Bologna is the capital city of Emilia Romagna, Northern Italy. Italian fashion and food should be the key themes for Bologna’s visitors. Bologna has a wealth of exclusive boutiques, top quality antiques shops and stores selling international fashion and design brands. These are mainly located in pleasant pedestrian areas and the courtyards and galleries in the historic centre.

Many shops are in the “Quadrilatero”, the heart of the city, once home to its guilds. Another major luxury shopping in Bologna thoroughfare is the Galleria Cavour. Here you can find Armani and other main Italian brands, such as Gucci, La Perla underwear and La Maison Bulgari jewellery.

Located strategically in the heart of Bologna, the elegant Galleria’s murals and nineteenth century marble floor make it a perfect setting for its prestigious boutiques and luxury brands.

The intriguing medieval and Renaissance streets of the Corte Isolani area, near the two Towers and Piazza Maggiore, is another great place to browse, with craft boutiques, speciality delicatessens, cafés and wine bars.

Bologna is also nicknamed “la dotta, la grassa, e la rossa” (the learned, the fat, and the red) and it’s a perfect destination for food-loving travellers.

As the centre of the Emilia-Romagna food culture, Bologna is famous for its access to great products like Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Mortadella.

Most importantly, Bologna is the place to eat hand-rolled, fresh pasta served along with complex, meat-laden ragu that many around the world define as Bolognese sauce.

If you might prefer the town market to luxury shopping, so don’t miss a stroll around the Mezzo Market stalls near Piazza Maggiore, the oldest market in the city.

It is located on three floors and has the very best in traditional Bolognese products to take home or eat on the spot: meat, fish, salami, cheese, fruit, bread, pizza, pasta, ice cream and cakes, wine and beer. Street food at its best.