https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog daily 1.0 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1648579978721-7KLOA3XOX08069MTA8XU/CANNOLI.jpg Eat Play Love - La dolce vita The culinary journey begins… https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/2gvas251b3b2b01k7yy7woaegohn71 monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/200d0102-6910-4312-834d-082323721a29/flower+arranging.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out Terry and I picked and then arranged wild flowers under the direction of an instructor. You can tell which arrangement Terry felt deserved first place. We will let you decide for yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/5199d8c7-d831-4d56-bf48-615880185752/tiles.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out Throughout Portugal you will find azulejo tiles. Many still exist within buildings dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/351508a4-f268-4c04-97a6-fe9d0b6bb915/azores+2.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out The Azores islands can be shrouded in fog and heavy clouds at any time of the year. Our day began a bit rainy and foggy but then became sunny and breathtaking as the day progressed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/760aa480-130c-44b3-8e41-76136340b212/azores+sete+cicades.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out Sao Miguel island one of 9 in the Azores, and is home to Sete Cidades a stunningly beautiful national park. The twin lakes of Sete Cidades, Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake), are located within a volcanic crater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/5cadee7a-ac66-43ab-aef5-3f48bbb6ad32/stacy+with+gourmet+knife.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out After a hard day of wine tasting, Stacy was happy to enjoy Portugese steak. She got to select this unique knife from one of 5 that were offered. Terry decided it was time to behave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f7861756-6903-4ba4-8ab0-c058d1aa46e6/4+asses.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out While shopping in the local towns we took this picture of four asses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/4791d708-463e-4f59-90ac-c8500ed2137c/39+gang+sign.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out In this beautiful place, we celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary and reflected on our amazing life together and abundant blessings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ec1feff5-868e-4777-a590-a0a9ef69553f/azores+4.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out The Azores was majestically beautiful and Stacy was transfixed by the natural beauty of this island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a224a93e-472f-493f-8a5a-e65e481e6ecd/well+balanced+red.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out We learned so much about wine in Portugal. This is an example of a well-balanced red wine in the Douro Valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f885b635-09ec-44a9-9303-91e37cbd059b/douro+river+cruise.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out Our private cruise through the Douro River Valley was stunningly beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/50c93187-bb00-486f-8c20-4c9eccc23222/douro+valley+.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out The wines and port from the Douro Valley were the best of Portugal, and the stunning views made the experience otherworldly beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/e5f8ecd0-785f-44ae-b0ed-e3defdf38c83/douro+valley+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out The wineries we visited were selected by Wine Tourism in Portugal and showcased the finest wines and ports in Portugal. Cartuxa winery in Evora was our first stop. We were so entranced by the views that it was hard to proceed with tastings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1c800992-fb93-408a-a08c-f7005fc303a5/azores+whale.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out The Azores is a place for whale and dolphin watching and during our cruise we saw two large pods of bottlenose and common dolphins and 3 sperm whales. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/4d33276b-06f3-4ec3-ab58-8865d88a5cdc/azores+1.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out Miradouro de Santa Iria on the North Coast of Sau Miguel was awe inspiring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/91d1249f-d3d2-47e3-9004-7ffa9c89c6b6/placque+slow+life.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal - wine regions and the Azores - Make it stand out We were reminded of the importance of savoring life and drinking in the world around us at Esporao winery in Alentejo. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/portgual-lisbon-and-porto-and-pilgrimage-sites monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/2f85534f-99dd-4173-aea4-647b21331e5e/porto+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Terry was getting dehydrated from all of the sightseeing. So, we stopped for a wee bit of Port. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/26b6a63c-ae08-4585-a924-c21b2bf7de72/pasteis+de+belem.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out While in Portugal you must try the Pasteis de Belem, often imitated, but never replicated. Yum! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/3c7cd357-443f-4f2e-baad-32a09edc2665/oldest+library.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Back to sightseeing… Bertrand Chiado is the world’s oldest operating library, founded in 1732. It was one of 3 fascinating libraries we toured in Portugal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/582ee65f-d344-4033-8df2-cdfede42fb2e/monastery+.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out The various monasteries we visited were architectural masterpieces dating back to as early as the 1400s. This exquisite monastery is the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1095216e-bcda-44de-99e0-412874a35752/santiago+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Our visit to Santiago de Compostela left us with an indelible memory. While attending mass, we were astounded to experience the operation of the ‘Botafumeiro’, usually reserved for religious holidays or special occasions. The current ‘Botafumeiro’ dates back to 1851, weighs 140 lbs, and is 5 feet high. Eight men are required to operate the ‘Botafumeiro’. After being filled with incense and coal , the ‘Botafumeiro’ is tied to a rope by the altar and is set in motion with great precision, forming an impressive 213 foot arched trajectory along the cathedral. In only 1.5 minutes, it reaches 42 miles per hour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/533f6ebe-ec84-41b5-8718-7ef414cfe8a8/lisboa+cool+building.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Jeronimo’s monastery in Lisbon is a UNESCO site, and Vasco da Gama is buried here. This photo and the prior one will give you an idea of the monstrous size of these gothic structures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/c523869a-59ac-4b3b-849f-a61f52bf4b58/fado+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Fado is the musical expression of Lisbon and Portugal. We were privileged to enjoy a performance with top artists at Casa de Linhares where it originated in the Alfama neighborhood in Lisbon. This melancholic and nostalgic music performance is a must do in Portugal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/3fe2e608-7674-4ce7-8b1a-27308f421d52/lisbon+or+sf.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Time for a trivia question. Is this San Francisco or Lisbon? The religious tower in the background will give you a clue. If you said Lisbon, you are correct. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/414a30c9-eab2-42c1-be74-f1b7824eb7be/porto+4.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out A view from one of the scenic side streets in Porto with a view toward the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1a742036-90ec-42d0-ad09-1d317275777a/porto+3+.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out One of Porto’s greatest features is the beautiful water views from every vantage point. You can also enjoy a gondola ride in Porto. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/34ab2d6a-cf70-40bf-b3f8-23cef83f6f85/culinary+highlights.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Our trip to Portugal was designed by Wine Tourism in Portugal and showcased the finest wines and restaurants in the country. We were treated like royalty and relished many delectable works of art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8abb0a1c-20b7-4286-840a-e7ddd9b4b596/porto+cabinet.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Speaking of Port, we had a port tasting experience in Sintra with Professor of Port, Paulo Cruz at Bar Do Binho (7th generation port shop). Our tasting included vintage ports from 1880, 1927, 1952, 1963 and 1977. The 1927 was a V.O.W.(Very Old White) port. We liked it best, and we could relate to its characteristics (V.O.W.). Fun fact, the bottle on the top shelf within the cabinet (far left) is from 1776, and is the port that George Washington shipped a case of to Mt. Vernon to share with the troops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/cc72278b-756f-4ec4-9ed6-8837712e5dec/biblioteca+joanina.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out The oldest library in Portugal, the Joanina Library (1717) at the University of Coimbra is rumored to have inspired J.K. Rowling. Pictures cannot do justice to this exquisite baroque library with stunning architecture, rich decorations and an impressive historical collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f321eb86-c248-46a7-981c-d336f740d94d/porto+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Terry accurately recreated the historical event in Evora, when the military junta ordered the removal of all religious artifacts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/c64e3626-689c-4e3e-bd0d-b3e1e5c14c0d/porto+6.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Porto at night from our hotel room balcony. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/c13692f6-1b50-4314-82d8-52398e45ba33/wine+with+a+view+lisbon.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out The Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) was built between 1514 and 1520 and was classified as a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. It is also important to note that you can enjoy wine with a view while visiting the Tower of Belem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/0db94da2-e24b-4297-8488-04a84410d875/explorers+lisbon.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out This stunning 170 foot tall monument was designed to commemorate the Age of Discoveries and pays tribute to famous Portugese explorers including Vasco de Gama, Ferdinand Magellan and Christopher Columbus. Who knew they were Portugese? And yes, it was a very windy day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/6a3f7929-5b11-4136-a06c-10bc595418e9/fatima+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Stacy and Terry were stunned at the scale and majesty of Fatima which closely resembles St. Peter’s square in size and design. This was a very special place to visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/57b332d2-7476-4697-9fb9-9b2206a06cf3/lisboa+through+a+window.jpeg Eat Play Love - Portugal-Lisbon, Porto and pilgrimage sites - Make it stand out Portugal is a fascinating mix of historical and modern. It has done a wonderful job preserving old structures, celebrating its unique history and welcoming an influx of tourism with warm and welcoming hospitality. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/icelandic-adventures monthly 0.5 2024-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/9781b666-7767-4bef-9ed1-90a62a604371/iceland+northern+lights.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out We went to Iceland in search of the Northern Lights and were rewarded with these amazing views our first evening! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/9d85e892-e513-448b-9940-37f5edd89272/iceland+30.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out We rarely shy away from a new adventure. Glacier hiking was such a unique and fun experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ace7e1ae-9369-43e9-9d9f-6d722577bc47/iceland+38.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out If Stacy were taller she could have more easily climbed into the jeep after every photo and hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/e676631b-19f7-4d4e-84e7-c26c12591f3f/iceland+21.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out It might have been the warm weather or the various trips to the bar to enjoy our favorite rum, Stroh, readily available in Iceland that kept us warm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/88b82fd6-2113-4f06-b9cb-52da91261572/iceland+39.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out On our full day super jeep tour, we were enchanted by the beauty that abounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/0e67af99-603c-429b-ae81-477b9237375c/iceland+22.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out Brought to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries, Iceland horses have remained a pure breed for over a thousand years. They are known for their friendly and curious nature, except for Terry's which he described as stubborn and uncooperative. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f14c6ff4-b387-481f-b2f6-a35078fb964d/iceland+31.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out These types of vistas were so unexpected and made our time here even more memorable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/3f396dbe-21a5-45ab-a105-6acb804d7bb8/iceland+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out As if the scenery was not jaw dropping enough, mother nature added a rainbow filter for our photo. Gorgeous!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/3154c640-6654-4337-9360-aaad2e88c62a/iceland+35.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out Who wouldn't want to get out regularly to capture photos of these magnificent glaciers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a8b87ffe-b58b-44b1-b1c2-1f0f8cd86d33/iceland+stacy.