Bologna Tours & Trip Packages

Bologna Tours & Trips

36 Bologna trips. Tours from 24 tour companies. 89 reviews.

36 Trips match your criteria (21 - 36 shown)

Bellissima Northern Italy 2021
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Bologna, Milan, Venice, Verona

Highlights

  • 'Romancing the senses' is an apt description for the experiences showcased on Bellissima Northern Italy... for the landscapes you’ll see and the lifestyles you’ll sample take you on a love affair with Italy.It starts with fashion and art in Milan when you view da Vinci’s The Last Supper with a local guide (subject to availability). It continues during a private Tauck cruise across Lake Como to Bellagio and a boat ride to Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore. It captures your heart along the cobblestone streets of Verona
  • home to Romeo & Juliet... your taste buds at an agriturismo in the Franciacorta region and a cooking demo in Bologna (whose nickname is La Grassa
  • 'the Fat One')... and all the senses in Venice
  • with visits by boat to some of the Venetian Islands and a Tauck Exclusive
  • after-hours guided visit to St. Mark's Basilica to view its treasures without the daytime crowds. Now that’s amore
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
A Taste of Italy
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
14 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Assisi, Bologna, Florence, Padua, Rome, Siena, Venice

Highlights

  • Gaze upon the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with Skip-the-Line tickets
  • Explore the medieval cities of Assisi, Siena Bologna and Padua
  • Venture around beautiful Florence, the “Cradle of Renaissance”
  • Have lunch in Piazza Santa Croce, in the heart of Florence
  • Discover the romantic and floating city of Venice with Skip-the-Line tickets
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"We were given the wrong hotel name from Franca in Zagreb. We were also given the wrong hotel name from Franca in Dubrovnik. Very disappointing and we were thoroughly inconvenienced! Your team is not as professional as we would have as expected... They need to be retrained/coached."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

More
11 Day Food & Wines of Piedmont, Liguria & Veneto with Cinque Terre
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bologna, Parma, Portofino , Turin

Highlights

  • Savor a lakeside dinner on Isola dei Pescatori, or Fishermen’s Island, on lovely Lake Maggiore In the Piedmont region, travel through rice plantations and taste local dishes Explore Turin and discover many famous sights of the House of Savoy, Italy's royal family Take a guided tour of the wine cellars followed by tastings in the famous Piedmont region Stay in Santa Margherita Ligure and spend free time in picturesque Portofino Marvel at the cliffside villages of Cinque Terre, “five towns” that seem suspended over the Ligurian Sea Taste authentic Balsamic Vinegar in a family-run estate Participate in a guided city tour of Parma Take a walking tour of historic Bologna, while tasting world-famous products of Emilia Romagna, including Prosciutto & Parmesan cheese Enjoy a Prosecco tasting in its land of origin †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Rome to Venice Italy Tour for Seniors
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
By Nancy Aiello Tours
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bologna, Florence, Rome, San Gimignano, Venice

Highlights

  • Discover the splendors of Rome
  • Immerse yourself in ancient Roman times
  • Admire the Vatican treasures
  • Enjoy the walled hilltop town of Orvieto
  • Journey to the Renaissance & meet Michelangelo’s David
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Awesome!!! We absolutely loved our tour of ancient Rome. Our guide was fun, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his subject. This experience was highlight of our stay in Rome. My only regret is that we left in a bit of a hurry - my husband's luggage was lost, he was wearing same clothes from travel & uncomfortably hot & anxious to replenish wardrobe - thus, I neglected to tip our guide. I feel terrible as he was so good with our family & kids have been talking about what they learned. If we had more time in the city, I would have arranged for another guided tour of St. Peter's. Please excuse tardy review, my internet connection has not been dependable during the trip. We return to Rome tomorrow for a night before returning to Chicago with wonderful memories. Best regards, Kathleen M. – Chicago, USA"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Northern italy
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bologna, Castell Henllys, Cinque Terre, Cremona, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Parma, Pisa, Venice, Verona

Highlights

  • Visit the Basilica of Santo Estefano and the main square.
  • Travel to Modena.
  • Explore Enzo Ferrari Museum.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Turkey 3 seas
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Apennine Mountains, Bologna, Castell Henllys, Cinque Terre, Cremona, Florence, Milan, Parma, Pisa, Venice, Verona

Highlights

  • Visit the Basilica of Santo Estefano and the main square
  • Visit with a local guide walking in the historic center
  • Explore an "oil" producing Vinagre De Modena

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Edible Italy: Culture and Cooking
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
8 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bologna, Florence, Tuscany

