DAY 1 - MARINA DI RAVENNA to RAVENNA - 21 April 2026

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Ceremonial selfie to mark the start of the walk - Marina di Ravenna
After a wonderful week with family and friends we were very excited to begin our walk today! 

We flagged down the 5:30 am bus to get to Marina di Ravenna, our starting point,  in time for sunrise over the Adriatic. We walked along the breakwater, marvelling over the fishing huts jutting out into the sea.  One of them provided a temporary shelter as we scrambled into wet weather gear when the weather changed. 

Luckily the rain and wind did not last for long.  The wet boardwalk and early morning light made for good photography as we followed a coastal bike path. Many of the beach shack restaurants,  closed at the moment,  looked as if they could be washed away in a good storm! 

Leaving the coast, our path took us through fields of crops and workers planting trees before heading back into Ravenna for breakfast and a rest at our hotel.

Ravenna is known for its wonderful mosaics. We had viewed two glorious UNESCO listed sites the evening before, the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia with its starry dome and the Basilica di San Vitale with interest everywhere,  including religious scenes in mosaics above and a labyrinth in marble on the floor. This afternoon we continued our explorations with visits to three more sites featuring amazing mosaics, as well as Dante's tomb,  a sunken crypt complete with goldfish in the Basilica di San Francesco and the covered market. Our lunch was the delicious local speciality of piadina, a stuffed flatbread. While wandering the streets we found a second hand book shop, and as fellow bookshop owners were delighted to have a chat with Fabrizio.

We didn't have time to view all of Ravenna's treasures but are looking forward to continuing our walk tomorrow. 

Sunrise over the Adriatic Sea
Fishing huts on the breakwater
Where the breakwater meets the shore, Marina di Ravenna
Boardwalk by the sea
We followed the coastal cycle path for a few kilometres
As the rain eased off, we stopped for a few photos
Heading west towards Ravenna
A short stretch of road-walking
The cycleway was mostly divided from the road 
Cyclists and walker using umbrellas to keep off the rain
Australian long-distance walker enjoying the sights of Ravenna
Piadina for lunch
We found a secondhand bookshop . . . 
. . . and had a pleasant conversation with the owner, Fabrizio
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo 
Museo Arcivescovile
Basilica di San Vitale - labyrinth and mosaics
Mausoleo di Galla Placidia 
Day 1 - Map
Day:                                1
Distance:                       13.58 km
Walking time:               2 hrs  24 mins
Elevation gain:             9 metres (yes, it was flat!)
Cumulative distance:  13.58 km

Comments

  1. Cameron Green21 April 2026 at 23:59

    Nice photos in a marvellous country😼

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    Replies
    1. Barkers22 April 2026 at 05:50

      Thanks Cameron, it has all been marvellous so far.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous22 April 2026 at 03:11

    Great photos. Making good use of the panorama mode
    Murray

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    Replies
    1. Barkers22 April 2026 at 05:52

      Thanks Murray. It would be hard not to take great photos with so much beauty everywhere!

      Delete
  3. The Murphys22 April 2026 at 07:33

    Looking forward to following your daily adventures. Glad you are keeping up the tradition of sharing the foodie photos. Will be enjoying the wonderful Italian food from afar without gaining weight!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barkers22 April 2026 at 08:11

      That's one advantage! Yes, we'll try to keep up with the food photos!

      Delete
  4. The Howie's22 April 2026 at 11:40

    What a wonderful start to your trip. Wonderful photos as always. Love the 'halo' of light around Kaths head in the 2nd last photo, she is a goddess obviously

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous23 April 2026 at 05:00

    Fantastic first day. I think by the end of the journey you should grow a beard like Fabrizio! Russell that is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barkers23 April 2026 at 07:05

      It's certainly an impressive beard, who knows, perhaps by the end of the trip...

      Delete
  6. Marion23 April 2026 at 21:32

    Glad to see you both looking so relaxed and happy! Have a great time

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous25 April 2026 at 01:04

    What a pleasant start to your walk! Those piadinas look yummy! Carolyn

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    Replies
    1. Barkers25 April 2026 at 06:17

      They are indeed! There are so many to choose from too, even dessert ones!

      Delete
  8. Anonymous4 May 2026 at 19:17

    Joining your journey late but have a few minutes to catch up now. All the very best on your travels. It was great to see you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barkers4 May 2026 at 21:15

    Thanks Mel, so good to catch up with you all too!

    ReplyDelete

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