Ravenna-A Day on the Trains

We are sitting ensconced in our beautiful new accommodation in Ravenna, Casa Masoli. It is full of antiques, gilt, chandeliers, paintings, objet d’art, mirrors, candlesticks, large staircases and everything one could want for a comfortable stay or a grand murder. Marple would be very at home here. However, our day has not been blessed other than at our destination.

Here’s the reader’s Digest version. We exited our palazzo in Firenze early to get to the station on time. Our taxi did not show up so we walked. Our cases are by now, quite heavy. Firenze train station is not a beauteous architectural masterpiece by Michelangelo. It is a giant shed for a waiting area that is not air-conditioned where people look up at the digital noticeboard for train arrivals and departures, and if they are boarding a train, which platform to go to. Our train trip to Ravenna was in two legs: a passage to Bologna, then a passage to Ravenna on a different train. Our train to Bologna was almost two and half hours late. So, we sat in the waiting area, already hot from our walk, and watched and shrank as the mercury climbed in to the high thirties. We were wet through, sticky all over, completely enervated and fast losing the positive outlook that gets you through these times. In a word, it was absolutely dreadful. There is only so much time spent in an oven that can be classed as positive.

I lined up at the Trenitalia ticket office for an hour before being served to find out what we would do with the connection we had bought at Bologna, which we had missed. All good, he said, just catch your train, then get on the next train to Ravenna, your present ticket will be good for it. And he spoke the truth. The two train journeys were pleasant enough. Both trains were air-conditioned so we were able to cool down somewhat, but not fully. We walked the eleven-minute journey to Casa Masoli from the station in the heat and were fairly dripping again by the time, Anna, the proprietor opened the door and let us in.

The pics that go with this post are of our new residence. The rest of the day was a write-off. We’ve had about four travel days so far this trip. They’ve all gone smoothly. By the law of averages, I suppose today was always going to show up at some point. But we’ve showered and have been out for aperitivo and then dinner and are feeling relaxed and positive about our visit here.Read more