#wine bar-shop peninsula

[pillow-ghost-nan]

VERY LONG wolfstar fic rec list PART 2

PART 1

PART 3

Again, since I almost exclusively read smut, most of these are M or E lol

Please let me know if any link needs fixing or if there are any mistakes

Multi-chapter:

Carry Me Away by greyeyedmonster18

Rating: M, 105k words “You know I need you, and that's for sure, you’re just the kind of crazy I’ve been looking for.” Sirius had devised the perfect plan. Two weeks in London before he started University. Two weeks of bars and football games and time spent out from under his parents gaze. Two weeks without rules or expectations. He concocted the perfect ruse to fool everyone about his whereabouts. And then he met Remus. And suddenly two weeks couldn't have ever been enough time. (non-magic, AU; Sirius is a sheltered posh boy on his first rebellion, Remus is an attractive stranger who make's him re-think all his plans).

Sacrifice by abyss_valkyrie (Technomancer28), muse_in_absentia

Rating: E, 48k words In a world where Demons are the top of the food chain, the Shadow Demons are in charge of it all. Sirius, the heir apparent, would really like to shake that up, with a little help from his friends, of course.

For the Love of Ducks by viwrites

Rating: E, 74k words Remus Lupin is freshly twenty years old and sitting on a park bench in central London, he has a squashed pastry bag next to him and a cup of tea clutched between perpetually cold fingers. He moved to London eight months ago in search of a new doctor after having grown up on a little farm in Wales, and he hasn’t taken well to city life. He's taken to this park mostly because the trees are dense, the people are sparse, and there are birds. Nice ones that sing and hop from bench to bench scavenging for dropped bits of food or else pulling worms from the earth. Today he’s watching a pair of ducks glide easily across the pond. He thinks they must have a nest nearby, and in a few weeks there will be ducklings. Or... Remus Lupin has always been sick, and he'd just like to feel normal for once. Sirius Black seems like the perfect man with a perfect, exciting life.

'tis the damn season by moonymoment

Rating: T, 72k words “Where are you going?” Remus turns. Sirius looks delightful; wine-flush and December drizzle painting his pale, pretty face the deepest carmine red. His spindly hands are twiddling at his front, as if he doesn’t know quite what to do with them. He sniffs, and exhales corporeal ice that sends a shiver running down Remus’ spine. He’s not sure if it’s from the cold or the alcohol or… something else. and it always leads to you, and my hometown

ten reasons (to go to michigan) by greyeyedmonster18

Rating: M, 59k words Best-selling novelist Remus Lupin, distraught and torn after his relationship of 10 years ends in nothing but doubt and litigation leaves the bustle of New York City, and retreats to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in hopes of reconnecting to his childhood and getting his writing spark back. Sirius Black is a local ceramicist and single parent with a backstory all his own, who happens to frequent the coffee shop Remus grew up studying in. Remus for the first time in his life didn't have a plan when he booked a one way plane ticket--except for maybe the plan to never fall in love again. Except... A story of simple pleasures, love, and home. (Modern, Adult Wolfstar AU; set in the states)

Notting Hill by WrappedUp

Rating: M, 23k words Of course, Remus has seen his films and has always thought he's... well, fabulous. But a million miles away from the world he lives in; here, in Notting Hill.

Enigma Variations by Coriaria

Rating: Not rated (officially but actually E), 68k words When Sirius Black is unmasked as a spy, it seems that nearly everyone in Bletchley Park knew all along that something wasn't right about him. But Lily Evans thinks otherwise. She knows that if Black really was a spy, he'd have done it properly, and would have never been caught. Remus Lupin doesn't believe Sirius is a spy either. According to the landlady, she found the stolen ciphers in his room between the pages of a magazine filled with photos of half-naked women. And Remus knows that such a magazine would hold no interest for Sirius. It's not much to go on, but both Remus and Lily are determined to get to the truth. A man's life depends upon it.

Blind and Deaf by Cocomouse

Rating: E, 18k words Remus doesn't do blind dates. They must be the worst possible social situation humankind has ever invented: two strangers some people have decided that maybe they should get in a committed relationship. You have two hours. So no, he wouldn't touch that with a ten yard stick, not if he can help it. But he knows better than to try and argue with Lily, so, here he is.

Text Talk by merlywhirls

Rating: T, 141k words Sirius is in boarding school, Remus is in hospital, and they don't know each other until Sirius texts the wrong number.

Seventeen Hours by eyra

Rating: E, 16k words They had a year in Berlin, and then Orion ordered Sirius back to England to help set up a new department under the firm's South American division. Sirius had been thrilled when Remus turned up in London three weeks later, shrugging and telling him that he'd tired of Berlin, and something in the grey capital had sparked back to life when Sirius returned from reunion drinks at the pub with James and Peter to find Remus - key acquired from Sirius's secretary, he later uncovered - naked on the bed in Sirius's room, head cushioned on folded arms on the silk sheets, knees tucked under and waiting. Sirius and Remus have an arrangement, of sorts. But they’re definitely not together.

Meet Me In The Exosphere by EuripidesTrousers

Rating: E, 108k words “Black, status”, the controller calmly requested. He gritted his teeth and panted as evenly as he could, sounding like he’d just run a marathon, “Maintaining descent… four three zero.” “Copy.” He levelled out just above the 10,000 foot deck and veered right, craning his neck over his shoulder to see Remus’ plane not far behind. Remus’ voice crackled through the comms, deep and smooth, and he had the audacity to sound amused. “Alright, Black? Sound a bit out of breath.” Sirius’ stomach somersaulted. “S’cakewalk, Lupin.” “Good”, Remus rumbled, dropping an octave, “Warm up’s over.” The year is 1996 and Sirius Black is adrift, bouncing numbly between deployments to aircraft carriers with his best friend James Potter, existing purely for the thrill of flying. The year is 1996 and Remus Lupin is desperately holding his aviator career together with all the determination and stubbornness of someone told "You don't belong", in a place that he carved out for himself with his own two hands. When they meet, it's dislike at first sight. Somehow, it ends up being a love story.

Practical Oddities by lurikko

Rating: M, 48k words Regulus needs a place to stay, Remus needs to get over Sirius. It’s August 1979 and things are getting out of hands.

Pas de Deux in the Upper West Side by wilteddaisy (taotu)

Rating: E, 31k words Remus Lupin is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. A lead role comes up for grabs in the company's newest ballet and Remus is determined to have it. But only when Sirius Black — oozing talent, charisma and all the elements of a world-class distraction — joins the company does it hang in the balance.

Disarm You With a Smile by five_ht

Rating: E, 45k words Me: hi mr lupin 😊 Mr. Lupin: Hello Mr. Lupin: Are you going to tell me who you are today? Me: i have another hint for you Me: i don't have a dad, but i could sure use a daddy ❤️ Mr. Lupin: And you figure I'm the man for that job? Me: 😜 Me: you tell me

Wilder than Mountain Thyme by TracingPatterns

Rating: E, 110k words Remus Lupin is a disillusioned werewolf who has mostly turned his back on the Wizarding society, content to work his mundane muggle job. That is until his best friend convinces him to join an exclusive study on the Wolfsbane potion at the well-renowned centre outside of Edinburgh. Sirius Black is wizarding royalty, or at least he was until he walked away from his pureblood family to follow his own path in life. After travelling the world and pursuing a career in Magizoology he now finds himself working at one of the highest-ranked centres for magical creatures in the Wizarding world. Their first meeting makes sparks of disdain crackle between them and it seems unlikely that anything, not even the old magic of Edinburgh, will be enough to bridge over the reality of who they are and where they come from.

Beneath a Big Blue Sky by eyra

Rating: E, 68k words The four-by-four heaves its way down long, twisting lanes, little more than dirt tracks scuffed into the surrounding fields and hemmed in by serpentine walls of flat, grey stone. They truly are in the middle of nowhere: the countryside rushes past, all rolling green hills and vast, endless skies, and it's odious. Sirius wants to murder James with his bare hands. Sirius and James accidentally find themselves on a Yorkshire farm during lambing season. The farmer’s son thinks that’s a bit annoying, actually.

To All a Good Night by MsAlexWP

Rating: E, 36k words Sirius Black was supposed to spend Christmas in a luxury Airbnb in Vermont with his best friends. Instead, there's a record-breaking snowstorm, a tiny cabin with no electricity, a viral video, a mysterious last-minute breakup, and sharing a bed with Remus Lupin.

Blends by rvltn909

Rating: M, 192k words Words got in the way sometimes, but Remus got the sense Sirius knew what he was trying to say. - Another coffee shop au.

Heatwave by Krethes

Rating: E, 9k words "Remus strips the soaked shirt from his back, shimmies out of the snitch-emblemed boxers, and pads out into the humid hallway. Despite the temperature outside, it still shouldn’t be so hot in here -- they were wizards, weren't they, and they’d only put about a thousand-and-one bloody cooling charms on this place when they moved in. He pauses at the top of the stairs and sighs -- that had been some thirty-five years ago now, he realizes with a pang of misery that comes when one remembers just how old they are. Grumbling to himself about aging people and aging spells and the absolute unfairness of it all, Remus fetches his wand from the dresser before walking through the entire house. He performs detecting charms in every corner of the house, each room revealing that yes, indeed, there were once cooling charms here, but that they are no longer active. Well, fuck." OR: Another installment of DILF/Mid-Fifties Wolfstar getting their happy ending! Broken cooling charms, a bit of roleplay, and shower sex keep a man young.

call it fate, call it karma by veridity

Rating: E, 103k words Remus wants to be a journalist and Sirius wants revenge. They absolutely hate each other, but they have something in common; an appetite for justice. Or; a University AU in which enemies join forces to take down a corrupt and influential empire through the power of journalistic integrity and unresolved sexual tension.

The Art of Falling in Love by MessusMinnow

Rating: M, 68k words Sirius is a loose cannon who can’t seem to tame himself or actually let people in. Moony is his texting pen pal who he’s never met and is slowly falling for. Remus is slow to trust and scared to be open with anyone except for his mystery pen pal Padfoot.

Forever Live and Die by wolfpants

Rating: E, 84k words It's 1990, and Petunia and Dudley Dursley have been killed in a car crash. Remus Lupin is now Harry's reluctant ward. Thrown back into a world he has long since abandoned, he's forced to confront some painful truths of his past. Or, "what if the Dursleys died and Remus and Sirius reunited earlier"?

