While our bikes are resting: a short car tour south of Venice

Since picking up our car on Tuesday, we've had a few very interesting days. We headed south, with only a few vague ideas of places we might visit, otherwise just following our noses. This morning we're back up close to the Venice area again (blue dot on map below) near Padua, getting ready for our journey home on Monday. The approximate route of our travels over the last five days. I'll mention the highlights: The city of Ravenna was hugely impresive. We spent Tuesday night there and roamed around the historical centre the next morning. We were blown away by one particular church - the Basilica di San Vitale, a byzantine church with the most amazing interior of marble, mosaic floors and mosaic art. Just incredible. Dates from about 550 AD. The Basilica di San Vitale, maybe not so impressive from the outide One of the many mosaics inside adorning the walls. The crowned lady depicted here was Theodora, Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire, and wife of Justinian I, ruler of B...