Worldwide 2024-25

EUROPE • ITALY
Ravenna:
Mosaics & Marble
Duration • 4 days & 3 nights
Category • Specialist-led
Tour overview
Uncover Ravenna's glittering past with
experts Rowena Loverance or Dr Sally
Dormer. In 402AD, the city became the
capital of the western Roman empire,
and mosaic-decorated churches were
built. It flourished during the early
sixth century under the Ostrogoths,
who commissioned further splendid
monuments. By 540AD, it was the main
outpost of the Byzantine empire in
western Europe, experiencing another
lavish period of patronage before the
Lombards assumed control in 751AD.
Today, Ravenna is replete with relics of
this illustrious history, as you will see
first-hand across four insightful days.
Signature Experiences
Visit the Church of San Pietro in Sylvis,
the oldest in the Ravenna area
See the varied marble & mosaic
decoration of the Church of San Vitale
Explore the unique 10-sided
mausoleum of Theodoric the Great,
king of the Ostrogoths
Discover how mosaics are made in a
contemporary studio
See the work of Ravenna’s modern
mosaicists in a city that remains at the
centre of mosaic art
Specialist lecturers
Rowena Loverance is a
Byzantine art historian,
specialising in sculpture,
mosaics and icons. She
worked for more than
20 years at the British
Museum and is a visiting
research fellow at King’s College, London.
Dr Sally Dormer is a
freelance art historian
and lecturer. She read
history at the University of
Durham, before gaining
an MA in medieval art and
a PhD at the Courtauld
Institute of Art. She is a course tutor and
lecturer at the Victoria & Albert Museum
and also lectures for the Art Fund and the
Arts Society.
Small-group tour • From £1,545 (incl. flights)
History • Art • Architecture
Mosaic in the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Day 1: Fly to Bologna • Ravenna
Fly from London (regional connections available)
to Bologna with British Airways. Transfer to
Ravenna and stay at the historic Hotel Palazzo
Galletti Abbiosi (or similar) for 3 nights. This
afternoon, visit Sant’Apollinare in Classe, which
demonstrates the form and function of early
Christian basilical churches. (D)
Day 2: Ravenna
Visit the so-called Mausoleum of Galla Placidia,
which contains fine early-Christian vault
mosaics. Continue to San Vitale, one of the
most significant surviving Byzantine churches.
Travel to the Residenza dei Vescovi to view
masterpieces from the Museo Arcivescovile,
the archiepiscopal chapel and Ravenna’s 18thcentury
cathedral. Finally, stop by a modern
mosaic studio (subject to confirmation). (B)
Day 3: Ravenna
Visit Theodoric’s Palace and the octagonal
Orthodox baptistery. Continue to the
Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, built by
Ostrogoth king Theodoric; the fifth-century
Arian baptistery, with its mosaic of Christ’s
baptism; Dante’s tomb and the basilica of
San Francesco. Visit the city art museum to
admire contemporary mosaics. Continue to the
Guideline prices for 2024-25
British Airways flight upgrades
Club Europe from £115 return
palace of Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra to see its
marble inlays and mosaics. (B, D)
Day 4: Ravenna • Fly to London
Visit the unique, 10-sided Mausoleum of
Theodoric, built from huge blocks of ashlar
masonry on the outskirts of Ravenna. Drive
to San Pietro in Sylvis, which dates from
the seventh century and provides useful
comparisons with Ravenna’s churches.
Transfer to Bologna for your flight home or
to begin your extension. (B, L)
Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast,
L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
TOUR EXTENSION
Tour + Bologna
3 nights from £395
Extend your tour with 3 nights in Bologna, one
of Italy’s gastronomic capitals and home to
Europe’s oldest university.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Specialist-led tour: Curated and led by
specialists in their field, these itineraries
are especially suited to lovers of history, art
and culture. They often include private visits
unavailable to the wider public.
Accessibility: This tour involves some long
walks over uneven ground and therefore
requires a good level of fitness.
Private visits: The exclusive and individual
nature of private visits means they are subject
to confirmation nearer the time of departure.
Tour code: IMA
14 Mar – 17 Mar 24 with Rowena Loverance from £1,545 single supp. from £245
13 Jun – 16 Jun 24 with Sally Dormer from £1,695 single supp. from £245
14 Nov – 17 Nov 24 with Sally Dormer from £1,595 single supp. from £245
13 Mar – 16 Mar 25 with Rowena Loverance from £1,695 single supp. from £295
12 Jun – 15 Jun 25 with Sally Dormer from £1,795 single supp. from £295
13 Nov – 16 Nov 25 with Sally Dormer from £1,695 single supp. from £295
Regional air connections
Please speak to your consultant for details
The guideline tour prices are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin /
double room. For up-to-date prices for all departure dates, including special offers when applicable,
please visit CoxandKings.co.uk. All prices are subject to availability.
Guaranteed departures: for departure dates that have reached the minimum number of guests, and
are therefore guaranteed to run, please visit online and refer to the tour’s Dates & Prices grid.
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