Today we arrived onto an island just off the coast of Italy called Sardinia. This is our first time on Sardinia. Sardinia is a large and rugged Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, known for its stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and distinct culture that blends Italian and indigenous traditions.  We arrived into the port early in the morning and saw many ferries. These are big ferries and they ship trucks around the Mediterranean instead of using containers as well as people and personal autos. 

On our trip to the Mancini Estate we drove on the road that was filmed for a James Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me. Other scenes were filmed around the island. 

Today we are Wine Tasting at the Mancini Estate.  The Piero Mancini Vineyards are in Luogosanto, northern Sardinia. Nestled in the scenic Balajana Valley, this family-run estate combines a passion for winemaking with the region’s natural beauty.  At the Balajana estate, we enjoyed a guided tour of the 18-hectare vineyard, followed by a tasting of three of Piero Mancini’s signature wines. The tasting takes place in a beautifully restored Galluran farmhouse, providing an immersive experience into the flavors and aromas of the region.  We saw also saw some traditional houses that have been restored. 

Nana did her typical wheeling and dealing. They were selling the wine for 15 Euros, so Nana asked if she bought 10 bottles what kind of discount. The owner said 12 Euros. So everyone at our table wanted in on the deal and she ended up buying 16 bottles. 

We had to secure the wine carefully for our trip home. 

Then back to our shop. Tonight is a formal night and we have dinner with our neighbors. 

Tomorrow we are in Barcelona and we will be here overnight. Tomorrow we have a special dinner at a castle and we are meeting up with the Volendam , which is on a pole to pole world cruise.  More on that in the next blog. Tonight will also feature a drone show !