Here is a brief day by day summary:
Day 1: Depart for Portugal Day 2: Arrive in Lisbon, transfer to hotel, leisure time Day 3: Explore Lisbon with a city tour, including Belem Tower and Gulbenkian Museum Day 4: Travel to Seville via Zafra, enjoy an Evening Flamenco Show Day 5: Full day in Seville, city tour, Cathedral visit, and Palacio de las Duenas exploration Day 6: Journey to Madrid via Cordoba, visit Mezquita and explore the city Day 7: Full day in Madrid, city tour, and Toledo exploration Day 8: Travel to Barcelona via Zaragoza, orientation tour of Zaragoza Day 9: Full day in Barcelona, city tour, Gaudi Monuments, and Park Guell visit Day 10: Depart for Home As a Travel Specialist, I'm often referred to as a "Resolution Manager." In any tour, unexpected challenges can arise, and coming out of a pandemic, as you can imagine, there are a few items to be aware of. It's my privilege to walk you through them because traveling now and in the future will be different. I encourage you to embrace the changes; they will make us better for it.
Before I dive into the exciting details of my latest adventure in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, let me share some valuable tips to consider before embarking on your own journey: 1) Seek Specials from Your Airline: On this trip, we were fortunate to receive free tickets for Expo 2020 Dubai from Emirates Airlines. This unexpected perk saved us approximately $45 per ticket. Keep an eye out for such deals, as they can make a significant difference in your travel budget. 2) Currency Exchange: It's crucial to find the best place to exchange currency. Typically, your tour guide will have the local knowledge to help you get the most value for your money. Don't hesitate to ask for their recommendations. 3) Tipping Etiquette: Understanding local tipping customs is essential. Your tour guide will provide information on what is customary, but it's a good idea to have small bills on hand for this purpose. 4) Packing Essentials: Comfort is key when exploring new destinations. Ensure you have comfortable shoes for walking and a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's rays. Knowing the weather conditions in advance can also help you pack appropriately. 5) Stay Informed About COVID Requirements: In today's world, knowing the COVID requirements for your destination is paramount. We were required to have our vaccination cards and current test results with us at every venue we visited. This knowledge was essential for a smooth and enjoyable trip. Dubai: Where Dreams Become Reality Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates with a total of 3.5 million inhabitants, is located on the eastern Arabian peninsula on the Persian Gulf Coast. Dubai's economy relies on trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. I was immensely impressed by how clean Dubai and the surrounding areas are compared to many cities we're accustomed to. One of the most impressive aspects of our trip was how Dubai has handled the COVID situation. Statistics show that 95% of the population has had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 85% are fully vaccinated. In fact, one of our tour guides was required to have at least four doses of the vaccine for his job. To enter any of the venues, our group needed to present vaccine cards and a PCR report that showed negative for signs of COVID. Dubai is a city that never ceases to amaze, and our journey began with a visit to the iconic Burj Khalifa. Standing atop this soaring skyscraper, we marveled at the breathtaking 360-degree views of Dubai, capturing the city, desert, and ocean in a single glance. The Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah offered a glimpse into a world of luxury living. These man-made marvels are a testament to human ingenuity and ambition, making for fantastic photo opportunities. Crossing the creek via an Abra water taxi, we explored the Old Souks of Dubai, where the rich heritage of the city came to life. The bustling markets, filled with the scent of spices and the glitter of gold, were a feast for the senses. Our adventure took a thrilling turn with a Desert Safari. We navigated the sand dunes in a 4X4 land-cruiser, capturing the enchanting desert sunset views. Camel rides, henna designs, and traditional Arabic coffee made this experience unforgettable. Abu Dhabi: Elegance and Culture Abu Dhabi, the capital and the second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates with a population of 1.8 million, is located on the Central Persian West Coast. Our day trip to Abu Dhabi unveiled a world of elegance and culture. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was a breathtaking masterpiece, accommodating thousands of worshippers. Its sheer grandeur, adorned with the world's largest chandelier and carpet, left us in awe. Lunch at the opulent Emirates Palace was a culinary delight, and the architecture was equally impressive. The Qasr Al Watan palace offered an immersive journey into the culture, knowledge, and craftsmanship of the UAE, while the Louver Museum showcased art and culture on a grand scale. As we wrap up our journey through Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I hope these insights and tips will prove valuable for your future adventures. Embrace change, stay informed, and open your heart to the wonders of the world. The beauty of travel lies in its ability to transform us, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi certainly did that for us. Safe travels, fellow adventurers! My family consists of three sons, three daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, and they call me "the Traveling Grandma" because I love to travel. However, I didn't start out as a traveler. My parents divorced when I was very young, and to make it up to me, they took me separately on their vacations. We didn't have the electronic navigation devices that are available now, so I became their navigator. From my office in the passenger seat, I used a "good old map" to guide my parents on their necessary turns. So, my love of travel began. I had the opportunity to retire early from corporate America, and now I have a chance to experience my second act. I invite you to join me on my journey. Greece and SantoriniI have traveled to Greece twice, once in 2013 and again in 2017. Greece has become one of my favorite places to visit because it reminded me of New York, my birthplace. I say this because of the activity of the pedestrians especially in Athens. During my 25 year career as a relocation consultant, I lived in several diverse locations: Dallas, TX; Silver