When it comes to European cities, Italy has a lot to boast about. The Italian capital Rome and the romantic city of Venice usually springs to mind first and rightly so. Filled with architecture to marvel at and ancient heritage and waterways, ideal for any romanticist, these cities sell themselves, so we are going to take you to two cities that deserve some much-needed attention instead – Bologna and Florence. 

Bologna

Bologna is arguably the culinary capital of Italy so foodies in particular will certainly not be disappointed with Bologna. Although be prepared to pace yourself as there are so many dishes to try, we wouldn’t want you missing out on anything! If you think of traditional and authentic Italian recipes and then step it up a notch, that is the type of cuisine you will find here. From the famous Ragu Bolognaise and Lasagne to lesser-known dishes such as Tigelle and Tortellacci, they are all cooked with the finest ingredients and a love of food and that’s before we even start on the desserts! Be sure to try Zuppa Inglese, a divinely sweet treat, similar to an English trifle.  

In between meals, there are plenty of things to see and do as well. Why not take a wander to the Basilica of San Petronio, believed to be the 10th largest church in the world with some pretty incredible architecture at that. Make sure not to miss Piazza Maggiore either, it’s the perfect place to wander around on foot and appreciate the stunning Renaissance architecture. 

Top tip: be sure to wear comfy shoes as it is highly likely that you will be on your feet for hours! 

Plus, if you can’t get enough of Italy, Bologna is a great place to either begin or end your trip as it is somewhat considered the “gateway” to Italy as it is well connected and located between the north and the south of the country, opening up to other cities, beach breaks or even a trip to the lakes.  

Florence

With a fascinating history and lots of Tuscan wine waiting, Florence offers the perfect combination of relaxing and soaking up the surroundings and sightseeing. No visit to Florence would be complete without a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio. In fact, this ancient bridge is possibly the most recognisable bridge in the whole of Italy. Filled to the brim with little boutiques and stalls, the market is a buzzing place that will give you a real flavour for the local's life here. Do expect big crowds though – trust us when we say it's very popular! Also make sure you take a stroll along the river Arno where you will be able to get some fantastic photo opportunities of Ponte Vecchio. 

For those seeking a bit more adventure, we recommend climbing Giotto’s Campanile. With around 450 steps and sadly no lift, make sure you’re feeling fit and ready before you set off. It’s definitely worth it even just for the views of the city and you will have certainly earned that glass of wine or succulent gelato for afterwards. For those who don’t fancy the climb can take a wander around and explore inside it with hundreds of years’ worth of history, another must-see. Next door to Giotto’s Campanile is the Florence Cathedral and the bustling Piazza della Signoria waiting to be explored where you can then sit back and soak up the atmosphere.  

The city of Florence is somewhere we could literally talk about all day with so much to see and do with winding, cobbled streets, elegant cafes and bars to an array of piazzas and a fascinating history. Florence is a city that be visited many times over as one visit just isn’t enough! 

Why not combine beach and city?

The great thing about Italy is that its well-connected, meaning it is relatively easy to combine multiple cities or even a beach and a city break together, so if you simply can’t decide, no problem, visit them all! Also, as we are experts in travel, we are here to provide you with all of the advice you need and even book your transport for you. All we would need is your travel dates and we will do the rest.  

After reading this, if you have been inspired to take a trip to Italy, get in touch with us today and we will be on hand to tell you a whole lot more about our favourite destinations.