Sicily - Beautiful Countryside and Wine Tasting. . . . . . . . .

May 9, 2017, 7 AM - Docked in Licata, Sicily

You may need to put your sunnies on for this post!

The landscape of central Sicily is spectacular. So many shades of green

 draped across the rolling hillsides reminded me of exquisite appliquéd fabric.

For our visit on this bright, warm day, wildflowers were woven through the

 fields like necklaces. . . . . . red poppies, yellow daisies, yarrow, cow parsley,

 acanthus, and huge sprays of bronze fennel waved in the breeze from the hillsides. 

Acres of olive, almond and fruit orchards, and vines of the many vineyards could

 be seen for miles.

 Described as "an island within an island", this region is Sicily's larder.

This is also wine making country, recognized today as one of the best wine regions

 in Italy thanks to its production of high quality, prestigious red wines. . . . .and I assure

you the whites we tasted were excellent also.

The 320 hectare estate of Feudo Principi di Butera includes over 180 vineyards

 in an exclusive terroir, thanks to a warm and dry climate, optimizing the development

 of perfect ripening of the grapes, a sea breeze which carries all its benefits to the vines,

 and the warm strong sunlight which is typical of the southern areas of the island.

It was here we had another quite amazing lunch - delicious freshly prepared food in

 huge quantities served at table, along with copious bottles of their world class wines.

 Paula, dear friend who has shown me so many wonderful places in the world,

 taking a break at the winery before lunch was served.

Above, Babs, Sharon, Kim, Paula, Michelle and Mary - the feminine side of our

 travel group - after lunch with a lot of great wine tasting. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . and here below, our entire lovable and fun group!

. . . . . .behaving. . . . . 

. . . . . and misbehaving for our 'silly picture'.

I'm at a loss for the right caption here!

A memorable day in Sicily.

The Vineyards, Winery Gardens, Cozy B&B's of California -

Such a beautiful place to visit. . . . . . . . . and I often find myself experiencing

 those "I could live here" moments!

Then I'm advised of the price of real estate!

Land for vineyards cost as much as a million dollars per acre.

Tiny houses a couple of million before an often needed rehab.

So I'm staying where I am of course. . . . . .but will always be up
 for a visit here where it truly is lovely.

Our beautiful suite on the lower level by the pool - in Napa. 
This amazing B&B is the Candlelight Inn and I'll be showing you much
 more of it in another post.

We are now in Ferndale, just south of Eureka, California.
A spectacular Victorian B&B in a small town full of Victorian buildings,
 the previous homes of cattle barons and dairy kings.
Weather is wet but we're seeing some beautiful scenery including the 
giant redwood forests and the pounding Pacific surf along the shore.

City to country - wine country that is!

 Leaving the beautiful city of San Francisco, always hard.

Heading to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, very easy!

Crossing the Golden Gate and heading north -

- to arrive in what has to be some of the most beautiful countryside in California.

More on visits to wineries - there are about 600 - and great little wine country

 towns later.

Tournon, Rhone-Alpes Region. . . . . . . . .

 The morning started early after docking in Tournon during the night. We were ashore

 at 8:30 AM ready for a walking tour of the town. The hillsides were enveloped in wispy

 fog, the trees showed patches of Autumn color.

 Vineyards here grow syrah grapes - the harvest is over for this year. 

Our ship - with the dark blue hull - docked under the dawn fog bank.

The terraced vineyards rise up from the small town of Tain L'Hermitage - home

 of Valrhona chocolate, one of the leading gastronomic chocolates in the

 world - on the opposite side of the Rhone River from Tournon.

Above - Tain L'Hermitage

Sailing the beautiful Rhone River from Tournon south toward medieval

 Viviers. . . . . .the foothills of the French Alps in the distance,

Another part of France new to me and surprisingly lovely.

South of France awaits Autumn -

Today my brother John wrote -------------- "The grapes look good, 

expectations are high. The vendange has started so the 

village is busy, busy."

This late Summer weekend heralds their village fête at the start of the harvest and,

 if anything like previous celebrations encountered on former visits, I know it will be 

one exciting and most enjoyable time for all. Wine is what makes the village tick - it's 

the lifeblood of the Languedoc region. French wines are excellent and will flow 

this weekend, together with music and dancing. 

This post will take you to my brother's village surrounded by vineyards and farmland. 

You will also get an early 'pumpkin fix' - and a recipe - they grow some beauties I 

assure you.

We visited in October of 2008 and are hoping to have beautiful weather and Autumn 

colors like this again when we arrive next month following a trip through other lovely 

areas of France.

All photos taken in October 2008 - Languedoc, France.