Exploring Bologna, Italy
Shaping Cultural Experiences
Travel has been an integral part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual home in the Netherlands with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. My
Update & BBC News Link
A brief update: One interview video will be uploaded tomorrow evening. I believe the BBC News One-Minute World News provides well-balanced reporting of news, hence why I wanted to share it. Top stories on May
From Nigeria to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNkCazT_T4&feature=youtu.be
When you first meet Oluwagbeminiyi Osidipe, you encounter a very vibrant, friendly, and unique personality. Oluwagbeminiyi or Niyi – as she shortened her name for simplicity – was named by her mother, who had a “very personal experience” when she had her, Niyi explained. Niyi is a Yoruba Nigerian transplant who arrived in the U.S. in 2006. As one of the most densely populated (West) African countries, Nigeria derives its name from the river that spans its land. To the South, it borders the Gulf of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally colonized by the British, Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Its main ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, who speak English and their own respective languages, while major religions include Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Niyi shares her story, her views on politics, cultural differences she’s embraced with humor, and what we can learn from each other by expressing curiosity. Her message is simple: travel enriches us through its exposure to new cultures, and enables us to grow.
Mark Twain on Travel
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (American author Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad).
Have you had the opportunity to travel (extensively, within your country, or even once abroad)? Can you relate to Twain’s sentiments? How does travel enrich us?
Pleasing The Taste Palate
Food has the wonderful quality of uniting us no matter where we are. There is nothing partisan or narrow-minded about food. It simply invites us to indulge, create recipes, and share with others. Two of my favorite Polish dishes (included in collage) are pierogies and barszcz czerwony – a beetroot soup – served on Christmas Eve in Poland. How does food bring us together? What are some of your favorite dishes and why? Can food trigger memories?
Stereotypes: Truth or Fiction?
DEFINING STEREOTYPES: “An idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation.” (Merriam-Webster). Stereotypes enable bias and preconceived notions to perpetuate, but can also reveal valid
Annual Human Rights Report
“The world changed immeasurably over the course of 2011. Across the Middle East, North Africa, and far beyond, citizens stood up to demand respect for human dignity, more promising economic opportunities, greater political liberties, and
Euro Crisis & Emerging Stereotypes
Brief Crisis Breakdown Since the onset of the global financial crisis, or Great Recession, in 2007, the Eurozone has feared impending growing global debt levels, as well as sovereign debt within European countries themselves. In
Remembering Tiananmen
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing, China. Inflation, a lack of career prospects, the fall of Eastern European communism, and political corruption, are all said to have fueled anger
Coffee's Uniting Power
A cup of coffee can bridge cultural gaps. At least, that’s what Gizem Salgicil White, founder of Turkayfe.org, believes. Her organization aims to create awareness of Turkish culture, particularly within America. Gizem is a Turkish native,
Today’s guest post is by Rain Travels
It may seem odd that a guy is writing a post about a female-friendly destination, but it was something that really intrigued me during my recent visit to Bologna, Italy. Although, everyone should still take the usual precautions, out of all the cities I’ve visited so far, I would argue Bologna falls in the top three alongside Tokyo and Berlin.
One general explanation for this could be the strong middle class that’s present in Bologna. With a strong manufacturing base including the Lamborghini and Ducati factories alongside its packaging machinery industry, Bologna has a strong economy to compliment its family-focused culture. With this, throw in the fact that Bologna is a very LGBT friendly city with roots going back to the ‘70s, it’s no wonder I couldn’t help but notice the openness of the people.
Alongside the above, here are five other more reasons why Bologna, Italy is a must-visit for all female travelers:
1) Spas galore!
The region boasts many spas, including refreshing pools, therapeutic steam, relaxing hydro-massages and velvet-like mud. The sulfurous and chloride-, bromide-, and iodide-rich waters are packed with essential elements and have been used for thousands of years offering scientifically verified benefits, which purify your system of toxins, fight inflammation and restore vitality; so much so that all Italian citizens can take a spa treatment every year in partnership with the Italian National Health Service.
2) Bicycles are faster than cars
It’s a common joke among the locals that a bicycle is the fastest way to get around the city. After experiencing it myself, I’m not sure if it’s a joke or the truth and I noticed that the majority of cyclists were women. Whether it was to go to the market or out to meet friends, bikes were a very common form of transportation. As a visitor, renting a bike was quite easy and it took no time at all to get used to the streets or the traffic flow.
3) Life’s a Vespa.
What’s a visit to Italy without riding around town on a cute Vespa? Although it’s common for visitors to want to do the iconic Vespa ride, it can be quite intimidating especially in cities like Rome and Florence where it can get quite busy. Bologna is a great city to rent and ride a Vespa due to its lower traffic volumes and narrower streets (where cars can’t easily go). For an added treat, do a Vespa ride to the countryside of Bologna where you can experience majestic scenery, great views of the city and many local vineyards.
4) Women are Boss!
Although it could have been coincidental, I noticed that many businesses in Bologna are either owned or managed by women. Some places that I personally interacted with that were run by women include:
- Travelhoo.it – Tour agency
- Dynamo – Bike rental and tour agency.
- Altro? – A popular local restaurant
- Bologna Welcome – Bologna’s official convention and visitor bureau
- Lamborghini Factory – A surprising proportion of women on the manufacturing floor
Regardless, it goes to show that gender isn’t a barrier when it comes to working in Bologna.
5) Porticoes are well lit.
Bologna is the city of porticoes (covered walkways). With over 38kms of porticoes throughout the city that are very well lit, it is quite safe to walk about the city at night.
Need some more inspiration? Be sure to check out Bologna Welcome’s website for more ideas and things to experience in and around Bologna.
Safe Travels!
Is Bologna on your list of places to visit? Ever been? Share about your experience or ask questions in the comments!
About the author: Rain Travels is one of the newest and upcoming travel blogs from Canada. With a strategy-first approach, the goal is to reveal the gems of traveling, one location at a time. Learn more on the Rain Travels website, and follow Rain Travels on Twitter and Instagram.
Hi! I'm the founder of Culture With Travel and #CultureTrav. Please chat with us on social media and contribute in the comments! Follow @Nicolette_O
