Europe

The hilltop resort town of Sintra is one of those places that feels straight out of a fairytale. Just an hour northwest of populated Lisbon, Sintra, located in the densely forested Sintra Mountains, feels a world away.…

Two hours east of Lisbon lies the whitewashed town of Evora, where Roman ruins meet a chapel of bones. In a way, Evora felt like the official start of our backpacking trip because it marked the point…

If ever there was a place to retire overseas, it’s Seville. Warm sunshine. Beautiful architecture. And a vibrant community of people who know how to live. We arrived in Seville on an overnight bus from Faro,…

Granada, the capital of Moorish Andalusia, is breathtaking from every vantage point. From The Alhambra in particular, Granada feels entirely different from the rest of Spain. Exotic, romantic and wild. The town’s main site is a…

Madrid, the capital and largest city of Spain, dazzles with its royal history, grand opulence and non-stop activity. Everything in Madrid seems larger than life. The extravagant Royal Palace with more rooms than any other European…

A visual feast for the eyes, Barcelona delights with colorful markets, inspiring art and whimsical architecture. Together, it makes you feel like a kid in a candy shop. In Barcelona, surprises are around every corner. The…

Just 90 minutes away by bus, Toledo is a fascinating day trip from Madrid. It’s hard to think of Toledo without thinking of the famous exclamation, Holy Toledo! The most plausible story of its origin dates…

As the “soul of Provence,” Arles offers a rich artistic, culinary and historic experience. In the late 1800s, Vincent Van Gogh lived here, creating some of his greatest masterpieces. It’s easy to see how the artist…

Surprisingly, the humble town of Avignon once served as the powerful center of Christianity. Situated along the Rhône River in Provence, Avignon’s important religious history is evident the moment you step into the town’s main square.…