Tawny, crusted, reserve, ruby and vintage are just the beginning! Did you know there are eleven style of Portugal‘s most famous fortified wine? Porto, produced from grapes grown and processed in the Douro Valley, is most often regarded as a sweet dessert wine though off-dry and white varieties are also produced in Portugal. The Portuguese feel so strongly about their wine production that under European Union Protected Designation of Origin guidelines, only the product from...Read More
Fado is traditional folk music popular in the Lisbon area of Portugal. Melancholy by nature, the music includes instruments like guitars and mandolins with one Fadista singing poetic lyrics related to darker elements of love, death and sadness. The music may, however, occasionally include some humor. If your late season travel includes Portugal, be sure sure your experience includes Fado. New to Fado? Here are five facts about Portugal’s beloved cultural music:...Read More
Souvenirs from France – Dordogne Gastronomy Located between the beautiful Loire Valley and the towering Pyrenees Mountains, the French department of Dordogne offers all the charm and ambiance visitors could expect from this elegant country. In fact, there are over 1,500 castles in Dordogne alone as well as breathtakingly beautiful countryside and quaint, friendly villages. It’s exactly what one envisions when conjuring up images of France. Named after the...Read More
Portugal, located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, is the westernmost country of mainland Europe. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east, it is a lush and picturesque country best experienced on a self guided holiday, either on foot or by bike, where travellers can explore the charming paths and pousadas, festivals and nature parks. One of the best...Read More
Normandy Foodie Highlights What do you get when you combine miles of breathtaking coastline, fascinating historical landmarks, lush farmland and lively market towns? The Normandy region of France boasts all of these features and so much more. But aside from the picturesque landscapes, friendly locals and cultural discovery, Normandy is also home to some gastronomical delights. Whether you’re an experienced restaurateur or just a foodie that loves to experience the different...Read More
Pure Adventures helped Deb and John, two cyclists from North Carolina, book a self guided cycling trip to the Istrian Peninsula earlier this year. While they were worried that spending a few days in Venice on either side of their trip to Croatia would add complications to their holidays, our travel planners helped make their self guided holiday stress free by arranging customized trip start and departures. Here, Deb to shares with...Read More
Did you know that Paella and other rice dishes used to be considered a poor man’s food? Since rice was widely available and relatively cheap, farmers and peasants took what litte food and rice they had, then threw everything they had in the pot or “paella” – sometimes even snails! Although Spain’s most famous dish originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century near on the east coast of Spain, but did...Read More
3 Prehistoric Sites to See in Dordogne The region of Dordogne is as beautiful as it is charming, with a picturesque countryside complete with a landscape dotted with ancient castles and foreboding fortresses. Delightfully rural and refreshingly unblemished by touristy crowds, a visit to Dordogne offers a truly authentic French experience. Perhaps what this region has become best known for is the abundance of prehistoric wonders found there. Evidence...Read More
Have you ever looked at a self guided vacation itinerary and think “that looks perfect, but I wish we could start elsewhere?”. For Deb and John, North Carolina residents who wanted to spend time in Venice before and after their Croatian holiday, they knew they could trust Pure Adventures Self Guided Travel to help them plan their European cycling vacation. In this guest blog post by Deb, learn how the Pure...Read More
