After one year on the road — We have been flanêuring for a year now. Teresa (my beloved spouse and co-flanêur) and I left the US in October 2021 and except for five weeks back in Maryland, we have been living and traveling in Europe for the past 12 months. We had much to learn about what…

In Portugal, 21,000 years of Rock Art Masterpieces — What might it be like to get a postcard from the deep past? How about 5,000 postcards from as far back as 22,000 years ago? This is what archeologists discovered in Portugal’s remote Coa Valley in the Alto Douro, near the border with Spain, in the early 1990s. …

Miranda do Douro: Portugal’s remote border town has it all! — Massive dark wings covered the sun. We looked up. About a dozen giant vultures glided overhead, so low we could see their scrawny necks and bald heads looking for food. Were they checking us out as we stood by the side of the car, desperately punching our Apple Map App…

These mid terms matter like never before — These mid-term elections matter like never before. For me, this is my first US election. I’m a Canadian immigrant. I’ve been a Green Card holder for many years, but finally became a US citizen in 2021. This is my first chance to participate in American politics. I believe voting is…

Trás-os-Montes’ ancient festivals in northwest Portugal keep the Wild Man alive — The northeast corner of Portugal is called Trás-os-Montes, which translates as “Behind the Mountains.” It’s the one part of her country that Teresa, my adorable Portuguese spouse, has never been to. So it was high on our must-see list for our trip through the northern part of her native land…

Costa Verde, where Portugal was born — Portugal is famous for its light, fruity, effervescent and affordable wine called Vinho Verde — literally, “green wine.” I’ve been a fan for decades, even before I met my adorable Portuguese wife, Teresa. You can get it almost anywhere — in the US, Canada, France, and even Norway as we…

Hidden in plain sight, who is she? — Viana do Castelo (“Viana of the Castle”) is an hour’s drive north of Porto, at the mouth of the Lima River. The most prominent feature of this pretty little city is the mountain that juts up, overlooking the harbour and the surrounding land. Much more than a photo op, Monte…

Port. Fado. The Jesus laser light show — Those who know me would probably not describe me as an Epicurean — one who revels in the delights of the senses. My dear wife Teresa has done her best to school me in the fine arts of indulgence (for she is their mistress), but there’s a core of Protestant…