Ron & Mary's Grand Odyssey From Rome to Cape Town Live
Award-winning travel journalists Ron and Mary James invite you to join their incredible three-month journey from Rome to Capetown! Explore ancient wonders, sail the seas aboard the Azamara Quest, and indulge in the South African Winelands. This grand voyage includes 40+ ports, a Venetian interlude, and a Christmas celebration unlike any other. Daily updates will transport you to this adventure – grab your virtual passport and come along!
Countdown to Ron & Mary's Great Rome to Cape Town Adventure
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Exploring Dakar, Senegal: A Journey Through Vibrant Culture, Rich History, and Powerful Heritage
Dakar, Senegal Our shore excursion yesterday was a powerful reminder not to judge a destination by first impressions. As I did in an earlier post. Viewed from the ship, Dakar might seem unremarkable, with its low skyline and utilitarian port. However, the city...
Halfway Through Our Grand Voyage: Highlights from 31 Days at Sea from Venice to Cape Town
Today, we’re in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, marking the halfway point of our incredible Grand Voyage, which began 31 days ago in Venice and will conclude in Cape Town on December 20. The journey so far has been nothing short of extraordinary! We’ve visited 28...
Exploring the French Riviera Off-Season: Nice’s Elegance and Eze’s Magical Charm
Ah, the French Riviera – a sun-drenched escape for the rich and famous, from Zelda and Scott (Fitzgerald) to Jeff ( Bezos) and Leo (DiCaprio). For us, though, the Riviera is memories of crawling traffic and impossible parking on a very crowded summer day years...
Gaudí’s Vision: A Timeless Journey at the Sagrada Familia
For over a decade, Mary and I have watched Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia climb ever higher, gradually dominating Barcelona’s skyline. The exterior of this towering marvel—a fantasy sand sculpture of spires, statues, and stained glass—is enchanting in its own right, yet...
A Zara Quest on Barcelona’s Finest Day
Walking the Ramblas, we were ready for any mischievous squirt guns lurking amidst the vibrant crowd. It was a glorious Indian summer day—the nicest we’ve ever experienced in Barcelona. The city was lively, as always, but the crowds were manageable, making it easy to...
A Day of Triumph and Trials in Florence
It may be my last visit to Florence, Italy. The city was so crowded that it took a lot of the joy out of walking through its historical streets. Fortunately, our tour of the Ufitzi Galleries and an enjoyable lunch made the effort worthwhile. Just getting to Florence...
Exploring Napoleon’s Exile: A Journey to Elba’s Villa Martino and Beyond
One of the most fascinating aspects of travel for us is walking in the footsteps of historic and legendary figures, whether at Jefferson’s Monticello, my Mayflower ancestors’ Plymouth, or Fletcher Christian’s Pitcairn Island. So it was an unexpected...
Rediscovering Taormina: A Day of Shopping, History, and Stunning Views in Sicily
If there’s a tourist hotspot in Sicily, it’s got to be Taormina. We took an “on-your-own” tour of this beautiful mountain-top village, and wow—what a blend of ancient charm and high-end glamour! At first, Mary swore we’d been here before, but I...
Discovering Maltese Heritage in Every Sip: Wine Tasting at Ta’ Betta Wine Estates
The last part of our Malta tour was a wine tasting at a local winery. Ta’ Betta Wine Estates was unlike any we’ve encountered. It began with three of the friendliest winery dogs greeting our group at the entrance, where city views peeked over the top of...
Exploring Malta’s Timeless Charm: Mdina’s Silent Streets and Valletta’s Majestic Coastline
Malta has always been one of our favorite Mediterranean ports, offering everything a traveler could ask for—fair weather, dramatic ancient architecture, fantastic food, and a fascinating history. Just sailing in and out of Valletta is an experience in itself, with...
Discovering Maltese Heritage in Every Sip: Wine Tasting at Ta’ Betta Wine Estates
The last part of our Malta tour was a wine tasting at a local winery. Ta’ Betta Wine Estates was unlike any we’ve encountered. It began with three of the friendliest winery dogs greeting our group at the entrance, where city views peeked over the top of...
