Category Archives: Travel

“Travels to a Different Time”: 22July2005: Lagos, Portugal: How Do You Tell a Brit in Portugal? Off to the End of The World

Breakfast at Hotel Tivoli was described as “lavish” on the hotel’s website. We have had some breakfasts in Portugal that were lavish and this buffet breakfast is tasty especially the fried eggs and baked beans. We wouldn’t however call this buffet breakfast as lavish. There are so many Brits here who simply must have theirContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 22July2005: Lagos, Portugal: How Do You Tell a Brit in Portugal? Off to the End of The World”

“Travels to a Different Time”: 21July2005: Lagos, Portugal: Haven’t Been Back Here Since 1978

After breakfast checkout and off south to Lagos in the Algarve. We were last there in 1978. A five-hour drive on a new toll motorway at 160 kms/hour. No traffic to speak of and the police are on strike so let er rip. Checked into The Tivoli Hotel. We have a patio overlooking the AtlanticContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 21July2005: Lagos, Portugal: Haven’t Been Back Here Since 1978″

“Travels to a Different Time”: 20July2005: Estoril, Evora, Portugal: Cholesterol Attack! Man Peeing all Over the Floor

Had our usual late breakfast including for me two omelets. The poor waiter seemed not to understand our omelet order as Andrew’s omelet came with mushrooms which he did not want or order. To avoid wastage being good Canadians I ended up eating my omelet and Andrew’s. Cholesterol attack! A rather late start as weContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 20July2005: Estoril, Evora, Portugal: Cholesterol Attack! Man Peeing all Over the Floor”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 19July2005: Estoril, Portugal: Portuguese Strongmen Lift Massive Bus

Breakfast buffet service at the Palacio Hotel has been exceptional but today they could not keep up with replenishing the scrambled eggs and bacon. The fruit is plentiful and top rate. The peaches and oranges from the Algarve are superb. We headed off to Sintra after breakfast but this time along the coastal road thatContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 19July2005: Estoril, Portugal: Portuguese Strongmen Lift Massive Bus”

RKS 2024 Wine: The Terror of Terroir

I recall a few years ago while reviewing The Ritz-Carlton Central Park South in New York City discussing wine with their head sommelier. She indicated some weariness with assessing vintage years and wine classifications. Her focus was simple and that was knowing what customers appreciated and building on that if the customer willingness was there.Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: The Terror of Terroir”

“Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: Visit to Cascais and Sintra

Alex is flying back to Toronto from Lisbon today. Breakfast is so “dignified” here. Low voices, Formal settings and service. Might I say “stuffy”? A tremendous buffet breakfast. Years ago while travelling in a just opening up Greece I was starving most of the day particularly with such meagre breakfasts. This breakfast would have beenContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: Visit to Cascais and Sintra”

“Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: A Visit to Guincho Beach: A Real-Life Rick’s Cafe

Packed up the Megane and off southbound to Estoril. Uneventful drive although finding the entrance to the Hotel Palacio was a bit tricky. Alex and Andrew had a suite beside ours. Two levels and three bathrooms in each suite. We are right beside the Orson Welles Suite. He stayed here when in Estoril. We faceContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :17July2005 Estoril, Portugal: A Visit to Guincho Beach: A Real-Life Rick’s Cafe”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 16July2005 Nazaré/Obidos/Albacoca, Portugal:

I was the first to wake up at 08:00 so while the rest of the crew was sleeping I caught up on my diary while sitting outside on the veranda overlooking the town and the ocean. Good to hear the rooster crowing as it has been sometime since I had heard that sound. In theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 16July2005 Nazaré/Obidos/Albacoca, Portugal:”

“Travels to a Different Time”:15July2005 Nazaré, Portugal: A Charming Little Fishing Village it Ain’t

Up for breakfast including that delicious yogurt in a glass topped with local honey. Delicious. A very quick pack up and off we roared in our Renault Megane getting lost on the way in Liera. Densely populated Portugal is for sure with village after village. Clay quarries with many trucks on the road. It wasContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”:15July2005 Nazaré, Portugal: A Charming Little Fishing Village it Ain’t”

“Travels to a Different Time”: 14July2005 Coimbra, Portugal: Difficult Roundabouts!

After another long sleep jet lag has been defeated. I was up at 08:00 working on this diary and the rest of the gang up at 09:30. I read a description about the history of Quinta Lagrima where we are staying including the grisly murder of Innes de Castro and the revenge of her loverContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: 14July2005 Coimbra, Portugal: Difficult Roundabouts!”