I read some wonderful traditional romances by Roberta Gellis set in Cornwall. I initially got hooked on Cornwall when PBS made The Poldark Saga into a Masterpiece Theater. Then after that I found a few other books that take place there...but I seriously hunt them out because I'm so fascinated with the area :) Byzantine is another era I have found fascinating, it just seems mind-boggling to me when I think about trying to write it.

Lassen is beautiful...but it is a very difficult hike. My whole body protested for a week after I did it the 2nd time :)