Travel and Leisure

Foz do Arelho: The Quiet Wonder of the Silver Coast

With a hypnotic and calm “lagoa” (lagoon) beach, contrasting the seaside tumult and rocky cliffs, Foz do Arelho is the quiet wonder of the Silver coast. Positioned directly west of the friendly city of Caldas da Rainha, Foz, as it is known by the local expats, offers everything one can d Read More

Santarém Portugal: One of Portugal's Most Important Cities

From its ridge-top position, the city of Santarém in Portugal overlooks the Tagus River. This city in the municipality of Santarem boasts of a wealth of historical events and is considered by many to be the Gothic capital in Portugal. Because of its strategic location in the center of the cou Read More

Yosemite: The Approach to the Valley

When I set out on the long excursion that finally led to California I wandered afoot and alone, from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico, with a plant-press on my back, holding a generally southward course, like the birds when they are going from summer to winter. From the west coast of Florida I crossed Read More

A Brief History of Schönbrunn Palace (House of Habsburgs)

Located in Vienna, Austria, Schönbrunn Palace has a history that dates to the Middle Ages. However, it was not until 1569 that the estate came into the possession of the House of Habsburg (Haus Österreich) through Maximilian II. Prior to that, there were many documented owne Read More

The Roman Ruins of Conímbriga Portugal

Are you a history buff at heart? If so, then the Roman ruins of Conímbriga Portugal, located about 20 minutes southwest of Coimbra, should be on your bucket list. When you visit this well-maintained site, you will feel like you have stepped back in time. The walled Roman settlement had s Read More

The Top 10 Must See Places in Portugal

These are the top ten must-see places in Portugal. Why only ten locations? Well, my purpose was to refine this list to the ten perfect destinations that a visitor to Portugal must see to truly appreciate the spirit, diversity, and beauty of Portugal. This list of destinations contains places of Read More