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out Some, who don't value their lives, might entitle this photo, the old woman and the sea. Just saying!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1a51aea7-3a94-42ef-9750-9c869178c0ac/iceland+28.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out Grandiose and spontaneous, we couldn't help but marvel at the waterfalls and naturally we took time to indulge in some thermal spas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a57a4177-0cc0-44b6-abc4-603f64288b54/iceland+17.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out The raw beauty and magnificent scale of Iceland is hard to imagine until you bask upon her natural beauty at sunrise or sunset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/b000a157-79d4-4789-ae68-80210d6d5b72/iceland+34.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out Or to hike through these gorgeous canyons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/2588a4ad-14e4-4adc-b0f9-8a9cd4883dee/iceland+24.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out If you are wondering about how nice the weather was in Iceland, Terry felt that it was flip-flop weather. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f6b2914f-5e42-4af9-a4bd-358d3e5ace50/iceland+23.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out We were amazed at the flora in Iceland, a virtual palette of spectacular colors juxtaposed against the beautiful blue water and mountains and glaciers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ba2ee066-d27f-48ec-a181-61a814d3ab16/iceland+6.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out Iceland has more stunning waterfalls than any country deserves. And whenever it rains new waterfalls appear in every direction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/76877cf4-7932-4f16-9fd7-9ef43e593d6b/iceland+32.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out Iceland was a bucket list destination for us, and we were not disappointed in her natural beauty and friendly people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/75567477-d952-4c52-872b-3e46aa003455/iceland+36.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out A short hike led to panoramic views of the gorgeous valley with 3 stunning glaciers, that few visitors experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/33a22f6a-22ca-4571-978c-974b3171b030/iceland+12.jpg Eat Play Love - Icelandic Adventures - Make it stand out We were blessed with exceptional weather in Iceland which allowed us to explore some beautiful beaches. You can tell from our photo that the signature Iceland wind was with us. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/0wq3wvwzfmtlbp8ydm6qghexhiwjx2 monthly 0.5 2024-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/6a6f5f1b-7dad-465b-a9c8-469a6725a720/edinburgh+11.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out No visit to the UK is complete without enjoying high tea at Balmoral. We fulfilled our commitment to trying Haggis by sampling a pastry here made with Haggis and venison. Not bad at all!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/82964737-a5e5-4a37-a899-a391c4e4957c/edinburgh+3.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Our walking tour of Edinburgh through the ancient alleyways of Old Town, along the Royal Mile, vibrant Grass market and Edinburgh Castle introduced us to the fascinating history and culture of this iconic and beautiful city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a72ab7be-8362-4dd3-8278-97f7b2c3721c/edinburgh+5.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out If you're a fan of J.K. Rowling's magical world, chances are you've heard of Butterbeer. Stacy was excited to see that butterbeer was available at the Elephant House. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/2d66e8dc-a422-4290-bf53-55df875f4cd9/edinburgh+walking+tour.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Edinburgh is full of interesting sights, cafes and shops and every corner is full of beautiful churches and buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d0a7e4b1-c481-4da8-8e09-b61568c9d9b7/luss+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out The town of Luss was a charming stop on the way to Fort William. Near the bottom right of this picture is a rare Viking gravestone in the graveyard at Luss Parish Church on the banks of Loch Lomond believed to be from the raid of 1263 when Vikings pillaged and settled on the lochside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/3b0b01fb-df0a-4987-852d-6d0031b2c747/castle+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out While at the castle, you can master your snooker game on this magnificent table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8a4fa89f-c58a-4d1b-bb57-005c9f897a62/kinloch+4+edited.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out While walking the beach at Staffin, we captured this beautiful rainbow during our adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/4558ffb4-32cc-46ca-a5d7-b6de34153a0b/nick+kinloch.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Our lodge in Skye sat at the head of Loch na Dal in the Sound of Sleat with a private beach, perfect for strolling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d200f4e4-8c60-4ad9-9899-9cc7125d16d4/edinburgh+guinness+art.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out We learned that you should order Guinness first with the bartender. If you do, you might be rewarded with foam art on the top of your beer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8c7eb185-7537-4499-808b-6becb9b8afa4/kinloch+3.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Kilt rock is just one of the stunning natural wonders on Skye. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a29e07b8-19ba-4ef4-bf88-1f3de736a1e2/edinburgh+6.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Diagon alley is a charming and mystical street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/bb39fa7d-23cd-46f6-880b-1625b4130bcc/kinloch+8+edited.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Enjoying Scotland with our family will always be one of our most memorable vacations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/0461b35d-9071-4ff7-9547-724536865c5c/castle+3.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Originally a private residence for Lord Abinger, Inverlochy Castle has just 17 rooms and extraordinary grounds. We got to stay in the room that the Queen Mother also enjoyed during her weeklong visit to the castle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/c1a20a69-7fd0-4cb4-94e7-63c3d4722e54/kinloch+14.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Dunvegan Castle has an expanse of gardens. We captured this striking photo at the entrance to their rhododendron garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/fd8bd233-c088-44bd-83ad-09f95308a249/edinburgh+8+edited.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Clan MacFie, in our family tartan, proudly represented our heritage and lineage with the Edinburgh skyline as our backdrop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/2eb4252b-64da-4ef5-a525-ce1f958b97c6/edinburgh+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out There are so many charming pubs and amazing taverns to explore. The only question is where to begin one's experience. The right answer is with those you love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8df6b9e6-eb81-4046-88b6-3be105092c1e/kinloch+11+edited.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out We were excited to see the furry highland cows of Scotland up close and personal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/90a80863-a75d-461e-9ce6-22a742df020a/edinburgh+10.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out It wouldn't be a McAfee gathering without some healthy competition. This one involves a dispute over the most attractive McAfee legs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/6bff99b3-d7dd-45a0-8f00-4ec541a0e1d9/talisker.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out A private scotch whiskey experience with loved ones at the Talisker distillery was a capstone experience on this amazing journey. Within an intimate cask room, we drew our own samples and tasted seven extraordinary scotch whiskeys. Priceless!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/901c07b7-47bb-492e-a2f1-7bdcd804ff1c/kinloch+7.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out For many of us the arresting and haunting landscapes were awe inspiring. Quiraing is not to be missed, but be prepared for the winds and pelting rain, but SO worth it!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/07eef5e0-b029-46b1-8438-a6e9b0c10e15/edinburgh+7.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out No trip to Edinburgh is complete without visiting the streets and locations that inspired J.K. Rowling to write Harry Potter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/7eae58fc-d75c-42b5-9492-ad80ef963502/kinloch+5+edited.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out The Isle of Skye is the location of an impressive number of dinosaur remains. The dinosaur footprints at Staffin are visible at low tide. Our grandson decided to get a closer look. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/7fe65dfe-145b-4392-8a10-cae779221715/edinburgh+12.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out A little Guinness warms the soul on a chilly Scotland night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/bbd516f9-ed2c-4326-9ac4-b6828fb6a9eb/edinburgh+cover+edited.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Three generations of McAfee men celebrating their heritage in Edinburgh and the amazing father and grandfather, we lovingly call Terry, dad and grandpa. A family vacation and 65th and 66th year birthday celebration for Terry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/4957b77e-6c63-40b9-b074-44dfb49642e2/reagan+and+dean+castle.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out The castle's grounds stretch down toward its own loch and it is overlooked by Scotland's highest mountains, the Nevis range. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/5939de37-02db-4aea-9683-659e858aa48f/kinloch+15.jpg Eat Play Love - Scotland Birthday Celebration - Make it stand out Eileen Donan Castle is a striking sight, sitting out on a promontory on Loch Duich, framed by the Cuillins of Skye and mountains in the distance. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/sophisticated-sunning-seminyak-bali monthly 0.5 2024-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/0bc38ca7-a921-46a4-b808-0f717c06b92e/sem+sunset+reflections.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out Our final night sunset was picture perfect and made us consider staying longer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/88a89570-d9b9-4758-bba4-3a814bae2bc5/sem+potato+head.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out Seminyak is also the glitzy area in Bali where people come to enjoy beach clubs while sipping craft cocktails and watching the waves crash along the coast and the sun setting each evening. Potato Head was one of the fun clubs we visited. Sadly, we didn’t find any of the toys here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/581f0387-875c-446b-8f87-9c8d9a024349/sem+clubbing.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out Instead we found fun and lively entertainment and lots of Australians always ready to party. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/701ed247-316f-4510-a938-0efdd8f7cfaf/sem+waterfall.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out One year to the day of Stacy’s waterfall hike in 2023, which resulted in a broken shoulder, we braved a hike to 5 stunning waterfalls in Bali. This time we tackled nearly 800 steep stairs, two motor bike rides, and trekking through some rivers to view these stunning waterfalls. Along the way we celebrated the one year anniversary of waterfall hiking without injury. Cheers!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/19f51dd4-b144-43aa-9cee-8a9cefd0fb8f/sem+floating+temple.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out When not clubbing, we admired the stunningly beautiful floating temples and gardens at Bedugul Temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/7cd6c4b3-3b6d-4d77-b703-fd67ec58adb0/sem+return+home+champagne.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out Our 1.5 day journey home was a series of 3 flights and of course champagne to toast the end of a memorable journey. Our long delayed Asia adventure where we played with the elephants, marveled at beautiful sunsets and waterfalls and enjoyed wonderful food and drink has been fulfilled and our hearts are full. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/3888fc4f-be41-4023-8af6-12f23c628d9a/sem+terry+fist+pump.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out Terry always takes the time to relate to the locals and learn more about their culture and traditions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/bb082c74-adab-4a52-bfc9-a13593657caa/sem+lavender+sunset.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out Seminyak is known for amazing sunsets and we were wowed by the various colors and stunning views each evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/6b56e747-5d90-4329-8d78-59b69f99a746/sem+stacy+lobby.jpg Eat Play Love - SOPHISTICATED SUNNING SEMINYAK, BALI - Make it stand out Stacy wanted to take home even more beautiful art and the stunning orchids that are prolific in Bali, but unfortunately, we had no more room in our luggage. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/the-spiritual-core-of-bali-ubud monthly 0.5 2024-05-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/fba99b9a-41cd-47a5-ad05-dc01e507ad8d/ubud+poop+coffee.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Speaking of drinking, Terry and Stacy decided that despite their reservations, they would try Luwak coffee which is a coffee bean that has been digested by a Luwak (animal) and then is used for coffee. It is supposedly less acidic. Terry fondly referred to it as “poop” coffee. Unfortunately, we didn’t buy any to bring home, but it wasn’t too crappy. :-) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8ec39a95-cfed-417b-8511-6597e28be12c/ubud+terry+barong+dance+costume.