Located in the north of Italy, this lively city is bustling with compelling history, culture and captivating medieval and Renaissance structures. However, most importantly, it is a foodie’s heaven! As the capital city of the Emilia-Romagna region where some of Italy’s best, well-loved meats, pasta dishes, wines and cheeses come from, Bologna is home to the most amazing produce, making it the perfect destination for lovers of good food. From exciting food tours to climbing medieval towers, Bologna is filled with many amazing activities for groups to enjoy. So, let’s take a look at why you should consider Bologna for your next MICE event!
Experiences
Known for its magnificent medieval structures, a fantastic experience in Bologna is climbing the 489 steps of the Asinelli Tower (the only tower that is available to climb) and taking in breathtaking panoramic views of the city from above. Bologna boasts 25 towers to this day, but at one time, there were a whopping 125!
Fancy seeing more of the city’s beautiful structures? Take a stroll along the Piazza Maggiore to immerse yourself in the bustling local culture and see for yourself the centuries-old medieval buildings which make the city so spectacular. The Piazza Maggiore is home to the City Hall, the Basilica di San Petronio, the Biblioteca Salaborsa and the Fountain of Neptune – one of the city’s symbols.
Just a stones throw from the Piazza Maggiore, you can find one of the city’s oldest food markets – the Quadrilatero. This historic market is filled to the brim with bustling cafes, colorful foods, vibrant wines and aperitivos which will have you longing to return.
Finally, being dubbed a “foodies paradise”, it’s only right you embark on a fun and tasty food tour when visiting this city. During the tours, visitors can enjoy learning about Bologna’s rich food culture and the history of dishes, sampling the best local produce and even having a go at preparing some themselves! ‘Taste Bologna’ is an excellent walking food tour guided by locales, allowing you to take in the lively streets of the city while sampling some of the most delectable dishes of Bologna.
Venues
Arena del Sole Theatre
Located in the heart of the historic centre, the Arena del Sol Theatre boasts historical value and prestige and is known as one of Italy’s most stunning theatres. However, this historical venue is also equipped with the most advanced technologies making it a perfect venue for the MICE industry while having a unique flair.
Savoia Hotel Regency
Located just outside of the city centre, this is one of Bologna’s largest hotel resorts for the MICE industry with 3500 sqm of multifunctional area and 27 meeting rooms which can accommodate up to 2000 people.
Royal Carlton Hotel
The Royal Carlton Hotel, located in the heart of the city, offers a prestige conference centre for professional operators with advanced technologies and efficient staff. This establishment also boasts 236 elegant rooms, a stunning restaurant and bar, and an indoor pool for private events. The hotel brings together both the needs of business professionals and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere in perfect harmony.
Gastronomy
From sweet, salty prosciutto, to rich, mature parmigiano reggiano, tangy balsamic vinegar and flavoursome lasagne verde al forno – Bologna is home to some of the most amazing produce and well-loved dishes, making it almost impossible to decide what to eat! However, if you do find yourself so lucky to visit the city, we highly recommend you try these…
A classic, must try local speciality in Bologna is tortellini – delicate pillows of pasta stuffed with everything from tender meats, to flavoursome cheeses and colourful vegetables, typically served in a broth or a light sauce to let the pasta do the talking! A particular Panoptic favourite is spinach and ricotta stuffed tortellini served with a delicate sage and burnt butter sauce (with a sprinkle of parmesan of course!).
Next up, is tagliatelle al ragù bolognese, one of the dishes that this city is most famous for and is traditionally reserved for special occasions by the locals! The beautiful sheets of tagliatelle pasta are hand cut, the ragù is prepared slowly with lots of patience, ensuring the meat is perfectly tender and the sauce is rich and flavourful – divine!
Fancy finding out more about Bologna for your next event?
Plan your next unique event or incentive with the help of Panoptic. At Panoptic Events, we deliver world-class experiences cross-sector that amaze and inspire. We have the expertise, network and solutions to assist you with the design and implementation of travel, events, activities, tours, transportation and programme logistics. Simply tell us your story, and we will create your legacy. If you would like to find out more about our services, please get in touch at craig@panopticevents.com.
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