Stuck in Tarifa
On our final full day in Sevilla, Lori took the boys to an indoor science exhibition. The weather’s turned pretty stormy, so not much outside for the kids these days. … Read more
Europe
The Largest Gothic Cathedral in the World
On New Year’s Eve, we caught the celebrations in India before sending the boys to bed at a reasonable hour. But the celebrations around the city at midnight local time … Read more
Flamenco, Tapas & [Another] Year to Remember
It seems we’re in full winter mode now. Highs during the day still creep up into the 50s, but lows are starting to go from cold to frigid. Still, daily … Read more
Córdoba & Mezquita
The week before Christmas, Lori asked me when I wanted to do our day trip to Córdoba. Day trip to Córdoba? Thinking in Mexico terms, I thought, “We can’t do … Read more
A Spanish Christmas
We’ve accustomed ourselves to beach Christmases living in Mexico, so we weren’t really sure what to do with ourselves in inland Sevilla. We did know, however, that this both historic … Read more
The Royal Alcázar
Sevilla’s got a lot of attractions for visitors. But the two big ones are the Cathedral (the largest of its kind in the world), and the Royal Alcázar (pronounced al-KUH-thuh). … Read more
Plaza España and a Christmas Tree
After a week of the flu making its rounds in the family, everyone was finally up and about. That meant, Christmas tree shopping time! I really wanted to get my … Read more
Sevilla Days
On our first morning in Spain, we awoke to sunshine and weather warm enough to open a few of the French doors for some nice European coffee time. Not bad … Read more
Arrival in Sevilla: Night of the Tunas
We head to Spain, today! A mere two hours on a bus and we’ll be in Sevilla—Lori’s former study-abroad home two decades prior and a new country for the rest … Read more
Two Nights in Tavira
We could have stayed a lot longer in the Algarve if we weren’t going into winter. With the temperature dropping and the rain becoming a feature of everyday life, a … Read more
Final Week in Lagos
It’s hard to believe that we’re nearing the two-month mark in Portugal, which means we’ll be leaving Lagos shortly. Some highlights from our final few days. We really wanted to … Read more
Silves: Capital of the Algarve Kingdom
Most of the Algarve’s best-known destinations hug Portugal’s idyllic southern coastline. But historic Silves is an exception. For nearly 700 years, Silves was the capital of the Algarve Kingdom, which … Read more
Visitors & Festivities in Lagos
Lori’s brother and his wife had planned a trip to Portugal before we knew where we would be and when we would be here. Ultimately, we ended up crossing paths … Read more
Barão de São João & Beach Days
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities for the boys to hang out with other kids. Bonus points if they speak a common language and are doing something similar to … Read more
Sagres: End of the World
A day trip to Sagres, known throughout Europe as the “End of the World”. We explore its beautiful beaches, dramatic cliffs, and historic fort and cape.
Storm Claudia & Friends
Just as we were settling into Lagos and getting [too] used to the Algarve’s wonderfully warm and sunny November weather, a nasty storm formed in the Northern Atlantic with its … Read more
Lagos Beaches & Boardwalks
It’s Saturday morning, the sun’s out, bird’s are chirping, and the plaza below is abuzz with activity. It’s time to hit the town! We’re headed to the big Saturday market … Read more
South to Lagos and the Algarve
On Thursday, we wrapped up our time in Lisbon (29 days flew by!) and moved four hours south to the Algarve on Portugal’s sunny southern coast. Lagos wasn’t our first … Read more
Belém: Relics of the Age of Discovery
Before wrapping up our month in Lisbon and moving south, there’s one last major attraction we’ve been holding off on visiting—more like a cluster of historic sights spread out over … Read more
Sintra: Portugal’s Versailles
Visiting the town of Sintra is more or less a must-do if you find yourself in Lisbon. Lori saw this place 20 years ago and wanted to make sure we … Read more
Kid Days in Lisbon
Riley, up for another sunrise and some big days ahead. Both boys journal on a daily basis as part of their “worldschooling”. The boys still love Cover Your Assets, though … Read more
Tram 28 Electrico
The original idea was to find a nice balance between sightseeing, doing school with the boys, working on projects, and laying low to keep things within budget. The weather forecast, … Read more
São Jorge Castle & Alfama
When I was planning my backpacking route through Europe 25 years ago, Portugal wasn’t on my radar. From Athens to the north of Scotland, I don’t recall meeting another traveler … Read more
Around Lisbon
Lisbon has been an ideal place to kick off our European travels for the next year. There’s so much to see and do, and the prices seem very reasonable by … Read more
Cascais: The Portuguese Riviera
The weather here in Lisbon in early/mid-October has been nothing short of perfect. That was all due to change in a couple of weeks, so we aimed to take full … Read more
Arctic Route (Arrival in Portugal)
We made it to Portugal! It’s a beautiful day here in Lisbon as we get ready to head out for a day of exploring. This is the view from the … Read more
Sea Change
We hadn’t planned on being back in the Pacific Northwest this year until mid-August (just about now). Our Mexico residency was up for renewal (or conversion, rather) beginning in late … Read more
Brussels to Vientiane
The wait is over! After months of waiting and a few days getting Noe’s travel feet wet in Brussels, the real adventure is about to begin!
Brussels: Ixeles & Bourse
Exploring the Brussels neighborhoods of Ixeles and Bourse with a three-month-old in tow while Lori attends orientation for her new job.
Bruges Day Trip (Pt.1)
Lori didn’t have to report to work until Tuesday, so we spent Monday on a day trip to charming and historic Bruges.
Brussels: Arrival
Belgium is one of those countries that I enjoyed a whole lot more than I thought I would. I mean, what’s not to love about a country whose major exports include some of the best beer, chocolate and waffles on the planet?
Portland to Brussels
By his seventeenth it was pretty clear that Noe was starting to get bored with wineries, so we got on a plane and moved to Laos. While that might not be entirely true, the weather leaving Portland was a good sign it was time to move on.
Istanbul: Asia and the Land Walls
Our fifth and final day offered a glimpse of Istanbul’s ancient past and promising future, as we trekked the city’s 2,600-year-old ramparts, had tea in view of a legendary island tower, and took a quick trip from Europe to Asia on a subway.
Istanbul: Boat Up the Bosphorus
The Istanbul Bosphorus cruise was a surprise highlight of our Turkey visit. Here’s our complete trip report from doing it on the cheap.
Istanbul’s Mysterious Underworld
What happens when empires build cities upon empires? A lot of cool stuff gets buried in the process.
Istanbul: Exploring Galata & Taksim
We visit infamous Taksim Square where protests/ clashes with security forces made headlines recently — but not before we visit hippie-alternapunk-central.
Istanbul: Suleymaniye & New Mosque
Exploring two of Istanbul’s mighty mosques: the mammoth and magnificent Süleymaniye, and the lively New Mosque.
Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar
A delicious Turkish breakfast, a tour through Topkapi Palace, and an amble through the Grand Bazaar round out the morning of our second full day in Istanbul.
Exploring Istanbul: Hagia Sophia & Spice Market
Istanbul — heaving with 14 million people and millennia of rich culture and history at every corner may have shattered our hopes of ever landing on such a discovery again.