It is Anniversary Time!




It is June so it is anniversary time - the 44th for us (Gerry and Myra) and the 46th for Ralph and Donna. Once again, we get to spend our anniversaries together exploring and enjoying a new travel experience.  This year our trip is all about "cork" - how it is harvested, how it is made into products and yes, we will be able to "uncork" some wonder Spanish wines!

We are getting ready to leave for Spain for an Eco-Tour sponsored by the Cork Forest Conservation Alliance and the company Two Birds-One Stone. Although this will be our third time in Spain, many of the places and the focus of the trip are new.  The 11-day tour will cover 2400 miles and cover three cork territories (Extramadura, Andalusia, Catalonia) in Spain.



There are seven countries (Portugal, Spain, Morocco, France, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria) that grow cork forests.  Cork Oaks are the only trees where you can remove the bark without causing damage.  These trees live to be 250 years old and can be harvested every nine to twelve years, making these sustainable forests something worth protecting!

So, back to our journey. We will spend a day in Madrid before the tour begins, spend 11 days following the cork harvest, fly to the island of Ibiza for 4 days after the tour ends and spend a day in Barcelona before returning home after another adventure!

Comments

  1. Deb and CharlieJune 2, 2017 at 7:55 PM

    Have a wonderful time!

    ReplyDelete
  2. James ReevesJune 3, 2017 at 8:08 AM

    You guys set a good example for me to be more adventurous. I was in Spain on a high school tour in '69, and we visited a winery in Jerez De La Frontera, where the teachers decided to let us 9th and 11th graders to drink as much as we wanted at the tasting table. Then our bus drove through a winding mountain road and the throwing up began. Fun memories!

    ReplyDelete
  3. LarissaJune 5, 2017 at 9:08 AM

    I did not know that Cork Oaks bark could be harvested without killing the tree- that's amazing! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJune 5, 2017 at 9:18 AM

    Mr. Smith & Mrs. Galbreath,

    Happy anniversary! I love the idea of this blog to accompany your trip! I never knew the origin of cork and I can't wait to learn more! While I am in summer classes, I will live vicariously through your adventures. (: Have a wonderful time!!

    <3,
    Justiina (Laura's friend)

    ReplyDelete

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