Our European Adventure 2018

A 6 month trip on a shoestring Read more

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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Driving North: Picturesque Villages
May 22, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Driving in Portugal is wonderful but expensive on the toll roads. When we go through the towns, the small, winding roads are a nightmare! There is just no room for more than one lane in many areas, and people drive down the middle of the road, zipping in and out, only giving way when they have to. I don’t take pictures of this because I’m holding onto my seat and the door handle!

Here is Obidos, a sweet walled town with a castle that is now a Pousada (fancy hotel). We tasted a cherry liquor in chocolate cups, which everyone seems to sell there. Delicious!Read more
TravelerCastles everywhere 😊. I’d like to do that if I could walk better........ what’s in the bottle Linda’s getting? A little rum? 😁
5/23/18Reply
TravelerIt is a liquor called Ginja, made from sour cherries. But they added lots of sugar! It isn't too strong--just right in the morning.
5/24/18Reply
TravelerIn the MORNING?????? You hitting the bottle in the morning????? Brahahahahahahahahahahahaha you deserve it ...... enjoy it my friends enjoy
5/28/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Nazare
May 22, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
This is an old fishing village, now a hot destination for tourists. We decided not to stay due to the crowds. We wanted a fish dinner, and ended up eating in the next town. The fish stew was delicious!Read more
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Alcobaca Monastery
May 22, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Huge Gothic Monastery!
TravelerWOW. I like it
5/23/18Reply
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Batalha: Battlefield
May 22, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Batalha: a battlefield from the Hundred Years War, in which the outnumbered Portuguese won over the Castilians (Spanish). The battle lasted less than an hour and thousands died!

A Gothic church was built in 1416 in gratitude for the victory. It is filled with light, but otherwise quite austere.Read more
Traveler A trebuchet, used to sling large rocks at forts and walled cities.
5/24/18Reply
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Fatima Shrine
May 23, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
In Fatima is a basilica built as a shrine to Mary, because she appeared here in 1917 to three children as they were shepherding their sheep. Two of the children, a brother and sister, died only a few years later, and are buried in the basilica. The other child, their cousin, grew up and became a nun. She lived into her 90s. About 4 million pilgrims travel here every year.Read more
TravelerI read the story of Fatima when I was young it is great seeing your photos from there TY
5/28/18Reply
Traveler Beautiful stained glass window
5/29/18Reply
Traveler Love this Nativity (Very contemporary amidst the old).
5/29/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Tomar: Convent of Christ Monastery
May 23, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
A former Knights Templar castle from 1160, with later embellishments including a famous Manueline window (for King Manuel of the 16th century).
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
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Tomar Monastery Rotunda
May 23, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
The famous rotunda (round church) was also built in the second half of the 12th century. The church was modeled by the Knights’ thoughts of how King Solomon’s Temple was. It contains many fantastic Gothic and Manueline paintings and sculptures which were added in the 1500s.Read more
Traveler We feel like we just took a tour of Portugal. You are having a wonderful adventure!.
5/24/18Reply
Traveler Yes we are, even though driving is a challenge!
5/25/18Reply
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Staying in Ciera (Coimbra)
May 23, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Our Airbnb hosts this evening were Samuel and Julie. They welcomed us into their family with open arms! The children, ages 7, 5, and 3, are delightful. Julie is French and Samuel is Portuguese; the children know both languages, but they seem to understand some English, too. The youngest one was talking excitedly in Portuguese about something being advertised on TV, and I asked her if that was on her Christmas list, and she said “Si” (yes)! They live in a beautiful home in a small town on the outskirts of Coimbra, a University town. We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed some chocolate cake and Beirao, a Portuguese liquor, with them. Dean stayed up talking with Samuel until 1 a.m. discussing many important subjects, like, “Is it really true that at Denny’s you get a full pot of coffee all for yourself?” He watches TV and is very interested in the USA.Read more
Traveler The view from Samuel and Julie's home.
5/25/18Reply
Traveler Another use for a bidet!
5/25/18Reply
Traveler The girls all ready for escola (school).
5/25/18Reply
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Bussaco Palace Hotel
May 24, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
This is another pousada, one of the historic and culturally important buildings that have been converted into luxury hotels. We were there in the rain so didn’t get many good pictures,. It is a beautiful place, but they don’t want tourists wandering in the building unless they are staying and/or dining there. But I sneaked a few pictures while Dean was talking to the reception staff.Read more
Traveler The trim is a mosaic of various colored rocks.
5/25/18Reply
Traveler It was raining so I took a picture of a picture, to give an idea how it should look.
5/25/18Reply
TravelerLove the flowers
5/29/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Arrival in Porto
May 24, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
We checked in with Filipe and Linda, who live in an apartment across the river from the city center. Felipe gave us a map and written information on the bus to take into Porto and what to see. It was still raining so we decided to shower and rest up for tomorrow’s sightseeing. In the evening we went to a neighborhood restaurant for a local specialty, the Francesinha. This is a sandwich made with steak, ham, sausage, cheese, and a fried egg, covered with piri-piri sauce, served with French fries. It was huge and we should have split one, but we took leftovers home and ate it minus the bread and French fries the next day. It was fine—Dean liked all the meat, but we weren’t crazy about it. Once is enough. Good thing Porto is hilly, so we can burn off the calories tomorrow.

