if the UK leaves the EU, check the new regulations in place. For insurance claims keep all receipts for medical treatment and any medicines prescribed.

The water is safe to drink but most locals drink mineral water.

If you need a doctor (medico), ask at a pharmacy or your hotel. For serious cases or emergencies dial 118 for an ambulance or head for the Pronto Soccorso (Accident and Emergency) of the local hospital which will also deal with emergency dental treatment.

Pharmacies. A pharmacy is identified by a green cross. Locations of pharmacies which are open after-hours are posted on all pharmacy doors. An all-night service is available at the Farmacia Comunale at Piazza Maggiore 6 in the centre of the city.

I need a doctor/dentist Ho bisogno di un medico/dentista

Where is the nearest chemist? Dov’è la farmacia più vicina?

LGBTQ Travellers

Bologna has a long tradition of openness towards diversity and minorities. Even in the 1970s, when very few Italian towns had openly gay-friendly bars or clubs, there were meeting places in the city for the LGBTQ community; and in 1995 Marcello Di Folco was elected Municipal Councillor of Bologna − the first transsexual in Europe to hold public office. The Igor Libreria, Via Santa Croce 10 (at the Senape Vivaio Urbano, www.senapevivaiourbano.com), is entirely devoted to LGBTQ culture.

The city is the seat of Arci Gay, Italy’s biggest gay-rights organisation at Via Don Minzoni 18, tel: 051-095 7241, www.arcigay.it. This is also home to the Cassero LGBT Centre, the provincial branch of Arci Gay Cassero LGBT Centre (www.cassero.it) and venue of Il Cassero, one of the city’s most popular LGBTQ clubs.

LGBTQ information, including services, associations and gay-friendly bars and clubs, can be found on the tourist information website (www.bolognawelcome.com).

Maps

The Bologna Welcome tourist office at the airport or in Piazza Maggiore supply a useful free and updated map of the city. You are unlikely to need anything more detailed but if you require maps for other cities or areas of Emilia Romagna you can find them at La Feltrinelli bookshop by the Due Torri.

Media

Most hotels in Bologna will provide satellite TV, broadcasting 24-hour English-speaking news channels. The Italian state TV network, RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) broadcasts three channels, RAI 1, 2 and 3, and a huge number of private channels pouring out soaps, films and quiz shows. The state-run radio stations (RAI 1, 2 and 3) mainly broadcast news, chat and music.

The Bologna Press (www.bolognapress.com) is an English-language online newspaper all about Bologna life, culture, business, economy and politics. Alternatively details of events are available on the Bologna Welcome website, www.bolognawelcome.com.

National dailies such as the Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica have Bologna sections, and Il Resto del Carlino (www.ilrestodelcarlino.it) is almost entirely devoted to Bologna, including listings (in Italian). The main English and foreign newspapers are available on the day of publication from major newsstands.

Money Matters

Currency. In common with most other European countries, the official currency used in Italy is the euro (€), divided into 100 cents. Euro notes come in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5; coins come in denominations of 2 and 1, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Exchange facilities. Banks offer the best rates, followed by exchange offices (cambi) and hotels. Some exchange offices offer commission-free facilities, but check that the exchange rate is not exorbitant. They are usually open Mon−Sat 8.30am−7.30pm. Both the airport and railway station have exchange offices.

Credit cards and cash machines. The major international credit cards are accepted in the majority of hotels, restaurants and stores.

I want to change some pounds/dollars Desidero cambiare delle sterline/dei dollari

Can I pay with a credit card? Posso pagare con la carta di credito?

Opening Times

Banks generally open Monday−Friday 8.30am−1.30pm and 2.30−4pm, but hours vary; some open continuously from 8am−4pm.

Museums and art galleries. Opening times vary but closing day is nearly always Monday. Some museums close over the lunch period or close early, eg at 2pm or 3pm. The tourist office on Piazza Maggiore has up-to-date lists of opening hours for museums, galleries and churches.

Churches usually close from noon to 3pm or later, though San Petronio is open all day.

Shops are open Monday to Saturday, and many are also open on Sundays. Opening hours are traditionally 9am−1pm and 3.30−7.30pm but many shops are now open all day. Some shops close for at least a part of August.

Police

The city police or Polizia Urbana regulate traffic and enforce laws while the Carabinieri are the armed military police who handle law and order. In an emergency the Carabinieri (Via dei Bersaglieri 3) can be reached on 112 − or you can ring the general emergency number, 113. In the case of stolen goods, contact the Questura (police station) at Piazza Galileo 7, tel: 051-640 1111.

See also Emergencies.

Where’s the nearest police station? Dov’è il posto di polizia più vicino?

Post Offices

The central post office, at Piazza Minghetti 4, is open Mon−Fri 8.20am−7.05pm, Sat 8.20am−12.35pm. Most other post offices open Mon−Fri 8.20am−1.35pm, Sat 8.20am−12.35pm. Stamps can be purchased at any post office but it is faster and easier to buy them from a tabaccheria.

