My European Vacation

16/05/2024

14/05/2024

Yesterday, my clients and I explored the western part of Madeira. They were here 20 years before and couldn’t believe how much things have changed and have been built up.

The “Bridal Veil Falls” that they recalled washing their vehicle as they drove by in 2001 is no longer even visible due to a series of tunnels that have replaced the old, somewhat treacherous-looking old road.

12/05/2024

Madeira East, Part 1: My clients and I spent the first half of the day exploring the amazing sights of the eastern part of Madeira. Going from sea level to over 6000 feet in 30 minutes involved some crazy steep roads and hairpin switchbacks, but the scenery was stunning and the views above the clouds were surreal.

11/05/2024

Made it to Madeira and settled into our hotel in Funchal. I’m excited for island explorations and my clients’ visit to their ancestral town and church.

10/05/2024

We love all the storks of the Algarve and Alentejo, Portugal. 💕

10/05/2024

My guests and I visited the western-most point in mainland Europe on what was an ideal day for imagining far off coasts of Northern Africa and North America. Sagres, Portugal.

06/05/2024

I found this cozy bistro in a small alleyway in Évora. My attentive server, Miguel, took the guesswork out of what I would be eating by bringing prawns bathed in garlic and chili butter as a starter and then partridge pie for my main course. It was all exceptionally good and traditional Alentejo fare.

05/05/2024

In the clouds at Pena Palace in Sintra.

05/05/2024

A misty day at Pena Palace in Sintra.

04/05/2024

Lovely

02/05/2024

Scenes from a lovingly-restored manor house near Lisbon.

02/05/2024

I don’t think I’ve seen happier , ever, than in

01/05/2024

A peaceful evening garden scene. First night back in

17/01/2024

03/10/2023

29/09/2023

It is with immense sadness, and not without profound reflection, that I’ve had to cancel my final tour of the season in Scotland, with five women who were looking forward to this trip for the past year.

During my last tour with two couples, in Italy, we all caught COVID and have been struggling with ongoing symptoms. After five days of required quarantine, I’m on my way home today to recuperate and rest.

The decision to cancel/postpone the trip was heartbreaking but, with severe vertigo and other miserable symptoms, there was no other option.

This is a post extolling the benefits of purchasing trip interruption insurance for everyone’s financial protection. You never know what is around the corner and what could come up, in spite of the best laid plans.

Get a quote for travel insurance, including cancel for any reason coverage, in minutes. Protect your travel investment!

17/09/2023

Incredible and unique itinerary at amazing prices with 5-star accommodations! We’re branching out into select markets with premium itineraries just a few times each year.

This itinerary is unlike many of the rushed and exhausting Egypt itineraries that you normally encounter! We are so excited to present this unique Egypt itinerary that includes, not only all the antiquities of Cairo, Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, but topping off the trip with four days of relaxation and frolicking at the Red Sea from Hurghada! This 13-day itinerary is the antithesis of a typical, rushed visit through Egypt and includes a peaceful 3-night Nile cruise.

The visit takes place the first two weeks of November, 2024, when high season and high temps are winding down but temperatures are still comfortable enough to enjoy all that the Red Sea has to offer for water activities.

We are limiting this group to 20 people, double occupancy at a cost of $4599 per person (excluding international airfare for your own flexibility and convenience). Deadline to register and pay deposit is November 1, 2023

PREPAYMENT DISCOUNT: Prepay you trip and guarantee your space by October 1 and receive a 5 percent discount.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

17/09/2023

Only three spots left on this cooking and wine tour in Burgundy & Paris tour in June, 2024. Book by Friday, 22 September and pay in full for a 10 percent discount of €584. Limited to five people.

Unveil the magic of Burgundy's hidden gems as you wander through picturesque fairytale villages. Lose yourself in charming cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and vibrant local culture. Immerse yourself in a world of enchantment, where every corner tells a story and every moment feels l...

17/09/2023

Imagine being here — right now — enjoying some amazing Amalfi Coast seafood and pasta with your vino of choice and maybe even, following your dinner, some ice cold, fresh limoncello! 🍋🍋🍋

What would you order?

Since 2000, we’ve been designing and leading tailor-made tours throughout 17 countries in Europe f

17/09/2023

Olive oil adventures

17/09/2023

My guests and I attended Olive Oil University today near Todi in Umbria, and I will never look at olive oil — or olive oil tastings — the same.

Alessandro is an award-winning Olive Oil Sommelier and an engineer! I could write an entire essay on what we learned today about olive oil and why, if produced and cared for properly, it is truly a super food.

We learned how to taste olive oil to determine whether it is really an extra virgin olive oil and discern the quality and whether the olives were picked at the optimum time for health and flavor.

The biggest takeaway is that most olive oils in the grocery store are what the Romans would have used as lamp oil. Also, that he and his “lovely assistant” and wife, Claudia, are gracious hosts.

Best of all, Passo Della Palomba ships their very reasonably-priced olive oil, olive oil skin care products, and more. https://www.passodellapalomba.com/product-category/extravergin-olive-oil/?lang=en

15/09/2023

12/09/2023

The Rialto Market was quiet yesterday morning, with the famous fish market having a day off on Mondays. 🎣

10/09/2023

A day in Venice