Bologna

Bologna is one of Italy’s most fascinating cities, and it has been buzzing with energy for nearly a thousand years. Students have been rushing to its famous university since the eleventh century, making it one of the oldest centres of learning anywhere in the Western world. That long history of curious minds gives Bologna a wonderfully lively, intelligent atmosphere that you can still feel today.

Walking through the city is an adventure in itself. Two tall medieval towers lean over the rooftops in the city centre, built by rival noble families who were basically competing to see who could build higher. Nearby, the grand Piazza Maggiore draws everyone together, just as it has for centuries, while the enormous Gothic church of San Petronio watches over it all — still unfinished after hundreds of years of construction.

What really makes Bologna unique is the way its streets are lined with elegant covered archways stretching for dozens of kilometres. Rain or shine, locals and visitors stroll, chat, and explore completely sheltered. It is a city that feels both ancient and wonderfully welcoming.