Ravenna

Go to the San Vitale complex (church, baptistry and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia), Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, and take the bus to Sant'Apollinare in Classe (about five minutes outside of town). There are a couple of other sights, but these are the major ones. There's also the Diocesan Museum. I wouldn't bother with the tomb of Theodoric.

If you need a hotel, I like the Hotel Centrale Byron.

And Zoe, when one is ravenous in Ravenna?

We loved Ravenna. Stayed one night at Palazzo Bezzi, best lodging under 100€ we have had ever. Bought the combined ticket to all the sights and managed to visit most, as well as Dante's tomb. The front desk clerk suggested we dine at Ca' de Vèn, and we were very happy there. Casual place, with shared tables, mostly locals, good food. The local soccer team was having a party so we knew it was OK.

benny,

The suggestions listed by Zoe cover the most important sights, so that would be a good place to start. Rick has a suggested walk in the Italy guidebook that also covers those and some other sights. If you're only spending a very short one night there, that will only provide a partial day for touring so I'm not sure you'll have enought time to "see/eat/do" very much. Is there any possibility you could spend two nights?

A couple of the restaurants that I really enjoyed were Ca de Ven and Ristorante La Gardela. I stayed at Hotel Italia, and both restaurants were an easy walk from the hotel.

Happy travels!

For dinner, I enjoyed the Ca’ de’ Ven, via C. Ricci 24 . Seating is at long tables, nice atmosphere, noisy and fun. Great sangiovese wine, and the pasta was excellent.

I stayed at Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi and highly recommend it. Breakfast was excellent and included fresh squeezed orange juice. It was a short, easy walk (less than 10 minutes) from the train station.

Definitely take the bus to San Apollinare in Classe. Be sure to get on at the right stop. The bus makes a circle around Ravenna. I had a half-hour unwanted tour of the city by bus before it stopped just a few meters from where I got on, and then it was a 10-minute ride to Classe!

The restaurant recommendations are all good. I'm sure you'll love Ravenna.

Thanks a lot for all the information! I was already booked at Palazzo Bezzi so it's good to see it suggested! :)