My Moony by Whoops_e

Rating: E, 43k words For all that the teasing in the Great Hall hurt him, two words float back to Remus’ memory making him ache. ‘My Moony.’ Remus stares pointedly back into his book. He knows he won’t be able to look at Sirius and not cave. “Remus, darling,” Sirius starts with a teasing melodrama, effectively punching Remus in the stomach. “You have got to start talking to me again.” Don’t look at him. “Because someone used a sticking charm on the Potters and they physically cannot be parted. Peter is snogging now, and all the girls hate me.” ‘You’re better company than being completely alone, I guess,’ is what Remus hears. It’s better this way. “And I miss you,” Sirius adds quietly. - In which Remus loves Sirius so much it hurts, and Sirius can’t figure out why Remus doesn’t want to be his friend anymore.

wading in waist-high water by colgatebluemintygel

Rating: E, 82k words Remus is a PhD student and hobbyist baker who finds himself adrift following his father’s death. On a whim, he enters the Great British Bake Off and is swept up in a flurry of curdled custard, shrunken souffle, and under-proved dough. Remus expects to be challenged and to embarrass himself on public television. What he doesn’t account for are the friendships he develops with the other contestants and the deep connection he forms with his teenage crush, Sirius Black: charming ex-boy band member and Bake Off presenter. or, Sirius groans, dropping his head back into his hands. “It’s the dough,” he mumbles into the skin of his palms. “It’s the kneading. It’s his hands. They’re obscene.” Lily laughs. “They are a bit, aren’t they?”

Fuck It, It’s Fine by R33sesPieces

Rating: E, 25k words Sirius and Remus are madly in love, until they’re not. But even then, they can’t seem to stay away from each other. They’re perfect together, if only everything would stop falling apart. Something that feels so good can’t be a bad idea, right?

tearing air from air by Anonymous

Rating: M, 18k words “Stop,” he spits viciously at the empty room, “fucking haunting me!” or, Sirius is stuck in the Veil and Remus is stuck on the other side. An exploration of grief, family, and loving people even when they want to kill you.

All the Good Things by lurikko

Rating: E, 44k words The summer of 1999: Remus loses his flat and Sirius asks him to stay in Grimmauld Place.

Drifting by Eniaos

Rating: E, 44k words The marauders have been slowly falling apart as they start to build their adult lives. Remus doesn't know if he should fight for his old friends or let them go. A weekend stuck in Edinburgh alone with Sirius changes everything.

Of Bookshelves and Baby Carriers by poppunkpadfoot (StormVandal)

Rating: T, 12k words The customer standing in front of him is quite possibly the most beautiful man Remus has ever seen. Like, he looks like a model or something. He has long, black hair, flattened by water, and just the slightest amount of scruff on his face, and… And a baby strapped to his chest. Okay.

You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks by orphan_account

Rating: E, 21 k words This was written for the R/S Kink 2013 challenge. The prompt was: remus / sirius sexy skype call while one is on a mission for the order [this is obviously a modern au] i dont care who gets naked but it’s gotta happen

Just what the doctor ordered by WrappedUp

Rating: E, 97k words This is the story of how Sirius Black finds a dog. Except, it's not really that. This is the story of how Sirius Black finds a dog and meets a skilled veterinary surgeon with crinkly eyes and dimples in his cheeks. Except, that's not really it either. This is the story of how Sirius black finds a dog, meets a skilled veterinary surgeon with crinkly eyes and dimples in his cheeks, and grows the fuck up (at least a little bit).

The Fragile House of Black Series by Fantismal, Jormandugr

Rating: from G to E, 557k words Following the lives of Sirius and (to a lesser extent) Regulus Black as they navigate their family, Hogwarts, and the first wizarding war. Everything follows the story as you know it... until Kreacher decides the young Master Regulus is not going to die tomorrow. This series will get dark. It was also have moments of light. There will be character death and character birth and Remus/Sirius. There will be trust and betrayal and curses and torture and smut and love. But first, you need the childhood. I recommend to start this series with Power the Dark Lord Knows Not

Oneshots:

The Incomplete Recounting of Four Nonconsecutive Tuesdays in the Spring of 2002 by BrujaBanter

Rating: M, 11k words A Few Reasons Remus Suggested They Pursue Couple's Counseling: 1. Sirius was DEAD (no matter how many times he says he wasn't, which is a lot), so that's bloody complicated. 2. They're a "blended family" now and, well, that's also bloody complicated. 3. Sirius Black is an utter fucking mess. 4. They can't just have sex all the time. They can't. Well, maybe they....no, no. They really can't.

Then I Would Come and Find You by RuinsPlume

Rating: M, 3k words This is what saves them every time.

Indiana Lupin and the Search for the Conqueror by nerakrose

Rating: E, 67k words Remus Lupin is an undercover archaeologist for the British Museum and is sent to Greenland to investigate a Roman shipwreck. In Greenland he meets Sirius Black, makes a real discovery and soon enough the two of them are racing through the world in search of the remains of the Library of Alexandria with Remus’ arch-enemy right at their heels.

Gold and Silver Days by busaikko

Rating: E, 2k words Prior to Christmas at Grimmauld Place: Watching the light from the fire play over Remus' hair and face had been what had started the memories. He didn't have many good ones left, and he liked to savour them.

Almost an Accident by lurikko

Rating: E, 5k words A shared bed, a full moon, and a declaration of love, not necessarily in that order.

Frog and Toad Aren't Friends Anymore by swordfishtrombones

Rating: M, 10k words “Is this really all because I wouldn’t live with you?” Remus is still feeling a little fuzzy, but he’s beginning to get chilly and fed up, and he wants to be on common ground. “Some people just aren’t good flatmates. I wasn’t trying to say I liked Adrian and Mary better than you, or whatever you’re thinking.” Sirius runs a hand through his hair and squints at the streetlight, twisting his mouth like Remus is truly hopeless. “It hurt,” says Sirius, “my feelings.”

Sex and Dying in High Society by fluorescentgrey

Rating: M, 12k words London, 1980. It's not yesterday anymore, or: a retrospective as told through '77 punk.

Enjoy Your Worries, You May Never Have Them Again by Anonymous

Rating: E, 6k words “I still don’t trust you to begin a brew after you singed off James’ eyebrows when you forgot to start with water.” “That was one time and I was sixteen.” “That was last spring and you were barred from volatile substances for a month.” Remus mimics the pitch of Sirius’ toshy scoff with such virulent accuracy that Sirius almost drops to one knee and proposes. — Potions: love it or love to hate it, Sirius Black is a sap with an entire Christmas break to brush up on skills he needs to sharpen. If, along the way, he sweeps his favorite prefect ever further off his feet, he won’t complain about it.

Ways to be Gentle by Quietlemonhush

Rating: E, 4k words It wasn’t usually like this. It was usually a little rougher than this. Usually Sirius didn’t really consider it fucking until Remus bit him, until his arm was pulled behind his back. They’re rough together, pushing and snarling even in jest. Even when it was simple, when it was just sex, Remus knew Sirius liked to be held down, to be grounded beneath him, and Sirius knew Remus liked to see a lovemark on the column of his neck. And when it wasn’t simple, when it was more play than sex, then Sirius expected to be thrown against walls, desks, couches, to bounce off the mattress, to shake apart under the force of Remus around him. This was nothing like that. — Sirius has a bad day. Remus reminds him what softness feels like.

Born Under Punches by orestesfasting

Rating: M, 13k words The truth is that he’s kept this love on the back burner of his heart for so many years that he’s grown accustomed to the smell and can sometimes almost ignore it completely. He likes to think he’s made peace with the fact that he’ll never know what it tastes like.

Harmonicas, Hinky-punks, and Heather by mblematic

Rating: M, 24k words Sirius and Remus get stranded in Scotland on Order business, and decide to walk to Hogwarts. Featuring the Brontës, a harmonica, a shrinking tent, and some self-discovery.

two imperfect souls might touch perfection by soloorganaas

Rating: E, 13k words The war is over and Remus is busy running a school for abandoned wizarding youth with his friends. Or rather - they're busy. Remus is trying to figure out who he is after years of his youth were stolen... and how to finally find the words for what he feels for Sirius

tip of my tongue by trustingno1

Rating: E, 3k words "I want to lick you," Sirius announces, and Remus glances up from his parchment. "You do," he says, briskly, "Frequently. In fact, it’s nothing short of miraculous that I don't have worms." "Padfoot does not have worms," Sirius replies. That is an outrageous attack upon his person - his Animagus? - but he won't let the blatant slander sidetrack him - "Not as Padfoot," he persists. "As a sex thing. Sexy licking." Sirius wants to rim Remus. He just wishes he had the words to explain that.

in lieu of beaujolais by aeridi0nis

Rating: M, 19k words Somewhere, there is a very long, meticulously catalogued list of things that Sirius Black does not know. It spans several volumes, actually, page after page bound up in pristine leather, scrawled, dog-eared entries, including (but by no means limited to): what they’re doing here, with all this. How long this could possibly last. What he’ll do when it ends. What he does know, however, is this: he knows that Remus keeps his toothbrush with Sirius’, in the cup by the sink, and his jacket next to Sirius’, on the stand by the front door. He knows he feels odd. If he were to be honest instead of eighteen, perhaps he knows why. or: In which flat-sharing after graduation entails green-tiled bathrooms, cheap red wine and indolence. In which such novelties might be enough to distract a luckier man from his flatmate in the bedroom over. And in which Sirius Black is not a luckier man.

The Great Gay Pornstar Twitter Feud of 2020 by Vixeree

Rating: E, 9k words “So what I’m hearing is that you’ve got a date with your hot, clever, fellow porn-star twitter nemesis, of whom you once said ‘I’d rather die than let that pretentious knobcloud touch my dick’... is that about right?” “... Yes.”  Or; Remus Lupin forgets to turn the fucking camera on.

We Build Our Own Unfolding by imochan

Rating: M, 18k words A welcome overstayed, a funeral at the farmhouse, a diary, a welcome overstayed (again), and a long walk over the hills.

