Once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, Ravenna then served as capital for the Ostrogoth Kingdom and then as a major port city for the Byzantine Empire. Its rich history as a principal city during these time periods, has left its mark on the city, with finely preserved architecture and art from the Byzantine Christian period. A trip to Bologna allows for a taste of the traditional gastronomy of the region Emilia Romagna, which includes stuffed tortellini with ricotta cheese and herbs, stuffed cappelletti with cheese or meat, tagliatelle, pappardelle, tortellacci, and much more.
Similarly, Bologna is a city of art, culture, and commerce known for its manufacturing tradition and hosting conventions. Bologna’s 38km of arcaded streets are the longest porticos in the world. The city houses the first ever established university in all of Europe, the prestigious University of Bologna, which has spurred many academic conferences, publishings, and cultural initiatives which has made the Bologna to be reciginezed by many as one of Europes cultural capitals.