Day 1 \240may 17 landed in palermo traveled to cefalu vrbo # one bedroom villa on hillside in …. Ryan air would let you check luggage at gate without paying - who knew. Madrid security stopped me for having hiking sticks in hand bag . Ouch. Had to have luggage pulled to have sticks put in or pay 40€ (50$)

Day 1 \240may 17 landed in palermo traveled to cefalu vrbo # one bedroom villa on hillside in …. Ryan air would let you check luggage at gate without paying - who knew. Madrid security stopped me for having hiking sticks in hand bag . Ouch. Had to have luggage pulled to have sticks put in or pay 40€ (50$)

Day 2 May 18

great hike on the rock and around town

Good meals

Cefalu

Day 2 May 18

great hike on the rock and around town

Good meals

Cefalu

Day 3 May 19

Lovely car ride to Castelbuono . Lunch at ...with wonderful family style service. The owner gave lucy a tour of the restaurant showing pictures of his family weddings and of him when he was a child.  Gave us a free sweet ricotta with chocolate stuffed pastry . The son was our waiter. We arrived after the museum/family home was closed but a lady in front of us negotiated a quick

Tour. Amazing chapel inside .

Wished we had more time for piano soprano and other mountain villages . More hiking get hiking book for France .

Day 3 May 19

Lovely car ride to Castelbuono . Lunch at ...with wonderful family style service. The owner gave lucy a tour of the restaurant showing pictures of his family weddings and of him when he was a child.  Gave us a free sweet ricotta with chocolate stuffed pastry . The son was our waiter. We arrived after the museum/family home was closed but a lady in front of us negotiated a quick

Tour. Amazing chapel inside .

Wished we had more time for piano soprano and other mountain villages . More hiking get hiking book for France .

Day 4 May 20 travel to Lipari . Parked at mellina ? Ferry to aoila islands (eoliane). \240First hydrofoil for us. Took taxi to beautiful 4 br villa in Serra neighborhood . Cooked dinner in. Developed habit of rose and bruchettas in the afternoon . Lovely views . Beautiful home. Good WiFi . Kitchen a bit difficult . Gas burners did not always work.

Day 4 May 20 travel to Lipari . Parked at mellina ? Ferry to aoila islands (eoliane). \240First hydrofoil for us. Took taxi to beautiful 4 br villa in Serra neighborhood . Cooked dinner in. Developed habit of rose and bruchettas in the afternoon . Lovely views . Beautiful home. Good WiFi . Kitchen a bit difficult . Gas burners did not always work.

Day 5 - May 21 huge hike. Missed the bus and decided to

Just walk...yikes 10 miles. We were exhausted . Beautiful walk with fragrant “broom” plants . Parts of the trail were very untraveled - plants raking us on both sides. We almost missed the bus- so worried we were going to have to walk down too. Limited water ☹️. Walked by the “bath” - not worthy . Drinks on terrace above the bus station . Decided to rent a wreck. Convertible with front end falling off -  very funny . Grocery shopping is always an adventure . They had a great market with helpers that spoke English and communication was easy! Made for a much easier shopping experience.

The driveway was so Difficult - David scratched the front end on the concrete . It had so much other damage you didn’t notice .

Dinner that night was superb. ###% The owners gave us fresh fruit from their garden complimentary looked like miniature pears??. Most meals in Sicily end with grappa and little seasame seed?  cookies. They had awesome pottery candles - gaudy but cool! See this type frequently , looks like it has African influence.

Day 5 - May 21 huge hike. Missed the bus and decided to

Just walk...yikes 10 miles. We were exhausted . Beautiful walk with fragrant “broom” plants . Parts of the trail were very untraveled - plants raking us on both sides. We almost missed the bus- so worried we were going to have to walk down too. Limited water ☹️. Walked by the “bath” - not worthy . Drinks on terrace above the bus station . Decided to rent a wreck. Convertible with front end falling off -  very funny . Grocery shopping is always an adventure . They had a great market with helpers that spoke English and communication was easy! Made for a much easier shopping experience.

The driveway was so Difficult - David scratched the front end on the concrete . It had so much other damage you didn’t notice .

