A Travel Tale

On By Suzanne@PictureRetirementIn Europe, photography, retirement, travel

We just completed a seven week trip which included 14 days on a repositioning cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon, followed by 10 days in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve before flying to Nice where we started a whirlwind adventure – moving every three to five days, while hitting the highlights of each base – Verona, Turin, Stuttgart, and Baiersbronn in the Black Forest.

Our collective outings were a good mix of adventure (E-bike riding in the Black Forest), foodie pursuits (wine tasting and cooking classes in Verona and Porto), and culture (visiting museums, castle ruins, and ancient walled villages). There were countless amazing city views, the stunning alpine landscapes of Brenner Pass en route to Germany, a magical boat ride on Lake Garda, quaint towns like Menton, France, Baden-Baden, Germany, and Silves in the Algarve. We toured caves, walked along cliffs, rode funiculars, drank beer, ate gelato, got caught in a hailstorm in Porto, and narrowly escaped the blackout in Lisbon.

We splurged and economized, had a few mishaps and tense moments, but nothing serious. There were learning opportunities, gratitude moments, hug stops, and genuinely kind people all along the way. Once again, our endurance was tested with twenty-two train rides, multiple buses, Ubers, Bolts, and a taxi or two. Malcolm’s well-organized plan and my trip-bible served us well. We felt the pace was good and the right amount of time was devoted to each destination. We were careful not to ‘overschedule’ and used our downtime wisely. When the journey home (canceled train, delayed flight, and late luggage), accompanied by anxiety and undue physical exhaustion, is the worst experience in seven weeks, it’s been a good trip.

Rather than writing a long, comprehensive recap of each location we visited, I will share our favorite destinations and add a few photos at the end of the post to represent the other destinations.

Our Top Two Destinations

It doesn’t matter where we travel, at some point, I will likely utter the words, “I could live here.” I am so impressed by what I see or feel that I project an entire life into that space. While the expression is mostly a symbolic stamp of approval regarding overall appeal rather than a declaration of intent, I said it a few times these past seven weeks.

Two destinations, in particular, earned that accolade: Carvoeiro, Portugal, and Verona, Italy. I shared photos of the Algarve and Carvoeiro in my last post, so please pardon me for repeating a few here. Carvoeiro and the Algarve appealed for many reasons – temperate climate, active/outdoor living, affordability, relaxed attitude, developing communities, landscape vistas from mountains to beaches, and proximity to Lisbon. Each town along the Algarve coast has a distinct personality and something special to offer. It is easy to find a fit for whatever you are looking for. While we have fairly exhausted things to do in Lisbon and Porto, we can see ourselves returning here for a longer stay.

Verona couldn’t be more different from Carvoeiro, but we loved it equally. Choosing a hotel in the city center enabled us to walk wherever we wanted. From the Colosseum to the Ponte Pietra bridge, Juliet’s statue, the famous balcony, and Castlevecchio (the old castle), we logged more steps here than at any other destination.

Public transportation is inexpensive and easily accessible for day trips to Bologna, Lake Garda, and even Venice or Milan if you are willing to make it a longer day. The Valpolicella wine region is about a twenty-minute drive from Verona and offers abundant wineries and tasting opportunities. We booked a small group tour to take us to two wineries and enjoyed both. Our day trip to Lake Garda (20-minute train to Desenzano, followed by a 10-minute walk to the Ferry) introduced us to Sirmione, a picturesque town featuring a 13th-century fortress complete with a drawbridge and moat. Getting lost among the narrow streets, wandering into unique shops, eating gelato, and enjoying the lake from a waterfront cafe creates a perfect day here. We booked a cooking lesson through Viator at a hotel within a few minutes’ walk from our hotel in Verona. It was the birthday celebration that I had envisioned, and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Verona has a small-town feel with a cosmopolitan vibe, if that makes sense. You feel both at ease and entertained at the same time. With easily accessible points of interest, you are not confined to visiting just the city when you come here. Malcolm and I agree that a one-month stay (in an Airbnb, with a car) would be ideal.

We are both struggling with jet lag due to the time difference and a ‘day from hell’ travel experience coming home that took a toll on our bodies, but other than that, we are beginning to process a most memorable trip. Sorting through photos and recounting special moments reminds us of why we travel: the joy of discovery.

Postcards From…

Douro Valley, Portugal

Lake Garda, Italy

Turin, Italy

Nice, France

Menton, France

Brenner’s Pass (Train from Verona to Stuttgart)

Bareiss Hotel, Bairsbronn, Germany

Heidelberg, Germany

51 thoughts on “A Travel Tale”

      1. Let us know when you have a solution. We pack two carry ons with critical stuff and at least two changes of clothes. If our suitcases are delayed or lost we can survive.

        We know people who use the freight forwarding system and others who travel only with carry ons.

