Bologna is one of my favorite towns to visit in Italy. It’s large enough to have good restaurants, hotels, and interesting sites; yet small enough to avoid huge crowds of tourists. Rome and Florence are so packed with visitors and things to see that they’re overwhelming. Bologna provides an excellent respite for the tourist-weary traveller. About an hour by train from Florence and less than 3 hours from Rome, it’s well worth the side trip. And if you can get there for New Year’s Eve, you will not be disappointed.