The Rivers of Your Palms by estas_absentis

Rating: E, 5k words 1979: Remus has been away for the Order, Sirius welcomes him home.

[kellyvela]

Sophie's Hon Vol. VI Spring/Summer Edition 💐 ☀️

After wrapping her movie Trust in Mexico, Sophie is back home in the UK and has been *having fun* with Perry 😎

BRITISH VOGUE INTERVIEW

In her latest interview with Chioma Nnadi for British Vogue's June 2024 Issue, published online on May 15th 2024, Sophie briefly described what it's like dating Perry:

[...] she’s not entirely alone in Paris. In the past few days, she’s been papped on more than one occasion floating around the French capital with her rumoured new beau, Peregrine Pearson, a handsome British property developer and viscount’s son. “I am having fun dating. It’s very fun,” admits Turner, her striking blue eyes sparkling. “I mean, it’s strange when you get married so young. It’s like you never really learn how to date. So it’s all very new to me.” —British Vogue June 2024 Issue

And they are having fun indeed! During the last two months (May-June) they were seen attending costume parties, enjoying sunny days at his family estate, traveling to Italy, being VIP on Taylor Swift concerts & after concert parties, and more. Let's see!

~~~

LOLA

On Saturday night, May 18th 2024, Sophie posted a picture of Lady Lola Affrica Crichton-Stuart, also known as Lola Bute, on her IG stories:

I'm mentioning this since this was the first crumb we got after Perry's visit to Mexico while Sophie was filming Trust there.

So, since Lola is friends with Perry, it was easy to assume that he was with them that night.

Lola and Sophie started following each other on IG after that outing.

~~~

COSTUME PARTY

On Sunday, May 19th 2024, a picture of Sophie and Perry wearing costumes appeared on this forum.

Sophie looked super cute as Super Girl, while Perry opted for a Batman mask and cape.

After some research I found out that the costume party was a birthday celebration for a relative of Perry.

~~~

COWDRAY ESTATE

Sophie and Perry enjoyed a sunny day at Cowdray Estate (Perry's family estate in Midhurst, West Sussex).

They were joined by some friends and a few of Perry's relatives.

~~~

HEATHROW AIRPORT

On Saturday, May 25th 2024, Sophie and Perry were spotted at Heathrow Airport, leaving London for a romantic getaway to some European destination:

~~~

CAPRI

On Saturday, June 1st 2024, we discovered that Sophie and Perry's European romantic destination was Capri, Italy.

They were seen leaving a bar/restaurant and walking through the streets of Capri, while she was was carrying a shopping bag and smoking a cigarette, and he was holding a glass of white wine and carrying a deck of Monopoly playing cards.

As you can see, Sophie was wearing Perry's navy blue jumper, the same he wore the day they flew to Italy.

She just likes borrowing her boyfriend's clothes ❤️

~~~

THE PENINSULA LONDON GRAND OPENING CELEBRATIONS

On Tuesday, June 18th 2024, Sophie attended the Peninsula London Grand Opening Celebrations, where she was seen with Eleanor Wellesley and Camilla Blandford, who are two of the first friends that Perry introduced to Sophie last year.

~~~

TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT

Sophie and Perry are now *Taylorfficial*

On Sunday, June 23th 2024, Sophie with Perry and friends Tabby Doherty and Rupert Gorst, attended Taylor Swift's third concert of her Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in London:

~~~

The four of them enjoyed the concert from the Vip Tent. Here are some pics, gifs and videos:

Sophie and friend Tabby Doherty:

Sophie shared this one on IG. This picture was probably taken by Perry.

~~~

Sophie and singer Gracie Abrams:

~~~

Sophie, Tabby Doherty and Danielle Haim:

~~~

Sophie and friend Tabby Doherty singing Cardigan next to Fleabag's actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge, while Perry was talking with an old gentleman in the back (I think one of Taylor's uncles):

~~~

Sophie singing and dancing Look What You Made Me Do:

~~~

Sophie and Danielle Haim effusively singing and dancing All Too Well (Ten Minutes Version), while Tabby Doherty and Perry shared a hug in the back. In the end of the second gif you can see Sophie hugging singer Gracie Abrams:

So, Tabby Doherty is the Sophie's friend that hangs the most with the couple and seeing Tabby and Perry being this friendly makes me think that, maybe, the anons that messaged me with their suspicions that it was Tabby the common friend that introduced Perry to Sophie were right! 🤔

~~~

Sophie next to Fleabag's Hot Priest actor Andrew Scott:

~~~

Applause for Travis Kelce in the Vip Tent following his stage performance:

In the middle of the video you can see Perry fistpumping Travis in the back 🤜🤛

~~~

Sophie getting friendship bracelets from fans:

She's adorable 😍

~~~

Sophie going and coming (to the bathroom I presume) during the concert:

~~~

Perry holding Sophie and Sophie's bag 🤭:

(After watching this video someone asked me if they were a throuple 🤨)

~~~

In summary, Sophie had the time of her life at Taylor's concert:

~~~

CHILTERN FIREHOUSE

After the concert, Sophie and Perry joined Taylor Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce for an after party at Chiltern Firehouse:

Last night, an exclusive eyewitness source reported to Deuxmoi that they were seated next to none other than America's prom king and queen Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at London's Chiltern Firehouse. Taylor celebrated the end of her Wembley shows with a bang, and who better to join the party than the Kansas City Chiefs tight end himself? According to the source, the two were "kissing and looking like they're having so much fun!" The source continued, "Sophie Turner  joined their table, too!" In addition to Turner, Gracie Abrams, the rising singer-songwriter, was seated with the group along with Hayley Williams from Paramore, and English actress-screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge. What a turn out! [Source]

The after party lasted until 4:00 a.m., and when they were leaving Chiltern Firehouse the paparazzi were ready to take the most unflattering pictures of the tired couple. They basically shot their flashes directly at their faces inside their car . . . .

~~~

ROMANTIC PICNIC IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

On Monday, July 1st 2024, Sophie posted a carousel on IG with a couple of pics from a romantic picnic date with Perry somewhere in the countryside 😍:

Perry took the second picture and is tagged on it ❤️

The caption of the carousel is: "🌞 sun, sex and suspicious parents 🌞." That particular caption is a reference to an old BBC Show precisely called Sun, Sex and Suspicious Perents, a documentary -reality television series, where people in their late teens and early twenties go on their first girls'/lads' holiday abroad under the belief that they are getting away from their parents. However, their parents are also sent to the holiday destination and secretly watch footage of their children on video screens and also spy in their hotel rooms and at nightclub locations. The parents then reveal themselves on the last night of the holiday, to the dismay of the children, and tell them what they've seen and learned.

What were you guys doing??? 👀 🤭 🙈

~~~

And this is all for now.