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    1. Jan, we knew things were going too well, and something had to happen. It’s the law of nature. The bottom line is that we made the connecting flight and didn’t die from the sprint through the airport. I fell off a bike and scraped my leg, but didn’t die. A wheel on Malcolm’s luggage fell off, and we had to find a new piece of luggage. No one died. My mantra these days – if no one dies, get over it.

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  5. Welcome home! Your words and pictures make me want to hop on a plane. I’ve been toying with the idea of a Spain/Italy trip next year so I’ve made note of a couple of your Italian destinations… definitely Verona!

    Travel days can be challenging even if everything goes well. I’m glad you made it home safely and in one piece. 🙂

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    1. Janis, Verona is beautiful and a great place to base and do day trips. Bus transportation is convenient from the city center to the train station, from there you can go anywhere. Late April and early May are perfect for visiting. There were tourist groups, but it wasn’t overwhelming, and the weather was beautiful.

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  7. What a fabulous trip and beautiful photos, Suzanne. I’m glad you made it home safely despite the stressful return trip. Thank you for sharing your travel tale.

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  8. Hi Suzanne, It has been fun and interesting to follow you and your travels on Instagram. Like you say ‘a good mix of adventure.’ ‘Genuinely kind people along the way’ says a great deal about you and our planet in general. This does not always make the news.

    We stayed in the Algarve during the month of October a number of years ago and had an awesome time on so many levels.

    It is wonderful to see how you and your husband are amazing partners in travel and in life. All of your photos are exceptional, Suzanne, and share the variety of your locations and experiences. You do such a great job chronicling your travels and inspire readers to travel to these locations. 💕 Erica

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    1. Erica, thank you for your thoughtful comments. I try to ‘share’ without overwhelming of ‘oversharing’ – just enough to tell the story.

      Malcolm and I recognized long ago that ‘being in sync’ when we travel is the most important thing. Otherwise, we invite trouble.

      The Algarve in October sounds heavenly. P.S. Thanks for following along on Instagram.

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  9. It all looks beautiful Suzanne – and the weather in the pictures looks absolutely perfect. I think good weather is the icing on the cake for making a trip move from good to great. Gorgeous photos as usual, and I love how relaxed and happy you look in them. Welcome home – glad the awful ending wasn’t too horrible and you have time now to recover. x

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    1. Leanne, you are so right about the weather. Other than the first week in Portugal, it was cool and dry the entire trip. Our daily walks and hikes felt effortless. No trip goes without incident. We pray our mishaps continue to be manageable. Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. I’m living vicariously through you!! I love all the descriptions of the towns and your excursions – the pictures are stunning…is everything as clean in person as it appears in the pictures? ❤

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    1. Hi Sharon, I’m glad you enjoyed my recap and photos. It was impossible to condense everything into one post and tell ‘the story’ completely, but this is a pretty accurate representation. Yes, the places we visited were very clean. We never felt unsafe or uncomfortable, and people were helpful everywhere we visited. It truly was one of our best trips in recent years. Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. What a fabulous trip! Of all your stops, I’ve only been to Nice and to Heidelberg, and I’d go back to both in a heartbeat! I’m sorry your trip home was so tough, but glad that you’re recovering nicely!

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    1. Hi Ann, we are coming out of the fog, no worse for wear. Some airports are friendlier than others. The one we flew into from Paris was not. We loved Heidelberg and Nice, and would also return to both. Thanks for stopping by on this holiday weekend.

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    1. Ally, I am trying hard not to refer to it as the trip of a lifetime because that would mean they are all downhill from here. We are already planning the next one – New Zealand in March 2026. That one just might be the trip of a lifetime. Have a great week.

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  14. Beautiful photographs! It sounds like a wonderful trip, even if the last leg of the journey was tense. It is nice to hear that you met kind and caring people on each of your stops. I think that is the most awesome thing about traveling to new places…the warm welcome from strangers along the way!!!

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    1. Hi Linda, we were not concerned about the ‘political climate’ in the countries we visited, as that has never been an issue for us, but it was refreshing to see that receptiveness to US citizens hasn’t changed since our visit last year. I believe in the old adage that you get what you give, and Malcolm and I try our best to be ‘well-behaved guests.’ I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. It was a tall task to choose only a few to post here.

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      1. I agree with you that ‘What you give is often what you get back.’ It is hard to choose from so many photographs after a trip or special occasion. I love the center photo from the vineyard in Portugal! You almost feel as though you could step inside the photo…it is beautiful! I have not been to Europe since I was a student in college. I must say, your photos are inspiring!!! I spent a semester overseas, but it is a long time ago now! 🙂

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  15. Sounds like a great trip with a healthy mix of different ingredients. Of all the places you mention, I’ve only been to Nice and the Black Forest. What’s wrong with me? 🙂

    I’m mostly interested in the places you “could live.” We’ve traveled extensively and such places rarely pop up in our big, wide world. So, I’ve marked your two favorites and look forward to discovering them myself one day. Who knows? Maybe we will settle down in one of them.

