Marilyn Foster: Spain, Portugal, Italy and Sicily await discovery

Seems that most of us just can’t get enough of traveling to Europe even though post-COVID travel seems harder than ever for so many reasons. But most of us remain undaunted knowing that the journey is so well worth whatever it takes to make new memories and learn about great cultures.

The Chamber Travel Club has traveled to most European destinations over the years and there are those that seem to be the top choice over and over. Two of the most popular travel destinations are Italy and Spain. I’ve been to both and like most, could never be satisfied with just the one trip. You just can’t see even one European country on one trip unless you stay for three weeks or longer.

Spain is always a popular destination and when you add on a trip to Portugal as part of a 14-day Collette vacations trip, you’ve got a winner for certain and when you go in May, not only is the weather is reputed to be just about perfect for touring, it’s also less crowded.

On May 18, 2024, we’ll send you off to Spain and Portugal. Our first destination is beautiful Barcelona where the emphasis will be on the 100th anniversary of the death of the unique and very controversial architect Antoni Guadi who has built some of the most elaborate – and truly strange – structures in the world. And yes, there will be a visit to one of the most unique churches in the world, the UNESCO World Heritage site known as La Sagrada Familia designed by Gaudi and still under construction after having been started in 1882. You read that correctly, 1882. We’ll see other Gaudi masterpieces as well.

Then it’s on to visiting the Knights Templar Castle in Peniscola dating back to the 13th century. After seeing the church in Barcelona and the castle, you’ll understand why the author Dan Brown was able to spin his magnificent tales around these architectural delights. The La Sagrada Familia was the central site of his last novel, “Origin,” published in 2017.

What’s a trip to Spain without tasting a true Spanish paella. You’ll visit a traditional fisherman’s home in Valencia for a demonstration of making paella that will become your lunch. In total, there will be 10 nights in Spain full of sightseeing, entertainment and food before ending in Madrid where you will enjoy an authentic Flamenco show.

Your last four nights will be spent in Portugal with three nights in Lisbon allowing daily side trips to nearby sites. The two countries are very different with very different foods, culture, and history. If you’ve already enjoyed Spain and Portugal, think about touring southern Italy and Sicily instead. The Tuscan countryside north of Italy is always popular, but it’s the dramatic scenery of the south you see in those romantic movies as sports car drivers negotiate around the curves of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.

Our tour begins on Oct. 13, 2024, by flying directly into Palermo, Sicily and ending in Rome 12 days later.

Sicily recently has become all the rage and as Italy’s largest island, there’s plenty of beaches, charming towns and ancient ruins to explore as we enjoy six nights exploring most of the island. Sicily was the home to a wide range of cultures and was the center of ancient civilizations so there’s lots to see.

Mt. Etna is still one of the most active volcanoes in the world and there will be an optional tour to enjoy an off-road adventure by car allowing us to climb along the sides of Europe’s most active volcano. We’ll have time to explore what is called “the legendary giant.”

We’ll then take a ferry from Sicily to the very tip of the boot of Italy and then make our way up the coast stopping along the way to understand more of what makes this region of Italy as colorful and as exciting as the north. And what would a trip to southern Italy be if we didn’t stop at Pompeii. But before we arrive there, there will be stops for wine and regional foods.

Just the name Italy conjure up so many positive thoughts and no one is ever disappointed. On this unique trip, there will be lots of history to explore as there will be stops at six UNESCO World Heritage Sites – three in Sicily and three in Italy – that are important enough to world history to have been designated as such. October is perfect weather in this region.

Learn more about these two upcoming trips along with other trips that might be of interest by logging on the Chamber Travel Club page at www.carsoncitychamber.com. Come travel with us and enjoy making lots of new like-minded friends as we explore this great world of ours.