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A Day of History, Faith & Portuguese CharmAfter a peaceful night at the beautiful Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Monaste...
10/11/2026

A Day of History, Faith & Portuguese Charm

After a peaceful night at the beautiful Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Monastery Hotel, we began our day exploring the magnificent Alcobaça Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its soaring Gothic church and the moving tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro tell one of Portugal’s most tragic love stories. Legend says their tombs face one another so they can find each other again in eternity.

Next, we visited Fátima, where three young shepherd children reported seeing the Virgin Mary in 1917. Standing in this sacred place and learning about the famous Miracle of the Sun brought the history and devotion of millions of pilgrims to life.

Our stay at Luz Charming Houses was another delight—a peaceful retreat nestled among trees and flowers, complete with cozy fireplaces, a natural grotto, and a wonderfully unique pool. 🌿

Lunch at Tia Alice was a taste of authentic Portuguese hospitality, with comforting homemade food and a lovely connection to the story of two of Fátima’s shepherd children, Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

The perfect ending? Joining approximately 2,000 people for the 9:30 p.m. candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Fátima. Thousands of flickering candles, quiet prayers, and a profound sense of peace made it an evening we won't soon forget.

And our new favorite Portuguese expression: “Bem haja”—a heartfelt way of wishing someone well.

A day filled with beauty, history, faith, and gratitude. Portugal continues to touch our hearts in the most unexpected ways.

Did you know you can cruise to an exclusive destination in Honduras called Isla Tropicale™, and only Carnival can take y...
10/11/2026

Did you know you can cruise to an exclusive destination in Honduras called Isla Tropicale™, and only Carnival can take you there! What's first on your agenda: relaxation, family fun, or adventure?

Strolling through this vibrant market in Arles, France, where colorful stalls overflow with fresh Provençal produce, art...
10/10/2026

Strolling through this vibrant market in Arles, France, where colorful stalls overflow with fresh Provençal produce, artisan cheeses, fragrant herbs, and local flavor is the real experience at the heart of southern France! Give me a call to plan your perfect getaway.

Nevada Day is the perfect reason to add a Vegas getaway to their fall travel plans—complete with iconic experiences, ent...
10/10/2026

Nevada Day is the perfect reason to add a Vegas getaway to their fall travel plans—complete with iconic experiences, entertainment and desert scenery.

Let aroma, texture, and flavor guide you through Dining in the Dark, a five-course tasting experience served in complete...
10/10/2026

Let aroma, texture, and flavor guide you through Dining in the Dark, a five-course tasting experience served in complete darkness. With each course, discover what your palate notices when your eyes take a rest. Contact me to book—there’s a $300 USD daily resort credit promo right now.

Step back in time at Hampi’s magnificent Elephant Stables, a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture and a reminder of ...
10/09/2026

Step back in time at Hampi’s magnificent Elephant Stables, a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture and a reminder of the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire. Discover ancient temples, fascinating history, and spectacular landscapes. DM me to plan your incredible Indian adventure!

Day 2 in Portugal: Medieval Magic, Fishing Traditions & Giant Waves!Our Portuguese adventure continued with a journey th...
10/09/2026

Day 2 in Portugal: Medieval Magic, Fishing Traditions & Giant Waves!

Our Portuguese adventure continued with a journey through history, culture, and coastal charm!

Stepping into Óbidos felt like travelling back in time. This charming medieval village, surrounded by ancient stone walls, is a maze of narrow cobblestone lanes, colourful houses, and beautiful bougainvillea. Once closely associated with Portugal’s queens, Óbidos is also celebrated for its literary heritage and its place in UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. And of course, we couldn’t leave without sampling the famous ginjinha — a delicious cherry liqueur served in a little dark chocolate cup! A sweet taste of Portugal!

🐟 Next stop: Nazaré — where tradition meets the power of the Atlantic!

We discovered the fascinating tradition of drying fish on wooden racks along the beach. Long before modern refrigeration, sun-drying was an essential way for local fishing families to preserve their catch. Today, this age-old practice remains a beautiful reminder of Nazaré’s deep connection to the sea and its fishing heritage.

We then took the funicular up to Sítio for lunch at Pangeia, a restaurant with a story as interesting as its name! The owners spent 35 years working on cruise ships, and their travels are reflected in the coins embedded in the entrance floor. Even the name is meaningful: Pangeia refers to Pangaea, the ancient supercontinent, symbolising a world once united as one.

Nazaré is famous around the world for its gigantic waves, but its history goes far beyond surfing. Local legend tells how Our Lady of Nazaré saved Dom Fuas Roupinho when his horse was about to plunge over a cliff while chasing a deer. Today, Praia do Norte attracts fearless surfers chasing some of the biggest waves on Earth!

The secret lies beneath the ocean: the enormous Nazaré Canyon helps amplify the waves into spectacular walls of water. In 2020, German surfer Sebastian Steudtner rode a wave officially measured at an astonishing 26.21 metres — nearly the height of a nine-storey building!

We also learned about Nazaré’s iconic seven skirts, a colourful symbol of its fishing culture. Traditionally worn by local women, the layered skirts are part of the town’s distinctive identity, connecting generations to life by the sea.

We ended the day at Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel, beautifully situated beside the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Alcobaça and its historic Rachadouro Cloister. A truly special place to rest surrounded by centuries of history.

To finish the day, we enjoyed dinner at António Padeiro, a welcoming, family-run restaurant — the perfect ending to a day filled with discoveries, delicious flavours, and unforgettable Portuguese stories.

From medieval lanes and chocolate-cup liqueur to ancient legends and record-breaking waves, Portugal continues to surprise us at every turn!

Discover a whole new side of paradise beneath the surface. 🤿 Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the British Virgin Is...
10/09/2026

Discover a whole new side of paradise beneath the surface. 🤿 Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the British Virgin Islands and experience vibrant marine life, stunning reefs, and unforgettable underwater adventures. Let’s plan your trip! 🐠✨

Day 1 in Portugal: From the Road to the Sea!Our day started bright and early at 5:30 AM as we left the resort and drove ...
10/09/2026

Day 1 in Portugal: From the Road to the Sea!

Our day started bright and early at 5:30 AM as we left the resort and drove through rush-hour traffic to Madrid Airport, arriving at 9:00 AM.
After our flight to Lisbon, we picked up our journey toward Santa Cruz, where the wild Atlantic Ocean meets endless stretches of golden-white sand, rugged cliffs, and some of Portugal’s most spectacular surf beaches. 🌊

Our home for the night? Areias do Seixo — a truly magical hideaway nestled among the pine trees, rolling dunes, and ocean breeze. 🌿✨ More than just a luxury retreat, this place feels deeply connected to nature. Every room has its own personality, with thoughtful design, reclaimed materials, and sustainability woven into every detail. From the permaculture gardens and seasonal ingredients to the beautiful villas perfect for families, everything feels intentional, authentic, and wonderfully peaceful.

One of our favourite experiences was visiting the garden to pick fresh herbs and then heading to the restaurant to blend our very own herbal tea! 🌱🍵 A simple yet special moment that invited us to slow down, savour the scents and colours of nature, and enjoy something we had created ourselves.

And just when we thought the day couldn’t get any more special, we gathered around the fire for the Circle of Fire 🔥🎶 — an evening filled with music, singing, instruments, and a beautiful sense of togetherness. The perfect way to unwind and welcome ourselves to this incredible country.

From an early morning start to the soothing sounds of the Atlantic, Portugal has already captured our hearts.

A long day, a beautiful beginning, and so many adventures still to come!

10/09/2026

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