-
Porto, Portugal
The dragging hours of a lengthy layover at Geneva Airport, courtesy of a missed connecting flight, have me seeking solace in happier travel recollections. Porto, our final stop last spring after two wonderful weeks exploring Portugal, comes vividly to mind. Charles and I drove into the city from the Alentejo, dropping off our rental car at Campanhã station before a quick Uber ride delivered us to our hotel, PortoBay Flores, on the historic Rua das Flores. Rua das Flores, now…
-
San Francisco, California
Charles and I just spent a few days in San Francisco at the end of January. It is my favorite U.S. city – always has, always will be (sorry, New York). Whenever I touch down at SFO, I always feel a sense of returning home, even though I have never lived there. Contrary to the headlines that portray San Francisco as a dangerous wasteland of homelessness, I experienced a city alive with culture, food, and natural beauty – reaffirming the…
-
Paris, France
Last January, Charles and I went on an art jaunt to Paris over a long weekend. We flew out on a Wednesday red-eye and returned the following Monday. During those 96 hours, we went to three museums, visited with friends and long-lost relatives, ate extremely well, shopped and strolled in numerous neighborhoods, and in general, had a magical and memorable time in the City of Light. Here is an overview of our itinerary: Day 1: Thursday I scored a great…
-
London, England
Charles and I just returned from a quick jaunt to London. Oh, how I love that city, and for so many reasons. It’s urban, yet genteel. The streets are clean and the buildings are mostly low-rise, which provides a democratization of sky – whether blue or gray – for all to see and experience throughout the day. London is a true city, so there exists a hustle-and-bustle energy, but it’s a calmer, more courteous flurry, made even more civilized by…
-
Lisbon, Portugal
Even before arriving, I knew I would love Lisbon. From what I’d read and the pictures I’d seen, it seemed like such a colorful and vibrant place. Plus, there have been many parallels drawn between Lisbon and San Francisco – my favorite U.S. city – like the undulating hills with beautiful views, the distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own unique character, and, of course, the big red suspension bridge crossing the bay (or the river, in Lisbon). So, after spending…
-
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam had been on my travel shortlist for quite some time. In October of 2022, Charles and I were in London and tagged on a long weekend to visit the “Venice of the North,” as Amserdam is affectionately called due to its numerous scenic canals. I was hoping for a love affair, but the charm and allure receded after the first day – due in part to ADE, an annual electronic music festival that commandeered the city and had the…
-
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is the first city in a long while that swept me off my feet. My inaugural visit was in May of 2022, and it was love at first sight. I wasn’t expecting to be so easily charmed, but the affable Madrileños, the beautiful buildings and squeaky clean streets, the abundance of green space, the distinctive cuisine – they all made it nearly impossible not to fall for Marid. This love story began – believe it or not – with…
-
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Every trip has its favorite moment. On a recent vacation to Spain, mine was the afternoon Charles and I spent in Granada touring the Alhambra. The day began in Málaga, our base for four nights, where we got an earlyish start to make the 80-mile journey to Granada in our rental car. We took the coastal route along the A-7, Spain’s meticulously maintained Mediterranean corniche. It was a gorgeous spring day, with a cloudless sky and a beaming sun blanketing…
-
Bergamo, Italy (Revisited)
Bergamo is one of the most attractive cities in Italy. Located at the foot of the Orobie Alps, the city proper is divided into two main parts: the historic Città Alta, perched on a hill and fortified by the impeccably maintained 16th-century Venetian Walls, and the modern Città Bassa, with a fin de siècle framework that extends into the plains of Lombardy. While the Italian centro storico is often a tourist trap, the well-heeled Bergamaschi inhabit both parts of town,…
