Saint Cyprien, France
Saint Cyprien is a small town in the French countryside, a two and a half hour drive east of Bordeaux. It has a beautiful old town which winds uphill towards the 12th century belltower and the abbey church, which dominate…
Astoria7 Hotel, San Sebastian
I don’t generally submit entries on hotels, but Astoria7 is special. I truly enjoyed this hotel. It’s thematically based on artists from movies that have attended the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The walls are peppered with famous faces and…
San Sebastian Funicular
We took a Funicular up Monte Igueldo for a 360 degree view including San Sebastian and the Cantabrian coastline. It’s a slow rickety ride engulfed in beautiful greenery and the views from the top are truly stunning.
San Sebastian, Spain
Urumea river, San Sebastian, at 6:30 in the morning after arriving by overnight train. Buen Pastor Cathedral (19th century) Beach and promenade. Iglesia de Santa Maria del Coro Church Tapas!
Evening in Porto, Portugal
A few evening photos around Porto…
Duoro Boat Cruise, Portugal
Our day trip started in Cais de Gaia, which sits across the Duoro river from Porto, a major Portuguese city. Our boat travelled down the Duoro river to the town of Regua then we returned to Porto by train. We…
Costa Nova, Portugal
A group of us spent a lazy afternoon at Costa Nova beach near Aveiro, a beautiful area with traditional striped houses in bold colors, a sparkling ocean and soft rolling sand dunes.
Aveiro, Portugal
Aveiro, about two and a half hours drive north of Lisbon, is Xana’s home town. It is also home to Xana’s sister and parents. Aveiro is sometimes referred to as the ‘Vienna of Portugal’ because of it’s canals in the…
Batalha, Portugal
On our way north to the town of Aveiro, where Xana’s parents live, we stopped and took pictures at a monastery in Batalha. Monasterio Santa Maria de Vittoria was erected in 1385 and displays very ornate limestone. In true gothic…
Carmo Ruins, Lisbon
We picked friends up at the Lisbon train station, a well kept building with a beautifully ornate facade. Then we walked around town, exploring the views and buildings. The cobblestone streets and tile buildings are characteristic architectural elements throughout Portugal.…
Palace of Pena, Sintra
The Palace of Pena was built in the 19th century by Fernando of Saxe-Coburg, consort of Queen Maria II. It is described as an ‘exuberant creation’ and ‘the most striking example of Romantic architecture in Portugal,’ according to Parques de…
Moorish Castle Ruins, Sintra
Sintra’s Moorish Castle is a military fort believed to date back to the 9th century and the period of Arab occupation in Portugal. The castle ruins sit above Sintra’s historic town center and can be seen from many vantage points…