Category Archives: Europe

Setúbal 

An hour and a half bus ride, about 30 miles (40km) southeast from Lisbon, lies the much smaller city of Setúbal. An artist friend from Colorado moved there recently to join an expat artist community. I was pleased to see she seems to be settling in nicely, has made friends, and is awaiting her containerContinue reading “Setúbal “

Lisbon

There’s something romantic about the western European cities. Sitting in a sidewalk café with a cappuchino, chairs positioned at small round tables, facing out to watch the world go by. Busy people and those just strolling, fashionable, hip, students with backpacks, business people dressed for success. And, of course, the tourists, so obvious with theirContinue reading “Lisbon”

Barcelona

Some artists take generations to have their works completed. Antonin Gaudi, whose art and architecture grace Barcelona, was one of them. I hadn’t been to Barcelona for twenty-four years. But after spending a week in Spain (Madrid, Alhama), it beckoned. I had heard that there were recent protests against tourists, because it was overrun withContinue reading “Barcelona”

Alhama de Aragón

A small spa town or balneario, Alhama is located in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, tucked between green hills. The river Jalón, a tributary of the Ebro, runs through it. Having spent many years as an English teacher abroad, I have often attended a week in Europe at an English language immersion retreat in aContinue reading “Alhama de Aragón”

Festivals of Scotland (reprise)

Who knew there were so many festivals in Scotland? A few years ago, my brother, son, and I took part in unique, fascinating celebrations all over that northern stretch of Great Britain in just two weeks. This is a reprise of one of my first blog posts—it was number seven (I’m now at 137). IContinue reading “Festivals of Scotland (reprise)”

Medieval Ávila 

On the way back from a week-long English language immersion retreat in rural Spain in 2014, I asked the bus driver to drop me off at the Ávila mirador, or lookout. As I stepped down the stairs to collect my suitcase, I could hear others on the bus—students and tutors I had just spent a weekContinue reading “Medieval Ávila “

Rural Gredos

Still exercising my English teaching skills, I have often spent a summer week in Europe at an English language immersion retreat in a remote area. The groups that sponsor these sessions are not looking for teachers per se, but native English speakers that enjoy conversation. The attendees are adults from the host country that haveContinue reading “Rural Gredos”

Tuscany Day3

The Tuscan sun finally found me on Monday, as I headed to the sea. Following an itinerary suggested by my friend for each day of my long weekend in Tuscany, I drove the winding roads to see the charming, historic towns scattered around the hillsides. This post is a continuation as I drove to each villageContinue reading “Tuscany Day3”

Tuscany Day2 Siena

 Driving winding roads to see the charming, historic towns scattered around the Tuscan hillsides, I followed an itinerary recommended by my friend. Although I could only spend a short wander in most towns, I enjoyed a longer look in lovely Siena. This post is a continuation as I drove to each romantic village and walkedContinue reading “Tuscany Day2 Siena”