Seville was our first stop in Spain and it is almost the last video (Vigo still to come) Alex mange to pull together just a day before our next trip.
Impromptu dinner at the Luminarium in Toronto
With our Scandinavia travels coming up shortly and a few videos from our winter travels still in the pipeline, we make an impromptu decision to experience a delightful dinner event at the Luminarium in Toronto’s Distillery District. Continue reading “Impromptu dinner at the Luminarium in Toronto”
Final notes: Andalucia and Galicia
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
This is a wrap-up on our Spanish part of the trip and a catch up for topics left out of previous posts. And although we did dash through Madrid, it wasn’t the main focus of our winter travel. Continue reading “Final notes: Andalucia and Galicia”
Vigo, Galicia
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
Wed, Feb 5
We stand on the top of Castro Mountain, the highest point and right in the centre of Vigo, admiring the spectacular views across the Ria de Vigo, which estuary is sheltered by the Cíes Islands. Its summit is crowned by the Fortaleza de Santa María do Castro, constructed in 1665 and currently an archeological site. Continue reading “Vigo, Galicia”
Cordoba feels relaxed
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
Córdoba, our last stop in Andalusia (for now), founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, conquered by the Moors in the 8th century, after being in the Visigoths hands, and eventually seized in the 13th century Christian conquest, is known for the highest summer temperatures in Spain and mild winters with frequent showers. Continue reading “Cordoba feels relaxed”
Dramatic Ronda
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
Ronda, one of the white towns in Andalucia, is beautiful and dramatic. This small, mountaintop, compact town perched on both sides of the deep Guadalevín River Gorge, has a lot going for it. The old town, dating to Moorish rule, with narrow streets and cobble stones, is on the southern side of the gorge. Continue reading “Dramatic Ronda”
Seville (Sevilla)
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
In the country of sangria, the most disappointing thing in Sevilla was … the sangria!
Goodbye Sevilla. Alex liked you. Me, not so much. Although we agreed you are not our favourite. I won’t miss the feeling of being rushed into bolting down my meal at a restaurant. Continue reading “Seville (Sevilla)”
The start
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
For this trip we fly to Lisbon, take a train to Faro, one of our favourites, but where we’d only spend one night, and continue to Sevilla by bus the following morning. We’d spend a week there to fight off jetlag and acclimatize. Continue reading “The start”
Porto, the revolting city
Storyline: Portugal Take 2
In a year Porto has changed. The streets are steeper and the up-hills are longer. We stay with the same people. Loved their studio and the location. That grocery store around the corner is now perched on a steep hill far away. Continue reading “Porto, the revolting city”
Why did we miss Evora last year?
Storyline: Portugal Take 2
Lisbon
We arrived in Lisbon exactly a year after we there in January 2023. Arranged to stay with our old hosts with whom we had kept in touch. Continue reading “Why did we miss Evora last year?”
Porto on foot
Storyline: Portugal by trains
(Yes, 3 months later we still have a few posts and videos to finish)
We loved Porto. It is the second largest city in Portugal, yet very easy to explore on foot. It revealed itself slowly, street by street, with a new scene or scenery every step of the way. Continue reading “Porto on foot”
Porto on a plate
Storyline: Portugal by trains
This rye bread was out of the world! It was very hearty and lasted us the entire week in Porto. One slice each was enough with the breakfast. Continue reading “Porto on a plate”
Porto – first impressions
Storyline: Portugal by trains
The days being short at that time of the year, it was already dusk when we arrived in Porto. Continue reading “Porto – first impressions”
Lisbon on foot
Storyline: Portugal by trains
Time for exploration of the city known for its renaissance navigators and explorers. We walked everywhere, steep hills and miradouros (viewpoints/lookouts). Continue reading “Lisbon on foot”
Lisbon – first encounter
Storyline: Portugal by trains
It was time to take a train to Lisbon. Two actually, since there is no direct train from Lagos. We left Lagos fairly early, taking an Uber to the train station. Continue reading “Lisbon – first encounter”
