Last month, there was one week that started off with the news that Paris’ Cathedrale Notre Dame was on fire. The news of the cathedral – for which construction began over 850 years ago – sparked such an outpouring of headlines and stories, shock and notes of admiration. For me…
One last evening in Paris. My last evening in this city I love and that means so much to me. After almost 10 years since my first visit, one more evening is not nearly enough. But I enjoy this night, this soft, pink-gold evening. The rain cleared to give me…
There are many reasons why I love Paris, but it extends beyond the beautiful architecture, delicious foods and that joie de vivre practiced with leisurely lunches and walks among winding, narrow streets. It’s more than taking time at sidewalk cafes, watching the boats or people watching on the banks of…
If you have additional time in Lisbon – and even if you don’t, I’d recommend making time – visit Belém, which is still within the Lisbon municipality. The highlight of this trip will be the 16th century Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Walking in its ornate courtyard, the monastery took my breath…
With its beautifully designed streets, pastel painted buildings and glimpses of the Rio Tejo beyond, Lisbon is a romantic city. But Sintra is a force to be reckoned with in terms of romance, starting with the ruins of the Castelo dos Mouros high up in the hills. Sintra is a…
I managed to both take my time each day in Lisbon and still see quite a lot. Taking my time meant settling in with a cappuccino and a croissant each morning, watching the city go by, or sipping a glass of Portuguese red wine in the evenings back in my…