Dinner that night was superb. ###% The owners gave us fresh fruit from their garden complimentary looked like miniature pears??. Most meals in Sicily end with grappa and little seasame seed?  cookies. They had awesome pottery candles - gaudy but cool! See this type frequently , looks like it has African influence.

Day 6 - may 22 around Island tour. Lunch on north end. Again family oriented. Drinks where we hiked the day before . Sweet lady discussed her plants with me using google translate . Returned car- rented scooter. Dinner at Filipinos .very good. We got the whole fish that they dissected at table for us.too much grappa

If did again would consider longer car rental due to expense of taxi

Day 6 - may 22 around Island tour. Lunch on north end. Again family oriented. Drinks where we hiked the day before . Sweet lady discussed her plants with me using google translate . Returned car- rented scooter. Dinner at Filipinos .very good. We got the whole fish that they dissected at table for us.too much grappa

If did again would consider longer car rental due to expense of taxi

Day 7 May 23 pack and go to get car. Take scooter back . Get taxi for luggage. Back to mellina for car. Scooter and parking use interesting methods for 24 hrs.headed to Taormina . Low gas☹️. The hotel Belvedere . Lovely gardens and pool.Great  family owned hotel. The son/owner greeted us \240by motorcycle to show us to the hotel then gave us welcome drinks and info. Dinner at momma rosas - okay not fab. Beautifully singing wandering musicians. Lovely village. Would go back and stay

Day 7 May 23 pack and go to get car. Take scooter back . Get taxi for luggage. Back to mellina for car. Scooter and parking use interesting methods for 24 hrs.headed to Taormina . Low gas☹️. The hotel Belvedere . Lovely gardens and pool.Great  family owned hotel. The son/owner greeted us \240by motorcycle to show us to the hotel then gave us welcome drinks and info. Dinner at momma rosas - okay not fab. Beautifully singing wandering musicians. Lovely village. Would go back and stay

Day 8- may 24 Great breakfast buffet. Toured the coliseum in the morning. Then hit the road. Lunches at ### a beautiful village with old ruins, a few plazas and a wonderful restaurant ##% mill. The mother and son were so gracious to us. Yummy focaccia bread , anti pasta and pesto pasta .there was a group of 7 20 something’s there also.rhey gave us complimentary grappa, expresso , followed book recommendations.

Headed for south east shore with no plan. Lots of wasted time. South shore was very disappointing . Waze sent us in loops looking for beautiful areas. Ended up heading to town . Very small streets. The hotel was on a pediatrian only walk way which we didn’t know. Only 7 rooms . David drove down the crazy small streets - so scary . Many  one ways and do not enter with pressing traffic in every direction. Hotel was nice and centrally located with a balcony view of grand baroque buildings. Dinner was disappointing - recommmded by hotel.

Day 8- may 24 Great breakfast buffet. Toured the coliseum in the morning. Then hit the road. Lunches at ### a beautiful village with old ruins, a few plazas and a wonderful restaurant ##% mill. The mother and son were so gracious to us. Yummy focaccia bread , anti pasta and pesto pasta .there was a group of 7 20 something’s there also.rhey gave us complimentary grappa, expresso , followed book recommendations.

Headed for south east shore with no plan. Lots of wasted time. South shore was very disappointing . Waze sent us in loops looking for beautiful areas. Ended up heading to town . Very small streets. The hotel was on a pediatrian only walk way which we didn’t know. Only 7 rooms . David drove down the crazy small streets - so scary . Many  one ways and do not enter with pressing traffic in every direction. Hotel was nice and centrally located with a balcony view of grand baroque buildings. Dinner was disappointing - recommmded by hotel.

Day 9- May 25 \240lunch at recommended pizzeria that didn’t serve pizza by the valley of the temples . Proceeded to Family hotel “don Giovanna “outside of Sambuca . Loved this place- nice hikes in the fields of grapes and olives. Rose on deck. Good dinner - great prices ! Lovely balcony room. Would go back and stay

Day 9- May 25 \240lunch at recommended pizzeria that didn’t serve pizza by the valley of the temples . Proceeded to Family hotel “don Giovanna “outside of Sambuca . Loved this place- nice hikes in the fields of grapes and olives. Rose on deck. Good dinner - great prices ! Lovely balcony room. Would go back and stay

Day 10 May 26 to marina holiday, lunch at Beach bar. Hotel was silly - red chandeliers.walked around town, rose on the terrace, ate at local Bar , Saturday night special that had a band that played until 4am - when we were leaving for airport ! Same waitress still There as we drove by.

