Halloween is my favorite time of year because it is a spooky season. The weather is a little cooler, leaves are turning to a rainbow of colors, and pumpkin ale begins to fill the shelves in the store—well, in the United States, that is. At the beginning of October, a few stores began to put …
When you hear about palaces in Portugal, most think of Sintra and Pena Palace. It is the famous castle on the hill that (some say) inspired Disney’s castle. But if you want an alternative that is easier to get to, has fewer crowds, and is grander than Pena, we recommend Mafra Palace. This incredible 18th-century …
For the past few years, Portugal has ranked pretty high for tourism and vacations, especially among Americans (and Brits although they have been visiting Portugal for years). Portugal has a great deal to offer in terms of affordability, beauty, fantastic food, and the people are incredibly nice. Most people coming from North or South America …
The first time my wife and I visited Lisbon, our tutuk driver took us into Alfama. She asked if we had tried ginjinha yet. We had only been in the country about 24 hours and didn’t even know what ginjinha was. She parked the Tuktuk up on the sidewalk close to a small and very …
Read more “A day in the Alfama District: Lisbon’s historic neighborhood”
Águeda is not one of those well known towns that are visited by thousands of tourists every year. It sits quietly to the east of Aveiro, a quick drive or 30 minute train ride into the town where its narrow cobblestone streets and traditional architecture make it just as enchanting as other Portuguese towns. But …
Read more “Águeda, Portugal: The colorful city of Umbrellas”
Tourism in Spain has been getting a lot of bad press lately. Most people are headed to the big cities such as Barcelona and Madrid where overcrowding and tourism protesting have become big. So why not visit a part of Spain that is a little less crowded, but has the charm of the old world …
Picture this: You’re standing on a bustling street, the aroma of wood-fired pizza wafting through the air, the sound of animated Italian conversations filling your ears, and the sight of Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance. Welcome to Naples, Italy, a city that will captivate your senses and steal your heart faster than you can …
Read more “Discovering Naples, Italy: What to see in the city”
Picture yourself stepping off a train into a fairy-tale town, where pastel-colored palaces peek through misty forests. Or imagine wandering through sun-drenched medieval streets, where history whispers from every weathered stone. These aren’t far-off fantasies – they’re the reality of day trips from Lisbon, the enchanting Portuguese capital. Some of the best day trips from …
Read more “12 Incredible Day trips from Lisbon by train or bus”
For anyone visiting Italy for the first time, Sorrento, Italy is such a charming town. Located in southern Italy, it sits on the edge of the Bay of Naples next to the island of Capri. Boasting beautiful views, a relaxed atmosphere, and limoncello everywhere, it is not a town to be missed. Getting there There …
Read more “A One Day itinerary for the enchanting Sorrento, Italy”
With a short trip down the Amalfi Coast, you can go back to the 8th century BC to experience how the Ancient Romans lived. The Archaeological site of Pompeii is an excellent day drip whether you are coming off a cruise ship in Napoli or visiting the lovely city of Rome. Stepping into Pompeii is …
Read more “Journey to the Past: A Guide to the Pompeii Ruins”