A small, quiet, and rich city, Ravenna has brick palaces, cobblestone streets, magnificent monuments, and spectacular Byzantine mosaics, a plethora of UNESCO protected works of art.

The high point in its civic history occurred in the 5th century, when Pope Honorious moved his court here from Rome. Gothic kings Odoacer and Theodoric ruled the city until it was conquered by the Byzantines in AD 540. Ravenna later fell under the sway of Venice, and then, inevitably, the Papal States.

Journey through the streets of the city center with your guide to experience incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will have the opportunity to visit:

The Basilica of San Vitale, one of the most important monuments of early Christian art in Italy. When you enter the basilica, your gaze is captured by the high spaces, the wonderful mosaic decorations of the apse and the extraordinary representation of the imperial couple of Byzantium: Justinian and Theodora, with their procession.

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, built around the middle of the 5th century, at the behest of Galla Placidia, who ruled the Western Roman Empire. The innumerable stars of the dome have struck the imagination and sensitivity of visitors over the centuries, and of outstanding personalities such as the great poet Dante Alighieri, who drew inspiration from them for the writing of some verses of the Divine Comedy.

The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, originally used as a Palatine Church of Arianism, today it allows us to reconstruct the evolution of Byzantine wall mosaics from the age of Theodoric to that of Justinian.

The Neonian Baptistery, one of the oldest monuments of the city, made of simple brick on the outside but rich in marble, stucco, and mosaics of clear Hellenistic-Roman influence inside.

The Chapel of Saint Andrew, representing the glorification of Christ in an anti-Arian key, it is the only example of an early Christian archiepiscopal chapel still intact today.

You’ve probably never heard of Dozza,  it’s just another beautiful Italian hilltop village. But Dozza is different, surprising even.

Located amongst the rolling hills and endless vineyards outside of Bologna, Dozza has a pretty little secret which makes it a ‘must-see’ for anyone visiting Bologna.

Dozza is home to the Biennale del Muro Dipinto (Biennial of the Painted Wall), a festival of contemporary art that uses the ancient facades of Dozza as canvas. Houses, arches, churches, porticoes, streets and squares are home to over 100 contemporary art pieces. It’s, for this reason, been named one the most beautiful towns in Italy.

The result is a mesmerising open-air art gallery that will leave you in awe.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a typical Italian village without its fair share of other attractions, including a middle-ages Fortress, an exceptional wine cellar (Enoteca), and a variety of top restaurants.

While the painted walls of Dozza are the town’s main drawcard, Rocca Sforzesca di Dozza, its medieval fortress, is absolutely worth a visit.

The imposing burnt-orange fortress walls have stood here since the 13th century, protecting the town and surrounding areas through centuries of war.

However, the current structure of the fortress has been in place since the 15th century, when Caterina Sforza, daughter of the Duke of Milan, and wife to the Lord of Imola, commissioned a refurbishment to include defensive towers, moat and merlons.

During the Renaissance period (the 1500’s), the fortress was converted into a noble residence, and this is what you see today when touring the grounds.

Highlights include the historic kitchen, complete with antique cookware, the noble apartments, and the third-floor loggia, which houses historic frescoes.

From the castle towers, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Dozza’s narrow laneways and rooftops, and the surrounding hills & vineyards – reason enough for the visit.

It’s in these surrounding hills that varietals such as Sangiovese and Albana were born, so it’s no surprise to find Enoteca’s (wine store) in just about every village.

What makes Dozza’s Enoteca stand out though, is not just its position in the cellars of the medieval fortress of Rocca Sforzesca. It’s the fact that it is home to Emilia Romagna’s regional wine headquarters. Here, amongst this beautifully restored cellar, you will find over 600 labels, personally selected by a group of local wine experts, meaning you’ll find the best regional **wine here, ready for tastings or purchase.