Day 10 May 26 to marina holiday, lunch at Beach bar. Hotel was silly - red chandeliers.walked around town, rose on the terrace, ate at local Bar , Saturday night special that had a band that played until 4am - when we were leaving for airport ! Same waitress still There as we drove by.

Day 11-may 27 car to Palermo airport,flight voltaire flight to Naples , taxi to ferry dock, then ferry to Capri ...long travel day. Arrived too early for check in - hung out in harbor with luggage till noon then struggled to get taxi to House. Love the long convertible  taxis Villa Kronenborg. Amazing views from the 3 decks and windows. Very small - bathroom and kitchen. Hit my head about 60% of the time in br. Nozzle would not stay on so very difficult to shower. Kitchen only had one plug that worked for heating water, microwave . Walked to downtown to shop, very difficult o find grocery shop - loaded with tourists . No money left in any ATMs. The renter had a system of canceling the last payment on VRBO so they wanted cash, plus extra for ac and WiFi . Came home with groceries very ready to relax and enjoy our view . No wine opener - back into town. One of the renters agents was on property but refused to loan us an opener. Said she would bring it tomorrow. Also- error on fees. ☹️☹️. Finally - lovely light dinner with wine. Perfect view of the ###frangl

House at Capri

Day 11-may 27 car to Palermo airport,flight voltaire flight to Naples , taxi to ferry dock, then ferry to Capri ...long travel day. Arrived too early for check in - hung out in harbor with luggage till noon then struggled to get taxi to House. Love the long convertible  taxis Villa Kronenborg. Amazing views from the 3 decks and windows. Very small - bathroom and kitchen. Hit my head about 60% of the time in br. Nozzle would not stay on so very difficult to shower. Kitchen only had one plug that worked for heating water, microwave . Walked to downtown to shop, very difficult o find grocery shop - loaded with tourists . No money left in any ATMs. The renter had a system of canceling the last payment on VRBO so they wanted cash, plus extra for ac and WiFi . Came home with groceries very ready to relax and enjoy our view . No wine opener - back into town. One of the renters agents was on property but refused to loan us an opener. Said she would bring it tomorrow. Also- error on fees. ☹️☹️. Finally - lovely light dinner with wine. Perfect view of the ###frangl

House at Capri

Day 12- May 28  took bus to Anacapri , chair lift to summit, hike down trail to Anacapri , lunch unremarkable , bus back to Capri , wandered around village again , dinner and wine at home on beautiful deck

Day 12- May 28  took bus to Anacapri , chair lift to summit, hike down trail to Anacapri , lunch unremarkable , bus back to Capri , wandered around village again , dinner and wine at home on beautiful deck

Day 13 - may 29 walked to town, trail to

Point at far end of Island , back to Capri , down to arch, along water then restaurant $$$, then sangria at &&&&. Walk back home . Finally able to get some money. Back to house for drinks and dinner. If returned would do around the island boat tour or rent a boat .

Day 13 - may 29 walked to town, trail to

Point at far end of Island , back to Capri , down to arch, along water then restaurant $$$, then sangria at &&&&. Walk back home . Finally able to get some money. Back to house for drinks and dinner. If returned would do around the island boat tour or rent a boat .

Day 14 may 30 taxi, ferry to Naples , taxi to airport , EasyJet to Nice. Extremely difficult 1.5 hrs to get car. Problems wth multiple reservations (auto Europe vs Europcar), agent harrassed David into taking out $350 extra in Insurance ☹️. Headed to le Garde - Freinet .stay with Jane and alban. Lovely place in country . 3 br, easy kitchen , odd layout with master downstairs . Lots of wash to do ! The villa is adjacent to main house , pool and gardens . They had a bottle of wine to welcome us. Then had us over to go over hiking maps. The last day they gave us crouisamts  and a large discount for plumbing and WiFi trouble . Would go back. Good trails. Relaxing. \240Would prefer better outsode dinnng area. Would stay longer - more hikes. Dinner at home.

