Ravenna 2.Tag

20.6.2024 Ravenna

I had booked my bus transfer to Ravenna for 8:00 a.m. and had to get up early.

The bus dropped us off near the city center. I had been trying to find something I would enjoy seeing in Ravenna. I had decided on the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, which is famous for its magnificent wall mosaics, so I went.

I arrived before 9:00 a.m. and found the site locked. It was supposed to be open from 9:00 a.m. I went into an adjacent street and found a ticket office there, which also didn't open until 9:00 a.m. and there was already a line of customers waiting outside. In the window I saw a sign saying that there was an online booking option. I would have liked to use that, but the tickets were tied to specific times and the next available ticket was for 11:30 a.m. Waiting another 2.5 hours in the heat? Definitely not!

However, I didn't want to leave the city of mosaics without seeing some. I chose "Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra" as my next destination. When I arrived shortly after 10 a.m., the entrance, which is located in a church, had just opened and I was the first visitor of the day. For a short time, I had the underground room where the mosaics are located all to myself.

After that, I was already thinking about lunch. I had been given a tip, but the recommended restaurant was in the middle of the tourist area, was expensive and I couldn't find anything I wanted straight away. So I took inspiration from the internet and chose a tiny snack bar away from the tourist crowds, but which was highly praised.

When I arrived at "Il Lokalino", I first had to google the main categories, because the terms "Maxi Rotoli", "Piadine" or "Crescioni" meant nothing to me. In all cases it was bread or flatbread with different toppings, rolled or folded. First I ordered a Sardinian Ichnusa beer while I waited for my "Maxi Rotoli con tutto". I was very satisfied with what I had ordered and, feeling refreshed, I set off to the point where the bus had dropped us off. On the way I bought a bottle of "Lambrusco Amabile".

When I returned on board, it was clear that we had gained a lot of new passengers.

At 5 p.m. I took part in the "Destination Talk: Shore Excursions" in an unusual place, the Safari Club. This time it was bad: poor visibility of the projection screen, loud background noises and speakers with strong accents. The lady who stubbornly referred to the travel destination she was promoting as "Dubrovinic" was particularly annoying.

At 9 p.m., comedian Tyrone Hawkins appeared, telling jokes and joking with the audience. He welcomed me as "George Lucas." I can live with that.