Flamenco is the sound of Spain, a tradition of music and dance that was developed in the 18th century and that remains popular in Spain today. It originated in Andalusia, home of our Cordoba and rural Andalucia UnTours, though it grew to be embraced all over Spain and is performed widely to this day. The…
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Six Things to See and Do in Thun, Switzerland
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With its remarkable combination of history, setting, and culture, Thun is one of our favorite cities in Switzerland. Thun Castle overlooks the city and offers a wonderful view. As you walk the arcaded sidewalks of the old city, you’re constantly reminded of Thun’s medieval past. In its present, Thun offers regular open-air concerts on the…
A Love Letter to Alfama, Lisbon’s Old Quarter
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Lisbon is a city that captured my heart. On my first trip there earlier this year, I was impressed with its picturesque streetscapes, its rolling hills and vistas, its remarkable light, and its old world grandeur and beauty. At times, as a street car whizzed by, I was reminded of San Francisco. My favorite neighborhood…
Saudade and Fado: Music for Our Times
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Fado has never sounded so good! The plaintive vocals of this most traditional Portuguese music seem perfectly made for our times. So as we plan our Weekend in Portugal, a virtual trip to Portugal featuring Zoom events, tours and performances meant to offer guests an immersive experience of Portuguese food, wine, and culture, Fado seemed…
Pastel de Nata: A Love Letter to the Portuguese Custard Tart
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There is no sweet treat so distinctly Portuguese as the Pastel de Nata, a simple egg custard tart that has become a Portuguese favorite. The confection goes back over three centuries, to the active days of the historic Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon’s Belém district. The monks and nuns there used egg whites to starch their vestments….
Hungry for Hungary: A Goulash Origin Story
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Sometimes a bowl of soup is more than a bowl of soup. Goulash is Hungary’s national dish for some good reasons. Aside from being deeply satisfying and spectacularly red, its development speaks to the development and history of a nation. Given its interesting history and cultural significance, here is a little context on the dish…
RV Rental 101: Tips for First-Time Renters
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In the era of COVID-19, many of us are returning to road trips. For those who want the ultimate control over where they stay, their exposure, and their safety from place to place, an RV is a compelling option. More and more RVs are on the road, and a whole new market is discovering the…
Cool Italian Classic: Tracy’s Semifreddo Recipe
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Semifreddo is Italian for half-cold, and it is a favorite traditional dessert for warm weather. This is one of the dishes Tracy has taught in her online cooking classes, live from her kitchen in Tuscany. This recipe uses crunchy Torrone (Italian almond nougat), but you can put almost anything in this ice cream. Try chocolate…
Dentelles de Montmirail & the Best Wine Villages of Provence
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Over our many years running the Provence UnTour, we have fallen in love with this part of the Vaucluse. The wine villages that surround the Dentelle mountains, nestled at the foot of a château, fort or church, are memorable for their ancient and medieval character and wonderful countryside views. The Dentelles will be a…
Murphy’s Law: Don’t Let Kidney Stones Ruin Your Irish Untour
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In June of 2019 my cousin, Michelle, and I traveled to Ireland with UnTours. We thoroughly enjoyed our apartment, the pubs, restaurants, and shops in the town of Kenmare. The trip started with my luggage not arriving, but that was a piece of cake compared to what was in store for us. Michelle was incredible…