Gabriele is such a helpful, enthusiastic and gracious host. We felt at home in his lovely apartment. It was very clean and comfortable. The view of the towers over the roof tops from both the kitchen and the loggia was magic. The location is central making it very easy to get around. There is a cafe below in the piazza which is inexpensive with nice, young staff making it a perfect spot to start the day with an expresso or fresh made juice. There is a little organic market which sets up in the piazza on Monday evenings selling breads, pizza slices, cheese, fruit, vegetables, wine and beer...all right across from the opera house. It is a lively square full of a mix of tourists, students, locals and some colourful characters. It is in walking distance of many of the sites, restaurants and shopping. Bologna proved to be a delicious and cultured city and we enjoyed it all the more for having "lived" like a local.