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Never one to be left out of the fun, Terry volunteered to try on one of the Barong dance costumes for the next performance at the Ubud Palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/dfde841c-d28d-4eab-a7c9-53fa7520b81f/ubud+swing.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Stacy took an exhilarating swing over the beautiful rice fields in Bali. This is a bucket list item fulfilled for her on this amazing adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/87bf83ed-5511-48f0-aa96-19ef6823b8bc/ubud+stacy+heart.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Stacy found time to enjoy some of the popular Instagram locations while in Ubud. She is still waiting for an uptick in her followers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/5ef5c19f-4e88-4e14-8346-176585a1b765/ubud+temple+legong+panorama.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Watching Balinese dance under the stars at Ubud Palace while experiencing this local performance with a full orchestra and especially talented dancers was an unforgettable memory. Now we are headed to the Bali beaches in Seminyak. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8d78dfde-b82f-432e-980e-e7b14fae1c13/ubud+ashes+cocktail.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out When not praying at the temples, tourists enjoy creative and tasty libations in Bali. This particular drink is named “ashes”. Can you guess why? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/2c81b2e0-880b-4231-905e-e2d43ba77efc/ubud+single+dancer+2.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out We had no idea that eye dancing was possible. It seems that even seniors can master this skill. Keep a close “eye” on us during our next get together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d68b8b13-336b-40c3-b122-75d82d3a0ce5/ubud+monkey+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Speaking of monkey business, we heard that the monkeys at Sacred Monkey Forest were crafty, but we had no idea that they knew how to take selfies with our camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d3df6f24-2e6a-45e2-b694-7191fab4fb11/ubud+stacy+and+terry+heart+with+falls.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Our first week in Bali was filled with exploration of some of the natural wonders including the beautiful Tegenungan Waterfall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ed1a485a-d420-4859-a291-1b6b457e5035/ubud+single+dancer.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Ubud is the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali. We were so impressed by the Legong dancers who showcase intricate and impressive eye and hand movements in this dance form. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/5200eb4f-d00f-402a-834d-62bc9323b386/ubud+temple+sarong.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Elephant pants were sooo Thailand. A sarong is required in Bali for entering the temples. Terry is showing a little leg to keep you interested in reading our blog from Bali. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/5544625e-91e6-4e61-94d7-86afa3ded5ad/ubud+monkeys+with+baby.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out Over 1,000 monkeys thrive in the Sacred Monkey Forest and will happily share whatever you bring into the forest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/19a93ef1-f100-4449-a82e-72ee7eacb801/ubud+terry+sexy+walk.jpg Eat Play Love - THE SPIRITUAL CORE OF BALI - UBUD - Make it stand out The entrance to most of the Bali Temples are usually guarded by a gateway named Canang Sari which is believed to be the symbol of purification point and serves as a reminder for visitors to leave behind any negativity or worldly problems before entering the sacred place. Terry seemed a bit skeptical, but gave it a try anyway. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/phabulous-phuket-relax-and-celebrate monthly 0.5 2024-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f6d67d04-64ff-486f-a1e6-54334b189b90/phuket+infinity+pool.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out Stacy enjoyed the private infinity pool at our hotel room. In order to offset all of the eating and drinking, she set a new world record for laps swum during her 7 night stay. Well, of course they were swum in an infinity pool, so don’t be a hater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d52dd683-5adf-4ea4-8595-2fbded1f72a8/sunset+last+one+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out Our last night’s sunset. Acknowledgment to the photographer, Stacy McAfee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/271a58d3-b738-469d-8aaf-607d06c80226/phuket+soup+.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out People took such pride in their food delicacies which are family run businesses passed down from one generation to another. Our first soup was delectable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/e18abd50-0823-416f-bc78-09648f3965a0/phuket+anemone+crop.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out We spent a day touring some of Phuket’s scenic islands including Phi Phi island and were treated to stunning views and amazing sea life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/79a15b91-f900-4b3f-b629-f962e9dc8a58/phuket+food+tour+coffee+tea.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out We sampled all kinds of beverages including this fascinating drink which is a combination of coffee and tea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/7b9c2f0e-981d-441e-9363-182eb283ff64/phuket+food+tour+dumpling.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out We sampled Roti, spring rolls and many other foods that reflect the ethnic diversity of Thailand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/b2a893b6-80ee-4055-ad2a-faa30b8aa0c9/phuket+century+egg.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out We thoroughly enjoyed our chef’s food tour in Phuket which began at the market where we got to see and later sample (we declined) the century egg (pink). It is a duck egg buried under ground for 17 days and then eaten. YUCK!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/16ec8ee2-f6f5-473a-aaad-57237f92451d/phuket+swing.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out Our hotel had a wedding chapel and this amazing swing that you can enjoy at any age. Or, at least that is what Stacy thought. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a823f746-3834-4712-8b05-38cdce27d989/phuket+gobble+terry.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out We sampled over 17 foods during our 4 hour tour. Terry was a good sport about trying all kinds of new Thai foods. YUM!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/637b8e6c-3665-4fd2-9d18-bcf0b9d6400d/phuket+food+tour+coconut+crepes.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out One of absolute favorites was a light as air coconut milk crepe. Think crunchy and creamy together. They have earned the coveted Michelin awards for the last 3 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/40470c25-b5f1-4ca6-bf29-b83e02110689/phuket+phi+phi+boat+stacy.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out While Terry kept busy snorkeling, Stacy found new ways to use her healed shoulder and celebrate her recovery nearly a year later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f796ceeb-6acf-4409-ae33-858a5e8c1cde/Phuket+green+flash.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out In case, you believed that Stacy’s had the better sunset photo, Terry has submitted a second entry showing his unique ability to capture the green flash at sunset. Remarkable!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d5303e83-5abb-4545-95a6-81a894503e4f/phuket+sunset+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out Upon arrival, we were greeted with this lovely view of our first Phuket sunset. Unbelievably, the sunsets only got better!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/7b9369b4-3527-4bf5-ada0-cc377635d44b/phuket+sunset+last.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out Our last night’s sunset version 2. Or according to the photographer, Terry McAfee, the better shot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/54d16750-a258-447d-bdc3-adea6bd0b27d/phuket+after+beach+bar.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out There are so many places to enjoy a great cocktail while watching the sunset in Phuket. The only problem is choosing which one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a1578070-9b4a-4de9-bcb4-4c51ad3ddef0/phuket+old+town+temple.jpg Eat Play Love - Phabulous Phuket. Relax and celebrate! - Make it stand out Old Town Phuket was a delightful place with amazing architecture and a stunning temple. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/elephant-hills monthly 0.5 2024-05-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/63ce9912-0d83-4a94-aa87-2e4f17c520d6/EH+Stacy+with+one+ele.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out Mutual admiration society!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/39a25bde-e6a8-4de1-81eb-5051b17d6fcd/EH+bday+cake.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out A 60th birthday celebration for Stacy included glamping at 2 sites in the Khao Sok National Park, kayaking, and playing with and feeding elephants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8cba2065-5a3c-486d-99d1-53a10955fd89/EH+ST+selfie+2+with+ele.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out Not even a torrential rain during our boat ride enroute to the elephants could dampen our spirits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/4e99cb28-8a5b-4822-afbd-0047ef2002f3/EH+ST+with+ele+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out Of the 14 elephants at the camp, they ranged in age from 18 - 80. Asian elephants are smaller in stature, less likely to have tusks and have smaller ears and different coloring than African elephants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a967bd24-7e96-4bdd-94af-f025a3880542/EH+sunset+jungle+lake+camp.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out The jungle lake camp featured over water glamping and stunning sunsets and sunrises. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/dee0dd0b-1a95-43b0-b85e-f59b77e7b931/EH+Stacy+high+5+eles.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out Stacy enjoyed playing with the 14 elephants that are cared for at Elephant Hills. We learned that Asian elephants have only 1 finger on their trunk, unlike African elephants that have 2. Asian elephants also have fewer toes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/251bef94-c29a-45d2-8bb2-fb1845b596b7/EH+NP+photos.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out This beautiful place and remarkable experience will remain in our hearts as we continue to create new memories in Thailand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/cf82fc97-f32e-4069-9bf5-2e339d041f77/EH+dual+eles+playing.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out When we first arrived, the elephants were enjoying playing in the puddles and spraying themselves with the water that drenched us during our visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/71fc5cfd-49a5-4ac7-8856-92b3938d89f4/EH+Stacy+Feeding+Eles.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out After learning how to prepare food for the elephants, we enjoyed feeding them and watching their playful nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/07fca15e-8f51-4d75-bef1-39364ebf8b7e/EH+stacy+in+tent.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out Stacy was so excited to play with the elephants that Terry had to zip her into the tent and padlock it so she would not sneak out early to go play with the elephants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/146340c7-687c-4398-8339-0928a92c4b0f/EH+selfie+red+tree.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out This beautiful place featured stunning flora and fauna. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/802322fe-2175-418c-b267-88424c1ab9de/EH+arrival+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out The location of Elephant Hills in Khao Sok national park provides for stunning scenery and the necessary space for the elephants to thrive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a58d020d-9279-424a-ae58-842a7cfe4404/EH+longtail.jpg Eat Play Love - Elephant Hills - Make it stand out Getting to the jungle lake camp featured an enjoyable 1 hour long tail boat ride through the national park while admiring stunning limestone rock formations. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/asian-adventures-await-in-2024-thailand-and-bali monthly 0.5 2024-05-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a1354631-7d54-461c-92a8-ebd730115da8/elephant+pants.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out Although Stacy has always dreamed of spending time in Asia with elephants, apparently Terry has always yearned for an opportunity to tour the grand palace while wearing a pair of elephant pants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/6b1e9472-ce25-413a-93fc-2a359fb70ee2/Bangkok+temple+stacy.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out The stunning Temple of the Dawn has been entirely decorated with pieces of broken plates. Beautiful from a distance...and amazing close up. Having given up washing of dishes and cooking for a month, Stacy decided to pose with these dishes, just in case she forgets what they are normally used for back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/6e7a48ea-6fb8-4f41-a77c-08eee8965bf1/bangkok+emerald+budha.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out Thailand’s most valued temple features the magnificent Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century and is carved from a single piece of jade. One fun fact is that the Emerald Buddha has 3 different seasonal outfits that are changed by the king. He is pictured here in his summer attire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/47662aaf-f17e-4a06-a05b-903c6c5d77a7/Bangkok+birthday+bed.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out Our first hotel was so lovely and we were greeted with such warmth and hospitality. The bath towel art was nothing short of amazing at each and every hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/24f9c3ab-68ac-4af1-b842-a423d385dc98/bangkok+travel+day.