Spain & Portugal Trip October 13, 2025 to November ??, 2025

Tunnel into Albufeira Old Town

The nine pictures above are Albufeira Old Town and beach taken on October 26, 2025

 We began our plan nine months ago onboard an Azamara cruise when we received a notice that our next trip would include six free nights, WiFi, a $1300 cash credit, and an upgrade from Veranda balcony to a Suite balcony. Within a few days we booked an eight day cruise from October 17 to 25, 2025 from Barcelona Spain with stops at Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga, Gibraltar, Seville and disembark at Lisbon Portugal. 

Between golf games, dinners, shopping, 2pm vodka tonic dailies, and plenty of good times during unbelievable sunny and warm weather during most of our summer in Southern Ontario the planning is completed. 

[A thought just hit me too late: that is to monitor time on the computer, listening to friends and family's suggestions, and other details that require time and energy to get to one day before flying to Barcelona.] 

Our Air Canada flight is thirty hours from now and there are 6J seats, 5Premium and 10Economy available. Our hope is 2 of the J's will be ours on Monday's flight to BCN.

On board AC820 an advance email indicated we have been assigned to 12D and 12E in Premium Economy. Hoorah and off we go on a trouble free flight, arrival October 14 at 09:30, and no questions asked before Immigration officers rubber stamped our passports in Barcelona BCN.

The taxis were lined up perfectly and after a thirty minute ride on a smooth road to the Sercotel hotel in Sitges Spain, we checked in and slept for two hours. It was a sunny day when we walked to a Super Market to purchase two beers and two bottles of wine and back to the hotel on the beach. Lining the outer side walk and roadway are numerous restaurants some with white table cloths and tables set with cutlery and white embroidered cloth napkins. We jumped into one of them and enjoyed a classic seafood paella with complimentary sparkling wine and little bites of Spanish delicacies while enjoying the sights and sounds of this well attended restaurant and scenario.

And the next night we dined at Moreno Major and enjoyed this dish of Carmelized Foie among other Tapas selections: 

After this delightful experience at Moreno Major we walked back to Sercotel Kalma Sitges hotel prior to another small walk on the beach to an outdoor bar named Pique-Nique for the atmosphere, a little music, the pleasant night air and a splash or two before hitting the hay.

The next night we dined at Al Tamar (on the beach) and had (one) 3 course meal of a noodle dish with bacon bits, a nice piece of Salmon about 6" x 1" x 1" high nestled on a tasty couscous topped with dill sauce, a small steak croquet and finally a piece of cake with a caramel sauce. We were completely satisfied and enjoyed the food, wine, beer and service to the Max. All of which cost 31euros.

Sitges is a haven for Barcelona citizens driving 45 minutes to a city filled with beach activities, hotels and dining establishments all year long. Mind you some will partially or completely shut down for their winter. The chamber of commerce is hard at work making this trip very worthwhile for any person, couple or group to have a pleasant time in its surrounds.

Several years ago we stayed in Barcelona for four days before another Azamara Cruise. We liked the layover then and enjoyed this one too.

Tomorrow we'll drive to Barcelona and the World Trade centre south port arriving at noon to make ready for this cruise of the eastern coastline of Spain to Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga, Gibralter (United Kingdom), Seville and disembark at Lisbon, Portugal on October 25, 2025. 

Sitges streets for walking to shops and restaurants

Sitges Beach

So Long Sitges we enjoyed our visit with you.

We taxi’d to Barcelona Cruise Port from Sitges and went into our state room to unpack and the phone rang asking us to come to Guest Relations because they had something for us. While we stood in a small line of people I felt a tap on my shoulder accompanied with these words, “Of all the gin joints in all the world you had to come into mine.” [Humphrey Bogart speech in Casablanca which is not far from here in the south of Spain.]
It was Sandy and Cathy Aitken our friends from Scotland who knew we were on board and decided to surprise us. Well they sure did, I was blown away to say the minimum. 

