Imperial Majesty in Ravenna & Venice

Today we start our exploration of Ravenna with a series of incredible monuments, including the Arian Baptistery, constructed by the Ostrogoth Theodoric and the Neonian Baptistery, the 5^th century baptistery converted from a Roman bath. We continue to the Ravenna Cathedral, and to the Archbishop’s Palace with its museum and private chapel of Saint Andrew. In the afternoon we visit the 4^th century Church of San Giovanni Evangelista first founded by Galla Placidia in the 4^th century.

We start the day with the so-called Theodoric’s Palace and proceed to the adjacent Basilica di Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, Theodoric’s palatine chapel. A short walk away, we continue to the Basilica di San Francesco, the parish church of Dante who is buried there. In the afternoon we explore the late antique house, the Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, replete with mosaics. We end the day at the National Museum, with its important collection of archaeological material from Ravenna and its environs. This evening we plan to have our exclusive private visit to the Basilica di San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.

We drive a little outside the city to visit the extraordinary Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Ostrogothic King who ruled from Ravenna after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. This will be followed by an exploration of the archaeological site of Classe, Ravenna’s ancient port, which was the base of Rome’s fleet. In the afternoon, we continue to the Basilica di San Apollinare in Classe with its stunning apse depicting the Transfiguration.

Today we travel by coach by the lagoon city, Venice, which was immersed in Byzantine culture long after the Exarchate of Ravenna collapsed because of the special trading rights it was given by Constantinople, making it the gateway of the east. Venice also gave refuge to emigres escaping Constantinople after its fall in 1453. In the afternoon, we explore hidden gems in the extraordinary Piazza San Marco, dubbed the drawing room of Europe by Napoleon and is dominated by the very Eastern looking Basilica di San Marco.

Today we explore the beginnings of Venice in the Northern Lagoon, starting with island of Torcello, where the earliest settlers from the terra firma found their homes after escaping Hunnic raids in the 5^th century. Here we see the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta with its stunning Byzantine mosaics. After lunch, we pay a short visit to Burano from whence some might also choose to venture to the adjacent island of Mazzorbo. We end the day with a visit to Murano, famed for its glass making and also for its Byzantine Basilica di Santa Maria e Donato.

Today we explore Venice’s Byzantine past starting with an exclusive, private visit to the Biblioteca Marciana, established in the 15^th century in order to house the Classical manuscripts collected by Cardinal Bessarion after the fall of Constantinople. We continue to the Greek Orthodox Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Greci erected by emigres from Constantinople and its adjoining Icon Museum. After lunch, we have a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace followed by a private tour of the Secret Itineraries of the Palace. In the evening we have an exclusive private visit to the stupendous Basilica of San Marco whose mosaics and architecture were inspired by Byzantium.

This morning we make our way to Venice airport by water taxi, bidding farewell to the lagoon and its Byzantine heritage.