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Routes · Europe

Sydney to Emilia-Romagna: Bologna, Modena and Ravenna

Sydney → Bologna → Modena → Ravenna

Two Towers Bologna
"Bologna Panorama.jpg" by Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Torri di Bologna, Bologna (Bologna)
Photo: Fabio Ciminelli, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Porticoes, food towns & Byzantine mosaics Best season (general guide): Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Emilia-Romagna, in northern Italy, is famous for its food, its old university and the mosaics of Ravenna. This route spends six nights between Bologna, Modena and Ravenna. From Sydney you'll connect through Asia or the Gulf and a European hub to Bologna. Bologna is known for its porticoes, covered walkways that line the streets for many kilometres, listed by UNESCO.

Tortellini and fresh egg pasta are made by hand in small shops, and markets near Piazza Maggiore sell cured meats and cheese. Modena, a short train ride away, has a Romanesque cathedral and bell tower, listed by UNESCO with its main square. It is the home of traditional balsamic vinegar, aged for years in wooden barrels.

Ravenna was once a capital of the late Roman Empire and of the Byzantine West. UNESCO lists its early Christian monuments, decorated with some of the finest mosaics in the world. The Basilica of San Vitale glows with gold and green. Summer is hot and winters can be foggy.

Book a balsamic tasting ahead, as producers are small family businesses.

Bologna's porticoes make it easy to explore on foot even in rain or strong sun. Lunch is often the best value meal, and trattorias fill quickly with locals. In Ravenna, the monuments are spread through the centre, so walk between them and pause in the squares along the way.

Practical notes: Good to know: Fast and regional trains link the three cities, so there's no need for a car. In Ravenna, a combined ticket usually covers several monuments, so plan a full day to see them unhurried.

Safety: Canada's advice for Italy is to exercise a high degree of caution (updated 29 September 2026).

Suggested outline

  1. Sydney

    Start

  2. Bologna

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Miles of porticoes, medieval towers and a great food market.

  3. Modena

    By train · 1 night suggested

    A Romanesque cathedral and the home of balsamic vinegar.

    Modena Cathedral
    "Pulpit at Modena Cathedral Duomo.jpg" by Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Ravenna

    By train · 2 nights suggested

    Early Christian churches covered in gold mosaics.

    San Vitale Ravenna mosaic
    "Apse mosaic - Basilica of San Vitale (Ravenna).jpg" by Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Bologna — Arrive; Piazza Maggiore and the porticoes· Sydney → Bologna (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Bologna — Two Towers and the university
  3. Day 3 · Bologna — Food market and a pasta class
  4. Day 4 · Modena — Train to Modena; the cathedral and balsamic tasting· Bologna → Modena (by train)
  5. Day 5 · Ravenna — Train to Ravenna; San Vitale· Modena → Ravenna (by train)
  6. Day 6 · Ravenna — Mausoleums and baptisteries
  7. Day 7 · Ravenna — Travel home from Ravenna· Ravenna → Bologna (by train), then Bologna → Sydney (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Bologna

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Modena

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