Azamara Pursuit is a beautiful ship holding 700 passengers and 300 crew. We are docked at Cartagena Spain right behind Princess Star holding 4,000 passengers and a whole lot of crew.

It's close to 79F today and it's safe to say the four of us are in our element. If Jane Austen where in my spot this moment she might write something like this, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a married woman in possession of a credit card and cash must be in want of a clothing shop."

Terryl and Cathy had taken their cash and credit cards and went for an hour's walk down a crystal clean carless, shop filled, cafe laden Cartagena boulevard while Sandy and I opted for a table, two chairs and a cool beer seated in the shade while the troops marched on.

I have read that the Carthaginians started all this in 227BC. The current Spaniards preserve these Roman ruins and have restored an amphitheater and ancient fortifications. The article also states the city has harmoniously blended its maritime traditions, modern architecture, museums and elegant public spaces symbolizing Spain's enduring legacy and charm.

Last night we ate steak tartare among other delights in Azamara’s Prime C specialty restaurant 

It’s Monday morning in Malaga and we’re off the ship in a Taxi on a tour of this fabulous city. 

Pano in Valencia

Sandy & Cathy Aitken

 

Our Taxi driver in Malaga

From the Acqualina dining room  the above vessel caught the eye of the camera. This yacht looked sweet to me with the sun created highlights accentuating its crisp architectural design. [We discussed what manner of dude owned and ran this baby up and down the Spanish coast line. And then the food came in one entre at a time.]

This entre was followed by a Sea Bass filet which was to die for.

Napa Valley Zinfandel very dry and bold 2019

At 08:00 on October 21 The Pursuit docked at Gibraltar, a colony of The United Kingdom that appears to be 3 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide housing 25,000 inhabitants with 15% British and the balance mostly Spanish make up its population.

Right bang in the middle of it all is the Rock of Gibraltar, the perfect place to fire cannon shots and control the entrance to the Mediterranean. There is not much else to see, but here is what we have dear friends:

It’s John and Yoko Ono

At 17:30 in the Pursuit's Theatre today Dr. David Roberts a destination speaker will give a talk on 'The Greeks and Romans Were Here.' I will be there dear friends keeping you informed as always. Dr. Roberts is the only D.S. on board this voyage. Sorry about that folks. 

October 21, 2025

Azamara Pursuit D.S. DR. David Roberts

“The Greek and Romans Were Here”

First thing he says about the 9:30 Show tonight

The greek empire 323BC under Alexander and absorbed culture Gods and Languages

The Romans conquered and changed the people into their way of life

The beginning of stone structures, Malta Goza Pictured  stone via ducts. 

Buildings of lime stone such as Megalithic temples, Huge stone walls too.

Temples were painted and looked beautiful and inside was fully painted and beautiful too.

Animal pictures such as bulls and fish are painted on the stone.

Dressed up Ladies were also painted along side male attendants.

Cities built with thick walls and sculpted features too.

Bee hive tombs are shown. 

Egyptians Masta de Idu, Giza. Tooms 

The Greeks used earlier Egyptian techniques to build

Edu Temple 

Doric Ionic and Corinthian order made of wood and later stone and then marble

Doric order was simple with as many as twenty flutes. Height was five times the width. Columns constructed in pieces of drums and then aligned with a brass pin.

The Parthenon is a good example of Ionic order

A guy Victrivius an architect 

Corithian 

Segesta sicily Temple of Segesta 6th century BC

Messene Odean theatre

Temple of Zeus exists with approx 5% of the original material is still there

Athens and the Acropolis is but one of many sites of their buildings existing.

Diocletians palace, Split

Dubrovnik has roman roots in their architecture

Sidnick Croatia

There are pieces of the Roman architecture every where 

Valecia has some of this too

Crete has Gortyna

Helsinky has similar ideas taken from the ancients. Branden Gates, Buckinham Palace, Whitehouse in USA, Capital building in USA, 

We have been standing on the shoulders of the Ancients!!

