Barsac

Finishing a walking trip always feels great...and finishing one at Chateau Camperos is fantastic!  We calculated that we did about 50 miles in total, definitely not our longest walk by any stretch - but this trip was one with the nicest weather!  It was a bonus that our Chateau had a pool and huge grounds -along with some nice wine from the Graves region -with which to celebrate:) We would definitely recommend this place - and would stay there again.  Rooms were the nicest of the trip, and dinner was an amazing experience.  We were sad to have to catch the early train to Bordeaux the next morning.

Sauternes and Barsac

Well we made it...we finished our walking trip.   We did 16k around St Macaire  and the final 15k from Sauternes to Barsac.   The Chateau in Sauternes - Chateau D'Arche was fantastic  - very old and has been making wine for centuries!  We had a little tour and wine tasting.  Sauternes aren't my preferred type of wine, but the history and complexity of how it's made was interesting to see and learn about.  The next morning on our final walk, we experienced another winery tour at Chateau La Tour Blanche...one even more 'respected'.  Pretty fun!:)

St Emilion to St Macaire via St Martin de Lerm

It's amazing how much you can take Wi-Fi for granted...and how much you can appreciate it when you get it after being without it for a couple of days!  And here we've been lugging our tablets for 44 kilometers - over hill, over dale, through vineyards, next to cornfields, along the Gardonne River...to no avail:)  Good thing we had good company, good hosts and lots to eat and drink!  The walk has not been as difficult as our previous ones, but that doesn't mean that it hasn't been tough.  The dogs have been barking... and that's besides all the dogs who have been barking at us as we walk past their homes, farms, wineries, etc. :)
It's been the carrot that we always know we have some good Bordeaux waiting for us at the end of the day!  And today was only 10k, so had a little reprieve in the middle of the walk.   Tomorrow we're off to Sauternes...should be another interesting day!  Bon Soir.

Saint Emilion, France

Bonjour France!
Arriving in St Emilion yesterday afternoon made the very long day of planes, trains and automobiles totally worth it!  For visitors who enjoy du vin...this place is like being a kid in a candy store.  No lie - there are wine shops after wine shops, and tasting rooms after tasting rooms!   (Oh there are a few stores and restaurants as well,  but not as prevalent.)
The town at one point was a walled city - with gates, ramparts, etc. Most of the walls are gone now, but the old buildings remain including the King's Tower and a bell tower with 196 steep and narrow stairs to the top...just what we needed before starting our walking trip tomorrow! :)  Good thing we had a nice patio by the pool at our hotel to rest ourselves afterwards.  This was all after we had stopped in at a wine shop  (the Wine Buff), run by a gentleman named Paddy - from Ireland.  Best wine tasting experience we've had in eons.   He owns a number of shops in Ireland as well,  so plan to visit one again someday.
Bon soir!

Istrian Peninsula

After Plitvice and a fantastic dinner experience and stay at the Miric Inn, Jasko took us on a really interesting road trip as we made our way to the hilltop town of Motovun.  Narrow highways (some of which you had to pull off to the side for two cars to pass) and thru towns that had seen the war tear their country apart.  Luckily that was followed up by some lighter conversation as Jasko and Graham discussed their favorite soccer teams:)
Motovun was as amazing as what we'd read about it.  We had lunch at restaurant Konoba  Mondo - which featured fantastic dishes highlighting the local truffles.  Our quest is now to try and replicate the truffle, olive and caper tapenade that they served!:)
Next was on to Rovinj and a couple of beautiful days...with good food and wine on the Istrian Coast before our 3 1/2 hour ferry ride to Venice.