Where’s the nearest post office? Dov’è il l’ufficio postale più vicino?

I would like a stamp for this letter/postcard Desidero un francobollo per questa lettera/cartolina

Public Holidays

1 January Capodanno New Year’s Day

6 January Epifani (La Befana) Epiphany

25 April Festa della Liberazione Liberation Day

1 May Festa dei lavoratori Labour Day

2 June Festa della Repubblica Republic Day

15 August Ferragosto Assumption

4 October San Petronio

1 November Ognissanti All Saints’ Day

8 December L’Immacolata Concezione Immaculate Conception

25 December Natale Christmas Day

26 December Santo Stefano St Stephen’s Day

Moveable dates:

Pasqua Easter

Lunedì di Pasqua Easter Monday

Telephones

When phoning abroad, dial the international code, followed by the city or area code and then the number. Note that telephone numbers within Italy are usually 9 or 10 digits long but can be any amount of digits from 6−11. Numbers beginning with 800 are free. Italian area codes are incorporated into the numbers, so even if calling within Bologna you must include the code.

At the time of writing there are no mobile phone roaming charges for UK travellers to EU countries, however this is all subject to change post-Brexit; check before travelling. Some mobile phones need to be activated with a roaming facility or be ‘unblocked’ for use abroad. If you are in Italy for some time it’s worth purchasing an Italian SIM ‘pay as you go’ (scheda pre-pagata) available from any mobile shop in Italy. To do so you will need your passport or ID card.

Time Zones

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, clocks are put forward by one hour.

Tipping

A 10 percent service charge is normally included in the restaurant bill and a tip on top of this is not expected. Most restaurants still impose an outdated cover and bread charge (pane e coperto) of around €1.50−5. For quick service in bars leave a coin or two with your till receipt when ordering. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip but always appreciate a bit extra.

Thank you, this is for you Grazie, questo è per lei

Keep the change Tenga il resto

Toilets

The train and bus stations have public toilets, so does the Biblioteca Salaborsa on Piazza di Nettuno right in the centre. Otherwise it is generally a case of using the facilities of a café or bar. To avoid embarrassment, remember that Signori is Men, Signore is Women.

Where are the toilets, please? Dov’è sono i gabinetti, per favore?

Tourist Information

Italian Tourism authority offices abroad:

Australia: Level 2, 140 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011, tel: 02-9357 2561

Canada: 365 Bay Street, Suite 503, Toronto (Ontario) M5H 2V1, tel: 416-925 4882

UK: 1 Princes Street, London W1B 2AY, tel: 020-7408 1254

US: New York: 686 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10065, tel: 212-245 5618

Los Angeles: 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 575, Los Angeles, CA 90024, tel: 310-820 1898.

The common website for all tourist offices is www.enit.it.

Bologna Tourist Offices

The main Bologna Welcome tourist office (tel: 051-658 3111, open Mon−Sat 9am−7pm, Sun 10am−5pm) is in the heart of the city under the portico of Palazzo Podestà in Piazza Maggiore. Services include hotel booking, restaurant reservation, bookings for guided tours or tickets for flights, trains, theatre, cultural and sporting events. Staff are efficient and helpful and can supply free maps and leaflets in English. There is a second Bologna Welcome Office in the Arrivals’ Hall of Bologna’s G. Marconi airport and a third operates near the entrance of FICO Eataly World in Via Paolo Canali 8. Bologna Welcome has an excellent, up-to-date website, www.bolognawelcome.com, which gives you everything you need to know for a stay in the city from descriptions of hotels, restaurants and museums to where to go for an aperitivo or how to use the buses. Use the search box to make the most of it. The Bologna Welcome Card, available at both Bologna Welcome offices, allows you free admission to many museums plus discounts at numerous restaurants and shops. It is good value at €25 (Bologna Welcome Card Easy) or €40 (Bologna Welcome Card Plus).

The Mibac Call centre (Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities) is available in English, Spanish and Italian, free phone: 800 99 11 99.

Transport

The historic centre, where virtually all the attractions are located, is compact, flat and easily covered on foot. It is easy to find your way around with a free map from the tourist office, colonnades giving shelter from the elements and towers providing useful landmarks.

Bus. Bologna has a good public transport network run by TPER (www.tper.it) and covering the whole city and beyond. Routes and timetables are available on the TPER website. Tickets can be bought in advance from tobacconists, newsstands or from one of the five TPER information points in the city. A single ticket, which is valid for 75 minutes, costs €1.30 if bought in advance or €1.50 if bought on the bus (you need the exact change). Tickets bought before boarding must be validated as soon as you board the bus. A 24-hr ticket with unlimited bus travel costs €5, or a city pass for 10 journeys costs €12 and can be used by more than one person.

