Nancy and Doug Trips

Nancy and Doug Trips

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Our lifelong travel bug has given us our most prized ‘possessions’ - the many memories from business and especially family trips.
“Take only memories, leave only footprints.” Read more🇨🇦British Columbia

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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Day 1: Sarria to Portomarin 23km
June 10, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Perhaps St Christopher, the patron Saint of travellers, is looking out for me as I felt better in the cool, misty morning air after a pretty good sleep. Left at 0640, having a banana and yogurt that I bought the night before as breakfast didn’t open til 7 and expecting high temps. Stopped at 0830 for a bocadillo and my first Aquarius, which is like Gatorade but less colouring. Met Lily, a young woman from Hong Kong. Stopped three times for drinks and s tuna empanada and banis as with drinking do much so needed them. Avoided any problems, although an ambulance had been called for a man about my age, probably who was not feeling well, but it seems he got dehydrated or overheated. Arrived hot and sweaty into a lovely cool room and showered and had a rest.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Travel to Sarria and CDG
June 9, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Today, Beth is heading home via Paris and Nancy back north to Sarria to begin the Camino walk. The young man at the front desk of the hotel strongly recommended that Nancy take the metro to the train station and Beth take a taxi to the airport. We both had our anxieties about finding our way. For Nancy, the metro path was rather confusing with directions initially to the Line 3 platform and then upstairs to get to Line 10. Rush hour, so she had let three go by and finally got on with all the other sardines. They are renovating the Chamartin station, so not straightforward but eventually found her way to the departure board. Platforms are assigned 10 minutes ahead. 300km/hr to Ourense, but the train halted just outside a very pretty looking town. The schedule had only 14 minutes of connection time between trains, but they held it for our late arrival. Followed the masses and some backpacks with walking sticks to one of two waiting trains confirmed as Sarria. Beth texted that she was at her gate with over an hour to spare. Whew…we did it, Beth!Read more
Traveler Wow that’s a lot of peppers!
6/12/25Reply
TravelerSlay!!
6/12/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Galeria De Las Colecciones Real
June 8, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
This is a fantastic extremely modern and wonderfully air conditioned museum that opened up next to the Palacio de Real in 2023. No downsizing of one of a kind Royal treasures here! The downloaded audio guide was excellent as were the English written summaries. It is amazing to see such old things in like new condition. Following this we headed back to prep for our next day picking up some decongestants on the way. Thus ended our adventure: both with colds but in agreement we had enjoyed a special time together. The next day, Nancy left first to subway to the train which would take her to Saria and the start of the last 100 km Camino Frances walk. Beth would take a taxi to the airport and fly to Paris where the Novotel was waiting before her flight back to Kelowna via Calgary with WestJet.Read more
Was ever in doubt??? [Mom]
6/12/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Palacio de Real Madrid
June 8, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
As we did not have time to go to Versailles, Europe's second largest palace (and still in active use) was the destination for our one day in Madrid. We found a café kitty corner to the palace and enjoyed our Spanish omelet and fresh orange juice. Then we met up for an English speaking tour of the palace. Beth liked it. We had a break and headed over to the Special Collections wing, which Nancy found amazing, but Beth had to break early due to coughing. Unfortunately, we were both feeling under the weather, and it was 30 degrees, so the bounce in our steps was affected today.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Madrid
Jun 7–9, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
We decided to take the nearby tram to the Bilbao Bus Intramodal Station which was very smooth. We had a very comfortable ride on Alsa Supra class arriving at 4 pm. It was hot and extremely crowded at the airport with long line ups for Uber and Taxi. A kind Brit helped us purchase tickets and we took the Metro to Plaza Espana where we were staying.Read more
Traveler Look like awesome seats!
6/8/25Reply
Traveler Ahh yes ... Spain and its "jamon"!
