Day 11 · Mon Aug 10 · Arrive 6:00 AM, Disembark · 8 stops
🚌 SHUTTLE
Part 0: Porto Corsini → Ravenna Center
~15 km · ~20 min · NCL shuttle $20pp · Or taxi ~€30–40 · Public bus available
A
Porto Corsini Cruise Terminal
Disembark here. NCL shuttle to city center ($20pp). Taxis available. Public bus to Ravenna train station.
⏰ 6:00 AM arrival — early start!
⚠️ Early disembarkation: If you have a late flight, you'll have plenty of time. But if your flight is early, factor in the 15 km transfer + airport travel. Bologna airport is ~1h away.
🚶 WALK
Part 1: Byzantine Mosaic Circuit
~1.5 km · ~3h · UNESCO World Heritage · 8 monuments with stunning mosaics
1
Basilica of San Vitale
THE masterpiece. 6th-century Byzantine mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. Breathtaking gold and color.
⏰ 8:30–9:30 AM (opens 9 AM)
2
Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Tiny but extraordinary — the oldest mosaics in Ravenna (c. 430 AD). Deep blue starry ceiling. Right next to San Vitale.
⏰ 9:30–10:00 AM (timed entry, 5 min visits)
3
Sant'Apollinare Nuovo
Stunning procession mosaics of virgins and martyrs along the nave. Originally a palace church for Theodoric.
⏰ 10:30–11:15 AM
🍽️
Profumo di Piadina
'Laboratorio del Palato' — 4.9⭐. Piadina made to order with squacquerone & prosciutto. Lunch between mosaics.
🚨 Church rules: Strict dress code — shoulders and knees must be covered. Some sites have timed entry (Galla Placidia: 5-min slots) and limited/no photography. Buy the combined ticket (€12.50) for all 5 monuments.
🚶 WALK
Part 2: Dante's Tomb & Historic Center
~1 km · ~1.5h · The poet's final resting place + charming streets
4
Dante's Tomb (Tomba di Dante)
The great poet died in Ravenna in 1321. Small neoclassical tomb next to San Francesco basilica. Free entry.
⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
🍽️
Ca' de Vèn
Historic enoteca-trattoria in a 15th-century palazzo — 4.4⭐. Cappelletti in brodo under vaulted ceilings.
Ravenna → Venice Santa Lucia · ~2h by train · ~€15–25
6
Ravenna Train Station → Venice
Direct or 1-change trains to Venice Santa Lucia. ~2h journey. Check Trenitalia or Italo schedules. Venice awaits! 🎭
⏰ Afternoon departure → See Venice page
💡 Post-cruise: After disembarking, you have the whole day in Ravenna. Do the mosaic circuit in the morning, lunch in the center, then take the afternoon train to Venice for the Biennale!
📸 PHOTO SPOTS
Photo Spots & Views
Viewpoints & iconic frames — where the best pictures happen
⛪
Sant'Apollinare in Classe
The 8th UNESCO mosaic basilica — 4.7⭐ (9k). Cylindrical bell tower, glittering apse, half the crowds. Bus 4 / bike / taxi (~15 min).
🏰
Rocca Brancaleone
Venetian fortress with a public garden inside — 4.3⭐. Locals picnic here; quiet green break between mosaics.
🛍️ UNIQUE FINDS
Unique Shops & Instagram Gems
Artisan shops, local businesses & photogenic spots — not the usual tourist circuit
🏺
Koko Mosaico
Working mosaic studio — watch artists cut smalti, buy a real handmade mosaic (or take a workshop). 4.9⭐.
📚
Biblioteca Classense
The monastery library of your dreams — frescoed Aula Magna reading hall. 4.6⭐. Quiet, gorgeous, free.
🍽️ WORTH THE WALK
Food Stops — Worth the Detour
~15–20 min out of the way · optional but recommended
🍽️
Mercato Coperto
Covered market with food stalls — 4.3⭐. Piadina, pasta, and local life; 5 min from the piazza.
🍽️
Trattoria La Rustica
Romagnan home cooking — 4.6⭐, ~10 min north of the center.
🍽️ Local dishes checklist: Piadina (prosciutto & squacquerone) · tortellini/cappelletti in brodo · gelato & pastries
📊 Day Summary
Shuttle: Porto Corsini → Ravenna center (15 km, $20pp)
Walking: ~3 km (mosaic circuit + center)
Train: Ravenna → Venice (~2h, afternoon)
Total stops: 8 places
Best time: Mosaics 8:30–11:30 AM → Dante + lunch 11:30–2 PM → Train to Venice
⚓ Port: Porto Corsini (15 km from center)
🎫 Combined mosaic ticket: €12.50 (5 monuments)