4. DANTE IN ROMAGNA-TUSCANY LAND

Ravenna, Forlì surroundings, Bertinoro, Forlimpopoli

04 days / 03 nights

1st DAY – RAVENNA

Ravenna, the city where Dante, finding asylum at the court of Guido Novello da Polenta spent the last years of his life. Visit the Mausoleum of Galla Placida, a Christian funerary monument of rare beauty; the S. Vitale Basilica, masterpiece of early Christian and Byzantine art; the Basilica of St. Apollinaris Nuovo, born as a place of Aryan worship, and then consecrated to St. Martin of Tours; the Palace of the Da Polenta family and the home of Francesca. Free lunch. In the afternoon, visit to the Tomb of Dante, to Quadrarco of Braccioforte where in 1865 were found the remains of Dante and the Basilica of St. Francis where was held his funeral. Dinner and overnight.

2nd Day –FORLI’ SURROUNDINGS

Departure for San Benedetto in Alpe with the ancient Benedictine Abbey from where, weather permitting, you can take a pleasant walk in the luxuriant nature of the Casentino Forest National Park (3 hours in total) until the Acquacheta waterfall whose rioting in fall inspired Dante in describing the infernal Phlegethon waterfall. Continue to Portico, an ancient village perfectly preserved in its medieval urban structure. Several palaces, including Palazzo Portinari where, tradition tells, the love blossomed between Dante and Beatrice. Free lunch. Departure for Castrocaro, already famous village in Roman times for its thermal waters. Visit the imposing medieval fortress that watches over the village from the cliff. A little further down the Bell Tower, bastion to guard the lower part of town. Further downstream there is Terra del Sole, the fortified town built by Cosimo de 'Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Ideal Renaissance city, built and designed to be safe and impregnable capital of Tuscan Romagna. Still preserves its original layout: built around the central hub of the parade ground, perfectly symmetrical with two doors, two major towns and two star-shaped castles. Dinner and overnight

3rd DAY – BERTINORO and FORLIMPOPOLI

Departure for Bertinoro, called the "Balcony of Romagna", an ancient village that has maintained the ancient structure with narrow streets and glimpses of the past: the magnificent Palazzo Ordelaffi in Freedom Square, the Clock Tower and the ancient fortress to which inside is Interreligious Museum dedicated to the three great monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). A few kilometers from Bertinoro, there is the church of S. Donato in Polenta, Romanesque basilica, prior to 10th century. It is said that Dante stopped there to pray in his way from Arezzo to Ravenna. Free lunch. In the afternoon transfer to Forlimpopoli, where art and gastronomy have reached the apex. When you arrive, the first thing you see is the Ordelaffiana Fortress dating from the 14th century, but why it has become known is that here was born Artusi, author of the famous book Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well. Visit to Casa Artusi and, on request, possibility to assist to a cooking class. Dinner and overnight.

4th Day –  RAVENNA
Breakfast and end of services.

Price per person starting from € 315,00

Prices per person based on groups of 25 participants on half-board basis and cost guides included.

Transportation, entrance fees to places visited, drink excluded.

Tours will be made with a minimum of 08 participants