Taste of Greek Island Life.
On the island of Kefalonia, located on the western side of Greece in the Ionian Sea, the tourist season is winding down and attention is shifting to harvesting the season’s grapes for wine, followed by olives and then the citrus crops. On a beautiful day we saw picture-perfect villages, olive trees overloaded with olives that will make their way to the olive oil presses and acres of orange, lemon and lime trees heavy with fruit. We also tasted the local Robola wines. Our local contacts were optimistic that the tourist trade would continue to improve as more nature and history lovers discover the island’s breathtaking cliff views, challenging hiking trails, secluded beaches and ancient Greek and Roman ruins and artifacts. We were told that next year will bring 100 cruise ships to the island.

The Knights of Malta. You can’t go anywhere in Malta without learning about how 700 Knights Hospitallers of St. John ...“the Knights of Malta”...saved Malta from an invasion of 40,000 Turks in the 16th century. Later, the Knights built the fortress city of Valletta, an architectural masterpiece, with impressive bastions, now the capital of Malta. The Cathedral of St John is the centerpiece of the city and the final resting place for over 400 knights. Sensory overload sets in early with the amazing display of gold gilding on most surfaces, including the impressive eight-pointed Maltese Cross, the symbol of the Knights’ Order. Parts of Malta seem frozen in time with 16th and 17th century bastions and buildings everywhere. Not surprisingly, the timelessness of the island has drawn many film crews here. We noticed a film being shoot today against a backdrop of a fort. Period films made here in Troy, Alexander, Gladiator and Count of Monte Cristo to name a few.

Fish for Dinner. We are spending the day in the seaside fishing port of Fiumicino, Italy. The fishing fleet comes in around 2pm up the Tiber River and the action starts as local chefs, fish mongers and the curious come down to inspect and buy the fresh catch of prawns, fish, squid and mussels. An hour later the fish mongers are auctioning the catch to other resellers.

Our perfect day on Vancouver Island in British Columbia combined the tried and true with the new. When we visit Victoria we never fail to go north a few miles to visit the stunning Butchart Gardens. Being surrounded by overwhelming beauty is a simple joy. As ambitious gardeners we are always looking for tips and inspiration. From the gardens we headed by BC Ferry to the picturesque Cowichan Valley to unwind and sip award winning wines and ciders. We discovered the Church & State and Zanatta wineries. Enjoyed walking through the Damali Lavender Farm and finished the day learning about ciders and brandies from David at the Merridale Estate Cidery. Next stop for the Go Bucket List Concierge Team: Seattle.

On our perfect day in Vancouver, Canada with friends from Williamsburg, VA we headed north across the Lions Gate Bridge across Burrard Inlet to enjoy a hearty breakfast at The Bakehouse in Dundarave before hiking among the old-growth Douglas firs and Red Cedars in Lighthouse Park, down to the Point Atkinson Lighthouse. Lighthouse Park, with almost 200-acres of forest and numerous trails, is a National Historic Site in the District of West Vancouver with some of the oldest Douglas Firs and Red Cedars in the Vancouver area - some over a thousand years old. From there we trekked north to Squamish, BC to the Shannon Falls Provincial Park to see waterfalls in the Cascades. Returning back to Vancouver we stopped at the Olive and Anchor at Horseshoe Bay for lunch in view of the BC Ferries busily taking vacationers over to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Back in Vancouver we explored the shops and wonderful public markets on Granville Island, strolled through the impressive rose gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park and had an entertaining evening in the Gas Lamp District. Next stop: Victoria, BC, Canada