Our stay in Bologna was short and sort of got there by chance. But it was a nice city, less tourists frenzy, so you feel like you are really getting to know the actual place, nu smoke and mirrors involved. The shopping proved really interesting, fun and easy.

And since Bologna is something of an Italian crossroad you can get to see it in between things (good connections to all major Italian citites). But this is no little town that you can stay in for a day – give it two at least.