We will spend 3 nights in Bologna in October. We wanted a train ride to Ravenna to see the mosaics and Sunday would be the best day for us. But is that a good day to go to Ravenna? Does it "close down"? Also, I am hoping for a suggestion for lunch there.

I have read several trip reports that included Ravenna - esp enjoyed Michael's and smalti's. Since the "search" doesn't work very well, could you point me toward other reports on Bologna and Ravenna that I might have missed?

Thanks for any help.
Carol

All the major sites with Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna are open on Sunday -- Battistero degli Ariani, Battistero Neoniano, Museo nazionale archeologico (I didn't visit the museum; it may or may not have mosaics), S. Apollinare Nuovo, San Vitale, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. According to one Web site, S. Apollinare in Classe (a suburb of Ravenna; I reached it by train) is closed for restoration. You might ask when you get to Ravenna if that is still the case.

The two loveliest and most impressive monuments are, to my mind, San Vitale and the tiny Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.

Stores will probably be closed, of course, but Sunday lunch is something that Italian families like to go out for, so I would imagine that restaurants will be open.

P.S. You can check all this out at

http://www.turismo.ravenna.it/index.php?lang=2

Hi Carol, go to Dante's tomb also!
Ravenna is a city I love. I have been many times but don't remember if I have been there on a Sunday.
I agree that you should not have a problem finding restaurants open as some Italian families often like to eat out on Sundays. Now if all the restaurants aren't filled up you will be in luck. Maybe try to make a reservation when you first arrive in Ravenna (if the restaurant you want is open early of course). I sure wish I could remember the restaurant that is so good in Ravenna. I know how to walk to it (it is near the old tower) but cannot remember the name. Big help, that!!!

Have a wonderful time in Bologna and Ravenna. Two wonderful cities! Best wishes.

I hope the Fodor's editors will not delete this...

If you go to

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...85/m/885101751

you will find three reviews of restaurants in Ravenna.

Ravenna is beautiful. I was there on a Wednesday and it was very quiet, not too many people out and about. However, my wallet was stolen right out of my purse so be careful!!

Susanne

Eloise,
Great site! I tried it yesterday and it wouldn't load, but today it is working and I have it "bookmarked".
I am not interested in the shopping (I just am not much of a shopper, unless it's food-related) but of course we're looking forward to a great Sunday lunch.
I did copy the 3 reviews that you referred to.

Lovelady,
If you happen to remember the restaurant by the large tower, let me know. You have been to Italy many times. Were you born there, by any chance?

SPHDallas,
Stolen right out of your purse! I'll be very very careful. When were you in Ravenna?

Carol

Hi Carol, no, I was born in California.

I have been thinking of you and the harder I try to remember the name of the restaurant the worse it gets. Have you ever had that happen?

I am so frustrated because about six months before I "discovered" Fodor's I went on a "let's clean out unnecessary paper work" mission. I sadly threw away everything I had (except for postcards and photos) of every bit of information I had regarding Italy. How is that for bad timing? Since I have been on Fodor's I could kick myself, LOL.

We always enjoyed the Tortellini in Brodo as a first course. I can picture the restaurant..frustrating. I even went onto Googles to see if there is a website but alas there is not. And there was another restaurant we went to more then once, just a few blocks from Dante's Tomb. Another great restaurant. Both restaurants did not cater to tourist...by that I mean that the menu was only in Italian etc. Not much help to you is it? I did notice in my DK travel guide to Italy and on Google that the Trattoria Capannetti is mentioned as having homemade regional food. Not sure if I have eaten there or not. The address is Vicolo Capannetti 21. Ph # 05544-666-81. It is in the historical center. Noticed that restuarant listing show restaurants in Ravenna closed Sunday evening's and Monday's so it sounds like most restaurants are open for lunch on Sunday, a traditional time for families to eat their Sunday dinner so think you will be in luck. Look forward to your trip report and sure sorry I was not more help. Oh, do go and at least have a drink at one of the outdoor cafes at the Piazza del Popolo. Great place to relax and people watch. The outdoor living room of Ravenna. Dante's Tomb is such a couple of blocks south of the piazza. Best wishes.