Sintra is just a short day trip from Lisbon and we would highly recommend it. This scenic town has three principle attractions: the Moorish Castle, the Pena Palace and the Sintra National Palace. All three can be done in one full day. There are trains (basically a subway) leaving Rossio Station, which is in the […]
Porto is a spectacular hillside town with picturesque and colorful buildings. It’s located on the banks of the Douro River in Portugal. Narrow streets with laundry hanging out to dry makes for a lot of pretty pictures. Surprisingly the town is actually quite small and despite the hills very walkable. it’s also famous for its port […]
Lisbon is the city of arrival for most international visitors and serves as a good home base for a visit to Portugal. In fact, it’s well located and could easily serve as a starting point for exploring many parts of Spain as well. The City of Seven Hills has a lot to offer. We would encourage the […]
Unlike much of North America, Europe basically runs on trains. We’ve had a lot of positive experiences using trains in England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Generally, trains are frequent and seats are roomy. You can often get a discount when buying tickets online in advance. On top of that many lines offer first […]
Following our escapade in Normandy we returned to Paris for a few days. It was our third visit (in 15 years mind you) so much of this was just to go back to familiar haunts and get some fresh pictures of our favorites including the Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Pantheon, Sacré-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe, and of course […]
While we had previously visited Paris and the south of France, we had always dreamed of going back to see Normandy and the northern coast. There is of course a lot of historical significance here with the D-Day beaches and the museums that have been created to remind us of the sacrifices made during WWII. Our […]
Taking a Baltic cruise is an excellent way to explore the northern seas, the waterways of the Vikings. The best time to go is during the summer months. We opted to go during the last week of June when the days are endless so we could see the midnight sun. It’s pretty cool to watch […]
The Palace of Versailles is one of the top attractions to visit in Paris. Once you get there, it’s easy to see why so many flock to this marvel of French architecture. The palace is an extravaganza of luxury with splendid gardens, fountains and sculptures. The palace’s interior is a fine example of the lavish […]