🇮🇹 Bologna | Italy’s Hidden Gem of Lasagna & Porticoes 🏛️🍝

While often overlooked, Bologna is a perfect day trip between Venice and Florence! This charming city is the birthplace of lasagna, home to the world’s oldest university, the longest urban porticoes, and the hometown of artist Giorgio Morandi. Surprisingly, I didn’t meet any fellow Chinese tourists—making it an undiscovered, photogenic paradise! 🚄 Itinerary We took a morning train from Venice, arriving by 12 PM. After storing our luggage at the train station (€16 for 2 bags, 5 hours), we explored on foot for 5 hours—no rush, just pure Italian vibes! Route (South to North, no backtracking!): Train Station ➡️ Open-air Market ➡️ University of Bologna (San Vitale Area) ➡️ Leaning Tower ➡️ Anatomy Theater & Historic Library ➡️ Basilica di San Petronio ➡️ Piazza Maggiore ➡️ Morandi Museum ➡️ Back to Station 📍 Highlights ✨ University of Bologna (San Vitale Area) 🎓 Stumbled upon this grad school(?) zone—grand, scholarly, and full of students! ✨ Leaning Tower (Torre Garisenda) 🏰 More tilted than Pisa’s! Didn’t climb, but the nearby fruit stands were cheap & delicious 🍓🍇. ✨ Anatomy Theater & Historic Library 📚⚗️ Hidden entrance near Galleria Cavour (look for LV store!). €3 ticket (walk-in) gets you into the 17th-century dissection hall and stunning old library—wooden shelves, ancient books, and a secret locked section (peek through the gate—mind-blowing!). ✨ Basilica di San Petronio ⛪ Free entry, but cover up (no shorts/sleeveless). No scarf? Buy one for €2 at the door! ✨ Morandi Museum & House 🎨 House only open Saturdays (missed it!), but the museum’s soft, earthy tones scream Bologna aesthetic. 🍝 Food Since Bologna invented lasagna, we picked a high-rated spot near Piazza Maggiore—rich tomato-cheese layers, absolutely divine! 🧀🔥 💡 Why Visit? ✔ Less touristy (felt like a local!) ✔ Compact & walkable (perfect for a half-day stop) ✔ UNESCO porticoes = endless shade (lifesaver in summer!) #Italy #ItalianTravel #MorandiColorPalette #Travel #HiddenGems ✨🇮🇹