I fly into Bologna and would like to spend a day in Ravenna before starting my trip. Would you suggest a tour or doing a self tour? I was planning to take the train from Bologna to Ravenna. I want to gain an understanding of the mosaics and their history. I thought a good tour guide might be helpful since it will be one day. Any suggestions?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Faye,
I don't know of any local tours, but there may be some listed in the guidebook. It's easy to tour the Mosaics on your own, using the information in the book.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34350 posts
I found it very easy on my own to get to and appreciate the various locations. At the first location I picked up the multi-entrance ticket which gave information and a once entrance to each location. There is plenty of printed information available there. I also picked up a DVD which has great photography about each.
Ravenna is a lovely town and I spent a most enjoyable day there. Doing all the locations does take a bit of walking.
Going by train from Bologna you may go direct or you may have an easy change at Ferrara.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Faye, you can do this on your own with a little sdvance reading, and the info from the TI office.
There are combo tickets but no one pass covers all sights. Be sure to take the bus to Classe (about ten minutes) to see the mosaics there. In my opinion, the Tomb of Theodoric isn't worth the effort unless you have a car and extra time.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2112 posts
We spent a few days in Ravenna. With the combo ticket and information provided we did a pretty thorough all day trek that included a run to Classe, which may have been an additional admission charge; I don't recall. If you go to Classe by bus, the stop...I think...is across the street from the station and not the bus stop directly in front of the station (despite good directions from Rick, we stood at the wrong one for longer than I like to admit). These mosaics are fascinating and well worth the trip IMO. We thought Ravenna was lovely and easy to do. Also some Dante connections. Many people ride bikes and there are rentals available. If you consider an overnight stay I highly recommend the hotel Albergo Capello. I also recommend the Ristorante la Gardela, welcoming and friendly, excellent meals, large portions and hospitable staff. During our stay we also did a daytrip to Ferrara. Safe travels.
Posted by
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
I'll add my two cents and agree we saw Ravenna pretty easily on our own.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I did use a local guide in Ravenna in April 2015 and was glad I did. I found Cinzia through this website: https://www.toursbylocals.com/find_tour&area=661
She has several different tours she offers depending on the amount of time you have available. I highly recommend her.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
Faye, I visited Ravenna on my own as a day trip in May of 2014. Easy to do by train, and the mosaics in various sites around town are magnificent, although I did not go to any of the mosaic sites outside of town. However, at San Vitale when I was there, there were some school groups with teachers or guides who were pointing out and discussing the various figures in the beautiful and complex mosaics, and I envied them (but I could not really hear or understand the guides). It was difficult to consult a book in that lighting, constantly looking down at the book, then up at the mosaics. If you can latch onto a good tour or guide, I think that would be ideal, and would greatly enhance the experience. I'll add that while in Sicily, not in Ravenna, near a church with beautiful mosaics, I visited a small mosaic workshop, run by artisans who also do repairs on the ancient mosaics in the church. I bought a very small mosaic made by them, just about 2 x 3 inches, but quite intricate and a little pricey for the minuscule size, and I love looking at it regularly, it's standing on the windowsill right next to my favorite easy chair. One of my favorite mementos from Italy!