A hidden gem in the heart of Italy
Bologna is a hidden gem in the heart of Italy, a contemporary city that offers visitors authentic and sustainable experiences and relationships.
Located just 35 minutes from Florence, 1 hour from Milan and 2 hours from Rome, Bologna can be considered as the crossroads of Europe and Italy, not only for its location but also for its role in the front line in the world of culture and creativity.
As well as by car and by train, the city is easily accessible by air. The presence of some of the major European airlines at the airport, along with some of the main low-cost carriers, and the close link with about 100 destinations, make the airport of Bologna the fourth airport in Italy for worldwide connectivity, just 7 min. away from the city centre.
A walking city par excellence
With over 40 km of arcades, the city is not only unique in the world but is also the perfect place to stroll. All places are within easy walking distance, for this is defined by all as the walking city par excellence. These are the qualities that make Bologna a destination for meetings out of the ordinary, able to enhance being together and provide a perfect setting for any event.
Bologna is a city with a strong historical heritage housed in over 50 museums that you can explore as you walk through its arcades. In the city, you can choose between Etruscan finds and Egyptian mummies, paintings by Giorgio Morandi and Guido Reni, contemporary art and medieval swords.
Packed with excellent venues
The city offers events venues of great capacity and prestige: first of all the Volvo Congress Center – one of the most important in Europe – formed by three directly connected structures that can be used independently and simultaneously. Another venue for events in the heart of the city is the beautiful Palazzo Re Enzo, an elegant building of the thirteenth century overlooking Piazza Maggiore.
In addition to the largest and best-known venues, the centre of Bologna offers 120 historic and unconventional buildings to set up unmissable events: deconsecrated medieval churches, Renaissance villas, sports facilities such as the PalaDozza, the arena in the heart of the city, museums and redeveloped industrial areas, as well as university halls, senatorial palaces and many other splendid architectures.
As a trade fair destination, Bologna is undoubtedly one of the most important cities in Italy and in the world, with important connections to the East (in particular Hong Kong and Shanghai). The BolognaFiere group organizes events in the United States, Russia and India, while in Bologna are held internationally recognized leading events for its sector which record a percentage of foreign exhibitors and visitors among the highest in Italy: over 2.2 million visitors and more than 25 thousand exhibitors overall.
A food and wine capital
Bologna also offers much for leisure: it is an undisputed food and wine capital with countless culinary excellences to be enjoyed in one of the many restaurants or inns in the centre.
Thanks to these characteristics, the destination is the ideal destination for incentive trips and activities complementary to the business, but also unique and tailor-made experiences.
The food and wine sector offers many opportunities for tastings, experiences in direct contact with producers or even cooking classes, both in qualified cooking schools and with types of home-cooking lessons, at the home of the sfogline that have made the tradition and excellence of handmade pasta famous all over the world. Just outside the centre of Bologna, do not miss out on the producers of balsamic vinegar, ham, Parmigiano Reggiano: the opportunities to get to know these products and taste these excellences of Italian gastronomy are endless.
Wine lovers will discover a territory of extraordinary, dedicated to the production of quality wines, from the great red wines that have made this territory known in the world to the wine with Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination “Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto”.
Just for wine lovers, the destination offers many opportunities for recreation and leisure: tastings accompanied by typical products and visits to the vineyard, but also wine tours in prestigious locations and located right on the famous hills of Bologna.
The heart of the Motor Valley
Bologna is the perfect place to stroll and enjoy shopping in its countless markets, historic shops and high fashion boutiques, but it is also the heart of the Motor Valley, one of the most incredible places in the world. Within a few kilometres, it encloses the best of Italian excellence in supercars and engines: from Lamborghini to Ducati, from Maserati to Ferrari; in these places the myth of Italian sports cars and motorcycles was born.
If engines are your passion, the Motor Valley is the perfect place for a day full of thrills. All the most important Italian supercar brands in the area open their museums, private collections and production lines to the public.
For the more adventurous there is the opportunity to organize incredible experiences on the track on the circuits of Imola or Modena, at the wheel of the most exciting models of Lamborghini or Ferrari. A unique and exclusive emotion: the day on the track together with the drivers will allow you to discover your limits in one of the most evocative and exciting frames, in speed and safety!
The city offers many other unique experiences, both in its historic centre and out of town, such as a Vespa tour in the hills of Bologna, the truffle hunt in the woods surrounding Bologna or the personal shopper experience in the most exclusive boutiques of the city.
The Bologna Convention and Visitors Bureau is always available to create tailor-made experiences.
“In the heart of the Region Emilia-Romagna, the educated, industrious and creative city of Bologna is a hidden jewel of Italy. Hometown of one of the most prestigious and ancient universities in the world, it is a cultural, artistic and industrial hub of Italy and southern Europe.
Its rich enlightening and artistic heritage is mixed with cutting edge architecture and international atmosphere. Bologna offers the best culinary experiences, since it is considered one of the food capitals of our country.
Easily reachable by plane, train and car, as well as rapidly accessible from Rome and Milan, PCOs and professionals will have the chance to find in this city the perfect blend of strong Italian identity, an international environment, top-quality facilities and suppliers as well as a logistic network which eases MICE activities.”
Maria Elena Rossi, Global Marketing and Promotion Director, ENIT
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