Please sign in to post.

Where to go from Ravenna before Venice (if anywhere)?

We will be getting off our cruise in Ravenna early on a Monday morning. We want to ultimately end and fly home from venice, but am looking not to head home until Friday. Trying to make the most of our days that we will have.
So, we are looking at Bologna, Verona or Ferrara as a stopover for a night before heading to Venice.

We think a day and a half in Ravenna after getting off the ship since we disembark very early in the am.

So, wondering, should we stay in Ravenna for more than a day and a 1/2 (if there a lot to see/do there) and then head directly to Venice? We have been to Venice before, but didn't make it to Murano or Burano, so, would a day and a 1/2 there not be enough to do that if we stopped elsewhere after Ravenna???
Appreciate any helpful input on this? TIA

Posted by
17560 posts

Think in terms of where you will spend the night. Monday and Tuesday nihght in Ravenna, then Wednesday and Thursday night in Venice sounds just right to me.

Posted by
28247 posts

I had to rush to just about finish my hit list in Ravenna in two full days, but I'm a big fan of mosaics and wanted to see all the related places in the area, plus the local art museum. (There's more there than the top seven or so sites showing up on all the lists.) There's also a newish historical museum out in Classe, not far from St. Apollinare in Classe, one of the top mosaic sites; I didn't have time for the historical museum. I think 1-1/2 days would be a good amount of time for someone not as obsessed as I am.

Unless you are shopping for serious glass, you can see Burano and Murano in a single day. You can also see Torcello if you get a reasonably early start.

I am convinced by others that Ferrara is a great destination, but I haven't been there yet. I'm a fan of Padua, Treviso and Bologna. The first two are quick trips from Venice. I think you'll find all trains between Ravenna and Venice require a change in either Ferrara or Bologna, so you have lots of rational options. I'd say Treviso has fewer go-inside sights than the other places I've mentioned.

Posted by
7877 posts

I have stayed in Bologna, Verona, Padova/Padua, Ferrara, Ravenna & Venice.

For this quick stop, I would suggest Ferrara. Ferrara has a castle in the center of town & several good museums including an archeological museum with a wonderful collection of Etruscan artifacts from the excavation of Spina.

On the other hand, if you enjoy opera and will be traveling during Verona’s opera season, it’s a special experience to attend an opera in Verona at the outdoor historic Roman Arena.

I stayed in Ravenna two nights and also returned on a later trip to see the highlights again during a day trip from Ferrara. There’s no wrong choice, although given the chance I would stay in Ferrara for an amazing dinner, also. : )

Posted by
2094 posts

Like Acraven, We really enjoyed the mosaics in Ravenna as well as other sights. In fact I was bedazzled and spent two entire days visiting this historic and lovely town. It is flat and easy to walk. I also agree with Lola that two nights would be well spent. We had a terrific stay some years ago at the Albergo Cappello. Our room in the 15C building was huge (palatial?) as was the modern, large bathroom. The folks there were among the kindest, friendliest and most helpful of any hotel we have ever visited. A restaurant is attached and the included breakfast was excellent. We also enjoyed dinner at the very nearby Ristorante La Gardela, which I believe was recommended by Rick. Good food, not fussy, and warm and welcoming service. Safe travels. One of our travel highlights.