The Portuguese often refer to Lisbon as the cidade das sete colinas, or “city of the seven hills.” This is not an exaggeration as we found out on our first day. Climbing all of the stairs in Lisbon was a challenge, but the outstanding views from the top make the trips worthwhile. Each miradouro offers different perspectives of the city, with panoramic views of popular landmarks from the castle down to the river. Continue reading
Harcourt, Canada
Living in a city like New York with the lots of light pollution it’s impossible to see the stars at night. That’s why I appreciate the rare occurrences when I am out in the open and I can look up and see the sky full of stars. This photo was taken on our trip to a cottage, a few hours north of Toronto. Late at night after the parents went to bed, we stole down to the pier with our flashlights, blankets, and cameras. By the water, with the silence periodically broken by the sharp cry of a loon looking for its mate, the slow moving water gently swayed the dock as we quietly laid in a row. Looking up, the Milky Way was perfectly visible strewn across the inky black sky. Millions of stars twinkled, creating an unforgettable moment that I got to share with my family.
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Porto – with its well worn buildings, colorful facades, and red rooftops that dot the hillside along the river Douro; is extremely photogenic whether you’re wandering through the streets or taking in the views from above. There are many lookouts with different vantage points over Porto. These places are called miradouros in Portuguese and are usually high points with clear sights of popular landmarks amongst the sea of rooftops. These hilltop terraces are popular with locals and visitors for their panoramic views. Here are a few of our favorite places for the perfect sweeping vista of the city: Continue reading
Harcourt, Canada
I am back in the city for a few days and already I miss Canada. I miss the fresh air, the tall graceful trees surrounding our cottage, and all the sounds of nature. The only thing I don’t miss are the armies of mosquitoes that viciously attack anyone that wanders outdoors. This picture was taken with my new wide angle lens that I got a few months back. During the late afternoon when the sun is low, the soft light streamed through the green leaves creating a glowing effect.
Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.
Porto was love at first sight for me, and even spring showers did not make the city any less beautiful. Everything from the lively riverfront, to the quirky street art, to the colorful azulejos made me smile. I loved wandering down old alleyways and looking up at charming apartments that were just a little rundown. I loved relaxing on the bench at Jardim do Palácio de Cristal, taking in the sunshine and the view. I loved sitting in the rickety tram, watching seagulls soar over the Atlantic and breathing in the bracing ocean air. There are many things to do in Porto, most of which are free:
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
This picture was taken at the Tabacón hot springs – located at the northern base of Arenal Volcano. The geothermal springs are heated naturally by the magma found in the earth’s core. The mineral-rich natural springs are surrounded by lush tropical foliage and serene cascading waterfalls creating a paradise setting, perfect for relaxation after a long day of trekking through the rainforest.
Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.
I have to admit, Porto was not high on my list of places to visit. I actually only came based on my sister’s recommendation, but in the end I couldn’t have been happier with that decision. I’ve traveled to many cities around the world and indiscriminately loved them all, but there are few that hold on to my heart just a little bit longer, and Porto is one of them. It’s not flashy, but it doesn’t need to be and it exudes a quiet old-world charm and laid back vibe that some of the other cities lack.
Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal, known for its Port wines. Portugal’s second-largest city comes with all the history and allure of Lisbon but minus the crowds, congestion, and price-gouging. Not having gained the notoriety of other more well known European cities, it’s not as expensive as Paris or London, and it’s not as filled with tourists as Prague.
A long drawn out dinner filled with good cheap wine and hearty food was our experience while eating in Porto, a city that is about so much more than port wine. The dining scene in Porto has evolved over the years to become the next food destination of Europe. The unpretentious authentic northern Portuguese cuisine revolves around fresh local produce with delicacies such as francesinhas, sardinhas, and bacalhau taking center stage. We had many memorable dishes from a cheesy, oozy sandwich to freshly grilled fish. Here are a few of the restaurants we’ve visited during our stay in Porto: Continue reading
Chicago, USA
The ultra modern Pritzker Pavilion serves as the centerpiece for Millennium Park and home to the Grant Park Music Festival, as well as many other outdoor music performances throughout the year. Frank Gehry’s creative design of interlocking steel trellis spanning the great lawn gives a futuristic feel to the space, and the tall buildings provide the perfect backdrop to this beautiful setting.
Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.
I use this blog as a way to share my travel experiences – both good and bad, and this one is a doozy. It started with a lost passport and ended with our dead-in-the-night scramble to get out of Portugal. As you read through this article, you’ll think to yourself, these are all rookie mistakes that I would never make. Trust me, I thought so too – until we made them all. Given that we have been traveling extensively for the last 8 years, it’s downright embarrassing, but what can you do? Sometime shit happens.
life after 9to5 