Opera at Piazza di Spagna

Every now and again you unexpectedly come across an event which excites. One such occassion was this week at the Spanish Steps when a night of dancing and singing occured. We were fortunate to have some notice of the event and positioned ourselves for a great viewing. This is about 200 metres from our home in Roma.

The first performance was from a dance group. They were fantastico.

They were followed by four fabulous opera singers who sang wonderful renditions of some of our favourite songs.

We were so molto fortunato to see this.

Domani we go to Montalcino, our favourite Italian town in the south of Toscana for a week

Baci a tutti

Carolyna e Alan

Provence - a jewel in the French crown

Not sure what we expected of Provence but in many respects it turned out quite different. More mountainous and rugged than we expected.

The main street of Cours Mirabeau in Aix en Provence.

Just an interesting photo outside an antique shop in Aix.

Street market every day at Place Richelme in Aix en Provence.

Fresh colouful fruit and vegetables.

And even the odd sunflower.

Aix En Provence is famous as the home of Cezanne. We visited his studio where he was actively painting at the beginning of the 20th century. A wonderful experience. Internal photos of the studio were not permitted but some of the pieces that he included in his still paintings were still in the studio. Here are a couple of external shots at his studio.

Garden surrounding the studio.

We were in Aix on Bastille day, 14th July, and like most places in France celebrations occured.

The main street of Aix with all the services parading at 5pm on Bastille Day.

And then at night the mandatory fireworks.

Restaurants in Aix were excellent. Food superb.

Here we are with the chef/owner of Le Formal restaurant in Aix situated at Rue Espariat

The country outside Aix en Provence is a combination of mountains and valleys with rugged outcrops.

Of course, the lavender fields near the "lavender town" of Sault are beautiful.

Just coming into full bloom.

Many interesting towns in Provence. This one is Monts de Vaucluse.

This town has an amazing spring which is reputed to be one of the most powerful springs in the world.

The spring emerges at the foot of a cliff and from this a beautiful river with cold crystal clear water emerges. The spring comes from a number of mountainous sources covering over 1100 square kilometres and this is the only outlet for those sources.

The spring emerging as a river in the town.

Town centre with the crystal clear spring waters.

Up near the source of the river.

This is where the spring emerges from the mountain. Divers have gone into the caves behind to try to determine the source routes of the spring with good success.

Another interesting town was Rousillon which is surrounded by Ochre hills, a colour typical of the region. This area was mined until more recent times. It is now a conservation area. Brilliant colour.

Another town was Beaux which was an old fortified town that was the military centre of the region for some time. Old turrets, and military equipment still exist.

Well, that's all on Provence.

Amore e baci a tutti.

Carolyna e Alan.

Burgundy - wine lovers paradiso!

What a pleasant surprise. Burgundy exceeded all of our expectations!

Following our canal trip in the Loire we had three marvellous days in the area with our base at the Bourgogne capital of Beaune, also with our dear friends Andrea and Moheb.

Our hotel was just on the fringe of the old town and in a great location. Staff and facilities were very good. The hotel was called Le Cedre. Would very much recommend.

At the hotel Le Cedre before heading out to dinner.

Beaune is one of the key wine centres in France. Indeed their annual wine auction is the biggest in France. One of the most fascinating buildings in Beaune is the Hospices de Beaune which was founded in 1442 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy. The Hospices were a charity running hospitals and services for the needy. The feel and style of the hospice has been recreated internally and the exterior superbly maintained.

Also known as the Hotel Dieu, it was created after a 100 year war which was particularly hard on the people of the region.

The roof tiles are set in a stunning pattern and in very good condition.

Hotel Dieu functioned as a hospital all through the period up to 1970. It was run by an order of nuns.

 

 

The main ward in the hospital.

Beds ran head to toe both sides of the ward.

The hospice had all necessary facilities including a fully functioning kitchen......

.....and a pharmacia for drug production.

And every night they have a fabulous light show on the building exterior.

Wine and viticulture dominate the region. Just beautiful scenery and so extensive. It stretches from Dijon in the north to Lyon in the south.

The four amigos

Burgundy is made up of a number of different areas including Chablis, Cote de Nuit, Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais and Beaujolais.

Its' primary red wine is made from Pinot Noir and the white from Chardonnay. They produce just under 200 million bottles per year from 25,000 hectares of vines.

Famous names include Romanee Conti, Gevrey Chambertin, Nuit Saint George, Pommard, Pouilly Fuisse and Chablis.

It is appellation controlled with gradings of Grand Cru, Premier cru, village and regional with the best being designated Grand Cru.

Wine tastings were very, very good. Sometimes a charge is made but on all occassions very generous with plenty of explanation.

A number of wine tastings were held in caves (undergound cellars) where you go from one barrel to the next with a bottle on each barrel and a description of the wine on the wall and you help yourself.....oops I've poured too much vino! Great fun!

Almost finished?

Another wine tasting!

And another !

And another!

Experts? No

.

In need of help? Maybe!

We were also fortunate to meet some of the winemakers. Most winemakers are small which is a welcome change from the big conglomerates. Here are a couple of the winemakers

Patrick Bize of Domaine Simon Bize et fils from Savigny-les Beaune

Gerard Quivy owner and winemaker of Les Corbeaux in Gevrey Chambertin. A Grand Cru winemaker

Of course it was not all about red wine. The girls had other ideas.....

Mmmm...Clos de Tart. Is there a message here?

Are these desperados waiting for another tasting room to open?

Food...what a boys delight...Beouf Bourgognes!

And as always an interesting night crowd.....

Ciao ciao 

bacci a tutti

Carolyna e Alan