Traveled from Salem, Oregon to PDX, then flew PDX-JFK-DUB Sunday September 30 to Monday October 1. Two hours to get our rental car at DUB, then hit the roads of Ireland for Cork in County Cork, the start of our journey along the Wild Atlantic Way. After a long, long two days of travel, a nap, a shower, a stroll, and a wonderful meal at Liberty Grill in Cork, County Cork, Ireland. A nice IPA, the best fish and chips we've ever had, and an equally fabulous crab-and-fish burger with rustic potatoes -- a great start to eating in Ireland!... read more

Geo: 41.8955, 12.4823Ciao!Today was our last full day in Rome and Italy for this adventure, and we topped off the whole experience with a morning at the Vatican and an evening of pasta and seafood.We'd signed up for a tour that got us into the Vatican Museums an hour before the regular opening time and took us straight to the museum's star attraction, the Sistine Chapel.Had a great tour guide, Ferdinando, from Walks of Italy -- an archaeologist by training.The tour caught highlights of the museum along the corridor to the Sistine Chapel, passing the immense wooden door that the pope would use to enter it, and opened up to Michelangelo's masterpiece at the end.All you can do is tilt your head back, and then stare in awe and wonder. Words just can't express the feelings ... read more

Geo: 44.1464, 9.65572Buonasera, everyone!Arrived in Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre National Park area of the Italian Riviera yesterday afternoon and, after making our way from the train station to the Old Town (Centro Storico) part of the village, checked into our B&B, changed clothes, and walked the hills and alleys of this picturesque area.Dove into the local cuisine at a Gastronomia (mom-and-pop cafeteria) down the street, with two trofie (handmade, fat twisted pasta) dishes -- vegies and shrimp over trofie (for Sharon) and fresh-made pesto tossed with trofie (Mike) -- and a bottle of local white wine. Followed by gelato, of course, which is a nightly ritual.After dropping off a load of laundry (it's a challenge to pack for 11 days in one carry-on!) and breakfast this morning, we headed out to hike the ... read more

Geo: 45.4345, 12.3384Buongiorno, all!We had a full day yesterday, Wed May 3, so taking a little time to say 'ciao' on Thursday morning. After the full day of travel Monday-to-Tuesday and trying to get our legs and bearings Tuesday evening, we finally settled into a nice flow on Wednesday.Venice is a fascinating maze of canals and alleys, but we've figured out the vaporetto (water bus) system on the Grand Canal, so it's now easy to get around. Our hotel is right in the Rialto Market neighborhood, so we're close to everything. It also stays bustling, lively, and noisy well into the night, so sleeping with windows open does not work here.And with the produce market right below our 2nd floor (called the first floor in Europe) window, and the fish market right around the corner, the ... read more

Geo: 44.9332, -123.043Whirlwind 11 days. Three major Eastern Europe cities. Three languages, cuisines, and currencies. Four countries, including Austria that we crossed through during overnight train trips Prague-to-Budapest and Budapest-to-Kraków. Over 13,000 miles traveled.We loved Prague, loved Budapest even more, and loved Kraków EVEN MORE! Found them all to be nice neat, clean, personable, charming European cities, each with a unique feel, vibe, and culture. Here are a few 'Top' lists:Top Foods and/or Meals:1. Pierogi, paczki, and kapusta in Kraków2. Duck confit and roasted pig knuckle in Prague (Mike's)3. Vegetarian soul food flatbread and vegetarian curry in the Jewish Quarter in Budapest (Sharon's)4. Outrageous breakfast buffets at all three of our hotels – who needed lunch?Top Sights and Experiences:1. Discoveri... read more