San Marino

 Our tour guide, Silvia, told us that the local people of Pesaro aren't used to having tourists in their town yet. It's just opening up to tourists. So you will see in the photos that two local ladies stopped Silvia to ask what was going on with this large group of people she was leading around. She said they ask if she was a terrorist (I think they meant tourist!) Anyway, they had a lively conversation!

(to be continued) 

San Marino

 They tell us to embrace the unexpected. Well, they have certainly given us experiences we didn't expect!!

We came back to Italy from the country of San Marino. Pesaro is a small town on the Adriatic Sea, down the mountain from San Marino.

 It is known as "the city of music" because of Gioacchino Rossini, the famous composer born in Pesaro in 1792. He wrote 39 operas as well as some sacred music, songs, chamber music and piano pieces.

(to be continued) 

San Marino, Republic of San Marino

 We entered a new country today!! The Republic of San Marino!! It's the third smallest country in the World; next to the Vatican and Monaco. 

It is a mountainous micro-state surrounded by north-central Italy. Its capital, also named San Marino, is a medieval walled town with narrow cobblestone streets.

 Its Three Towers, castle-like citadels dating to the 11th century, sit atop the mountain peak.

(to be continued) 

Ravenna 4 Halloween

 Halloween has not been traditionally celebrated in Italy, but when they found out that it can be used as an excuse to party, they joined right in.

We had lunch in an old taverna. Excellent as all Italian food is!!

We had free time to walk around and find more beautiful churches with beautiful mosiacs.

For dinner tonight on the boat, we all dressed up in our Halloween costumes.

After dinner, some local musicians will come on board to play local "balera" music. I think Doug and I will be in bed by then!!

(to be continued) 

Ravenna 3 An Empty Coffin

 Ravenna is also the burial place of Dante, author of the Divine Comedy. He was born in Florence but was exiled for political reasons in 1302. Two hundred years after his death, Florence wanted his body back, but monks from Ravenna sent an empty coffin. His body was recovered hidden in a wall of a church in 1865.

Beside industrial plants and fishing, tourism is growing as a source of major income for the local population. Flat and quiet, the medieval city center is bike friendly and pleasant to walk.

(to be continued) 

Ravenna 2 Mosaic Capital

 Believe it or not, today in Ravenna was bright and sunny, in the 60's. Tomorrow it will rain again so we're enjoying today!!

Ravenna was the fifth-century seat of the Roman Empire and later a major city during the Byzantine era.

Today it's most famous for its mosaics. It is the mosaic capital of Italy, where ancient masterpieces meet modern styles. The local Art Academy is the only one in Italy where students can graduate with a Master degree in mosaic. Mosaic is a decorative design or work of art made up of small materials, such as pieces of stone or glass, arranged to create a pattern or image.

(to be continued) 

Ravenna 1 The Flood Caused A Change

 We then got back in our water taxi and sailed/floated/drove back to Venice; got on a bus and headed south to Ravenna. It took about 2 1/2 hours so we got a nice nap. 

We arrived at the port of Ravenna and boarded our Grand Circle ship the Artemus!! 

We were supposed to board her in Venice, but again, the flood caused a change in plans. Grand Circle Tours always has a Plan B and even sometimes a Plan C!!

We'll see how tomorrow is. Ravenna is supposed to be beautiful!!

(to be continued)