Ravenna is a little town (only 135.000 inhabitants) in Northern Italy (I must say it's my hometown) by the Adriatic sea and it's famous all over the world for its mosaics (it's been capital of Western Roman Empire) and in any period of the year is possible to see comitives of tourists from ... Read review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: little, a lot of monuments, good food Disadvantages: difficult to drive
Ravenna is a little town (only 135.000 inhabitants) in Northern Italy (I must say it's my hometown) by the Adriatic sea and it's famous all over the world for its mosaics (it's been capital of Western Roman Empire) and in any period of the year is possible to see comitives of tourists from every part of the world that beyond to the pleasure of visiting several basilicas (first of all San Vitale, but also 2 Sant'Apollinare ones, "New" in ... ...enter in the center of Ravenna by car, you must park outside (and maybe the parkings are not enough) and then use a rentable bike or by feet to visit it.
The center of Ravenna is an example of as ancient (San Vitale and Galla Placidia are approximately 1500 years old) and modern (the shops) can coexist to little distance one from the other. Absolutely to see.
San Vitale is the reproduction of another basilica in Istanbul, ... more
Ravenna is a little town (only 135.000 inhabitants) in Northern Italy (I must say it's my hometown) by the Adriatic sea and it's famous all over the world for its mosaics (it's been capital of Western Roman Empire) and in any period of the year is possible to see comitives of tourists from every part of the world that beyond to the pleasure of visiting several basilicas (first of all San Vitale, but also 2 Sant'Apollinare ones, "New" in Via Roma and the other,maybe the most beautiful, in Classe 8 kms from Ravenna), the mausoleum of Teodorico and Galla Placidia does not scorn also one beautiful visit to the shops of the center.
Unfortunately you can't enter in the center of Ravenna by car, you must park outside (and maybe the parkings are not enough) and then use a rentable bike or by feet to visit it.
The center of Ravenna is an example of as ancient (San Vitale and Galla Placidia are approximately 1500 years old) and modern (the shops) can coexist to little distance one from the other. Absolutely to see.
San Vitale is the reproduction of another basilica in Istanbul, octagonal shape, and the most beautiful mosaics are the one with emperor Giustiniano (and his court) and the empress Teodora and her maids.
A few steps from San Vitale and Galla Placidia there is the main street for the shops: Via Cavour.
Perhaps Via Cavour can be defined the street of the clothes shops! There are at least a ten that sell this article kind; perhaps the most beautiful and supplied are Nick & Sons, Tagiuri(very good but very expensive) and Vianello (advised for men dresses above all) .
Near Galla Placidia and San Vitale in the zone Via Cavour - Via Argentario there are a lot of shops selling reproductions of our mosaics, created by the students of our advanced school for the mosaic and often they are masterpieces but they have rather high prices (1 small can cost even 200 pounds) and they are the souvenirs preferred by Japanese and the Germans.
Via Cavour is also the street of the jewelry shops, in particular Gambi and Serafini that are the most "ancient" in Ravenna and also the most attended. If you want to visit a beautiful gift store go to Caletti but pay attention to the prices, it's very expensive but you will be able to find almost anything.
If you want to do "a regenerating " stop I can suggest "Le loverie di Giorgioni" (Giorgioni's candies) where you can find hundreds or maybe thousands various types of assorted candies, chocolates and so on or to drink an optimal chocolate in cup (the best I have never drunk) or a very good coffee in a very particular atmosphere go to "Verderame".
Walking on towards Piazza del Popolo is possible to find another street with a lot of shops, Via Salara above all for its gift stores.
Now we arrive in Piazza del Popolo and you can see 2 beautiful columns in venetian style of Sant'Apollinare and San Vitale and our town hall in venetian style,too and if you are a collector I can suggest a coins and stamps shop.
