time spent in Bologna - cooking school recommendations?

Do you intend to spend any time looking at Bologna itself? It is a beautiful and interesting city.

If you decide to have lunch or dinner in Ravenna, I like Bella Venezia the Centro Storico.

In Bologna, La Colombina is a great little tucked-away restaurant near the Duomo and Archeological Museum.

How about Padua?
Also, we followed Zoe's suggestion for lunch in Ravenna, Bella Veneaia, and were very pleased,

Hi
Our full itinerary is this:
Sunday -leave Philadelphia (overnight flight)
Monday - arrive Dubrovnik 2pm, wander around (jetlagged)
Tuesday - tour Dubrovnik
Wed morning/early afternoon - Dubrovnik. take bus to Cavtat, check into new hotel, go to beach
Thursday beach/pool. Flight leaves 5pm for Venice
Friday - wander around Venice - St Mark's. afternoon train to Bologna, wander around bologna
Saturday- All day food tour (basalmic vinegar, prosciutto, parmesan cheese)
Sunday - trip to Ravenna to see the beautiful Mosaics
Monday -?? market tour and cooking class. afternoon TBD ??
Tuesday - ?? TBD, leave for Venice.
Wed - Venice - shopping and cichetti bar hopping
Thursday - Fly home

need help with the Monday free day. We've been to Venice twice before hence little desire to spend much time there . Considered the dolomites but it looks like it's too far. Any suggestions welcome. If not, we may try to extend our time in Croatia and fly to Venice Sunday evening and simply have Monday ( Ravenna), Tuesday (food tour), Wed (Venice), then fly home

Thanks for suggestions

didn't see the other responses. considered Padua but not clear what's there other than more churches (we're a bit churched-out)? is Lake garda close enough to spend a night? is it worthwhile?

oh - and I forgot to ask. The flight from Dubrovnik lands in Venice at 7pm. The last train to Bologna (from Venezia Mestre train station, which I think is the closest to the airport), is at 7:54pm. We won't be checking bags so I am hoping that 35 min will be sufficient for us to get to the train station? that would leave us about 10 minutes to run and get a ticket and another 10 to find the platform and hop on.

I am worried about the feasibility of getting from the venice airport to the train station, which is why I booked a hotel in Venice for that evening. I'd prefer to go straight to Bologna if possible.

what do you think? is an hour enough time or should I keep the hotel reservation in Venice?

for some reason my responses keep getting chopped off. In any case, thanks too for the restaurant recommendations in Ravenna and Bologna... keep 'em coming!

Ravenna will indeed be a full day. I'd allow more than 4-5 hours to see all the mosaics. Do not skip the bus ride to Classe to see the basilica there.

Ferrara is another good day trip from Bologna.

I would plan on spending your first night in Venezia.

thanks Zoe. after i read your note, i realized that i did not calculate time to go through customs. looks like we definitely will stay in Venice that evening. thanks for your help!

You're welcome, Brenda. Check to see what sights in Ravenna may be closed on Mondays.