Green Journey through Milan, Tuscany and Bologna

A corner of the Bosco Verticale skyscraper covered in greenery. Credit: Stefano Boeri Architetti

Transportation in Milan is also changing dramatically. The city has invested in the BikeMi public bike system, allowing visitors to rent a bike for just a few euros to travel around central areas such as Brera, Navigli or Porta Venezia. Many routes are planned specifically for bicycles and electric buses. It is not uncommon to see Milanese people wearing suits and wearing headphones to work in style every morning. It is an image that reflects the spirit of green living combined with a very Italian style.

A must-see in Milan is Parco Sempione, a vast park next to the Sforza Castle. Amidst the rustling leaves and guitars from art students, summer visitors can read, picnic or simply take a deep breath in the heart of a city once known for its industrial pace.

Tuscany: Wine Paradise & Endless Hills

From Milan, it takes less than two hours by train to reach Florence – the capital of Tuscany, Central Italy and considered the “cradle” of European art. And from Florence, visitors can easily explore the Tuscany summer with its wild, poetic and quiet scenery. This land is like a vivid picture with gentle hills, ancient cypress forests, vast vineyards and stone houses covered with wildflowers.

A cycling route in Tuscany

Green tourism in Tuscany can start with cycling through ancient villages. Cobblestone roads lead through villages like San Gimignano – once known as the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” because of its ancient stone towers and markets, or Pienza – a UNESCO heritage site with perfect Renaissance architecture and a wide view, the horizon or the brilliant starry sky at night with the naked eye.

One of the most popular experiences in Tuscany is to pick grapes by hand with the locals. From September to early October, many farms such as Fattoria La Vialla or Podere il Casale open their doors to visitors for the harvest. Here, visitors will be guided through the process of selecting ripe bunches, picking them with small scissors, sorting them, and taking them to the winery for traditional juicing.

The ancient village of Montepulciano in Tuscany is famous for its winemaking.

Not only that, wine enthusiasts can brew their own wine, bottle it, label it with their name and take it home as a souvenir. Cooking classes at the farm often include lessons in making wood-fired focaccia, or pici pasta with signature ragu sauce and fragrant truffles. Every moment in Tuscany is associated with a feeling of slow living, immersing yourself in the rhythm of nature and the land.

Tuscany also has a thriving eco-camping scene, set away from the city. Some campsites, such as Agricamping Romita or Podere Pianetti, are located in the woods or by a lake, using solar power, filtered well water and food from a nearby farm. Under the stars and the chirping of insects, you will understand why Tuscany is a place not to be rushed.

Bologna: Academic heart with modern rhythm

Old buildings in Bologna seen from above

From Florence, a 30-minute train ride will take you to Bologna. If Milan is the embodiment of fashion , Tuscany is the beauty of nostalgia, then Bologna offers a unique blend of intelligence, culture and modern ecological spirit. Home to the oldest university in Europe (University of Bologna, founded in 1088), Bologna always has a large presence of students - young people with open minds, behaving responsibly towards the living environment.

Bologna boasts one of the most environmentally friendly public transport networks in Italy, with electric buses, trams and hybrid routes running around the city. In particular, the city government limits private vehicle access to the old centre (Zona a Traffico Limitato), which significantly reduces emissions and noise.

On a street corner in Bologna

An unforgettable experience in Bologna is cycling through the nearly 40 km long portico – recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. While avoiding the harsh summer sun, cyclists can also walk through history, stopping at any antique bookstore or visiting a streetside cafe. In the evening, the central square often becomes a giant public cinema, showing classic and modern works from many world cinemas.

An open-air cinema in the center of Bologna

Bologna is also the “green lung” of the Emilia-Romagna region with more than 30 large and small parks. The most prominent is Giardini Margherita, a public park of nearly 26 hectares with a lake, small forest and botanical garden. This is an ideal place for picnics, morning yoga or simply sitting on a bench reading a book.

The city also regularly hosts organic food festivals, farmers markets, and campaigns to exchange recyclables for eco-friendly gifts. It is this sense of community that makes Bologna more than just a destination, but a place where anyone who visits feels like they are living among kind and responsible people.

From the rhythm of bicycles in the old streets of Milan, the plump grapes in Tuscany, to the cool breeze from the park lake in Bologna, the green travel journey in Italy is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeper and connect with the land, sky and people.

In the context of global climate change and highly industrialized life, choosing green tourism is not only a civilized choice, but also an act that demonstrates the living identity of the modern generation - knowing how to enjoy, protect and appreciate what nature has to offer.

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Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/hanh-trinh-xanh-qua-milan-tuscany-va-bologna/