Bologna is a historical city, the main city in Emilia-Romagna famous for its cuisine , and for its architectural palette of reds, oranges, and yellows, hence the name of Bologna la rossa , as well as its twentieth-century history as a communist stronghold in Italy. The city has grown more and more popular with tourists, who see it as an excellent destination for a one-day-stopover on their trip-route, especially between Venice and Florence. Bologna is not typically a tourist city, do not be surprised with the excessive graffiti, unclean streets, and difficulty in communication . However, if one is looking for an authentic Italian experience in a working city, then Bologna is a wonderful option. The town centre is one of the best preserved throughout Europe, the Bolognese porticos are particularly interesting because of their history, and the city is home to the first university in the world.