May 16th: After more than 7000 km on the road we were looking forward to an easy drive from Triest to Ravenna. As mentioned already we had a nice oldish Hotel direct at the seaside in Triest. The hotel is in a very old building and creates its character through that. It is build to have in summer cool rooms for the guests in opposite it means it is not really geared up for the less warm time of the year😂.
Here we go … last night single digit temperatures only and than my buddy from Dubai…. uh the boy was freezing like hell … he slept in full clothes and all jackets on… the poor man… but he will get used to it fast. 5 years in Dubai are making you in a way used to heat not to cold.
After a nice breakfast with a hot espresso for Martin he felt much better and after check out we went off direction Ravenna. We had aligned not to use the highway instead we used the costal road to see the country side. If you have the time please do so you will not regret to cruise through the Friaul and afterwards through Venice area…. you will love it. The only caveat is the Italian toll situation on highway which makes a lot of trucks avoiding it and drive on the coast roads as well. Be patient… you will get your Chance to over take… no doubt. Please do not take a risk. To pass by Venice and have an other 100 km to go… than you reach Ravenna. Make a break on your way and stop at one of those many small coffee shops next to the road and have a fantastic Italian espresso.
We reached after 4h our hotel Mosaico close to the city center. Only a 10 min walk and you are in the old town of Ravenna. Ravenna was the Capitol City of the Western Roman Empire from 402 to 476 until the empire collapsed. Although it is an inland city Ravenna is connected to the Adriatic Sea by the Candioro Canal. It is known for its well preserved late Roman and Byzantine architecture with 8 buildings comprising the UNESCO world heritage. Make sure you bring enough time to be able to see all that. It is worth it. The heritage is impressive! We had a great afternoon there and if you need a break just Pause in on off the nice coffee shops there and enjoy the charms of Ravenna. We could really not get enough of it.
Late afternoon we went back to the hotel to prepare ourselves for dinner. We went back to the old part of the city … we chose one of the various restaurants there and had a nice dinner. We set on a piazza with a great view on some of the old buildings. The old town is very lively in the evenings. Go there if you can.
Tomorrow we go to Switzerland….. last stint before Germany… where is the time gone? We will stay over in the most famous city of Switzerland…. Unterägerie in the Kanton of Zug.
