In Lisbon Portugal,
Debi joined me for more adventure! We indulged our senses with the traditional flavors and sounds of Portugal .. a Fado Evening at the popular local restaurant, Casa de Linharees. Fardo (destiny or fate) is a musical genre that can be traced back to the 1820’s but probably with much earlier origins It is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea and nostalgic feelings or missing someone. With food and wine, it was a warm welcome back to Lisbon.
The next day we kept it going with a taste of the Portuguese Riviera by visiting the picturesque mountainous region of Sintra. It was all fairy tale castles, spectacular mountain vistas and fantastic shopping.
Onward to Spain…..we were prepared to be entranced….and we were indeed….by the amazing architecture and serene landscapes of Spain’s Basque country gem Bilbao. The area is full of charm with beautiful beaches, the city built between cliffs and skirted by the majestic Nervion River.
However, it is the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, designed by renowned architect, Frank O. Gehry, that draws most visitors.
The building is covered with over 35,000 titanium tiles and pieces of glass strategically placed to catch the natural light. This masterpiece of flowing titanium and limestone reflects Bilbao’s heritage with its suggestion of maritime shapes and sails. Jeff Koon’s iconic Puggy was a personal Favorite for both of us.
Bordeaux, France….a wine lovers dream came next.
It is synonymous with quality and prestige and the promise of endless opportunities to sample the city[‘s famous full-bodied red wines.
Our ship was docked on the river right in town…. We walked everywhere and found the only authentic restaurant opened on a Sunday…1925….where the owner was not only the sommelier but also served us our dinner plus made our Crepe Suzette at the table.
In our few days in Bordeaux we crammed in as many experiences as possible. One of our favorites was UNESCO World Heritage , Saint Emilion Village with food and wine pairing lunch at Chateau de Ferrand. We couldn’t decide which was more fabulous….as the next day we drove thirty minutes to the Pessac-Leognan vineyards and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte.
Since its purchase by Florence and Daniel Catheird in 1990 the winery has become one of the leading lights of Bordeaux thanks to its elegant powerful red and white wines.
Since then, the owners have not only brought the wine od Smith Haut Lafitte up to the very highest level, but also restored the chateau’s 16th century tower, completely renovated two underground cellars, built their own cooperage and introduced such organic methods as horse-drawn ploughing, homemade composts and the use of plant extracts.
After a tour of this magnificent vineyard, we proceeded to the tasting room for a private tasting of 3 wines. An unforgettable day!
Our tour of France continued in Saint Malo, which is a great jumping off spot to visit the renowned, Mont St Michel. Since we have visited this “Wonder of the West”, a Gothic style Benedictine Abbey, we chose to explore Brittany’s Picturesque Villages.
The contrasting attractions of Dinan and Dinard are a world apart in appearance that exists with only a twenty minute drive from one another. The first is a walled hill town still bristling with fortresses, with more than its fair share of wobbly half-timbered houses on ancient streets…. While the latter is a former fishing village that became an elegant and affluent resort in the 19th century, complete with a casino.
Next, Our route took us to Saint Peter Port, Guernsey.
At the Les Rocquettes Hotel and restaurant, we were treated to a refreshing gin welcome drink before sitting down to a three-course lunch expertly crafted with each dish paired with wine to elevate the flavors to new heights. The chef explained the locally sourced ingredients used for each course and why they are all so special to the island.
After lunch we took a short walk to J B Parker’s Bar and Cellar.
Nestled beneath the ancient cobbled streets of Saint Peter Port, this atmospheric bar houses a captivating underground wine cellar where the sommelier chose his favorite vintages for us to sample.
Afterwards, we took a leisurely stroll back to the pier, allowing us to soak in the beauty of this enchanting island.