Nature, Flamingos, and Ravenna’s Hidden Gem

Today was wonderful. Although there can’t really be any bad decisions in our situation, I’m so happy we decided to bike all the way up to the Po Delta Regional Park. We left behind the deserted seaside resorts along the coast and ventured into a landscape of salt marshes and wetlands, reminiscent of the Camargue. We were immersed in nature and got to spot so many different kinds of birds.

The cherry on top was the flocks of flamingos. They’re amusing birds, with a unique kind of elegance - you don’t often get to see them this close. With their long necks, they spend most of their time with their heads in the water.

At a stop, an old Italian man on a bicycle told us we absolutely had to go see the basilica in Ravenna. How lucky we were to cross paths with him - we would have completely missed this gem otherwise. The basilica dates back to the 6th century and features a breathtaking mosaic apse. It’s entirely original and perfectly preserved, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We ended the day in Comacchio, which looks like a little Venice. Tomorrow, we’re leaving the coast heading toward Bologna. I have such fond memories of visiting this city more than 25 years ago, when I had my very first Italian pizza with arugula, shared with my longtime friends Kira, Jess, and Jean.