Ravenna

The Glories of Ravenna, Urbino & Ferrera

Introduction

Ravenna is the main feature of this holiday but it is also an opportunity to see some of the highlights of the Emilia – Romagna region, the heartland of northern Italy. It is astonishing that Ravenna survived the chaotic period of the post-Roman era and the mosaics in the churches are therefore one of the few surviving records of the early Christian period. As well as exploring Ravenna we will venture further afield to the great cities of Urbino and Ferrara.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - MONDAY 11TH OCTOBER

Gatwick - Bologna - Ravenna

Scheduled flight from Gatwick to Bologna. Transfer by coach to Ravenna (20 minutes) and check into our centrally located hotel. Dinner will be in a local restaurant on each night of our tour.

DAY TWO - TUESDAY 12TH OCTOBER

Ravenna

It is astonishing that Ravenna survived the chaotic period of the post-Roman era, and the mosaics in the churches are therefore one of the few surviving records of the early Christian period. We visit the church of San Vitale, the most precious example of Byzantine art extant in western Europe. We will see the marbles, capitals and mosaics which include depictions of the retinues, of the Emperor Justinian and Theodora. Nearby, is the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, erected by the sister of the Emperor Honorius in the 5th century A.D., a small cruciform building which contains the earliest wall mosaics in Ravenna. After visiting the Mausoleum we walk to the Arian Baptistery, with fine mosaics of the Baptism of Christ in the dome. This afternoon, we visit the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, originally the palatine church of the Emperor Theodoric. Its wall mosaics, including the ceremonial procession of martyrs and female saints, rank among the largest to have come down to us from antiquity. Dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant.

DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY 13TH OCTOBER

Sant' Apollinare in Classe - Ferrara

This morning we drive to Classe, the ancient port just to the east of Ravenna, now inland, to the splendid Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare in Classe with its magnificent mosaics. It was consecrated by Archbishop Maximillian in 549 A.D.We also visit the Mausoleum of Theodoric, begun by the great Ostrogoth himself. Then on to the Renaissance town of Ferrara (40 miles). After visiting the Cathedral there will be the opportunity to explore the town individually before returning to Ravenna. Dinner will be in a local restaurant.

DAY FOUR - THURSDAY 14TH OCTOBER

Urbino

Today we drive to the city of Urbino in the mountains of the Marche region, sometimes called the ‘ideal city of the Renaissance’, thanks to the work of one of its greatest lords, Frederico da Montefeltro, Piero della Francesco’s patron. Frederico was very much a prince of his times and was a student of the classics and the new humanities, the library that he assembled was one of the finest of his day. His intellectual interests led him to redesign much of his city and his palace, which is a triumph of the Renaissance and is a very fitting home for his art collection, which now forms part of the Galleria Nazionale della Marche. The star of this exhibition is Piero’s ‘Flagellation’ (1445) and there is also his ‘Madonna of Senigallia’ (1470s). The authorship of the ‘Citta Ideale’ is not certain, it could be Piero or perhaps Laurana but what is not in doubt is its fascination and great interest as a testament to Renaissance thought. A guided walking tour will not only include this outstanding art collection but a tour of the beautiful palace and some of the other sites of this city.

DAY FIVE - FRIDAY 15TH OCTOBER

Ravenna - Bologna - Stansted

The morning will be free to shop or browse in Ravenna. Afternoon transfer to Bologna for our return flight to Gatwick.

Travel Dates and Cost:

11th October 2010 - 15th October 2010
Five days
£699

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Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £120 per person on booking (plus the insurance premium if the cover we offer is required). Final payment due two months before the departure date. This price is guaranteed until three months before the departure date, after this time there may be a surcharge

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Return scheduled British Airways flights: Gatwick – Bologna. UK and Italy departure taxes. 4 nights accommodation in twin or double bedded rooms with private facilities in the (3-star) Hotel Centrale Byron in Ravenna (just off the Piazza Populo). All rooms have direct-dial phones, satellite TV and mini-bars. Return coach transfers from airport, and an air-conditioned coach throughout the tour. Entrance fees as appropriate to the itinerary. Services of a Pax Travel tour escort. Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast accommodation in hotel and dinner at a local restaurant.

EXTRAS:

Single room supplement at £80 per person for the 4 nights (Limited availability of single rooms). Travel insurance at £23 per person (unless you have your own cover). Lunches, drinks and souvenirs.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Ecumenical

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