4-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
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Bologna is one of the most charming, authentic and lively cities in Italy, known by three distinctive nicknames: La Grassa (the Fat One, for its superb food), La Dotta (the Learned One, for Europe’s oldest university) and La Rossa (the Red One, for the characteristic colour of its bricks and rooftops). The city is famous worldwide for its medieval architecture, its imposing towers and, of course, its celebrated porticoes, which shelter pedestrians and have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to its large student community, Bologna radiates incredible energy and a youthful pulse, making it an ideal destination for those seeking authentic Italian culture and top-class gastronomy away from mass tourism.
Bologna was originally founded by the Etruscans under the name Felsina and later became a Roman colony named Bononia. The city’s golden age began in the 11th century, when the University of Bologna was founded in 1088 — the oldest university in the Western world in continuous operation. During the Middle Ages, the city grew into one of Europe’s most important commercial and intellectual centres, with the construction of hundreds of towers and an extensive network of canals. It spent centuries under the rule of the Papal States, and during World War II it was a major centre of the Italian resistance. Today, it remains one of Italy’s most progressive and prosperous cities.
The heart of the city beats in the impressive Piazza Maggiore, dominated by the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest churches in the world, and the iconic Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno). Bologna’s ultimate landmark is the Two Towers (Le Due Torri: Asinelli and Garisenda), two medieval towers leaning dramatically in the city centre. Walking beneath the endless Porticoes (arcades stretching for almost 40 kilometres through the historic centre), it is worth visiting the Archiginnasio, the university’s old building with its 17th-century anatomical theatre. For a unique, picturesque experience, seek out the “hidden window” on Via Piella, which reveals one of the city’s few remaining medieval canals. Finally, if you fancy a walk, the San Luca portico (the longest continuous portico in the world, with 666 arches) will lead you to the Sanctuary of San Luca on the hill, offering a breathtaking view.
Bologna is rightfully the gastronomic capital of Italy, as some of the world’s most famous flavours were born here. Starting with pasta, the city is the home of Tortellini (small filled pasta traditionally served in broth — en brodo) and Tagliatelle served with the authentic Ragù alla Bolognese (the slow-cooked meat sauce, quite different from the version most people know abroad). Here you will also taste the authentic, velvety Mortadella di Bologna (Mortadella IGP), often served inside a Crescentina (a warm, fried bread roll). For a unique tasting experience, a stroll through the narrow lanes of the medieval Quadrilatero market is a must, where you can sit at one of the old delicatessens for a platter of local cold cuts, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and a glass of local Lambrusco wine.
Thanks to its huge student population, Bologna’s nightlife is exceptionally lively, alternative and full of energy. The heart of the student scene lies around Piazza Verdi and Via Zamboni (where most of the university faculties are located), packed with budget-friendly bars, pubs and alternative hangouts. For a more relaxed, authentic Italian aperitivo experience, the Mercato delle Erbe (the covered market) and the surrounding lanes offer wonderful wine bars and cocktail lounges. Via del Pratello is also famous for its bohemian atmosphere, with dozens of small bars where people gather out in the street to enjoy their drinks late into the night.
The currency in Bologna is the Euro (€), so no currency exchange is needed for travellers from eurozone countries. Bologna is one hour behind Greece, and Italy’s international dialling code is 0039. The city is served by Bologna Guglielmo Marconi International Airport (BLQ), just 6 kilometres north-west of the centre. The airport is connected to the main railway station (Bologna Centrale) extremely quickly and easily via the state-of-the-art automated Marconi Express (MEX) monorail, which covers the distance in just 7 minutes. Thanks to its central position in the railway network, Bologna is also the perfect base for day trips by train to Florence, Venice or Modena.
The trip runs for 4 days and starts from €370 per person, departing from Athens. You pick the dates — there is no fixed departure.
The price includes: flight tickets, 1 cabin bag up to 10 kg (and 1 personal item), airport taxes, fuel surcharges, 3 nights in a centrally located hotel, VAT.
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From €370 per person
Price per person for 2 people sharing a double room, in low season, with flights from Athens.
This is a starting price. The final price depends on your dates, flights and hotel, and we confirm it in the personal offer we send you. No payment is needed when you send your request.
With this trip you earn about 370 Loyalty points per person (1 point per €1, worth about €4 off a future trip). Points double for bookings completed in January and February. About Lia's Loyalty Club
Add whatever you need around this trip and send us one request. We reply with one final price for the whole trip.
Price and availability last updated: 18 May 2025
No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.
Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
Compare prices from all major car rental companies, with free cancellation on most offers.
Attraction tickets, airport transfers, rail passes and day trips, booked in advance.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a made-to-order trip, so you choose the dates. We are happy to advise on the best season for this destination and on how the weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
The full list of what is and is not included appears in the "Included / Excluded" section on this page.
It depends on the season and the destination. Many trips do have a direct flight, but depending on your dates the airlines may not have a direct connection available for that period, in which case the trip may involve one stopover. We will tell you the exact flight routing clearly in your quote, before you proceed with the booking.
Not necessarily. The "From €X" price is the lowest price available today, based on current flight and hotel availability for that destination. Because availability changes daily, the final price for your specific dates may differ. We'll send you a firm, written quote before anything is charged, once you tell us the dates you have in mind.
Flight and hotel prices change daily depending on season, demand, day of the week, and how far in advance you book. That's why the price shown is indicative — the earlier you tell us your dates, the easier it is for us to secure the best possible price.
The single-room supplement varies by hotel and destination, and is included in the quote you'll receive for your specific dates. If you're travelling alone, let us know from the start so the quote already reflects the correct single-room price.
Payment is due in full at the time of booking. For certain hotels that have their own payment policy (for example a deposit or a specific payment deadline), we'll let you know clearly before you proceed, so you know exactly what applies.
Yes — once your booking is confirmed, the price is fixed and won't be affected by later changes in flight or hotel prices. Availability and price can only change before your booking is finalised.
Several trips offer the option to depart from a city other than Athens (for example Thessaloniki), usually with a small additional charge. If this applies to a specific trip, it will be noted on the page or mentioned when we send your quote. This trip is also available departing from Larnaca (Cyprus) — the flight price difference is calculated in your personal quote.
For destinations inside the European Union and the Schengen area, Greek citizens travel with a new-type national ID card bearing Latin characters, or with a valid passport. We recommend carrying your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well. Minors must carry their own travel document, and a valid driving licence is required if you are hiring a car. Entry rules change, so please confirm the current requirements with us before you book.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure you are and on the fare rules of each booking. Tell us as early as possible and we will look for the least costly option. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless the "Included" list on this page says otherwise. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the EU, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange a policy for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary and no coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the number of nights, the class of hotel, add or drop destinations and arrange transfers, car hire or private guides.
Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or drop by the office. We will come back with availability and a written quotation before anything is charged. The trip as shown runs for 4 days.
Departure from: Athens · Thessaloniki · Larnaca.
Flights: Direct or with one connection, depending on the season.
Visa (Greek citizens): No visa needed.
Earliest departure: At least 7 days after booking.
Best time to go: All year round; April–June and September–October are the most pleasant.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