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out We started our long journey to Bangkok relaxing at the Emirates lounge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f2ef0df0-fd77-4e0e-ba72-c60196e93377/bangkok+young+monks.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out The monks are highly revered in Thailand. These young men can begin their studies as early as 7 years old. They were on a school field trip visiting the Grand Palace when we saw them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ec716203-f561-4832-9a33-d0d4be54abba/bangkok+rooftop+restaurant.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out Our hotel featured one of the top 10 rooftop bars and restaurants in the world. The 360 degree views of Bangkok were awesome!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/aa27fc0d-1dde-4806-8844-4f1882e11dc0/Bangkok+longtail+budha.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out No trip to Thailand is complete without a selfie traveling in the canals in a longtail boat with a giant golden Buddha. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/95414669-edc7-40e3-aa00-7ff0b2c39a3e/Chiang+Mai+birthday+dinner+close.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out In the end, we decided to allow others to cook a fabulous dinner for us in this very cool century-old teak mansion with a secret room. The building was once home to the British consulate where it hosted its elegant dinner parties https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/0df8b474-b839-4905-bf10-79f151cfa41c/chiang+mai+cooking+stacy.JPG Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out We had a fun cooking experience at an organic farm and cooking school in Chiang Mai. We learned how to create our favorite Thai dishes when back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/98211c87-c9d1-4d4c-8327-6ac87a9b939e/Chiang+Mai+Birthday+Mirror.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out Each hotel found a special way to celebrate Stacy’s birthday. This was one of the more creative approaches and a fun memory from our hotel in Chiang Mai. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/002cb892-3cce-4ae5-bd6a-9aaa8ec986de/Bangkok+free+hair.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out The shopping in Bangkok is out of this world and tourists rent traditional dress for the temple visits. Terry was impressed with the thoughtful and practical addition of free hair with every outfit rental. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/af6d4ae0-b194-4f2e-95bf-f1d68d7e5d53/chiang+mai+terry+cook+hat.JPG Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out Terry particularly enjoyed donning a cap while strolling through the organic garden to pluck vegetables for our meal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/7dae1bca-3ed1-4be4-a88d-2d38a45e8563/Bangkok+vertigo+2.jpg Eat Play Love - ASIAN ADVENTURES AWAIT IN 2024 - Make it stand out Whether you choose the rooftop or enclosed location of Vertigo you are treated to amazing cocktails and stunning views. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/sequoia-np monthly 0.5 2023-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1ed50210-b28e-49dd-9d33-28a995707e5c/sequoia+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Sequoia NP - Make it stand out All creatures enjoyed the spring flowers and the beautiful valleys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/c6726ebf-f6b2-4ce6-8317-c262e14cb6db/sequoia+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Sequoia NP - Make it stand out Although many of the roads were closed due to flooding and snow, we still enjoyed the unique rock formations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/c3633df9-87ef-4e62-ae97-c18941c36012/CA+Turkeys.jpg Eat Play Love - Sequoia NP - Make it stand out On our last day in California this group of turkeys attempted to delay our departure as we started our journey east. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ac639e7d-0837-48fe-87c5-131f18884964/sequoia+flowers.jpg Eat Play Love - Sequoia NP - Make it stand out Sequoia National Park is a beautiful contrast in colors and textures in the spring. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/hawaii-big-island monthly 0.5 2023-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/99c80614-67f3-44bc-81d1-e8f1ccaab413/lava+and+waves+HI.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out The rough crashing waves and vivid blue seas are fascinating to watch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/347258a9-5593-4b6d-a2b1-f3919181fe84/Hi+turtle.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out This mama turtle was looking for a quiet place to lay eggs, unfortunately she picked a busy beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/649af790-ad8e-4ee1-b28e-074809eee6d9/southern+most+point.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out Black lava makes for a stunning palette for this striking blue water at the southern-most point in the U.S. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/40b81c84-7d4d-4917-9853-41252432e54e/kona+toes+and+sunset.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out Beautiful sunsets, cool drinks and of course…flowers on the toes to match the beauty of the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/02ddc9a2-57c8-4b1d-a96c-a323cd6163c8/kona+coast.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out The Big Island is expansive and offers diverse terrain and experiences. Sadly, we weren’t able to see lava flows as originally intended. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/90fe949e-b905-4d07-8436-b3f1cb152859/navy+sailor.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out You can take the man out of the Navy, but you can’t take the Navy out of the Man. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/4b05eceb-0c5d-4c3f-8e89-6aba8e146f05/hawaii+portrait.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out Beautiful hikes with stunning scenery including black sand beaches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/6553af0e-42fd-4081-9367-b1834f468f5c/Hawaii+abc+store.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out Stacy continues her tradition of shopping at ABC stores throughout HI. This time however, was pre-cocktails. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/701394f0-5ff7-4ef3-9e97-ccb274979c04/kona+beach.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out So many places to explore on the Big Island. We enjoyed our time here and the island is far less crowded with tourists than the other Hawaiian islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/db572025-3f79-4375-accc-e0b2e632b221/selfie+HI+waterfalls.jpg Eat Play Love - Hawaii-Big Island - Make it stand out So many beautiful waterfalls to admire including this triple waterfall at Umauma Falls. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/79uxotr6l1tmr4msv0rouxfv1wep9p monthly 0.5 2023-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/bc55d003-908a-4a81-810d-ca9e44482480/zion+waterfall.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Zion is easily accessible and the canyons make for unique vistas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/3a1d8979-c0a0-428c-bd1f-445f7b4226e1/bryce+sunset+3.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Hiking into these valleys was otherworldly. We were unable to get passes to hike Angel’s Landing, which was likely a blessing in disguise as it is considered one of the scariest, albeit rewarding hikes in the nation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d4a728f8-0b46-4ee2-a602-e9f631625385/balanced+rock.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Balanced rock is an iconic representation of some of the surprising formations in Arches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/15cb33be-e2d3-4784-82f1-4b629dcbadff/sphinx+arch.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Many of the arches have been named by the National Park Service. We named this one Sphinx. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/fb06bc3b-fb03-45e3-8e8a-16a764e9a56f/double+arch+best.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Double arch is a remarkable formation and looks slightly different from every angle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/715dd1c4-d821-432f-9e90-0bd4eb0314ab/bryce+sunset+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Sunset in Bryce is a breathtaking experience as the colors change and illuminate the amazing natural sandstone formations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/56a5c3ce-3428-4d67-a210-98019ff141a6/spectacles.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Terry initially lost one pair of his glasses. Luckily, we found another pair here at Spectacles rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/5d5ce571-0bd0-4990-b678-b80d2efc6484/hoo+doo+and+stacy.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Bryce is actually an amphitheater not a canyon and the Hoodoos here are constantly evolving. This was the most unique National Park we have visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/8ee02bb9-6849-4fa9-a332-9a220706ecdd/zion+multi+falls.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Waterfalls are a rare site in Zion, but we were thrilled to have experienced many including this multi-level fall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ea13eb7d-8469-4b50-ab97-f074a78fe4e8/rock+cliff.jpeg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Exhilarating experience perched atop this dramatic rock with a steep drop off into this beautiful valley of stunning formations. I believe I can fly!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ebd88494-5966-4e45-9eef-1f594ed1b374/zion+portrait.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out The various colors and extraordinary rock formations in Zion’s valley are remarkable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/2d1ea407-3ed3-49ec-afc5-9c225e89b334/Terry+in+arch.jpg Eat Play Love - Utah National Parks - Make it stand out Landscape Arch with a 300 foot span is one of the world’s largest natural arches. Terry happily climbed into the arch for a better view. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/yellowstone monthly 0.5 2023-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/56ac565d-3d12-443b-8c0c-3a6ad886a537/bison+mom+and+baby.jpg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out It was calving season in Yellowstone. This was on of the adorable baby (red dogs) and mother Bisons that we saw in the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/a81c91fa-01cc-4e4b-ac50-df7eb00a17ef/pot.jpeg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out Morning Glory Pool at Geyer Hill is one of hundreds of bubbling and spewing geysers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/06856d5b-019a-4dec-b26a-d9b6f3566d49/yellowstone+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out The grand canyon of Yellowstone is a unique and surprising find that adds to the diversity of this vast park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1c2b1cc1-1335-4468-a122-606d229ebd96/yellowstone+moran.jpg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out The Lower Falls of Yellowstone were captured first by Thomas Moran and then by Terry McAfee in this stunning photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/d2e3e168-aaac-4dd4-80a2-c05110ea4660/old+faithful.jpg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out Experiencing Old Faithful’s eruption first hand is memorable. We were surprised at how long it lasted. Old Faithful has erupted every 60-90 minutes for more than 75 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/e3f66a46-b3ef-4bf8-ac0d-84aab5a11b8a/bald+eagle.jpg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out Some of our favorite memories from Yellowstone include experiences with iconic wildlife like this bald eagle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/b0823d79-de19-48b4-8383-57adf98e93f0/pronghorn.jpeg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out Pronghorn sheep are abundant in Yellowstone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1f9d7de8-58d0-4b81-b440-aced3cca0498/bear.jpg Eat Play Love - Yellowstone - Make it stand out One early morning we spied a black bear shortly after entering the park. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/south-dakota monthly 0.5 2023-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/7fff81ef-42e6-422f-820a-a3c0a10381c6/terry+motorcycle.jpeg Eat Play Love - South Dakota - Make it stand out This, on the other hand, is the rendering of what Terry will look like on his 65th birthday, the day after he wins the drawing for this amazing motorcycle being raffled off to raise money for the Crazy Horse monument. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/f15a581f-afec-4ff7-b66e-2e72f523925f/Rushmore.jpg Eat Play Love - South Dakota - Make it stand out Mount Rushmore is such an impressive work of art. As you hike closer, you begin to notice details not visible from a distance including Teddy Roosevelt’s pince-nez (monocle-style) glasses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/ec77fcf7-ff0a-4603-be2c-a250cfc26197/5+presidents.jpg Eat Play Love - South Dakota - Make it stand out A newly celebrated artist has emerged on the scene in SD and he has entitled his latest piece, 5 presidents. He gave me permission to feature his work in this blog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1d209b96-52c1-4691-a7ac-4b8ea0476283/finished+crazy+horse.jpg Eat Play Love - South Dakota - Make it stand out This is the rendering of what the monument will look like once completed. Beyond the monument however, an impressive museum of Native American history and culture and a university have been established on site to multiply the impact of this important body of work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/4b8832a1-30ed-47cb-9fbc-9daa8fe334bb/coyote.jpg Eat Play Love - South Dakota - Make it stand out During our time in South Dakota we saw up to 4 coyotes. Either this coyote was following us, or we actually saw 4 coyotes roaming the SD hills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/2e9607dd-db46-4d80-8f9b-74d5042a1b0d/crazy+horse+best.jpg Eat Play Love - South Dakota - Make it stand out Visiting Crazy Horse monument was one of our favorite experiences. The inspiring story of the indigenous people, their heroes and the polish immigrant that they commissioned to memorialize their hero and the story that has unfolded over the last 75 years is very inspiring. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/pwxg46ghekhekw79v60571ud25lyo9 monthly 0.5 2022-07-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939725921-FUKFEKAMRDBRMWQ1MFZE/old+town.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Dubrovnik was such a marvelous city. Old Town alone has so many restaurants, historic sites and churches that you could spend a week just taking it all in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658938907305-JPQ15SPYFT26TL639YXY/sky+bridge+perspective.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out To give you an idea of the height and trajectory of this Skywalk, this photo is taken from 1/2 way up the mountain (which we eventually fully ascended). Near the top left of this image you can see the Skywalk with people on it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939157773-4SGXFTORAQEJ7JSBEBXE/dinner+.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Terry and Stacy continued to relish the waterfront dinners at sunset sampling local Croatian wine and food. We learned that it was not until Croatia joined the EU, that it was allowed to export wine. Just to be safe, we shipped some home before the rules change again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939401254-PA8G6BTU8QC4QM6IUDR1/squid+ink+risotto.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out One of the dishes we sampled in Lopud was squid ink risotto, which is a specialty in these parts. We were initially afraid to try it, but it was actually really tasty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658940547074-RDYZWUQZTVV4L9Y2UOCQ/boat%2Bsunset.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out After dinner, we were able to capture this memory of a romantic evening and stunning sunset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939234643-MGILLY3EWEIZ1LRX0UJZ/boat+selfie+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out We decided that seeing the Dalmation Coast and some of the islands from the water would be a rare experience and one we would cherish. We were not disappointed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939486320-UZ0QBMAHI3QWYV4ORQZI/sunset.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out And here is a better view of the sunset without us blocking your view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939863646-VZEWZVRLPSBMOBGFUZCW/dub+fort.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out From almost any direction while walking the Dubrovnik city walls, you enjoy stunning views of the jagged coast, turquoise waters and beautiful city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939049666-ZWG668QSM59RJ1KKA3C9/brac+windsurfing.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Speaking of windy, Zlatni Rat beach on Brac Island is famous for amazing views and windsurfing conditions. These windsurfers would be carried 8-10 feet above the water surface with wind gusts. So fun to watch! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658940286598-FW2DKMECZLIETADFZSNJ/sky%2Bbridge.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out The Biokova Skywalk was a thrill of a lifetime. We were lucky to arrive when the crowd was light and marvel at the panoramic 360 view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649110861506-01467CIYLFOV1QPZ3MXA/dubrovnik.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658940348864-BOVFB9REWKN9JQPA211T/sky%2Bbridge%2Bwindy.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Did we mention, it was windy on the Skywalk? LOL as Stacy tries to keep her hair out of her photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939093233-RXHD41NZNRP02MCSEO0U/zlatni+rat+beach.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Zlatni Rat beach is the most popular beach in Croatia and it is easy to see why given the beautiful sand, long promontory, amazing weather, stunning water and did we mention very cool beach bars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939760283-F6DY8VA9Z5FN7BR00JXX/dubrovnik+walls.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Walking the city walls in Dubrovnik is a remarkable experience both visually and historically. The massive scale and significance of this walled city and fortress are hard to fathom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658940463188-VU0FOO98RWWAY4UYT4A3/drink%2Bwine%2Bnot%2Bwater.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out As you have likely read in the news, much of Europe is suffering from drought conditions and water shortages. We cannot be blamed for this problem as we abided by the sage advice contained above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939939369-PL351OTZPZ33BL3NDOJL/spread+eagle.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out Our journey of a lifetime has come to an end, but our memories will last a lifetime. Between April 11 - July 21 Terry drove 5,189miles only acquiring 1 speeding ticket and 1 parking violation (not bad). We hiked/walked 633 miles which equates to more than the distance of 24 marathons. We lost track of the bottles of wine we enjoyed, the new friends we met, the stunning sunsets we relished, the churches we worshiped within and the feeling of peace and gratitude that we shared for the many blessings in our lives. Thanks for your friendship and your love and for following us on this journey whether virtually or in person. La vita è bella- Life is Beautiful! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939794959-D01RUXX3K021PN2EJOGI/pano+dub.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out The panoramic views from the island of Hvar were truly remarkable and we enjoyed seeing another one of Croatia’s nearly 1,000 islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1658939375009-RKMS2WBLAC4K3UFQEU3C/lopud.jpg Eat Play Love - Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia - Make it stand out The Elaphite island of Lopud was where we stopped for dinner during our sunset boat ride. The Monastery you see is a private resort that was rented by David and Victoria Beckham who were celebrating their daughter’s birthday. We were too busy to join the celebration, but waved as we departed. Terry claims Vicky blew him a kiss. Whatever! https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/4qiuft59onzbjyxrxwcptziu806khu monthly 0.5 2022-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657274304373-F17863VQN5CE9HGBEQBT/park+6.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out We wanted to share one last waterfall picture from the park so we never forget the beauty of nature and the gift of this trip of a lifetime. In our first 6 days in Croatia we have already walked 62 miles to see as much as we can of this beautiful place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657274139971-36T72G63KQVLQMGYIENC/park+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out After a very active day, we were very pleased to enjoy the spray from this fall while we posed for our selfie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649110374160-ID4DP43GANPC4H1OON2O/Europe-Croatia-Plitvice-Lakes-National-Park-3-1024x768-2-800x450.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657295873962-I8S19ZO49D9LH62LNNCG/20220701_134401.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out While in Motovun, Terry visited his thriving coffee shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657274014617-YDBI5A5KGJ12GWA2M1KV/park+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out Plitvice Lakes National Park was truly one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. We hiked over 19 miles with the hope of not missing a single one of the hundreds of waterfalls and lakes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657274243911-JMU6R4O7TDR9MZSB9JFF/park+5.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out This photo is intended to give you a sense of the sheer scale and magnitude of the rock cliffs, height of the falls and lakes. This is a tiny glimpse into what is in store for visitors throughout the park. Wonderous! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657271577694-WG5G824WCP12HRU4ZZ7K/church+female+sts.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out We traveled to Porec to visit a Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO site, which is the only complete landmark in the world built during this time (3rd -6th century). The mosaics were stunning but the whole site was fascinating to explore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657274180410-AW5PTO2B73ZBDJQM057R/park+4.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out Lakes and waterfalls are fed into each other and from underground creating a stunning and verdant landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657273317699-LKVBJIDE6A6YZPCTNACD/20220701_133947.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out We started our Croatian adventure by enjoying local Croatian wines and foods. This area of the world is blessed with abundant truffles which vary by season and include the coveted “black diamonds” (black truffles). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657271262200-MD2MCXIHFKB5969TYCEI/city+sunset.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out In Rovinj we were mesmerized by beautiful evening sunsets observed from a rooftop balcony at our hotel. Watching the sun set and multitude of stars while enjoying the sound of church bells and children playing soccer in the park was truly lovely. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657271469354-3N54PO59ON2CLKWSO1PP/sunset+halo.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out Terry captured this photo of one of the most unique sunsets we’ve seen. It appears to have a white halo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1657274093371-2OTSYHLP9BNYWNC3118S/park+3.jpg Eat Play Love - Rovinj, Croatia and Plitvice Lakes National Park - Make it stand out This photo gives you a sense of how the light illuminates the falls and the incredible color of the water in these lakes. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/0hj6ikqatr41qstdce6bc0azk17fme monthly 0.5 2022-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529655035-JVV1LSKST4TKSISTRM5X/dolomite+last+supper+ravioli.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Stacy enjoyed the homemade lamb ravioli. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656528978540-GNXOBKIVE2CBIVZJ4U01/bib+for+terry.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Always, one to exhibit the latest fashion trends, Terry found some new wardrobe accessories (a bib) for the remainder of his travels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656530114195-YB11VB84TXGLMBZ50JKQ/oetzi.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Many do not know that Stacy’s first professional dream was to be an archeologist. Terry was a bit nervous about why she spent so much time with her first love Oetzi who she apparently met when he lived 5,500 years ago. His autopsy shows he was stabbed in the back. Very suspicious, don’t you think. ;-) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656530023417-ZEPFLVCIPDJCWROX44E9/king+of+the+mountain.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Terry, on the other hand, was happy to rest in his custom chair and assume his rightful role as king of the mountains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529588054-XW1NIR07KZ2S50RCP7K3/dolomite+last+supper+pork.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out The food was tasty and beautifully prepared. Terry enjoyed the wild boar with potato pancakes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529689865-6P0JXTXROHISP0TGLMKT/dessert.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Desserts during our last weeks were exceptional and so our walking and hiking of 70 miles was essential. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529171717-FQOTUGFMM52BU2Z2936R/dolomite+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out After a long drive, we were rewarded by our first glimpse of the Italian Dolomites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656528676169-U0BMLQTR780ZTC38TO88/orta+san+guilio.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Orta San Guilio illuminated at night is a lovely sight. We enjoyed exploring this island and exploring the spiritual walk and church and the nearby Sacro Monte pilgrimage site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529054760-V7FWONC212NDB5MZZYRQ/white+peacocks.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out While visiting the botanical gardens on Isola Bella we were privileged to see these breathtaking white peacocks that live in the gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529261106-YESCEW34BMCHJFCL393Q/dolomite+wild+flower+vista.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out The Dolomites region we explored (Alpe di Suisi) is the largest high alpine pasture in Europe and is well-known all over the world for its colourful flowers in the summer and its glittering blanket of snow in the winter. We marveled at the flowers in full bloom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656784508936-3L5V0PUK05VMYWMORBIH/20220702_194423.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out The map above shows the terrain we have traversed during our 2 1/2 month adventure in Italy. In Italy (including Sicily), we drove a whopping 7, 120 kilometers or 4,425 miles. Kudos to Terry for braving the driving. Heavenly! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529877930-H81VTNKV8AQS82AJRLM6/orta+san+guilio+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out We arrived in Italy’s beautiful Lakes region. We had to pass on a dinner invitation for George and Amal Clooney as we had a busy schedule of exploration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656528737005-POCA7E3WWFILEWE85QYH/lake+maggiore.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Lake Maggiore was truly lovely and we explored three islands including Isola Bella with its spectacular palace and gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529341195-8UVKZZJSGST8MTFBWD7F/golden+dolomites.