I will never regret being able to give my kids the experience of visiting a foreign country because it opened up a whole new world for them and gave them a love of travel that they still have to this day. We took a trip to Spain when my kids were 16 and 18, but it wouldn't have happened if life hadn't taken the turn that it did. My husband passed away in 2001. At the time, … [Read more...]
What is Behind the Old Doors of Europe?
I've never been the type of person to collect dolls, coins, stamps, teapots, or beanie babies. "Less is more” for me. However, I’ve taken to collecting the amazing and quirky old doors I've stumbled upon while walking through the streets of Europe. I love taking photographs of them because each has its own peculiar personality. My … [Read more...]
Pastéis de Nata: Lisbon, Portugal’s Secret Recipe
While we were on a Mediterranean cruise on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth, we stopped in Lisbon, Portugal. It was a short day excursion, but while we were there, we tasted one of Portugal's specialty desserts called Pastéis de Nata, which are fabulously tasty custard tarts. My life was forever changed. Find a local guide in Lisbon, here. I'm not a huge dessert eater, but I … [Read more...]
How to Make the Most of 2 Nights in London
Our visit to London after a month-long vacation to Italy and a Mediterranean cruise on the Queen Elizabeth went much too quickly. We had planned our winter trip under the assumption that the weather would be more pleasant in Italy and chose to stay longer there. But even though it was foggy when we disembarked in Southampton, the sun came out and remained that way, except for … [Read more...]
Cruising the Mediterranean on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth
After a 3 week tour of Italy, we topped off our vacation with an eleven-day Mediterranean cruise during the month of December aboard the stately Cunard Line Queen Elizabeth. Departing from the ancient Roman port I like to think of the Cunard Queen Elizabeth as "London on the high seas." We boarded the ship at Civitavecchia, an ancient seaport outside of Rome. It was … [Read more...]