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      • Continuing on the Romantic Road >
        • Day 1 - Donauwörth to Raustetten
        • Day 2 - Raustetten to Dorfgütingen
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        • Day 4 - Creglingen to Hochhausen
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        • 2. We're Off: Munich to Bruckmühl
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        • 4. Almost Salzburg: Übersee to Freilassing
        • 5. On the Ciclovia Alpe-Adria: Freilassing to Golling
        • 6. A Short Ride: Golling to Werfen
        • 7. A Patch of Blue Sky: Werfen to Sankt Veit
        • 8. Holed up in Sankt Veit
        • 9. The Big Climb: Sankt Veit to Unterkolbnitz
        • 10. Inching Our Way: Kolbnitz to Spittal
        • 11. Flat and Dry: Spittal to Arnoldstein
        • 12. Buongiorno Bella Italia: Arnoldstein to Chiusaforte
        • 13. Best Bike Path Ever: Chiusaforte to Tavagnacco
        • 14. Closer to the Sea: Tavagnacco to Palmanova
        • 15. Last Day on the Road: Palmanova to Grado
        • 16. Grado and How We Got Home
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Last Day on the Road
Saturday September 8, 2018

Sunny and warm, the weather improves as we get closer to the coast. The first few kilometers after we leave Palmanova aren't too interesting as we ride a gravel path between fields, but we are avoiding traffic so we stick to the signposted Alpe-Adria route. Then we are again on a dedicated bike path next to the road, much more pleasant.

About midway we reach Aquilea. I haven't done my homework and have no idea what is awaiting us. I'm glad we don't just ignorantly sail by. Aquileia was founded as a colony by the Romans in 180 BC and has a long and rich history. It is one of the main archeological sites of Northern Italy and is probably the largest Roman city yet to be excavated. The Roman mosaics and Byzantine frescoes are amazing.

From Aquileia it's not far to Grado. This is a popular stretch for cyclists on organized tours but it is off-season and not crowded. It might be different when more people are on vacation. Then comes the big moment when we get our first view of the Mediterranean. We made it! To reach Grado you cross the lagoon on a narrow strip of land. It's beautiful, we are very excited and I take many selfies of Janos and myself.

Grado is touristy, but here too we benefit from it being off-season and it isn't too crowded. Actually, it's very nice. There are quaint old streets in the center and some Roman ruins, as well. Before we check in at our hotel, we stop for something to eat and a celebratory glass of wine, sparkling white wine on tap which is a specialty of Friuli. Our hotel is on the harbor and from our window we can see the boats in the marina.
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Leaving Palmanova
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The park surrounding Palmanova
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And another view - I really liked Palmanova.
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We are getting close to the coast now.
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Now we are on an excellent bike path all the way to the coast.
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Hey, stop! Aquileia! What we didn't know but later read in the Internet: Traces of the magnificent Roman Empire rest here in Aquileia.
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The Patriarchal Basilica with its baptistery and majestic bell tower. The oldest nucleus is formed by the Paleochristian Room, built in the 4th Century A.D. by the Bishop Teodoro, with support from the Emperor Constantine.

The floor mosaics both inside and outside the basilica are magnificent. The basilica also provides access to the Crypt of Frescoes, decorated with rare Byzantine frescoes. Unfortunately, I had my quirky special effects lens on my camera when we went inside. Sorry not to have better pictures. I think we must return.
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We made it.
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I am excited and take many selfies.
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Crossing the lagoon to Grado
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We celebrate.
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End of the line

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  • Home
  • Bicycle Tours
    • 2020 >
      • Out and About in Bavaria >
        • Day 1: Gauting - Bad Tölz
        • Day 2: Bad Tölz - Bad Kohlgrub
        • Day 3: Bad Kohlgrub - Landsberg
        • Day 4: Landsberg - Gauting
    • 2019 >
      • The Season Has Begun
      • Pedaling and Shooting in Bavaria >
        • Day 1
        • Day 2
      • More Pedaling in Bavaria >
        • Day 1
        • Day 2
      • Cycling the Inn in Austria >
        • Day 1 Gautig to Tölz
        • Day 2 Tölz to Jenbach
        • Day 3 Jenbach to Innsbruck
        • Day 4 Innsbruck to Rietz
        • Day 5 Rietz to Landeck
        • Day 6 Landeck and Home
    • 2018 >
      • A Two Day Outing
      • A nine-day tour in Lower Bavaria >
        • Day 1
        • Day 2
        • Day 3
        • Day 4
        • Day 5
        • Day 6
        • Day 7
        • Day 8
        • Day 9
      • The Romantic Road >
        • Day 1 - Füssen to Peiting
        • Day 2 - Peiting to Klosterlechfeld
        • Day 3 - Kosterlechfeld to Gersthofen
        • Day 4 - Gersthofen to Donauwörth
        • Day 5 - Train Ride Home
      • Continuing on the Romantic Road >
        • Day 1 - Donauwörth to Raustetten
        • Day 2 - Raustetten to Dorfgütingen
        • Day 3 - Dorfgütingen to Creglingen
        • Day 4 - Creglingen to Hochhausen
        • Day 5: Hochhausen to Uettingen
        • Day 6 - Uettingen to Würzburg
      • Alpe-Adria Tour 2018 >
        • 1. Alsace or the Alps?
        • 2. We're Off: Munich to Bruckmühl
        • 3. Mountains Aready? Bruckmühl to Übersee
        • 4. Almost Salzburg: Übersee to Freilassing
        • 5. On the Ciclovia Alpe-Adria: Freilassing to Golling
        • 6. A Short Ride: Golling to Werfen
        • 7. A Patch of Blue Sky: Werfen to Sankt Veit
        • 8. Holed up in Sankt Veit
        • 9. The Big Climb: Sankt Veit to Unterkolbnitz
        • 10. Inching Our Way: Kolbnitz to Spittal
        • 11. Flat and Dry: Spittal to Arnoldstein
        • 12. Buongiorno Bella Italia: Arnoldstein to Chiusaforte
        • 13. Best Bike Path Ever: Chiusaforte to Tavagnacco
        • 14. Closer to the Sea: Tavagnacco to Palmanova
        • 15. Last Day on the Road: Palmanova to Grado
        • 16. Grado and How We Got Home
    • 2011 >
      • From Passau to Vienna
  • Day Rides
    • 2021 Walks and Rides
    • Bicycle Days 2020
    • 2019 Rides >
      • Bicycle Days 2019
    • 2018 Rides >
      • 2018 Monthly Challenges
      • Bicycle Days 2018
      • Cycling in Circles
    • 2017 >
      • Late to the Party
      • The Munich Kaffeeklatsch
  • Bicycle Memories
    • 1981: Bicycling with Daniel
    • 1981 - Passau to Vienna
    • 1985: Believe It or Not
    • 1986 - Southwest France
  • Contact
  • My Blog