Naples has been named as Italy’s cheapest city after research carried out by Italy’s Istat statistics agency. On the expensive side, Bolzano sits at the top, followed by Bologna and Milan as Italy’s most expensive cities. The results are based on the cost of various food and goods, and have also been divided into categories.

If you’re interested to know, the cheapest city for clothes shopping in Italy is Campobasso, while the most expensive is Trieste, although the range is quite close. In terms of housing and household expenses, Rome sits at the top, costing 12.8 percent more than the average. Health costs are more expensive in Ancona and Milan than anywhere else.

Generally speaking, the statistics won’t tell the Italians anything they don’t know already - it’s more expensive to live in the north and the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige, while expensive, is also rich and a reality a part from the rest of the country. And anyone who’s slogging it out working and paying rent in Bologna, Milan and Rome…. good luck!

Source | Corriere della Sera

Continue reading: Naples Italy's cheapest city

In the old days Piazza Nettuno in Bologna was home of the Bologna Stock Exchange, an amazing building which in 2001 was turn into a cultural venue where people can now meet, talk and buy newspapers, cds and books! Arranged over several floors, the former Stock Exchange building has a breathtaking view over Bologna ‘s major square and if you look carefully at the pic above you will see how the floor has been turned into a gigantic showcase, featuring fascinating Roman and Etruscan relics! So if you are in Bologna, don’t miss it!

Photo | Gabriele.

Continue reading: Must-see places in Bologna: Sala Borsa in piazza del Nettuno

Today is international “Tagliatelle Day” when the world celebrates one of Italy’s greatest types of pasta. Around the world, more than 1000 Italian chefs will make original pasta recipes based on the traditional Italian dish from Bologna, of “tagliatelle al ragù”. Normally known as Bolognese sauce in English, ragù is the traditional name of the mince sauce that we all enjoy, most traditionally prepared with tagliatelle and not spaghetti.

Part of the purpose behind the Tagliatelle Day is to educate the public about the bastardisation of Italian products around the world, and the ignoble attempts at copying Italian cuisine. And our ignorance contributes to the use of products that are not traditionally Italian, and that do not follow the strict health and cultural production guidelines.

The idea came from the GVCI, or Gruppo Virtuale Cuochi Italiani, which is an online group of Italian chefs founded back in 2001, which includes 1,000 professional chefs from 70 countries around the world.

Continue reading: World Tagliatelle Day: celebrating original Italian cooking

The police Lamborghini Gallardo from Bologna has been spectacularly destroyed in an accident. The exotic car has been used by Bologna’s traffic police unit, but will now either be replaced or undergo some serious repairs. According to reports the Gallardo hit some other vehicles that were stopped, as it attempted to avoid a car exiting a gas station, that was about to cut it off.

The driver and passenger were injured but not seriously, and the car itself is a virtual write off, as you can see in the picture. This Lamborghini is not the same Gallardo LP560-4 that was provided to Rome’s police last year, but we think this is probably still an expensive little accident for the police department.

Source | Autoblog.it

Continue reading: Lamborghini Gallardo police car destroyed in accident

Italy’s top five destinations for travel, according to the Italians themselves on the Trivago travel site, have turned up a couple of surprises. For future travel tips to Italy, you can check out these destinations yourself, a couple of which are off the beaten track and not part of the major tourist destinations of Rome, Florence and Venice.

The first of Italy’s top travel destinations is Pisa, and not just for the world famous leaning tower. Pisa is known for its agriturismo farm stays, health spa weekends and local cuisine, most of which are particularly popular if you’re travelling in autumn in Italy.

Pisa is hosting a couple of Italian food festivals this month, including the Dolcemente event and “Pisa Vini” from November 25 to 27. The next of Italy’s top five destinations are Padua, Bologna, Mantua and Genoa. For more details, see after the jump.

Continue reading: Italy's top five travel destinations: from Pisa to Genoa and homemade pesto

Located atop the Della Guardia hill, the Sanctuary of the the Madonna of San Luca has always been one of Bologna’s most recognizable landmarks; the big news is that the place will soon be turned into a nature park under the Unesco protection. Many nearby towns such as Casalecchio di Reno will take part in the initiative and give their own contribution to this new challenge. New paths will be built around the whole area, linking the heart of the city to the old church which can now be reached on foot through the old arcade which covers almost 4 kilometres.

