It’s raining in Ravenna

Soft, warm rain. The first we’ve had since the afternoon we arrived in Rome almost 3 weeks ago.  We don’t care a bit because it’s given us an excuse to just sit for a while and recharge our batteries.

Breakfast on the ship on Tuesday morning was a rather subdued affair.  We’d mostly said our goodbyes the night before, so we could catch an early vaporetto to the station. Unfortunately they wouldn’t let me take Manuel, who looked after us so wonderfully. Five hours, two trains and a taxi ride later were were at A Casa di Paola in Ravenna. Paola herself is warm and welcoming and her B & B is beautiful.  It’s on the second floor of a sensitively renovated historic building, furnished with hand-painted antique furniture, soft chairs for the weary traveller and framed old prints. Just look at the size of those beams.   There’s even a trompe l’oeuil on the stairs. And this painting on the ceiling.

And did I tell you Paola has free wi-fi internet – Yes!!!!