The epicenter for many Italian staples, Bologna is the perfect stop for those looking for original Italian cuisine. It features vibrant markets, and many visitors choose to take a food tour so they can get the inside track on where to expience the local cuisine. Furthermore, the city is known as "The Red" due to its terracotta rooftops, which are best seen by climbing Asinelli Tower. The local university was founded in 1088 AD, making it the oldest in the western world.