Destination Banff, Glacier, and Yellowstone National Parks: Banff National Park

 In the weeks before arriving in Banff, I read several travel guides, travel blogs, and watch informative and entertaining videos on YouTube. 

    Before I travel anywhere, I do a lot of homework to familiarize myself with the destination. I believe it enhances a trip because it provides a roadmap, so to speak, of places I want to see on my adventure. 

    For those who might be unfamiliar with Banff National Park, it is Canada's oldest national park, created in 1885 as Rocky Mountains Park. It is in Alberta, a western province, and about 80 miles from Calgary.

Gondola on Sulphur Mountain

    After dinner with travel companions and getting a good night's sleep, our first stop was the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain. It takes eight minutes to travel the 2,300-foot to the summit, a smooth lift that is a peaceful hum as you take in a panorama of the Canadian Rockies. For those who have the time and energy, it takes two to three hours to hike to the top. I had neither the time nor the stamina to undertake that physical challenge.

 

Boardwalk leading to weather station

    Once atop Sulphur Mountain, at 8,041 feet (give or take a few hundred feet) it rewards you with magnificent views of Bow Valley. There are boardwalks that take you to different vantage points, including Sanson's Peak, a historic site where Norman Sanson (1862-1949) traveled by foot once a week for nearly 30 years to record weather data. There is also a visitors' center with two restaurants, gift shops, restrooms and viewing balconies. 

Lake Louise

   The next stop was Lake Louise, one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world, with its glimmering turquoise at an elevation of 5,200 feet carved out of the surrounding mountains. It's not a large lake. I hiked from one end to the other, about 1.5 miles. On the chilly lake were canoers, paddle boaters. and surfboarders. I even stopped and took a photo of a young couple braving the frigid waters (less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit in August, so not suitable for swimming). 

Athabasca Glacier

  The last full day in Banff included a drive on the scenic Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park, where we went to the Athabasca Glacier, the most visited glacier in North America. It has been receding about 16 feet a year, so it's gradually melting away (but not in my lifetime). We also stopped at the emerald-colored Peyto and Bow lakes for those Kodak moments and to soak in the scenery. The Canadians impressed me with their apparent concern for the environment and providing a protective and natural habitat for wildlife. 

 

Street view of Banff

  As for the town of Banff, it is touristy, as expected, with lots of souvenir shops, restaurants, and motels. But it was clean and inviting. I don't recall seeing any graffiti on walls or buildings. 

    Banff National Park is a place I'd like to visit again. It's a paradise for those who love the outdoors, from hiking to skiing to bicycling. I was told they really dressed the area up for Christmas. It's certainly a destination for all seasons.

    Until the next time . . .

 

Destination Banff, Glacier, and Yellowstone National Parks: The Beginning

 Early in August my wife and I went on an 11-day tour of Banff, Glacier, and Yellowstone National Parks. Being nature lovers, it ranks as one of the most scenic trips we've had in our travels in the past few years. 

With Covid-19 still raising its ugly head around the world, we were relieved to know that Canada only required the recommended vaccines, with the understanding they could still test us upon arrival in Calgary. But our tour company required us to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of departure. We passed that test. 

Calgary International Airport

But our tour still got off to a shaky start as American Airlines canceled our flight to Calgary about 12 hours before our departure time at Blue Grass Airport. We tried to make other arrangements but to no avail, so we left at the same time the following day. Better late than never. 

That trimmed our 12-day tour to 11 days. We were supposed to tour Calgary on the first day. Instead, the tour company provided a limousine when we arrived at the airport. The driver whisked us to our lodging in Banff, arriving about 30 minutes before the tour bus carrying our 31 fellow travelers. 

The rest of the tour was simply wonderful. The only rain came the night before our return home. It stopped soon enough for us to take a quick walking tour of Jackson Hole.

Banff exceeded expectations with its towering mountains, gleaming glaciers, lustrous lakes, and breathtaking beauty. Glacier was scenic as well as we traveled the Going-to-the-Sun road to Logan Pass, viewing the lakes, waterfalls, and occasional wildlife. And Yellowstone was like an out-of-this-world experience with its geysers, prismatic pools, canyon, and wildlife. We finished with a raft ride on the Snake River with the Grand Tetons providing a dramatic backdrop to our adventure.

Over the next few days, I'll have separate posts about our tour stops. There were a few interesting places along the way that I'll be sharing with you.  I hope you come along for the ride.

Until the next time . . . 

Destination Portugal: Lisbon

 Lisbon is the vibrant capital of Portugal, a gorgeous city steeped in history, impressive architecture, cultural diversity, and friendly residents. 

The only things that could spoil a visit would be the weather, sitting in an enclosed tour bus, and not having enough time to take in a lot of the activities and sights to satisfy the curious tourist. Unlucky me and my fellow travelers. 

We encountered off-and-on rain during our two days in Lisbon, a city spread over seven hills and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Of course, the weather is something you have no control over when on a guided tour. You take what you get from Mother Nature and deal with it. And you take along an umbrella or rain jacket just in case.

