Day 85: Ravenna and Bologna Italy

Pulling into Ravenna Italy for two days

Our tour today was a drive to Bologna for half a day and then back to Ravenna for some sites. Some people went to Venice (which isn't letting the larger cruise ships in anymore) which was about two and a half hours away. We had been there before and wanted to see some new things.

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Board your air-conditioned motorcoach and enjoy the sights and sounds during your scenic motorway drive from Ravenna to Bologna on this active full-day excursion. The beloved capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, Bologna is famous for more than its exquisite cuisine. It is also home to the oldest university in the Western world and eye-catching brick terracotta-roofed architecture and porticos.

We saw a lot of wisteria around Bologna and Ravenna. And of course vineyards

And there are still some canals around Ravenna but not as many there used to be. The water table is very close to the surface.

Some street art as you enter Bologna

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You'll fall in love with its charm on a guided walking tour after disembarking at the Piazza Malpighi. On your way to the Piazza Maggiore you'll gain insight from your experienced guide on the creation of the graceful arcades and over 33 miles of portico that line the old city.

Marvel at the Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo Comunale, Piazza del Nettuno and Palazzo Re Enzo, marvelous works of stunning architecture you won't soon forget. These monuments all provide camera buffs with numerous photo opportunities. Like Neptune's Fountain which, completed in 1563, reveals the artistry of the sculptor, Giambologna. Stand in awe before the towering Poseidon with his trident in hand.

Arriving at the Basilica of San Petronio for a guided visit, you'll soak up the splendor of Italian-Gothic architecture. The 5th largest church in the world, San Petronio is over 400 feet long and boasts a portal adorned with reliefs of biblical scenes sculpted by Jacopo della Quercia.

Continuing along Via Archiginnasio, you will see the harmonious palace that once served as a university campus. Then, making your way to the splendid Basilica of Santo Stefano, you will discover a complex of buildings erected between the 11th and 13th centuries. From here you will proceed to one of the most typical features of Bologna, the Leaning Towers, which became to symbolize the city.

Porticos and arcades

Meats and cheese, including bologna in Bologna

Light from the sum shines on the meridian line laid into the floor of the church to test out the "new" Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced on February 24 with a papal bull, and went into effect in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. So it has been telling time for 441 years!

Painting of Hell from Dante's Inferno

Neptune's Fountain

Inventor of Radio

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You'll enjoy some free time in the city to explore the colorful shops and then we'll continue our walk to a leading restaurant where the accomplished chef has created popular Bolognese favorites accompanied by wine or mineral water-buon appetito!

The two full buses of us from the ship filled up the inside of the restaurant and we were the last ones inside. Toni kept asking, can we sit outside. The finally said yes so we were at a table for two in front of this Italian Cafe.

Some wine, some bread, some water

Crescentina fritta of Bologna (Fried bread) was amazing

Local Proscutto, Bologna and Parmigiano cheese

Grated Parmigiano cheese for the Lasagna Bolognese

Tiramisu for dessert

And a cup of expresso to top off a picture perfect Italian cafe lunch

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Now that is an easter egg

Toni just loves the doors in Italy

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Re-join your motorcoach for the return to Ravenna where you'll explore this stunning city on foot. Experience the charm of the city center as you walk through a portion of the historic section city to Basilica di San Vitale and the Tomb of Galla Placidia. Completed in 547 A.D., the Basilica di San Vitale is an octagonal structure renowned for the fine Byzantine mosaics that decorate its choir and apse. The Tomb of Galla Placidia also boasts lavish mosaics that date back to antiquity and dazzle the eye to this very day.

Burger King

The bus passed the Ferrari and he never caught up. Guess they were out for a leisurely drive.

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Basilica of San Vitale and their mosaics

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Tomb of Galla Placidia

A few post cards

Dante was born in Florence but he was in Ravenna while he wrote and where he died. There are markers across the city marking sites from his Divine Comedy.

More doors

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Next door to the Basilica and Tomb was Santa Maria Maggiore

The "new" church was built in 1671 on the site and using the columns from the original church from 522. We were told they were having Saturday evening Mass at 5:30. A few if us were there but no mass.