Group Guided Tours in Ravenna
Mar 20th, 2006, 06:50 AM
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FYI, there's only about 3 or 4 buildings, all within walking distance of each other that have the stunning mosaics. Easy to do on your own if you don't find a tour. Did you do a yahoo or google search?
Mar 20th, 2006, 07:01 PM
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Hi DawnK,
So glad you're going to Ravenna; probably my favorite place in Italy.
We didn't use a guide, but I used the CD on Ravenna mosaics from this website, describing the symbolism and significance of the mosaics:
http://www.mosaico.net/mosaics/Ravenna/index.html
On our last visit, we were inside the Arian baptistry when a tour leader entered with a small group. I learned a great deal just listening in at that one site. So, you may find you get more out of the visit with a guide. Sorry I don't have a personal recommendation, but this website from the Ravenna tourism office lists a number of private guides in a variety of languages:
http://tinyurl.com/ky2nm
So glad you're going to Ravenna; probably my favorite place in Italy.
We didn't use a guide, but I used the CD on Ravenna mosaics from this website, describing the symbolism and significance of the mosaics:
http://www.mosaico.net/mosaics/Ravenna/index.html
On our last visit, we were inside the Arian baptistry when a tour leader entered with a small group. I learned a great deal just listening in at that one site. So, you may find you get more out of the visit with a guide. Sorry I don't have a personal recommendation, but this website from the Ravenna tourism office lists a number of private guides in a variety of languages:
http://tinyurl.com/ky2nm
Mar 20th, 2006, 09:16 PM
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Hi, Dawn!
We had a wonderful guided tour of Ravenna last year, and I can recommend the company without reservation! We had a terrific experience with Avventure Bellissime (www.tours-italy.com), and our guide, Rosanna, was a delight to listen to! Though already fond of reading about late antiquity and Latin Christianity, I found my experience enhanced greatly by having an erudite guide who could put things into context. Even my husband, who was only going along to humor me, found her historical descriptions and anecdotes to be fascinating.
We took a day tour from Venice, and the driver was efficient and courteous. At 560E for two people, the trip was a little pricey, but the price would have been the same for four. Up to eight people can travel in the van, but there's an added charge for more than four. I don't know what the charge would be if you're not coming from Venice.
I hope you do have a great time in Ravenna--the mosaics are utterly glorious! If you'd like to read about our time there, see my trip report:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34594217
Have a wonderful trip!
We had a wonderful guided tour of Ravenna last year, and I can recommend the company without reservation! We had a terrific experience with Avventure Bellissime (www.tours-italy.com), and our guide, Rosanna, was a delight to listen to! Though already fond of reading about late antiquity and Latin Christianity, I found my experience enhanced greatly by having an erudite guide who could put things into context. Even my husband, who was only going along to humor me, found her historical descriptions and anecdotes to be fascinating.
We took a day tour from Venice, and the driver was efficient and courteous. At 560E for two people, the trip was a little pricey, but the price would have been the same for four. Up to eight people can travel in the van, but there's an added charge for more than four. I don't know what the charge would be if you're not coming from Venice.
I hope you do have a great time in Ravenna--the mosaics are utterly glorious! If you'd like to read about our time there, see my trip report:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=34594217
Have a wonderful trip!
Mar 21st, 2006, 06:01 PM
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Thank you for your suggestions. If I am unable to find a guided tour, then I may go with your advice to get the CD, SusanEva.
smalti, I enjoyed your trip report for Venice. I plan on staying one night in Ravenna, and I see that Avventure Bellissime offers tours that orginate in Ravenna on Wed. & Sat. So that could be another possibility.
sandi, I did do a google search and found one company, Il Papavero, that may offer a guided tour. I need to contact them a month before I travel to see if they will be offering a tour on the day I expect to be in Ravenna.
smalti, I enjoyed your trip report for Venice. I plan on staying one night in Ravenna, and I see that Avventure Bellissime offers tours that orginate in Ravenna on Wed. & Sat. So that could be another possibility.
sandi, I did do a google search and found one company, Il Papavero, that may offer a guided tour. I need to contact them a month before I travel to see if they will be offering a tour on the day I expect to be in Ravenna.