I was hoping that Sophie and Perry's next Summer activity would be Glastonbury, but sadly that didn't happen, as far as I know 😔. But the picnic date pictures were truly an unexpected and lovely gift from the lovebirds ❤️

~~~

You can read the previous editions here: Vol. V - Vol. IV (Appendix) - Vol. IV - Vol. III - Vol. II - Vol. I

Until the next report 👋

[cedarboughs]

Hiking(?) Journal: The West Coast Trail

Day VII.5: Pleasure Cruises

September 6

Nanaimo to Vernon

It all comes full circle. I left the same motel in Nanaimo full of the same breakfast from the same room I had on the 26th, as if the week on the coast had been just a long dream.

Arriving at the ferry docks, there was a three hour wait for the next sailing to the mainland. C’est normal, I don’t mind a couple of hours of waiting time. At the Horseshoe Bay docks on the way out I’d discovered blackberries growing through the fence. None of those here, but the sun was beating down on the asphalt car ramp so we spread damp tents and clothing on wide-open doors like clotheslines to dry in the interval. Then I went to explore the terminal.

I’m a big fan of terminals, stations, and ports. I’ll arrive early to a flight to wander around the airport. I love the liminal recreation of a waiting place made to be comfortable but still anticipatory. That’s one of about infinite reasons I yearn for a dream of passenger rail. Imagine hanging out in the stations! In the block around Calgary’s former main station there now exists a coffeehouse, a grand hotel, an observation tower, a mystery theatre, a curry house, and a brew pub. Imagine if those could all be integrated into a reopened waiting place for a train to Vancouver, Drumheller, Banff, Edmonton, Montana… Sorry. I’m lost in fantasies of hypothetical train lines again, as I usually am. Death and despair to the CPKC Frieght monopoly over rail lines forever and ever and all that. Back to Nanaimo. Point is, the Nanaimo ferry terminal is a nice one. I bought a Nanaimo bar (of course, one must when one is in Nanaimo,) looked at souvenirs, and watched birds circle over the tidal flats beneath the balcony. To me this is all an important part of any journey. I love layovers.

The ferry ride itself was basically a pleasure cruise. The jurisdictions on either side of the Salish Sea love their ferries. I rode and loved a fair share of Washington Ferries on the way to the Olympic Peninsula a few years back, but I’ll always be a B.C. Ferries boyo. On the boat they advertised that you could take not a connection but an actual cruise with the ferry company to places as remote as Haida Gwaii and as unknown to me as Tweedsmuir. Honestly, give me a trip of just hopping ferries town to town zigzagging across the channels from Olympia to Alaska. Well, this pleasure cruise was only about an hour, but still I ate some good fries from the cafeteria, dug the onboard gift shop and bookstore, and watched layered distant islets pass from on deck. I didn’t get any photos, so here are some Takao Tanabe prints to evoke the feeling of cruising the West Coast.

Strait of Georgia, 1990

Hesquiat Bay

Back on the mainland it was a long drive past the distant skyline of Vancouver and up the Fraser towards Vernon. Don’t ask me why we chose Vernon as a place to stop. The Okanagan is supposed to be Canada’s little Mediterranean, valley of cycling wine tours and more pleasure cruises. Mykonos west. So why was town shuttered by 7 pm? I had a burger and a beer at a moderately ok pub that was literally the only open door. And it was fine.

[monsterkong]

Inside Corona del Mar’s Newest Gem: 2322 Pacific Drive

🏖️ Luxury Meets Coastal Charm If there’s one property that embodies the essence of sophisticated coastal living, it’s 2322 Pacific Drive. Situated in the vibrant Corona del Mar community, this custom-built home combines modern farmhouse aesthetics with contemporary flair, offering residents a slice of paradise just moments from the beach.

Step Inside a World of Elegance

Every inch of this home has been thoughtfully designed, starting with its tri-level layout that maximizes space and light. With approximately 1,963 square feet of living space, the open floor plan creates a seamless flow perfect for both relaxation and entertainment. 🌞

The glass-enclosed wine cellar is a show-stopping centerpiece, ideal for showcasing your finest vintages or creating a cozy atmosphere for guests. Pair this with solar power and an elevator, and you have a home that’s as practical as it is stunning.

Outdoor Entertaining at Its Finest

Picture this: an expansive wraparound view deck with a fireplace, BBQ center, and spa-ready hookups. Whether it’s a casual family gathering or an elegant evening under the stars, this outdoor space takes your hosting game to the next level. 🔥🍹

A Chef’s Dream Kitchen

The kitchen isn’t just a room—it’s an experience. Featuring top-of-the-line Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, a six-burner range with pot filler, and a sleek quartz-topped peninsula with bar seating, this space is designed for culinary magic. From casual breakfasts to gourmet dinners, every meal here feels special. 👩‍🍳✨

Relax in Resort-Like Comfort

The primary suite feels like a private retreat. Highlights include a custom walk-in closet with LED lighting and a spa-inspired bath complete with a freestanding tub and steam shower. 🌿 After a long day, there’s no better place to unwind.

The additional en suite bedrooms ensure privacy and comfort for every member of the household or visiting guest.

Prime Location, Endless Possibilities

Situated steps from Begonia Park and some of California’s most stunning beaches, this home offers unparalleled access to outdoor adventures and urban convenience. Fashion Island, with its upscale shops and restaurants, is just a short drive away, making this location a dream come true. 🌟

Why Choose Tim Smith Real Estate Group?

Luxury real estate is all about the details, and no one knows this better than the Tim Smith Real Estate Group. With a proven track record as the #1 team in California, we combine cutting-edge marketing strategies, including cinematic property films, with unparalleled market expertise to deliver results.

Whether you’re looking to buy your dream home or sell for top dollar, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

📞 Contact us today to learn more! 🔗 View the Listing 🔗 Visit Our Website

✨ Experience a home that truly has it all. At 2322 Pacific Drive, luxury living isn’t just a promise—it’s a reality. 🏠

[mariumsiddiqui5]

BHlue Events: Your Gateway to Extraordinary Solo Adventures

South Africa: A Cultural Tapestry Awaits

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes of South Africa. Explore the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg, where history and modernity intertwine, and discover the stunning Cape Town, a city of contrasts with its majestic Table Mountain and vibrant waterfront.

Key Highlights:

Ascend the iconic Table Mountain: Enjoy panoramic views of Cape Town and the surrounding bay.

Embark on a thrilling safari in Kruger National Park: Encounter diverse wildlife, including lions, elephants, and rhinos.

Discover the Cape Winelands: Sample world-class wines and indulge in gourmet cuisine.

Explore the vibrant city of Johannesburg: Visit historical sites, museums, and art galleries.

Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of South Africa: Learn about the country's past and present through guided tours and cultural experiences.

Dates: January 18 - 25, 2025

Book Now: https://bhlueevents.com/south-africa/

Carolina Explosion: A Tropical Paradise

Escape to the tropical paradise of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for a week of sun, sand, and endless fun. Indulge in world-class cuisine, explore vibrant nightlife, and relax on pristine beaches.

Key Highlights:

Relax on beautiful beaches: Soak up the sun and swim in crystal-clear waters.

Explore the charming town of Cabo San Lucas: Discover boutique shops, art galleries, and lively bars and restaurants.

Enjoy thrilling water sports: Try surfing, snorkeling, or scuba diving.

Discover the stunning natural beauty of the Baja California peninsula: Explore the rugged coastline, desert landscapes, and marine life.

Dates: July 16 - 20, 2025

Book Now: https://bhlueevents.com/carolina-explosion/

United Arab Emirates: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Experience the magic of Dubai, a city that blends ancient traditions with modern marvels. Marvel at towering skyscrapers, explore vibrant souks, and indulge in world-class shopping and dining.

Key Highlights:

Visit iconic landmarks: Marvel at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and explore the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah.

Explore the vibrant souks: Discover a treasure trove of spices, textiles, and handicrafts.

Experience thrilling desert safaris: Ride camels, dune bash, and enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner under the stars.

Indulge in world-class shopping and dining: Experience the luxurious lifestyle of Dubai with a visit to the Dubai Mall and indulge in gourmet cuisine.

Dates: September 13 - 20, 2025

Book Now: https://bhlueevents.com/dubai/

Why Choose BHlue Events?

Personalized Experiences: Our curated solo travel packages offer a unique blend of independence and companionship.

Expert Guidance: Benefit from the insights and recommendations of our experienced travel guides.

Exclusive Group Activities: Connect with fellow travelers through exciting group activities.

Safety and Security: Your safety and well-being are our top priorities.

Ready to Embark on Your Solo Adventure?

Join BHlue Escapes and discover the world on your own terms. Our carefully crafted itineraries offer a perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion.

Visit our website BhlueEvents to learn more and book your next solo adventure.

[grapeandwinetours]

The Finest Wine Tours in Toronto.

Toronto, a busy Canadian metropolis, is not always the first destination that comes to mind when one imagines a wine tour. However, just beyond the city limits, you'll find some very remarkable wineries. Toronto wine tours might take you to quaint wineries or scenic vineyards. Discover the city's rich wine history, culture, and fervor for wine in Toronto.

Wine Tasting Niagara on the Lake is an excellent way to see the Niagara Peninsula and Prince Edward County, two of the city's neighbouring wine areas. These regions are ideal for growing grapes and making wine because of their beautiful landscape, good soils, and warm climate. Wine tour through picturesque countryside and vineyards are available as day trips from Toronto with a variety of tour operators.

Meeting enthusiastic winemakers and sommeliers who are happy to impart their knowledge is another perk of Toronto wine excursions. During Wine Tour Niagara on the Lake, these experts offer insightful comments, elucidating the intricacies and distinguishing features of each bottle. Anyone may learn more about wine, from the subtle whites to the bold reds, under the guidance of expert sommeliers.

The tastings at the end of each wine tour Toronto is the most exciting part. Famous Ontario wine styles including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir will be available for tasting. The best approach to maximize your wine knowledge, taste bud exploration, and overall enjoyment is to take part in a guided tasting session. You may improve your wine tasting abilities and discover new varietals by taking part in this engaging session.

Toronto Wine tours typically include stops in the quaint villages and towns that dot the wine regions. These neighbourhoods are great for experiencing the local culture and finding unique stores, galleries, and cafés. Participants might lose themselves in the friendly, low-key vibe that permeates these little communities.

Some winery tours include lunch in the vineyard or gourmet food pairings for those who want a more in-depth experience. The complementary flavors of the local wine and food are highlighted in these special meals. Wine Tours near Me are the best. Delectable foods, properly paired with wines, will be served, allowing guests to fully experience and enjoy the bounty of the region's cuisine.

While most Toronto wine tours visit vineyards outside the city, Toronto itself has a thriving wine industry. There is a wide variety of wines from all around the world to try in Toronto's wine bars, tasting events, and wine shops. Visiting these businesses after a wine tour is over is a great way to continue your exploration and education about wine.

In conclusion, a wine tour in Toronto is a great opportunity to experience the world of wine and learn about the history of winemaking in Ontario. These excursions provide a full-fledged wine experience, including visits to vineyards, expertly guided tastings, and visits to attractive towns for shopping and dining. A wine tour in Toronto is sure to be an enjoyable and educational experience for anybody, from the most seasoned connoisseur to the inquisitive novice. Raise a glass and take in the sights and aromas of Toronto's thriving wine scene.

