Your next Italy trip needs this destination (you're gonna love it)

Discovering Ravenna: Italy's mosaic capital

November 01, 2025

October in our part of Italy has been spectacular. Sunny days and temperatures still in the low to mid-20s prove that it's a great time to visit Italy. In addition to exploring our new region of Abruzzo, I had a chance to visit a new city in Italy that I've absolutely fallen in love with. That place was Ravenna, and I can't wait to tell you all about it in this month's newsletter.

Resources guide:

Useful tools for helping you plan your trip:

*Includes affiliate links

What’s new in and around Italy

This month brings updates you should know if you're planning a trip to Italy: strikes that could disrupt November journeys, new pet-friendly developments, and even a glimpse of how Halloween is taking root across the country. Here's a look at what's happening right now in and around Italy.

  • Italy faces a series of transport strikes in November affecting flights, trains and local transit. Key dates include 7, 14, and 27–28 November, with disruptions expected in Milan, Palermo, and at major airports. Prepare for delays and cancellations, especially during the 24-hour general strike on 28 November. Get details here

  • The province of Bolzano/Bozen in South Tyrol plans to introduce a dog tourist tax from 2026. Visitors will pay €1.50 per night per dog, while resident owners will pay €100 annually. The tax will be used to fund cleaner streets and more dog-friendly public spaces, though some argue it penalizes pet owners. Read more

  • Rome Fiumicino Airport now has Italy's first dog hotel inside an airport. The new facility, called Dog Relais, offers climate-controlled lodges, outdoor play areas, and optional extras like aromatherapy and grooming, making travel easier for pet owners. Read more

  • Thanks to the growing popularity of Halloween in Italy, pumpkin sales have surged to over €30 million a year. The pumpkin economy is projected to yield about 40,000 tons of pumpkins for both ornamentation and human consumption. Read more

  • A 69-year-old Japanese tourist tragically died after falling from a wall at the Pantheon in Rome, prompting renewed concern about safety and overcrowding at major landmarks. Read more

Ravenna, the Italian city you haven't heard of (but should visit)

Ever heard of Ravenna? Most people haven't.

This small city in Emilia-Romagna was the capital of three different empires. It sheltered Dante during his exile. It inspired Lord Byron. And it holds some of the most stunning art you'll ever see, Byzantine mosaics that are 1,500 years old and still shimmer like they were made yesterday. I just spent time in Ravenna and I'm still thinking about it.

Here's what makes it special:

  • The mosaics - Eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites filled with gold, emerald green and deep purple tiles. Step into San Vitale or the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and you'll understand why people travel across continents to see them.

  • The literary history - Dante finished his Divine Comedy here and is buried in Ravenna (Florence keeps asking for his remains back - Ravenna keeps saying no). Byron lived here with his married lover and wrote some of his best work. You can walk the streets they walked.

  • The pace - No crowds pushing through narrow streets. No rush. Just you, your bike, and a city that lets you breathe. Ride through pine forests to the coast, explore the Po Delta wetlands, or just sit with a piadina and watch local life happen around you.

  • The food - You're in Emilia-Romagna. That means handmade pasta, piadina stuffed with cheese and prosciutto, fresh seafood from the Adriatic, and Sangiovese wine.

Ravenna also takes sustainable tourism seriously. The city launched the Footprints Project to create a tourism model that respects both the environment and the cultural heritage that makes Ravenna special.

I was invited by the Ravenna tourism board to experience the city's tourism offerings as part of this project. Now, you have an opportunity to do the same as Ravenna is looking to host 50 explorers in 2026. You can WIN a 5-day stay in Ravenna (hotel, meals and activities included)—apply by Nov. 15.

Want the full story?

I've written a complete guide covering:

  • Which mosaic sites to visit (and what makes each one special)

  • How to follow Dante and Byron's footsteps through the city

  • The best bike routes and outdoor adventures

  • Where to stay and eat

  • How Ravenna is rethinking tourism for the better

I also recorded a podcast episode walking through Ravenna's history and what it's like to experience the city today. Have a listen and start planning your trip.

If you're planning your Italy trip and want something different from the usual stops - or if you're just tired of fighting crowds in Venice and Florence - give Ravenna a look. It's the kind of place that changes how you see Italy.

Resources

There is no bad time to start planning your next trip to Italy. Make sure to check out our blog and podcast for useful tips to help you plan your trip.

Alla prossima

Kasia