Along the way to our hotel, we drove past many places that I'd seen on YouTube travelogues, Rick Steves's videos about Lisbon, and the three books about Portugal that I had perused in the months before departing from my old Kentucky.

I learned about an earthquake in 1755 that devastated the city and much of Portugal, as well as parts of Morocco and Spain. Up to 50,000 people died and 85 percent of Lisbon's buildings crumbled to the ground in one of the worst earthquakes in history. It's often referred to as the Great Lisbon earthquake.

But you're not here for a history lesson. 

Cristo Rei monument

First, a few sights I saw from the bus: the historic Santa Justa Lift, Rossio Square, and Cristo Rei statue. We also passed by some garden areas and parks that looked interesting. I had hoped to find some free time to do some urban hiking. But I didn't.  

 By the way, I seldom take photos from a bus because I don't like to see the reflection of the interior from the windows. 

What we saw was part of my bucket list, so all was not lost. I just wished I could have seen more of what the city offered to visitors. 

We visited the impressive Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which contains the tomb of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama and a few other notable citizens. 

Vasco da Gama sarcophagus 

From there we went to the massive Monument of the Discoveries, remembering seafaring explorers such as Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, Pedro Alvares Cabral, and other luminaries from the 15th and 16th centuries. 

Monument of the
Discoveries 

We made a brief stop at the Belém Tower, a 16th-century fortification on the northern bank of the Tagus River. It also served as a departure-and-arrival place for the fearless explorers of the world.

 Belém Tower

The principal attraction of the Lisbon stop was the colorful Pena Palace, another UNESCO World Heritage Site located atop a hill in the Sintra Mountains. It began in the Middle Ages as a small monastery, but like many places in 1755, the Lisbon Earthquake destroyed it. 

Pena Palace 

King Ferdinand II built a summer residence for the royal family at the site, with construction between 1842-54.  The castle has an eclectic feel with its colors and styles—because the king wanted it that way. I should mention that it rained during our visit. After touring the palace, we spent part of the afternoon in charming Sintra. I also learned that the pop singer Madonna once lived near the palace. 

I'd like to return to Portugal, but only after I check off other places on my to-do travels. As the old saying notes, "you only go around once and then you ___" (you fill in the blank).

There are an estimated half-million expats living in Portugal, including about 50,000 Americans. That speaks well of the desirability and quality of life in the nation that it would attract others. I know I found it appealing.

I hope you've enjoyed my posts about Portugal. Feel free to "Follow" me on my journeys by clicking the button in the right column.

Until the next time . . . 

Destination Portugal: The Algarve

 Portugal's gorgeous Algarve region offers a variety of things to do and see with charming towns, beautiful beaches, rocky coastline, and historic sites. It is the southernmost region of Portugal with about a half-million inhabitants, but it triples during the vacation season with seasonal residents. 

A marina in Portimão

Our two-day visit in early March was somewhat marred by rain, but when the sun was out, the weather was delightful and places were inviting. We stayed two nights in Portimão, a modern and picturesque ocean-side town that has become a hub for tourism in the area because of its proximity to many places. Our guide informed us that British music legend Cliff Richard once lived in the Algarve while looking after his wine production business. She reminded a few in the group about him by playing "We Don't Talk Anymore" more than a few times the remainder of the trip! 

It was raining off and on and a blustery wind pushed you along the way when we ventured to the Cabo San Vicente Light House and Sagres Fort. Certainly not an ideal time to take photographs. Aside from that, it was another place to soak in the scenery, if you know what I mean. And when you're making what will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime visit, you make the most of the situation, regardless of circumstances. 

The San Vicente Light House 

A statue in honor of St. Vincent

Something I found fascinating was a circular pattern inside Sagres Fort,  believed to be a wind compass. It was discovered in the 18th century and excavated in 1919. That's the Atlantic Ocean past the walls.

Portuguese constructed the fort in the 16th century

Because of the inclement weather, we had to postpone a boat ride from quaint Lagos along the rocky coast until the second day of the trip. There were no complaints from my fellow travelers. 

A bumpy and splashy boat ride along the rugged coast ranked as one of the highlights of the tour, perhaps because it has an amusement element for the adventurous side in a few of the travelers. 

The last stop during our stay in the Algarve was the historic town of Lagos. It's a friendly, interesting place where a person can take in maritime history, sit back and relax on a street bench, enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many restaurants, or simply take a lazy stroll along the quiet streets. 

Colorful and laid-back Lagos 

 The next stop will be Lisbon. Come along for the ride (Hint: hit the Follow button in the right column)!

Until the next time . . .

Destination Portugal: Évora

 Évora is a charming and historic city in central Portugal with relics from Roman and Moorish influence before and during the Medieval period, including protective walls, a temple, several cathedrals, and remains of a royal palace.

Group following the guide

Our tour of the UNESCO Heritage Site began with a walk through a quiet park bordering an ancient wall as a local guide provided information about the city's rich history when it was one of Portugal's cultural and educational centers. 

Church of St. Francis

And then on toward the Old Town center, stopping first at the eerie Chapel of Bones at the Gothic-style Church of St. Francis, its walls "decorated" by Franciscan monks with the remains of 5,000 corpses. 