[primeblogs]

10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik has something to offer everyone, from historical landmarks to relaxing on the beach or enjoying an outdoor adventure. Here are 10 things you can explore in Croatia that are sure to make your trip memorable. Explore the famous UNESCO-certified walls of Old Town and learn about the city's rich history on this guided walking tour. In the end, you can take some time to explore through the city's charming streets and marvel at its beautiful architecture. 1. Explore the Old Town The small and walkable Old Town is the heart of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of dazzling sights as well as sounds and flavors. The walls which surround the city were built over centuries to protect against war and disease. They're today a beautiful backdrop for terra-cotta roofs, Cypresses, and Stradun's main street. Walk along the walls to get the most stunning view of the medieval Dubrovnik's architecture and the stunning Adriatic Sea. The 15th century Rector's Palace is a must-see. Sponza Palace is also an absolute must-see. Go through the alleyways to discover hidden restaurants, shops and old homes. The fans of Game of Thrones will find the Old Town even more appealing in the sense that Dubrovnik was used to create King's Landing. You can take a guided tour of the Old Town to learn more about the city's past and its use as the fictional location. Go to St. Dominika Street for Cersei's walk in shame and Minceta Tower as the House of Undying. 2. Ride a cable car to Mount Srd Ascend Mount Srd, Dubrovnik's highest elevation, for stunning views. This ride of just four minutes will get you up to the top where you'll be able to observe the terracotta-roofed Old Town and the Adriatic Sea below you. Panorama Bar and restaurant with observation decks, as well as an enormous cross are situated at the top. The cable car station at the top is easily reached from the Old Town, as it's right outside the Buza Gate or Ploce Gate and clearly signposted. Another, more difficult trail is accessible at the trailhead in front of the Imperial Fort that takes around 10 to 15 minutes to climb to the top of the mountain and to see the views. Make sure you bring your camera or phone in both cases! Solar-powered charging stations can be found in the upper cable station. 3. Visit Lokrum Island, Montenegro or both in the course of a single day. The tiny town of Dubrovnik is filled with sights from the past which is why it's a smart idea to take a top-rated walking tour to ensure you've seen everything. The city's walled walls are compact but crowded, with a plethora of narrow roads and paths paved with seafood-themed restaurants, pubs and gelato shops. Just a quarter of a mile across the water is Lokrum an idyllic island that was home to Benedictine monks for nearly a millennium. The island is now a park that's car-free with a botanical park and a mansion from the 19th century that was planted by Archduke Maximilian. The most notable attraction on the island is the Temple of Blaise, a Romanesque church which houses relics including the leg, arm, and skull of a saint who is believed to have saved the city from the Venetian invasion. You can visit the close Ston Salt Pans and the Peljesac Peninsula known for its wine. 4. You can take a Boat Tour The blue waters of Dubrovnik are waiting for visitors to swim in them. It is possible to take a dip from the sandy beach or go on a cruise cruise. As the day heats up, a swim in the crystal clear sea is a perfect option to cool down. There are swimming pools within the city walls, equipped with iron ladders to assist you in jumping safely into. You can book a sunset cruise to experience an even more romantic evening. Sailing along the Adriatic on a replica 16th century karaka, drinking wine while admiring the city's historical walls, illuminated by the night sky is a fantastic opportunity to relax in the evening. Game of Thrones enthusiasts will love this option since they can visit Fort Lovrijenac where King's Landing scenes were shot. A full day boat cruise allows you to discover the islands just off the coasts of Dubrovnik. Island hop between Elafiti Islands, visit a cave on Lokrum and take in the famous Jesuit Staircase--another landmark that's sure be the focus of any GOT enthusiast. Video embeds anchors:

[bluelagooncyprus]

Discovering Latchi: The Hidden Gem of Cyprus

What is Latchi and why should you visit it

The picturesque town of Latchi is situated in South Eastern Cyprus, close to the Akamas peninsula and within easy reach of the Akamas National Park.

Although still largely undiscovered by tourists, Latchi is one of the top coastal destinations in Cyprus. It’s home to one of the most memorable beaches in Cyprus and offers a range of watersports and other activities and attractions for you to enjoy.

Latchi is a small fishing village with a seafront full of restaurants, bars, cafes and tavernas. With its white sandy beach, clear blue waters and breathtaking scenery, Latchi is perfect for relaxing and enjoying some of the Mediterranean’s finest cuisine. But what else is there to do and see in Latchi?

What to expect on a trip to Latchi

Planning a trip to Latchi? Here are some things you should keep in mind before you go!

Preparation:

If you're planning a trip to Latchi, it's a good idea to get everything ready before you go. First, make sure you book a hotel room before your trip. This will ensure you're able to get a place to stay as soon as you arrive. If you wait until the last minute to book your hotel, you risk not being able to find a place to stay at all.

Next, make sure you have your fishing gear ready before you go. Make sure you have plenty of bait, including a hook for every fish you plan to catch. Also, make sure you have some tackle boxes and nets to store your bait. Finally, make sure you have enough water bottles and sunscreen with you.

When you get to Latchi, the first thing you should do is find the marina. If you're staying at a hotel, you'll likely be instructed which marina you need to use. If not, ask the receptionist at the hotel where you should go.

Next, find somewhere to buy bait and tackle. If you don't have any of your own, go to one of the local shops where you can buy everything you need.

Finally, find somewhere to eat. If you're not sure what to eat, speak to the receptionist at your hotel and ask for a recommendation.

Fishing:

Once you've found a place to sleep, it's time to head to the marina. First, you'll need to register, as some marinas require a fee before you can use the facility. Once you register, you'll likely be provided with a fishing license as well.

Next, find some bait. If you're nervous about fishing in the open water, you may want to buy some bait. You can also use leftover bait from your last fishing trip.

Once you're ready to start fishing, find a spot to cast your line. Pay attention to where the fish are likely to be. Fish tend to swim in schools, so if you're planning to catch some fish, try casting your line near a school of fish.

Once you've found a spot to cast your line, cast out your line. Make sure you cast it out into the water, but make sure it doesn't hit anything (e.g., rocks).

Once you've cast out your line, reel it in. If you've cast your line out far enough, you should be able to catch a fish.

The best things to do and see in Latchi

Latchi is a small town on the north coast of Cyprus. Around 2,000 people live in Latchi, making it a fairly quiet town. However, there are still plenty of things to do in Latchi, making it a popular choice among tourists.

The main attractions in Latchi are the beaches. The beaches are small, sandy, and perfect for swimming. They also feature shallow waters, which is ideal if you want to take your kids to the beaches to splash around.

There are countless restaurants throughout the town. The restaurants serve traditional Cypriot food as well as a variety of other world cuisines. Some of the best places to sample traditional Cypriot food and local wines are at Danaos and Taverna Myrthia.

The highlights of Latchi, based on our experience visiting the island

Our journey to Latchi was not an easy one. It took a whole week but to be honest, it was well worth it.

As soon as we arrived we were greeted by the warm, warm temperatures. We couldn’t wait to explore. It wasn’t long before we caught the attention of the local cats. The cats were waiting for their “owners” so they could go fishing.

As we walked along and explored the island we quickly became aware that there were a lot of cats. We studied their body language and movements and they also studied ours. We became very relaxed as they approached us. We noticed they didn’t “stalk” us or get too near, just wanted us to know they were there.

As we continued to explore we noticed that there were a lot of fish in the harbour. We could see kayaks, traditional boats and luxury yachts moored there.

The bottom line - whether you should visit Latchi for yourself

Although all the beaches in Limassol are beautiful, we would recommend going to Latchi.

The beach is not the only reason why. It is a popular tourist location, so there are many hotels and restaurants in the area. It is also very close to Ayia Napa, so there are many bars and clubs there that you can visit during your stay in Limassol.

You will also get great weather in Limassol during June, which is one of the best times to visit the island.

[jovanl]

At Wine bar-shop Peninsula, Donja Banda, Pelješac, Dalmatia, Croatia. A fantastic Mare Postup 2017, pure Plavac Mali by Vinarija Bura Mrgudić and named after its winemaker: Mrs. Marija “Mare” Mrgudić, who’s also the author of two of the wines served at President Biden’s inauguration dinner. Dark purple. Prevalence of red fruit (mostly raspberry). Full body, good acidity, balance about perfect. Amazingly long finish with a persistence of liquorice and herbal notes. 97 pts.

Photo on the left: August 2020 (iPhone 8). Photo on the right: September 2019 (iPhone SE)

[calabria-mediterranea]

9 Stunning Medieval Perched Villages in Calabria, Italy

A world above the cities and magnificent beaches, the magic of Calabria, the southernmost region of the Italian peninsula, is found more in its perched villages than its monuments.

If you think you’ve already seen Italy because you’ve been to Rome, Venice, and Milan, you made an impressive dent in the culture of the country’s cities but you missed a lot of its magic. Atop Italy’s many mountains, in various states of decay and preservation, hundreds of villages remain from the middle ages (and earlier). Every one of them is a photographer’s paradise of snaking alleys and frenetically stacked houses with killer views, and many have fantastic beaches below, but each of them has a distinct personality worth discovering. It’s within these villages that you’ll truly come to know the Italian people and culture much more than in the crowded cities (and you’ll definitely get more invites to nonna’s house for homemade pasta).

Altomonte

Perched above the Esaro River valley, surrounded by mountains and overlooking lake streams, the medieval village of Altomonte is so prized by Italian brides for its pristine views and romantic architecture that it’s been dubbed “the wedding city.” Not getting married? You can still find romance (of the historical variety) with a stay in a 12th-century castle that’s now a hotel, or a visit to Renaissance-era library in a Dominican monastery. While the village stays current with music festivals and even modern art spaces, it’s truly the past that keeps Altomonte alive and high atop the list of Italy’s most beautiful villages.

Amantea

Famous for its chocolate-covered figs, Amantea dates back to the 7th century and boasts Byzantine castle ruins at its highest point. Winding down the hillside through the old village, you’ll find a 15th-century church with a sea view worthy of the divine—the perfect place to stop and indulge in the village’s traditional pistachio gelato. At the bottom, there’s nearly a mile of modern shops leading straight to Amantea’s coastline and its seemingly endless beach lined with the occasional bar and plenty of beach volleyball matches.

Badolato

High atop Mt. Saint Nicholas in Calabria is the thousand-year-old village of Badolato Superiore. With about 200 full-time residents, much of the village is empty but this no ghost town. A handful of engaged community groups, in conjunction with the local government, are actively renovating centuries-old houses and restoring them to upscale homes.

