By 6am we were on our way to the ferry.

After a stop in Piran Slovenia to pick up a very large tour group, we arrived in Venice at 11. Not so much fun dragging our suitcases along the bumpy streets and over many bridges to get to the bus station.

At Marco Polo Airport, check-in only began two hours before the flight, then luggage is accepted followed by security clearance. The gate was announced just 15 minutes before boarding began. Everyone quickly passed through the gate, got on a bus and was driven to the boarding area.

Next, a 2-hour flight to Amsterdam, another 2-hour flight to Toulouse, and a short taxi ride to our hotel. It was midnight.

Just a few miles to the border. Hello Croatia!

Some steep climbs today and very few bike paths. Time to grit your teeth and let cars pass you on narrow busy roads.

We took a break in Novigrad.

About 40 miles today for our final day of riding on this tour. We left our bikes with the hotel staff, retrieved our luggage, and prepared for a travel day tomorrow. Dinner tonight was at the hotel – a most amazing buffet.

Goodbye Trieste:

Every day we make wrong turns even though we have a digital map to follow on our phones. Sometimes, unexpected treasures show up like this Roman theater:

In the distance, Muggia Italy:

Welcome to Slovenia:

Koper:

Piran (in the far distance in the picture above):

About 30 miles today. The view from the patio at our hotel as we had our end-of-day beer.

Dinner: scallops three different ways. With wild asparagus (slightly bitter), with lemon, with truffles (pretty but tasteless):

We were riding by 7:45, another warm day. We chose the longer of the two routes which went through Grado. A very long bridge with a dedicated bike path.

Only a little better than riding on gravel, this path was rutted with potholes.

In Monfalcone, we passed by a fish market with a side business of seafood dishes. Barbara shared her big pot of mussels which were actually very good. I’ve never had mussels before. The view from our picnic table:

There was a steady climb which isn’t a problem on an ebike. Beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea.

Looking back after going through the tunnel:

No beaches along this part of the coast but sunbathers found the next best choice.

Our end point for the day is always the town square. Then we switch maps to find our hotel.

Warmer temperatures today so we got an earlier start. Beautifully maintained cemetery in the village of San Giorgio al Tagliamento.

Great day! 45 miles. Shrimp and asparagus risotto for dinner.

A rustic but good bike path to start with.

A gravel path: long and horrible. Very bumpy with dangerously deep sections. We tried to ride on the outside edges or even in the grass.

Portogruaro.

The waterwheel was spinning.

Another leaning tower.

Dinner with friends. 22 riding miles today.

We met outside the hotel to get our bikes and give our luggage to the person who would transport it to the next hotel.

There were 3 ladies from Finland traveling the same route: Jaana1, Jaana2, and Anne.

We rode through Mestre, across the bridge to Venice,

to the ferry terminal.

Goodbye Venice.

Next stop: the island of Lido where we boarded a private boat to Punta Sabbioni.

A very nice path along the water for many miles.

A long section of art panels depicting stories from the Bible.

Long day of riding, 48 miles. The leaning tower of Caorle.

Spaghetti con vongole (clams) – delicious!

Caorle is a very busy beach town with many resorts.

Rain, lots of rain.

In the afternoon, Barbara was ready to venture out. I was not. A lazy day of reading and napping.

On Saturday, we took the bus to Venice then the vaporetto (water taxi) to the island of Burano known for its lace and colorful buildings. We had a delicious snack before exploring: cichetti (on the outside, chopped cod w mayo, pepper on top) and piadine mignon (tiny sandwich w ham, mascarpone, and bell pepper).

Next stop, the island of Murano, known for its glass.

Getting back to our hotel took over 3 hours. Many vaporetti came to our dock but were so crowded that only a few people could get on. Once back in Venice, there were two bus connections to get back to our hotel. Long day.

It took about an hour on the bus to get to Venice. From the station, we crossed the first of many bridges.

The big boat is a taxi along the Grand Canal. We have a 3-day pass for all buses and water taxis (vaporetti).

Venice is 124 islands in a lagoon. Each island is a community with its own cistern and church.

Public hospital. The water ambulances pull up to the left of the building.

Time for lunch. A personal-size pizza (yikes) and a glass of prosecco!

A gondola ride.

Rialto Bridge.

View from Rialto Bridge.