A Sicilian lunch in the shade of the fig and carub tree ...

On the tail end of an epic Italian road trip {following roads less traveled from Toscana through Campania and Basilicata to Calabria} we eventually boarded a ferry to our final destination ~ Sicilia!
After a day of exploring Mount Etna's lush green valleys {& savoring the ultimate pistachio gelato in the pistachio capital Bronte}, we took in Catania, wandering its amazing fish market and exploring its baroque sights.

And in Catania we met up with our friend Luca for an exploration of Sicilia's South, stunning Siracusa and the Val di Noto, slowly making our way West - and eventually arriving at Il Paradiso, his family's enchanted summer house outside his hometown Mazara del Vallo ...

A wild coast escape and Thanksgiving at Big Sur Bakery

thanksgiving dinner at big sur bakery

A last minute escape from the holiday rush. Three unseasonably warm days along Big Sur's rugged coast filled with coastal hikes, beach picnics - and a cozy Thanksgiving dinner at Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant, a longtime roadside favorite on this wild stretch of California coast.

Coffee at Casa de Kokomo ...

On last week's desert road trip we detoured high up into the rugged canyons of Joshua Tree, to check in with Klaus and catch up over strong Mexican coffee - just loved his infinite desert vistas:

Travel : a Big Sur road trip & dinner at Big Sur Bakery

Three days in Big Sur & Ventana Wilderness.
Roadside stop at Big Sur Bakery for fresh baked provisions, windy back roads in search of the perfect campsite, steak cooked over an open fire, a starry night, brewing coffee under the oak tree, morning drive to a hidden California mission, off-road excursion to higher elevations, moon rise over the Pacific Ocean, sunny breakfast in the meadow, a steep hike with endless views, post-hike drinks at Nepenthe and great dinner at Big Sur Bakery ...