Today, a colorful cast of international transplants makes up a fair percentage of the village’s residents, but Badolato remains authentic Calabrian to its core. Italian moms still hand-roll pasta in restaurant kitchens, labyrinthine alleyways confound and amaze as they wrap up and around the mountainside through impossibly thin openings, and the siesta is a well-honored afternoon mandate.

Bova

Three thousand feet up with views of the Ionian Sea and Mt. Etna, it’s no wonder that Bova has been occupied since Neolithic times, sought and conquered by the Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, and Normans (among others) in its pre-Italian history. Dozens of noteworthy churches and palazzos speckle the village, but the castle ruins offer an astounding panoramic view worth climbing for.

For something out of the ordinary among Italy’s mountaintop offerings, check out Bova’s paleontology museum. And if you’ve ever dreamed of a palace made of wine, be sure to visit Palazzo Nesci. Local lore holds that the palazzo’s red stones are a result of a water shortage during construction, prompting the masons to use wine instead.

Fiumefreddo Bruzio

A mouthful to say, Fiumefreddo Bruzio has plenty more than its name to stuff your mouth with. While the chili pepper reigns supreme throughout most of the Southern Italy, cheese takes a strong second place here. From provolone to ricotta, this village specializes in a boatload of cheeses, but the most unique is filiciata, a soft cheese served in fern leaves. After a day of eating, climb the castle ruins for a dreamy sunset over the Tyrrhenian Sea, seen through crumbling windows originally shaped in 1201.

Gerace

Gerace is perched on a 1600-foot mass of sea fossils 60 million years old, and that’s pretty cool.

Gerace’s castle was constructed as early as the 900s and most of the surrounding medieval town remains intact, including over 100 churches and buildings carved directly out of the surrounding rock. Another excellent wine producer (with vineyards originally planted by Ancient Greeks), Gerace is also known for its ceramics, which make great souvenirs. Though Gerace claims awesome sea views, like most of the mountaintop towns in Italy, the beach is actually six miles from this sky-high perch—a testament to the clear skies and pristine vistas of Calabria.

Morano Calabro

Italy’s calendar of religious festivals is more than overcrowded—it’s overrun with them. But for events of a more unique variety, the red-roofed village of Morano Calabro has some quirkier options ranging from a folklore festival to the banner-waving festival, complete with medieval reenactments. If you arrive between festivals, there’s plenty of twisty-turny exploration to uncover, and a couple must-sees like the 5th-century monastery of San Bernadino and the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, whose brilliantly tiled cupola can be seen from just about anywhere in the center of Morano Calabro.

Pentedattilo

A 1783 earthquake drew most of Pentedattilo’s population away from its mountaintop perch, and it finally reached total abandonment in the 1960s. The ghost town remained untouched until the 1980s when international Europeans began restoring a small portion of the village. Today, some of the streets and buildings have been restored by these multinationals, and the village is secured enough to host an annual summer fest and even a film festival. Still, most of the village sits as it has for ages, an empty setting rife for adventure, particularly alluring at night when it is dramatically lit from below.

Stilo

Stilo’s history dates back over two thousand years and its Calabrian surroundings are so beautiful that monks carved rooms and churches out of the natural rocks to set up life here. By the 10th century, proper churches were on the scene, and one of Italy’s most famous Byzantine examples, Chiesa dell’Annunziata, still stands on the ancient Greek temple columns borrowed for its construction. Stilo is a small village, but the charm of its winding lanes and storied arches revealing views of olive groves, vineyards, and the Ionian Sea make it well worth a stop on any village itinerary.

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

[mansillateam]

Madison Square Park Tower

45 E 22nd St, Apt: 40A, New York NY

$6,750,000

A soaring sun-lit condo graced with panoramic views of Manhattan and the Upper Bay, this stunning 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom corner home is an exemplar of modern Flatiron luxury. Features of this 2,414 sq. ft. apartment include dark oak hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling curtain wall windows, airy 10.5 ft. ceilings, a state-of-the-art Kraus home automation system, bathrooms with radiant heated floors, an in-home washer/dryer, triple exposure, and views of 1 WTC, the Empire State Building, and the Hudson River.

A welcoming entryway adorned with a convenient coat closet flows into a massive open-concept living room, dining room, and kitchen with northern and eastern exposure and commanding city views. The windowed galley-style kitchen is equipped with custom Molteni countertops, sleek Bleu de Savoie marble countertops and backsplashes, an eat-in peninsula, and a suite of high-end fully-integrated appliances from Miele and Sub-Zero. A chic wet bar with a built-in wine fridge and a utility sink serves the living and dining space.

The primary bedroom possesses a walk-through closet, incredible Lower Manhattan views, and a windowed en-suite bathroom with Vermont Danby marble surfaces, double sinks, Waterworks fixtures, a step-in shower, and an elegant soaking tub. The second bedroom has a large reach-in closet and easy access to a second full bathroom, while the third bedroom has a windowed en-suite, a private closet, and northern exposure.

Madison Park Tower is a luxury condominium nestled between Gramercy and Madison Square Park. It is moments from trendy restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, and is close to Union Square, NoMad, and Chelsea. The building offers residents an incredible amenities package that includes building staff, a Wright Fit fitness center, a basketball court, a yoga room, a boxing suite, a children’s playroom, a library, a kitchenette, a game room, multiple entertainment spaces and lounges, and an outdoor terrace with grilling stations. Nearby subway lines include the R/W/5/6. Pets are welcome.

Visit www.mansillateam.com

Listing: @NathanPFrank

Visit NestSeekers.com, WebID: 1822158

[rileammond]

Avenue south residence

Whereas New Tampa may bring to mind a tangle of disconnected, albeit beautiful, new master-planned communities and big box shopping outlets and malls, South Tampa brings to mind a unique combination of gracious, established, character-rich neighborhoods and urban sophistication. South Tampa is not a community proper; instead, it comprises the upper and lower Tampa peninsula and is home to McDill Air Force Base, the University of Tampa as well as many thriving commercial districts and well-established residential communities south of West Kennedy Boulevard, such as the notable Hyde Park, Bayshore Boulevard and Ballast Point.

Shopping and Dining As one resident said, "If I can't find it in South Tampa, I figure I don't really need it." The area is home to a plethora of top notch restaurants, trendy fashion boutiques and hip bars, particularly along the palm-lined streets of SoHo, Hyde Park and Palma Ceia.

Dining out tops the to-do lists of most locals, and there is no shortage of great restaurants to choose from. Bern's Steak House on South Howard Avenue is Tampa's most prestigious and well-known dining affair, esteemed for its Rococo-style décor, mammoth steaks and a wine cellar stocked with more than 6,500 labels from around the globe. Tour the kitchen and cellar, if you wish. And then, after dinner, retire upstairs to an intimate, subdued "dessert room" where specialty coffees, fresh fruit, desserts and great cheeses flow along with aged cognacs, liqueurs, sipping whiskies and dessert wines from around the world.

South Tampa is also well-known for its selection of ethnic eateries, including The Byblos Café on MacDill Avenue. Avenue south residence  Byblos is well known locally for its authentic Lebanese atmosphere, complete with Middle Eastern music and Belly Dancers, as well as for its Middle Eastern wait staff and incredible food: lamb chops, kabobs and Lebanese wine, to name a few. Or perhaps French-Vietnamese is more your style; in that case, head over to Restaurant BT on Snow Avenue in Old Hyde Park Village, their motto is Eat, Drink, Love. Sample authentic bo tai chanh, lamb stew, duck in orange sauce, tuna sashimi or "langoustines a la BT", jumbo marinated crustaceans grilled on sugar cane.

Other favorites include 717, Ceviche and Cellini's, which is in the Ballast Point neighborhood just off Bayshore Boulevard south of Gandy. Cellini's serves up fresh breads, Italian specialties and its namesake: the Cellini Pizza, topped with calamati olives, mushrooms, tomatoes and cheeses. Would you like to do a little shopping? Shopping opportunities, as with dining, abound. Not only are major malls within reach; so, too, are many boutiques and specialty shops. Deborah Kent's on Dale Mabry Highway is one such stop; owner Deborah Skyrms regularly travels to New York, Paris, Milan and Los Angeles in search of international couture, from which she hand-picks with her stylish customers in mind. The Pink Palm on South Dale Mabry is another must-see, offering colorful sunshine and beach prints, embroidered jeans and lots of suede.

Other great, local shopping experiences include Whaley's Market on South Howard, the Village Health Market on McDill and The Fresh Market on Henderson. Whaley's has been in business since 1932; it is the area's wholesale farmer's market, offering high quality meats, seafood delicacies and the freshest fruits, sandwiches and ready-to-go entrees in the area.

[wasted-bois]

Alcohol in Malaysia

Alcohol in Malaysia alludes to the consumption, industry and laws of alcohol in the Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia. Despite the fact that Malaysia is a Muslim larger part nation, the nation allows the selling of alcohol to non-Muslims. There are no cross country alcohol boycotts being upheld in the nation, except for Kelantan and Terengganu which is just for Muslims.The Islamic party there regard the privileges of non-Muslims with non-Muslim foundations like Chinese cafés and staple shops being barred from such bans.The government domain of Kuala Lumpur has the most elevated alcohol consumption in the nation, trailed by the conditions of Sarawak in runner up and Sabah in third spot.

In light of a report delivered by International Organization of Good Templars (IOGT) in 2016, Malaysia has the third most elevated assessment on alcohol worldwide at 15%, behind Norway and Singapore which are predicted to keep increasing.The nation has the tenth biggest populace of alcohol users worldwide, with a yearly spending of RM2 billion on alcoholic drinks.Prior to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Malaysia along with Vietnam intends to drop import taxes on lager, whiskey and other alcoholic drinks.

The historical backdrop of nearby alcoholic drinks in the nation are mostly packed in the island of Borneo as the indigenous people in the island have been customarily drinking a home-made rice wine called tuak and tapai in their mutual social events and gather celebrations of Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan.The consumption in the Malay Peninsula in the interim are less since the Malay sultanates there sticks to Islamic standards with respect to alcohol.[7] But following the appearance of alcoholic drinks from the Western world to Malay Archipelago in the seventeenth century when European pioneer dealers started to interact with the people in the archipelago, some neighborhood Malay populace begin to taste wine brought by the Portuguese and Dutch and this was proceeded until the appearance of British until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.The appearance of Indian works in British estates during the frontier times denotes the presentation of "drink" creation by the Indian people group, too with the appearance of Chinese workers on British mines who deliver and present their own alcoholic drink, for example, "samsu" to the nearby network. The British additionally carried their own drinking conventions with the presentation of lager and bold. In the 1930, the principal distillery was set up in neighboring British Singapore.

[roswellroamer]

Day 22. February 20, 2020. Kaikōura to Akaroa to Leithfield. 410km. 4932km total = 3065 miles.