Bones in the Chapel of Bones

Walking on the cobblestone street, we headed to the Old Town square of Évora, where there are shops and restaurants. People congregated to eat at tables next to a fountain, while others sat on benches along the perimeter to chat or take in the sunshine. For me, this was one of the most relaxing places on the tour. 

Church of Santo Antao in Old Town square

Now on to some other sites in this enchanting place.

Sentry post along wall

Side street 

Temple of Diana, built in the first century

Church of Grace 

Remains of the Royal Palace

Bust of Dr. Francisco Eduardo de Barahona,
 a benefactor of the city, in the Garden of Diana 

Évora Cathedral 

After our visit to Évora, we made a stop at a cork-making factory. Wine is an important Portuguese product, so it makes sense that cork would be prominent as well. 

Bark stripped from cork oak trees 

Now on to the Algarve region in the southern part of Portugal. I hope you stay along for the ride.

Until the next time . . .

Destination Portugal: Coimbra

After spending a couple of days in Porto, we traveled south to historic Coimbra, the fourth-largest city in Portugal. 

Belltower at the university

Our half-day visit focused on the University of Coimbra and the shopping area near the Mondego River. There's a limit on what you can see before moving to the next destination on the itinerary.

The Romans found the city, naming it Aeminium in the first century. In the succeeding centuries, the Suebi, Alans, Visigoths, and Muslims ruled for periods of time before King Ferdinand I of Leon reconquered the territory in 1064. 

You might say that Coimbra is a college town, as most activity appears to revolve around the campus that sits atop the hill overlooking the venerable city. 

King Joao III statue

The public university, which has 23,000 students, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its architectural and cultural heritage. Although created in Lisbon in 1290, officials permanently established it in Coimbra in 1537 during the reign of King Joao (John) III, and it's the oldest continuous higher education operation in Portugal. A statue of the king stands in the university's courtyard, the former Alcacova Palace. 

Joanine Library 

Among the places to see at the university is the Joanine Library, which contains many valuable documents and books dating back to the 16th century. Construction started in 1717 and completed in 1728. It's named in honor of King Joao (John) V. The building is registered as a National Monument. 

Here are a few other images from Coimbra:

The Rainha Santa Isabel bridge crossing the Mondego River 

The Tricana of Coimbra sculpture, honoring a woman of the city 

Sculpture celebrating Fado guitar 

Monument to 19th century Prime Minister Joaquin Antonio de Auigar 

Coimbra street scene 

Shopping district

Santa Cruz Church and Monastery 

I've only touched on a few things to see and do in Coimbra, but it's definitely a place to spend several days and take in the history and culture of this beautiful city.

My next stop will be in Evora.

Until the next time . . . 

Destination Portugal: Porto

 I suppose one adventure of travel is making connecting flights at various airports. The ideal is to board a plane at your home airport and fly nonstop to your destination. That's highly unlikely if you're flying overseas in economy class. I like to think it adds to the adventure of seeing fresh places, even if it is an airport.

For my wife and I on our journey to Portugal, we flew out of Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., to O'Hare International in Chicago, then a long flight to Zurich Airport in Switzerland (we can now say we've been to Switzerland), and then on to Porto Airport in Portugal. Enough about airports. 

As I've probably mentioned in previous posts, we take guided tours on our trips to Europe because we like someone holding our hands and leading us to various sundry places. Well, it's not quite that bad because we do like the free time to explore on our own, but a director gives us ideas and can point us in the right direction. And she is someone we can contact if we get totally lost! 

The Douro River at twilight

Porto, or Oporto to the Portuguese and probably a few others, is a picturesque city on the northwest coast. It's the second-largest city in Portugal, with a metro population of 1.7 million people. 

Porto is a historic city, much like most European places visited by Americans. We began with a walking tour of the Ribeira District, which borders the Douro riverfront. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Porto Cathedral 

Our first stop was the Porto Cathedral, overlooking the Douro River. Construction on the Romanesque structure began in 1110 and was completed in 1737, a mere 627 years. An impressive pillory stands on the grounds. A statue of Vimara Peres, a ninth-century nobleman, stands near the entrance.  

Vimara Peres

We took a short walk from the cathedral to the Sao Bento Railway Station, which is noted for its tiled mosaics depicting the history of Portugal in the main hall. The predominately blue-and-white tiles are an important part of the nation's history and culture that you'll see in other parts of the country. The display on the station's walls is captivating by the artistry and detail.

Without going on and on, here are a few other highlights from our tour of Porto that including bus stops along the Atlantic coastline and a leisurely boat ride on the Douro River.

Statue of Prince Henry the Navigator

A church with a blue-and-white tile facade

Restaurants in the historic Ribeira District 

Boats on the Douro River 

Barrel in a warehouse containing Porto wine 

We also visited the Stock Exchange or Bolsa Palace, viewed marvelous wood carvings in the Church of the Convent of St. Francis, and toured Ferreira wine cellars and took part in a tasting of its delightful product. 

There was so much to see and do in Porto but so little time as we had to move on to our next stops in Coimbra and Evora. If ever I return to Portugal, Porto is a city where I want to spend a lot of time.

Until the next time . . .