Ravenna & Bologna -private tour

Overview

The artistic and political history of Ravenna saw a period of renewed splendour at the beginning of the V Century a.D. (402-403 a.D.), when Honorius, who had been forced to abandon Milan by the Visigoth invasion, chose Ravenna as the new capital of the Western Roman Empire. -Discovering beautiful Bologna is a wounderful experience When you think of Italy, famous cities like Rome, Venice and Florence definitely come to mind and while these are home to wonderful landmarks they are also places for mass tourism but if you want to escape the crowds and discover a part of Italy that isn’t often talked about come and visit Bologna an underrated city - from a foreign tourist perspective - that will help you get a sense of what the country and culture is truly about. It may not be a top tourist venue but it is a living breathing Italian experience, which can be hard to find in more popular destinations

What's included

• ✓Private transportation
• ✓Bottled water

• ✕Museum tickets

What you'll do

1. 1

   Bologna: a city of art Bologna is unusual for the consistency of the urban structure within its medieval walls, which were built in the fourteenth century. This urban structure is still intact and dominates, even visually, the single architectural works of art. In Florence and in Rome, the individual buildings are more important than the layout of the cities, whereas in Bologna the reverse is true. Here, even the most beautiful Renaissance and Baroque palaces are part of the medieval city plan, which extends like the spokes of a wheel from the heart of the city (marked by the two leaning towers, Asinelli and Garisenda).

   ⏱ 2 hours
2. 2

   Approaching the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia it is not imagined that the simplicity of the exterior hides in a few square meters such splendid mosaics, the oldest in Ravenna. We do not exaggerate if we say that the atmosphere of the Mausoleum is magical. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna It was Emperor Honorius (who moved the capital of the western empire from Milan to Ravenna in 402) who wanted this mausoleum to dedicate it to his sister Galla Placidia. The theme of the mosaics, in fact, is the victory of life over death, in accordance with the funeral destination of the building. But it is the starry sky reproduced on the vault that most strikes the visitors' imagination and remains etched forever in the eyes. It seems that the same thing happened to Cole Porter, who went to Ravenna on his honeymoon in the late 1920s. The story goes that it was the starry sky of the mausoleum that inspired the famous Night and Day.

   ⏱ 30 min
3. 3

   The Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna 2 This octagonal temple (the eight was a symbol of Resurrection because it was seven, time, plus one, God) is among the most important monuments of early Christian art in Italy. The Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna The Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna Not only for the splendor of its mosaics but for the complete adhesion to the canons of oriental art: there are no naves but only an octagonal central core surmounted by a frescoed dome. If you can take your eyes off the mosaics, especially from Theodora's face, you will notice a series of concentric circles with arrows on the ground: it is a labyrinth, as found in many Christian churches. It symbolizes the path out of sin towards purification. If you want to try to get out of the maze, we give you a little help: you start from the center, find out the rest.

Availability & pricing

Pick your exact date & check live availability on the booking page.

Good to know

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.