Rosé Wine: A Versatile Culinary Companion
By Tom Gable Some wine drinkers dismiss Rosé as a sugary pop with few redeeming qualities and meant only for Spring and Summer quaffing. However, its increased popularity with foodies over the past few years has encouraged producers worldwide to offer a wider array of...
Madrid Cooking Class: Delicous Paella, Tapas and More
One of the great attractions for us in Spain, and in Madrid specifically, is the cuisine. And any chance we get, we aim for hands-on experience to cook classic Spanish dishes. Luckily, Devour Tours offers cooking classes in Madrid. We’ve taken Devour’s tours and...
Basque Cooking School: San Sebastian
Most food lovers who pintxo crawl through San Sebastian’s old town are more than satisfied sampling these legendary Basque bites. Among them, though, are a passionate few who want to take their experience to the next level – that is, learning how to cook pintxos...
The Ring of Brodgar: A Mystical Encounter in Orkney’s Ancient Landscape
It was one of those days where the wind seemed determined to test our resolve. Rain lashed against the windows as we set out, and the sky was a blanket of low-hanging clouds, but that only added to the mystique of what we were about to experience—the Ring of Brodgar....
Exploring Skara Brae: A Fascinating Journey into Scotland’s Ancient Neolithic Village
We hadn’t even heard of Skara Brae before boarding our ship, so when it showed up on the itinerary, our curiosity wasn’t exactly piqued. It was one of those places you mentally shrug at, thinking it’s just another historical site. But the moment we set foot on the...
From Fish Market to Mountaintop: A Perfect Day Exploring Bergen
Who knew the Norwegian city of Bergen would make our favorite city list? It was completely off our travelers’ radar until we befriended Bergen natives Knut and Johanna Kristiansen on a cruise through the Suez Canal a few years back. They extolled the virtues of their...
Discovering 10 Affordable Restaurants in Rome Loved by Locals
When in Rome, dining like a local is one of the most authentic ways to experience the city’s rich culinary heritage. Thankfully, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy some of the best dishes in town. From hidden trattorias to bustling street food joints,...
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Rekondo: Tradition Meets Innovation in San Sebastian
Rekondo Perched on the scenic Paseo de Igeldo in San Sebastian, Rekondo is more than just a restaurant; it’s a living testament to Basque heritage. Founded in 1964 by former matador Txomin Rekondo, this family-owned establishment has become a beloved local institution...
Pasaia Maritime Festival San Sebastian
San Sebastian is so much more than pintxos and beaches. Today we discovered the sea-faring side, just a dozen miles outside of town, at the Pasaia Maritime Festival. This event happens every two years and showcases heritage boats and ships to celebrate a seafaring...
Madrid Cooking Class: Delicous Paella, Tapas and More
One of the great attractions for us in Spain, and in Madrid specifically, is the cuisine. And any chance we get, we aim for hands-on experience to cook classic Spanish dishes. Luckily, Devour Tours offers cooking classes in Madrid. We’ve taken Devour’s tours and...
La Charca Taberna: Asturian Cuisine in Madrid
A few years ago, Mary and I made an unexpected boat trip to Santa Pola, Spain, just outside of Alicante. We stumbled on Restaurante Asturiano La Sidreria, with a nice outdoor patio next to what looked like an ancient fortress. We didn’t know it, but this simple eatery...
Ron & Mary’s Ultimate Granada Tapas Crawl
Free tapas – yes, free! It’s a hallmark of the Granada food scene. While the tradition of a free tapa (small bite) served with drinks is rare in most of Spain, Granada honors it with style and gusto. Tapas in Granada is a social event that locals refer to as...
A TAPAS DANCE: WALKING IN ANTHONY BOURDAIN’S FOOTSTEPS
Saint Anthony Bourdain inspired our whirlwind of eating and drinking in Granada for several days during our stay. We were determined to walk in his footsteps. The late great chef provocateur filmed an episode of “Parts Unknown” here in 2013 featuring five tapas bars....