Monthly Archives: August 2021

Portugal – Central (Lisbon, Leiria, Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu) Aug 27-29 SETUBAL is a lovely community at the base of the peninsula. Museo do Trabalho Michel Giavenvetti (1908-90) who collected ethnographic material (farm machinery), salt canning equipment, has a general store. Free if … Continue reading →

Alentejo & Ribatejo  (Évora, Beja, Elvas) August 27 and August I saw the west end of this large region that surrounds Lisbon on the south and west and then returned after seeing Lisbon proper. Beach Zambujeira do Mar. A small … Continue reading →

Portugal – Algarve (Faro, Lagos) Aug 24-26, 2021 Portugal seems less hectic and more relaxed than Spain. Architecture is lovely with most things painted white. Tiles often form the facade of houses. I am continuing to see nonmuseum places on … Continue reading →

Murcia Aug 17-18, 2021 Ohihuela. In the NM small town series, there was little inspiration. MURCIA (City) Cathedral of Murcia. This church has an unusual shape with the altar and opposite it the intricately carved wood choir and organ, are … Continue reading →

Cadaques. The village at the front of the Cap de Crues peninsula. The hillsides and valley were covered in ancient terraces, none appear used. Cap de Creus Natural Park. Eroded rock and windswept low trees characterize the park that occupies … Continue reading →

Swish in Sardinia On Italy’s Costa Smeralda, megayachts are back but their owners are nowhere to be seen Aug 14th 2021 Economist  On Italy’s Costa Smeralda, megayachts are back but their owners are nowhere to be seen Mr Franco Bilisi … Continue reading →

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Nice, Marseille, Toulon) August 13-14, 2021 PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE d’AZUR On my way to Amsterdam, this was my first stop in France. I drove the cornish above Monaco for some great views down to the city. Trophy of Augustus (Tropaeum Alpium (Latin ‘Trophy … Continue reading →

Piedmont Aug 8-10, 2021 I continued on my way from Lombardy to Aosta and then returned on the 10th to fly to Sardinia on Volotea on August 10th.   Lake Orta is west of Lake Maggiore. Its scenery is characteristically Italian, while San Giulio island has … Continue reading →

Santuario di Sant Euseo. Climb several steps to the 16th century church fronted by 6 columns. The paint was chipped and peeling. Inside it is Baroque with frescoes. This was a long way out of the way, but I had … Continue reading →

Aosta August 9, 2021 This small province sits in its NW corner of Italy where France, Switzerland, and Italy meet at the Mount Blanc massif. Aosta is the last region in mainland Europe that I have to see (excepting Crimea … Continue reading →