Tag: Tourism
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Bustling Bordeaux
Rick and I finished 2023 with a trip to Bordeaux shortly before Christmas. As we already had tickets to see the amazing Beatles Tribute band The Analogues, we decided to stay a few extra days to visit the Christmas Market at Allées de Tourny. Our small but very well-appointed apartment was located on a pedestrian…
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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,…
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The Teno Mountains of Tenerife
What do Pirates, Mummies, Scotland, Shakespeare, and Clash of the Titans have in common? Continue reading to find out! When we told our friends that were we going to Tenerife, they gave us numerous suggestions for places to see and things to do. Mount Teide, the cliffs of Los Gigantes, Masca village, and the…
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Never Been to Spain
I have a confession to make. Despite having lived in Portugal for three and a half years, we’ve never visited our neighboring country of Spain. It wasn’t for lack of trying, however. We had plans to visit Barcelona in 2020 but the pandemic closed borders, so we had to cancel our trip. Now that travel…
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Park of Monserrate
As a lover of gardens, I’ve been to many in both the United States and Europe. At the top of my list of favorites are Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in California and Cawdor Castle Gardens in Scotland. Since visiting last May, the Park of Monserrate Palace now tops my list. It is stunning in both…
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A Tale of Two Palaces (Part Two)
The Palace of Monserrate has a long history of famous occupants and guests. In 1790, wealthy diamond merchant Gerard de Visme built the first Neo-Gothic palace on the ruins of the old chapel of Our Lady of Monserrate. In the mid-1790’s, British novelist and art collector William Beckford became the new tenant. During his stay…
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A Tale of Two Palaces (Part One)
With its proximity to Lisbon, favorable climate, and lush natural beauty it’s no wonder why Sintra attracted both royals and the rich as THE spot to build their palaces. It is also one of the most romantic spots in Portugal, where kings and queens have fallen in love and where writers such as Lord Byron…