Travel Archives - Travels, Bicycling, Thoughts and Images

May 16, 2024June 13, 2024

Andalucia, Spain – May 2024

Beautiful biking trip to southern Spain. Spent two days ahead of our group ride in Granada – touring the city and Alhambra. Then met our Trek group – 12 riders and two leaders. I was the only American! Three couples from Australia, two couples from Vancouver, and a solo rider from France (by way of Denver!).

We spent two nights at a beautiful hotel – La Bobadilla. We road two trips from there. Then went on to Ronda for 3 nights. Each day was an exploration from Ronda. This included a climb up Puerto de las Palomas (a Tour de Espana segment).

We enjoyed olive oil tasting at a very modern and progressive facility (LA), wine tasting, a flamenco performance, and lots of wonderful food (I ate tapas whenever I could – my favorite was the roasted baby artichokes). Trek Travel did a wonderful job of logistics and assisting the group. I got to ride an awesome bike – a Domane +.

I finished up with an extra day in Seville – toured the City and the old Jewish Quarter. Overall a great trip – wonderful folks to ride with, perfect weather, and a great place to ride a bike on country roads.

March 16, 2023May 7, 2024

Israel – March 2023

We had a wonderful trip to Israel and Jordan – Robin, Elie, Zahra, and I. We visited many beautiful areas of the country, got to see Petra and Wadi Rum, and spent Passover with family in Beersheba!

We flew into Tel Aviv and spent a few days there. As we rented a car, we were then off to explore. We headed north to Haifa, stopping along the way – especially Caesera and Akko. We had the opportunity to have lunch with Robin’s sister, Wendy, and her family.

From Haifa, we headed south to Jerusalem – an amazing place. We had a few tours, including a tour led by cousin Uri! He was newly registered as a certified guide. We stayed in the Arab Quarter. Coincidently, we were on Zahra Street and stayed at the Azzahra!

We were then off to Beersheba (Mehtar, actually) to see the family and drop Robin off. Elie, Zahra, and I then head south through the Negev to Eilat. We took a dip in the Red Sea and joined our tour to Jordan. We crossed the border (quite an ordeal) and headed to Petra and Wadi Rum. Petra is spectacular as is Wadi Rum. We spent a night at a Bedouin “camp” in the desert (a pretty fancy spot and very enjoyable).

From Jordan, we went back to Eilat, drove north along the Dead Sea, and back to Beersheba to celebrate Passover. A wonderful experience seeing one of the crossroads of civilization and visiting with family.

September 16, 2022May 6, 2024

Machu Picchu/Peru – September 2022

Chloe and I had a wonderful adventure in Peru – the highlight being a one-day hike up Machu Picchu. We spent a few days before the official tour (National Geographic, by the way) in Lima. We explored downtown Lima, the Museo Larco, some ruins near the hotel, and the Miraflores district. From downtown Lima we took a cab back to our hotel – we later learned that was not such a great (or safe) idea!

On our first official day of the tour, we took a cooking class! The class included a visit to a local market and sampling fruit – many of which we had never seen before. On Day 2 we flew to Cusco and drove to Urubamba through the Sacred Valley and stopped at Las Salineras – a pre-Incan salt “mining” area (salt water springs/ponds) and the Inca site of Moray.

On Day 3 we continued to explore the Sacred Valley and the highlight of the day was the Parque de la Papa (Potato Park). an agricultural area preserving over 700 species of potatoes. We also visited Pisac and Ollantaytambo Ruins. On Day 4 we rode the train to Aguas Calientes (the gateway to Machu Picchu). However, on the way, we got off and hiked up Machu Picchu! Only Chloe and I – plus one other young man – hiked. Day 5 included a thorough guided tour of Machu Picchu with the group. The group was about 14 folks. Macchu Picchu is an amazing place.

On day 6 we were back in Cusco and spent the day exploring this ancient Incan capital. The tour included a very nice planetarium visit. The show explored the southern hemisphere sky and the relationship of the Inca culture with the cosmos. We also had another cooking class. Day 7 brought us back to Lima. We visited the San Francisco Church and catacombs walked around the main plaza, and enjoyed that national adult beverage – Pisco Sours.

December 15, 2019May 6, 2024

Japan Adventure, December 2019 – Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano, and Lots of Snow Monkeys

Just an amazing tour. I went on my own. I was a bit hesitant – Japan is VERY different – culture, customs, and language. I arranged my solo venture through “Inside Japan”. They did a great job – everything was organized, booked, and documented. I had several great guided ventures: an intro guided tour of Tokyo (and Japan) (a great introduction to the country and my trip); a night time food tour of Osaka, a tour of Kyoto and a full day of bicycling in Kyoto; and, a tea ceremony and musical performance in Kyoto.

