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Our European Adventure 2018
  • DeanandLindasTravels
  • DeanandLindasTravels

Our European Adventure 2018

A 6 month trip on a shoestring Read more
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  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Driving to Ronda, Spain

    May 12, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    This morning we left the Costa del Sol and headed for Albufeira, in the Algarve region of Portugal, the Southern coast. Rather than drive the quickest way, we chose to drive up in the mountains through Ronda on the way to Seville, which is a popular drive. We could see why! The scenery was beautiful and I had to try to keep from pointing things out so Dean could keep his eyes on the winding road. The drive actually took us above the treeline for a short distance.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Ronda, Spain

    May 12, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Ronda is a village that a lot of people enjoy, and we would have too, except there was some kind of event--we think it was a bicycle race and we’re not sure what else was going on; people were parked along every street and there wasn’t much room to drive.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    On to Albufeira Portugal

    May 12, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Then we went around Seville and crossed the border into Portugal. Upon arriving in Albuferia, the GPS lady couldn’t find our condo and took us all over on some one-track “roads” so we asked someone for directions. Our condo is at a Golf resort and is very nice. We are looking forward to having Jacob and Jodie join us tomorrow!Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Albufeira, Portugal

    May 13, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Jacob and Jodie met up with us in the afternoon, and we went into town. Albufeira used to be a fishing village, and now is a bustling tourist town with beaches, tourist activities, and nightlife. There are lots of restaurants, of course—here we are at a good Chinese restaurant.

    Most of the buildings in town are white, but there are some pastel condos by the marina. The chimneys in the Algarve (Southern coast of Portugal) are made of pottery, unique, and varied.    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Sand City, Pera

    May 16, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    This is a huge, exhibit of over 45,000 tons of sand sculpted by an international group of gifted artists, which has been going on for over 15 years. Each year’s theme is different—this year's is the arts. The exhibit lasts from April 1-mid November.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    2

    Church of St. Lawrence, Loule

    May 16, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    We drove about 30 minutes away to the village of Loule, to see the Church of Sao Lourenco; that is the Portuguese spelling of St. Lawrence. It is a small church, but the inside is amazing—done all in traditional Portuguese tile work to show St. Lawrence’s life and martyrdom. We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside, so here is a photo of the postcard we bought—it’s not too clear, but gives an idea of what it’s like.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Seeking Laundry, Beach, & Dinner

    May 17, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Jacob and Jodie left for home. It was sad to say goodbye, but we'll see them in England.
    Now it was time to wash clothes. Our attempts to find a laundromat were funny: At our resort, there is none, but they told us we could find one at a resort across the road. We asked directions, got a map, and walked all around, finally finding it, but there were only two washers and one dryer, and parking was not close. So we searched online and found one, but it was closed for the lunch hour. Then we found a tourist information place and couldn’t understand all of the information, except we found out that a certain grocery store chain, Intermarche, sometimes has laundry facilities. We knew there was one close to our resort, so went there. It only had 2 washers and 1 dryer, but we could drive up, we could get change in the store, and they had coffee and yummy custard tarts!

    Next, we went in search of a beach for a good view. We didn’t stay as it was time for dinner. We found a great Portuguese restaurant a few blocks from our condo, and got a complete meal for 11 euros (about $13): soup or salad, garlic bread, fish or meat, potatoes or rice, a whole decanter of wine, dessert, and coffee! It was delicious and the service was wonderful too!    Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Monchique Locals

    May 18, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    This is a town where we saw real Portuguese people going about their day: men drinking coffee in the town square, people shopping at the market, a group of 5 women sweeping the church, and a sweet little lady selling Mendronho, sort of a high-test liquor that she distills herself. It is made from arbutus, also called a strawberry tree, but it doesn't taste like a strawberry.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Mt Foia, Highest Point of the Algarve

    May 18, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We drove up to the highest point of the Algarve, almost 3000 ft. We could see the coastline and the Southeast point of Portugal on one side, and mountain farmland on the other. It was a lovely place for a picnic. Eucalyptus trees and cork trees grow in abundance around the area. The eucalyptus smelled wonderful!Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Vendas Novas B&B

    May 19, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    We drove to Vendas Novas, about 2 hours North. It was a beautiful drive through hilly terrain with lots more cork trees, vineyards, and wildflowers-mostly yellow and purple-everywhere. The hosts of our B&B, Armindo and Teresa, are so nice. They really make us feel welcome. Both are police in Lisbon. They invited us to join them for supper: a lovely squash and fish soup, bread, wine, and baked apples. We visited pretty well—they understand English and can speak a fair amount. Then they brought out the port and we understood each other just fine! They even gave us a city map for Lisbon. They really are over the top hosts!Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Enchanting Evora

    May 19, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    The 45 minute drive to Evora was lovely. More cork trees, eucalyptus trees, and storks—we even saw 13 nests on one high transmission line tower! We also saw ruins of a castle on a hill, cattle, and sheep. Evora is a city from the 1500-1700s with narrow winding streets. We parked outside the city walls, and just walked around. It was funny to see a car parked in the middle of a narrow street--they don't care that they block the road.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
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    Lisbon's Golden Gate

    May 20, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We drove to Lisbon this morning, crossed the big red bridge (like the Golden Gate in San Francisco), with a statue of Christ nearby. We checked in at our B&B and our host gave us advice. We and drove to Belem, on the edge of Lisbon. There we saw some monuments to Lisbon’s explorations of olden days as well as a large, white monastery.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    1

    Exploring Lisbon

    May 20, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    We couldn’t figure out the train or bus systems, so we finally talked to a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus driver and found out which one to take into the city. We were glad to ride around and get our bearings, finding out some of the history as we went.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Castle of Sao Jorge, Lisbon

    May 20, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    We got off in a main square downtown and climbed the hilly route to the castle of St. George. We climbed and climbed, and finally saw the elevator we could have taken to get us most of the way up! The castle has wonderful views of the city and the Tagus river. There were also some archeological digs of the old palace.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler

    Palace of Pena, Sintra

    May 21, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    Our destination today was the summer royal Palace of Pena, built on the site of the former Convent of Our Lady of Pena in the mid 1800s. We drove up and up, and once parked, we walked up and up some more. It is at the top of a mountain, to catch the cooling Atlantic breezes, as it gets hot in Lisbon in the summer, around 105 degrees at the most. The castle is 19th century Portuguese Romanticism style. Even though we had bought tickets in advance to avoid the line to buy them, we still had to stand in line to get into the palace. It was worth it: jaw dropping!Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    1

    Palatial Views

    May 21, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    Many rich people also built palaces in the area, so they could have the status of being close to the king. The first picture shows one of the closest neighbors. There were lots of great views from the Palace, including a cross way on the top of a mountain.Read more

  • DeanandLindasTravelsOur European Adventure 2018Traveler
    1

    The Palace Grounds

    May 21, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    After lunch on the terrace, we walked through some of the 200+ acre park surrounding the palace and went up to the highest point, 1700 ft above sea level, where a cross stands. We walked through trees, ivy vines, flowers, azaleas, camellias, ferns, and more. There were also some “lakes” with “duck houses” shaped like castles! It’s amazing that this arboretum was once a barren, rocky hilltop!Read more

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