Matera is a place to see! The cave cut homes and rock buildings melt into one another and it is hard to determine where the natural rock ends and the stone structures begin. The tufa grottos have been cut and modified into homes since the Neolithic age, making it one of the longest continually inhabited places on earth. Since receiving unesco status in the 1990's, ...
We left the beautiful Adriatic today and climbed up to Alberobello. it was a short day and we stopped halfway along our route to see the Grotte de Castellana. I do not like small spaces so this type of spelunking was perfect for me because the caves were airy and big. They even had an elevator to take us back up to ground level.Alberobello is ...
We had a beautiful ride through the Puglian countryside today. The majority of grapes and olives produced in Italy are grown in Puglia, and it is harvest time. On one quiet country road we could hear the staccato snipping of grape harvesters as they quickly cut the grapes from the vines. The peach orchards are already turning orange and the colors of fall are arriving.We ...
Ruth: “If God exists; there is only one,” said a local fellow who volunteered to show us all the heretical sculptures in the Troia Cathedral.When someone just begins to act as an unsolicited guide I am generally wary, but in this case we were delighted by our tour of this exceptional Church. The jewels of this beautiful 11th century Cathedral go well beyond simple Christian ...
This morning we visited the Amphitheatre in Santa Maria Capua Vetere. Not only is this an impressive ruin, but it is also where Spartacus trained and launched his rebellion. We have followed the Appian way from Rome to Capua. After their defeat in 71 B.C., 6000 of the rebel slaves were crucified, lining the entire distance along the Appian way between Rome and Capua.When I asked ...
2000 kms cycled from Innsbruck 42 days since we left Innsbruck - 37 days biking 3 mountain passes: Arlberg, Grand Saint Bernard, Cisa Most expensive accommodation: 95€ in PaviaLeast expensive accommodation: by donation (20€ for both of us) in a number of placesAverage daily expenditure for both of us: about 100€Top 10 gelato flavours: melon, pistachio, grapefruit, coffee, chocolate, liquorice, hazelnut, lemon, strawberry, tiramisuMars bars consumed: 24Tears: 0Bed ...
We have been enjoying the small cities on the sea as we cycle down the coast south of Rome. Gaeta is so appealing that we have stayed an extra night. The decision was easy to make because we are also staying in a particularly outstanding B&B. We may be the last cyclists accepted here however, as the owners lost money when we fell upon the ...
We are pilgrims again! But first may I take a moment to apologize to all cyclists for my suggestion that to be a mere biker is somehow less worthy. I have always held in high regard all people who move through the world on two self propelled wheels. I also think smears of bike grease on the back of the calves when dining out are ...
Ruth:Today we went to St. Peter's Square, the final destination of the Via Francigena and the end of our 2800 km pilgrimage to to Rome. It's Wednesday, which means we were not alone. We joined at least 10,000 others keen on catching a glimpse of the Pope.Wednesday is when he holds his weekly public audience. The adoring crowds treated him like a rock star. You could ...
Cyclists have no fear there is a calm and beautiful way into Rome on Bicycle! Gord and made it from Innsbruck to Rome in just over 1800 kms!If you are a cyclist on the Via Francigena, or just cycling into Rome from the North or East, it is worth a few more kilometres and hills to go in on the Euro Velo 5. Gord and I ...