Art & Architecture of Ravenna and Bologna Tour
Art & Architecture of Ravenna and Bologna Tour
4 Days Starting in London, United Kingdom and ending in Bologna, Italy
Visiting: Bologna, Ravenna
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 25
Special diets catered:
Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Italy with the "Art & Architecture of Ravenna and Bologna Tour." This captivating journey takes you through the heart of Ravenna and Bologna, where you'll explore stunning Byzantine art, ancient mausoleums, and magnificent basilicas. Highlights include visits to the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Basilica di San Petronio, and the central Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, as well as the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. Enjoy comfortable accommodations at the four-star Hotel Bisanzio, two dinners with wine, and insightful lectures by art historian Clare Ford-Wille. With return flights from London, airport transfers, and entrance fees included, this tour offers a seamless and enriching experience for art and history enthusiasts.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:Â Fly To Bologna And Visit Mausoleum Of Theodoric
Location: Bologna
Accommodation Name: Hotel Bisanzio
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly from London to Bologna. On arrival, transfer to the ancient Mausoleum of Theodoric, built in 520AD as a tomb before being converted into an oratory by the Byzantines. After our visit we will transfer to the Hotel Bisanzio for a three-night stay. Evening lecture at the hotel from Clare Ford-Wille, ' Medieval to Baroque: the art and architecture of Bologna ', followed by a welcome drink and dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2:Â Full Day Bologna.
Location: Bologna
Accommodation Name: Hotel Bisanzio
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is a full day in Bologna, with visits to the Basilica di San Petronio and the central Piazza Maggiore. Inside the unfinished Gothic-style San Petronio you'll find chapels with a wealth of frescoes. We also visit San Giacomo Maggiore, which houses the Bentivoglio Chapel featuring numerous Renaissance artworks, followed by Santa Cecilia Oratory to view the beautiful 16th century frescoes. We will also visit the 17th century Anatomical theatre in Bologna's medical school. After free time for lunch (not included) we visit the Unicredit Bank, housed in the late Renaissance Palazzo Magnani, to examine the frescoed friezes inside, including work by the Carracci brothers. We continue our visits in the afternoon to the Pinacoteca Nazionale to view the likes of Raphael, Guido Reni and the Carracci family. This evening there will be a lecture from Clare Ford-Wille, ' The Mosaics of Ravenna ', followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 3:Â Full Day Ravenna.
Location: Ravenna
Accommodation Name: Hotel Bisanzio
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a full day in Ravenna, with morning visits to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and the Basilica of San Vitale, both highly important examples of Early Christian and Byzantine art and architecture, combining Roman and Byzantine elements and wonderful Byzantine mosaics. We will also visit the Domus Tappeti dei Pietra, one of the most important Italian archaeological sites discovered in recent decades and consisting of 14 rooms paved with polychrome mosaics and marble. In the afternoon there are visits to the Neonian Baptistery, the Arian Baptistery and Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, all built in the 5th and 6th centuries and replete with spectacular early Christian mosaics. Evening at leisure.
Day 4:Â Sant' Apollinare In Classe, Bologna And Home.
Location: Bologna
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we visit the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare in Classe with its characteristic cylindrical bell tower and lavish mosaics. Onwards to Bologna for our final visits which include the Palazzo Poggi, home of the university museums, the Basilica di Santo Stefano, the atmospheric religious complex that includes the city's oldest church and the Basilica of Saint Dominic - home to the exquisite shrine by Nicola Pisano and Arnolfo di Cambio with additions from Michelangelo. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
What's Included
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Return flights from London to Bologna
Return flights from London to Bologna are included.
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Three nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Bisanzio
Three nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Bisanzio, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room, are included.
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Two dinners with wine at a local restaurant
Two dinners with wine at a local restaurant are included.
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Two lectures at the hotel
Two lectures at the hotel are included.
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Airport transfers, tours and entrance fees
Airport transfers, tours, and entrance fees are included.
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Clare Ford-Wille and tour manager throughout
Clare Ford-Wille and a tour manager will be present throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
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Single supplement or double for sole use supplement
Single supplement or double for sole use supplement is not included.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those stated in the inclusions are not included.
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
, are not included. -
Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
Mode of Transport
Return flights from London to Bologna are included, along with airport transfers. The tour also includes transportation to various sites in Bologna and Ravenna, ensuring a comfortable and convenient travel experience.
Accommodation
The modern four-star Hotel Bisanzio is located in the centre of Ravenna, close to the historic quarter and a number of shops, restaurants and trattorie. Communal areas are stylishly decorated to recall the days when Ravenna was an ancient capital and there is a peaceful garden area to enjoy. Rooms are bright, well-furnished and comfortable, with air-conditioning, private bathroom with bath or shower, TV, minibar, safe and hairdryer.
MORE INFO
Your Lecturer - Clare Ford-Wille
Clare has lectured in most areas of art history for over thirty-five years. She still teaches at the University of London, where she obtained her degree at Birkbeck, but also lectures regularly for Morley College, the City Literary Institue, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Branches of The Arts Scoiety throughout Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Every year since 1978 Clare has led art study tours to places of artistic importance throughout Europe and the USA, including Amsterdam, Padova and Vicenza.
For a personal account of this holiday please follow the link below to a blog by Jeff Cotton, a traveller on our Ravenna and Bologna tour (April 2014). We would like to thank Jeff for this contribution
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be leading the tour?
The tour will be led by Clare Ford-Wille, an experienced lecturer in art history, along with a tour manager.
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Is there any free time during the tour?
Yes, there is free time for lunch on Day 2 in Bologna.
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What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes return flights from London to Bologna, airport transfers, and transportation to various sites in Bologna and Ravenna.
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What is not included in the tour package?
The tour package does not include single supplement or double for sole use supplement, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc., and porterage and gratuities.
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What are some of the key sites visited in Ravenna?
In Ravenna, the tour includes visits to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Basilica of San Vitale, Domus Tappeti dei Pietra, Neonian Baptistery, Arian Baptistery, and Sant' Apollinare Nuovo.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes three nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Bisanzio in Ravenna. The hotel is centrally located, close to the historic quarter and various shops, restaurants, and trattorie. Rooms are well-furnished and comfortable, featuring air-conditioning, private bathrooms, TV, minibar, safe, and hairdryer.
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What are some of the key sites visited in Bologna?
In Bologna, the tour includes visits to the Basilica di San Petronio, Piazza Maggiore, San Giacomo Maggiore, Santa Cecilia Oratory, the 17th century Anatomical Theatre, Unicredit Bank in Palazzo Magnani, and the Pinacoteca Nazionale.
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Are there any lectures included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes two lectures by Clare Ford-Wille: 'Medieval to Baroque: the art and architecture of Bologna' on Day 1 and 'The Mosaics of Ravenna' on Day 2.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes three breakfasts and two dinners with wine at a local restaurant. Meals other than those stated in the inclusions are not included.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Thursday - Sunday
Apr 10, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.