The island of Gotland - Sweden - All photos on http://www.francescoinviaggio.it
July 13, 2014 (405 km) Finally came the day of departure for one of the destination I had in mind for some time, the island of Gotland in Sweden. This year will be our short but intense journey in motion. The morning starts "good" with a nice storm! We have to walk 375 km up to the town of Oskarshamn and then cruising to the island and arrive at Visby. 10 hours is part of torrential rain that will not forsake us even 10 minutes! We choose to lengthen the route of about 35 km taking the highway via Helsingborg in such a way to go quickly about 180 km. A Ljungby leave the highway, passing through a beautiful wooded area full of lakes. The continuous rain slowed us down a lot and does not allow us to make great stops except for refueling and at 15.00 we have the ferry. Finally at 14.45 we are boarding in the company of other bikers. The rain has no intention of giving us a bit 'of ceasefire but you always have to put in account for a motorcycle trip. Finally we board a little '"wet" and hungry! The crossing takes about 3 hours under a dark sky and gray. There is no desire to go out on deck for a few photos but to make a nice cup of hot coffee and a good movie on the life of Steve Jobs, founder of Apple make the time pass quickly and less than no time we are ready for landing at Visby. Fortunately the rain stopped. We booked the accommodation in Slite, about 36 km from Visby at the Gothem Logi http://www.gothemlogi.se/ a nice family run guest house set in the countryside of Gotland next to a magnificent church. Once we settled our luggage we feel all the tiredness of the day. A nice hot shower and a short walk through the gardens of the church just to have an idea, then straight to bed tomorrow starts the real holiday.
July 14, 2014 (km145) It took her a good night's sleep to regain his strength! We have breakfast in the dining room of the board. There is a fully equipped kitchen. Of course you can not miss the Italian coffee and my mocha! The weather has definitely improved and it does not rain. The day begins with the beautiful church of Ghotem adjacent guest house, one of the most impressive of the island. Its interior has frescoes from the 1300s After the visit, take your bike and head to Visby. Its historic center declared a world heritage site alone is worth a visit to this' island. We park near the Xpress Copenhagen, one of the gates of the city with ample free parking reserved for motorcycles. The sky is gray and remade it starts to drizzle, nothing to worry about but the rain is a must. The historic center is presented in all its glory. A mighty wall spanning almost 4 km, small cobbled streets, alleys, picturesque wooden houses and especially the spectacular ruins of 10 churches all located within the city center. It begins with the Sankt Karins Kyrka founded by the Franciscans in 1233 in the Gothic style on the main square. Impressive, majestic its ruins, and then continue with the Sankt Nicolai Kyrka, the Helge And Kyrka, the Drotten Kyrka, the Sankt Lars Kyrka, the Sankt Clemens Cyrka, in short, a dip in the splendor and wealth of the Middle Ages, and that made it famous important to this city. Beautiful botanical garden, a rose garden to be envied. The scent of roses is intoxicating. We take advantage of a small kiosk for a break and something to eat. The sky is still overcast but the rain stopped. We arrived in the imposing cathedral, the Sankta Maria Kyrka built between the XII and XIII century. the only one of the churches remained intact. Its interior is full of valuable works of art and stands out among all magnificent wooden altarpiece carved. Time has passed quickly, and finally the sun peeping through the clouds. We want to spend even half a day to the city center with another calm day, as well as the weather has improved we decided to take a ride around Visby. The first stop is the beautiful church of Bro. The sun is shining, and finally returned to the church shows itself in all its splendor. Inside the magnificent painted stones of the fifth century. and countless colorful stucco adorn the walls. Shortly after we head towards the ruins of Romakloster, an old Cistercian monastery of the twelfth century. now in ruins but still very picturesque. On the road sign indicates an unusual location "Rome"! Do not miss a photo. Shortly after we head towards the imposing church of Garde, but it is too late for a visit inside, all the churches close at 18.00 and it's almost 19, by the way the weather has returned to the whims and starts to rain . Just in front of the church there is a pitch to the bus stop with a small wooden hut, what better place for a coffee time! Driving rain is falling but we do not care that much. A good tea for my wife and a coffee with chocolate treats make this unique moment. The gas cooker and coffee maker are never lacking! Satisfied we can also wear the rain and do return to the hotel. A nice dinner to finish with a flourish and a little 'ping pong to digest!
July 15, 2014 (350 km) After two days with the weather throwing a tantrum at last to greet a beautiful sunny day, 24 degrees and a clear sky a deep blue. Hearty breakfast and we start to Ljugarn, a small seaside town to visit the Nature Reserve Folhammar which is characterized by some spectacular limestone formations or raukar (columns). The Rauk is nothing more than a rock that is formed following an abrasion process. A geological phenomenon that occurs when a relatively soft limestone is eroded from the surrounding sea and its core of harder limestone remains. The result is somewhat surprising and bizarre. From here we move to the village of Alskog to visit the church of Garde. Yesterday, the bad weather we had to appreciate the beauty of this church of the twelfth century. Magnificent four entrance porches and its extraordinary interiors. After the tour we travel a few kilometers to visit an ancient burial site dating back to the Bronze Age. It is Gålrum. 122 ancient megalithic formations of which 8 are in the shape of a ship. The site was in use for about 1500 years, and reflects different styles of burial that followed in the course of that long period. Then again, surrounded by the forest another megalithic site and finally Gannarve Skeppssättning near Klintehamn, a tomb shaped like a boat 29 meters long and 5 wide set in a picturesque landscape of the countryside of Gotland. We move to Lojsta, a very nice resort with great lakes and landscapes. Here we take the opportunity for a lunch break by the lake and rest for a while 'comfortably lying in a meadow of grass fragrant. We really wanted this moment to relax. After the inevitable coffee we head towards Hablingbo to visit the beautiful church of the XIII. Sec. Bellissimo floor adorned with bas-reliefs and doorways finely crafted. Then again the church of Öja 1232 with the tallest spire of all Gotland (67 meters). Its interior is magnificent. Of all the artwork stands out for its beauty and uniqueness a richly decorated wooden cross. Back on the bikes we head to the southern most point of Gotland along the west coast of the island. The scenery is lovely. Long road to an ancient stone processing industry, now converted into a museum. The road leads up towards a cliff from where you can admire a wonderful landscape. A few miles and arrive at the lighthouse on the island, a secluded but certainly worth a visit. Along the way back we stop at Visby. Just a stroll to the marina to watch the setting sun paint the orange of the old city walls. What a treat. Long day today but wonderfully beautiful. Now back to the hotel for a good dinner and a hot shower.
July 13, 2014 (405 km) Finally came the day of departure for one of the destination I had in mind for some time, the island of Gotland in Sweden. This year will be our short but intense journey in motion. The morning starts "good" with a nice storm! We have to walk 375 km up to the town of Oskarshamn and then cruising to the island and arrive at Visby. 10 hours is part of torrential rain that will not forsake us even 10 minutes! We choose to lengthen the route of about 35 km taking the highway via Helsingborg in such a way to go quickly about 180 km. A Ljungby leave the highway, passing through a beautiful wooded area full of lakes. The continuous rain slowed us down a lot and does not allow us to make great stops except for refueling and at 15.00 we have the ferry. Finally at 14.45 we are boarding in the company of other bikers. The rain has no intention of giving us a bit 'of ceasefire but you always have to put in account for a motorcycle trip. Finally we board a little '"wet" and hungry! The crossing takes about 3 hours under a dark sky and gray. There is no desire to go out on deck for a few photos but to make a nice cup of hot coffee and a good movie on the life of Steve Jobs, founder of Apple make the time pass quickly and less than no time we are ready for landing at Visby. Fortunately the rain stopped. We booked the accommodation in Slite, about 36 km from Visby at the Gothem Logi http://www.gothemlogi.se/ a nice family run guest house set in the countryside of Gotland next to a magnificent church. Once we settled our luggage we feel all the tiredness of the day. A nice hot shower and a short walk through the gardens of the church just to have an idea, then straight to bed tomorrow starts the real holiday.
