Spaghetti Bolognese…

…or Ragu as the locals call it. This is one of many delights that you can enjoy in the food capital of the North, Bologna. The problem is, and the type of problems one likes to have, that they are spoilt for choice with the varieties and generally high quality of food on offer. A question that often comes up is “when is the next meal and what shall I eat” even shortly after you have just finished one meal. And, if like myself, you have a pizza addiction then avoid Pizzartist in via Marsala if you want to have an appetite to try the other delights that the city specialises in from the cooked meats (mortadella, local salamis) to the home made pastas (tortellini in broth, tagliatelle ragu). And not to forget the great coffee and gelato that Bologna, and generally Italy has to offer, with Crème Funivia a must.

The city is definitely one suited for those that like to walk, with all the main areas of interest in the old city centre within walking proximity, and once you familiarise yourself with this area you are almost never more than 15 minutes away from the next destination. And the walk is made more pleasant by the 40 km of porticos built in the Middle Ages which provide shade in the summer and the generally wet climate in the city. And nowhere is it better to enjoy the porticos than on the 5,000 step walk up towards San Luca on the outskirts of the city during which you will have stunning views of Bologna and of the surrounding mountainous region.

And when the night sets in there is no better way to start with an aperitif, namely Aperol Spritz during Happy Hour around the bars, which generally lasts between 19:00-21:00 and comes with tasty finger foods and snacks (try Swine Bar on Via Righi or Mambo Ristorante at the Museum of Modern Art). If you have dinner already planned then beware not to eat too much, otherwise continue drinking in the student quarter around Via Zamboni which serves some of the 80 thousand or so students of the historical University of Bologna.