This private cruise tour visits Ravenna, known for eight monuments listed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list. All eight of these churches were constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries by early Christians and are well known for their mosaics.
After meeting your private guide at the pier, you drive directly to the historic city center of Ravenna, founded nearly 2,500 years ago. Ravenna has served as a capital on three occasions: capital of the Western Roman Empire, capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, and capital of Byzantine Italy. These layered cultural influences over its long history shape the character you will experience on this tour.
Your tour begins in the pedestrian zone of Ravenna, where the city's eight UNESCO monuments are located. Among them is the Basilica of San Vitale, a landmark example of architectural innovation for its octagonal plan and its Byzantine mosaics. You will also see the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, entirely covered in mosaics inside.
Next is the medieval Basilica of San Francesco, known for its waterlogged crypt and its historic connection to the poet Dante Alighieri, who was originally laid to rest here after his death in Ravenna in 1321. His tomb, a separate neoclassical monument built in 1780, now stands beside the basilica.
Another of the city's treasures is the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, built in the early 6th century by the Ostrogothic king Theodoric as an Arian Christian palatine chapel. It was rededicated to Catholic worship in 561 under the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, and its nave is lined with mosaic processions of saints and martyrs.
In addition to these early Christian sites, you will enjoy an overall orientation of the city as you walk through medieval streets filled with small shops and picturesque squares. When your tour is complete, your driver will take you back to the port of Ravenna.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Ravenna tours and 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 
