Why do we say "a Bologna" but "in Italia"?

Question

Why do I say *io vado **a** Bologna* (city) and *io vado **in** Italia* (country)?For example, I can’t say *io vado **ad** Italia*.Why do we always use *in* (not *a*) for countries and *a* (not *in*) for cities?

Answer 1

Ciao!

Prepositions can be hard to understand, but if we have some rules to follow it can be easier.

We use the preposition ''A'' with Cities (Roma, Bologna) and small Islands (Capri, Ischia) and the preposition ''IN'' with Continents (in Europa), Countries(in Italia), States (in California), Regions (in Campania, Lazio), big Islands (in Sicilia, in Sardegna).

I hope this was helpful!

Answer 2

there is no reason, it's just the use.

e.g.: vado IN campagna A cavallo, tu vai A scuola IN bicicletta, lui va A piedi IN centro, e noi andiamo IN auto A teatro.

It's crazy, but also very engaging, isn't it?