Today the clouds were back but no rain was in the forecast so we went down the hill into town and I ordered a cappuccino and a lemon blueberry muffin to start the day at Pot Belly bakery. We chatted a little back at the hotel with a crew of 6 Harley folks from Wellington on 3 bikes. They were planning a New Orleans to Vero ride in October so we made a few suggestions. Made friends with a gigantic tame rabbit at the hotel before riding out around 9. It was a straight shot down the coast about 4 hours on the main Hwy 1 (I-95 equivalent) but this main artery has lots of construction, flag men stops, cattle on the road! Even in Christchurch there are red lights and lots of traffic circles. We had heard about the beauty of the Akaroa peninsula just SE of CHC and though it made for a big day, we rode through wine country and lots of farmland to slip into moderate traffic through CHC. Hard to believe this is the last day! As we venture onto the peninsula the road empties and we are chasing the sunshine. Cloudy until arriving here, the sun and colors emboldened by its rays lit up our windy curves along the coast. Apparently cruise ships pull into Akaroa for the views and beauty. A couple more construction zones and a nice flag man who let us roar up the hillside to catch up with the recently dismissed line of waiting cars and trucks. The last 10kms toward Akaroa scales the scenic mountains as we intersected with the well known Summit Rd. Unfortunately this road took us to the eastern bays of the peninsula in the opposite direction from where we needed to return our bikes back in Leithfield. As it was, our expected return was around 3PM today and we didn't have time to explore Summit Rd. today. We were literally arrested by the view as we rounded the corner and saw the view at Hilltop Tavern. We pulled in as if ensnared and parked by another biker who was equally spellbound. Top pic above. We lounged and I enjoyed a salmon pizza (pic) and a Coke but mostly the view which is saying something because the pizza was excellent! A fairly tame sheep made laps along the fence line on 6" of flattened earth munching the numerous tufts of grass and enjoying the occasional scratching by diners. Opportunistic sparrows awaited your lack of attention to claim any unattended food. It was around 68° and just a great way to wrap up the ride.

The cruise back to Leithfield was smooth, in and out of the traffic circles as the reality of the trip's end hits. What an adventure. What a beautiful country. Easy to enjoy, geared for tourism, US dollar is strong here but sort of a long ride to get here. Worth it if you can make it happen! No problems checking in the bike and Kiwi (Carrie) was kind enough to again ferry us back to town, this time to the brand new Novotel at the airport. It wasn't even open when I booked it 5 months ago. It is a primo Novotel. We drove past the US Antarctic center where most all flights to and from our base originate. Carrie said she thought it was actually considered US soil, a la Normandy. There were 4 USAF C-130 aircraft with their newfangled curves props on the tarmac and some other jet. We also enjoyed riding there with our new Norwegian friend Per, who returned his bike and was also booked at the appropriately named Novotel. My room was so nice. Soundproof glass in a corner with views on two sides and seriously less than 200 yards to both the control tower and the Emirates A380 loading up with passengers. I went to the airport to do a little shopping since I didn't think they would be open at 4AM the next morning (wrong). Went back and met Ted and Per at the bar to enjoy the view and watch the world's largest commercial aircraft lumber down the strip and lift off surprisingly quickly. Felt like a little kid. ✈️ 😳 A spectacular dinner for me included dumplings followed by rack of lamb, garlic mashed, Caesar salad. Really a great last dinner in this fine land weirdly punctuated by the unexplained disappearance of our server, Imogen. Halfway through the meal we noticed she wasn't around. After a bit we asked other servers to have her come by, only to be met with shrugs that they didn't know where she had gone. Never found while we were there! 🤷‍♂️ A relatively early night since alarms were set for 3:30. Wrapping this now at the airport all checked in waiting for first leg to Sydney. Then on to LA, somehow landing before I left due to the date line weirdness and then on home to ATL. Glad to be done writing, what a commitment from folks who do it daily but also glad to have followed through and captured just some of the events, feelings and silly things from this journey. Great place to ride! Peace, out. ✌️ 🏍 🇳🇿 🇺🇸

PS. Back in ATL now. Though 30 hours of traveling couldn't have gone smoother. If you are one of the folks reading this along the way. Thanks for making the time to share my NZ adventure with me as it unfolded. Comfort class with an extra seat made a nice difference on the 13 hour leg from SYD to LAX. Flew right over the harbor and got good shots of town and the opera house. Nice to be home, too. Until the next adventure. ... 🇳🇴

[tanninsrp]

site preview

hi all! we’re back with our second preview. we’ll have another couple coming to you soon as well. below the cut you’ll find some general information about paris as well as arrondissement descriptions that’ll be part of our site encyclopedia.  it’ll be presented a little differently on the site, but the information  below will remain the same. 

GENERAL OVERVIEW

as the capital of france, paris boasts a population and counting of over two million residents. the city of paris is often described as two-fold. there is paris “proper” which designates the historical city and its 20 arrondissesments, and then the paris metropolitan area that includes the suburbs surrounding paris. 

paris-proper does not include skyscrapers, the notable exception is the tour montparnasse and it’s the only skyscraper built in the middle of the city. the building height in paris-proper is limited to the height of 19th century buildings, roughly 10 floors, and most apartment buildings, built by haussmann during the napoleonic era, are six stories tall and tend to be either reserved as luxury homes in the 1st and 6th arrondissement, or are divided in miserly studio apartments.

these building restrictions are to preserve the historical cahcet of the city but also has been the reason the city cannot accommodate the growing population. the housing crisis in paris has been going on for over a century and has not improved since. it is the second most expensive city to live in in the world and anyone living on middle-class wages would either be doing so within the city walls by sharing an apartment or living in substandard conditions. it is not uncommon for students, struggling artists, or performers to occupy shared rooms and small apartments through illegal subletting to cut living costs. 

outside paris-proper lies the outer metropolitan parisian suburbs. these range from the chic saint-gratien and sanois, where one can enjoy the tranquility of a nice house and space galore, to the lower-socioeconomic areas like argenteuil, saint-denis and cour-neuve. poverty piles up in the french version of subsidized housing units known as les cités, these are tower complexes where families share the life of an impoverished community leading to any and all excesses such pressures can induce. the outer suburbs are linked to paris-proper by train system, the RER. 

THE ARRONDISSEMENT SYSTEM

the twenty arrondissements refer to the twenty subdivisions of paris-proper. they are arranged in the form of a clockwise spiral (often likened to a snail shell), starting from the middle of the city, with the first on the right bank (north bank) of the seine. the smaller the number of the arrondissement, the older and more historical the area is. 

first - also known as the ‘premier’ arrondissement. the heart of the city carries some parts of the right bank such as les halles, which has been there since the middle ages. in addition, a large part of this arrondissement is occupied by the louvre and tuileries garden. the central arrondissement is one of the smaller and least populated of all paris. however, what the area lacks in full-time population it certainly makes up for in sheer tourist numbers. 

second - known as ‘bourse’ the second arrondissement of the city is the financial one and as such, is home to the parisian stock exchange as well as a myriad of banks and financial institutions. bourse is also the smallest of all arrondissements. bourse is also home to the textile district, sentier and has the highest concentration of covered passages that the city has to offer. these 19th-century built commercial lanes are often covered in beautiful art nouveau façades.

third - the old jewish quarter or ‘temple’ as it is also known is a lively and trendy district, with many faces. you will find lots of high-end art galleries close to beaubourg (which is in the fourth arrondissement). while its winding old streets are full of vintage shops and beautiful hôtel particuliers. temple is also home to the first chinese community in the city as well as museums such as the picasso museum, carnavalet museum, and musée des arts et métiers.

fourth - home to the lively part of le marais; an area filled with bars, clubs, and restaurants which remain open into the early hours of the morning. with a plethora of beautiful and historic architecture throughout this arrondissement it also has top tourist attractions like notre dame, and centre georges pompidou. the fourth arrondissement has a growing lgbtqi+ population living in the area with many spaces for the community. 

fifth - a district known worldwide for its history and culture, with sights like the panthéon, the roman arenas (les arènes de lutèce) and the cluny museum. it is also known as the latin quarter of the city, the fifth arrondissement of paris is well-known for its vintage cinema screenings and as a hub of student nightlife. this area is home to some of paris’ most prestigious universities (sorbonne), colleges and high schools. 

sixth - known for its famous quartier saint-germain-des-prés, a meeting place for students, artists, and intellectuals during the twenties. visitors come here looking for this long since disappeared atmosphere and are ready to pay ridiculous prices in places like cafe de flore or cafe les deux magots. six is home to luxembourg gardens, saint sulpice church, and nice winding streets. it is also a great district for foodies in paris, as well as luxury boutiques and art galleries, with plenty of tourists ready to empty their wallets here. 

seventh -  home to the upper-class since the seventeenth century when it became the new residence of french highest nobility. this bourgeois district has the eiffel tower, invalides, and lagerfeld; as well as big avenues with beautiful hôtels particuliers transformed into embassies. the only lively part which deserves a mention are the streets around rue de bac, at quartier sèvres-babylone, full of nice haute-couture and prêt-à-porter shops. 

eighth - this is the district of fashion and luxury symbolized by the famous “golden triangle” formed by rue montaigne, rue george v and avenue des champs-élysées. the eighth arrondissement is ultra luxe and undeniably elegant. it is one of paris’ main business quartiers, the current executive branch of french government is based here as well as the élysée palace, where the french president resides.

ninth - from the red-light district of pigalle to opéra garnier, this is a trendy and historic area with its old cafes, offices and haussmannian architecture where you can still can find a true neighborhood life and culture. the streets around st. lazare were parisian central for impressionists. today, the early 19th-century architecture and lovely courtyards have been discreetly preserved. but, watch your safety on rue saint denis.

tenth - one of the trendiest districts in paris, linked to canal saint-martin waterway and iron footbridges. this is a district of bobos (bohemian-bourgeois parisians), with agreeable cafes and vintage shops. it is also the district of two major train stations: gare du nord and gare de l’est. it boasts an always busy and popular atmosphere with a lot of bars at rue de faubourg saint-denis. 

eleventh - this arrondissement is one of the most densely populated and urban. with neighborhoods like bastille and oberkampf filled with expats, “hipsters” and young parisians. nightlife is booming, but in a street alley kind of way (don’t expect red carpets). you want to fit in with the urban crowd, explore little wine bars and tiny bistrots on avenue ledru rollin and rue de charonne.

twelfth - the park district of paris. home of parc floral, bois de vincennes, and parc de bercy. it is one of the more residential areas and has more affordable housing than a lot of other arrondissements. a very sleepy district, this quartier went through a major transformation in recent years, and now has modern shops and arena in bercy. you’ll also see opéra de la bastille – the second largest opera house in paris is also a much more modern architecture compared to opera garnier.