Note to selves: The waiter brought appetizers we didn’t ask for so we thought they were free. They were delicious, but we learned that we have to pay for every extra, including the take-home box!Read more
TravelerYou would probably like this sandwich--all meat and bread and a spicy sauce.
5/29/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Exploring Porto
May 25, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Porto is a city on the Douro river with an opening into the Atlantic. At one time, it was the capital of the Portugal. It rained, but we took the bus into the historic center of town. There we found a beautiful theater, and another church being restored. The train station is gorgeous with the Portuguese painted tiles depicting historical scenes.Read more
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Port Wine Tasting in Porto
May 25, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We walked along the river, then crossed the double-deck bridge and strolled by the Port Wine cellars and shops in Gaia. We looked inside a couple of them, and then had our own port tasting at a coffee shop. They were all good!Read more
TravelerI could never get into the Port wine 🍷
5/28/18Reply
TravelerI never liked it before this!
5/28/18Reply
TravelerI don't really like Port wine either...but if I was there I certainly would have tried it.
5/30/18Reply
TravelerWe had to try it, and it was good! With 7 different kinds, you might like one. We had never had white port, and it was delicious!
5/30/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Hills in Porto
May 25, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We crossed the bridge again and climbed up 210 steps and then some hilly streets to get back to the center of town, where we saw the big cathedral and a view of Gaia from on high. Porto is a beautiful city, and we would have liked it better if more of the buildings were taken care of, and if it hadn’t been raining. But the country needs the rain. Last summer they had lots of forest fires.Read more
TravelerI understand what you mean about restoration as we found both London and Paris were working on restoring old buildings.
5/31/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Aveiro
May 26, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
This town is along the coast in a lagoon formed by the Ria river. There are canals criss-crossing through the town. People can take canal tours on the large, colorful boats that used to be used for harvesting seaweed for fertilizer. There are lots of beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic sidewalks, and clean pedestrian streets. A town confection we had to try is Ovo Moles made with egg yolks and sugar, originally made in the convents.Read more
TravelerWow. All the mosaics.... mind boggling
5/28/18Reply
TravelerIsn't it fun?
5/28/18Reply
TravelerBeautiful
5/30/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Museum of Aveiro
May 26, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
This is a religious art museum in a 15th century convent, the Monastery of Jesus. The convent is famous because of St. Joanna, a Portuguese princess. Because she was in the royal line she was never able to take her solemn vows. She rejected marriage three times; instead she lived out a modest life at the convent, and bequeathed her estate to it when she died in 1490. At first she was buried modestly as she requested, but when she was canonized in the 1600s, a inlaid marble tomb was made for her. We also saw the washing room and the refectory where the sisters ate in silence.Read more
TravelerEnjoyed reading her story.
5/31/18Reply
TravelerIt was very interesting. Sad that she died too early.
5/31/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Baroque and Rococco Religious Art
May 26, 2018 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
The baroque church is stunning. The organ in the choir loft is available for anyone who wants to play it, and we heard a very talented teenager playing.

There were so many pieces of religious art in the museum, both Baroque (lots of gold leaf) and Rococco (very colorful). A lot of the pieces came from this convent.Read more
TravelerBeautiful...did you play the organ?
5/30/18Reply
TravelerChopsticks didn't seem appropriate!
5/30/18Reply
TravelerHow beautiful this is!
5/31/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Vaughan Town, El Barco de Avila
June 1, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
We’ve spent the past 6 days volunteering for Vaughan Town, an English Immersion program for Spaniards. We’ve met such wonderful people: the participants, the staff, and the other volunteers. It’s very impressive how dedicated the Spaniards are in their efforts to improve their communication in English! We had a great time and made many new friends.

