Sevilla, the city of Flamenco! I could get lost in this city for days. So much history to absorb. We walked through the cobblestone city past Plaza De Espana built for the 1929 expo. Following the passage ways to the canal and the Plaza De Torro, where still to this day they have bull fighting. It continues to be a huge part of Spanish tradition in Seville and Madrid although banned in the Catalonia region of Spain. 

We opted to visit the top attraction in Seville, “La Catedral”. Originally constructed as a Mosque in the 12 century, it was later Christianized by Ferdinand III. The cathedral is known as the largest Gothic temple in the world, it is said to hold remains of Christopher Columbus! I must admit, it is spectacular inside and out.

 We spent the afternoon at the “Real Alcazar”, the royal palace. Areas of the palace are still occupied by the royal monarch, although we didn’t see any royals today. While walking thru the palace, you see distinct Arabic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque influences. A very eclectic experience, right through to the luscious gardens. Sevilla trivia- the Alcazar was part of season 5 of Game of Thrones – Water Gardens of Dorne.

A visit to Sevilla would not be complete without Flamenco at Casa De Le Guirtarra. The dedication of dancing and guitar solos was intense in this intimate setting. 

We end the night with tapas and cava followed by a stroll through energetic streets. I love how the streets are so alive at night. The restaurant tables take over the plaza and people spill onto the thoroughfare during the warm summer nights.

Tchau Lagos, Hola Sevilla
We spent the morning around sunny Lagos beach promenade. 

It was a sad farewell to watch a wild fire burning in the hills. The smoke haze followed us all the way to the Spanish border. As we crossed the Rio Guadiana and a timezone change, we found ourselves in the amazing city of Seville. A quick change of clothes and we head out for tapas, tapas and more tapas… and some wine, of course! After dinner we take a long stroll through the city to make a plan for tomorrow. So much to see, not enough time.

Don’t worry about us, we are in good hands as Marcos is our guide for this tour. 

BEST! DAY! EVER! Lagos, you did not disappoint. Waking up to another sunny day. Somehow we ended up at the swanky resort in town, hotel Tivoli, still not sure how we managed that? 

The temp by the sea was a perfect 28 degrees. The day started with a leisurely walk thru the old town filled with shops and restaurants along the promenade. Followed by Lagos Castle which offered amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. As we hiked up and down the cliffs we ended up at a Ponta Da Piedade lighthouse. 

In the afternoon we joined a kayak tour along the coast line past beautiful beach after beautiful beach thru sandstone grotto’s. We stopped at a secluded beach to snorkel and take in the surf. The kayak trip took us outside the alcove to the open sea, where we looked up at the lighthouse we visited earlier in the day. Amazingly, we managed to only fall in once! I did not bring my camera on the kayak trip with fear of falling in so this video will have to suffice.

All and all, a spectacular way to spend our last day in Portugal. 

Lagos by way of Evora. Our dinner last night was about a million stairs up the hill. Yes I exaggerate, however my legs were burning when we arrived. We ended up at a quaint Portuguese restaurant where while we ate, we were serenade in Fado. I tried black grouper, and when I say tried, I tasted Aleks’. I ordered the chicken- as usual, Piri-piri style and some tasty white wine sangria. 
Today was as hot, maybe even hotter than yesterday as we head inland. We made our way to Lagos by way of Evora. Evora is one of the Europes oldest towns, dating back to more than two millennium. What makes this town unique, aside from age, it holds a 16th century Chapel of Bones. Yes, an entire room covered from floor to ceiling with skulls and bones. The monks decided to relocate the bones from all the cemeteries to the chapel….I must admit, it’s a sounded creepy but I had to check it out. And it was “interesting”!  You know you’re going to zoom in for a closer look! That arch, it’s made of bones. Those are skulls of varying sizes. 

More pics to follow.

We have now made our way south to the seaside town of Lagos, I can’t wait to explore. 

Fun facts- Portugal’s top exports: cork, wine and tomatoes! I didn’t even know Portuguese tomatoes were a thing, and they are delicious, a little sweet even. 

C 

With a temperature by the water of 39 degrees it was an early start to the day by walking through the beautiful city of Lisboa. We stopped at the oldest church in Lisbon, Se De Lisboa (1147) while on our way up the hilltop to Castelo de S. Jorge. The castle was built in by the Moors in the 11th century. With 11 towers, it offers amazing views of the city and the Rio Tejo (River Tagus). As the heat crept up, we joined the hop on/ off bus to take in the sites of the city, most notable Belem. Unfortunately it is closed on Mondays. I guess it means I will have to come back to Lisbon and explore the inside of the buildings from the 15th century and maybe a day to take in the missed town of Sintra. 

Only 280 pics today…

C

We made it to Lisbon, let the adventure begin.

Granola #nomnomnom

So tasty, you will never buy another box off the shelf. 

Pre-heat oven to 325f – Move the top rack to middle position 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Coconut oil (substitute veg oil if you must)
• 1/3 cup Maple syrup and/ or honey
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 4 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup Brown sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Cacao (optional- but tasty) 

Whisk together above ingredients and then add;

• 5 cups Oats (gf Bobs Red Mill) 
• 1/4 cup Chia seeds
• 1/4 cup Flax ground seeds
• 1/2 cup Coconut flakes unsweetened
• 1/2 cup Dates- chopped
• 1/2 cup Raisins
• 1/2 cup Dried “cranberge” (get it? cranberries)
• 1 cup Nuts- chopped (almonds, walnuts, or pecans and any combo) 
• 1/2 cup Sunflower seeds

Transfer to parchment lined baking sheet, spread evenly and press with wooden spoon. 

Bake 30-35 minutes

Cool 1-2 hours (I know it smells so good you’ll want to eat right away, but it’s worth the wait). 

Keeps 3 weeks in sealed a container (if it lasts that long).

Enjoy! 

I had you at “wine” right…. then this post is for you.

Check out my page on the “Advent Wine Calendar” for more details