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Imperial Majesty in Ravenna & Venice
From £4,060
Summary
Last Bastions of the Byzantine Empire in Northern Italy
The last capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna was reconquered by Justinian and became the seat of an Exarchate. As an imperial city, Ravenna flourished and was adorned with churches decorated by the best Byzantine artists. The Basilica of San Vitale, built by the banker Julius Argentarius, contains some of the finest Byzantine mosaics outside of Constantinople, as well as the most famous portraits of Justinian and his colourful wife, Theodora. Venice, which was part of the Exarchate of Ravenna, grew wealthy from its connection to the east, while becoming enriched by Byzantine culture. The Basilica of San Marco, once the private chapel of the Venetian Doges, was based on the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. Its stunning mosaics remain an unsurpassed panoply of Byzantine art. The result was an unparalleled collection of Byzantine art, with its unique domed architecture and shimmering mosaics.
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Your Departure date
Today's Price
£4,060
Deposit: £750 Single supplement: £660
Includes flights
Meet your Experts
Tony O’Connor
Andante Guide Lecturer
Tony O’Connor graduated in Ancient History and Archaeology from Manchester University, specialising in the Roman Empire and the Phoenicians.
Your itinerary
Day 1 - London – Bologna - Ravenna
Today we fly Bologna and make our way to Ravenna, where we will have an orientation walk, time permitting.
| Hotel | Hotel Bisanzio |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Dinner |
Day 2 - Ravenna
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 5th 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 4th century Church of San Giovanni Evangelista first founded by Galla Placidia in the 4th century.
| Hotel | Hotel Bisanzio |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 3 - Ravenna
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.
| Hotel | Hotel Bisanzio |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 4 - Ravenna
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 Sant' Apollinare in Classe with its stunning apse depicting the Transfiguration.
| Hotel | Hotel Bisanzio |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 5 - Ravenna - Venice
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.
| Hotel | Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 6 - Venice
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 5th 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.
| Hotel | Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 7 - Venice
Today we explore Venice’s Byzantine past starting with an exclusive, private visit to the Biblioteca Marciana, established in the 15th 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.
| Hotel | Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 8 - Venice - London
This morning we make our way to Venice airport by water taxi, bidding farewell to the lagoon and its Byzantine heritage.
| Meals included | Breakfast |
|---|
Tour dates & prices
Included in your cost:
- Expert Guide Lecturer
- Professional Tour Manager
- Local travel aboard a private air-conditioned coach
- Meals as per the itinerary, wine and tea or coffee with dinner
- Accommodation
- Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
- All activities as per the itinerary
- All taxes & gratuities
- Field notes
| Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single supplement | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 November 2023 | ARVV231101 | 1 November 2023 (Wednesday) | 8 November 2023 (Wednesday) | Oliver Gilkes | £3,750 (inc. flights) |
£750 | £660 | Book your trip |
| 20 March 2024 | ARVV240320 | 20 March 2024 (Wednesday) | 27 March 2024 (Wednesday) | Tony O’Connor | £4,060 (inc. flights) |
£750 | £660 | Book your trip |
| 30 October 2024 | ARVV241030 | 30 October 2024 (Wednesday) | 6 November 2024 (Wednesday) | Oliver Gilkes | £4,060 (inc. flights) |
£750 | £660 | Book your trip |
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