6/9/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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A walk around the neighborhood
June 6, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
After the Guggenheim we sought some lunch and found it in the pedestrian mall behind our hotel. They had a table at Basko so we took it. Very pleasant although the last few days have been dampened by La Grippe (Spanish for a cold). We had a last lovely organized dinner at Lake which means home in Basque with our group and I had Monkfish and there was Basque cheesecake, lemon ice cream and a light layered treat for dessert! We bid Adieu to the group.Read more
Maybe not as good as yours Nancy? [Mom]
6/12/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Bilbao
June 6, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
The Guggenheim Museum of modern Art was built 1993-97 on site of an inactive factory in a ex prosperous city with 30% unemployment whose leaders envisioned a transformation. The Guggenheim administration in NYC were out of space so consideration was given first to a European location. Salzburg and Venice were in the running and but Bilbao was chosen as the best fit. It was financed by the local interests and paid for itself in 3 years 1.3 million visitors per year. Beth and I agreed that the architecture and setting were outstanding (although being modern art, some of the pieces were questionable in our eyes).Read more
Traveler Cool!
6/8/25Reply
TravelerSounds like this city is very lucky to have this museum
6/8/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Sheep farm
Jun 5–7, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Our guide reminded us that Spain’s the 3rd most mountainous country after Switzerland and sheep and cheese production has a strong heritage. We passed classic Etxhas. The laxta (latcha) sheep make a special strong cheese only made in the Basque Country. The raw milk is brought just under the boiling point. Rennet is added to coagulate it, and it becomes quark or eventually hard cheese.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Travel to Guernica
June 5, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
On leaving San Sebastian, we headed out to the fishing village of Getaria where the first person to circumnavigate the globe was born. In 1519-1522, Juan Elcano set out with Magellan in 5 ships. Magellan died and only the Victoria with 35 survivors returned. We stopped to appreciate the history of Guernica and the art it inspired. The Spanish Civil War 1936 -1939 started with Franco invading from the South of Spain via Morocco. He won because of support from the other two fascist leaders Hitler and Mussolini. A carpet bombing in the heart of the Basque country assembly house took place on Market Day in 1937; after this, Picasso painted perhaps the most symbolic anti-war painting ever. The painting was in New York until Franco died and then moved to Spain as Picasso wished. We visited the Assembly hall where for centuries Biscay parishes sent its representatives to discussed problems and established laws that governed life, these were abolished in 1876. We had another great Basque lunch in Guernica. Finally, we stopped at a sheep farm to make yogurt (quark) before heading for our stay in Bilbao. Beautiful rugged coastal views and inland mountainous areas with villages nestled between valleys were our views today.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Day in San Sebastian
Jun 4–6, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Modeled after Biarritz during the Belle Epoch era, the lamp posts are 1920s Art Deco. Queen Maria Christina took waters here for her skin and then helped develop it into a tourist, trade, and industrial centre, and it now has a population of 185,000. A modernistic convention centre now hosts the annual film festival that was established in 1953. The castle was built in the 11th century and atop is a statue of Jesus similar to Rio. We climbed Mount Urguel to the top. Once a fishing port, the area below is now a tourist hub where we enjoyed scallops and calamari frito overlooking the harbour. We then took in the aquarium, which was very good. The Basilica de Santa Maria was not open.Read more
Traveler The look like dr seus trees
6/8/25Reply
Traveler What perfect seats you got! I like the architecture
6/8/25Reply
Traveler This is so cute
6/9/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Arrival San Sebastian/Donastia
June 3, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Helen explained we are going through the Sierra Alto mountains where we saw again more Etxcha, the traditional Basque home design. In families, the 4th Basque son would be sent to America, often to settle near Salt Lake City and work as a shepherd. In Boise, Idaho, there is an annual Basque festival. San Sebastian is a foodie destination and home to the Basque cheese cake. We entered the next province listening to the history of the transition of power between Franco and Juan Carlos, who then declared Spain a democratic republic. We would see a picture of Juan Carlos's family when we got to Madrid's Royal Palace.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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On the Camino
June 3, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
We left Pamplona to do a whole day on the Camino. First stop: El Alto del Perdon or Point of Forgiveness. This is a well photographed pilgrim viewpoint and the site of a Memorial to 92 Franco opposers who were killed. It is 770 meter above sea level. Pointe de Reina is 10 km away along the path of the wind and way of the stars. We were dropped off along the Way and walked through the village of Obanos to our destination on the other side of the 12th century bridge in the village of Pointe de la Reina. We were very fortunate that the rain held off until we were in the bus and on our way to a winery lunch in the country side. After we were done and had just closed the doors to the bus it poured all the way to our next stop! You could not have timed things better!Read more
Traveler 😂😂
6/5/25Reply
Traveler Confident stance!
