Verona and Bologna offer contrasting Italian experiences, and a train journey between them makes for an ideal long weekend. The writer visited both cities, sampling local culture and cuisine while noting travel costs and practical tips.
Verona: romance and Renaissance charm
The journey began in Verona, where a delayed flight reduced the planned eight-hour visit to six hours. After taking the airport-to-railway-station shuttle for €7 (£5.85) and a 20-minute walk, the writer explored Piazza delle Erbe, Verona's oldest square, with its daily market, and Piazza Bra, home to the Verona Arena, a Roman amphitheatre first opened in 30 AD.
From the Ponte Pietra stone bridge, views of Castel San Pietro were largely crowd-free, a benefit of shoulder season. The writer noted that Verona's 4.5 million annual tourists pale in comparison to Venice's 30 million or Lake Garda's 27 million, but the city has been named one of the best European city breaks for 2027.
Bologna: food, students, and nightlife
After a quick meal at Osteria Sottoriva—bread, meatballs, prosciutto, and a carafe of red wine for £14—the writer took the train to Bologna. The city, known as La Grassa ('The Fat One') for its culinary identity, is also home to one of the world's oldest universities, founded in 1088, with almost 100,000 students enrolled, about 87,000 living in the city.
Bologna's nightlife on Via del Pratello in the Porto-Saragozza neighbourhood offered a blend of Brighton and Naples vibes, with street art and anti-war slogans adorning buildings. The writer attended a Strokes concert at the Unipol Arena on Saturday night.
Practical travel details
Flights from London Stansted to Verona with Ryanair start at £23, with a two-hour flight time. Trains from Verona Porta Nuova to Bologna Centrale can be booked on Trainline from £7 one-way, with journey times ranging from 50 minutes to one hour 50 minutes. Bologna Centrale is centrally located, so no further transport is needed upon arrival.
