The Royal Palace of La Almudaina

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina sits slightly elevated above the Parc, quietly claiming its view over the Marina. This is so, though it’s undeniably overshadowed by the towering presence of the Cathedral. Perhaps that’s why I missed the entrance at first glance.… Read the rest

Palma de Majorca

Views to the Cathedral from Es Baluard Museum

We start our day in Palma de Majorca at the Parc de la Mar. Gazing up, we have landed right in front of La Sau, the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. This incredible Cathedral dominates the skyline of this entire stretch of the old town, defining this stunning port side city.… Read the rest

Going Ape

At the pinnacle in Gibraltar

We are going ape in Gibraltar, that tiny tip of land that sits with the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Strait of Gibraltar, opening out to the vast Atlantic Ocean on the other. The divide does not refer just to the waters.… Read the rest

Gibraltar

Gibraltar from the Bay

It is hard to believe that less than a month ago I was in Lebanon, at the far eastern end of the Mediterranean, and today, I stand on the Rock of Gibraltar, gazing out at the azure sea at the westernmost point of this vast world, considering what it would be like to think the world stops here.… Read the rest

Torre de Belém

Torre de Belém

This stunning tower, the Torre de Belém, stands on the banks of the Targus river in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is a landmark dating from the 16th Century. It is a ceremonial gateway to the city and officially a fortification that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers.… Read the rest

Lisbon

Lisbon

The hop on, hop off tourist bus operators practically mob us as we emerge into Lisbon from the cruise terminal along Av. Infante Don Henrique. However, we have our day more or less mapped out and we grab a taxi and head straight for the Tower of Belém.Read the rest

Vigo

Vigo

Today we are in Vigo, Spain, in the Provence of Galicia on the northwest coast. There has been a port here since the Middle Ages and there is a colorful if not rather violent history of attacks by Vikings, the English and the Turks, not to mention a period of French rule during the Napoleonic era.… Read the rest

Walking Zürich – The Limmat

The Limmat from Münsterbrücke by night

By far the best way to see a city is to walk it.  Particularly the compact old towns of Europe.  Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).… Read the rest

Walking Zürich – Rathaus & Hochschulen

Susanna-Gossweiler-Platz

By far the best way to see a city is to walk it.  Particularly the compact old towns of Europe.  Today I am walking the Rathaus & Hochschulen. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).  … Read the rest

Walking Zürich – Lindenhof & the City

Lindenhof and the Limmat-Club Zürich

By far the best way to see a city is to walk it.  Particularly the compact old towns of Europe.  Today I’m walking Lindenhof & the City. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).  … Read the rest