Category: Europe
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Reflections on Reflection
As Concierge Class passengers, we were treated to a special sail away event on the ships Helipad. It turned out to be our lucky day as Diana and I won the raffle grand prize, a certificate for two to dine at any of the specialty restaurants. We chose the French restaurant Murano and had a…
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Celebrity Reflection: A Floating City
As first-time cruisers, Rick and I really didn’t know what to expect on a Celebrity cruise. Our ship, Reflection, holds just over 3,000 passengers, and offers numerous bars and restaurants, a casino, multiple shops, a three-story theater, pools, and more. As the four of us boarded the ship, I was blown away by its size.…
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A Special Day In Marseille
After a rocky night at sea, we woke to a beautiful sunny day in Marseille, France. Founded around 600 BC by Greek settlers from Phocaea, Marseille is the oldest city in France. It is also the second largest in population after Paris. With over three hundred days of sunshine per year, 35 miles (57 kilometers)…
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Beautiful Barcelona
Barcelona Spain has been on our “must visit” list ever since we moved to Portugal in 2018. Our friends who have been there rave about its beauty, history, architecture, culture, night life, and food. Since our Mediterranean cruise was departing from there, we arrived two days early to explore the city. Located on the northeast…
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Fantastic Fall!
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” – Emily Brontë Bliss is exactly what I feel every year when autumn rolls around. It’s not that I dislike the summer months. They were great when I was a kid. No school or homework. Spending the day with friends riding bikes or roller…
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Fall in France: Barging on the Canal du Midi
Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the crisp cool air, the sound of fallen leaves crunching under my feet, and most of all the glorious display of colors. After being grounded from travelling for almost two years due to the pandemic, we couldn’t think of a better way to restart our adventures…
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In Love with Shakespeare
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” – Juliet from Romeo and Juliet Time for yet another confession. I didn’t instantly fall in love with William Shakespeare when I read his tragedy Romeo and Juliet in…
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A Lovely Weekend in London
On our recent trip to England, we had set aside two days to visit London. We knew that we would barely scratch the surface of all the amazing things to see and do there in a mere 48 hours. Rick and I each picked one “must do” and made those a top priority. As much…
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Hanging Out in De Pijp
I fell in love with the De Pijp neighborhood on our first visit to Amsterdam in 2015. Located to the south of the City Center (Centrum), De Pijp was once a working-class neighborhood built to ease the overcrowding in Jordaan. Today it is a melting pot of cultures and the bohemian heart of Amsterdam. Known…
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Medieval Fair of Obidos
Obidos Portugal, the place I happily call my new home, hosts a major festival during each season of the year. In the fall, there’s an international literary festival called Folio. Winter brings a celebration of Christmas called Vila Natal. In spring, Obidos is the place for all chocoholics during the Chocolate Festival. And my favorite…
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A Journey on the Jacobite
With awe-inspiring scenery around every bend, it’s no wonder why a trip on the Jacobite Steam Train has been described as the greatest railway journey in the world. Filmmakers love the Scottish Highlands as well and films including Local Hero, Highlander, and the Harry Potter series were shot there. We began our train trip in…
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Inveraray Castle: Is it Really Haunted?
Time for yet another confession. I have never seen the immensely popular series Downton Abbey, so I was quite surprised to see pictures of the cast in the State Dining Room. Turns out, Inveraray Castle was the setting for the 2012 Christmas special. Called Dunealge Castle for the episode, it is the fictional home to…
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Inveraray: A Step Back in Time
Located on Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in Scotland, Inveraray is a quaint and picturesque town steeped in history. Its roots date back to the 1400’s when it was a fishing village. In the mid-1700’s, Archibald Campbell, the 3rd Duke of Argyll and head of the powerful Clan Campbell demolished the original village to…
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A Road Trip in the Scottish Highlands
We fell in love with Scotland on our first visit in late-Spring of 2019. That trip combined train travel around the country with a barge trip along the Caledonian Canal in the Highlands. Not only was the scenery gorgeous but we found the Scottish people to be very friendly and helpful. Edinburgh and Glasgow are…
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Beautiful Bussaco
What comes to mind when you envision the country of Portugal? Sandy beaches, palm trees, and crystal blue waters? Rolling hills covered in grapevines? Large cities and small villages? Yes, it has all those things and so much more. Similar in size to the US state of Indiana, Portugal is a wonder of varied climates,…
Travels with Terri 