our adventures in iberia
Join Ron & Mary as they explore beautiful Spain and Portugal
SPLENDID ISOLATION? DAY THREE (HUMP DAY)
Not much new here on day three. One thing of note is that I now make my bed. I learned how in the Navy many decades ago, but I’ve been spoiled for the last thirty-some years by my loving wife who takes on this chore. Evidently, my housekeeping abilities don't equal...
RON & MARY’S TAPAS & ANCESTRY ADVENTURE
Tomorrow we're off on a three-plus month adventure that will take us from San Diego to Spain, Miami to Montreal, and to New England. We’ll be staying two nights in Madrid to get over jet lag, then bullet train to Alicante, where we’ll spend a month and a half. Then...
Safe, Sated and Satisfied Mexican Riviera Cruise
We didn’t have high expectations for our recent Mexican Riviera New Year’s cruise on Holland America’s Koningsdam–we just needed a convenient pandemic cruise fix out of our hometown port of San Diego. We had sailed twice years ago on Holland America ships and...
Villajoyosa: Spain’s Happy Beachtown
Our visit to one of the city’s chocolate factories had a sweet ending, but the genuine star of our visit to Villajoyosa was the seaside town itself. The adventure begins at the top of the old town, where the remnants of ancient castle walls merge into narrow three and...
Alicante’s Castle Santa Barbara
Alicante's Santa Barbara Castle, among the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, is the symbol of this historic city. It also dominates the dramatic view through the wall-to-wall glass doors in our apartment. After watching it for the last twenty or so nights, we...
The Trouble With Tabarca Island
On our trip from the Alicante airport to our apartment of the many stairs and no elevator, our nice landlord pointed out a sleek orange catamaran docked in the marina. “That’s the Kon Tiki,” she said, “the ferry to Tabarca Island. It’s a good day trip. The island is...
Playing James Bond at the Palacio
Celebrating an Aztec football win at the Palacio Estoril Hotel bar with a 007 “Vesper” martini. Shaken not stirred. Ian Fleming stayed here as an intelligence officer during the war and frequented the casino next door. That’s where he met a spy who inspired James...
A Delicious Routine in Portugal
After a month in Portugal, things are becoming routine, like making Saturday and Sunday breakfasts. This morning I made us bacon, cheddar cheese, and egg sandwiches. What makes it special was that the beautiful rolls were super fresh. This morning I just walked a few...
A Festival of Food & Stuff: The Cascais Farmer’s Market
One joy of living in Europe is going to the market. We already posted a story about the spectacular supermarket here in Cascais. But to get super fresh farm-to-table produce, local farm-raised meats, and just-caught seafood, European farmer's markets can’t be beaten....
Portugal: A Food Lover’s Paradise
Shopping yesterday at a bustling Cascais supermarket yesterday was like finding a mammoth Whole Foods with Trader Joe's prices. The vast market showcased an abundance of beautiful produce, including avocados and fall-fresh apples. Wonderful fresh breads and sweets...
Hello Alfama, Lisbon!
Jet lag city. After our somewhat grueling journey from San Diego, we grabbed a quick bite, checked into our apartment, and flopped down on the comfy bed until we came to four hours later. Feeling human, at least for the moment, we invited our traveling companions from...
Sometimes Travel Adventures Can Be a Real Pain
We felt we had dodged a bullet when we missed the 48-hour strike on July 17 by airport workers in Portugal. The work stoppage caused the cancellation of some 600 flights in two days and stranded passengers who waited in long lines, frantically trying to reschedule...
White-Knuckle Travel Time: Covid Vaccination Proof & Testing
International travel is never easy. But in the time of covid, it’s become a lot more difficult. Our upcoming trip in a few days to Portugal and Spain highlights all these new challenges. No wonder we’ve faced greater anxiety and stress planning this trip than any...
The Fine Art of Packing
With only a few days to go before we begin our three-month adventure in Portugal and Spain, we’re packing — no, make that Mary is packing. She is the main packer in our household primarily because she’s seen me pack — and it’s not very organized and always at the last...
Uncharted Waters: Traveling in the Time of Covid
We’re about to begin a three-month adventure in Spain and Portugal. It’s been a long time in coming, for obvious reasons. Over the past 18 months, we planned the trip three times, but Covid surges and lockdowns in the US and in Europe forced us to postpone, again and...
Our New Blog: Travel Adventures with Ron & Mary
Stay tuned for Wine Dine & Travel's Ron & Mary James's new blog on their travel adventures. Their next adventure begins on August 16, when they begin a three-month exploration of the Iberian Peninsula.
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RON & MARY’S ITINERARY
Travel Gallery
Ron and Mary’s favorite travel photos and videos.