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out As if these mountains were not breathtaking by day, they reflect the sunset and exhibit a golden hue in the evening. Wow!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529728958-9VGNRZZR8XZIHP4W5CRD/cherubs.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out After 2 1/2 months in Italy we walked 530 miles (this is the equivalent of 1/2 of Italy’s total border length including the islands of Sardinia and Sicily), sampled dozens of wines, relished gelato and pastries, sampled new pastas, pizzas and seafood and explored hundreds of churches. We leave this cherished place (Italy) changed people- chubbier and happier. Hope you enjoy this last picture of us from Italy - Stacy (left) and Terry (right). Our next blog will be from Croatia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649110113036-Q5QXSTRRJKCFXZVLCKD9/dolomites.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529296529-3XJPZDHQBOZ147NLAGEM/dolomite+stunner.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out The various mountain ranges are unique and each one is exquisite in its own way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529498387-WH8U5XGCGLWVIJ8M4TFB/last+supper+italy.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Our last dinner in Italy was at a high altitude restaurant, more German than Italian feeling where we enjoyed a bottle of local wine and a spirit distilled from Caraway. We were encouraged by the owner to drink both daily as he does to improve our health. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656529394788-DTDT8FWWVE1K1DW0ODBD/dolomite+hike.jpg Eat Play Love - Italian Dolomites and the Lakes Region - Make it stand out Stacy couldn’t find enough time to explore the hundreds of hiking trails as she was too busy taking photos of the breathtaking scenery. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/egm30iif0owsdyocebn2xmpvvgujqo monthly 0.5 2022-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656260107996-JL1JED99E8C4IUN21Z97/ct+castle+churcg.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out The majesty of the ancient churches and the history contained therein never cease to inspire us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656260182537-KHDN0J5BUQ946HOHPLSZ/ct+lerici%2C+san+terenzo+%26+tellaro+.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out Lesser known but equally magical are the cities that comprise the Gulf of Poets namely Lerici, La Spezia and Portovenere. These cities inspired writers including D H Lawrence, Shelley and the poet Lord Byron. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656260438412-WL2HLWD7282BVOOOJR3X/sml+stacy+flowers.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out Stacy always finds time to admire the amazing flowers that line nearly every street in Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656261311884-2Z45G5SCTIXL1XWXRTAF/Portofino.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out A visit to Portofino helped us understand why people travel from all over the world to visit this sophisticated and breathtaking town in the Italian Riviera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656260963197-LBWGU4OQPC2S1E96HBDI/sml+beach+chairs.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out Italians take their sunbathing seriously and Stacy took lessons from the locals arriving early to ensure the chair number 16 was positioned for maximum sun exposure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656260026151-NDI7F8RUMSRJX55GIPH0/ct+towns.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out Each of the 5 cities that compose Cinque Terre are unique and lovely in its own right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656261241312-9YW70NZG1QW57TJ62LDP/fathers+day.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out We celebrated Terry on Father’s day in the Lakes region with fine drink and stunning views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649108729800-AQNT0NPZ9UURHI2EA1XF/la+spezia.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656260499987-10W5LC2J7J003H75YFNR/sml+funivia.jpg Eat Play Love - Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera - Make it stand out We had an opportunity to get a birdseye view of this stunning coast line on yet another old Funivia that also led to a beautiful shrine. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/ernm0lx34n294lp8qkmryirdpn2wt9 monthly 0.5 2022-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656261661422-6V2W9FZK8WRGFVBJPYP4/tus+val+d+orcia.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out It is hard to know where to focus your gaze within the stunning Val d’Orcia in Tuscany. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656261974133-7QLT2IRK228ESDAD5373/tus+sunset+rays.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out The sunsets in Montalcino were spectacular and changed minute by minute, to close out each day with a reminder of the majesty of nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649108232341-B4TYPGQGGWNHXG2JEB4T/castello+di+vellona.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656262058085-Y0K6X42WA1ZPTBH1TR72/tusc+moon.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out Our location offered excellent star gazing and Terry captured this amazing picture of the Strawberry moon from outside our room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656262136320-EVOMPAN8YON4OVAHITA0/tusc+castle+and+valley.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out To give you a sense of our location, the castle rests at the top of a hill overlooking the valley and providing 360 views that are worth recalling for a lifetime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656261770869-IP8QPV0P8XASJ99NFMO9/tus+wine+tasting.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out We found time to sample Brunello a world class wine produced only in Montalcino with 100% Sangiovese grapes. Montalcino has nearly 300 producers—the only question was where to spend a lovely day drinking wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656262879360-OALR5ZLEUF0VWMWZ2GPG/anniv+dinner+castle.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out Celebrating 36 years of wonderful memories and the blessings of our lives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656262438643-OW47Y1MBVKOFFGUEGLIQ/tusc+basiica+side.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out From any angle, the Basilica defies description and is simply an architectural feast for the eyes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1656262241149-TA1EQ2WZDK9S3PGNHYC0/tusc+siena+basilica.jpg Eat Play Love - A romantic castle in Tuscany for our 36th wedding anniversary - Make it stand out This basilica in Siena is so majestic and grandiose with stunning frescos that are a treat for the senses. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/qhgk5imapctgyj47bhyo0ape9jwnk1 monthly 0.5 2022-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654854350565-UCJC0J61D35X6DYRY8EV/IMG-20220531-WA0030.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out We splurged on “mostly” made in Italy hats to step up our fashionista status. Thanks Tom! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654854143858-UVQF71MFKZ53YOXS5996/IMG-20220530-WA0024.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out This photo captures the idyllic beauty of this fishing village in Ischia, a refreshing change from the busy crowds found elsewhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654871313077-F3YP706E2Z57DOR9O8TJ/rome+artichoke.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Stacy finally had her first Roman artichoke. It was great just like her grandma used to make. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654871507430-DF3O0ELJ80F4W8DFVA06/rome+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Lunch and a selfie in front of Rome’s most splendid Baroque masterpiece, Piazza Navona. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654856115982-0J01ME0UCXW12ID06ZUN/IMG-20220531-WA0068.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out We took a death defying ride through a narrow mountain road to have a fun and delicious sunset dinner at the top of the mountain at an old winery in Ischia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654871735327-FLF44FQXXJLRM9GDGEVN/rome+pantheon.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out While in Rome, we had the opportunity to experience the Pantheon, an architectural masterpiece and the Vatican museum, which is surreal and very difficult to showcase in pictures because it is best experienced first hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654853477946-GIS9I72JS6Q0EQNOV0F9/IMG-20220530-WA0001%282%29.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654871196992-GP4F9VPAW15YPD5IK4LH/rome+huge+steak.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Our culinary adventure continued with dry aged beef in Rome. Yum! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654870985907-G1JN9VYE1LKXQ2B9NH3X/rome+scenic+bridge.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Stacy and Terry continued our adventures in Roma. We stayed in a lovely neighborhood with beautiful lakes and trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654853746526-JGBOC5LPA88W0I03TRTJ/IMG-20220531-WA0001.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Toby and Stacy enjoy some retail therapy and learn about the newest Italian fashion trends in Ischia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654870487721-S4Q23LUEDNBYXYPF8P3G/ischia+pasta+making.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out No trip to Italy is complete without an Italian cooking class. The top chef at Botania Relais in Ischia taught us how to make pasta, ravioli and tortellini which we later sampled with new friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654854083790-V2OZUPZJXVNUO6RJ8K12/IMG-20220531-WA0010.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Enjoying the beautiful fishing village of Sant Angelo and the cooling breezes in Ischia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654856714335-SGHHOY9HDP6URIF2H98V/IMG-20220531-WA0066.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out The gents were determined to hear no evil and see no evil while living the dream in Ischia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654856834908-YUYW0TTB60SI3I5PQ79Z/IMG-20220531-WA0064.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Best appetizer ever! Fabulous margherita pizza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654856771240-WCQKXNQGWSJD3658HD92/IMG-20220531-WA0067.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out The ladies were open to any possibility that was fun and unique. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654856885696-ZFU7LGAVJNZ7OTMDSPIU/IMG-20220531-WA0045.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out We enjoyed the local pasta and braved the rabbit stew, an Ischian specialty. Tastes like chicken, LOL. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654854514693-I2W3HFUB8Q0A2PQ3N72S/IMG-20220530-WA0024.jpg Eat Play Love - Ischia and Rome - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/md7v41ek35aab08gt1lano4utjri2p monthly 0.5 2022-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654858861386-UT90YPGDWJTQCAVXBIJG/IMG-20220605-WA0058.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out The warm hugs and interactions brought back so many happy memories of the love that permeated from Stacy’s Italian family growing up. It was a night to be remembered with each of us feeling a special connection with this family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654858939178-KOYV6QYRSC9FIK7TV6EH/IMG-20220607-WA0000.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out The charm of these narrow streets, classic European cars and flowers are sheer whimsy, best experienced with those you love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654857688970-P9DWR0WDOP8SC0F5531Y/IMG-20220605-WA0048.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Good friends will follow you anywhere. Our friends navigated planes, trains, automobiles and a funivia to be with us in Spello. We had so much fun together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649107607179-AU4JD2MN98RNO49CLN57/spello+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654859984655-4BCLJ6EI963FGDI75CO4/IMG-20220606-WA0029.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out We were lucky to be in Spello during the week when families come together to prepare for Le Infiorate di Spello a huge annual event that decorates the streets with flower petals plucked from wild flowers gathered in the mountains and local roses in preparation for the event. Stacy and Toby were welcomed like family into the process and enjoyed birthday cake and limoncello with the family. What a night! We can’t wait to see the pictures of the flower creations from this weekend’s festival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654859674830-HT8B1S8HYSWJQPA5MHZ7/IMG-20220607-WA0004.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out We enjoyed a fun anniversary dinner laughing with friends in a fun Cantina in Spello. Great memories! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654929588017-0ZYNEWW3YH9UHURJS9WJ/Spello+hugs.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Spello has such a lovely vibe. The streets are gorgeous and the smell of flowers permeates each street and alley. It is easy to feel the love here as it epitomizes la dolce vita visually and through the warmth of its people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654857579529-ANW0RL20C70ARZRSTNUN/IMG-20220605-WA0002.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out We were excited to have our friends join us in Spello for what turned out to be one of our favorite cities for so many reasons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654929946035-CS3P346K3F8FZNHYEBFR/spello+flowers+3.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Spello is known for the beauty of its streets where neighbors showcase beautiful flower plantings, each more stunning than the others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654930062573-RFYR4J9W5MZ7XBGZZJ38/spello+toby+and+stay+with+flowers.