Forget Milan and Rome, when it comes to nightlife in Italy it's Bologna that beats. The locals are some of the most forward thinking, friendly and liberal people in the country. The city also boasts Europe's oldest university and the large student population ensures that the scene in terms of bars and clubs is booming.
The historic centre is a delightful warren of arcades, secret passages and walkways. Bologna is also a bargain; you can eat, drink and play here for a fraction of the cost of a night out at home. Most three-course meals with wine cost less than £15 and it's impossible to eat badly in Italy's culinary capital.
Liquid
Nu Lounge, via dei Musei 6, is contemporary style and fusion fare where you can neck cocktails and snacks for a fiver a pop. Eat oysters, caviar and antipasti while drinking at Il Calice, via Clavature 13/a. Formerly a dairy shop, Osteria-Caffetteria il Marsalino, via Marsala 13/d, is tiny but great for aperitifs, poetry and even theatre - cabaret on Thursday.
Refuelling
Rosarose Bistrot, via Clavature, 18b (00 39 051 225071), on one of Bologna's trendiest lanes, dishes up great plates of pasta, salads and Mediterranean fare. About £12 per head. The steamship-like interior of Il Veliero Ristorante and Pizzeria, via Milazzo 11a (+051 255888), gets crammed with families and students tucking into fresh seafood, giant-sized pizzas and pastas. Around £10 per head. Sit on the cool pavement terrace or tuck yourself away in the panelled interior of Grassilli Ristorante, via dal Luxxo 3 (+051 222961). Great risottos, pastas and fresh fish for approx £15 per head. Ristorante Diana, via Indipendenza 24 (00 39 051 231302) is Bologna's best restaurant for around just £25 per head. Don't miss tagliatelle alla Bolognese.
What's on?
For details of upcoming events see bolognaturismo.info. Teatro Manzoni hosts concerts, and for opera Teatro Comunale (comunalebologna.it) is second only to La Scala. Tickets from £25.
Party
For outdoor dancing you can't beat Club Chalet Giardini, via Meliconi 1, on an island in an ornamental lake in the Margherita gardens. Set over three floors in the historic Sampieri Palace, Kasmatta, via Sampieri 3, houses a club, restaurant and Buddha-themed bar. La Scuderia, Piazza Verdi 2 is home to a restaurant-cum-bar-cum-club in a former Renaissance stables.
Chill
Take a hike in the covered arcade with 666 arches climbing up the hillside to the Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca or soak up the rays in the Giardini Margherita.
Rest your head
For minimalist style at rock bottom prices, UNA Hotel Bologna (+051 60 80 1, unahotels.it), has doubles from £50 B&B.
Way to go
EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies Stansted-Bologna from £41 return, including taxes.
Further information
Bologna Tourist Office (+051 246541, bolognaturismo.info).