The beautiful streets above are located again in Moulin, that typical medieval village I went to visit some years ago. There are lot of houses and details that were really well preserved through the course of the years, as you can see also from the other pictures below:

sitting right in the middle of the town this huge gothic cathedral was really beautiful, even if I can’t remember his name, but I remember well its giant dimensions and its gothic decorations, like this “gargoyle” that you can admire below:

all in all, really a town full of history and culture, with lots ot offer, even if isn’t a very popular town, surprisingly.

The next day we went to visit another place called Chateaux Chinon, located in the same area but a few km north, bordering the natural park of Morvan, at 700m on the sea level. Even this small town had a particular feeling, even if wasn’t so rich in historical monuments as Moulin: the fact that was so close to a natural park, and the surrounding mountains made it a very cool place for the nature-lovers like us.

The picture above represents the town hall, in the middle of the town. Not bad, don’t you think? it was full of green zones with various flowers and plants, all around it.

So this trip in Bourgogne, one of the less known areas of France, came to an end. I have mixed feelings and memories of it: the great historical monuments, the medieval atmosphere, but also the cold and rainy weather (due to the period I went to visit). Still if you love nature, history and good wine (it is one of the best french region for wine production!) I recommend you take the time to make a trip in Bourgogne: you won’t regret it!

Among the hills of the higher Taro Valley and Gotra Valley, in the Parmenses Apennines, an old medieval compound has been renovated and transformed in a “relais di sosta,” a spa and relax place. This way, the ancient Borgo Casale, which dates back to the twelfth century, has been salvaged, in accord with the local architecture, and today it offers the possibility of enjoying many health and beauty treatments for the whole body and also some non unimportant relaxing moments.

It is therefore possible to walk on the ancient paths of the village or among the chestnut groves in the valley, or enjoy Egyptian inspired or hot stone massages. The compound is really beautiful and nicely furnished, with taste and fantasy. It is stimulating just to stop briefly to visit this place. And then perhaps stop at the nearby farm-bed-and-breakfast “La Peschiera,” in Boschetto, a hamlet belonging to the town of Albareto, where they cook a fabulous “trota alla birra” (trout with beer) and also tagliatelle with mushrooms, which you can accompany with some great Vernaccia or Chianti.

Actually, how can you forget the special taste of Rauchbier, smoked beer, a specialty of the nice German town Bamberg? You don’t usually think about the fact that those towns also produce good wines. There is a tradition, though, which dates back to the Romans cultivating grapes in Germany, along the shores of the Rhine River. Between Mainz and Koblenz the river shows enchanted views on its shores, with wineries and perfectly aligned vine rows. Also in the heart of the Black Forest the woods make room for hills that grow grapes. In Gegembach, for example, I remember having tried an exquisite Riesling and buying several bottles of berry wine. I envisioned giving them as presents to friends and relatives, but I only brought empty bottles home!

Also in Austria, where most of the wines are produced in the Danube basin, the Romans bought the vine starters. The wines produced there are mostly light and the Austrian passion is for young, non-fermented wines. Very valued is also the Schilcher, a half dry wine from the lower Styria, while white and red great wines come from the Burgenland region.

A really special sweet wine, typical of this area is made from grapes harvested in the heart of winter. The grapes, half dehydrated, are harvested before dawn. The watery part is thrown away and only the few drops of concentrated juice are kept. After a long fermentation time and several proceedings, the ice wine is ready, a year and a half after harvest. It is a dessert wine, that some call the moon wine.

Recently also in Italy, in Piedmont, this particular wine production has been tried. We should try it.

At last, Giovanni Francesco Isolani, first Count of Minerbio, rebuilt it, enlarging it and having it decorated by one of the most famed artist of the nearby town of Bologna: Amico Aspertini.

A photo of the cellars under the citadel, filled with huge cask of wine, really cool. You can even taste some local wines during the local folkloristic celebrations.

Rocca’s particular view with night illumination. Oh, almost forgot, if you need a rental car, Argus offer low cost car hire Italy prices and have a wide range of car types.