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654859201409-39NQNCZIRI7LVKNJZK6T/IMG-20220605-WA0052.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out We also learned a great deal about how to choose the best olive oil and balsamic vinegar during our tastings. Terry has grown to like Bruschetta, well let’s just say he likes Roberto’s bruschetta with the amazing olive oil we sampled. Luckily we have a lot of it coming to California to enjoy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654859874478-JEPA4CH6ZQ5BEBCWYC8X/IMG-20220605-WA0016.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Lago di Castiglione was an interesting excursion and allowed for exploration of a large medieval fortress with an enclosed tunnel and towers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654858721145-6955FZK2K354J2FR52GA/IMG-20220605-WA0056.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Enoteca Properzia is one of the top rated Enotecas in the world. We serendipitously found this amazing Enoteca and were charmed by the incredibly warm and welcoming family who adopted us during our time in Spello. Roberto and his son Luca and daughter Irene created an experience of a lifetime for us, not once but on several occasions. On this occasions we experienced wine and food pairings which were heavenly. Looking forward to our wine shipments to the U.S. to share with friends and family soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654858802076-R0OGPGJ5693LH0CHRQI9/IMG-20220605-WA0065.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Roberto had a special way of connecting with each person while he shared his favorite wines from Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654931876792-ZCGH43GUZ0HD5KACR49O/spello+orvietto+cathedral.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Orvieta’s cathedral is one of the most impressive we have experienced while in Italy, and we have seen some impressive churches during our visits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654857750153-8VMD1UY1VHYGDKVY6XOK/IMG-20220605-WA0032.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out On second thought, maybe it wasn’t us that they came for but the amazing gelato available every few meters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654857884802-R76I0DH99FHHAY1ALA29/IMG-20220605-WA0044.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Ahh, popping into shops and looking for Italian linen occupied our time this week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1654930321947-CRLVPVU7DJGGCXV690KA/spello+anniversary+lunch.jpg Eat Play Love - Spello, Italy - Make it stand out Terry and Stacy drove to Orvieto to see one of Italy’s great gothic cathedrals and enjoyed an anniversary luncheon in a garden courtyard with a wedding reception ambiance. It was just lovely. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/1bjdj1v83fwk76t9z6dpsyleddvaol monthly 0.5 2022-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653573353865-D9JKY1QTCE1ISVBDM12I/path+of+the+gods+hike+pano.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out The views during the Path of the Gods hike were otherworldly beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653573047915-FT7DIDBVVVU1Z0E5CYHF/best+pasta.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out Stacy considers herself a bit of a pasta gourmand and her favorite pasta in Italy also had a lemon ricotta filling. Fantastic choices that are fresh and mostly healthy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653573683821-C6QOCRVQETMM3O45FN98/bar.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out Or, there are other options… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649182409778-MI3DHBLANT43UQ5KB3BZ/ravello.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653573840984-W43YDJBJ4490J84X62B0/grotto.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out During a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast we enjoyed the naturally blue waters in Grotta Azzurra discovered accidentally in the 1920s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653829073166-X30VK48XBJ4U4QL324QP/SS163.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out Terry is all smiles after arriving in Ischia having successfully mastered the grueling SS163 highway from Salerno to Sorrento, a treacherous 30 mile road that winds through the Amalfi Coast. Only the brave or foolish choose to drive this perilous road that is breathtakingly beautiful and impossibly narrow and winding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653572944938-U5D88D7LFRP3SMO55QAI/lemon+sorbet.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out The size of the lemons on the Amalfi coast are remarkable. we enjoyed them filled with sorbet in Amalfi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653572878946-IV42U4SNEMZT89M6YAA9/donkey+buddy.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out Always eager to make new friends, Stacy befriended both ceramic and real donkeys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653573166386-FF300B4E1Z82VMOFNRCB/path+hike+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out To counteract all of our excellent food we hike the Path of the Gods which entailed over 1300 stairs up and then another two hours, but whose counting. This week we visited 8 towns and logged 45 miles. Over the 7 weeks, we have logged 301 miles walking in amazingly beautiful places. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653572788933-0O2XDF8AZS5CI7TNTCST/zucchini+flowers.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out Zucchini flowers fresh from the garden stuffed with ricotta cheese and served in a lemon sauce. Fabulous! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653573434540-J5AYBP55OJQ3Z7EYNPBP/positano.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out You can end the Path of the Gods hike in postcard pretty Positano. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653572685521-49QDZJCGF1ABZM4A0OWY/tuna+crudo.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out Fabulous food was a highlight this week as tuna was in season and we enjoyed it daily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653573757597-2IGJBNB1M39HF8VSGXMY/sunset+dinner.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out We celebrated a romantic dinner at our hotel while enjoying a beautiful sunset in Praiano. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653574011044-I9N0C3QDZOV0DT3BY8WL/amalfi+cathedral.jpg Eat Play Love - A piece of heaven on earth- the Amalfi Coast - Make it stand out In 1343, Amalfi (a maritime powerhouse) slid into the sea during an earthquake. The Cathedral was rebuilt and is exceptionally beautiful, equally so is what remains of the original church and 12th and 13th century mosaics and relics displayed in the museum. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/1mhwyo71d21d2f5x9853abyubffr4p monthly 0.5 2022-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653242946496-AKFRU2DDYYSHMMMXN931/big+burgers.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out We happened to stop in Torre Canne for lunch of “ham and beer”. As you can tell, the proportions were definitely generous and the only question was how to take a bite out of these enormous burgers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653243984471-JJFXLSGXRPW13FG1SRRG/blood+red+moon.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Terry took the time to capture images of the The Super Flower Blood Moon lunar eclipse of 2022 from Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653243402431-AMBEPJAMG7VEQ6PXNRNP/polignano+view+from+room.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Polignano a Mare was our home base and this view from our room gives you a glimpse of the beauty and also showcases the location where the Red Bull cliff diving competitions occur. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653244363610-I5XGEG48E7H4NE9LH41O/matera+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out If you have seen No Time to Die (James Bond 007 movie) you will recognize photos from the amazing town of Matera which was used for filming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653242502343-4BI1NQN847F4AI4VEAEQ/scilla+night.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out We began our adventure in the lovely fishing village of Scilla in the area of Calabria. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653243279183-Q7ENYCHA28JIL5MVVL7R/terry+in+swing+chair.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Terry, on the other hand, decided on a swing chair upon which he could contemplate the meaning of the universe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653244214111-GCHP0H4PABB8TH0YDHK7/seafood+.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out The fresh seafood and fish has been amazing and we are trying new dishes and loving them! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653243176271-5LV4BR8W1G1CTXK0S19E/big+chair.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Following an enormous lunch, Stacy had a Goldilocks moment as she decided to try out a chair clearly made for those who eat “ham and beer” regularly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653244778842-UHD7QHHTAPJNGBDJ9Z8I/church+stacy+shooting.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Stacy continued to be mesmerized by the churches in Italy and Terry recorded her exploration which resulted in 36 miles of walking this week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653243506671-CGG6C1FKKACWI4H2KTEK/cave+dinner+.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Our hotel and this restaurant showcase the surrounding area and the restored cave dwellings that were inhabited for thousands of years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653244119160-AVLBZK6S3PDMFGK70YKJ/elephants.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Stacy was disappointed to not visit elephants in Asia as originally planned, but was thrilled to find ways to support their protection while in Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653244673537-9AX9WE4KPIK6H2R0BNWY/terry+with+locks.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out A mechanic at heart, Terry was intent upon unlocking the secrets to this fascinating civilization and city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653244553031-T2S5ODMRH0VRIZXIYY2T/matera+panoramic.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Matera is an extraordinary city with ancient cave dwellings called Sassi inhabited since the Paleolithic period. This was a remarkable UNESCO site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1648788563325-EONLAEAN6LXF4P214CT6/Grotta-Palazzese-Puglia1.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653242648574-H049PSDOWXAZAUD2H1KP/fishing+for+comps.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Calabria is known for its spicy food and also for its amazing swordfish which is in season. We enjoyed watching the fishermen catch the swordfish while we enjoyed our lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1653243689753-WUXUQCTL5QJ1D4JSQV5K/volare.jpg Eat Play Love - Arrivederci Sicily, Buongiorno Southern Italy - Make it stand out Stacy grew up signing Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra hits with her dad. Polignano a Mare is the home to the famous Domenico Modugno who wrote Volare, a famous Dean Martin hit and the streets are illuminated each night with the lyrics. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/83val7bdwksfxx3an9fcjw8s0c1cwv monthly 0.5 2022-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652625027703-G40P3A7U5C5TM154GVXX/castle+monte.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out Our exploration of Medieval Castles continued and this one in Caccamo is one of the best preserved Norman castles in the world. The collection of armor, weapons and the castle itself were all truly remarkable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652625746979-MZQOTWNH9EI5AIAMNQY0/mosaic.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out Mosaics in the Cathedral of Cefalù (1145-60) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652625550045-9BLBFHTCRK32J5U8TQ2X/basilica.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out The churches and basilicas are each unique and exquisitely beautiful. Some date back to the 1100s and are imbedded into the various ruins we explored. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652624846713-CG3COGDLW4WHVO5UFRB1/hill+town+with+aeolian+islands.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out From this vantage point in the hill towns you can admire the valley and we also had breathtaking views of 5 of the Aeolian islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652626202388-47P850PM1CJV2YKAUM6P/goodbye+Sicily.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out Arrivederci Sicily and thanks for so many beautiful memories. We board the ferry in Messina to begin our journey to explore the rest of Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652624110654-DE0N0484EW79RO1QEEUF/cefalu.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out Our last week in Sicily was spent basking in the sun and breathtaking views of Cefalu from the B & B we rented. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652117427550-JZHYWBZSAZ4GDRTS7C73/20220509_191058.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out Each of the green and red tags represents a place we visited in Sicily. In all, Terry drove 2,192 kilometers (that's 1,362 miles) in and around Sicily. We also hiked and walked over 200 miles. As our son Nick said, “it would be hard to say that we didn’t see Sicily.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652624741441-IFS68HXOSGYFTO5THGU8/hill+town+happy.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out We traveled to the highest towns in Sicily this week to enjoy views of the beautiful valleys and Mediterranean sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652625399940-OZDAXRP9VQL7HMNQRJS1/Terry+prisoner.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out The castle also contained a prison replete with shackles which gave Stacy an idea as Terry went inside for an insider view of the accommodations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652626097849-OCNQ32FX7VTSMG2RTC3K/last+morning+in+Sicily.