Category Archives: Europe

Nostalgia Across an Ocean

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

One of the rewards of visiting another country is the opportunity to observe and appreciate what is different – as well as noticing what is the same. These flashes of familiarity can make you feel very connected to a place in ways you did not expect. Dad talks about this a little in his Travel Epistle post, how senses are often heightened during travel, and how the basic human need of eating and drinking can help visitors get to know a new place.

The other week my eye doctor told me about a recent trip to Portugal with his sister. I’m a longtime patient of his, sometimes obliged to visit twice a year because I’m blind as a bat with unusually high pressure readings for glaucoma. Luckily this bat can see well with contact lenses and doesn’t get quite as nervous about these appointments as she did as a bat teen. It’s pretty routine, we shoot the breeze and I ask what cool trips he’s taken lately. Continue reading →

Valladolid: Miss one Party, Find Another

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

For all my posts on Spain, I still haven’t written about one of the stories Jack and I tell the most. It takes place in an area north of Madrid, where Jack had a quick business appointment. I’m convinced that whether you spend 18 days or 18 hours in a Spanish city, you will see or do something interesting. Especially if you stay flexible and change plans as opportunity presents itself.

Enjoying the view from our hotel balcony… the day after the festival

Continue reading →

How to Spend Quality Time in an Airport

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

I generally like airports. When I walk through the sliding glass doors, I feel energized by the sense of travel possibilities. Time can feel like it has stopped while you’re in this in-between space; you’re on your way but not there yet. Time is also your main focus – how long to get through security, is my flight delayed, can I order another drink before I have to trek to the gate? Airports can also be annoying, but I am determined to keep liking them. Especially after being inspired by Sunny and MJ, whose recent post proves that they really know how to keep their cool in an airport. Even when the wait is long, or the flight is cancelled, and it’s crowded, my sis and niece stay upbeat. My airport attitude is pretty good, but there’s always room for improvement. Here’s how I spend quality time in an airport: Continue reading →

Past Pictures from Perfect Paris

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

Like many other travelers, I LOVE Paris. I’ve been lucky enough to visit several times, but the last trip was in 2007. Too long ago. I’ve been missing it and spent some time recently looking through old photos.

Paris has been written about so much that many of the descriptions feel cliche, however accurate they may be. I’ve tried to write about my appreciation of France before. For this post, I thought I would write fewer words, and instead share a sample of photos that might reveal a little of the magic of Paris. The beautiful buildings, mysterious Churches, the love of art and beauty (and champagne), the iconic sites and neatly kept parks, the eclectic and stylish neighborhoods, the winding streets leading to your own Paris discoveries. Before you know it, you’re swept off your feet. Continue reading →

Feeling at Home in Madrid

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

My husband Jack said I am a collector of cities. I love trying to find a connection to the energy and color and diverse daily scenes of cities I visit. Cities offer reinvention and reassurance. They spark imagination. You learn to share your living space with others, while you’re also challenged to showcase uniqueness. There is an art to living in a city.

Madrid is the city we’ve visited most often in Spain. It is magical to me. History and cutting-edge are side by side. The landmark plazas and modern restaurants. The seedy and the sophisticated. The architecture and museums. It can feel like New York City, a night owl’s haven, a refuge for the weird, a sense that there is always a new discovery no matter how many streets you wander. I’ve heard other visitors sound less enthusiastic, but I love Madrid and will always try to claim it as one of my cities. In my mind I pretend that I’m more than a tourist. Instead, Jack and I have a relationship with Madrid, we’re on familiar terms. There’s no real must-see must-do list. We keep the camera-crazy gaping to a minimum and instead, play it cool. Well we try. Here are some city scenes/observations from our recent stops at the beginning and end of our fall road trip. Continue reading →

St. Jean de Luz: Princess or Surfer Girl

by Wendy
During our road trip this past September, we drove across the Spanish border to spend a few days in St. Jean de Luz. We were looking forward to seeing this small coastal town in the French Basque Region. We listened to Euskadi radio as we drove through mountain tunnels and watched the scenery turn greener. I’d say expectations were high. Continue reading →

Pictures of Pamplona Post

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

Jack and I were in Pamplona for one night – probably less than 24 hours total. We usually try to avoid those kind of short stays, but it was a road trip with a full itinerary and we wanted to visit this famous capital of Spain’s Navarre region. Here are a few photos of our time in this elegant city.  Continue reading →

Pilgrims and Partiers in Logrono

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

We felt a little tired when we got to Logrono, Spain. Jack and I were about midway through our 2 week road trip, moving at a fairly fast pace through Madrid, Valladolid, La Seca, Saint Jean de Luz and San Sebastian. It was time to catch our breath and stay in the same place for 3 whole nights – and Logrono was the perfect spot for this. Continue reading →

Stupidity Almost Made Us Skip San Sebastian

by Wendy
Follow me on twitter @wendylooksleaps

San Sebastian, or Donostia, was one of our favorite places we visited during our recent road trip. It is located in the beautiful Basque country in Spain. And we almost missed it. So many people raved about it online that we foolishly worried that it would be too touristy. I confess, we might have snobbishly (stupidly) considered skipping it in favor of a smaller, potentially more “undiscovered” coastal town nearby. Sometimes we get so caught up in finding hidden gems, we forget that places are popular for Really Good Reasons.

Jack and I love cities and beaches. San Sebastian has the most gorgeous city beach we’ve ever seen. Continue reading →