Maria Teresa and family were warm and welcoming and gave us good recommendations of places to go in Bologna - much better than an hotel as you really get to know how the people live ; Maria Teresa speaks English. I'm not a dog person, but the two little dogs here were charmingly placid. The short walk from her house to the main piazza is charmingly less touched by modernity than anything you will see in chain store British cities. The great pasticceria opposite the flat has locals going in and out; and local bars have a more relaxed vibe with young people enjoying a social drink without binging.
Go there!