BOLOGNA’S GOT TALENT!

Meet your private driver outside your accommodation in Florence and relax on the ride to Venice. En route, discover Bologna’s rich cultural legacy on a private walking tour through the historic centre, extraordinarily untouched since medieval times.

Bologna’s origins date back to the Etruscan era but this centre grew and flourished in the Middle Ages when a burgeoning economy led to a steady expansion and a series of towers, erected by wealthy families wishing to make a show of their prestige, sprouted across the city. Approximately one-hundred of them looked out on Bologna in the 13th century and twenty-two still stand guard today. Your guide will lead you on a carefully planned trail past arcaded walkways, basilicas, palazzi and case-torri that together make up one of the country’s finest medieval cityscapes.

A multifaceted city, Bologna has earned many epithets: “la Rossa” (The Red) refers to the red terracotta bricks of its buildings and to the city’s left-wing political stance; “la Dotta” (The Learned) as it is home to the world’s oldest university, founded in 1088, which boasts a long list of famous students and professors; “la Grassa” (The Well-Fed), a nod to the city’s celebrated cuisine, internationally-renowned for its tortellini, ragu sauce and charcuterie. Popular song lyrics have nicknamed the city “la Vecchia Signora” (The Old Lady) since Bologna sags with history from every corner and one may still feel, see and touch its ancient texture.

The imposing 16th century bronze statue of Neptune welcomes visitors to Piazza Nettuno and the adjoining Piazza Maggiore, the very heart of Bologna, where the most important events in the history of the city unfolded over the last eight-hundred years. Your guide will point out the amazingly well-preserved medieval structures which were once the seat of government, city hall, notaries’ guild and banking centre. This square was witness to a series of happenings, both glorious and gory – from an imperial incoronation to public executions – about which you will learn as you pause here.

The majestic Basilica of San Petronio, dedicated to the city’s patron saint and one of the world’s largest Christian churches, dominates the piazza. Construction began in the late 1300s and, although it took three centuries to gain its present appearance, it is still – beautifully – incomplete, as evidenced by its facade, half marble and half brick. Don’t miss the bas-reliefs that frame the main portal, representing prophets and biblical stories, as well as a lunette with a Madonna and Child, Saint Ambrose and Saint Petronius, all the work of Renaissance sculptor Jacopo della Quercia. Step inside to admire the church’s richly decorated chapels and marvel at the achievements of astronomer Giovanni Cassini who designed the longest indoor sundial in the world. This 67-metre-long time device, created in the mid-17th century, still indicates the solar noon throughout the year with astounding accuracy.

You will walk past the Archiginnasio, the former seat of the University of Bologna, then through the historic food market, and reach the monumental monastic complex of Santo Stefano, famous for its labyrinth of intercommunicating churches, originally designed to symbolically reproduce a journey through the sites of Christ’s passion. As you make your way through the city’s maze of streets you will certainly notice a famous feature of Bologna’s cityscape – its porticoes. Thirty-eight kilometres of covered sidewalks shelter visitors on rainy days and were originally built with the aim of allowing extra room to be added to the buildings’ second storeys without having to occupy public outdoor spaces.

The final stop will lead you to discover Bologna’s iconic monuments: the stunning leaning Towers of Asinelli and Garisenda, which have been looming over the city since the 12th century.

After some free time for lunch rejoin your driver and head for Piazzale Roma in Venice. Here your private water chauffeur will be waiting ready to escort you by water taxi to your accommodation.