Alex’s first video out of the pipeline. We spent a week in Córdoba the third and last (for now) stop in sunny Andalucía. Despite some rain at the beginning we enjoyed this city full of history, architecture, opportunity for meandering by Guadalquivir River, and mild winter temperatures.
Final notes: Andalucia and Galicia
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
This is a wrap-up on our Spanish part of the trip and a catch up for topics left out of previous posts. And although we did dash through Madrid, it wasn’t the main focus of our winter travel. Continue reading “Final notes: Andalucia and Galicia”
Vigo, Galicia
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
Wed, Feb 5
We stand on the top of Castro Mountain, the highest point and right in the centre of Vigo, admiring the spectacular views across the Ria de Vigo, which estuary is sheltered by the Cíes Islands. Its summit is crowned by the Fortaleza de Santa María do Castro, constructed in 1665 and currently an archeological site. Continue reading “Vigo, Galicia”
Madrid then and now
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
Sat, Feb 1
I’ve been wondering at what time Alex will take his wrong turn. Usually, it happens at least once per trip. (Emphasis on at least. As a kid, we used to call wrong turns ‘dad’s shortcuts’. I think its an inherited trait. I’m kind of proud about it – A.) We had to check out of our accommodation before 11am. Continue reading “Madrid then and now”
Cordoba feels relaxed
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
Córdoba, our last stop in Andalusia (for now), founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, conquered by the Moors in the 8th century, after being in the Visigoths hands, and eventually seized in the 13th century Christian conquest, is known for the highest summer temperatures in Spain and mild winters with frequent showers. Continue reading “Cordoba feels relaxed”
Dramatic Ronda
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
Ronda, one of the white towns in Andalucia, is beautiful and dramatic. This small, mountaintop, compact town perched on both sides of the deep Guadalevín River Gorge, has a lot going for it. The old town, dating to Moorish rule, with narrow streets and cobble stones, is on the southern side of the gorge. Continue reading “Dramatic Ronda”
Seville (Sevilla)
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
In the country of sangria, the most disappointing thing in Sevilla was … the sangria!
Goodbye Sevilla. Alex liked you. Me, not so much. Although we agreed you are not our favourite. I won’t miss the feeling of being rushed into bolting down my meal at a restaurant. Continue reading “Seville (Sevilla)”
The start
Storyline: Winter 2025: Portugal and Spain
For this trip we fly to Lisbon, take a train to Faro, one of our favourites, but where we’d only spend one night, and continue to Sevilla by bus the following morning. We’d spend a week there to fight off jetlag and acclimatize. Continue reading “The start”
Haarlem
On the day of our winter 2025 departure for Portugal and Span this Haarlem video is the last post from the September 2024 European trip.
Budapest during the flood
The culmination point of our adventures due to storm Boris was in Budapest. Although we explored a fair bit of the city, we were drawn to the river. We had long walks around the Danube River banks and the bridges and Alex managed to take some videos he put together. Cheers and Happy New Year!
The last train
Storyline: 2024 Fall trip to Europe
(Posting just over 3 months later)
Sat, Sept 21
Last train for this trip that is. I for sure hope there will be at least a few more. Continue reading “The last train”
Vienna was a mixed bag
Storyline: 2024 Fall trip to Europe
For this trip Vienna was our hub. We’d touch it a few times as we changed countries and moved from one city to another. Continue reading “Vienna was a mixed bag”
Budapest was a wash, literally!
Storyline: 2024 Fall trip to Europe
Sept 14 – Sept 21
We made it safe to Budapest on one of the last trains that ran from cold and stormy Vienna (snow to the west of Austria). What a change from a few days ago! Continue reading “Budapest was a wash, literally!”
The most happenstantial trip we’ve ever had
Storyline: 2024 Fall trip to Europe
Sept 29
A month after we took off to Europe.
It is Sunday afternoon and we’ve been back for a couple of days now. Fighting jetlag and enjoying the lovely weather: sunny, warm and dry. Perhaps the best month that we missed. Continue reading “The most happenstantial trip we’ve ever had”
Dodging Storm Boris
This short video is to let everyone know that we are safe and sound, if a little wet, in Europe. In mid September, parts of Europe suffered severe flooding from a massive and long-lasting rainstorm. We were in Sofia, Bulgaria when all the warnings began, and we had to get to Budapest via Vienna early in the storm’s approach. More to come.