Spring, MD; Danbury, CT; Somerset, NJ. Toward the end of my career, I had the opportunity to go back to school, and in 2013, I took a travel course toward my MBA. As part of my studies, our travel group were required to keep journals. One of the things I noted was that either I was the only African American or one of only a few African Americans participating in traveling. One of my goals in this article is to encourage as many people of color to experience all of what the world has to offer. Now, let me share my favorite places to visit while in Greece. I do suggest, however, that you work with a tour guide as your trip will go a lot smoother. Greece is located in Southeast Europe with a population of 10.7 million as of 2018. It has a long history and is considered the birthplace of democracy. I took the above picture of the Olympic Stadium. You will find that a lot of the structures in Greece are similar to those viewed in Rome. This reflects the history of Roman occupation of Greece between 146 BC (Battle of Corinth) and continuing until 330 AD. When traveling you will use the Euro for your purchases. Your tour guide will assist with finding the best exchange rate. Santorini is one of the Greek Islands and is located in the southern Aegean sea, southeast of the Greek mainland. Santorini can be accessed several different ways, by cruise ships, airplane and by ferry. The ferry is considered the most cost effective. The cost for two to take the ferry is $132. Santorini is ranked as one of the top honeymooner locations. It is the largest of the Greek Islands with a population of approximately 16,000. The island of Santorini was formed by volcanoes and you'll find that some beaches have darker shadings of sand, and the waters will tend to be warmer. Our visit occurred in October and we were still able to enjoy a nice swim. Below is a list of my favorite places to visit: 1-The Parthenon: The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the goddess, Athena that was built around 447 BC. This is a must see for the young and the young at heart. The weather and temperature in Greece in October is similar to that of Dallas, which is approximately 75 Degrees. One tip I'll offer is to wear proper walking shoes or sneakers. I almost took a fall as it was raining on the day of the tour. The cobblestone walkways and steps were very slick. 2-The Erectheum: The Erectheum was built approximately 421-405 BC on the Acropolis in Athens. This is also known as the Temple of Athena. It is amazing to see the details of the figures that surround this structure and to see that it is has lasted until today. I am also amazed at how strong the slaves were to lift these structures to their rightful place. 3-Temple of Olympian Zeus: The Temple of Olympian Zeus or the Columns of the Olympian Zeus is in the center of the Greek Capital of Athens.These columns were started in the 6th Century BC, but completed around the time of the Roman Empire. We were able to view the columns from our hotel. When you visit, I would recommend a hotel where you can view the best sites. The hotel that we stayed in was the Devani Acropolis, Athens. Every morning the hotel offered a scrumptious breakfast buffet with a selection of fruits, croissants and assortments that even a picky eater like myself would approve. 4-The Plaka: The Plaka is the historic neighborhood located at the base of the hill that is topped by the Acropolis. There are a lot of shops and restaurants in this area. You could spend the whole day here with not only the activity and shops, but also with the street vendors. One of my recommended lunches to purchase while visiting is the Chicken Souvlaki, which is called the Chicken Giro in the US. We had some free time on our tour to weave in and out of the many streets in this area. Once again, make sure you're wearing your comfortable shoes. 5-Dr. Fish Pedicure: Dr. Fish Pedicure Day Spa and Nail Bar is located in the Plaka. After a long day of walking, I recommend that you try this out. Dr. Fish offers Face and Body Treatments as well as waxing and the famous fish spa pedicure treatment, where small fish exfoliate the dead cells of the feet. 6-The Loom: The Loom is also located in the Plaka and is a rug and tapestry shop. The proprietors described the process of making rugs as well as the export process. This was especially helpful as part of our studies. We found out that the businesses in Greece are male dominated. However, in this Company the family had a major role in making sure it thrived. The presentation was given by the wife who was knowledgeable about the workings of the organization. 7-Delphi: The Delphi is located in the upper central portion of Greece and includes the sanctuary of Apollo. Apollo is the God of Archery, Music and Dance according to Greek Mythology. Apollo is also associated with truth, prophecy, healing and poetry. Our group traveled on a bus ride to this region, which is very picturesque and allowed an excellent view of the surrounding area. 8-Agora Art Gallery: The Agora Art Gallery is a must see if you love ancient art. I bought a Greek bracelet there. The image below is called the "Greek Key Pattern"; This pattern is what is on my bracelet. These patterns originated from Greek Mythology during the Georgian Period. We visited the gallery on our way back from the Delphi.
9-The Old Olympic Stadium: The Old Olympic Stadium or "Spyros Louis" is named after the first Olympic Gold Medalist in 1896. This was renovated in time for the 2004 Summer Olympics. 10-Ferry to Santorini: The Ferry to Santorini leaves from Athens and allows access to Mikanos, Santorini and Crete, some of the other Greek Isles. We left from the departure port of Piraeus. A lot of Grecians use this as their access to the other islands. 11-Sunrise/Sunsets in Santorini: Sunrises and Sunsets in Santorini are a must see. Our hotel was El Greco, Santorini, which was across the street from the perfect view. Our group would gather together to see both. Santorini is known for honeymooners, which I can understand after my visits there. 12-Blue Dome Buildings in Santorini: The capital of Santorini is Firi. The Blue Dome buildings are the churches. Prices here are bit higher than in Athens, so make sure you bring your credit card as you may be tempted to purchase beautiful Greek Art. On my return trip, our group had a day trip on a catamaran with lunch. This is only a start of your journey to this beautiful country. I hope you will share with me your favorite places upon your return. Sharon Wilson Freedom Travel by Sharon www.freedomtravelbysharon.com www.facebook.com/freedomtravelbysharon 732-425-8415 cell |