This private tour visits the beautiful town of Bologna, known for its UNESCO listed porticoes, more than 24 miles of covered medieval walkways in the historic center, and its many medieval towers. You also have free time for lunch in this region which is known for some of the most delicious dishes in Italy.
After meeting your private guide at the pier in Ravenna you immediately depart for Bologna, a city with roots tracing back to the Etruscan settlement of Felsina and the Roman colony of Bononia, founded in 189 BC. In 1288 a municipal law forced building owners to give up a portion of their land to build covered walkways. Today these walkways are a defining style of the city and the people of Bologna can say that they never need an umbrella. In 2021 UNESCO added the Porticoes of Bologna to its World Heritage List, recognizing this network of covered walkways as one of the city's defining architectural features.
Another characteristic of the city is its towers. In the Middle Ages, the richest families competed to see who could build the highest tower. They were originally about 100 towers ranging from 180 to 300 feet high. Today there are still 17 remaining towers.
The first half of your tour focuses on the cultural aspects of Bologna. You will walk through some of the famous squares such as Piazza Malpighi, Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno with the famous Neptune fountain. You will see Medieval and Renaissance palaces such as the town hall, the Governor's Palace and the Palace of King Enzo. You also see the Gothic church of San Francesco and the Basilica of San Petronio.
Next is free time for lunch (meal not included). The Emilia region is famous for some of Italy's most important dishes including: ragu, tagliatelle, Bolognese, tortellini and Lasagna which all originated in this region. Your guide will be happy to suggest some restaurants.
After lunch your guide will take you to a special place in Old Bologna, a little market district full of fancy food shops, bakeries, fruit and vegetable stalls. As you walk down the alleys of the old market you arrive at the complex of Santo Stefano. This group of small Romanesque churches was important to pilgrims in the Middle Ages. Finally you see the most important sight, the Two Leaning Towers of Bologna, the landmarks of the city! At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to the pier in Ravenna.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Ravenna Shore Excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Ravenna tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
Review Location- Ravenna 
