We’ll start with the good news: Portugal is a small country and one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe. We have just returned from our 3rd time in Portugal and have a good idea what the costs of visiting this country are right now. It’s a captivating country of cliff-laden coastlines, with sea … Read more

Imagine stepping into Livraria Lello in Porto, where every nook and cranny tells a story with its Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau vibes. Straight ahead is an incredible staircase that winds like the neck of a dragon and a stained-glass ceiling that could rival the beauty of a Gothic church. We just returned from Porto, fresh … Read more

Los Angeles is a fantastic city and definitely the most popular tourist destination on the West Coast. It’s a place everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, but trying to find a hotel in LA is similar to looking for a needle in a haystack. With more than 1,000 hotels to choose from, … Read more

If you had asked me 10 years ago if I enjoyed a river cruise, my answer would have been a hard no. But a decade later, river cruises have come a long way, baby! We recently boarded the Avalon Alegria in Porto, Portugal, for a cruise into the Douro Valley. This European River cruise felt … Read more

Cusco is one of the most popular cities in the world to visit, and it’s easy to see why. There are so many activities and things to experience that it’s hard to do everything in one trip. Peru is home to some of the most beautiful people, landscapes, and history in the Western Hemisphere.  There’s nothing … Read more

Set at the end of the mostly wild Vancouver Island, Victoria is a wonderful city on Canada’s west coast. Known for the abundance of outdoor activities and stunning Victorian architecture, it’s a place where colonial history is intertwined with indigenous culture. I lived in Victoria, BC, for a year and got to explore all the great … Read more