The coach station is located just 100m/yards from Bologna Central Train Station. Coach services connect Bologna with main Italian cities though trains tend get you there faster.

The City Red Bus (www.cityredbus.com) is an open-top bus operating daily, with an audioguide providing information en route in eight languages. ‘Stop and Go’ tickets are valid all day. The Bologna Welcome office in Piazza Maggiore sells tickets; alternatively you can buy them on board or at affiliated stores and hotels. The same company also runs the San Luca Express that connects the centre to the Basilica of San Luca, in season only. The Red City Bus tour and the San Luca Express are included in the Bologna Welcome Card Plus.

Rail. Bologna central train station (Piazza Medaglie d’Oro 2, www.bolognacentrale.it) is a key hub in the Italian rail network with high-speed trains connecting the city to Florence (30 minutes), Milan (one hour), Venice (1.5 hours) and Rome (2.5 hours). Trains are also the most efficient means of transport to cities of Emilia Romagna: Modena, Ferrara, Parma, Rimini and Ravenna. For complete online timetables and booking (in English or Italian) contact www.trenitalia.com.

The station is located about 20 minutes’ walk from the historic centre on the northern edge of the city. There are two main train companies, Trenitalia and Italo (www.italotreno.it), both offering trains out of Bologna Centrale. The ticket office is open 6am−9pm; alternatively you can purchase tickets online or at the self-service vending machines. Tickets must be validated at the yellow machines in the station. If you have a return ticket you must validate it twice (once going, once returning).

Taxis. Taxis cannot be hailed in the street. The main ranks are at Bologna Central Station and Piazza Maggiore but there are others scattered through the city. Taxis have meters but it is always wise to agree an approximate cost with the driver before setting off. The fare will depend on the time of day, the day of the week and the number of pieces of luggage.

The following radio taxi companies offer a 24-hour service:

Cotabo: 051-372 727

Cat: 051-4590

Cosepuri Auto Blu: 051-519 090

When’s the next bus/train to...? Quando parte il prossimo autobus/treno per...?

single (one-way) andata

return andata e ritorno

What’s the fare to..? Qual’è la tariffa per...?

Travellers with Disabilities

Cobblestones and stairways within palazzi are disincentives for travellers with disabilities but there is now access in most public buildings and main museums. The Bologna Welcome website (www.bolognawelcome.com/en/for-disabled-visitors) has useful information for the disabled such as public and private transportation, free parking, accommodation, restaurants and useful links. The office also provides a handy map, Bologna, A City for Everybody, which marks routes for travellers with disabilities including written itineraries with full details of the easiest access, where to find lifts, etc. A special Radio-Taxi service (tel: 051-372 727) operates 24 hours for those in wheelchairs or those who need special assistance. Vehicles serving disabled persons can circulate in the ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone) provided notice of the registration number can be given to the hotel or B&B in advance to pass on to the Municipality. In the case of access which is not previously communicated, details can be sent within 48 hours of entering the controlled area. Vehicles used for the disabled are not subject to parking fees.

AccessiBol is an app to find accessible places in Bologna – with useful links. Alternatively contact Accessible Italy (www.accessibleitaly.com), a non-profit making organisation that helps foreign tourists with disabilities to plan their holidays in Italy.

Visas and Entry Requirements

EU citizens need only a valid passport. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can stay for up to three months without a visa, and can extend their stay with a visa from the Italian embassy or consulate.

Websites and Internet Access

www.bolognawelcome.com − official city tourist website, packed with information.

www.bologna-airport.it − Bologna airport information.

www.trenitalia.com − train information.

www.tper.it − bus information.

www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it − official website for the whole region, in both Italian and English with useful links.

www.cittadarte.emilia-romagna.it − for all the region’s art cities.

www.turismo.comune.parma.it − Parma tourist information.

www.ferrarainfo.com − Ferrara tourist information.

www.visitmodena.it – Modena tourist information.

www.turismo.ra.it – Ravenna tourist information.

www.visit-rimini.com − Rimini tourist information.

To find free WiFi hotspots (indoor and outdoor) go to the Iperbole Wireless Network website (www.comune.bologna.it/wireless). The map is constantly updated.

In the city centre the tourist office on Piazza Maggiore, the archaeological museum and the Biblioteca Salaborsa are all WiFi hotspots.

Hotels generally include WiFi in the room rates. An increasing number of cafés and restaurants provide WiFi, with purchase of food or a drink, especially in the university quarter.

Youth Hostels

The best hostel is the Ostello We_Bologna, Via de’ Carracci 69/14, hello@we-bologna.it or www.hostelworld.com, tel: 051-039 7900, a highly-rated design hostel 800m/yards northwest of the station. Rooms which accommodate two or four people all come with en suite bathroom and air conditioning. Communal areas include kitchen, breakfast and lounge, video room and outdoor area. 24-hour reception, free WiFi. Prices from €25 per person, breakfast is included.