RAVENNA, ITALY

Comacchio maintains its particular charm of a ‘miniature Venice’ due to its development on 13 little islets linked to each other by bridges, the most famous of which is the Treponti.

Departing from the quayside, we travel to Po Delta Park, the central station for the city of Comacchio. Here we will make a short stop to admire this characteristic lagoon town. Comacchio maintains its particular charm of a ‘miniature Venice’ due to its development on 13 little islets linked to each other by bridges, the most famous of which is the Treponti. This bridge, which was built in 1636, offers beautiful views over the town. Comacchio is a beautiful old settlement, known locally for its fishing and production of salt. Today the streets between the canals are full of monuments, churches and towers. Our guide will lead us around the small town, before we are given some free time to explore independently. Next, we re-board our tour coach and proceed towards Pomposa Abbey, passing through the Bertuzzi Valley – which, owing to its distinctive vegetation has a large presence of birds throughout the year – and the Cannevie-Porticino Valley. The whole area is famous for its ‘Valli’ (hilly esplanades), which are considered to be civic property and are part of one of the most important brackish areas of Italy. Pomposa Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery dating back to the 10th century, and is notably one of the most appealing Italian churches of the Romanesque period. We shall make a stop here to visit the wonderful monument, which houses beautiful frescos of Giotto’s School, terracotta friezes and Byzantine sculptures. Following our visit to the abbey, we re-board our coach and drive along the ‘Via Romea’ road – which offers attractive views of the valleys and woodland – back to Ravenna.

TOUR NOTES: This tour involves approximately two hours of compulsory walking, and steps and bridges will also be encountered, therefore it is not suitable for passengers with limited mobility or wheelchair users. Walking during the period of free time is at the discretion of the individual.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2009 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES