We (Ursula and I from the Swiss Rover Club) took part in the spring trip to Grado of the Austrian Rover Club for the first time this year. The reports of the colleagues from Vienna made us curious last year and we wanted to see if it was really as unique and beautiful as we were raved about. We can confirm: It was worth it! After the winter and the rather cool days (at least here in the Schaffhausen area) in April, we longed for warmth, sun and sea and also to recharge our batteries. I don't even want to talk about the good food and the corresponding wine... 
We arrived by train on Thursday, April 24, without any problems and reached the lagoon town of Grado completely relaxed. In the hotel, we first stepped out onto the balcony and enjoyed the wonderful view of the sea. How soothing such a look can be for the soul! In the evening we enjoyed the local delicacies of the sea and the vines for the first time.

On Friday we explored the place on our own, as the meeting only started in the evening with an aperitif at 6:30 pm. The pretty Grado is manageable and the pedestrian zone invites you to stroll and shop or to treat yourself to something in one of the countless restaurants and bars. 
Of course, we visited the Cathedral of Sant'Eufemia and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, as we were interested in how the archbishops built these buildings in the 4th to 6th centuries. The simple naves exude an unparalleled calm and include beautiful mosaics on the floors. We couldn't get out of our amazement.

In the evening we met with the seven Austrian couples at the yacht club and treated ourselves to a delicious Prosecco made from the Ribolla Gialla grape and a fish menu of the finest. A great indulgence! Giancarlo Toffoletti, a member of the Austrian Rover Club living in Grado and formerly also of the unfortunately no longer existing Italian Registro Rover, opened the doors to this restaurant for us. Actually, it is only accessible to members of the yacht club. Everyone was beaming that evening, as they saw each other again for the first time after the long winter and still had a lot to talk about. It was wonderful to have been warmly welcomed as a Swiss in this circle of Grado travellers!
On Saturday, shortly after 9 a.m., the engines were started to drive over the highway to Trieste and climb the Faro della Vittoria and enjoy the view over the bay.

On the way there, we made a stopover on the steep bank, as we had to marvel at a huge futuristic sailing yacht that is anchored there. Somehow she looked familiar to us. It turned out that it was seized by the Italian state as part of the sanctions against Russia.

We continued with a little delay on the highway to Slovenia, where we were "cut", as Gerhard put it afterwards. And that's why we drove a little too far... But we were able to marvel at the most beautiful engineering in the form of a concrete railway bridge with a crossing motorway bridge.
Shortly before our destination, the Slovenian Piran, we had to park our cars in a garage, as the place is closed to traffic. After everyone had finally found the right exit at sea level, we walked leisurely along the shore to the town and braved the fiercely blowing wind. We knew why we had a jacket with us! In the middle of the village we had lunch on a small square, where we had to wait a very long time and were almost frozen through at the end.

We then went back individually either via the Uferstraße or again via the motorway. When we arrived, we first treated ourselves to a siesta in preparation for the "cena principale" in the restaurant "la dinette". Once there, we noticed that in addition to our group, there was also a wedding party present and the rest of the tables were also well occupied. A challenge for everyone! The staff made every effort to serve all guests and to remain calm and polite. This was not easy and we did not always understand the comments. On the other hand, the food was of the best quality and excellently prepared and served! And the Rover Society was at its best anyway and didn't let anything upset them – there was enough to talk about.

On Sunday, after breakfast together, it was time to say goodbye. Some stayed a little longer or even for a whole week before heading home.
We enjoyed a wonderful sunny day with walking along the sea and strolling through the town as well as the warming sun on the balcony of the hotel. After dinner by the water, we met Andreas and Susi by chance on the hotel terrace, where we ended the evening together with a glass of white wine.

We spent a nice weekend in Grado together with our Austrian rover enthusiasts, whom we always like to meet. We are happy to come back and hope that we will be able to participate again in the coming years - even without Austrian citizenship. 
Since the international meeting is scheduled for the end of May, the break until the reunion is fortunately very short. Good job! Happy international Rovering!

Text: Thomas Erb, Roverclub Switzerland
Pictures: Thomas Erb, Roverclub Switzerland and Susi Geldner, Roverclub Austria