Ravenna

Walk through a living golden age in Ravenna, the most extraordinary city of early Christian and Byzantine art in the Western world, where eight UNESCO World Heritage sites—among them the breathtaking Basilica di San Vitale with its shimmering mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora, the serene Mausoleo di Galla Placidia (the “jewel box” of Ravenna with its star-studded dome), and the majestic Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo lined with processions of saints and virgins in radiant gold—create the finest concentration of 5th–6th-century mosaics anywhere on Earth. Stroll the quiet, atmospheric streets of the historic center past the elegant Battistero Neoniano (the oldest surviving octagonal baptistery with its stunning mosaic dome), the Tomb of Dante (where the poet rests in exile), and the lively Piazza del Popolo lined with cafés and historic arcades, or simply soak in the peaceful aura of a city that feels suspended between Rome’s fall and the rise of Byzantium—all in a compact, walkable gem that perfectly balances profound artistic legacy, understated Italian charm, and the warm hospitality of Emilia-Romagna just 1.5 hours from Bologna.

Savor rich cappelletti in brodo, creamy piadina romagnola with squacquerone and prosciutto, sweet zuppa inglese, and crisp Romagna Sangiovese wine amid golden mosaics, quiet cloisters, and the unmistakable sense of a place where light and color have danced on walls for 1,500 years.

Ravenna isn’t just a destination—it’s Italy’s most radiant Byzantine treasure of mosaics, history, and timeless wonder—plan your Ravenna escape today!

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