I’ve been to Italy 22 times and nowhere compares to this foodie hotspot

It’ got fascinating history, walkable streets, and hearty cuisine (Picture: Getty Images) Dazzling mosaics, Roman ruins, and some of the world’s finest food are just a few of the things Ravenna is known for. Thanks to its location deep in the countryside of Emilia-Romagna, this small city flies under the radar compared with Rome, Florence, or Venice – but that’s exactly what makes it special. I’ve been to Italy at least 22 times, perhaps more. My stepmum is Italian, and I’ve spent many happy years visiting the area around Cesena, both during the peak of summer and at Christmas. I’ve sipped Negronis in Rome’s piazzas, bobbed on a gondola in Venice, wandered the ancient streets of Pompeii, and marvelled at Mount Vesuvius, but in my view, nothing comes close to Ravenna. Why? The food. A culinary paradise Some of my happiest childhood memories were spent around my nonna’s kitchen table. She taught me how to make capelletti, a ring-shaped type of stuffed pasta that literally translates to ‘little hats,’ and has regional roots in the Renaissance period. Back then, I’d be so excited for my morning breakfast (usually a bombolone, a type of custard-filled doughnut), that when I drew the covers over my head, I wished I could fast forward to morning. Fluffy and indulgent, bomboloni are soft Italian doughnuts filled with creamy custard or jam, dusted with powdered sugar (Picture: Getty Images) I learned that making ragù is an art, and one of the best ways you can get to know someone is to share a dinner table with them. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Italy is known for having world-class culinary traditions, but Emilia-Romagna is widely regarded as its greatest food region. It’s known for simple dishes done well, and for making the most of the wealth of local resources thanks to its location close to the hills and sea. Danielle Oteri, an art historian and writer specialising in meaningful travel experiences in Italy, explains that much of Emilia-Romagna’s food tradition comes from its geography. @travelcroats Most people have never heard of it, but this city has more UNESCO-listed mosaics than anywhere else on earth! ⤵️ Welcome to… 📍 RAVENNA, ITALY ➡️ Get our free travel guide to the Emilia-Romagna region with a 5-day itinerary on the link in BIO! Ravenna is the hidden gem of northern Italy that most people fly right past! Here’s how to spend the perfect day ⤵️ 🌟 Basilica di San Vitale – floor-to-ceiling Byzantine mosaics that have to be seen to be believed. One of the most breathtaking interiors in all of Europe. 🌙 Mausoleo di Galla Placidia – step inside and look up. The mosaic ceiling mimics a night sky in the most hauntingly beautiful way. ✝️ Battistero Neoniano – a 5th-century baptistery frozen in time, with a golden mosaic dome that will stop you in your tracks. 👑 Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo – Theodoric’s legacy, told through an endless golden procession of saints lining every wall. ⛪ Basilica di San Francesco – where Dante’s funeral was held. Quiet, ancient, and full of atmosphere. 🪦 Tomba di Dante – pay your respects to the man who gave Italy its language. A quiet, surprisingly moving stop. 📜 Byron Museum – Lord Byron lived in Ravenna for three years. This is where he wrote Don Juan. 🎨 MAR – Museo d’Arte della città di Ravenna – modern and contemporary art meets ancient city. 🕊️ Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe – just outside the city, but absolutely worth it. One of the finest early Christian basilicas in existence. 🏛️ Piazza del Popolo – the beating heart of Ravenna. End your day here with an Aperol Spritz and soak it all in. Save this for your trip to Italy and follow @travelcroats for more unique travel inspo 🤍 @Visit Emilia Romagna @RavennaTourism @visitromagna.it @ravennamosaici #emiliaromagna #ravenna #ravennaitaly #visitravenna #ravennamosaici ♬ suara asli – gitapusmakeup – gitapusmakeup She tells Metro: ‘Italy is a country with such varied geography that the unique conditions (volcanic soil, specific breezes, the sea) define the cuisine. ‘The dampness and fog in the Po River Valley make for extraordinary cured meats, including coppa, culatello, and prosciutto.’ Some of the most popular foods to eat here include mortadella, Parmesan, and piadina, a crispy flatbread often served with the soft cheese, squacquerone. Emilia-Romagna is also the birthplace of some of the world’s most iconic dishes, such as lasagne and tortellini, a type of stuffed pasta. Wine drinkers should indulge in a glass of Sangiovese, a red that’s so embedded in the culture of the region that, in Romagnol (the regional dialect), it’s simply called ‘e be,’ which translates to ‘the drink.’ Perhaps the region’s most beloved dish, though, is strozzapreti (which literally translates to ‘priest stranglers’). Capelletti in brodo (essentially pasta in broth) is a popular regional dish, often served around Christmas (Picture: Getty Images) In Emilia-Romagna, this type of pasta – made by twisting fresh dough between the palms – is traditionally made from durum wheat, semolina flour, and water, although some more modern recipes incorporate egg whites and parmesan, breaking from the working-class roots. At Al 45, you’ll find regional fare, including Romagna-style cappelletti, tagliatelle with mushrooms and pork, and tortellini in broth. Beyond that, no visit is complete without a swing by a piadina stand, purveyors of moreish flatbreads best enjoyed on the go. They’re fairly easy to spot and dotted around everywhere, immediately noticeable for their red-and-white striped exterior. Try Farcia Piadineria, or La Piadina Dello Chef. Piadani being made, hot, fresh and stuffed with prosciutto (Picture: Getty Images) Things to do in Ravenna Once you’ve filled your belly, in Ravenna’s centre, you’ll find all manner of life in Piazza del Popolo. It’s often compared to Piazza San Marco in Venice because of its similar architectural style, except this one’s without the bustling crowds. Around the borders, you’ll find locals enjoying an espresso in the morning and an Aperitivo in the evening, at spots like Tazza d’Oro and La Tonda. The Piazza del Popolo is the heart of the city (Picture: Chris Jackson/Pool/Shutterstock) Nearby, there’s also the covered market, which is permanently home to two meat and fish restaurants, as well as a bakery, a butcher’s, and a gelateria. Meanwhile, if you’re into mosaics, Ravenna has it all. There are eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments dotted across the city, many of them dating back to the fifth century AD. And don’t forget to visit the tomb of Italian poet Dante Alighieri while you’re there. He’s often referred to as the ‘father’ of the Italian language itself. How to get to Ravenna You can fly direct from London to either Rimini, Forlì, or Bologna. Our Top Shopping Picks A friend said I looked 'snatched' – I credit this new Charlotte Tilbury powder Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them Simba's cooling mattresses are now up to 30% off ahead of the bank holiday During the summer, it’s best to fly into Forlì, which is a 38-minute drive away. For the same dates, a return journey currently costs £30. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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