Where to stop while driving from Riccione to Venice??
 

Hello!
We will be driving from Riccione to Venice in July. Originally we planned to stop in Bologna for a short period of time on the way but after reading about driving restrictions, parking etc. I am thinking we should find another place or two to visit on the way. Any suggestions as to where to stop and what we can check out on our drive?

I have seen that it takes approx 2 1/2 hours for the drive direct. Is this accurate?

I also have read about free tours? Any info you might have would be greatly appreciated.
We will be driving with a 12 & 17 year old.
Thanks!

It's not clear what sort of things you'd be interested in doing/seeing... The adults might love to see the Ravenna mosaics and other early Christian sights. The teenagers might have more fun taking a cycling tour in Ferrara.

Google estimates the direct drive at 2.5 hours, which IMO means it will probably take at least 3 hours. I would only make one stop. If you're dropping a rental car in Venice, make sure you know the open/closed hours of the office on the day you're arriving.

BTW, most Italian cities and towns have ZTLs (limited traffic zones), so you shouldn't let that issue decide where to visit. If you want to go to Bologna, go to Bologna. Just learn the details of their ZTL. Here:

http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/tou...%20area%20(ZTL)

Ferrara's zone:

http://www.ferraraterraeacqua.it/en/...et_language=en

And Ravenna's:

http://www.turismo.ra.it/eng/Travel/...-traffic-zones

Thanks!

We didn't originally have any plans to stop along the way to Venice but the car rental place is open until 6pm so we thought we would leave early and stop somewhere on the way.

I don't think we plan to do any huge sightseeing, although the mosaics sound amazing and that may be an option. We would like to see a city, the people, enjoy a nice lunch and perhaps just wander around. My daughter wants to go to Bologna simply for the name!

Not ever visiting Europe at all before, we are just a little weary of the parking and driving restrictions. I will definitely take the maps with me!

Well, I'm nutty for mosaics, so Ravenna would be my choice. But investigate the open/closed times of things you'd want to see there as they may dictate how early you want/need to leave Riccione.

Ferrara has a lot to offer, as a complete city visit goes. It would be great to see the mosaics then do the bike thing in Ferrara. Here are some pix of my bike tour of Ferrara: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougla...7632364898144/

The city is easy and pleasant to cycle (completely flat); it's not that things are spectacular, it's just that there is such a wide range of really interesting, unique, pretty, and atmospheric streets and sights, all there to discover so casually - - and virtually tourist free (and great food too). The mosaics in Ravenna are really worth seeing but the city as a whole is not that enchanting; Ferrara is more of a complete sensual and wide-ranging experience.

Ravenna has lots of bike rentals available, some from the tourist information bureau on Via Salara. It is also completely flat and residents of all ages use bicycles to get around.

Ferrara does have a pretty spectacular ducal palace. I think either Ferrara or Ravenna would please everyone. I wouldn't try to see both, as you'll essentially have only six hours or less to spare assuming you leave a 9 AM, and part of that will be lunch time.

Thank you.

I think we might stop in Ravenna then. Sounds like a perfect stop. Is there a best area to visit there or is it small enough we can bike around all over? Any suggestions for lunch?

Will our luggage be safe if we park and leave it in the trunk? I am assuming we will be able to find either a parking lot or parking on a street somewhere.

Ahh, I mean Ferarra! Oops!

There's a short list here of bike rental places: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/em...g-there-around

but there are more extensive lists on Italian websites (you might try it in Google Chrome and click on translate): http://www.informagiovani.fe.it/2037...ette-a-ferrara

I just got one at the bike place next to the train station, but you might find something even more convenient to parking with some Googling (it helps to download a map like this one http://www.lnf.infn.it/conference/ch...es/Ferrara.jpg and then use Google Maps to then plot parking places, rental places, and restaurants.

As lunch goes, I tend to make a list from guidebook listings, plot them on a map (after checking opening hours/days) and go to what is is a balance between recommendation and on-the-go convenience:

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/i...oc:704718.html

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/em...ra/restaurants

Just make sure none of your luggage is visible from the outside of the vehicle. Try to park in a place with people coming and going.