Beneath unassuming exteriors, Ravenna's ancient churches hide the world's most dazzling Byzantine mosaics. The Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo and Mausoleum of Galla Placidia showcase walls that shimmer with gold and jewel-toned glass fragments. Dante's tomb attracts literary pilgrims, while locals gather in Piazza del Popolo to debate the merits of competing piadina flatbread vendors. Rent a bicycle to navigate the city's extensive network of paths, stopping to refuel with Sangiovese wine. The Teatro Comunale Alighieri offers performances in a setting that would impress its namesake poet. For a complete change of pace, Mirabilandia theme park provides thrills just outside town. Don't miss the Candiano Canal, connecting this inland treasure to the Adriatic Sea.
