Ferrara

Ferrara lies about 50 km (31 miles) north-east of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna on the edge of the Po plain, and regional trains cover the distance in about 30 minutes for roughly EUR 4-6 one way, with departures every 15-30 minutes. The Renaissance city centre is UNESCO-listed, planned for the Este dukes in the 15th and 16th centuries. The main sight is the Castello Estense on Largo Castello, a moated brick fortress in the middle of town with state rooms, dungeons and towers open to visitors. Nearby stands the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, with its striped marble facade, and the medieval Via delle Volte. Ferrara's best-loved activity is cycling or walking on the roughly 9 km of intact city walls, which circle the old town on a tree-lined path; bicycles are rented in several shops near the station and castle. The Jewish ghetto, with its narrow lanes, synagogues and the museum of Italian Jewish history, is another worthwhile stop. For lunch, visitors can try cappellacci di zucca, pasticcio di maccheroni and the local salama da sugo, with coppia ferrarese bread. A suggested one-day arc is an arrival by 09:30, the castle and cathedral in the morning, lunch in the centre, a bike ride on the walls in the afternoon, and a return train in the early evening. Spring and autumn suit cycling best, summer afternoons can be hot, and winter fog is common on the plain. Many museums close on Mondays, and the centre has a ZTL, so the train is easier than driving, although the A13 reaches the city in about 40 minutes. The station is roughly 1.5 km from the castle, so a bicycle or short walk fits the route well.