Highlights

  • 2 cooking classes, preparing our four-course lunches
  • Making your own pizza with an Italian pizzaiolo
  • Guided tasting of PDO and IGP products from Emilia-Romagna
  • Wine lesson and tastings by a sommelier
  • Following in Fellini’s footsteps in the seaside resort of Rimini
Show more

Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have traveled in Italy many times on our own but our 8-day BuonJourney tour was by far our favorite experience. Ramona and her expert team opened the doors to their Emilia-Romagna region for us to meet many amazing artisans of balsamic vinegar, EVOO, fossa cheeses and much more. The culture and the pride that goes into their work and products were palpable. Through Ramona one can enjoy the sights, taste the foods and experience the culture of this spectacular region not as tourists but as native Italians would. We can't wait to return someday. Thank you Ramona, Enrica, Guido, and Federico for making our stay so special (you too Gigi!)."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Quintessential Tour of Italy
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Amalfi Coast, Bologna, Colosseum, Florence, Lake Como, Milan, Naples, Positano, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Tuscany, Vatican City

Highlights

  • Admire the contrasts of Italy’s north, from the bustle of Milan to the serenity of Lake Como
  • Prepare Tuscan specialties with the chef of a Michelin-starred property, then enjoy them paired with prime local wines
  • Explore the riches of the Eternal City, from its Roman-era treasures to the gems of the Vatican

Themes

Culinary & Wine, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We were very happy with the trip and how we worked together with you to plan everything. All of the places we went were amazing. Rome had amazing ancient history, art, and architecture as did Pompeii, and Florence had amazing Renaissance history, art, and architecture, while Milan had a little of both but also with the feel of a modern city. The Amalfi Coast and Lake Como were beautiful. We loved Positano (where we stayed) and Ravello best of the places of the places we visited in The Amalfi Coast because they had the most charm and beauty and the least people. In Lake Como, we stayed in Bellagio, but everyplace we visited in Lake Como was beautiful and charming. However, Bellagio, drinking wine and watching the sunset in Varenna, and the boat tour of the lake stood out as our favorite activities. The food was also amazing everywhere, from local places to fine dining the food was fantastic and memorable. We loved Italy. It’s beautiful, and we’ll definitely come back. All of the travel arrangements were excellent and everything was easy. The drivers were friendly and spoke good to excellent English as well as Italian. And having the extra phone was a nice convenience. We didn’t have any stress or difficulties during the trip about the details as they were all taken care of with excellent results. Our favorite drivers: Naples to Positano and back (and Pompeii) Salvatore was excellent. Driving with him was like being with a friend or family member. He was very concerned with our comfort and always suggested places to stop for pictures or a view and had great knowledge of the Naples and The Amalfi Coast. He was also a gentle driver and never made us uncomfortable. Florence Day Trip – I apologize but his name escapes me (maybe Giorgio?), but he was excellent for all the same reasons we liked Salvatore. He even took us to his favorite Gelato shop near his home town and it was so much better than most of what we tried, and since he grew up there he had lots of really interesting local history Milan to Bellagio – I apologize I also forgot this gentleman’s name, but he was a good driver especially around all the curves to and from Bellagio. Not as talkative as the other two, but very friendly and a gentle driver Our favorite guides: Vatican / Franchesca – Interesting personality and very different that the usual guide experience, but we enjoyed her character. She did what we were interested in doing and never let anyone forget that we (and she) were VIP! Pompeii – I apologize I forget her name, but she was very nice and attentive and very interested in what we wanted to know and see and learn more about. It felt tailored to us and what we wanted, which is why you hire a private guide! All of the other guides and drivers were good but the ones above were the best and most memorable. Thanks again for the great trip! We would definitely recommend you to friends, and in fact we already did recommend our friends Derrick and Lorena to you."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety

More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
...

1

2

...

Bologna Reviews

r

rebecca

Oct 2015

Written on

Liked the fact the tour was food

Liked the fact the tour was food based and included cookery lessons and wasn't based in one place. reduced score because some of the accommodation wasn't comfortable...

J

Joshua

Oct 2015

Written on

Our tour leader was wonderful. She knew

Our tour leader was wonderful. She knew so much about the c...

P

Priscilla

Oct 2015

Written on

Our tour leader was exceptional. Everything went

Our tour leader was exceptional. Everything went smoothly. No complaints. Activities were great. Nice to see different area of Italy you would not normally see on yo...

R

Ruth

Sep 2015

Written on

The itinerary was a good one, with

The itinerary was a good one, with plenty of variety in the sights a...

K

Kirk

Sep 2015

Written on

Most of all, the leader. Ilaria

Most of all, the leader. Ilaria was the best and very entertaining. The trip ran very smooth with her guidance. Second, the activities were great. All the experi...

