Forgotten tourist city in Italy

A survey of 175 tourism industry experts found that the city of Bologna in Italy is the most attractive but little-known destination, expected to be a new hot spot.

CNBC travel writer Sharael Kolberg, who has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry, surveyed 175 experts and travel enthusiasts to find the "most underrated city". The majority agreed that it was Bologna, Italy.

The famous Two Towers in Bologna. Photo: Bologna Welcome

Tom Marchant, founder of luxury travel company Black Tomato, says Bologna is "on track to become Italy's new hotspot." Bologna is the birthplace of pasta, and he says it's a "foodie mecca."

In addition, there are three main reasons given by many people when choosing Bologna, including great scenery and cuisine , architecture and history comparable to many ancient cities in Italy, and convenient transportation.

Visitors can spend time exploring the open-air markets or pastifici (pasta shops) hidden in the streets. When in Bologna, visitors should also visit the restaurants that have created world- famous dishes such as pasta Bolognese, Tortellini. The city also has FICO Eataly World - a park with an area of over 80,000 m2, serving only Italian dishes. From Bologna, visitors can also easily take a day trip to the Emilia-Romagna region, considered the "birthplace of Italian cuisine".

In terms of architecture and history, Bologna is no less than other cities in Italy. Bologna is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site with about 61 km of porticos - a type of covered walkway with porches, often appearing in ancient Greece. The city also has 24 stone towers that have existed since the Middle Ages, such as the Two Towers - the iconic tower of Bologna.

A covered street and archway in Bologna. Photo: Italy Magazine

In addition, Bologna is a "completely walkable" and safe destination, helping visitors save money on car rental. If you prefer public transportation, the city bus is a good choice with fares starting from only 1.3 euros/trip (about 32,000 VND). In addition, connecting from Bologna to other "hot spots" is also quite convenient because it is 112 km from Florence, 152 km from Venice and 212 km from Milan.

People in Bologna are friendly. Accommodations average under $200 a night, according to travel search app Kayak.

Tu Nguyen (According to CNBC )

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