Ravenna and Po River Cruise to Polesella with Uniworld
Ravenna and Po River Cruise to Polesella with Uniworld
WJ Tested: Uniworld Po River Cruise Day 4 – Chioggia to Ravenna full-day included excursion
Ravenna and Po River Cruise to Polesella with Uniworld. Visiting Basilica San Vitale in Ravenna.
Today Uniworld River Countess leaves the Venetian Lagoon, crosses the Adriatic and enters the Po River. Due to Italian Coast Guard regulations (since the Costa Concordia wreck), all passengers must be off the ship and only 30 crew are able to remain aboard during the crossing on the Adriatic Sea.
The full-day included excursion to Ravenna started with a 1 hour 45-minute bus ride from Chioggia. Along the route the local guide provided commentary about the sights we passed, and history of the area we travelled through.
Discovering Ravenna, Italy with Uniworld River Cruises
Interesting Facts – Did You Know?
- Po River spans 650 km and is the longest river in Italy
- Po Delta covers 400 sq km of flora and fauna
- Each city in Italy speaks their own dialect (even though Italian is the national language)
- Veneto and Emilia-Romagna are the 2 richest regions in Italy
- Emilia-Romagna grows the most produce in Italy
- Tourism ranks as either the first or second largest industry in all regions of Italy
- Medici family (bankers) ruled Tuscany for centuries
- Italy became a nation 152 years ago
- Vatican is the smallest country in world
- Poplar trees are cultivated for newspaper as they only need a couple of years to grow
At 9:45 am our bus arrived in Ravenna, where we started our morning walking tour with local guides. First stop was at a local cafe to use the facilities and purchase a drink if we so wished. Our group stopped at the friendly and clean Cafe Mosaic and we were glad we spent the €2 on their excellent cappuccino.
Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
By 10:10 am we were walking with our local guide Manuela towards our first stop, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia – the earliest building of Ravenna and a UNESCO site. All groups were allowed to go inside with guides for approximately 5 minutes to view the most amazing mosaics – incredible details and colors.
Mosaics in Mausoleo di Galla Placidia
Next we visited Basilica Sant Vitali, built in the Byzantine period during times of heresy. Manuela explained that the Byzantines called themselves Romans and the Southeastern part of the Emilia-Romagna region was the land of the Romans. The marble pieces on the floor of the basilica were originally slabs on walls and had been imported from the Middle East. Due to the chain of mountains between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany it was more expensive to bring marble from Tuscany, so it was shipped from the Middle East – which was both easier and cheaper. The basilica has the same type of marble that is used in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Mosaics that line the walls are scenes from the Old Testament and date all the way back to the mid-6th century.
Mosaics in Basilica Sant Vitali in Ravenna, Italy.
After spending an hour in the mausoleum and basilica, Manuela gave group members the option for free time in the shopping area, or to continue with her for the rest of the walking tour. As shops close between 12:30 and 3 pm for lunch a few people opted to shop and then meet the group again for the included lunch.
Tomb of Dante in Ravenna, Italy
The next attraction on the walking tour was to visit the Tomb of Dante. Dante was the father of the Italian language and all school groups visit Dante’s Tomb to pay their respects. Dante came to Ravenna when exiled from Florence and then died from malaria. His tomb dates back to the late 18th century and his bones are in the tomb in Ravenna. (the tomb in Florence is empty).
Sant’ Apollinaire Nuovo
Following our visit to Dante’s Tomb we continued on to Sant’ Apollinaire Nuovo where we viewed the mosaics made by Byzantine artists in the 6th century.
Mosaics in Sant’ Apollinaire Nuovo
A fabulous 4-course lunch with wine was included for all passengers, and we dined in the garden room (covered courtyard) at one of Ravenna’s oldest and most famous restaurants, la Ca’ de Vèn.
Ca’ de’ Vén in Ravenna – Ricotta Tortelli with Asparagus
Ca’ de’ Vén in Ravenna – Prosciutto di Parma with Piadino Bread.
Ca’ de’ Vén in Ravenna – Local Cheese with Baked Prosciutto di Parma.
Ca’ de’ Vén in Ravenna – Slices of Grilled Beef with Cervia Salt, Grilled Vegetables and Fries.
Ca’ de’ Vén in Ravenna – Dessert: Semifreddo Parfait with Roasted Walnuts.
By 3 pm we were back on the bus for the 90-minute drive towards where River Countess was waiting for us on the Po River. As soon as all passengers were aboard River Countess started to cruise to Polesella – our first experience of cruising the Po River.
River Countess in Taglio di Po
Cruising on the Po River aboard Uniworld River Countess
Bridge on Po River
River Heritage Club members were invited to a cocktail reception in the lounge at 6 pm, followed by Cruise Manager Martin Kummer’s brief port talk for the next day’s included excursion to Bologna.
The Savoy Restaurant opened for another delightful 4-course dinner at 7:15 pm. Menu entree options included: Spaghetti with Fresh Laguna Mussels and Clams; Grilled Salmon with Salsa Vergine, Orange Flavored Fennel and Parsley Potatoes; Roasted Rack of Lamb in a Parsley Mustard Crust, Chianti Sauce and Caponata Vegetables; Tempura of Fresh Vegetables with Yogurt Mint Relish.
Following dinner the Castillo Lounge featured local entertainment of “Belcanto Italiano – Gala Lirico” – highlights of the Italian Opera.
Next… Bologna Included City Tour
Previously:
- WAVEJourney’s Uniworld Po River and Venetian Lagoon Review
- Uniworld River Countess Ship Facts: Ship Features and Amenities
- Embarkation in Venice – Day 1
- Explore Venice on Foot
- Padua & Scrovegni Chapel
- Venice to Chioggia
If You Go:
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Uniworld Po River & the Venetian Lagoon
- Uniworld River Countess
- Scrovengi Chapel