At 21:00 Eric De Gray does his 'Vegas to Broadway'  show which promises to be excellent given his talents that have been enjoyed to date as our Entertainment Director.

This is Eric de Gray who is a proud Canadian that has the reputation of being the finest entertainer on any ocean-sailing Cruise Ship in our world. Sandy and Cathy have watched and heard Eric perform at least ten times over their cruising history of some 311 days and nights on Azamara ships. 

You can find a gold mine of information on his website ericdegray.com

Sandy and Cathy after enjoying their 11th Eric de Gray's performance on an Azamara Ship.

October 22, 2025 we arrive after a careful run north on the Guadalquivir River through locks guided by pilots until we docked safely in the great city of Seville, Spain the capital of Andalusia renowned for it's rich history, artistic heritage and architectural splendour. It's the birthplace of Flamenco and entertains visitors with its Festivals and its warm atmosphere and fine cuisine.

Sailing on a river into Seveille (a tight squeeze for the Azamara Pursuit). 

Our beautiful sister Marilyn and brother I.L. Buster let it be known to their daughter Jennifer that The Pudster and the Bezel were on the same or similar cruise on a south and easterly bound coast of Spain before disembarking in Lisbon, Portugal on October 25, 2025.

Well Jennifer and Bob sent us a welcomed email questioning if it was possible to meet somewhere just for the fun of it. I would have loved that. The problem was Jenn was arriving on MSC at Lisbon on the 24th and heading north to Porto, while we arrive on the 25th and head south to the Algarve and a city named Albufeira for a Marriott Hotel and Golf Resort. We expect we'll be somewhere in the Algarve for a week or so before heading back to Spain for several days before we hook onto a flight back to YYZ.

Bummer is a word that comes to mind.

Tonight is WhiteNight on an Azamara Ship where everyone wears a white outfit, appears at the Pool Deck this time, participates in the Awesome Buffet meal, and dances up a storm to the music orchestrated by Eric de Gray we wrote about earlier. Pictures to follow:

After an October 23 relaxing day with a light breakfast of Cappuccino and Danish at 11:00; an hour and a half on the Promenade Deck right under the Life Boats resting on Loungers; a light lunch of sandwich prepared by Mario under Terryl's direction; forty-five minutes in the GYM working the swing, walking and working the old glutes Ala Nick the trainer; followed by an hour and a half yack with Sandy and Terryl on the 10th Deck Living Room Lounge that included 20 Trivia Questions where we knew only 10, we are in our Suite changing into clothes appropriate to The Aquilina Fine Dining Room at 6:00pm.

I can't help it dear readers, I find this is an opportune time to say, "Life is good."

On October 24 there is an exceptional brunch being served at Discoveries from 10.00 to 12:30 where we and Sandy and Cathy met for the penultimate time on this voyage. Mostly, we discussed our activity on board as well as our plans going forward. They are flying home and we are grabbing a bus to the Algarve. But less haste, or I would not attach 35 things about Portugal that you may or may not know.

This is from Dr. Roberts talk this afternoon which was well attended. Here are my notes:

Oct 24, 2025

35 Things you probably don’t know.

Dr. David Roberts

92, 000 square miles, founded in 1128, capital city is Porto

It has most bridges in Europe that cross over the same river

Monasteries they have several PICTURED four of them

Their flag is complicated , green aspiration for future, coat of honours, red in the middle seven castles in the centre, navigational tool around the backgroud

Portuguese love their coffee, Pincado and the Bico

One of the largest CORK producers. Half of the worlds product come from Portuguese. It all comes from a Cork Tree. This tree is the first time harvested is 85 years old. Zinfandel wine comes from here.

17 Unesco sites

Tradition has it that you put money in your pocket on new years eve to guarantee good fortune in the next year.

Portuguese is spoken in nine countries in the world.

Port wine is their national drink, name after Porto. Reserve Port, Tawny Port, White Port

They start having babies later in life than many other countries. It’s important to be an adult with common sense and a reasonable income before marriage and starting a family

Vasco da Gamma explorer one of the first. The first to navigate the entire earth. Five ships left and only two returned.