6/5/25Reply
Traveler Wow!
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Traveler Hahahah love it
6/9/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Bullfighting and a Special Lunch
June 2, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Our guide Francisco used to give a talk on the street about bullfighting; until the wife of a bullfighting enthusiast allowed him to bring the Rick Steves tour group in. He collected bullfighting memorabilia and was joined by other collectors. She never had any interest in bullfighting until meeting him but she was glad to free up the living room where he had constructed a replica of a bullring by establishing this collection and enjoys sharing the passion of her late husband with others. She opens the collection solely to the public the week of San Fermin. As a person who has been raised around bullfighting the sport has appealed to Francisco. He told us that as Christianity gained in popularity it became unacceptable to have Roman gladiators, lions and criminals tear one another apart in the arena and bullfighting replaced this culture. The bull is poked by two stabs from the piccolo. The bullfighter attracts the bull through the motion of the cape and his objective is to save the bull. The performance is judged and if the result is negative, the bullfighter must kill the bull by one accurate stab through the spinal cord. It is a dangerous occupation that pays about €60,000 per fight. This generous lady served us tapas and drinks as well. Then we were treated to lunch at one of the private Basque Men’s Clubs where the men in the group
serve the ladies! You gotta love this matriarchal society!Read more
TravelerWow very progressive! Also 60k per fight is way more than I would have thought!
6/5/25Reply
Still don't like the bullfighting I'm afraid [Jane]
6/7/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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The Santa Maria de Real Cathedral
June 2, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
The next day, we met our local tour guide Francisco who was was both interesting and entertaining. The cathedral is quite unique. There is a small fee to enter and the Bishop here has attached an interpretive center including a interpretation of where we are in 2025 in our spiritual belief. The Holy Mary alter is 1000 years old. Mary was initially depicted as a detached God like unrelatable figure. The matriarch 20 years later is depicted as touching Jesus and thus became more warm, human and relatable.Read more
Traveler Beautiful!
6/5/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Arrival Pamplona
Jun 1–3, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
We descended through mountains of mixed forest and fir trees and gradually came into what appears to be a flatter dryer area and into Pamplona. Our guide told us this is a prosperous and modern city that is a leader in the manufacture of green energy equipment such as windmills and solar panels. Home of the patron Saint Fermin and the annual running of the Bulls when the city’s population expands to 1.5 million. We quickly settled into our modern hotel in the city centre and had a couple of hours rest before meeting up at 7 pm for orientation to the city. The tour would pay for one drink and pintxos and then we were on our own.

NB about Running of the Bills and Pilgrims: This was one of the first regions to convert to Christianity in Spain in the 4th century AD. The scarves worn during Running of the Bulls are white, signifying holy and red, the blood of Saint Fermin. He was one of the first baptized and was decapitated by the Romans. In 711 AD, Muslims crossed over from Morocco at the Rock of Gibraltar. It was not until they crossed the Pyrenees that they were defeated by Charlemagne who then married a Muslim woman to bring peace to the area. The major Christian pilgrimages are to Jerusalem, the Vatican, and Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain where the relics of St James are. The latter was the most important pilgrimage as it could be accessed by much of the Christian world. In Pamplona, Pilgrims continue to enter through the old city walls at Portal de Francis and Calle del Carmen leads to the towers of the Cathedral.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles
June 1, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Our bus travelled through the Roncevaux Pass from Saint Pierre-du-Port to Roncesvalles. Helen told us about Operation Comet and how the Basques assisted the British airman escape Nazi occupied France to neutral Spain. Also the song of Roland from Charlemagne's time: glamorizing the knights of old. The first part of the Camino Frances is a tough hike over the Pyrenees and from the bus we could see the steepness of the mountains. Wewere fortunate to have a beautiful weather day to walk along the Camino (on a beautiful weather and arrived in the village Burguete for a two hour lunch. Like the night before, the salad was wonderfully fresh and Beth had the shrimp and fish stuffed peppers and Nancy had the roasted duck leg which was very good. It was a one hour drive to our destination: Pamplona.Read more
Traveler So you got a Camino passport stamp here? Don't tell me you are going to cheat and pretend you started your walk here instead of just the last 100km?
