L isbon …. Portugal’s land is diverse from southern Algarve beaches to historical cultural Lisbon, Evora, Sintra, Coimbra, Porto and more to the lush wine rich Douro River Valley to the interior mountains dotted with ancient Schist stone villages. Lisbon is a sprawling hilly city with countless parks, palaces, churches, amazing architecture and cafes. Stroll Rossio Square, Baixa, Biarro Alto …
S an Francisco Top 10 Things to Do: 1. The Golden Gate Bridge. The best way to appreciate the impressive 1.7 mile expanse, the most photographed thing on earth, is by cycling it. Being an Easterner, you should rent bikes bright and early from Bay City Bikes. Enjoy the 10-mile trip along the city’s waterfront past Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, along …
Never heard of MSC? This luxury cruise line is owned by Italy’s Aponte family who in 1970 launched the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the 2nd largest container carrier in the world. The famous shipping family then dove into passenger cruising in 1988/ Legend has it the Aponte daughter didn’t find transporting boxes glamorous enough and wanted a cruise ship line. MSC …
Port Everglades, Ft Lauderdale’s Port, is home to the most cruise ships in the world. From this east coast Florida city, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Princess, and more arrive and depart almost daily. As many as six or seven huge cruise ships in Ft Lauderdale at a time is not unusual, and it certainly impacts the city making the Port …
Porto is Portugal’s hard working city on the banks of the wine laden Douro River. Porto is tourist friendly, historic, with many sights, and sips at the dozen Port wine lodges across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia including the Ports of Sandeman, Taylor, Grahams and many more. Porto is a delicious destination for a few days of tours …
Favorite Travel Sites
Schist Villages of Portugal are on the east, near the Spanish border, Portugal’s topography changes as you depart the west coast to arid, dry and mountainous. The Schist villages are 27 historic hamlets built into the stone hillside where you will find castles and fortresses constructed centuries ago around boulders and Roman ruins. Marialva is the first of the Schist …
Portugal’s Evora, in the heart of Portugal and the Alentejo region, spans 2000 years of history with monuments to prove each occupation, from Romans to 16th century aqueducts, medieval churches laden with Brazilian gold, and houses glazed with traditional Portugese blue tiles. Stay at Evora’s small, intown Casa do Escritor (house of the writer) perfect for this travel writer, witha …
Cruising… The Ship Spa on most cruise ships, especially the Royal Caribbean ships, and MSC Cruises, are beautiful, typically located in the bow of the ship on a high floor, near the fitness center. Book your spa appointment before you board if you want to assure space, in advance online, there is a full massage team, beauty and hair salon, …
Florence…Of all the European cities, Florence Italy is by far our favorite… the most beautiful, fun and friendly to visit. Nowhere do we feel more welcome than Italy – the people are beautiful, the food is legendary and lives up to its reputation, and Florence is the heart and soul with a wealth of sightseeing, art, architecture, museums, waterfront strolls, …
