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Located as it is at the foot of the Apennines, (near several other cities of artistic interest) Bologna enjoys a strategic position in Italy's road and rail network.
The city is an important center for business and conferences; it has an extremely well-equipped exhibition district and a Palace of Culture which can hold up to a thousand visitors. After it was named European City of Culture, much restoration work took place and new buildings dedicated to the arts were designed and built. As a result, Bologna is able to benefit from an impressive tourist industry linked to business, exhibitions and conferences, i.e. cultural tourism.
Young people from all over Europe come to Bologna in order to attend the oldest university in the world. The city is therefore extremely lively, with an active non-stop night life; you will never feel alone in this city, even on at 4a on a weekday!
If you don't want to risk the possibility of spending a night sleeping in the car, on a makeshift bed or under the stars, make sure you find out about hotel availability well in advance, especially during the exhibition period (which runs virtually throughout the year). Once you know when you are going, check out the Bologna Fiere website for exhibition news.
When deciding where to stay in Bologna, it is important to bear in mind that the historic city center is closed to traffic between 7a and 8p every day, including public holidays. However, hotel guests will receive a special pass given to them by the hotel. This pass entitles the holder to bring a private vehicle into the historic city center between 8am and midnight (including at weekends and on public holidays), and into the Corono Semicentrale area between 8a and 6p as well as free bus rides for 24 hours (from the moment the ticket is first stamped). Note that in order to remain exempt from fines, it is important to register your number plate with the Municipal Police in advance.
If you are intending to drive around the rest of the city, be warned that sign posts and information boards often provide insufficient information and can be set out in an illogical order. For this reason, it is best to plan your route before you set off and not to be afraid of asking passers by (who in this city are generally very friendly and helpful) for assistance.
A final piece of advice: spring is far and away the best time of year to visit the city. Not only will you be able to enjoy the colors and fragrances of the flowering and regenerating fauna, you will also be able to cycle around, take excellent photos, go shopping in the fine weather and generally enjoy the beautiful gardens and parks which the city has to offer.
Porta Piera
Bologna's hotels reflect its cosmopolitan nature. For those who wish to take in the monuments and the beauty of its historic city center, there is a large choice of hotels available. The Grand Hotel Baglioni on Piazza Maggiore guarantees a luxurious stay, with all the facilities and amenities associated with a five-star hotel. The Golden Royal Carlton Hotel which also has a beautiful garden to stroll in. There are other affordable hotels a bit away from the center, such as San Vitale where you can enjoy a pleasant and inexpensive stay. Several yards away, on Piazza XX Settembre, you will find the Jolly Hotel - a four-star hotel which is often used as a conference center. It is also equipped to accommodate your four-legged friends, particularly dogs of all shapes and sizes!
Porta Stiera
The four star Cappello Rosso is housed in a 17th-century palace and also provides an excellent service. A couple stylish hotels in this quarter are the Hotel Astoria and Hotel Re Enzo, which offer modern, comfortable surroundings near the historic center. For those who do not wish to be too far from the historic Piazza Maggiore or the Basilica di San Petronio, hotels such as Art Hotel Commercianti, which is full of Medieval charm, or the friendly Art Hotel Orologio (which stands beside the Palazzo Comunale) are highly recommended. For those arriving in Bologna by train, there are several hotels located near the station, such as the Excelsior or Sofitel Hotel which is situated in front of the station.
Navile
If you are involved in any of the numerous events or exhibitions which take place throughout the year, you should choose a nearby three star hotel such as Il Guercino. If you are looking for something less traditional, try the Alloro Suite Hotel in which all the rooms have a cooking hob which is ideal for those who wish to have a little independence or who are planning a more long-term visit. Alternatively, try Marco Polo Hotel which is perfect for visitors with cars, as - being an authentic motel - it offers services for both drivers and their cars. Remaining in the exhibition district, if you are looking for simplicity and economy, try either the Hotel Ideale or Arcoveggio both of which offer basic services at affordable prices.
Borgo Panigale
Close to the airport is the major, modern hotel - Sheraton that has all the fixings of major American hotel chains.
San Vitale
Tower, owned by the Boscolo Hotel chain, offers luxurious, spacious accommodation outside of the city center.
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