University of Bologna doesn't meet any costs for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. All participants are strongly advised to take out all necessary insurances on their own before travelling.
Bologna's climate is fairly moderate, although it can reach extremes of heat in the summer. Its climate generally gets humid in summer and sometimes close to freezing in winter. Spring is arguably the best time to visit Bologna, when the cold has passed.
Bologna's historic centre has many miles of protected arcades, so visiting during wet weather isn't as much a problem as you might think it would be.
Due to its location in the Po Valley, the area is subject to steamy heat and occasional thunderstorms in the summer. Bologna is best avoided in July and August. Spring and fall are subject to heavy rains at times. The weather is fairly unpredictable and chilly from November through February, but there can be periods of brilliant sun, too.
View the Weather forecast for more information.
- Police – 113
- Ambulance – 118
- Fire – 115
The Italy currency is the Euro (€).
You can pay by credit cards in practically all shops, restaurants, museums, etc. as well as in cash, of course.
Banking hours of business are slightly variable in Bologna but are in general from 9am to 4pm with a two hour lunch break at midday from Monday-Friday.
Bank services are available at the airport and throughout the city of Bologna.
Furthermore, "Emilbanca" Bank is only few minutes walk from the Meeting venue. It is open from 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
There is a Post Office located at the CAAB (Centro Agro Alimentare Bolognese) very near the Meeting Venue which closes at 11.00 a.m.
Other ones are within the Pilastro Commercial Centre and in Via Pirandello n.22 at only five minutes by car from the Meeting venue.
Many Post Offices are in the city centre, of course.
However, all partner Hotels may guarantee any support to their clients about main postal services.
All partner Hotels have their own restaurants where it is possible to get lunch and dinner at special offer rates.
Furthermore, close to the Meeting venue, you will find a Shopping/Commercial Park (Meraville) where different kind of restaurants and fast-food will provide you with a good choice selection.
Of course, in addition, many different restaurants may be found in the city centre. However, hotels staff may give to you useful suggestions if required.
To make an international call from Italy, dial 00 followed by the country code. Italy's country code is 39.
Bologna code is 051.
ex.: calling Italy = 0039 + 051 Bologna code minus zero + phone number
At Marconi Airport of Bologna you may find Tourist Information Desk. Near the Meeting venue, there is the Travel Agency "UNICOPER TURIST" where you find all Tourism Information and air/ train/ naval ticket office.
G.A.I.A. Eventi is a private organization which offers guided walking-tours, cultural itineraries, sightseeing tours in Bologna and surroundings helped by a skilled staff of translators and interpreters.
Partner Hotels may offer to you all necessary information and book for you the tour you would choose by getting in touch for you with G.A.I.A, if required.
The official language of the convention is English. Staff at hotels and restaurants in Bologna speak English. However, a few words in italian can be useful:
| Good morning | Buon giorno | | I'm sorry | Scusi |
| Good evening | Buona sera | | Does anyone here speaks English? | C'è qualcuno che parla Inglese? |
| Good-bye | Arrivederci | | Where is...? | Dov'è...? |
| Yes | Sì | | Train Station | La Stazione |
| No | No | | Airport | L'Aeroporto |
| Please | Per favore | | Currency Exchange | L'Ufficio di Cambio |
| Thank you very much | Molte grazie | | The bill, please | Il conto per favore |
The local time in Italy is Central European Time (GMT + 1 hour)
220 V AC (two-pin plugs)
Shopping hours are Monday-Saturday from 9am until 7.30pm again with a long lunchtime break. Many smaller independent stores do not open until mid morning on Mondays and close on Thursday afternoons.
Big Shopping Center are generally open from midday monday to saturday afternoon.
Few cities in the world boast a heritage of gourmet tradition like Bologna. However, one of the three epithets of the city "la grassa" (the fat one), is well-deserved by considering the local passion for good food.
The local pasta specialities include Tagliatelle with "Ragù" sauce, Lasagne and Tortellini served in broth. Among the cheeses, it is impossible not to mention Parmigiano Reggiano, one of the most famous cheeses in the world. Bologna's residents like to eat cold cuts and cheeses with specials bread made with lard: tigelle, crescentine and piadine. Very famous in the world are also the Mortadella and Prosciutto. The most famous product of these lands is Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine grown between Bologna and Reggio Emilia. It is not a particularly expensive wine, but with its pleasant light taste and fruity bouquet it has conquered major success throughout the world. The hilly area behind Bologna has a much different vocation, this is the Colli Bolognesi DOC area. Good rd wind is also the Sangiovese id Romagna. Excellent wines are produced here including the whites Albana, Pignoletto, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco and Riesling or reds Barbera, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Finally, here the famous “Cremino FIAT” that was invented in 1911 to inaugurate the first Fiat car, the Tipo 4. This luscious nutty chocolate experience contains layers of hazelnut cream alternating with rich creamy light chocolate. Contains no dairy products. Made by the ancient pastry factory in Majani in Bologna.
In Bologna, it is customary to give a tip of around 10% for a satisfactory meal in restaurants and cafes where a service charge is not already included on the bill. Of course the amount of any tip should be a reflection of your enjoyment and level of service. It is normal practice to also reward porters, hotel maids and taxi drivers for services rendered of a high standard.
Bologna’s large student population has largely contributed to the city’s vibrant and varied nightlife. A number of clubs, of differing styles, cater for all music tastes and stay open into the night. Local partygoers tend to arrive at a venue around midnight to begin their night out, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bologna tourism information
Touristic city map
Touristic information and Welcome service of the Bologna Airport
Bologna in tour/online services of Bologna Municipality
CITY RED BUS