Lucia vine on Big Sur in California - Čatež, Slovenia

The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Monterey County, California. It is part of the larger Monterey AVA and is located in the Santa Lucia Mountains above the Salinas Valley. Over 931 ha of vineyards are planted in the AVA, some as high as 366 m above sea level, with about half of them planted to the Pinot Noir grape. The region enjoys cool morning fog and breezes from Monterey Bay followed by warm afternoons thanks to direct southern exposures to the sun.

EUROPA stamp 2015 - "Old toys"

 

#9 GF - Bled, Slovenia

Bled is known for the glacial Lake Bled, which makes it a major tourist attraction. Perched on a rock overlooking the lake is the iconic Bled Castle. The town is also known in Slovenia for its vanilla and cream pastry (kremšnita). 

A small island in the middle of the lake is home to Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church; visitors frequently ring its bell for good luck.