Having just spent a few days in Bologna I thought it worth sharing on this site. It is a very quick and easy train journey with only one change at Florence (a total of 3.5 hours). Bologna is a very old and beautiful city of bright ochre and terracotta coloured buildings (and contrasting dark green shutters) and boasts the oldest university in the western world. Close by are the cities of Modena and Parma also known for their culinary delights.
Basilica of San Luca - 3.5 km porticoed walk
Bologna has a tower that reportedly leans more than the Leanng Tower of Pisa
beautifully porticoed streets