Day 14 may 30 taxi, ferry to Naples , taxi to airport , EasyJet to Nice. Extremely difficult 1.5 hrs to get car. Problems wth multiple reservations (auto Europe vs Europcar), agent harrassed David into taking out $350 extra in Insurance ☹️. Headed to le Garde - Freinet .stay with Jane and alban. Lovely place in country . 3 br, easy kitchen , odd layout with master downstairs . Lots of wash to do ! The villa is adjacent to main house , pool and gardens . They had a bottle of wine to welcome us. Then had us over to go over hiking maps. The last day they gave us crouisamts  and a large discount for plumbing and WiFi trouble . Would go back. Good trails. Relaxing. \240Would prefer better outsode dinnng area. Would stay longer - more hikes. Dinner at home.

Day 15 - may 31 small hike around house on local trail. Parked in town, lovely. Up to fort , hike back , lovely lunch in town in rain. Went to restaurant in Grimaud so fabulous . Great food , good music, entertaining host, atmosphere was very interesting - lots of art, old pieces, little cubby holes for dinners privacy

Day 15 - may 31 small hike around house on local trail. Parked in town, lovely. Up to fort , hike back , lovely lunch in town in rain. Went to restaurant in Grimaud so fabulous . Great food , good music, entertaining host, atmosphere was very interesting - lots of art, old pieces, little cubby holes for dinners privacy

Day 16- june 1 off to coastal trail. Got a bit lost ended up doing about 7-8 Miles. Cap lardon. Restaurant on the beach not very good. Home dinner. Sat by pool enjoyed the house in the afternoon

Day 16- june 1 off to coastal trail. Got a bit lost ended up doing about 7-8 Miles. Cap lardon. Restaurant on the beach not very good. Home dinner. Sat by pool enjoyed the house in the afternoon

Day 17-(Saturday June 2nd) to Gordes drop gear, shop  and go. To Pick up Janet at MRS. walked around square ate on excellent restaurant . Picked up some more groceries .

Day 17-(Saturday June 2nd) to Gordes drop gear, shop  and go. To Pick up Janet at MRS. walked around square ate on excellent restaurant . Picked up some more groceries .

Day 18 - June 3 Sunday hiked from bonnieux to la coste. Drinks at cafe them caught in terrible downpour on way home . Soaked from head to toe. Had appetizers . Cooked dinner . Chicken ,lemon, potatoes and carrots,

Day 18 - June 3 Sunday hiked from bonnieux to la coste. Drinks at cafe them caught in terrible downpour on way home . Soaked from head to toe. Had appetizers . Cooked dinner . Chicken ,lemon, potatoes and carrots,

Day 19 Monday June 4 ,Avignon lunch , and wineries ,major shop at intermarche,

Day 19 Monday June 4 ,Avignon lunch , and wineries ,major shop at intermarche,

Day 20 Tuesday - June 5 market on the square Gordes , Wendy roscow joined us, lunch al fresco, pool, wine, dinner at la trincette

Day 20 Tuesday - June 5 market on the square Gordes , Wendy roscow joined us, lunch al fresco, pool, wine, dinner at la trincette

Day 21 Wednesday -June 6- Calanques de so###

Day 21 Wednesday -June 6- Calanques de so###

Day 22 Thursday June 7- gorge hike , walk around Gordes , Gould for lunch

Day 22 Thursday June 7- gorge hike , walk around Gordes , Gould for lunch

Day 23 Friday - June 8 bonnieux market /Arles , drinks on terrace, dinner at la bastides de Gordes. Celebrated David s birthday.lovely evening

Day 23 Friday - June 8 bonnieux market /Arles \240and museum \240drinks on terrace, dinner at la bastides de Gordes.

Day 24 Saturday June 9- Janet to airport . To la California near Carqueiranne . Sat by pool hung around house.

Day 24 Saturday June 9- Janet to airport . To la California near Carqueiranne . Sat by pool hung around house.

Day 25 June 10 - hiked around vineyards

Day 25 June 10 - hiked around vineyards

Day 26 June 11- long hike around Prestiqu-ile Giens over many miles, up and down repeatedly to a great waterfront restaurant la Neil . Awesome food. Dinner at home.

Day 26 June 11- long hike around Prestiqu-ile Giens over many miles, up and down repeatedly to a great waterfront restaurant la Neil . Awesome food. Dinner at home.

