BRISTOL TO ITALY - TOP WEEKEND GETAWAYS
1. Pisa: from £54 return with Easyjet
Not to miss: Pisa Baptistery
Often overshadowed by the leaning tower, the Baptistery is an equally stunning monument with a spectacular pulpit presenting scenes from Christ’s life made by Nicola Pisano.
To miss: Street sellers
This applies all over Italy but particularly in Tuscany. Unlike other countries where it is only the illegal sellers who are punished, if you are caught purchasing goods from them by the police you can face up to a 2000 euro fine.
Not only is this a wonderful city in itself with plentiful tourist attractions, Pisa also acts as the perfect springboard for day trips into other cities and towns. Pop over to Siena and check out the stunningly intricate floor of the city’s Cathedral, or make the hour’s trip down to Florence to enjoy unparalleled views from Piazzale Michelangelo and indulge in the nation’s best ice cream at Gelateria della Passera.
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Is the pressure of exams weighing heavily on you this term? Want to get away for a weekend but can’t afford to break the bank before the summer holidays? We thought we’d check out the cheapest flights from Bristol to Italy this season and tickle your interest in a cheap retreat from the burdens of revision.
2. Bologna: from £49 return with Ryanair
Not to miss: Piazzale Maggiore
Go for an evening walk around this charming square and make sure to linger in a bar or café to truly take in the atmosphere. Don’t miss the Church of San Petronio or the Neptune Statue whose shadow projects onto the wall of the Palazzo Comunale at the right time of day.
To miss: An awkward idiomatic blunder
Whatever you do, be sure not to mix up the American style ‘bologna’ meat (wrongly claimed as having taken inspiration from the Bolognese ‘mortadella’ sausage) with actual ‘mortadella’ – a finely ground meat usually made into cubes. Italians take great pride in their cuisine so it is important to respect this when ordering something from a butcher.
Being a student city, Bologna is buzzing with young people and lively bars. If socialising is your thing then this should be your stop, and there are some great secluded beaches at an hour’s drive away in neighbouring Rimini and Cesenatico providing respite for the more relaxed traveller, whilst also maintaining a vibrant nightlife.
Photography: Martina - Flickr / Francesco Scaramella - Flickr