The Study Abroad Experience: Bologna, Pisa, Florence

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It's time for more cities to travel to! Here I want to share tips and tricks for Bologna, Florence, and Pisa. We did it all in 1 weekend, YES, 1 weekend!

Bologna 

While in Bologna, we did not see too much of the city because there was not good weather, but what we did see was great. Here are my tips & tricks when traveling in Bologna:

- There is only a bus to get anywhere, no subway. From the airport, I recommend getting on the bus to the center of the city and from there, you can get anywhere by bus. They are very crowded buses, but the city is not very big.

- We stayed outside the city at the Hotel Bologna Airport, which was a little far from things, but was very inexpensive. They offer a shuttle to and from the airport, which is very good when your flight leaves at 6 am.

- The airport is a little confusing, at least compared to the rest of the airports I traveled to and from. When traveling in the airport, just try and read the signs. You must check in to your flight downstairs, but security is upstairs in a corner of the airport.

- A must: FICO Eataly World - This is a food amusement park where you are able to see the different products made in each region of Italy all in one place. To get there, there is a bus for 5 euro a person from the center of Bologna city. You cannot walk there as it is off a highway and it is gated (you must enter with a car/bus).

- From Bologna, we traveled to Pisa and Florence. Here is what we did:
*We traveled from Bologna center to Florence by train, which took about an hour and a half. From there, we were able to travel to Pisa. In total, it was 110 euros for the 3 of us to travel round trip.
The Bologna train station is very easy to navigate, just watch for pickpockets and try to always talk to a person, not a self service kiosk.

- Restaurants to eat at in Bologna: (Suggested by friends)
- Osteria Bottega da Daniele, located on Via Santa Caterina 51
- Cantina Bentivoglio, located on Via Mascarella

Florence 

- Again, from Florence you can get to Pisa, well you can really get anywhere. This train station is massive with a lot of security everywhere.
*You can by train tickets online and kept the ticket on your phone. All they need to see is the day and time.
*You also have 4 hours after to use your ticket. In other words, if you miss your train, then you have 4 hours to get on another one with the same ticket.
- There is a lot to see in Florence, but the Duomo is a must. It is absolutely beautiful.
- Unfortunately, we were only in Florence for 5 hours, but it is a must see. There is a lot to do, but there is also a lot of people. This city was the most expensive to eat and buy things in, more expensive than Rome.
- Places to see: (Recommended by our History & Cultures Professor)
1. Chapel of the Kings, located in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi
2. The Brancacci Chapel, in the Chiesa del Carmine
3. The San Marco Convent
4. The Ponte Vecchio
5. The Piazza Signoria & The Piazza Vecchio
6. The Duomo & the Bell Tower  by Giotto
6. The Bargello Museum
7. Piazzale Michelangelo (Beautiful view)
8. The Uffizzi museum
8. The Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens

Pisa 

- There is not much to do in Pisa besides the Leaning Tower. We got off the train, saw the tower, and got back on.
- It is extremely quiet, with really just tourists walking around the Leaning Tower.
- If I were you, I would not spend longer than a couple hours, never mind stay there for a weekend.
- Pisa is short and sweet!!

Want to know more? Comment below with any questions you have!

With love,
Baylee

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