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    1. Liesbet, of the two places ‘I could live’, the Algarve was the top choice. Climate, beach towns, and affordability tip the scales. We didn’t do an in-depth study, but at first glance, it has everything. Since you speak Spanish, you would probably pick up Portuguese quickly. Although with the growing expat community there, you likely wouldn’t need anything but English. Something to consider for your future.

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  16. Wow, Suzanne! What an incredible journey! My husband has traveled like this back in the day. I LOVE all of your photos but my faves are your pics from Germany. I’m dying to go to Heidelberg. I’m glad you had positive experiences with people. There have been reports of unrest, and Americans may be treated poorly these days. Get some rest!!

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  17. Terri, Heidelberg was a treat. We explored there, on our own, for about 6 hours. In retrospect, we should have stayed for three or four days. We never felt threatened or unwelcome in any of the countries we visited. I think our age sometimes works in our favor. People go out of their way to be helpful. It’s just a case of minding your manners and remembering you are a guest.

    Again, I am sorry to hear the news of your Dad. Sending healing thoughts your way.

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  18. Suzanne,

    Welcome back…we missed you, but did enjoy the Instagram updates. I was exhausted after reading this, but I take it that you had enough downtime to rest and regroup. We lived a little southwest of Heidelberg for three years, and I deeply regret we didn’t make it to Italy. Thanks for sharing some of what we missed. What did you prepare in your cooking class? Big fun, I’m certain. Joe

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  19. Hi Joe, the ride from Verona to Stuttgart was one of the most breathtaking rides I’ve ever encountered on a train. We hadn’t realized how easy it is to travel between Germany and Italy by train. Very glad we included it on the itinerary. Heidelberg was a highlight and a destination we will return to for a longer stay. One day just wasn’t enough. Yes, we had lots of downtime and kept our days as unhurried as possible.

    The cooking class was a hoot. We made linguine (the restaurant provided a red sauce), spinach ravioli, and tiramisu. The instructor opened a bottle of white wine for sipping while cooking. 🙂 My kind of birthday!

    Thanks for following along on Instagram.

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  20. Christie Hawkes's avatar Christie Hawkes

    That’s quite a trip, Suzanne. No wonder you are exhausted. That said, the pictures are beautiful and make me want to schedule an international trip. It’s been a while since I’ve ventured outside of the United States.

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  21. A whirlwind tour and cruise. Train trips is something we enjoyed. Though the best is travelling by car and having the option to stay where we liked. Brilliant photos, Suzanne.

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    1. Suzanne, I agree that car trips are the best. I enjoy both spontaneity and the ability to carry large luggage in the trunk and take overnight bags into hotel rooms. We are planning a 10 – 12 day car trip in New Zealand late March/early April of 2026. That should be fun.

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      2. That’s a big question. We have just started to think about the details, but our interests are generally sightseeing, hiking (moderate), wine region, good food, small villages, (as opposed to big cities) and beaches. We are not sure if it’s possible to do North Island and South Island or to choose one. We are allowing about 12 days before the cruise back to the states. Suggestions appreciated regarding destinations not to be missed. I’m watching lots of YouTube videos, but those aren’t always reliable.

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      3. I would stick to the Southern regions for the mountains, for more pristine wilderness, and go further down south, e.g.Fiordland, Catlins—Autumn colours with spectacular views, fewer people on the roads, and vineyards (Central Otago).
        The northern parts of the South Island have beautiful beaches and vineyards. As you only have 10-12 days, I would miss doing the North Island and fly directly to Christchurch.
        Summary – I suggest going north of Christchurch or south of Christchurch, or you will be spending more time driving than enjoying the places you visit.

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  24. Well, this was quite the adventure!! My goodness. I am not sure I could manage 7 weeks of travel, although, I know you spent days in several places. So you weren’t moving/traveling about every day. My mom and dad would take almost month-long vacations at time once my father retired but Mom always said she missed getting the mail at home every day. Like you, I long for my own belongings after awhile.

    What lovely places you visited and memories you captured with your lens. Do you print and frame any of your travel photos. They are spectacular. Love the umbrellas in Nice…PC’s favorite place. The quaint doorway and cozy alley in Menton. The water – the beautiful water – everywhere.

    Hope now that you are home and adjusting to your time zone, recovering from jet lag and the dreadful return trip, things on the house-selling/buying front are looking more optimistic.

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    1. Hi Leslie, this was our most ambitious and longest trip ever, and we loved it. We put a lot of effort into planning, including our downtime, to ensure we didn’t get exhausted or overwhelmed. I called it ‘Old People’ travel in another post. At this stage of life, we have to be realistic about our abilities.

      Thanks for complimenting my photographs. I print many of them in 12 x 12 Shutterfly books, along with the itinerary and an overview of the trip. It is great to have those for recall and reference. The memory fades….

      Have a great week.

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