The Ferrara Delta

Early in the morning, train to Goro, then local cars to Gorino, a hamlet of Goro and the departure point for the boat excursions. Before boarding, a walk along the banks of the Sacca, which has abandoned boats and dilapidated sheds - not a pretty sight - and vegetation that is almost all reeds, the only plants to survive in a brackish environment. Then the motor vessel sets off; there aren't many of us, and during the crossing the skipper provides plenty of information about the environment, the vegetation and the migratory birds. Not many birds are to be seen, also given the grey day with spells of rain; in any case it isn't the most favourable period for birdwatching. We pass close to the unusual bridge made of concrete boats that opens, for a fee, to let boats through; I think it marks the border between Emilia and Veneto.

We continue our navigation and see many small islets formed also by the low tides. It's worth noting that, although we seem to be sailing on deep water, the depth doesn't exceed 60-80 cm. At a certain point the boat begins to sway: we are entering the open sea. We disembark and take a walk on the beach, full of seaweed and branches brought in by the tides, reaching the disused lighthouse, then we head back. Sunday: the Valli di Comacchio In Comacchio today it's the eel festival; we try to get there and discover that there is only one connection from Ferrara, in the morning, and only one for the return in the afternoon, both with changes. We arrive around 10, find an incredible crowd, stalls and market stands everywhere, and finding the tourist office is an undertaking; we find it nonetheless and book a boat excursion in the valleys.

A boat takes us to Foce, the boarding point for the excursion. It's a fine sunny day, we're counting on the birdwatching, and the crossing is slow, as if we were on a lake; here too the skippers provide plenty of information about the valley, the environment, bird migration and more. We see many flocks, pink flamingos and other birds - it's a spectacle. We stop at one of the fishing Casoni, the Serilla; we tour its interior, see the poor furnishings, and inside there is a small display of boats of various sizes and uses, tools, dormitories and storerooms, which makes us appreciate the harshness of life when the fishermen would stay there for days. Then back to Comacchio, where we try to visit the town. The town is crossed by canals with pavements lined by shops and restaurants; it bears a certain resemblance to Venice.

We cross the famous Trepponti, a multi-arched bridge over the canals with two towers on top, where many people pose for photos.