Spain & Portugal (a short story!)

Sometimes the best laid plans are the ones we don't create.  I thought we were headed to southern Spain for some relaxing-fun-in-the-sun time.  We not only got that, but also traded the stuffy, runny, sneezy allergy mecca of Germany for an allergy free vacation!

First, photos of our wonderful time with hostess, Elaine at Villa Los Paraisos in the countryside near Seville, Spain:

Villa Los Paraisos:  Swim fun, olive groves, shade for dinners and card games, the dog, Bobby loves the attention, Paella for dinner!

Next day:  Carmona Spain --a city with largely intact Roman (and even Carthaginian) and Moorish ruins --how cool to walk around here!

Nate's mission: find candy from each country we visit.  My mission:  find a Starbucks Cathedral and in Seville--the bull fighting museum.   Found it! 3rd largest Cathedral in Europe, Columbus' tomb; free wifi, and another cup for the collection (Ronnie!)

Bull Fight Museum:  Zach's takeaway "did you know one of the most famous toreadors in the world
was 9yrs old when he started,  died in the ring at age 25?" (Jose Ortega)  Impressive and sad.
2 boys are "caught" actually LOOKING at the artwork! (Above left)
This bullring is non-profit, all proceeds go to local charities!

Back to Portugal:   Hilton Vilamoura resort.  Part of our timeshare, the Hilton was nothing less than fantastic.   The beach was a mere 5 minute drive from the resort.  Forget the pools, though:  boys just want to dig!

The view from our balcony!  The pools were nice and never crowded when we were there!

Portugal Sail and BBQ: Catamaran, private beach, fish for lunch (ewww-heads!), kayaking, cliff- cave exploring, and Captain Z takes the wheel!

The Big Moon rise and a quick trip to Lagos: medieval fort --Alex's take away:  "Doesn't seem like much of a fort when all you have to do is go around the corner to get in!"

Driving home from the German airport, I asked the boys what they noticed was different about this countryside and that of Portugal.  Barely looking up from their ipads, they all commented "I don't know."  Oy.

Tschuss!
Linda