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out We were sad to say goodbye to this beautiful city and island as we relished the last hours of morning sun in Cefalu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649182044469-YMVX1VER1FAIJFNF9CFZ/12899109-Bay-in-Cefalu-Sicily-Stock-Photo-italy-600x399.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652624249181-Z2AT3PTJCD12ASTO2ZZ4/birthday+queen+treats.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out The Sicilian girl, Stacy, celebrated her birthday and of course enjoyed some amazing birthday treats including Baci chocolates and the scrumptious Manna cake made from the sap of ash trees only harvested in one hill town in the Madonie Mountains, Castelbuono. Read more about the risks and rewards of falling in love with Sicilian girls and the iconic ceramic art heads that abound in Sicily. https://www.experiencetaormina.com/the-legend-behind-sicilian-ceramic-heads/ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1652625908818-HA8QXXA6KXOKY0368S9B/chapel+at+site+of+miracles.jpg Eat Play Love - Northern Sicily - Make it stand out Stacy was inspired after celebrating mass on Mothers Day and her birthday at the Sanctuario di Giblimanna the site of two miracles and now an important pilgrimage site for Catholics. This chapel was simply stunning. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/jz3najqk6u1cwur6dan3ytey1lc6kk monthly 0.5 2022-05-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651942722119-NQOPMWG1BHLYSKD4VWNT/scale+of+columns+.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Forever the Seabee, Terry continued to wonder how the Greek’s constructed these massive, expertly engineered structures. The scale of a single column gives you a sense of how challenging the construction must have been. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651943994460-4E5HYXLUFKE4PUOKN948/erice+duomo.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out The Duomo in Erice is a mirage of sculpted buttermilk stone and Carrara marble built in 1314. Virgil once compared Mt. Eryx (Erice) to Mt. Athos for its spiritual preeminence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649181903299-G4NEE6AV4YGTKDT8XWYB/erice.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651943323678-R22CXSO8KQ1E3JFK7VGA/donkey+ride+erice.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Images of donkeys pulling Sicilian carts are beloved in Sicily. Stacy enjoyed her first donkey ride in Erice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651942905101-PJLLF2H37QZB6U2LWM7B/teatro+performance.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Stacy took center stage to a sold out crowd at the Greek theatre in Segesta for a reprisal of her Pat Benetar’s greatest hits’ tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651944370859-WPRSKKD6IPC7Z3N9UY7L/riservo+2.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Within the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro picturesque coves lead to crystal clear turquoise water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651942605891-NEDU9L3IV0Z5TD26DCYD/hercules+impression.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Unlike Hercules, Stacy decided to preserve the impressive ruins we visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651943461588-YPYCWFWTK6FK71BTJB5N/erice+castles.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Stunningly beautiful Erice is perched 750 meters (2500 feet) above sea level and is a medieval walled city with mountain charm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651944181169-X7WBSBB6JXREYEUJEC1R/riservo+1.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out This week we logged over 36 miles, nearly a third of that distance was in the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro, a hikers paradise with easy access to numerous beaches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651944570258-3LZ9EA8AC9EUXAVL865D/sunset+mediterranean+coast.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out The sunsets on the Mediterranean Coast were incredibly beautiful. Living la dulce vita. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651942427167-J1JQKLQNRFCGYMUKXCLU/36+years+and+columns.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out We continued to be mesmerized by new ruins. Segesta’s perfectly preserved Doric temple has 36 columns which coincidentally matches the 36 years of marriage we are celebrating during our travels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651943002095-ID0F9DXBGQSEBVTXCQAF/postcard.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out Once again, we felt the need to conduct quality control experiments on Sicilian prosecco and also determine if Maria Grammatico is in fact the finest pastry maker in all of Sicily, as rumored. Our stunning hotel views from Valderice made the work easier than expected. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651943201273-U9FR6VRTFZSCIPALB1GN/valderice+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Western Sicily - Make it stand out As our tans improved, we are mistaken more often for Italians than Americans. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/u8g6rgoawwylbw7mf8ztsbzcq92qbv monthly 0.5 2022-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651417375384-K49WU0XZKHAKRUSSB91X/side+planks.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out Stacy had no idea that side planks originated with the Greek in Sicily. Here she is trying to ensure she captures the technique for her own workouts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651417606980-052VFH794SELPGQCM7OW/concordia+at+night.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651418110840-J0V262D0G5NBTSWR6MEQ/after+sandstone.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out This treatment along with 53.5 miles of walking this week were transformative. Terry was questioned by the Italian police for why he was able to date such a young girl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651418300064-XO6S3VAJ0IR169BHZXL8/Sicilian+and+Irish+Pub.jpeg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out Terry was beginning to feel tired of pasta and seafood. We found a Sicilian/Irish pub and some red meat to make him feel more at home in Sicily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651418685283-A2L262GZ5W7815HFHOKU/churches.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out Almost daily Stacy visits cathedrals, basilicas and churches. Each are unique and unbelievably beautiful. The sound of church bells ring through the towns daily. What a glorious experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651416734130-VVSQAUCAEEUU2VJLEL0S/selfie+at+the+ruins.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out The UNESCO Valley of the Temples is one of the most mesmerizing sites in the world. These are some of the remains of the ancient city of Akragas, the 4th largest city in the known world and the best preserved Doric temples outside of Greece. The temples of Concordia, Hera and Hercules and the tomb of Theron are stunning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651417860764-8YSQNVA7AUT6Q1F4W1SQ/sandstone+profile+of+beach.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out An excursion to Eraclea Minoa provided Stacy with private access to a natural beauty treatment on a photogenic beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651417976700-XVUYRHAUSEKTYOIF9HYO/applying+sandstone.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out A natural mud rock is massaged onto the skin, baked on for 10 minutes, then rinsed off in the sea. Voila! 10 years are erased from your skin in just 10 minutes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651418825542-EIEM7LEAFQQ5CQG6YQSN/church+in+agrigento.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1649181789969-NLE4KKRMB160A40NZS9F/Agrigento_temple.jpeg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651417666557-T08T7L120MJJF4MOVZ7O/scal+dei+turchi+selfie.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out We visited Scala dei Turchi (Stairs of the Turks) and enjoyed the stunning white cliffs shaped like a giant staircase and indigo blue sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651417483819-VBN7DA0Q1TQIM2NQEJ3Y/prosecco+and+concordia.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out This view from our room afforded relaxed admiration of the temple of Concordia during the day and when illuminated in the evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1651418435926-8F8J8F9QFYR0347E5HNY/apertivi.jpg Eat Play Love - Southern Sicily (Mediterranean Coast) April 24 - 29 - Make it stand out Appertivi are provided complimentary with any drink order and Italians usually enjoy them with drinks from 5-8 before dinner. We ordered two glasses of prosecco and received the following snacks. Hard to believe that the Italians are generally quite fit. Possibly they feed all this fattening food to tourists who gladly consume it to feel more Italian. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/neijw5hb7f68jiqrd2x1om4wn55l3n monthly 0.5 2022-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650819542845-INGT0LIP7DQMZBH2AEK9/Food+in+Ragusa.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out The gourmet food and local wine were exquisite in Southeast Sicily. Nero d’Avola wine reigns and can be purchased for 10 Euro for a liter should you be so inclined…we were. We made certain to drink the local wine that was from the lands confiscated (liberated) from the Mafia in Corleone. Very tasty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650819769093-8XOF87ZLBWZXB892DRPJ/Food+and+wine+in+Ragusa.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out This is a meat salad. One of the healthiest options that Stacy ate this week. We also tried granite made from local almonds (Mandorla) and enjoyed more than our share of gelato. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650821321764-ROOL0U72C8WS74SE8ZXR/necropolis+di+pantilica.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out On Easter Monday we visited the Nectropoli di Pantalica with origins dating back to the 8th to 13th century BCE with more than 5000 tombs. Visiting sites like this gives true perspective on the mastery of early civilizations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650820164770-F1ZM9X5EHJISB1OMG7V2/Feast+day+St+Giorgio+Ragusa.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out My favorite town in Sicily thus far is Ragusa Ibla. For tv fans, it is the location for the filming of Inspector Montalban, which we have never seen. We had the pleasure of seeing amazing historic baroque churches. Many rebuilt after total destruction from earthquakes in the 1700s. We celebrated San (St.) Giorgio’s (George) feast day (Duomo to his name pictured above). This celebration day involved partying late into the night, church bells ringing throughout the day and (bomba). We were evacuated from a park because of bomba, which worried us at first, but later we learned meant pyrotechnics that happened throughout the day to celebrate the feast day. So much fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650821023550-THKCNTU5RMWCJH5LI3OB/saints+ragusa.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out In Ragusa, I was able to pose alongside two of my most beloved role models. Terry inserted me into the center of the saints so that I might be reminded to keep striving for more saintly qualities. Tee Hee! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650821194811-LFBZ0KTS62ITAI70R8ZG/syracuse+sunrise.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out Our room in Syracuse was stunning with a private balcony and hot tub. This sunrise on our second morning, reminded us of our many blessings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1648783688374-M2W0X2OQ090UOSBWZ89O/Ortigia-Island.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650819933859-BUP03D2PZGXZGJ6W8IUN/Street+cafe+in+Syracusa.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out We walked 46 miles this week. Less than last week, but given the elevation changes, we felt good about our physical fitness. Our exploration of the baroque art and architecture in Syracuse, Noto and Ragusa left us exhilarated and thirsty. We learned that we prefer trattoria (family restaurants) where we can get to know the local people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650820527433-JGIR8SGJ2H1XG4YC43KK/church+in+Ragusa.jpg Eat Play Love - Southeast Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/northeast-sicily-amp-aeolian-islands monthly 0.5 2022-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650208890024-V6TSNQQU3BRX7L5U7OMD/20220417_093528.jpg Eat Play Love - Northeast Sicily & Aeolian Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650209328388-RDSC821LELPHWHVGKP81/greek+teatro+taormina.jpg Eat Play Love - Northeast Sicily & Aeolian Islands - Make it stand out The Greek Amphitheatre in Taormina is one of the best preserved Greek ruins in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site built around the third century BC. From the theatre you enjoy stunning views of Taormina’s coast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1648782251180-BDP6L0FWD95GKDGAQN2T/bg-Beautiful-Taormina-Panoramic.jpg Eat Play Love - Northeast Sicily & Aeolian Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650209177389-8H6ILCHCZPVUQ8BWWWCW/salina+sunset.jpg Eat Play Love - Northeast Sicily & Aeolian Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650209297060-S67PTAR7YLYDJXFUY20Z/opera+taormina.jpg Eat Play Love - Northeast Sicily & Aeolian Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650209798802-WWJVI637BHCU13VHQDJY/20220414_132034.jpg Eat Play Love - Northeast Sicily & Aeolian Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/1650208579906-5BVYYS1R4QUH3GZQH8FT/20220416_105521.jpg Eat Play Love - Northeast Sicily & Aeolian Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/getting-started monthly 0.5 2022-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62410906243c8946ffd74693/98085945-93e9-48e4-89f1-b7349f964025/download.jpg Eat Play Love - Getting Started - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/tag/prep monthly 0.5 https://www.eatplaylove.blog/blog/tag/travel monthly 0.5 https://www.eatplaylove.blog/about daily 0.75 2022-04-05