6/2/25Reply
Traveler Great food!
7/12/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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St Jean Pierre de Port
June 1, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Our bus arrived at 9 am and it took about an hour to get to St. Jean Pierre de Porte which marks the start of the 748 km Camino Frances. Lovely views and town. Popped into the church. Walked to the Citadel where the building is now the local school. Fred, Lillian’s partner took a picture of me with the Camino Frances veteran who had been very reassuring about the walk which she had done solo 5 years prior. Helen got us passports and we got our first stamps: there would be a prize for the person collecting the most stamps during our couple of days following the Camino.Read more
Traveler So pretty
6/2/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Bayonne afternoon
May 31, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We went to A La Bolee creperie recommended by Helen thinking we d split a crepe but it was a one seat one plate policy so we ended up with more food than we wanted. We joined Susan and Allan from the tour who were very pleasant. We located a laundry and Beth got that done while Nancy bought a better rain coat for her upcoming Camino walk. We did a wander over the Neve River bridge to Petit Bayonne which was built later and had a quick look at the A Dour River that empties out into the Atlantic. Feeling peckish we split a plate of grilled prawns before tucking in for the night.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
A morning tour of Bayonne
May 31, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Our group was given a tour of Bayonne by a local named Claire. She explained that under Franco the Basque language and customs were forbidden. The boomer generation was not allowed to learn Basque but the next was. This area came under British rule via inheritance in 1152, marked by the stained glass of the crest of Richard the Lionhearted (King Richard 1 of England 1189). The Nazis had an appreciation for Bayonne architecture and occupied many buildings thus saving them from destruction during WWII. We had a sampling of pasteurized and unpasteurized sheep cheese. Claire’s husband is a shepherd and sells his milk to the producer of the samples from the market. It was Saturday so the market was in full swing. Our next stop was the Basque Museum where a young woman provided insights into the history and customs of the Basque. Her grandparents taught her Basque, her mother French and her father Spanish and she picked up English from school and friends.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Arrival Bayonne
May 30, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
The 1.4 Euro bus ride took 50 minutes to Bayonne and we found Hotel des Basses Pyrenees built into the ramparts of the old wall a 10 minute walk away from our stop at Saint Leon. As we walked into town we could see a ?moat, wall and cathedral that looked impressive. We arrived 2 hours before the meet up with our group. Introductions, an orientation stroll and then a very good dinner with generous helpings: salad and Hake on garlic mashed potatoes. Nancy found the hake similar to halibut, just abit softer and moister…Beth liked it too.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Biarritz
May 30, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Checked out at 11 am. and back at 2 pm. after a 5 km walk along the sea promenade, taking in the views. In 1660 King XIV, the Sun King, married a Spanish princess Maria Therese (who at age 21 was reputed to be quite ugly with only 3 teeth due to her love of sweets and lack of modern dentistry). With their union, the wars between France and Spain came to an end. They were married in a nearby small town called St Jean de Luc. We are just 22 km from the Spanish border. Napoleon III, in addition to remodeling Paris, designed Biarritz to be a major destination for 18th century upper crust society and since the 1950’s a surfing culture has developed. It is very clean, and although some of the original concrete and pavement is weathered in a charming European way that make falls easy. Overall, it is a prosperous looking place. We took in the central market and then walked the long promenade with its beachfront views passing through the old fishing port and then via a pedestrian bridge out to the rocks with its statue of Mary. A quick rest at the B and B and we were off by bus and our meet-up with for the one week Rick Steves group tour of The Basque Country.Read more
Traveler 🥰
6/2/25Reply
Love following you on penguins. Very envious of travelling to all the wonderful places you are seeing. Wish I was there! From what I've heard of bullfighting I don't think I would like that. Looks like you are having great weather. [Jan]
6/2/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Gare Montparnasse / arrival Biarritz
