Next post lockdown trip planned

Don't forget the mosaic site just outside Ravenna in Classe. I recall that one as having a bunch of old sarcophagi as well. Twenty-five minutes might still be fine. I day-tripped to Ravenna and saw all seven mosaic sites. My interest was aesthetic rather than religious, so it's possible others would need more time; for example, I didn't feel rushed at the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, but some people like to book two tickets there.

I have a vague recollection that one of the Ravenna mosaic sites was in a sort of museum-like setting. That one might benefit from more time, but I have no idea which one it was.

Other great sights in Florence include the Bargello Museum, Medici Tombs, Or San Michele, the market, and (I'm told) the Galileo Museum and Pitti Palace.

See "Explore Europe" on this website for our host's priorities in Florence and Venice. My Venice picks would be San Marco, Doge's Palace, Correr Museum, San Giorgio Maggiore, Santa Maria della Salute, Frari Church, Scuola San Rocco, Ghetto, Ca' Rezzonico. The Peggy Guggenheim Museum for modern art if that's your thing. Maybe an island -- Murano for glass, Burano for lace and atmosphere, Torcello for history. Get vaporetto passes for however long you'll be there, they can help with sore feet and provide grand canal tours. Individual rides are expensive and, if you're like me, you'll get on the wrong boat or one going the wrong way more than once, and that's easier to handle if the ride is "free." Leave time to wander and get lost.

Overall yes, probably 25 minutes per site might be enough. I'm a true mosaics junkie, though, and took easily an hour in Sant 'Apollinare and in San Vitale. Do I understand from your question to mean that Barley will be walking around Ravenna with you, and you will take turns going into the mosaic sites and staying outside on the street with him? If so, I would suggest you might want to make one small tweak to the plan. Two of the main sights, The Basilica di san Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placida are actually within the same grounds. The Mausoleum is rather behind the Basilica in the back of the church grounds and I'm not sure that you would be allowed to walk Barley on the church grounds. At least, this is how I remember it, and I've been there twice in the last four years.... There is also a back exit from the Basilica from which it's only about a two minute walk to the entrance of the Mausoleum but then it's a good 5 minute walk or more back out to the street. I would suggest that you schedule back-to-back visits for each person for those two sights. In other words, one of you sees the Basilica at 3:00 and the Mausoleum at 3:30, then the other person sees them at 4:00 and 4:30 (or even 4:30 and 5:00; you don't want to cut short your time in San Vitale!). You would actually get a lot more time inside this way, rather than walking all the way back out to the street to arrange the Barley hand-off twice. PS: I love your trip reports! Thanks for bringing us along on your inter-Italy travels these days!!

I enjoy the free (plus a tip) walking tours in Venice and Florence. They aren’t a pure history class but you see an area around a neighborhood just outside the congested tourist area and get ideas on reasonable places to eat. Both cities have multiple options just look up free walking tours and sign up for one that appeals to you. We liked the attic tour of the Doge’s palace in Venice (can’t remember the exact name). You have to reserve a time. After the tour you can visit the downstairs area that general admission covers. Got lucky, during our tour it was raining outside.

Hi Karen, I think 25 minutes each will be fine. I would recommend reading some history & mosaic details on-line ahead of time, so you know what you’re seeing. I really was happy that I brought a small pair of binoculars, if you have that option.

You might want to have one of you take the first three half-hours, for instance, of the sites close together and then switch people, so the second person could wander a bit, enjoy a gelato, etc. without needing to watch the clock so closely.

On our third visit to Venice, we finally booked a time slot to go to the top of the Campanile in San Marco Square. There is an elevator, and the waiting time was limited. The view was spectacular, and it gives an entirely different perspective on an incredible city. Since we started our international travels later in life, we had never had a chance to see the bird's eye view of any of the places we had visited. Venice was really the perfect view.

Hi Karen,
I am so excited for you. In addition to many favorite attractions mentioned up thread, how about taking Barley to Lido di Venezia? I read that the beach is dog friendly. We were there a couple years ago during the film festival. We particularly enjoyed Burano and Torcello. One of our favorite activities was touring the Jewish Ghetto. Afterwards we had a delicious lunch at Gam Gam by the canal. Don't rule out taking the Vaporetto to San Giorgio Maggiore. It's situated directly across the lagoon from Piazza San Marco and Doge's Palace. The small island of San Giorgio Maggiore is home to one of the most unique Venice viewpoints. Great way to get away from San Marco! Our favorite restaurant to enjoy an unparalleled view of the Grand Canal is Bar Foscarini in Dorsoduro. We had lunch and enjoyed a Spritz.

Looking forward to your next trip report. Buon Viaggio!