We left Lisbon by train and rolled into Porto early in the afternoon. Our hotel was conveniently located about a block from the station. We dropped our bags and immediately headed out to explore. Porto is famously hilly. The city climbs steeply from the Douro River, with narrow alleys, and scenic overlooks tucked everywhere. We... Continue reading →
Tag: travel
Lisbon
The Insignia docked in Lisbon Friday afternoon. The end of our sail across the Atlantic. Lisbon is old. Really old. In fact, it’s one of the oldest cities in Western Europe—believed to be several centuries older than Rome. During the Age of Exploration, Portuguese sailors like Vasco de Gama and Ferdinand Magellan launched from Lisbon... Continue reading →
Azores
After leaving Bermuda, we spent four days and five nights crossing the Atlantic. That’s a long stretch at sea, but Kris and I don’t mind as long as the ocean behaves itself. Besides, cruise ships make suffering manageable with unlimited food, booze, and entertainment. Our destination was the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the middle... Continue reading →
All Aboard
We boarded the Insignia in Miami on May 4 and set sail for Lisbon. South Beach Our first stop was Bermuda, sitting in the North Atlantic about 650 miles east of Cape Hatteras, NC. It took us three days at sea to get there. Bermuda is made up of around 181 islands. Most are tiny... Continue reading →
It’s Just sMiles launches September 16
My new book is (almost) here. After years of planning, walking, writing, and, yes, smiling, I’m excited to announce that my second book, It’s Just sMiles: Just Pete on the Camino de Santiago, will be released on September 16. In 2019, I laced up my shoes and set out across Spain and Portugal on the... Continue reading →
Exciting Year Ahead
I am beyond excited to share that the next twelve months will be packed with incredible experiences and unforgettable milestones. There’s so much in store, and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up! A Journey to Africa In mid-May, Kris and I will be... Continue reading →
Jervis Bay
Today, we embarked on a mission to explore Australia's wild, untamed wilderness. What was the mission, you ask? Well, let’s just say it involved a lot of hopping. And no, it wasn’t a pub crawl. Our adventure was sparked by our son-in-law, Austin, who encouraged us to visit Jervis Bay after spending significant time in... Continue reading →
Sydney, Part I
G’day, fellow adventurers! Buckle up for a tale of high seas and missed inspections. We made it to Australia but not without some drama. Australian Immigration requires a face-to-face inspection at the first port you arrive in on a cruise ship. Seems fair, right? That was supposed to happen for us in Tasmania, but the... Continue reading →
Auckland
Ahoy, mateys! After a short sail down the coast of New Zealand, we made landfall in the bustling metropolis of Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. If you’ve been following my adventures for a while, you can probably guess that cities aren’t really my thing…but I have to say Auckland and the surrounding suburbs... Continue reading →
Bay of Islands
Welcome to New Zealand! After 1,300 miles and 2 ½ days of a roller coaster ride on the high seas, we are anchored in the Bay of Islands. New Zealand has a North Island and a South Island. The Bay of Islands is in the northern region of New Zealand’s North Island. The Bay of... Continue reading →