In brief: While exploring the Douro River valley, we found other enticements in the vicinity - Bragança, Viana do Castelo, Arouca. Our main goal was to do the Douro River valley and its towns, as…
In brief: We finally took the opportunity to go with the flow - visiting the Douro River and environs - after seeing much of the rest of the country. There are many ways to “do…
In brief: We kayaked the coast with friends in a delightful half-day excursion. Sesimbra, tucked into a peninsula about an hour’s drive south of Lisbon, is an adventuring center. It nestles within the extensive Arrabida…
In brief: We returned to Rome for one art exhibition, Caravaggio at the Palazzo Barberini, but – inevitably in this city – discovered much more. Rome is rich with artistic treasures at any time. Special…
In brief: We hadn’t visited Rome for 19 years since we lived in neighboring Umbria. So our aim was largely to wander across the city. Here are some digital “vedute” of our memorable moments. Vedute…
In brief: We took the opportunity in the Spring of 2025 to re-visit two of our favorite museums, and certainly tops in Lisbon – the Bordalo Pinheiro and the Gulbenkian. Bordalo Pinheiro Some five years…
In brief: We found a bit of old Lisbon under the aqueduct in the Campolide freguesia. At the edge of forested Monsanto park, on a plateau looking out over the Campolide valley, we took a…
In brief: We did not know what to expect at this far eastern Saudi town within the desert of a supremely wealthy country. We found it highly commercial, quickly expanding, and very welcoming. Oil is…
In brief: The oohs, aahs, and wows keep happening when people visit the Al-Qarah caves, part of the World Heritage oasis of the Al-Hasa. The oohs, aahs, and wows keep happening when people visit the…
In brief: At the World Heritage Al-Hasa oasis we found more than palms nurtured by plentiful spring water. We tapped into the flow of Saudi history as well. Lured by the World Heritage status of…