thirteenth - a kind of no man’s land with a very popular character and a strong chinese population. this district of paris has some cool things to see and do like the arty butte-aux-cailles neighborhood, some quintessential paris bistros or its incredible street art. the mural program in thirteen has invited the most renowned street artists in the world to give some color to this district of paris. 

fourteenth - a predominantly residential quartier that carries a sleepy charm. home to many artists around the world and “the breton” (northwesterners of france) community, this area may be residential but also has many vibrant cafes on boulevard du montparnasse and the rue daguerre. it is also home to parc montsouris, one of the most beautiful parks in paris, as well as the catacombs. 

fifteenth - another residential area where locals aren’t too keen on its 1970s high-rises, hence they’ve coined the term moche grenelle (ugly grenelle) to describe parts of the area. located on the left bank of the seine, this arrondissement is home to the likes of the pont bir-hakeim, as well as several parks, notably that of andré-citroën. definitely a family district, very quiet, with no special character, and a long way from everything.

sixteenth - locals call it le seizième, due to the affluent population in the french pop culture. it is the parisian version of new york’s upper east side or london’s kensington. here, you’ll see the most prestigious residential areas in paris and the most luxurious hotels, like the peninsula hotel, and hotel raphael. sixteen also welcomes the french open tennis grand slam every spring. don’t be surprised if you run into an expat family in which the parents have been relocated to work in france. 

seventeenth - this district is formed by three very different neighborhoods: merchant quartier de ternes, bourgeois quartier monceau, and arty quartier de batignolles. the 17th is known for batignolles district that was originally outside of paris until napoleon iii included it as part of the city in 1860. a group of artists such as édouard manet based in this area to make a name for themselves by painting scenes of cafes. much like the 15th arrondissement, this area is slightly less touristy than many of the others.

eighteenth - this is the most paradoxical of arrondissements in paris. it is home to montmartre, the quintessential neighborhood in paris, but there are also popular zones long forgotten by everybody like little india, africa, and the infamous goutte d’or neighborhood. with strong bohemian roots it was a gathering place for composers, writers and artists to live in a commune and draw inspiration from the area. many have made their mark here, including: salvador dalí, amedeo modigliani,claude monet, piet mondrian, pablo picasso and vincent van gogh.

nineteenth - a former industrial area developed along canal de l’ourcq. today it is a very popular district with a strong mix of immigrants and a very parisian soul at the same time. it is home to two wonderful parks, parc buttes-chaumont, and parc de la villette. a primarily residential district also known for its world renowned music schools, conservatoire de paris and the philharmonie de paris, both part of the cité de la musique.

twentieth - a few years ago, this was the cheapest district in paris, that’s why so many young parisian couples with lower budgets came here to live. today it is one of the trendiest and most authentic districts of paris and all this without tourists! best known for being home to père lachaise cemetery, there are not many other tourist sites here. however, it has cool cafes, bars, some street art and parc de belleville offers some of the best views of the city of light.

[winesocialclub]

Istria Croatia

It was Harvest time, when I was invited to join dear friends and excellent winemakers from Friuli, the Butussi family, on a visit to some family in Istria.. Istria forms the western-most peninsula of Croatia. We started off in an area that is so often compared to Tuscany, Momjan and its soft rolling hills, Cypress trees and gorgeous oak forests are certainly reminiscent of the Tuscany I know and love. Istria is famed for it’s tourism offer with charming seaside towns and hilltop villages, the region produces notable wines, olive oils and truffles  along with abundant fresh seafood and I was lucky enough to taste all of  these on day one. The area is also famed for its outdoor adventures, sailing, paragliding, mountain-biking which draws many visitors to this beautiful region.

Some Geography

The geographical features of Istria include the Učka mountain ridge, which is the highest portion of the Ćićarija mountain range; the rivers Dragonja, Mirna, Pazinčica, and Raša; and the Lim bay and valley. Istria lies in three countries: Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. The largest portion (89%) lies in Croatia. "Croatian Istria" is divided into two counties, the larger being Istria County in western Croatia. Important towns in Istria County include Pula/Pola, Poreč/Parenzo, Rovinj/Rovigno, Pazin/Pisino, Labin/Albona, Umag/Umago, Motovun/Montona, Buzet/Pinguente, and Buje/Buie. Smaller towns in Istria County include Višnjan, Roč, and Hum.

The northwestern part of Istria lies in Slovenia: it is known as Slovenia Istria and includes the coastal municipalities of Piran/Pirano, Izola/Isolaand Koper/Capodistria, and the Karstic municipality.

North of Slovenian Istria, there is a tiny portion of the peninsula that lies in Italy, This smallest portion of Istria consists of the comunesof Muggia and San Dorligo della Valle, with Santa Croce (Trieste) lying farthest to the north.

Central Istria (Pazin) has a continental climate  

The northern (Slovenian and Italian) coast of Istria (Ankaran, Koper, Izola, Muggia) has a sub-Mediterranean climate.

The western and southern coast (Piran, Portorož, Novigrad, Rovinj, Pula) has a mediterranean climate  

The eastern coast (Rabac, Labin, Opatija) has a sub-Mediterranean climate with oceanic influences.

The warmest places are Pula and Rovinj while the coldest is Pazin

Precipitation is moderate, with between 640 and 1,020 mm (25 and 40 in) falling in the coastal areas, and up to 1,500 mm (60 in) in the hills.

  Winemaking

The four princes of Istrian wine are:

Teran a tannic,  robust  red with high acidity  that has surprising complexity.

Borgonja

 The ancient grape famed beyond Croatian borders, Malvazija ,which Istria is justifiably proud of. Grown here for centuries, its pale golden yellow colour with elderflower on the nose and a refreshing aroma.

Then the sweet  Muscat from Momjan used for those dessert wines.

Most of the larger estates also cultivate international varieties such as Chardonnay Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot and Cabernet Franc for their wine range.

 Our first stop was at Winemakers the Markezic family, who have been making unique terroir wines here since 1891, at   Kabola  Winery at Momjan on the  Istrian wine route. Their property is a dream with ancient  sprawling oaks around the property  that stand guard over the traditional  stone homestead, featuring an excellent  cellar, the wine shop, tasting room, and  a small museum dedicated to wine and wine making process. Rolling hills with vineyards 270m above sea level, nestled between indigenous  forests.  

 Kabola Winery use amphorae buried underground for fermenting the Malvaziaj wine. The perfect combination of soil, climate and winemaking passion. Wonderful hospitality and there were so many amazing wines, from sparkling whites to muscley reds and  right through to orange wines. I took away their excellent Amfora Malvazija 2009  wine.  An excellent start to my trip in Istria.

 The Momjan area makes for an excellent vantage point, on a clear day you can see both the glistening Adriatic Sea and the nearby alps. Cool nights and distant sea breezes make for some really delicious wines.

 For Winery visits. Kanedolo 90, Momjan Buje t: +385 99 7207 106. info@kabola.hr     Closed on Sundays.

  Close by is the charming winery-centered village of Brtonigla where I was staying over for a few days to explore the area. The local boutique hotel is of a high standard and all the winemakers have a relationship with it., making my job of tasting all the wines I wanted to experience but didn’t have time to visit, a lot easier.

Second visit was to Veralda a large modern winery with a substantial production, 33 hectares of vineyards and 5 hectates of olives located on the sunny hills of Buje, that is sent all over Croatia. Owned by the Visintin family the wines are well known in the region   Here I tasted the whole range including the intense reds and was fortunate to be invited by the winemaker’s family to join them for a fresh truffle pasta freshly prepared with the fortunate pairing of the Veralda Rose which was a Decanter winner of which the winery was justifiably proud.   Notable was the red Istrian made from the indigenous Istrian variety Refosco. Intense deep red colour with violet hints with raspberries, dark chocolate tobacco and cinnamon with a good expression of round, velvety tannins and long finish.   

 For Winery visits, Krsin 4, 52474 Brtoniglia

  The Kozlovic winery located in stunning scenery in Buje with a unique architectural style to the modern winery, is a well-known winery with a tradition of making unique wines that stand for quality and the particular twist of Istrian wines.  Later Over dinner, we sampled their flagship Malvazija and the excellent Teran. Paired with local fish and steak respectively.

 For Winery visits:  Vale Momjan 78     52460 Buje

    Day three saw me visit a Long-standing family winefarm and winery, Cattunar near Brtoniglia . The Cattunar family have been flying the flag for Istrian wine where  Father Franko and his son, with the hospitality assistance of their wives and extended family, run an excellent winery and offer regular tastings of their wines of autotonous grapes also and international varieties in an elevated position 5kms from the sea.  I tasted my way through their wines looking out over the 56  hectares they farm carefully and with transparence.  Istrian grapes like Malvazija, Teran, Muskat Momjanski and Muscat rose and also have  substantial international vineyards.

 Catunnar Wines.. here its hard to choose but certainly the standouts were the 4 soils Malvazija wines, each one grown on different parcels and vinified separately so the red soil, the white, the black, the grey each with a particular something, all  so very drinkable, with a mineral quality and white flower  finish but so fresh and vivid with layers of complexity.

Franko Cattunar also makes a lovely sparkling with his chardonnay which we started on and then lead up to the stunning multi-layered Teran with its nicely firm but integrated tannins and then Cabernet and also beautifully made Merlot, which was a surprise.

This visit to Cattunar was a highlight and as I sat later that evening  in the sailboat dock in the nearby town of  Novigrad  with my feet in the gently  lapping waves watching the sunset with an array of local wines and a few orange wines on offer, I knew I had only scratched the surface and that I would be back to explore more of this amazing place and its unique terroir wines.

For winery visits: Nova Vas 94 52474 Brtonigla      info@vina-cattunar.hr

    Recommended visits.

 Roxanich winery  in Motovun  are pioneers in the  unfiltered, unadulterated long-macerated wine scene, Mladen Roxanich was producing natural local wines and orange wines long before it was trendy and each year at Raw in London I made sure to visit them.  The Super Istrian 2009 is simply amazing.

 Bruno Trapan  is the new generation of winemakers in a style all their own, and making big waves along with  Damjanic wines. Robi Damjanic near Porec  is one of Istria’s youngest winemakers leading the charge into the future. Then Matosevic and his pioneering aging of Malvazija in acacia rather than oak.  I can’t give an exhaustive list of the superstars and their stories, but these must be visited.

Dobravac Winery in the Rovinj region they produce a range of wines again from sparkling to dessert wines.

Near Umag in the north CUJ wines are produced by the Kraljevic family in the village of Farnazine.

Pilato’s winemaking tradition goes back to 1934 and the family winery in Istria is well known.

Degrassi produces some amazing wines too and I was surprised by the blend of Malvazija, chardonnay , sauvignon blanc and Viognier.

These are some, there are many others.

   Novigrad, Rovinj and even the smaller towns all have numerous wine bars where you can stop over and taste the wines paired with local cold cuts and cheeses.  There is also so much for the taster’s family to do, shopping in fascinating cobblestone towns and villages, layers and layers of interesting wine and food culture. On offer, is sailing, windsurfing, fishing, boating, and relaxing on beaches with refreshing and delicious chilled wines and seafood at hand.  The third weekend in September is the festival of grapes in Buje.

The Istrian peninsula and those unicorn wines call me back. 

Donna Amanda Jackson