play

Ravenna offers a less crowded alternative to popular Italian destinations like Venice and Rome.Known as Italy’s “Mosaic Capital,” the city features eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.The Emilia-Romagna region, where Ravenna is located, is famous for its authentic food and wine.

RAVENNA, Italy — Italy is one of those timeless destinations that always enchants travelers with its history, food, architecture and pastoral landscapes. However, one thing often stands out just as much: the crowds.

Last year, the European country welcomed over 68.4 million international visitors, representing an increase of over 11% from 2023 and marking an all-time high in the last decade. The large influx of visitors has strained many communities, the overcrowding leading Venice to implement a day-tripper fee last year and Rome to consider limited access to the Trevi Fountain.

I’m not trying to convince travelers to avoid Italy, but rather to venture off the beaten path for a more intimate experience. This past July, I had the chance to do just that, in Ravenna, a city in the Emilia-Romagna region, that I visited by way of the maiden voyage on Oceania Cruises’ new ship, Allura. Exploring Ravenna was a breath of fresh air – and not just because of the rolling hills and valleys.

Located in northeastern Italy, Ravenna is a treat for the senses. Known as the county’s Mosaic Capital, the rustic city’s streets are adorned in intricate art, with eight of its Byzantine-era churches designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides its artistic heritage, Ravenna also boasts a longstanding agricultural heritage and a rich gastronomic culture, inviting travelers to savor authentic Italian cuisine.

“There are interesting villages, works of art scattered a bit everywhere, very good food and very good wine, but in general, less expensive,” said my tour guide Federica Mazzotti, who resides in Ravenna.

Here’s why travelers should consider Ravenna for their next Italian trip.

Eat your heart out

Emilia-Romagna’s reputation as the country’s “Food Valley” should be enough to attract visitors to Ravenna. Compared to the more well-known foodie spots like Tuscany or even Bologna in Emilia-Romagna, Ravenna’s less touristy atmosphere gives travelers a truly Italian countryside experience. “It’s much more quiet, so you may still find many authentic places than, unfortunately, in Tuscany, where many things are only for tourists,” said Mazzotti.

I learned this firsthand, dining for an al fresco lunch at the family-owned La Sabboria winery, one of many in the region, as part of my excursion with Oceania. My inviting yet straightforward lunch embodied the spirit of the Emilia-Romagna region, famous for the tradition of producing beloved Italian staples like balsamic vinegar, parmigiano-reggiano cheese, parma prosciutto and more.

The meal started with a charcuterie board of in-house cured meats, followed by handmade pasta. Pitchers of the winery’s red and white wines made for the perfect accompaniment to wash down the meal. Enjoying the relaxed pace of the meal, tasting the rich but fresh food, and taking in a bucolic backdrop felt like a quintessentially Italian afternoon.

Welcoming tourists, responsibly

As many parts of Italy struggle to manage overcrowding, Ravenna has recently begun work to become a model of regenerative tourism under a three-year plan called the “FOOTPRINTS project.” Launched in December 2024, the project outlines how Ravenna plans to balance being an emerging destination with the preservation of its culture and involving residents in decision-making.

Some initiatives include investing in accessible infrastructure as well as helping accommodations and other businesses earn green certifications. Tourists are also encouraged to be more sustainable with a “gamification system” that rewards them with discounts if they make more “sustainable choices.”

“In FOOTPRINTS we see the visitor as a temporary citizen,” said Maria Grazia Marini, Ravenna’s Director of Tourism, in a statement, according to the European Urban Initiative website. “We want them to feel at home, to feel they belong to the city. Being a citizen means enjoying a place but also taking responsibility for it. That’s how we imagine our future tourists: connected to Ravenna’s authenticity and actively involved in our sustainability journey.”

How do you get to Ravenna?

Although I arrived by cruise ship and then boarded a bus to reach Ravenna, travelers can take a bus, train or drive from several major cities. From Venice, it takes less than four hours by bus, making for an ideal weekend or day trip. The closest major international airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, and it’s about an hour away by car.

Ravenna remains overshadowed by Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and those other famous destinations, but when I think back on all the time I’ve ever spent in Italy, I’m wishing I could relive sipping a chilled white wine on the patio at that local winery under the summer sun.

The reporter on this story received access from Oceania Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control.