I had two over-arching goals: to see the snow monkeys and to eat amazing food. I did both. A third goal – ride the high-speed rail system. The rail system is amazing – I experienced at least four different rial systems that all interconnected. High speed, regional, local, and subway. Every train departed or arrived to the minute at every location. You did not have read Japanese or listen to the announcements – just look at your watch and you knew which station you were at. Oh – the main station in Tokyo is the busiest in the world and is an amazing facility.

I had a number of meals scheduled ahead (a premier yakitori restaurant, for example). I got to stay in several traditional inns. The first one I stayed at I had to figure out the process of setting up my futon (the traditional way) – with no help from the non-English speaking staff. Thankfully – Google worked! I got to bathe in the traditional baths at the second inn.

Although it was December, the leaves and trees were gorgeous. Even better, it was off-season, so there were no crowds. The castles and gardens were beautiful. The markets were fun – and then there were the snow monkeys!

Kyoto was probably the highlight of the cities I visited – but they all had a different character. While Mt Fuji is an amazing sight, I would likely use that day or two differently. A beautiful country – I would love to return and see the many areas I missed.

May 15, 2019May 6, 2024

Danube River Cruise, May 2019 – Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Linz, Passau and Prague

Holocaust Memorial Danube River – Budapest

Our first river cruise. Great way to travel! Like a floating hotel (no packing and unpacking) and plenty of time to explore the cities and country along the Danube. Most of the river travel was at night – except to see the castles along the Wachau Valley.

The first day was in Budapest – an interesting city, but it was hard to appreciate given that it poured rain all day. Cold and wet. I was deeply moved by the holocaust memorial (shoes) along the river. Especially in the rain.

The trip was filled with castles and medieval buildings. Great food and beer. Friendly people! I did get to take a day-long bike ride through the Bavarian countryside. Of course with a beer stop in the middle.

We spent three days in Prague. A beautiful city. It really is “Paris -like” with beautiful architecture all around. We spent a full day in the Jewish Quarter. Fascinating and moving.

October 15, 2018May 6, 2024

Portugal, October 2018 – Lisbon, Alcobaca, Coimbra, Porto, and The Duoro Valley

February 4, 2018May 1, 2024

Spain, Nov 2017 – Barcelona, Montserrat, Toledo and Madrid

Our first venture with a tour group – went very well. I was probably the youngest in the group. Very good guide with guest speakers and guides on art, architecture, and politics. We started in Barcelona, with a day trip to Montserrat. Then high-speed train to Madrid with a day trip to Toledo.

The highlights of Barcelona were the architecture and medieval/bohemian feel – and the political turmoil was evident and fascinating to be a part of. Madrid was Paris-like cosmopolitan. Wonderful art museums and fine restaurants.

Montserrat was a beautiful day in the hills – Toledo a world heritage site with a fascinating sense of age and an interesting, ancient synagogue/church.

We learned a new drink – vermut (sweet vermouth, club soda and citrus).

Best calamari of the trip – old part of Barcelona near waterfront.

Sangria, olives and bread – to accompany the paella.

March 25, 2017May 1, 2024

Saint Augustine, FL & Charleston, SC – March 2017

A long weekend trip to the Southeast. A few cities I have never explored. We started in Saint Augustine and then drove north to Charleston. Beautiful, interesting – great food in both cities. The weather was perfect.

February 9, 2017February 18, 2018

Maui, Hawaii – Feb 2017

Another great AlphaGraphics Gold Circle trip. Always enjoy Hawaii – any island!

July 17, 2016May 1, 2024

Iceland, Summer 2016

During July 2016 I had the pleasure of traveling to Iceland. A beautiful and varied country. Mike, Kina, Robin and I drove the ring highway to see the sights. The first day out we drove a loop north and east of Reykjavik. Lots of history, lakes, and waterfalls. Then we drove to the coast and traveled counterclockwise around the country.

Stunning scenery, friendly people – and all but one person we met spoke fluent English – a good thing as Icelantic is an extremely difficult language! Great geology – from volcanic activity ( a rift zone crosses the country) to active glaciers. The terrain went from barren rock (recent volcanic activity) to lush fields fed by waterfalls and rivers to calving glaciers.

Lots of birds (yes, including puffins – but I did not really get a decent picture), one reindeer, many, many sheep, and gorgeous native horses.

We ended up in Reykjavik for a few days to see the city. Very clean and interesting. The entire country has a population of about 330,000 and 200,000 live in Reykjavik!

Food? Some interesting meals – yummy seafood (especially what they refer to as lobsters – langostinos) and delicious lamb. Throw in some reindeer meat, horse meat, various animal parts and you have an interesting culinary experience.