Near Piazza del Popolo we perhaps find my favourite street: Via Cairoli (very narrow and the transit is forbidden even to the bicycles), above all for the optics and shoe shops and the seat of the Ravenna Festival (an old cinema) where during the year you can visit expositions.
Other streets to remember Via Diaz that connects Piazza del Popolo to Viale Farini (to see San Giovanni Evangelista church) and the railway Station with his Battistero degli Ariani (wonderful!).
In the Middle Ages Ravenna was conquered by Venice and they constructed a wonderful rock well conserved and with a park inside and now you can visit it free and in July a good Jazz Festival took place here.
Ravenna is 12 kms from the seaside, our sea is not as good as the Sardinia but in these last years it's quite good.
The most important towns by the seaside are Marina di Ravenna, Punta Marina and Milano Marittima, full of hotels, pubs, discos, restaurants for every kind of tourist and budget!
Every 20 minutes from the bus station (in front of the railway station) buses leave for the seaside and the fee is very cheap (only 80 p) and our local hostel is near our stations and you can sleep paying "only" 10-12 pounds.
Ravenna is little and in 2-3 days you can visit it all but from Ravenna by car or by train you can go to Bologna, Florence, Venice, other very important towns for a complete and interesting holiday in the Northern Italy!
Advantages: compact, pretty mosiacs Disadvantages: not overly exciting
Ravenna was, indeed, for a brief time the capital of Italy, but now it is most famous for the roman mosiacs which adorn here. She is a beautiful city, close to the coast, indeed, a good day trip from escapees from the Romagnola Riviera (Rimini being the most famous resort)
A very compact city, it is easy to visit most of the more important attractions (these attractions being, primarily, the Roman mosiacs and the Cathedral and surrounding churches), ... ...as an important historical centre, Ravenna does her best to attract tourists, but has none of the rush evident in some of her more well known neighbours. A town that grew from something of a historical curiousity and has retained a charm of a working city, make this a good place to stop for a while. There is enough to see to make it feel worthwhile without too much that you will feel you are missing out if you move on. There are a couple of churches ...
womble 15.08.2000 (07.02.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ravenna (Italy)
Advantages: Mosaic capital, Delicious Food : ) Disadvantages: the weather is hot : (
Ravenna is part of Emilia Romagna, Italy, a region known for its great food. I highly recommend Ravenna to Mosaic enthusiast.
It is located at the north-eastern part of Italy.
Just south of Venice and East of Bologna.
The closest airport is Bologna. One can easily catch the train in Bologna that goes to Ravenna.
The trip is about an hour and half.
More than eight historical mosaic sites in Ravenna are named in the world cultural heritage site. ... ...form of art expression is highly appreciated by the locals. From hotel lobby artwork, shop's signage, floor mat, window display, door handle, tourist souvenir to interior decorating, are full of mosaic artworks. This is an unique town full of historical monuments and modern shopping areas. It is easy to get around on foot. Tourist can have a bicycle for free. Delicious food with reasonable pricing! There are not too many tourists like Venice or Florence. ...
heeheehaahaa 26.08.2004 (18.11.2004)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ravenna (Italy)
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Ravenna (Italy)"
Advantages: Fantastic Scenery, wonderfully friendly locals, few tourists. Disadvantages: None
I am in two minds whether to write this review, having travelled all over Italy I have found a hidden gem and its always tempting to keep this kind of thing to yourself. However it deserves to be shared and discovered. Where am I talking about? The Appennines of Emilia Romagna. Most people only know the region of Emilia Romagna with regard to the main cities of the Po delta, namely, Modenna, Parma, Bologna and if you are a culture vulture maybe Ferrara and Ravenna. There is however so much more to this area of Italy than the cities and the food. So where shall I begin?
The Scenery
The Appennine region of Emilia Romagna, to the South of the Po Delta is an area of outstanding beauty and dramatic landscape. Unlike the Dolomites it does not have the dramatic main ridge, rather it has many ranges all at different angles over ...
innovation123 20.05.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of General: Italy