After leaving Andalusia the next phase of our journey took us to Southern Portugal, stretching from Faro in the Algarve to the coastal plains south of Lisbon. This region has been shaped by a succession of civilizations drawn to its mild climate, fertile land, and Atlantic coastline. The Algarve Region, centered on Faro, was first…
Spain 2025 – Andalusia
Leaving the Costa del Sol, we began our journey inland and westward to discover the deeper history and culture of Andalusia, a region whose identity reaches far beyond its beaches and coastal towns. As we left the Mediterranean shoreline behind, the landscape opened into rolling hills, whitewashed villages, and fertile plains—an introduction to a territory…
Spain 2025 – South Coast – Barcelona to Nerja
It was time to say goodbye to Barcelona and begin the next chapter of our journey. We picked up a rental car that would carry us for the next four weeks as we followed the stunning coasts of Spain and Portugal, winding our way west and north toward Normandy, France. With new landscapes, cultures, and…
Barcelona Spain 2025
After a smooth flight from Milan, we arrived in Barcelona, ready to begin the next chapter of our European adventure. The city’s vibrant energy was immediately apparent—sun-soaked boulevards, lively plazas, and a captivating blend of Gothic history and modernist brilliance. We checked into the Hotel Gaudí, our home base for the next few days. Located…
Milan Italy 2025
From Orvieto, we continued our travels by high-speed train, racing north toward Milan—our gateway to exploring northern Italy and southern Switzerland. As the landscape shifted from central hill country to broad northern plains, we entered a region shaped by elegant cities, alpine scenery, and rich cultural history. Milan would serve as our base for discovering…
Orvieto Italy 2025
From Naples, we continued our journey north by train into the heart of Italy, traveling into the central hill country that has anchored settlements since Etruscan times. Our destination was the ancient city of Orvieto, dramatically perched atop a volcanic tuff plateau. As the train climbed inland, the landscape shifted from coastal plains to rolling…
Naples Italy 2025
After completing our exploration of ancient Egypt, we boarded a flight from Cairo to Naples, ready to begin the next chapter of our adventure. Naples marked the starting point of an ambitious four-month journey that would take us through Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, France, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. From Mediterranean coastlines to historic…
Egypt 2025 – Treasures of the Nile
After exploring the historic treasures of Cairo and the coastal charm of Alexandria, we began the next chapter of our adventure—uncovering the mysteries of the Nile. A short flight carried us south to Luxor, the ancient heart of Upper Egypt, where millennia of pharaonic history wait along the riverbanks. It was here that we met…
Egypt 2025 – Cairo and Alexandria
Our summer of adventure began with a Road Scholar “Beyond the Pharaohs: Egypt Past and Present” 14-day tour—an unforgettable journey into one of the world’s oldest civilizations. We landed in Cairo, a city alive with history and modern energy, where we met our guide, Mohamed, whose knowledge and warmth immediately set the tone for the…
Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands NP
Leaving behind the sunlit vineyards and mesmerizing light installations of Paso Robles, we set our sights further south, bound for Santa Barbara. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this coastal gem offered more than just postcard-perfect views—it promised a reunion with my old high school friend Rick Hanney and his wife, Lynn. After maneuvering…