Hello Boston! It had been nearly 20 years since our last visit to Boston and it was well-past time to return. As the US continues to open up after 18+ months of Covid restrictions, and with both of us fully vaccinated, we hit the road north.

Salem, Massachusetts is all kinds of quirky witchy fun with the added bonus of majestic coastal beauty. It turned out to be a lovely and convenient base for exploring Cape Ann.

We were told, one must visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, when in Boston. Turns out, it was sage advice because the museum is extraordinary.

There are a few places in this life that beckon us back again and again. Longwood Gardens is one of those places. And, when the fountains are dancing to the music of the Beatles, I’m not sure it gets any better.

Before we talk about Good Eats in Porto, let’s talk about how this year known as 2020, a.k.a. the year from hell, has kept the world sheltering in place. And, while so many countries are now breaking out and starting to move again, the US, is still tied down. Actually, we can travel to Portugal because we maintain our Portuguese residency, but neither one of us has the inclination to take on an international flight.

Steak Frites in Montpellier, France.

It was an unexpected stop on a 3-month cross-Europe rail adventure. As it turned out though, the 4-day visit to Montpellier proved to be one of our most favorite experiences. And, by far, one of our best meals.

Still We Rise. It should come as no surprise that I am an avid reader. My problem is when I start a good book, I have a tendency to tune out the world until said book is completed. I did just that with the international bestseller, Maude. I started reading and didn’t put it down until it was finished. On occasion, I’ve written a book review or two which I’ve shared here with our readers. My Life in France and Grandma Gatewood’s Walk are two such books. Please tell me you’ve read both. For that matter, please tell me you’ve read, Maude.

What I don’t know about art could fill a book, but I know what I like and that’s all that matters, right? What’s that old saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder? It’s common knowledge the museums of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC are well-known and highly regarded.  However, it’s not so commonly known that the Sackler and Freer Galleries, together form the Smithsonian’s museums of Asian Art.  They may not be as well-known, but they are definitely well-worth visiting.

Who doesn’t love a giveaway, and who doesn’t appreciate the wealth of knowledge and experience shared by Rick Steves when it comes to traveling in Europe?  This giveaway is super easy and you could win one of two copies of this beautiful book titled, Rick Steves Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces.

How does one describe a place that is, in essence, indescribable while still finding a way to do justice to a 175-room mansion?  Rooms filled with 90,000+ pieces of art and antiquity.  Not to mention the 60-acres of gardens surrounded by 1,000 acres of sprawling meadows and woods.  Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is such a place.  Indescribable.