As volunteers, we spent time talking one-to-one with each person, had meals together, participated in group activities, and practiced telephone communication as well. In addition, there was an entertainment hour every evening, composed of skits, presentations, and music, in which we all participated at some point. We got to see some real Spanish dancing, and Dean was involved as part of the “Spice Girls” band. We even received certificates at the end of the program!Read more
TravelerWonderful.......I was going to do that but they told me if I did it would set the Spaniards back 50 years in their English 😂 Thank you for your volunteer work
6/2/18Reply
Your experiences are priceless. Keep having fun.
6/3/18Reply
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El Barco de Avila
June 1, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
The area is beautiful: snow-capped mountains, a river, and a small town with a castle and church topped with nesting storks! With as many storks as we've seen, it's hard to believe they are protected. They are messy and people don't want them building nests on their chimneys, so places are provided for them to nest.Read more
Traveler Church of the Assumption of Our Lady
6/4/18Reply
TravelerBeautiful. The weather looks nice too. What an experience!
6/4/18Reply
TravelerActually, that was one of the nicest days here! It's been much cloudier and we are getting rain quite often-it's an usually cool and wet spring. But we love it!
6/5/18Reply
Traveler The hotel in which Vaughan Town happens!
6/5/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Stunning Segovia
June 2, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Segovia is a beautiful city about two hours away from Barco de Avila. The huge Roman aqueduct was built without mortar (!) in the first century AD, goes right through the center of town, and is surrounded by a plaza. The maximum height is 28 meters (92 ft). You can climb up the steps next to the aqueduct and enter the walled part of the city, or walk up through the lower town.Read more
TravelerLinda, you look nice. Charlie would be so impressed with the stone work and marvel at how they built it.
6/4/18Reply
TravelerThanks, Donna! "Hi to Charlie!"
6/5/18Reply
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Segovia Castle & Views Around Town
June 2, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
There is an amazing castle, built in the 1100s, which has great views. The town has narrow winding streets, and many Romanesque buildings, restaurants and shops.
Traveler Reminds us of the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas!
6/10/18Reply
TravelerLovely photos!
6/11/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Segovia's Cathedral
June 2, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
The huge Gothic cathedral, built in the 1500s, is the most photographed cathedral in Spain. We were happy to see lots of restoration work going on. The main altar is made of marble and alabaster, but seems to be outdone by all the gold in the smaller chapels. The Chapel of the Descent from the Cross, contained a very realistic carving of Jesus, that was like a moment captured in stone.Read more
TravelerThe city suit both of you
6/11/18Reply
TravelerThanks!
6/12/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Avila: A Walled City
June 3, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
We drove from Segovia to Avila, about 1 hour away, to see this old walled city for a short walk-around. The medieval walls are completely intact. We had fun seeing the precious children dressed up for their first communion. It is great to see people involved in these historic buildings as a part of family traditions, and keeping them alive. There was also some kind of civic ceremony involving a band and officials in the town square.Read more
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Vaughan Town 2, Barco de Avila
June 8, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Week 2 of Vaughan Town completed. Another wonderful group of Spaniards, volunteers, and staff got together to have a life-changing experience. We found it very heartwarming to have such a close connection with so many people in such a short period of time. There were volunteers from Australia, Canada, England, Sweden, and the US, (and Wales in the first week). The Spaniards had to decipher all those accents and ways of speaking, and it was amazing how much they improved in just 6 days!

Anglos are encouraged to do a presentation if we want to. Dean presented information on the Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park and I led a line dance. Everyone seemed to enjoy both activities!

Note: Barco de Avila is known as a region for growing organic legumes. We ate some during the week, cooked with chorizo, and they were delicious!Read more
TravelerIt's been a pleasure meeting both of you. You make a sweet couple and both of you are awesome. Hope you keep having fun around Europe.
6/11/18Reply
I loved that dance, it was so fun...thank you for that great week . Gema Martin
6/11/18Reply
TravelerThank you both! We really enjoyed meeting you! Best wishes for a great future!
6/12/18Reply
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Salamanca: The Golden City
June 8, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 64 °F
We walked around the Old Town area which contains the oldest University in Spain, founded in the 1100s. It’s also called the Golden City, because of the numerous sandstone buildings. The Plaza Mayor (Main Square) is huge and lots of people hang out there.Read more
Traveler Jose Ledesma Criado, A Salamanca Poet
6/15/18Reply
TravelerMy, you are seeing such beautiful architecture and meeting a wide variety of people! This trip is an amazing education for you! Thanks for sharing!
6/17/18Reply
We have enjoyed watching your vacation. Your pictures are wonderful. Frank, Avis, Mauri and Carol
6/17/18Reply
TravelerThanks for your feedback everyone. Glad you're enjoying our trip!
6/18/18Reply
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Our European Adventure 2018 Traveler
Our Lady of Burgos Cathedral
June 9, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
We were advised by our Spanish friends to go to Burgos to see the cathedral. We were glad we did! It was built of limestone in the 13th to 16th centuries, is huge and has lots of French Gothic detailing. The main worship area has a huge carved dome, and carved wooden choir.Read more
TravelerThis first picture is an attempt at a panorama because it was too big for a regular picture--it's a little crooked!
6/18/18Reply
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