Private Half-Day Treasures Walk

Private Half-Day Treasures Walk, rated 4.9 across 9 traveller reviews.

Overview

Three hours with a private guide, walking between the monuments that made Ravenna a UNESCO World Heritage destination. The route takes in the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, both famous for their Byzantine mosaics, then the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, built under the king Theodoric. Dante Alighieri's tomb and the flooded crypt beneath the Basilica of San Francesco also feature, along with the main squares and the Civic Tower.

The guide is a professional art historian, and because the tour is private, only your own group takes part. Along the way there is a chance to step into a mosaic workshop and a coffee break in a peaceful café. One reviewer who toured with a mixed-age family group said the guide adapted well to the different ages.

Reviewers repeatedly praise the guide's knowledge, and one noted the guide pre-purchased the church tickets and was reimbursed on the spot. Restaurant recommendations also came up in reviews. Entry tickets are paid separately.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at San VitaleThe meeting point is the entrance of the Basilica of San Vitale on Via San Vitale. A different start or end location, such as a hotel or the train station, can be arranged on request.
2. Basilica di San VitaleAbout 45 minutes at the Byzantine basilica and its mosaics. Admission ticket not included.
3. Mausoleum of Galla PlacidiaAround 20 minutes at the Roman mausoleum. Admission ticket not included.
4. Basilica di San FrancescoRoughly 20 minutes here, including the flooded crypt. Entry is free.
5. Dante's TombAbout 20 minutes at the tomb of the poet. Entry is free.
6. Piazza del Popolo and Civic TowerTen minutes in the square plus ten minutes at the tower, both free to view.
7. Basilica di Sant'Apollinare NuovoThe final stop, about 45 minutes. Admission ticket not included. The tour ends here unless another end point was agreed in advance.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points help this walk go smoothly.

• Entry tickets. Church admission is not bundled in. The listing states tickets cost 12.50 euros per person, 2 euros for children aged 6 to 10, and are free under 6. One reviewer's guide bought the tickets in advance and was reimbursed on the spot.
• Pace and fitness. One reviewer described the pace as comfortable. The surfaces are wheelchair accessible according to the listing, and the tour is pushchair accessible too, so most travellers can take part.
• Children. The listing requires children to be accompanied by an adult. A reviewer who toured with a 10 year old said the guide adapted well to the mixed age range.
• Start and end. The walk starts at San Vitale and finishes at Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, which are not the same place. One reviewer was caught out by the end point and had to walk back to their bus terminal, so plan your onward route before you set off.
• Timing. The tour runs three hours, and the listing says the exact start time should be confirmed with the local provider in advance. Operating hours run from morning into late afternoon daily.
• Food and drink. A coffee break in a café is built into the walk, though food and drinks are otherwise not included. Two reviewers mentioned restaurant or lunch recommendations from their guide.

Common issues. Entry tickets for the paid churches are extra, at 12.50 euros per adult, so budget for that on top of the tour price. The finish point differs from the meeting point, and one reviewer found themselves walking back alone to reach their bus. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and no refund applies inside that window. The guide may be multilingual rather than exclusively English-speaking.

Common Questions