Day 27 June 12 to Maillou. Lovely gite. Horses , pretty Grey cat, grandma all around. \240Walked a few miles that evening \240before realizing it was almost nine. Booked it on home.... for a self-panned burger!

Day 27 June 12 to Maillou. Lovely gite. Horses , pretty Grey cat, grandma all around. \240Walked a few miles that evening \240before realizing it was almost nine. Booked it on home.... for a self-panned burger!

Day 28 June 13 lovely hike. \240David unhappy about weather (STILL) around the gorge du tarn. Through fields of poppies, wheat and alfalpha. Deep gorge, beautiful vistas of the plateau cliffs. \240Drove past a hotel where we stayed in 2015(?). Did a uturn and went back for a boisson dans la terrasse (see below). Back to the ranch to attempt charcoal chicken with unknown starter, coals, and stove.

Arrived in Borreze early afternoon. Opened the house , surprised to find a “for sale “ sign☹️. \240The house had a 25 gallon bucket full of water from the leaky roof! Cleaned refrigerator and sink and dishes- very musty! Decided to

Go for a ride - found merv and sil I’m Gignac . We were invited to join a large party of Britain’s and a few other english speaking country for a meal out. Lovely people Helen & ? Who owned a home there but now just travel and camp, the guy who owned the Irish bar and his Dutch wife. Lots of fun !

The House was much better when we returned .

Arrived in Borreze early afternoon. Opened the house , surprised to find a “for sale “ sign☹️. \240The house had a 25 gallon bucket full of water from the leaky roof! Cleaned refrigerator and sink and dishes- very musty! Decided to

Go for a ride - found merv and sil I’m Gignac . We were invited to join a large party of Britain’s and a few other english speaking country for a meal out. Lovely people Helen & ? Who owned a home there but now just travel and camp, the guy who owned the Irish bar and his Dutch wife. Lots of fun !

The House was much better when we returned .

Left mike and Maggie’s to go to Nic and Doms in Tries sue Basie .the mountain peaks have snow and the hills are rolling with wheat, corn??. Looks like great biking territory . Lots of wild flowers. \240Dry wet due to the extreme rain conditions France has experienced for the last month.

Lovely dinner of curry. We were joined by Marian. It’s the 39 wedding celebration for Dom and Nic!

Left mike and Maggie’s to go to Nic and Doms in Tries sue Basie .the mountain peaks have snow and the hills are rolling with wheat, corn??. Looks like great biking territory . Lots of wild flowers. \240Dry wet due to the extreme rain conditions France has experienced for the last month.

Lovely dinner of curry. We were joined by Marian. It’s the 39 wedding celebration for Dom and Nic!

Good morning ! After a great anniversary celebration with Nic and Dom. We were late pulling away from the beautiful breakfast with homemade jam, great yogurt toppings and fresh croissants. \240Off to Spain for a hike and beauties vies of the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees.

Arrive in Corriare. Lovely hotel . Hiked up to windmill and old fort. Took alternative route home . Walked around the old city. Decided to head back to room to

Enjoyes rose on the deck them a late dinner in the city

Breakfast at a cafe by the sea. Then 4 mile walk down the shore . Checkout with wish to stay longer. Next time - hike to next city and bus back. A day by the pool. It’s a good way to tie up the last few days.

Off to Toulouse with no reservation . A plan to stop st ascaronne for lunch.

Breakfast at a cafe by the sea. Then 4 mile walk down the shore . Checkout with wish to stay longer. Next time - hike to next city and bus back. A day by the pool. It’s a good way to tie up the last few days.

Off to Toulouse with no reservation . A plan to stop st ascaronne for lunch.

Breakfast at a cafe by the sea. Then 4 mile walk down the shore . Checkout with wish to stay longer. Next time - hike to next city and bus back. A day by the pool. It’s a good way to tie up the last few days.

Off to Toulouse with no reservation . A plan to stop st ascaronne for lunch.

Breakfast at a cafe by the sea. Then 4 mile walk down the shore . Checkout with wish to stay longer. Next time - hike to next city and bus back. A day by the pool. It’s a good way to tie up the last few days.

Off to Toulouse with no reservation . A plan to stop st ascaronne for lunch.