The province of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy

Welcome to this new blog post! It’s time for another trip to Italy. In this blog post you will find inspiration for a road trip in this popular country. This time it’s about the north of Italy, to be precise the province of Emilia-Romagna.

One of the most popular travel destinations

Italy is one of those countries that you can’t get enough of. Many people enjoy coming back again and again – as well as experiencing the unique Italian flair up close. There are plenty of opportunities for short tours lasting a few days as well.

In the heart of Emilia-Romagna

This region offers numerous opportunities for day trips to the colorful cities and towns. There is a lot to see, but the distances are not that far, so you can easily plan a spontaneous short trip of a few days to Emilia-Romagna.

San Giovanni in Persiceto

San Giovanni in Persiceto is a culturally rich town northwest of Bologna. A highly recommended hotel with friendly staff, good food, a beautiful garden, large rooms and a good location is Hotel San Giovanni in the south of the town. It is less than half an hour’s walk from the hotel to the town’s main square.

An interesting museum with a beautiful park is the „Museo del Cielo e della Terra/area astronomica“. Not far from there is the Porta Vittoria, a gateway to the inner town. If you go through the gate, there are many shops in the surrounding streets, especially in the main street „Corso Italia“.

This alley crosses a square where markets with Italian culinary specialties are regularly held. Near the square is the Church of Saint John the Baptist („Chiesa Collegiata di San Giovanni Battista“). You will find countless clothing and souvenir shops. A great gift shop, by the way, is „Anita Piu‘ S.N.C.“. As everywhere in Italy, you won’t miss the good pizzerias and ice cream parlors in San Giovanni in Persiceto.

By the way, there aren’t many tourists in San Giovanni in Persiceto either, as it’s a relatively unknown place. A true hidden gem!

Creative murals

Colorful murals can be found at Piazzetta Betlemme in San Giovanni in Persiceto. Beautiful paintings decorate old brick houses. They are great photo opportunities and you shouldn’t miss them!

Bologna

A larger and somewhat better-known city is Bologna, and accordingly, you can see more tourists there. However, this shouldn’t deter you from visiting the city. Direct trains run regularly from San Giovanni in Persiceto to Bologna. The journey takes only half an hour and ticket prices are very reasonable. Traveling to Bologna by train is not only more environmentally friendly and saves money, but also more relaxing. Italy’s public transport network is well-developed, and trains are rarely delayed.

Bologna is the seventh-largest city in Italy. Its history dates back to the 11th/10th centuries BC. The main attractions are in the city center, which is only a half-hour walk from the train station.

Inner city of Bologna

Not far from the train station is a beautiful, large park called Parco della Montagnola. In summer (or any other season), you can relax there, read a book, and enjoy a delicious Italian ice cream. Right next to the park is Piazza VIII Agosto. Regular markets are held at that place, where you can buy all kinds of Italian goods.

The main square, Piazza Maggiore, is surrounded by stunning historic buildings, including the Palazzo d’Accursio (a historic art museum), the Palazzo dei Notai, the Porta Magna of the Basilica di San Petronio (church), and the Palazzo del Podestà.

Churches in Bologna

A little further on you will find the late Baroque „Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita“ church. „Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano“ and „Basilica of the Protomartyrs San Vitale and Sant’Agricola“ are also located not far from the famous two towers.

The Church of Santissimo Salvatore is west of Piazza Maggiore. Another church, the Parish Church of San Benedetto, is located on Via dell’Indipendenza, which leads directly from the main square to the train station.

Other sights

In Piazza della Mercanzia you will find the two towers („Le due Torri: Garisenda e degli Asinelli“) for which Bologna is so famous. At the „Pizzeria Due Torri“ you can enjoy a delicious Italian pizza with a view of the two towers.

The „Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio e Teatro Anatomico“ was once used for anatomy lectures at the Faculty of Medicine. Wooden statues adorn the walls of the theater. They depict some famous physicians of antiquity, including Hippocrates. The hall can be visited for a small admission fee, and you can also learn more about the building and its history.

Museo Automobili Lamborghini

We leave Bologna and head to the „Museo Automobili Lamborghini“ (Lamborghini museum) in the town of Sant’Agata Bolognese. You can purchase tickets online or on-site and view the luxury cars. Various models from the past decades are on display.

The interesting thing is that the sketches of how the cars were designed are also hanging next to the models. Some car engines can be seen, as well as trophies won by racing cars at championships. The exhibition spans two floors. For a small additional charge, you can sit in a simulator and experience what it’s like to drive one of the models.

The Lamborghini Museum is a perfect final destination for your trip to Italy.