Trip Day 13 - Ravenna

Saturday September 24

We woke up to another beautiful sunrise. 

After breakfast we were off to Ravenna by bus. Again, I had no idea what I was about to see.

Street signs in Ravenna.

The "Mausoleum of Galla Placidia" in Ravenna.

We had to stand in line for a while until we could go into the mausoleum. It was not very large but unbelievable. Unfortunately we were chased out soon because the next people wanted to go in.

No wonder that Ravenna is famous to be the town of mosaics. 

Right next door the Basilica of San Vitale. Something to be seen to believe. All those little stones of glass or special stones.

Everybody looking up. Anybody looking down? This is awesome too. I saw a lot of quilt pattern possibilities, ha-ha.

And then we wandered through the town again. 

Another church. Almost every church in Italy seems to have frescos. Not much left here though.

A wedding just happened. And so many tourists/strangers milling about.

Dante's mausoleum. 

When we had free time, Vanessa suggested we go to the Basilica di Saint Apollinare. More mosaics, ha-ha. She suggested to take a photo of her group entry ticket. And yes, just showing the photo and the QR was enough to let us in free. 

Well, and this one even had handmade bobbinlace. A bonus!

We had to walk out through the gift shop (nothing unusual about that worldwide). You know I love and collect nativities from all over the world. Sorry, not this one. Besides being VERY expensive it was also very sloppily made.

We were supposed to be back at the two columns in this plaza. Of course James and I were. 

Off to lunch at the restaurant Passatelli l/osteria del Mariani. It used to be formerly a theater and was huge. We learned about different Italian foods. Interesting. 

Afterwards we still had a little time and Vanessa suggested (to those who might be interested) to visit a mosaic artist's studio. Yes, very interesting. 

I could include only a few photos. This piece of art was quite big and in the entry way. You should enlarge it on your computer to see all those hundreds of tiny people put together with stones. 

The artist himself was not there because it was a Saturday/weekend. But his assistant gave us a good lecture how things are done. 

The artist gets commissioned for portraits of children and pets and all sorts of things. 

Another piece I am not sure off. Sunbathers on the right. Skeletons on the left.  ?

We were a bit early at the meeting point for the bus and enjoyed one of those coffees. 

Back on the ship we soon went to the Captain's reception. More food. If it just would not be so inviting looking and delicious. 

We even were offered the Limoncello Spritz everybody was talking about.

After dinner two other musicians came on board. James and I liked them much more than the ones from day before. 

Yes, yes, another incredible day. Falling into bed. I am sure tomorrow will be busy too. An UNESCO World Heritage Site every day. We are not complaining!