Source | corrieredibologna

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Bologna: Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca to be turned into nature park

According to the Italian financial newspaper Il sole 24 ore ‘s survey of Italian locations with the best quality of life, the city of Bologna ranks second; the survey has been modelled on the Stiglitz report which was the brainchild of French president Nicolas Sarkozy. The survey, realised with the collaboration of the Mestre study centre, was not based on GDP growth but on other factors such as good education, health, security, cultural opportunities, local good administration etc etc. The fact that city of Bologna in the Emilia Romagna region got second place came as an utter surprise, so if you wish to go there and see for yourself, (the place is well worth visiting), you can book into one of those lovely Bed and Breakfasts the city is famous for. I recommend you the old Prendiparte tower which, with its twelve floors, retains a charm that is hard to resist!

Continue reading: Life in Italy: the city of Bologna ranks second in quality of life survey

To celebrate the 10 year of his career, Italian singer Cesare Cremonini has decided to present his innumerable fans with a song which they can download for free from his website. It’s quick and easy you don’t even need to subscribe and leave your name, all you have to do is click on the banner and start downloading! Simple as pie!

The song called Piazza Santo Stefano is dedicated to the city of Bologna, Cesare Cremonini’s hometown; the famous singer who started his career in a boy band called Luna pop ( their first smashing hit was the unforgettable 50 Special) loves to talk about the city where he grew up. Piazza Santo Stefano, according to Mr Cremonini, is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Whenever I go there, said the singer, I feel its magic; it’s a place where past and present meet and and shake hands. Well, time for me to close this and download the song! Cheers!

Continue reading: Italian singer Cesare Cremonini celebrates 10 years with a new song

“ I Pooh” is one of the most glorious and loved pop bands here in Italy. Formed in Bologna in 1966, the famous band has over the years sold millions of records throughout the world. Also known as the Italian Beatles (the nickname was coined by Franco Sabatini in a famous book dedicated to their astonishing career), the band has dominated the Italian music scene for more than 40 years. But the big (and sad) news is that Stefano d’Orazio, the drummer, has now decided to retire and give up the band for good. The announcement was made only a day before the band officially launched their new summer tour and album. So Mr D’Orazio will embark on a farewell tour and then retire from the business! After the jump, you can enjoy a video from Pooh’s most successful years.

Continue reading: Pooh's drummer Stefano D'Orazio leaves band

Italian director Pupi Avati gives us a nostalgic film looking at an Italy, and Bologna, of times gone by. It’s the right time to be looking at Italy how it was, how it grew up; and while this is not only a pleasant exercise in evoking a country so loved, it’s also a chance to see how Italy might be shaped in the future.

“Gli amici del Bar Margherita“, or “The friends of the Margherita Bar” is a chorus film with an ensemble cast of some of Avati’s favourite actors. The director, from Bologna himself, traces the story of a set of characters, without an apparent central story line. But the film goes deeper, into telling the story of a time in which Italians were carefree and innocent, and capable of the best cynicism possible.

One example of a character from the film is “Coso”, a young man who asks his grandfather, who has just died, for forgiveness for the fact that he can no longer grieve because he’s too happy about the date he has with the girl of his dreams. The other personal, funny and sad stories from the other characters all need to be discovered in the film; the trailer is after the jump.

Continue reading: Italian film on Bologna and bygone times: "Friends of the Margherita Bar"

Bologna Incoming is promoting a really interesting initiative that many tourists I’m sure will find absolutely appealing! In the Federalberghi hotels and in the CST Office located in Piazza Maggiore, it will be possible for tourists (after filling in a form) to get a free discount card called Bologna PasseParTout. Actually the card is made up of eight keys which will unlock the doors to Bologna’s warm hospitality. The card entitles people to substantial discounts (up to 10 % on your shopping at the Ascom shops, museum and transport tickets and affiliated restaurants).

If you’re planning to visit the city during the Cento Carnival, the above card with its “jolly key” will also give you free access to services related to the Carnival. Another imminent event is Mi Illumino di meno which will take place in Piazza Maggiore; this international event aims to make people aware of the importance of saving energy. For more information please click here.

Foto | Flickr

Continue reading: Bologna: discount card for tourists

Thanks to this new initiative called Selva turrita or Towered Forest you will have the opportunity to discover the secrets of Bologna’s famous towers with a pod cast guided tour. You can download the guide on your mobile or ipod. The 7 minute-long audio guide will give you the lowdown on the history of Bologna in the Middle Ages. Facts and anecdotes that will magically transport you to another era.

Actually no one seems to know exactly how many towers the City used to have. In fact in 1541 Leandro Alberti recorded 35 towers but in 1929 Finelli claimed that his long-dead colleague was utterly wrong: according to his personal count the towers were 200!

To down load the map please click here
Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Discover Bologna 's towers with your personal iPod city tour or podcast guided tour