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December 15, 2015

The road to Seville in photos

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I kicked off my road to Seville from the beautiful city of Lisbon and from where my journey through rich culture, colors, and food would continue.

On the day I headed out it was raining and it would rain throughout most of my Iberian road trip with Insight Vacations, but the chilly air, foggy mornings, and rainy days didn’t damper the beauty of all that I saw an experienced. Here is that journey in photo.

An afternoon in Sintra, a popular day trip from Lisbon which is easily accessible by car or train.

Sintra, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravelSintra, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel DSC02881-2

 Wine tasting stop at Jose Maria da Fonseca in Setubal, Portugal. This winery was established in 1834, perfecting its wonderful wine since. A tour of their ancient wine cellars is a must.

Jose Maria da Fonseca, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

Jose Maria da Fonseca, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

Jose Maria da Fonseca, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

Hours later, we arrived to the medieval city of Évora, home of popular attractions such as the Temple of Diana which marks the city center and is one of many UNESCO World Heritage sites of the area, the Cathedral of Évora, and the eery Chapel of Bones. The influences of its Roman and Moorish history is beautifully displayed throughout the architecture that adorn the many streets of this wonderful destination. Our luxurious hotel of choice, and one that offers easy access by foot to much of what the city has to offer, was the M’ar De Ar Aqueduto. (See my video mini tour.)

Evora, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Evora, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Evora, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Evora, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

Evora, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravelEvora, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Evora, Portugal_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

The rain continued to fall as we traveled on, enriching the already green and lush landscape along the way.

Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

We arrived to Monsaraz, Portugal a tiny village with an estimated population of less than 1,000 people, though when I visited there was no one there as it was low season. This however, made it feel even more magical. The welcoming silence in the breeze interrupted only by the sound of my heals as they hit the cobblestone streets, echoing off the white walls of closed off vacation homes. The village overlooks the Guadiana River, the largest man-made dam, on the other side of which is Spain.

Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

We would get off the road only to sail on the Sem-Fim, a sail boat built on Holland in 1913. This impressive boat has survived two world wars, though you wouldn’t know it by how it sails.

Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

I feasted at the Sem-Fim Telheiro Restaurant in Lisboa, a former olive oil bottling plant that now serves authentic, delicious, and very generous portions of Portuguese food, which like Spanish food consists of a lot of meat!

Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

Monsaraz_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

After crossing the border into Spain we would stop for some world-renowned Jamón Ibérico de Bellota where I tasted black ham for the first time and was changed forever. Sadly, it’s not easy to come by making it even more worth the trip back.

Spain_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Spain_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

We arrived to Seville late in the afternoon, too soon for dinner, but not for hot chocolate and churros! I sat and enjoyed my Spanish treats in an open-air café surrounded by orange trees. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 bitter orange trees and gardens in Seville.

Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

A walk through the city helped to walk off the delicious calories and with no big crowds, the experience was leisurely and enjoyable.

Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

A day trip to Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, would be like a walk back in time filled with history and inspiration, so much so that painters could be found at almost every corner trying to capture its beauty.Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel Seville_Photo Credit with Permission GirlGoneTravel

Seville wouldn’t be my last stop. I eventually make my way to Madrid where I would only spend a night, but not before stopping for some yummy paella in Puerto Lapice at La Venta del Quijote, a rest stop for El Quijote de La Mancha.

https://girlgonetravel.com/2013/08/23/riding-high-in-barcelona-spain/

Seville remained my favorite Spanish city thus far, even surpassing my impression of Barcelona. It’s a university as well, which makes it diverse and energetic, though still intimate and cultured in every way. A true gem in my travel book.

https://girlgonetravel.com/2013/08/23/riding-high-in-barcelona-spain/ https://girlgonetravel.com/2013/08/23/riding-high-in-barcelona-spain/ https://girlgonetravel.com/2013/08/23/riding-high-in-barcelona-spain/ https://girlgonetravel.com/2013/08/23/riding-high-in-barcelona-spain/ https://girlgonetravel.com/2013/08/23/riding-high-in-barcelona-spain/

To read more about my Iberian adventures, check out my write up on Expedia Viewfinder and the Huffington Post Travel for Findery.

Photography is property of the publisher and may not be used without consent of GirlGoneTravel.com. 

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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