Piri Piri is a delicacy to be tasted.

Top spots for surfing south of Lisbon

First to adopt the Euro in 1999 

Sintra one of the most romantic of all places in Portuguese

Portugugal is is known as the country of tiles. National tile museum is in Lisbon

Fado is Portugal's national music. Then he played a film of a guitar with a singer as well

Oldest bookstores are in Lisbon

TILES are everywhere

Coimbra university is one of the oldest established 1200

Vasco da Gammo bridge is largest in Europe 

Many names are not to be used for Portuguese people to keep the culture pure: Jimmy and Ashley and Rhianna to name a few

Monks and Nuns created many of their deserts. Custard tarts made it to Port Credit

Egyptian vulture come from Portugal. Mongoose as well. Red Fox. Water Dog are trained to work.

Portugal is one of the peaceful countries in the world. Leader in sustainable energy.

To pee in the ocean is ILLEGAL $1100 dollar fine

Bonus Fact Portugal is number 2 place to retire in the world. Costa Rica is the first. And that's all folks from Dr. David Roberts

Our last night on board we enjoyed a nice meal and chat with Sandy and Cathy in Discoveries Dining Room and finished the evening in The Den with a cleansing ale and one or two last photos.

Terryl and I were the first off the ship with all of our luggage because, we didn't put it out for pick up and collection off ship. We asked at 07:15 if the gangway was open and it was so off we went to a waiting Taxi to the Bus Station in Lisbon (Oriente), punched out our own digitally produced Bus Fare and off we go at 08:30 to arrive at Albufeira, Portugal in two hours and fourty-five minutes. And then another Taxi to Algarve Marriott Salgados Golf Resort and Spa for two nights paid on Amex points or maybe more at the princely sum of 144.00 Euros per night for Marriott BonVoy members.

This Marriott is two years old and beautifully appointed with large balconies, washrooms and the usual amenities for a luxury hotel. On the very large grounds there are three circular pools and an 18 hole championship golf course designed and I believe by Troon trained managers where a golf shirt will cost 100 Euros, a round of golf will be 175 Euros without a power cart. It is superb with watering systems that keeps the course green all year long.

Today is October 26 and the temperature is running between 17 and 25C with a forecast of rain at 11:00 AM and once again at 01:00PM. Well the rain never happened once again.

We enjoyed a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and then called an Uber to go to Old Town where cars are disallowed. There are all kinds of people walking around (on tile walkways of course) and enjoying the little shops and restaurants; the walk to the beach filled with lounge chairs and umbrellas surrounded by high rocked mountains to the north and south of Albufeira beach that looks up to the Old Town itself.

For some digital reason these sensational photos appear at the beginning of this blog. Curses!

Marriott Golf Course

Marriott Hotel

Gelato in the Old Town

Albufeira Old Town

It's our last day in Albufeira on October 27, 2025 and we both agreed that we would enjoy all that this Marriott had to offer, which would have been impossible. We did have a nice buffet breakfast, I did enjoy 45 minutes in the Gym.

Terryl did enjoy curling up on our super comfortable bed, turn on Tic Tok, fall asleep, and awoke to me arriving from sitting by the pool in perfect weather. I thought she would like that; the answer: so she did.

We spent the afternoon watching the limited activity of swimmers and walkers waiting for the M Club's Happy Hour to begin at 17:30. 

Marriott's Happy Hour did start at 17:30 with an array of appetizers beautifully displayed on island table; the wines where chilled or not, on another table top; the Nespresso machines at the ready along side the chilled cleansing ales we love to drink when the serious alcohol has been consumed elsewhere.

The evening was also superb; not a bug or mosquito to void the perfect summer air that lights the night with magical colours and personal feelings that has me saying life is good right here right now.

In the morning we'll eat again; pack up our stuff; ask for a late checkout perhaps 11:00am instead of 10:00; Uber over to the bus stop and leave at 12:50 for our trip to Porto for the next three days. Boa noite Pessoal.

