Hi, HP resident and Mabel Gray fan 🙌🏼 Currently on a plane to Bologna for a quick 2 day visit. Staying in the city center but I have a car. What spots would you hit in this amount of time? Thanks! Mike Chavarria
Thank you, the good news is I’ll be back often. My son just moved near Rimini. Will revisit this next time. I had some nice meals but my favorite was a €7 mortadella lab sandwich from this window in an alley. I went back 3 times.
Rimini is great! If you have more time I recommend training up and exploring Veneto. Padua, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo are my favorites. Valdobbiadene is also gorgeous. And home of Prosecco.
Moving this comment to the right post: We are traveling to northern italy and renting a car. Trying to decide between Bergamo area and Trentino-Alto Adige, specifically somewhere like Lago di Garda. I saw a photo of Garda in your post. Would you recommend one over the other?
Hi Heather! Sounds like an exciting trip. Lake Garda is great. I feel like it’s the little sister to Lake Como. It’s less high end it seems than Como but still has a ton to explore, from boating, to mountain towns, old villages and general waterside dining and recreation. Depending on when you go of course. Bergamo is beautiful. For me, one night in Bergamo was great. Are you flying into Milan? If I were to do Trentino area I may fly into Venice and hit a couple great Venetian towns like Bassano Del Grappa and Verona (maybe set up a Valpolicella tasting if you like red wine) then visit the east side of Garda, then head up to Bolzano and explore the mountain towns and wineries of Alto Adige. Depending on how long your trip is and time of year. You could also only rent a car for some of it as both Milan to Verona to Bolzano or Venice to Verona to Bolzano have easy train routes. Maybe rent the car in Verona and explore the foothills a bit and then drop it off in Bolzano and train back etc etc. No wrong way to do it. I just left Veneto yesterday and always love Asolo, Treviso, Bassano Del Grappa and Valdobbiadene. But I’m heading back to Alto Adige in January. A great time to be in Bolzano. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions. Cheers!
We’ll be in Italy with another couple at the end of September for 5 nights. Looking to split our time between Bologna and Florence. Planning on a parm and balsamic tour. Love Italian food and wine. Open for any unique or “don’t miss” suggestions regarding everything from food, to wine, to sites, to where to say.
I definitely suggest a visit to Cantina Della Volta. Incredible champagne method Lambrusco’s. I also recommend lunch at Ristorante Cavallino and a visit to the Ferrari museum next door.
Hi, HP resident and Mabel Gray fan 🙌🏼 Currently on a plane to Bologna for a quick 2 day visit. Staying in the city center but I have a car. What spots would you hit in this amount of time? Thanks! Mike Chavarria
That’s not a ton of time, but you could go explore Modena for a half day. Do a lunch and maybe a balsamic tasting/tour at Giusti. In Bologna, I love hitting up a little Enoteca and just drinking wine late into the night. I liked this place: https://maps.apple.com/?address=Via%20Altabella%2015B,%2040125%20Bologna,%20Italy&auid=17391686936579424817&ll=44.495230,11.344487&lsp=9902&q=Enoteca%20Storica%20Faccioli&t=m
I’ll also be in Bologna in April. I’m eating at Ahime and Trattoria Del Rosso. Places I researched and heard great things about.
Thank you, the good news is I’ll be back often. My son just moved near Rimini. Will revisit this next time. I had some nice meals but my favorite was a €7 mortadella lab sandwich from this window in an alley. I went back 3 times.
Rimini is great! If you have more time I recommend training up and exploring Veneto. Padua, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo are my favorites. Valdobbiadene is also gorgeous. And home of Prosecco.
Gratzie!
Mo Mortadella Lab? The best.
Moving this comment to the right post: We are traveling to northern italy and renting a car. Trying to decide between Bergamo area and Trentino-Alto Adige, specifically somewhere like Lago di Garda. I saw a photo of Garda in your post. Would you recommend one over the other?
Hi Heather! Sounds like an exciting trip. Lake Garda is great. I feel like it’s the little sister to Lake Como. It’s less high end it seems than Como but still has a ton to explore, from boating, to mountain towns, old villages and general waterside dining and recreation. Depending on when you go of course. Bergamo is beautiful. For me, one night in Bergamo was great. Are you flying into Milan? If I were to do Trentino area I may fly into Venice and hit a couple great Venetian towns like Bassano Del Grappa and Verona (maybe set up a Valpolicella tasting if you like red wine) then visit the east side of Garda, then head up to Bolzano and explore the mountain towns and wineries of Alto Adige. Depending on how long your trip is and time of year. You could also only rent a car for some of it as both Milan to Verona to Bolzano or Venice to Verona to Bolzano have easy train routes. Maybe rent the car in Verona and explore the foothills a bit and then drop it off in Bolzano and train back etc etc. No wrong way to do it. I just left Veneto yesterday and always love Asolo, Treviso, Bassano Del Grappa and Valdobbiadene. But I’m heading back to Alto Adige in January. A great time to be in Bolzano. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions. Cheers!
Chef,
We’ll be in Italy with another couple at the end of September for 5 nights. Looking to split our time between Bologna and Florence. Planning on a parm and balsamic tour. Love Italian food and wine. Open for any unique or “don’t miss” suggestions regarding everything from food, to wine, to sites, to where to say.
Thanks.
Richard McGregor
I definitely suggest a visit to Cantina Della Volta. Incredible champagne method Lambrusco’s. I also recommend lunch at Ristorante Cavallino and a visit to the Ferrari museum next door.