During our last trip to Europe, we visited Madrid on an impulse. We had already spent some time in Catalonia when it occurred to us that we could stretch our schedule to one more place before catching our flight back to the United States. We’ve never been interested in Madrid,…
Years ago, Ted and I traveled to Cinque Terre for the first time. Back then, we only stayed for one night, and by the time we left, we knew we would be back one day. Therefore, months ago, we returned for a two-night stay as a family. Although there were…
When planning a trip to France, no doubt Paris is the first city that comes to mind. In fact, during our first two visits to that lovely country, we spent most of our time in the French capital. While we love Paris for its world-renowned sites, food, and wine, on…
There was no shortage of things to see, do, and eat in Barcelona. We spent three days in the Catalonian capital checking out Gaudi’s stunning architecture, learning about its remarkable history, eating mouthwatering tapas, and soaking up the local vibe. However, there was a lot more to Catalonia than its…
Have you ever visited a place and then left wanting to move there one day? That’s what happened this past summer, after we spent three days in Barcelona. Although it wasn’t long enough to see everything the city has to offer, we were absolutely in love with the capital of…
Before planning our first visit to Porto, I only knew a few things about the city. First, Porto is located in northern Portugal. Second, its architecture features traditional Portuguese azulejos (ceramic tiles). And third, Porto gave its name to the acclaimed Port wine. Throughout our two-day trip to Porto, I…
When I started planning our trip to Portugal, I thought we would be able to see most of the country in an eight-day tour. After searching for places to visit near Lisbon, I realized that although Portugal may be small (about the size of Maine), there is so much to…
During our 3-day trip to Lisbon, I felt at home like no other place I have ever visited. History explains my level of comfort. I am a Brazilian who was born and raised in Bahia, a state in the Northeast of Brazil. When the Portuguese explorers arrived on the Bahian…
Cascais was a fishing village that was forever changed when the Portuguese royal family established it as their favorite location for a summer retreat. This heritage is apparent in its elegant 19th-century architecture of palaces and elegant mansions. Nowadays, Cascais is a charming and affluent community that attracts locals and…
Sintra is no ordinary town. This wonderful destination has attractions that you can’t possibly see it all in one day. That said, don’t only take a day trip to Sintra while you are in Lisbon. Instead, stay there for one night or two if you can. We stayed for two nights…