May 29, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We left Hotel Eugenie at 0930 hrs via Bus 74 to Gare Montparnasse which is large with 28 tracks. Found our way to the proper level for our train starting here and terminating in Hendaye, and we are getting off two stops before at Biarritz. It is surprising that most houses just outside of Paris had clay tile roofs. The landscape along the over 700 km was of fields of hay, wheat, and vineyards. We had a prolonged stop at one station, and by the clock we should have almost arrived at our destination. Nancy who had her head buried in Penguin updates, panicked momentarily as to whether we needed to get off. We laughed later as posted just our window the station was labeled Dax. Sadly, the interruption was due to an investigation of a death or accident on the tracks. We googled restaurants and noted it was a public holiday called Ascension, and many people were taking two days off. We arrived about two hours late, and then, due to the holiday, there was a prolonged wait with many other people for the bus. We finally arrived at Maison de Lierre at 8 pm. We found our way to dinner at California Kitchen, where Beth had fish and chips and Nancy fish tacos. We both decided pollock is a rather bland fish, but the dinner overall was good and we sat outside as it was warm with temperatures tomorrow of 30 degrees. Beth commented it felt more like she was on a holiday now. Walked part of the waterfront and viewed the last rays of sunset before heading home. There was quite a party atmosphere on the local streets and this is a hilly resort town with its roots of development in the era of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie (1850s).Read more
Traveler Beautiful
6/2/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
Montmartre
May 28, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We got off M12 at Pigalle Square and across the street was our lunch destination at Bouillon Pigalle. Opened in 2017, this brasserie recreates the atmosphere of the Parisian restaurants in the 19th century by the Duval butcher group with the intent of serving French food from all regions at reasonable prices. And reasonable price they are. Beth opted for the salmon spinach pie in puff pastry with a side salad and 250 mL of Chardonnay (€20) and Nancy had escargot, Ravioli Dauphine made with Conte cheese and topped with leeks, rose wine, fruit compote and an espresso (€28). The tables are close and we had amicable tourist companions: A couple from Thailand who are American/Thai and a couple from the USA who immigrated there 20 years and were enjoying a 3 week first visit to Europe. The Thai woman coaxed Nancy into the snails which she had described as acceptable but not as tasty as the ones in Vietnam served with hot sauce. We had a leisurely 2 hour lunch and set out to walk to the Place du Tertre, a hang out for portrait artists and tourists. Along the way, we decided to take the funicular (€2.50) and enjoy the view from Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. Walking back down we came across La Maison Rose and Dalida’s statue. We found our way down to take a picture of the Moulin Rouge before heading back about 8 pm via Bus 74 from Blanche station. Tomorrow we say “Au Revoir” to Paris and travel 784 km by high speed train to Biarritz in the south of France.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
The Louvre Part 2
May 28, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
We both agreed that we enjoyed the museum using the audio guide but were ready for lunch and a change of pace. So we headed to catch the bus for Montmartre. Finding bus stops at times proves elusive even with Google Maps. We ended up walking through the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde and from there took Metro Line 12 to lunch.Read more
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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The Louvre
May 28, 2025 in France ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
After our nice French breakfast at the hotel we were ready for a big morning at the world's most famous art gallery.

We had 0930h admission tickets to the Louvre and as expected we were not particularly early. The world s largest museum has 8 miles of galleries and it would take 13 (24 hour) days to see every piece displayed. This previous palace became a museum after the French Revolution and 8.4 million people visited in 2024 (Olympics year). We followed the Rick Steves Louvre Tour audio guide and found it a useful way of navigating the evolution of prehistory to 1850’s art. Famous Greek originals such as the Venus de Milo evolving into Roman statues and then Middle Ages religious themes and finally the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a time of art, science and humanism. Three dimensional painting of the idealized beauty, Greek mythology, religious scenes, great battles and political events.Read more
Traveler Haha!
6/2/25Reply
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Paris, Basque Country & Camino Traveler
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Around the Eiffel Tower
May 27, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
After our views from the top of the tower, we walked over to the Trocadéro, took in a long range view and then, feeling some of the tourist end of day “feet are sore and out of steam,” we took the first café that looked reasonable called Frog XV. It turned out to be a British pub rather than a place specializing in frogs legs as Beth feared. We opted for one of Beth's favourites (ribs) but noted it really is a wings and beer place, giving it a disappointing 5/10. On the up side, we had no fear of food poisoning. We took the metro back, managing a smooth transfer between stops back to our now familiar neighborhood.

We have a lot of pictures of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair by Gustav Eiffel. It was meant to be a temporary structure but here it still is and it deserves to be the Grand Icon of Paris.Read more
Traveler Bucket list complete!
6/2/25Reply
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