July 14, 2014 (km145) It took her a good night's sleep to regain his strength! We have breakfast in the dining room of the board. There is a fully equipped kitchen. Of course you can not miss the Italian coffee and my mocha! The weather has definitely improved and it does not rain. The day begins with the beautiful church of Ghotem adjacent guest house, one of the most impressive of the island. Its interior has frescoes from the 1300s After the visit, take your bike and head to Visby. Its historic center declared a world heritage site alone is worth a visit to this' island. We park near the Xpress Copenhagen, one of the gates of the city with ample free parking reserved for motorcycles. The sky is gray and remade it starts to drizzle, nothing to worry about but the rain is a must. The historic center is presented in all its glory. A mighty wall spanning almost 4 km, small cobbled streets, alleys, picturesque wooden houses and especially the spectacular ruins of 10 churches all located within the city center. It begins with the Sankt Karins Kyrka founded by the Franciscans in 1233 in the Gothic style on the main square. Impressive, majestic its ruins, and then continue with the Sankt Nicolai Kyrka, the Helge And Kyrka, the Drotten Kyrka, the Sankt Lars Kyrka, the Sankt Clemens Cyrka, in short, a dip in the splendor and wealth of the Middle Ages, and that made it famous important to this city. Beautiful botanical garden, a rose garden to be envied. The scent of roses is intoxicating. We take advantage of a small kiosk for a break and something to eat. The sky is still overcast but the rain stopped. We arrived in the imposing cathedral, the Sankta Maria Kyrka built between the XII and XIII century. the only one of the churches remained intact. Its interior is full of valuable works of art and stands out among all magnificent wooden altarpiece carved. Time has passed quickly, and finally the sun peeping through the clouds. We want to spend even half a day to the city center with another calm day, as well as the weather has improved we decided to take a ride around Visby. The first stop is the beautiful church of Bro. The sun is shining, and finally returned to the church shows itself in all its splendor. Inside the magnificent painted stones of the fifth century. and countless colorful stucco adorn the walls. Shortly after we head towards the ruins of Romakloster, an old Cistercian monastery of the twelfth century. now in ruins but still very picturesque. On the road sign indicates an unusual location "Rome"! Do not miss a photo. Shortly after we head towards the imposing church of Garde, but it is too late for a visit inside, all the churches close at 18.00 and it's almost 19, by the way the weather has returned to the whims and starts to rain . Just in front of the church there is a pitch to the bus stop with a small wooden hut, what better place for a coffee time! Driving rain is falling but we do not care that much. A good tea for my wife and a coffee with chocolate treats make this unique moment. The gas cooker and coffee maker are never lacking! Satisfied we can also wear the rain and do return to the hotel. A nice dinner to finish with a flourish and a little 'ping pong to digest!
July 15, 2014 (350 km) After two days with the weather throwing a tantrum at last to greet a beautiful sunny day, 24 degrees and a clear sky a deep blue. Hearty breakfast and we start to Ljugarn, a small seaside town to visit the Nature Reserve Folhammar which is characterized by some spectacular limestone formations or raukar (columns). The Rauk is nothing more than a rock that is formed following an abrasion process. A geological phenomenon that occurs when a relatively soft limestone is eroded from the surrounding sea and its core of harder limestone remains. The result is somewhat surprising and bizarre. From here we move to the village of Alskog to visit the church of Garde. Yesterday, the bad weather we had to appreciate the beauty of this church of the twelfth century. Magnificent four entrance porches and its extraordinary interiors. After the tour we travel a few kilometers to visit an ancient burial site dating back to the Bronze Age. It is Gålrum. 122 ancient megalithic formations of which 8 are in the shape of a ship. The site was in use for about 1500 years, and reflects different styles of burial that followed in the course of that long period. Then again, surrounded by the forest another megalithic site and finally Gannarve Skeppssättning near Klintehamn, a tomb shaped like a boat 29 meters long and 5 wide set in a picturesque landscape of the countryside of Gotland. We move to Lojsta, a very nice resort with great lakes and landscapes. Here we take the opportunity for a lunch break by the lake and rest for a while 'comfortably lying in a meadow of grass fragrant. We really wanted this moment to relax. After the inevitable coffee we head towards Hablingbo to visit the beautiful church of the XIII. Sec. Bellissimo floor adorned with bas-reliefs and doorways finely crafted. Then again the church of Öja 1232 with the tallest spire of all Gotland (67 meters). Its interior is magnificent. Of all the artwork stands out for its beauty and uniqueness a richly decorated wooden cross. Back on the bikes we head to the southern most point of Gotland along the west coast of the island. The scenery is lovely. Long road to an ancient stone processing industry, now converted into a museum. The road leads up towards a cliff from where you can admire a wonderful landscape. A few miles and arrive at the lighthouse on the island, a secluded but certainly worth a visit. Along the way back we stop at Visby. Just a stroll to the marina to watch the setting sun paint the orange of the old city walls. What a treat. Long day today but wonderfully beautiful. Now back to the hotel for a good dinner and a hot shower.