Art & Architecture of Ravenna and Bologna
Art & Architecture of Ravenna and Bologna
Art & Architecture of Ravenna and Bologna
4 Days Starting and ending in London Heathrow
Visiting: Italy
Tour operator:
Tour code:
RAV/7779
Specialist Group:
Fifty+
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 27
Age range:
50+
Tour Overview
Emilia-Romagna's Bologna and Ravenna boast wonderful but different artistic and cultural landmarks. Bologna is a medieval tour de force - a jumble of atmospheric streets, lined with red brick and arcades, leading to magnificent Renaissance palazzi and medieval piazzas. Ravenna, once an important city at the heart of the Roman Empire, has quiet antique lanes lined with an eclectic mix of late Roman and early Byzantine architecture, and a crowning glory in the finest set of Byzantine mosaics in the world. Join Clare Ford-Wille to discover the art and architecture of these glorious cities.
The group size on this tour is limited to 25 passengers to ensure that smaller sites can be visited and that you get a high level of attention.
Highlights
-
Stay in the heart of exquisite Ravenna
-
Glorious Bologna - magnificent Basilica of Saint Dominic and fascinating 17th century Anatomical Theatre
-
Two lectures from renowned art historian, Clare Forde-Wille
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly from London to Bologna. On arrival, transfer to Ravenna (approx. one hour) to check-in for a three night stay at the Hotel Bisanzo. Afternoon visit to the ancient Mausoleum of Theodoric, built in 520AD as a tomb before being converted into an oratory by the Byzantines. Lecture at the hotel, 'Medieval to Baroque: the art and architecture of Bologna', followed by a welcome drink and dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Today is a full day in Bologna, with morning visits to the Basilica of Saint Dominic - home to the exquisite shrine by Nicola Pisano and Arnolfo di Cambio with additions from Michelangelo, 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. Next visit is San Giacomo Maggiore, which houses the Bentivoglio Chapel featuring numerous Renaissance artworks, followed by Santa Cecilia Oratory to view the beautiful 16th century frescoes. This afternoon we visit the Unicredit Bank, housed in the late Renaissance Palazzo Magnani, to examine the frescoed friezes inside, including work by the Carracci brothers. This will be followed by a visit to the 17th century Anatomical theatre in Bologna's medical school. Our final visit of the day is to the Pinacoteca Nazionale to view the likes of Raphael, Guido Reni and the Carracci family. This evening there will be a lecture, 'The Mosaics of Ravenna', followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 3: 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. 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.
Day 4: Morning departure for Bologna, visiting the Sant' Apollinare in Classe with its lavish mosaics en-route. First to the Palazzo Poggi, home of the university museums followed by visits to the Basilica di Santo Stefano, the atmospheric religious complex that includes the city's oldest church. Afternoon transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 25 passengers.
What's Included
Dinner,bed and breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Bisanzio, Ravenna
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.
Hotel Bisanzio Website
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 NADFAS societies 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.
FLIGHTS
Please note that all flight times are provisional and subject to change according to airline schedules.
HEALTH & INSURANCE – EHIC CARD
Please note that EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) only allows access to the same state-provided healthcare as a resident of the EU country they are temporarily visiting. It is NOT an alternative to travel insurance and will not provide the same level of cover as a travel insurance policy. The EHIC will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen property. It is also important to note that each country’s healthcare system is slightly different, so the EHIC might not cover everything that would be generally free on the NHS. On the EHIC application website, there is a section called Access to Healthcare Abroad which clarifies all the conditions and inclusions.
Places of Interest
Full details can be found in the itinerary of this Art & History tour
Click here to go to the itinerary
For a personal account of this holiday please follow the link below to a blog by Jeff Cotton, a recent traveller on our Ravenna and Bologna tour (April 2014). We would like to thank Jeff for this contribution
Click here to visit Jeffs blog post
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."