Write a Review

Bologna Tour Selection Trips

  • Language could be a major problem in Bologna as most locals do not understand English. It is better to learn a few Italian words or phrases that would help you to communicate if you are going to spend some time there. Or you can bring and English-to-Italian dictionary to solve the problem.
  • The city has a very well-maintained bus system. You can get all the routes and timings online and can get your tickets in advance. You can also get tickets on the bus through an automated machine but that will cost you more than regular. Get your tickets validated from the machine at the front or rear of the bus. The validation is valid for only one hour on any bus or route.
  • If you plan to ride a taxi, make sure you negotiate the fare before sitting. It is a custom to leave small cash for the driver and the total ride fare is rounded up to a convenient amount.
  • The best way to explore the beauty and charm of Bologna is on foot. Take advantage of the walkability of the area and do sightseeing on foot, while taking time to explore each and every point on the way.
  • Mostly local shops and shopping centers open early, around 8:00 a.m. and work till 8:00 p.m. However, the local markets close by the afternoon. Banks also open early and remain closed for some time in the afternoon before reopening, like 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. mostly
  •  The lively city is great to have fun but when you want to sleep the noises at 3 a.m. do not sound so good. Therefore, try to get accommodation at some distance where you can take rest peacefully. In the small and walkable city of Bologna even if you are staying at some distance from the center it will never be too far from major interest points.
  •  Pickpockets are very common in this region and work in groups. They can be disguised as anything, especially beggars. While one person distracts you as a beggar, by holding your hand or something like that, meanwhile the other member of the group takes out your wallet.
  • Make sure to keep your cash safe in the inside pocket of your handbag or if in your wallet be attentive towards it, especially in crowded places. Try not to take out cash or wallet from your pocket in public or you are telling the thieves where to find your money.
  • Always keep change with you. There are certain shops or points where you might need it. Some local shopkeepers do not accept international cards so you need cash there. Another place is the paid toilets where you need to insert the exact amount of cash to go inside. No cash might mean no access to the restrooms.
  • Call 118 in case of an emergency. You will find various pharmacies throughout the city and two hospitals. This city has a wonderful health system and Emilia-Romagna is even recognized at the European level for its well-maintained and efficient health system.
  • Overall Bologna is a safe city but unknown to you so avoid straying alone in the streets at night. It is better to be cautious than getting hurt for nothing.

Additional details

Where is Bologna

This beautiful and lively place is the largest city as well as the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy and is located on the Florence-Venice route. The city lies between the Savena and Reno rivers, to the north of Florence, and at Apennines northern foot.

Getting to Bologna

Bologna has a prime geographical location in northern Italy that makes is easily accessible through various modes.

By Air

The closest airport to Bologna is Guglielmo Marconi International Airport that is about six kilometers from the city. Many airlines approach here, including the low-budget European flights. You can hire a taxi or utilize the special bus line service, the Aerobus, to reach the city center.

The taxi may cost about €15 while Aerobus will take you in €6 and drops at Bologna Train Station. You can purchase the tickets onboard or from the machine just outside the terminal. The validated Aerobus ticket is also valid for one hour to be used on other buses as well.

By Rail

The geography and central location of Bologna have made it the main hub of rail transport in northern Italy, through its well-connected railway system.

The high-speed train line between various major cities has made the journey fast and easy. The travel time between Bologna and Florence is about 37 minutes, to and from Rome is 2 hours and 20 minutes, 1 hour for Ferrara, and so on.

By Car

Bologna is situated at the junction of three highways; A1, A13 and A14, therefore, it can be easily accessed by road from any place in the country. Beware of the rush hours if you plan to travel by road as these routes, especially A1, get horrendously packed during rush hours.

Best Time to Visit Bologna

Bologna witnesses all four-seasons, and every season has its pros and cons. The best time to visit is during spring (April to June) or fall (September to November). The temperature is between 6 to 18 °C and in this pleasant weather, you can enjoy most of the activities in the region.

During the summer months (July and August) there is a huge tourist crowd in Bologna but this might not be the best time to visit. The temperature can rise to 30°C and you might also face some accommodation problems. Prices are high and many of the hotels do not have an air conditioning facility that can cause inconvenience in the warm weather.

Wintertime (December to March) is the second most popular time to visit the beautiful city. Weather can become harsh with heavy snowfall but if you can handle the cold you will enjoy the magical effect it has over the area. The temperature rarely rises above 14°C and can fall to -2°C.

Weather impacts the Bologna Italy tours a lot, but every season has something to offer like various festivals, attraction points, etc. and most importantly Bologna food. Hence, no matter what time you choose to visit the magnificent capital, you will not be disappointed.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 36 trips to Bologna and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!