| Page Views: 263 Last Visit to Bologna: October, 2008 | Fat and fabulous by Tijavi - last update: Feb 17, 2009 |
| Pretty portico, Piazza Cavour |
Less famous than her Tuscan (Florence) and Venetian sisters, Bologna could be easily dismissed as the trio's ugly duckling sibling. But ugly duckling she's not; she is one fabulous maiden who loves the good life and goes by the three-word mantra "party, party, party!" She is hedonism personified.
Good food, good wine, and good time - these are Bologna's strengths - or weaknesses, if you wish. Fondly called La Grassa (the "Fat One"), Bologna is the acknowledged gourmet capital of Italy. She gifted the world that pasta with that quintessential ragu (meat) sauce (spaghetti bolognese to the uninitiated like us) and the world-famous eponymous sausage, bologna. Close by is the city of Parma, known for another epoynymous speciality, Parma ham, and everyone's favorite, parmesan reggiano. The vineyards in the surrounding hills make sure no one runs out of Lambrusco red and sauvignon blanc. The city's and the region's (Emilia-Romagna) culinary traditions are kept alive for locals and tourists to enjoy in Bologna's many fine restaurants (without the hefty tourist prices in Venice and Florence).
With good food and good wine, good time naturally follows - more so with Bologna's 90,000-strong student population, the main protagonists behind Bologna's famed night life. The area around the city's university quarter is the pefect place to take part in in the partying and strut your stuff amongst Bologna's beautiful set, who seem to possess a more developed sense of style than their Milanese counterparts.
This elevated sense of style extends beyond Bologna's fashionable party animals to its streets, buildings and architecture. The city's centro storico is lined with arcaded porticoes stretching more than 40 kilometers, connecting Bologna's beautiful medieval buildings. Shopping is another area where Bologna's fabulous self is revealed: well-designed shops peddling handsome wares to tourists intent on maxing out their credit cards.
Even if you've maxed out your credit card, or got no cards at all, Bologna is still a city you could enjoy. Perhaps this is best done by sitting down on a cafe in the Quadrilatero and watch the beautiful world pass by before you head to your next good meal; on one condition, though: you should be clad in Prada. |
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 Comments for Tijavi about Bologna | | | | |
ludogatto Sun Oct 4, 2009 21:11 UTC
you have find some truly part of my Bologna...great pages and great photos! Sometimes when you pass all days in a street or under a building you are unable to 'see' a part of your town! thanks | Trekki Sat Sep 5, 2009 20:01 UTC
Mhhh, I am in food heaven now, only with the thought of your chocolate mousse :-) Bologna is on my wishlist, for all the delicacies which come from here and the region. Palazzo Poggi sounds like fun, also St. Cecilia's Oratorio :-) | MM212 Fri Aug 14, 2009 16:52 UTC
Somehow I missed your wonderfully written page on Bologna. Thanks for reminding me. It brought back delicious memories, especially pici% with ragł! | deecat Wed May 27, 2009 17:03 UTC
One of the few cities in Italy I have not visited...my loss. Your insights are keen...love marketplace, night life, university, Fountain of Neptune, palaces, churches, architecture, Porticoes, & even the graffiti! |
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