Our villa experience in Algarve, Portugal

After having to re-schedule twice due to COVID, we finally were all able to meet up in the beautiful Algarve area of Portugal. We rented a magnificent villa in Albufeira, which is a former fishing village. It is situated in the southern part of Portugal in the popular Algarve region. This stunning area is just a half hour drive from the Faro airport. 

This region is well known for its beautiful beaches and nice weather year round. It is a major holiday destination as many Europeans from northern Europe flock here to escape the winter weather and enjoy a round of golf with family and friends. 

We enjoyed being able to all stay together in one place, but our spacious villa allowed everyone to have their privacy with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The home had an open kitchen and a huge dining/family room. We had many delicious meals in the big outdoor area. As you can see in this photo, the pool was the perfect place to relax. The grounds were absolutely beautiful!

There were several restaurant options, many within walking distance. There was also a local shuttle service available. I would highly recommend some time on the beautiful beach. There was an elevator down to the beach area. We had a great meal at the fun restaurant right on the beach. 

There is lots to do in this area, such as boating excursions along the coastline to see the caves and watch the dolphins. You can rent a catamaran to visit the stunning beaches. The area boasts many gorgeous golf courses. For those who enjoy adventure, kayaking and scuba diving excursions are available. The "Old Town" is fun to visit with cobbled streets and traditional white washed houses.

Contact us to plan your own villa experience. It's great for a vacation or family gathering.

Magnificent River Cruising in Provence, France

I am so excited to tell you the tale of the dynamic dozen. There were 12 of us that travelled together on a river cruise in Lyon through the Provence area. I would highly recommend spending a few nights in Paris before cruising. This gives you time to adjust to the time zone and explore the delights of the French capital.

When in Paris, make time for a stroll around the enchanting Luxembourg Gardens. These gardens were designed in 1612 by Marie de Medici in memory of her childhood in Florence. The Eiffel tour provides the perfect backdrop for photos!

"Paris is always a good idea!" Our pre-cruise hotel extension included a tour of the city by motor coach as well as a cruise on the charming Seine River. We then traveled by train to Lyon to embark on our river cruise. 

I could write paragraphs on the small ship. It was absolutely lovely. It was fabulous to watch the views from our personal balcony. The food and wine were superb.

Excursions were included each day. We loved visiting Lyon, Beane in Chalon-sur-Saone, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon and Arles. We explored quaint villages, took a hike through a vineyard and went shopping. Of course, we sampled lots of wine and delicious food!

River cruising has it all! It is extremely relaxing and a super fun way to travel with a group of friends. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact me. I am passionate about river cruising and would love to help plan your own river cruise adventure!