'A touch of faith and a dash of hope is all it takes to see through adversity. - North Italian Proverb (loosely translated).
Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, as millions of tourists each year come and go through a variety of attractions that it has to offer. But one would be absolutely justified in a large majority of these tourists follow a formulaic path of visiting only a handful of big cities that are already there on the global tourism map. It would not take a genius to figure out which ones we are talking out. Yes, the holy trinity of tourism “ Venice, Rome and Florence certainly features amongst them. In addition, a few coastal towns along the Mediterranean and a few islands like Sicily “ and that's that. That's just about how nine out of ten tourists see the potential of Italian tourism as.
But quite clearly, there is a lot more lies over and beyond these trodden paths of tourism in Italy. Ferrara definitely would be a top ranker in that context.
Located in the North of Italy, Ferrara is a historic town that epitomizes the Italian way of life that most of us have come to get accustomed to through popular media (movies, concerts, arts etc.). Beautifully ornate town center that is riddled with adorable little shops, artistically “ at times, quite profoundly “ decorated cathedrals and chapels, a host of art galleries and museums, quaint cobblestoned alleyways and bustling ancient markets, fancy restaurants and warmly fuzzy road-side cafes “ everything that a tourist needs to live a laidback life “ even if it's just for a few days “ is present right here in Ferrara.
If this description has intrigued your interest and roused your enthusiasm, we can only hope that you would make the right call in calling Ferrara your next travel destination!
Just to catalyse things for you, here is a short and simple debrief of various hotels in Ferrara and what you should be expecting from the hospitality industry that operates here in a general sense.
Budget Hotels in Ferrara
Ferrara is, as we have generously mentioned in the introduction of the article, a rather low profile travel destination. This means that tourists can usually find good deals on lodging options here, throughout the year. That fact perhaps stands in the best regards, as far as the potential for tourism development in Ferrara is concerned.
Among cheap hotels here, there seems to be a common denominator. Most of the budget hotels in Ferrara manage to bring the best of hospitality to the tourists at affordable rates “ an occurrence that is quite unheard of in the rest of Italy, or the world for that matter. This simply means that Ferrara is one of those places where you can really hope to get the best value for your money “ and then some!
Talking about cheap hotels that can be found in Ferrara, we have come up with two perfect choices beyond which tourists need not look for, unless they have specific travel requirements.
B&B Hotel Ferrara is the one we will be starting this thread with. It is located centrally and is easily accessible from all ends of the city. It offers modest accommodation characterized by good food, spacious and hygienic rooms, cooperative staff and travel assistance. Usual nightly tariff here is around $70 per room, per person.
A good alternative to B&B Hotel Ferrara is presented by Hotel Daniela. This is a quintessentially Italian hotel where you can find homely warmth to go alongside professionally operated suites and rooms. Average nightly tariff at Hotel Daniela hovers around $100 per person, per room.
Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Ferrara
Not all tourists look for cutting the corners and saving some cash. Some just prefer to go all-broke and book the best resorts in the business!
For such large-hearted spenders, we have an assortments of luxury Ferrara hotels that is sure to strike their fancy and catch their imagination.
Best Western Palace Inn Hotel Ferrara is, by many accounts, the best luxury hotel in the city. There is really no necessity to go raving about the quality of Best Wester properties, since most tourists are likely to know that already. Prices here are quite hefty, starting from $199 per night (on an average).
Hotel Annunziata is among the best scenic resorts in Ferrara. It is a grand property that boasts of all the modern facilities that one can think of, in addition to the regular luxury-types.
Independent and Boutique Hotels in Ferrara
If you are rather picky about your accommodation plans, we are somewhat disappointed to let you know that there are not too many Ferrara hotels that you can count on to provide you a perfect mix of homestay and hotel experience.
Independent and boutique hotel establishments do exist on the outskirts of the city, but they are too few and too far between, meaning that it really isn't a wise travel strategy to count on them!
Holiday rental villas can be found in the areas surrounding the city, as well.
Do's and Dont's of Sightseeing in Ferrara
- Do learn the basics of Italian language “ at least usual greetings and communication starters.
- Do make sure that your credit cards are accepted in Italy, before boarding the plane!
- Do carry traveler's checks if you feel uneasy depending just upon your credit card.
- Don't overlook the scenic areas surrounding Ferrara.
- Don't miss out on various art festivals that are regularly arranged in Ferrara, pretty much all around the year.
Hotels Near Ferrara Airport
Ferrara is not serviced by a dedicated airport. The nearest domestic airport to Ferrara is Bologna Airport (approximately 50 km), while the nearest international airport to Ferrara has to be Venice's Marco Polo Airport (approximately 120 km).
Considering the distances, it is quite clear that looking for hotel options in Ferrara that are nearby the airport is just futile. That said, tourists can look for good lodging options near the Ferrara train station. The said train station lies on the rail track connecting Venice and Florence.