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…

Our first stop in France, Vic-La-Gardiole, offered a surprising treasure trove of delicious food. Sweet little “Vic” is not a typical tourist town. But it’s where Brian spent 2 weeks as a teenager as part of…

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

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.…

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…

In Granada, Spain, ordering a glass of wine brings a delicious snack free of charge. It’s true. There’s no catch. Granada is one of the few remaining cities in Spain to serve a complimentary small plate…

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…

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. Even as the fourth largest city in Spain, Seville feels…

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…