You can't go to Spain without visiting the seductive city of Seville, known as the "Pearl of Andalusia." The opera Carmen, by George Bizet, takes place there, and tours are available to visit some of the opera locations, such as the old cigarette factory. Find a local guide in Seville, here. For other photo galleries from our trip to Spain, click on the links … [Read more...]
Granada, Spain, and the Magnificent Alhambra
One of our stops on a 3-week vacation in Spain was to the mystical city of Granada. It's the home of the Alhambra palace and fortress, which Moorish poets have described as "a pearl set in Emeralds." It began as a small fortress in 889 AD and was converted into a palace for the Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of the Emirate of Granada in the mid-13th century. Its intricate … [Read more...]
Visit Prague in Winter When it Sparkles With Light
Our last destination on our AmaWaterways Christmas Markets river cruise on the Danube was Prague in the Czech Republic. It's a gleaming city of Gothic arcades, Renaissance windows, Rococo cherubs, and Art Nouveau sylphs. Find a local guide in Prague, here. The cruise company booked us into the Old Town Hilton in Prague, which was lovely. Generally, I prefer small, … [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...]