Cathy Beesey

Once upon a time travel blogger

Sicily 2015

To travel with a theme is to travel with focus without constraint. One of my most memorable travel experiences, although there are many, was to travel through Sicily Italy with themes of mosaics and wine, influencing the selection of places to explore and photographs to take. It led us to Villa Roma del Casale with the bikini girl mosaic and depictions of animals on their way to the Colosseum, and many more images all created with mosaic. Caltagirone with the famous 142 tiled steps, and throughout Sicily, without effort mosaics and tiles surrounded. 

And wines led us to drive through the rugged countryside of Sicily toward Marsala where we sat in the warm of the night drinking a wine from the local region, tasting like Marsala, a wine experience not to repeat. Driving along the coast with the Mediterranean Sea to our right and through central Sicily led us to Mt Etna and a night staying in a winery with the Adriatic Sea in the distance. We drank white wine with the taste of sulphur. Seven days in Cefalu, swimming in the sea and drinking the best white wine I have ever tasted. The view of the sun setting on a warm night from a villa, with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, no doubt influenced this unforgettable experience. 

Cefalu, Sicily

Italy and France 2026

This piece began five weeks ago.

Our planning happening at pace with tickets for our flight purchased and a loose plan sorted with only five weeks until we travel. Travel themes are elusive. Our journey will begin in Milan and then to Genoa Italy. From there Aix En Provence and Corsica France. A ferry to Sardinia and possibly to Livorno Italy and from there the detail remains unformed, with a return to Milan and flight home. Our travel is to be slow with at least a week in chosen locations. Trains, ferries, buses, and driving our modes of transport. 

The themes once elusive begin to form with clarity: markets, wine, castles and sunsets. These themes give direction to what we do, how we respond to the beauty and delight of Italy: la dolce vita, sweet life, and France: la belle vie, beautiful life, with refined wine and food waiting for us to experience. 

Will these emerging themes marry with locations chosen? And what of mosaics, a passion long held since visiting Italy and Barcelona Spain in the 1990s. So I do what many of us do I use AI, posing the question – are there wineries, markets and castles on the island of Sardinia and within a moment I discover.

Yes, Sardinia features medieval castles, regional wineries, and vibrant local markets. The island has a rich history of fortified hilltop architecture, native grape varieties like Cannonau and Vermentino, and weekly open-air town markets. With delight I cannot believe my latest favourite wine Vermentino is produced on the island of Sardinia. 

And then I ask the same question for Provence, France. Provence features historic châteaux, world-class wineries, and vibrant open-air markets across its picturesque landscape. Famous hilltop village castles like Gordes and Les Baux-de-Provence, renowned wine regions like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and lively weekly street markets in towns like Aix-en-Provence and Gordes define the region.

Yes, Milan has incredible castles, bustling local markets, and great wine experiences. Castello Sforzesco a huge 15th-century fortress sits in the centre of Milan. It was once home to the ruling Sforza family and now holds several museums with art by Michelangelo. Mercato Centrale Milano is a vibrant indoor food market at the Central Station offering fresh local foods, baked goods, and artisan stalls. And wineries with Cantina Urbana Winery located right in the city along the Naviglio Pavese, this is Milan’s first urban winery, offering tastings. 

I wonder, do I include mosaics as a theme? For Sardinia I discover that yes, Sardinia has many impressive ancient and modern mosaics. The most famous ancient examples date back to the Roman period (2nd to 4th centuries AD) and can be found in archaeological areas like Nora, Porto Torres, and Cagliari. Yes for Milan and Provence France. Provence has a rich history of mosaics dating back to the Roman Empire alongside active modern mosaic studios and contemporary art installations.

My themes ever growing, ever influencing decisions before and as we travel, I am for now, content with five: markets, wine, castles, mosaics and sunsets. Two capture my curiosity castles and wine, markets capture Stan’s heart with mosaics and sunsets a backdrop for our travel journey.  

Duomo at Night, Milan Italy

I share my travel themes with a friend and she responds – Mine would be Beauty – beauty in history, architecture & art, together with gourmet food & wine. That is my dolce vita. 

Copyright Cathy Beesey, September 2026. All rights reserved; this intellectual property belongs solely to Cathy Beesey.