NextTribe: Places We Love

Ravenna and beyond

Author

Jeannie Ralston
October 15, 2024

Buongiornio, Buon pomeriggio, or Buonasera, depending on your time zone!

Talk about things that make you go “Wow!” That feeling of walking the cobblestone streets of the “western capital of the Roman Empire,” and thinking: who cares? Take a look at those mosaics!

A wall in the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, completed in 565. Yes, those little tiles are almost 1,500 years old!

When you’re on a trip led by Shannon Faseler, you can’t help consider the question: why didn’t I become an artist? But you don’t need to if you get to see Ravenna and this soulful part of Italy through her eyes, those of an accomplished artist, art educator, and an incurable Italophile!

Shannon loves the mosaics of Ravenna, and she also loves Italian churches, Italian restaurants, the Italian seaside and Italian people. Her enthusiasm for Italy is infectious. And her love for this region brings her back again and again.

The art of a good meal and great conversation, with Shannon at the head of the table!

Ravenna is in the province of Emilio Reggiano in north central Italy, and the city is beloved as much for its beauty as its food. It’s the home of tagliatelle, which comes from the word “tagliere—to cut.” What’s the difference between that and fettuccini? Tagliatelle is wider and thinner. It’s closer to pappardelle, but not exactly the same size.

Don’t feel bad. There are more than 300 shapes and sizes of pasta, and you can try them fresh on our Spring 2025 trip to this “chef’s kiss” destination!

You can download the brochure here.

Bologna’s hidden canals. It’s a wonderful city for discovering the unexpected!

What’s Up in Ravenna, Bologna and Beyond?

  • Breathtaking mosaics date back to the Byzantine era

  • A lovely, short route between Bologna and Ravenna (one hour)

  • Ravenna is relatively flat, easy to get around.

  • The life in the piazzas is familiar to anyone who’s been to Italy.

  • In Bologna cooking classes, the nonna will show you how it’s done, but watch out for a whack from her wooden spoon!

  • Nothing like seeing where and how some of our favorite Italian foods are made.

  • Modena is an hour away and full of great food, and food tours

  • Parma is less than an hour from Modena.

  • Parma is the home of prosciutto (parma ham) and reggiano cheese

  • Usually great weather in Spring, and a private van to take you between cities.

During our time in Italy, Shannon will take you to some really good local favorite restaurants, share her insights on the history and art of the region, and most of all, give you a chance to meeother women travelers and Italian women our age.

Prosciutto, parmigiana, and a side of scooter for sale (or for attention) in a Parma food shop.

You’ve been to Italy. Now go to our Italy!

We are hopeless romantics and we’re suckers for a good story, a great meal, and a cozy place to dream at night…or at siesta time! We don’t believe in the traditional “walk and gawk” tours that rush you away from an incredible experience and we value quality over quantity. Local over imported. Transformation over checking a box that says you “saw this” or “did that.”

Many travelers have told us that the experience of a NextTribe trip “changed her life.” Sometimes travel does that to you, and we think it’s more than just the destination. It’s who you meet, the stories you hear, the connection you feel with fellow travelers and with local women.

We can’t imagine seeing this part of Italy without Shannon leading us. Watch for a profile of her later this month in NextTribe Magazine.

And now…about that trip!

Ciao, bella!

Jeannie - Sign

Jeannie Ralston, CEO & Co-Founder

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