About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Monday, May 30, 2011

T is for Taormina and Tuscany

Taormina, a small town on the east coast of Sicily, was the ultimate of my Italian trip in 2006! Our guide saved it for last in order to give us all the most splendid of memories to take home with us. Situated on the Ionian Sea, it boasts warm beaches and spectacular views of Mount Etna, which kindly gave us a display of smoke and fire on our first evening. Also, the Teatro Greco is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, still used today for opera, theater, and concerts. You may have heard of the author Truman Capote...He wrote of his stay in Taormina between April 1950 and September 1951 in his essay "Fontana Vecchia." Tuscany, a region in central Italy, is known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy, and its influence on high culture. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I arrived in the fall of 2006 and kept my camera at the ready for all the photo ops that popped up everywhere I turned. The people are welcoming, the food is scrumptious, the wine flows, and views are incredible. Cities and villages are equally exciting wih all their stories of times past, especially of the Etruscans, who created the first major civilisation in this region. Our group stopped at a vineyard for some photos ops and we were lucky to have our own picture taken by someone passing by. We visited a winery and sampled several varieties, to the point where we were all feeling a tad tipsy. This is one of my favourite shots of me wine tasting.

Without a doubt, the region of Tuscany and the town of Taormina were the highlights of my trip to Italy in 2006. I wouldn't hesitate to return some day, preferably renting a villa and car somewhere so that I could feel a real part of the country and the people. There is also a place where I'd like to take a week-long course in photography. And although I do not consider myself a cook by any means, it might be fun to take a cooking course for a day. Finally, I'd like to see more of the museums and art galleries and absorb as much of the culture as possible. Never been? It's a must if at all possible!

23 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

These are two names that have always resonated with me, Leslie. Your photos are super, and the one with the flower pots in the foreground is superb.
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Russell said...

Wow ..! What beautiful country!

Johanna told me you had gone to Alaska so I wanted to stop by and see if you had posted some pictures - and I am glad you did!

That is certainly big country and an area I would enjoy seeing one of these years.

I live in the Midwest in wide open and very flat country -- and Alaska is about as opposite from that as you can get.

I enjoyed seeing these images!

Roger Owen Green said...

you look good with a glass of wine.
ROG, ABC WEDNESDAY team

Francisca said...

Terrific Takes on your Travels to Taormina and Tuscany, Leslie! I've been to the latter; sadly, not to Sicily (yet!). I have a friend who arranges villas with cooks for very special times in Italy, so should you want help planning your next terrific trip... :-) Tremendous T post.

Francisca said...

PS. I agree with Roger, you and the wine look great!

Meryl said...

Great shots and wonderful background. Cheers!

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for the virtual tour, Leslie. Italy is beautiful, though I have only been twice there, I should like to go there once again.

photowannabe said...

Your Trip looks like a dream. Don't think I will ever make it there but it sure looks like fun. Beautiful countryside Leslie.

Kim, USA said...

My heart do the somersault when I see the photo of Tuscany it's my dream place to visit. And the first batch of your photo taken at Taormina my favorite is the 3rd one. The landscape are just gorgeous!!

"T"

Sylvia K said...

What a great tour for the T Day, Leslie, and I love the pic of you with a glass of wine! Beautiful places, I do love Italy!! Enjoy your week!!

Sylvia
ABC Team

Tumblewords: said...

A terrific travel post! Gorgeous photos impart a feeling of the country itself. Nice shot of you, too!

Hildred said...

Wonderful photos Leslie, - beautiful country and your trip sounds fabulous. Hope you get to go back and make all your wishes come true.

Wanda said...

What wonderful pictures, but my favorite is that darling shot of your tipping your wine glass.

I'll drink to that! HaHa

Carver said...

What a great trip and thank you for sharing it with us. Wonderful photographs and information.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Haven't been to Sicily yet. One day...

Carola said...

Wonderful photos.

Gattina said...

Beautiful pictures ! I have been in Taormina in 1964 and 65 ! there were no tourists yet ! It probably has changed a lot ever since
Gattina
ABC Team

Jane and Chris said...

Oh the blue sea and sky! Just got to get my breath back... the scenery is so beautiful!!
Jane x

Maryhocam said...

Great photos. They make me want to travel there too.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Your smile is contagious!

Time is Precious

Casdok said...

That blue sky made me say 'wow' out load!

Liz Hinds said...

Looks beautiful!

Was that the guide or a lone man in your party?!

Shrinky said...

You look absolutely radiant in that photo, Leslie, your face says it all! I also have some very happy memories of my days spent in Sicily, this post has brought them all flooding back!