saltwatersteve.com/travel

Today we took a tour to Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape which really just means we were driven to these places. That was great for us because we were given blocks of time to use as we wanted and were not herded by a guide every minute of the day. First we went to Orange, mainly to see the Roman amphitheater but it also to explore the market that sprouts up every Thursday. The amphitheater is amazing. The stage wall, audience section and tunnels, all about 2000 years old, are still very much intact–it continues to be a venue for concerts and events today. The Romans really new how to build things. What is missing is all of the elaborate paintings, tapestries, marble sculptures and reliefs that were pillaged and destroyed (some of the missing articles were eventually found and put in the museum across the street). I can only imagine how incredible the theater once was.
After exploring the theater we headed to the market where I really did buy an orange, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had! We also bought cheese and olives that were very nice.
Next we headed to Chateauneuf-du-Pape where only two walls of the former summer home to the popes remain. It is on top of a hill with beautiful views of the surround countryside and vineyards. We strolled down the narrow, curving streets stopping to taste some wine along the way, wander through the wine museum and take tour of aging wine. I guess I don’t have the most sophisticate palette because these wines are supposed to be some of the best in the world, but I preferred others we tried elsewhere.
Throughout the day, poor Steve grew more and more sick but was a trooper hiking all around and taking beautiful pictures. And he did not let his illness prevent him from wine tasting–it can only help really anyway.