Beautiful pictures. Excited to hear about a visit to North Africa. Africa feels like an enigma to me. Wonderfully mystical, amazing, a cultural depth that's impossible to comprehend. I had relatives in South Africa. Lots! of history to wonder about. But never discussed as part of the family. So, where are you going next? !! Me? I'm going to our garden to do some weeding.....
Love the tiles, the plants and the architecture! The Orchard of Flavors is going on our list. As is VRSA … that pottery purchase was quite the deal. That the astroturf keeps the octopus from escaping is a very fun fact!
I went to the Orchard of Flavours for the first time 3 weeks ago and like you was amazed. We live in Castro Marim and there are so many great little towns around here. Love Cacela Velha but next time you’re in the hood let me know and we’ll show you around!
Wow, those are very summery photos of the Algarve! And yes, I can relate to the bewilderment of not seeing border control between Portugal and Spain. Last time we were there, we stayed in Marvão which, I learned a little later on, meant we were just under half an hour's drive to Spain! So one day we drove to Extremadura for a tapas lunch like it was nothing. ☺️
Glad you're getting out! If we ever get out of our "nest" here, we'll use your posts as a guide when / if we take advantage of the discount trips for residents to the mainland. Thanks for sharing!
Your trip sounds lovely. We are excited for our first trip out of Portugal but also excited to continue to check out more of Portugal. So many incredible sights in this country.
Tavira is a lovely big town in the eastern Algarve and that deserves some future time of yours, too! There’s a cheap ferry that takes people out past salt flats to one of the nearby barrier islands for a long quiet beach stroll (at least quiet beach for us one early June). Lots of pretty small towns in the hills to the northwest, too. Orange and pomegranate orchards in the valleys.
The dourada was really good! It was the third time I'd had an entire fish given to me on a plate and I had learned how to manage that so I actually did a pretty good job de-boning it. I'm much more confident about fish now!
A) we didn't realize we would be in VRSA. Things are much closer together down there than we realized. B) I spent a fair amount of time going, "Do you think that's the street they live on? I'm pretty sure they're not far from here... I wonder if that's their house ..."
Glad you folks got to the Algarve. Keep exploring! If life lets you get "around the bend" to Huelva, Jerez, and Cádiz, it is well worth the journey. Boa sorte!
Love this! Keep the travel journal coming!
Beautiful pictures. Excited to hear about a visit to North Africa. Africa feels like an enigma to me. Wonderfully mystical, amazing, a cultural depth that's impossible to comprehend. I had relatives in South Africa. Lots! of history to wonder about. But never discussed as part of the family. So, where are you going next? !! Me? I'm going to our garden to do some weeding.....
North Africa will happen!
Love the tiles, the plants and the architecture! The Orchard of Flavors is going on our list. As is VRSA … that pottery purchase was quite the deal. That the astroturf keeps the octopus from escaping is a very fun fact!
This was one of the most fascinating trips I've done! So much interesting packed into such a short time!
I went to the Orchard of Flavours for the first time 3 weeks ago and like you was amazed. We live in Castro Marim and there are so many great little towns around here. Love Cacela Velha but next time you’re in the hood let me know and we’ll show you around!
I know we will be getting down there again - we will definitely look you up beforehand!
Fabulous! We are new to traveling with friends. It is awesome, but also affects your itinerary a bit.
Wow, those are very summery photos of the Algarve! And yes, I can relate to the bewilderment of not seeing border control between Portugal and Spain. Last time we were there, we stayed in Marvão which, I learned a little later on, meant we were just under half an hour's drive to Spain! So one day we drove to Extremadura for a tapas lunch like it was nothing. ☺️
It was truly beautiful. And practically empty. Almost no tourists 🤷🏼♀️
Glad you're getting out! If we ever get out of our "nest" here, we'll use your posts as a guide when / if we take advantage of the discount trips for residents to the mainland. Thanks for sharing!
Your trip sounds lovely. We are excited for our first trip out of Portugal but also excited to continue to check out more of Portugal. So many incredible sights in this country.
A surprising country - I can't get over the variety
So many indeed...
Tavira is a lovely big town in the eastern Algarve and that deserves some future time of yours, too! There’s a cheap ferry that takes people out past salt flats to one of the nearby barrier islands for a long quiet beach stroll (at least quiet beach for us one early June). Lots of pretty small towns in the hills to the northwest, too. Orange and pomegranate orchards in the valleys.
Thank you! Tavira is most definitely on our list.
I love it that we are both from the St. Louis area and now in the Lisbon Portugal area!
Thank you for all the pictures! So beautiful! But no picture of the pottery? I'm excited to hear and see other travels. XOXO
I know, I know! We didn't buy any pottery, so I had none to take pictures of :-(
I love that part of Portugal! Yes, you need to go back. Tell me got some good fish there (to eat).
The dourada was really good! It was the third time I'd had an entire fish given to me on a plate and I had learned how to manage that so I actually did a pretty good job de-boning it. I'm much more confident about fish now!
The tapas place in Santa Luzia had dehydrated tuna - amazing. And Scott had sea bream at a restaurant. Those were our only restaurant meals.
Wow! What a wonderful excursion! The Orchard of Flavors sounds amazing!
The village photos are so charming!
Did you actually set foot in Spain?
Yes! I used the bathroom at the gas station 🤣
We will be back in September when apparently he'll have more fruits for tasting.
You left a little of yourself in Spain! 🤣
ahaha!!!!!!
You visited VRSA and didn’t call me…
A) we didn't realize we would be in VRSA. Things are much closer together down there than we realized. B) I spent a fair amount of time going, "Do you think that's the street they live on? I'm pretty sure they're not far from here... I wonder if that's their house ..."
We would have loved to see you! All told the 6 of us were there about 45 minutes - not even close to enough time - I see why you chose it!
Excellent! Know that coast and "frontera" with Spain. Spent a wonderful afternoon in VSRA and would love to get back. Keep that passport under lock and key so long as you remain in the Schengen Area! https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area_en
Glad you folks got to the Algarve. Keep exploring! If life lets you get "around the bend" to Huelva, Jerez, and Cádiz, it is well worth the journey. Boa sorte!
Thanks for the recommendations!