On October 28 we are on the green super clean Flixbus out of Albufeira and on the way. We have enjoyed wonderful weather throughout our vacation and then the rain came. Just an hour north of the Algarve the rain started and then it pelted our bus, but never slowed our driver down. Apparently Lisbon was clobbered before we arrived at the Bus Station to discharge some, and take on other passengers going on to Porto. When we left the big city it was dark on the highway with continuing heavy rain until we were an hour away from our destination.

Upon arrival in Porto we quickly picked up our luggage and loaded the first of a long line of taxis and got underway exactly on time. All of this made me thankful that I hadn't rented a car and drove the six hours.

Our taxi pulled up to the Tivoli Kopke Hotel and we hopped into the elevator to the 5th floor reception.

We flawlessly checked in at 20:15 and the lovely guest relations department's Francesco gave us some useful information and described some of the fascinating art on the walls and floors while the three of us walked to the elevator and descended to the second floor. She then asked if she may open the door for us, and then opened it to walk us in and proceeded to show us the suite and its workings: a very nice touch. Because my niece Jennifer Ramsay was staying here and had said this place was fantastic, we booked it two days before we arrived. 

Wall art at Tivoli Kopke hotel

Twenty-seven years ago Terryl and first met on this day and had a drink together at Bert & Ernies in Mississauga. On October 28, 2025 we are having Tapas and Portuguese wine and Port at a newly built hotel built on a rock over some of the oldest wine cellars in Europe. This place is not short on excellence in most hotel amenities. We had a wonderful laugh and happily joked with this twenty-five year old waiter named Deago who sports a very handsome Handle Bar Moustache with his waxed twirls rolling out of each side. 

The balcony opens to a beautiful panoramic view of this part of this great capital city of Porto.

Portugal is known for their use of tiles on walls, walkways and roads.

The view from our Tivoli Kopke balcony 

In the morning after a rest our plan was a hop-on hop-off bus to see the sights. Our selection was a Blue bus with three routes: Blue, Orange and Green. The Orange, that started 100 yards from the hotel was first with seven stops into a central location where we jumped off and boarded another: the Blue with fourteen stops. We saw all of it and saved the Green for tomorrow. 

Along the way we stopped at Java Cafe for a bite of Shrimp in a Noodle alia oilio, draft beer for me and white wine for Terryl. Our waiter Patricia was a total delight; We and she had a terrific talk about love and marriage and other important things we have learned about Portuguese men and women at home and in this part of our world.

I have a few more pieces of wall art and sculptures to show you and I will, but it is Oct 31, Duncan McGregor’s birthday and Halloween which we will celebrate, and we are scheduled to fly to Brussels this afternoon and then on to Montreal tomorrow followed by another to Toronto. I’ll be back folks. Meanwhile enjoy these:

Five Port Wine tasting the least desirous of these are to the left and the best on the right with Terryl's white behind them all.

All of the above has come to an end; we'll be going home. We planned to fly to Brussels on October 31 and stay over night and fly to Montreal and then Toronto on November 1. We did our part and showed up at Porto Airport, checked in at Brussel Air, went through security and sat down at Gate 6. And then in fourty minutes the SHXX hit the fan: "Over Sold" rang in our tired ears. So, back to work. 

The Parc Hotel is around the corner and the unlucky cab driver that got us looked at our destination then said with a smile on his face, "I've hit the jackpot!" 

We checked in, popped a cork and cracked open a laptop and iPhone to find a solution. It turns out that the Azores has an airline; yes, they're going to be our transportation back to Montreal, and then Air Canada to Toronto. Tomorrow morning around 09:00 GMT our Plan B will be put to work.

Plan B worked perfectly and we are home safe and sound on November 1, 2025 at midnight.

We took a few pictures during our trip home that will close this post. Thank you to those who read it, especially those who posted a signed reply or an anonymous one:

Leaving The Azores

Over the Atlantic at sunset

The setting sun appeared to take much longer when flying west to home.