Mon. Oct 21, 2019. Taranto ?
We had a leisurely breakfast, then took a beautiful scenic drive from Polignaro down to. Through vineyards, olive groves and by little trullis communities. The mass eric we are staying at is also a vineyard, and next to the vineyard where Mike has arranged a private luncheon and wine tasting for us. We got checked in, then drove to Grottoglua which is known for ceramic production. Unfortunately we arrived right around 2:00, just when the town was buttoning up until 4:00 for lunch. We did find an Osteria open and had lunch, then walked around the narrow winding streets until the shops opened back up. We then did some ceramic shopping. The restaurant at the mass eric is closed tonight, so we picked up picnic food for dinner. We arrived back just as the sun was setting. Jon has come down with a snuggle cold, so he went to bed. Mike Jana and I sat out and had drinks and ate our picnic for dinner in a beautiful courtyard.
We had a leisurely breakfast, then took a beautiful scenic drive from Polignaro down to. Through vineyards, olive groves and by little trullis communities. The mass eric we are staying at is also a vineyard, and next to the vineyard where Mike has arranged a private luncheon and wine tasting for us. We got checked in, then drove to Grottoglua which is known for ceramic production. Unfortunately we arrived right around 2:00, just when the town was buttoning up until 4:00 for lunch. We did find an Osteria open and had lunch, then walked around the narrow winding streets until the shops opened back up. We then did some ceramic shopping. The restaurant at the mass eric is closed tonight, so we picked up picnic food for dinner. We arrived back just as the sun was setting. Jon has come down with a snuggle cold, so he went to bed. Mike Jana and I sat out and had drinks and ate our picnic for dinner in a beautiful courtyard.
ues. Oct 22, 2019 Lizzanu Tenuta del Barco Masseria
Today was a fabulous day. Unfortunately Jon is battling a cold and spent the day at hotel. Jana and I spent the AM walking and exploring all around the property, lots of cool photo ops. At non we drove around the corner to the Emeryvineyards for our wine tasting only to discover we could walk through a gate next to our rooms and directly enter the vineyard. We met Claudia Quarto who is about my age, and owns the vineyard. He sold his private bio tech firm, then bought the winery 15 years ago. He was very engaging ! We started by driving along the shore to the 74 hectares vineyards. On the property was a large 16th century villa, and vines as far as you could see. We then returned to the winery and toured the wine cellar, and bottling operations. Next we were served an amazing 5 course lunch where we tasted ten different wines. The whole experience was really fabulous ! He then gave us gifts of silk scarves and ties to boot. I was sorry that Jon missed, truly a highlight of our trip.
Tomorrow on to Matera where we will stay in the Stassi in a hotel where the rooms are built in to the caves.
Today was a fabulous day. Unfortunately Jon is battling a cold and spent the day at hotel. Jana and I spent the AM walking and exploring all around the property, lots of cool photo ops. At non we drove around the corner to the Emeryvineyards for our wine tasting only to discover we could walk through a gate next to our rooms and directly enter the vineyard. We met Claudia Quarto who is about my age, and owns the vineyard. He sold his private bio tech firm, then bought the winery 15 years ago. He was very engaging ! We started by driving along the shore to the 74 hectares vineyards. On the property was a large 16th century villa, and vines as far as you could see. We then returned to the winery and toured the wine cellar, and bottling operations. Next we were served an amazing 5 course lunch where we tasted ten different wines. The whole experience was really fabulous ! He then gave us gifts of silk scarves and ties to boot. I was sorry that Jon missed, truly a highlight of our trip.
Tomorrow on to Matera where we will stay in the Stassi in a hotel where the rooms are built in to the caves.
Wed. Oct 23, 2019. Matera. Palazzo Degli Abati
Up this AM and drove into Matera. A bit of chaotic driving trying to get to hotel but finally arrived. The hotel is spectacular. It is built into the caves and is very elegant. Our room has a little patio in front, and then a private rooftop terrace with surreal views over the entire Stassi. As soon as we arrived Jon went to bed. Mike, Jana and I spent the afternoon wandering and getting lost in tiny little streets. The area is the same as it was in the 11 th century. You half expected to turn a corner and run into Jesus. We returned around 5, then Mike and Jana met up with friends from home, I got take out from the restaraunt next door.
Wed. Oct 23, 2019. Matera. Palazzo Degli Abati
Up this AM and drove into Matera. A bit of chaotic driving trying to get to hotel but finally arrived. The hotel is spectacular. It is built into the caves and is very elegant. Our room has a little patio in front, and then a private rooftop terrace with surreal views over the entire Stassi. As soon as we arrived Jon went to bed. Mike, Jana and I spent the afternoon wandering and getting lost in tiny little streets. The area is the same as it was in the 11 th century. You half expected to turn a corner and run into Jesus. We returned around 5, then Mike and Jana met up with friends from home, I got take out from the restaraunt next door.
Thurs Oct 24. MaterA
Full day of walking and exploring in Matera. We went to a local museum that explained the history of Matera. It is one of the oldest known community known to be continuously inhabited since pre historic times, in the world. We averaging between 10 to 15 thousand steps a day and today was no exception. Jon and I had a date night tonight. We sat out on our rooftop terrace while sun sank down, the changing color over the Stassi was mesmerizing. We then went to eat at a restaurant called Osteria Al Casale where we had one of the best meals on this trip. Tomorrow off to zpompeii.
Full day of walking and exploring in Matera. We went to a local museum that explained the history of Matera. It is one of the oldest known community known to be continuously inhabited since pre historic times, in the world. We averaging between 10 to 15 thousand steps a day and today was no exception. Jon and I had a date night tonight. We sat out on our rooftop terrace while sun sank down, the changing color over the Stassi was mesmerizing. We then went to eat at a restaurant called Osteria Al Casale where we had one of the best meals on this trip. Tomorrow off to zpompeii.
Fri. Oct 25. Pompeii
Sad to leave the magic of Matera this AM. We drove to zpompeii and arrived around 12:30. We checked into our hotel, where our balcony gives us a view of the ruins ....
We ate lunch at a little bistro, then went on a 2:30 walking tour of Pompeii. I was familiar with a lot of the displays and history from an exhibition about 35 years ago that I went to at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We got back to our hotel around 5:30, then went back out to dinner and had a really good meal at a restaurant in town. Tomorrow we are off early to Sorrento where we have to drop our rental car off by 10:00 am.
Sad to leave the magic of Matera this AM. We drove to zpompeii and arrived around 12:30. We checked into our hotel, where our balcony gives us a view of the ruins ....
We ate lunch at a little bistro, then went on a 2:30 walking tour of Pompeii. I was familiar with a lot of the displays and history from an exhibition about 35 years ago that I went to at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We got back to our hotel around 5:30, then went back out to dinner and had a really good meal at a restaurant in town. Tomorrow we are off early to Sorrento where we have to drop our rental car off by 10:00 am.