Today we toured the scenic Peligna valley, starting with a visit to Pacentro, a fortified town situated on the strategic route between the high mountain meadows, where sheep grazed in the summer, and the Adriatic coast where they wintered. The fortress controlled the pass and incorporated towers that provided a strategic point to survey the surrounding countryside.

We were allowed to climb to the top of the tower to appreciate the view. Some of us accepted the challenge and climbed to the top, in spite of their fears, celebrating the achievement with nervous laughter.

From the top of the tower you could see for miles around the countryside and the mountains.

… and views of the town below the castle.

The roof of the various houses create a fascinating kaleidoscope.

And speaking of stunning views…

After the castle tour we walked down through the narrow streets of the old city.

And around every corner, we could look back up at the hills.

I keep telling you that we were walking through the narrow streets and down steps. This picture provides a good perspective on the challenges.

Then it was down into the valley to visit the Margiotta Winery for a tour of the vineyards.

Whenever I’ve toured vineyards in the past, we have been admonished to not eat the grapes. But today, when we asked if we could have a taste, we were told to eat as many as we wanted. They were sweet and delicious. We had always thought that wine grapes were tart.

We later learned that these grapes were too mature for wine, and could only be used for making jam. That explains why they were sweet, and why we were allowed to eat them. Most of the vineyard had been picked clean.

Then it was time for a lovely local lunch and wine tasting.

On every tour we’ve taken so far, the guides provided lots of local detail and historical anecdotes. Everyone tells us stories about what their grandmas did, and how they prepared the food, wine, and olive oil. It includes rich detail about life in Abruzzo in earlier times. For example, this was a house that was preserved to show the way things were a hundred years ago.

We also saw historical artifacts from much more recent developments.

And then it was time for Monday Beer Club – a road trip this time.

And of course, we finished with another fabulous dinner.