Category: Travel

  • A Romantic Weekend in Porto, Portugal

    A Romantic Weekend in Porto, Portugal

    Porto is one of our favorite old cities, bursting with color and history. Hand painted blue & white azulejo tiles adorn the walls on everything from churches to the train station. Porto’s steep hills and bridges give beautiful sweeping views of orange terracotta roofs. Overall the city is picture perfect.

    In this travel guide we share all our favorite sights in the city to help plan your perfect weekend away.  Check out the interactive map at the end of this post with all our recommendations!

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  • Exploring Tulum’s Ancient Mayan Ruins by the Sea

    Exploring Tulum’s Ancient Mayan Ruins by the Sea

    Mexico Tulum Mayan Ruins
    Tulum is a small beach town in the Mayan Riviera along Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. Tulum’s main attraction is the beautiful ancient Mayan ruins that are set high up on the cliff, towering against a backdrop of turquoise Caribbean Sea and palm leaves.

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  • The Ritz-Carlton Culinary Center, Cancun

    The Ritz-Carlton Culinary Center, Cancun

    One of the best ways to experience a new country is to take a local cooking class. Learning about the local cuisine immerses you into its culture, and knowing a few recipes to take home lets you re-live your travel memories and share them with friends.

    This winter we took a sunny escape to Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula to enjoy the sandy white beaches and impressive archeological ruins throughout the region.

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  • A Wine Lover’s Dream in Portugal’s Douro Valley

    A Wine Lover’s Dream in Portugal’s Douro Valley

    Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices
    Quinta Nova

    We were on a mission to find the perfect stay in a European wine country.  Our dreams of relaxing by the pool, overlooking rows of age-old vines, and getting to know the nuances of their fabulous wines were vivid… we just needed to know where.

    Read on to learn how we decided on Portugal’s Douro Valley, and get our travel guide to the best Quintas & places to stay…

    Douro Valley Portugal | Sails & Spices
    Casa Do Visconde De Chaceleiros

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  • Pastries & Parapets – An Afternoon in Belém, Portugal

    Pastries & Parapets – An Afternoon in Belém, Portugal

    There are plenty of great day trips from Lisbon, but one that should not be missed is taking Lisbon’s tram 15 to Belém. Belém has several incredible architectural attractions: the Torre de Belém, Belém Monastery, and Padrao dos Descobrimentos. Most importantly, as any self-respecting foodie, you cannot visit Lisbon without a pilgrimage to the home of the original Pastéis de Belém! (more…)

  • Sipping Ginja in Obidos, Portugal

    Sipping Ginja in Obidos, Portugal

    Travel Guide to Obidos, Portugal | Sails & SpicesIf you are looking to savor the atmosphere of a small and historic village in Portugal, there is nowhere more picturesque and charming than Obidos. This quaint town is made up of a maze of cobblestone streets and white washed churches, surrounded by tall castle walls. Although a little touristy at times, there is a great ‘lost in time’ atmosphere that takes you back to a medieval era gone by.

    Travel Guide to Obidos, Portugal | Sails & Spices

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  • The Lisbon City Guide

    The Lisbon City Guide

    Yellow Tram in Barrio Alto, Lisbon, Portugal
    Lisbon is a city of neighborhoods waiting to be discovered and explored. Panoramic views are around every corner. The city is spread across seven hills, giving stunning views over the red rooftops and plazas towards the Tagus River (Río Tajo) as it empties into the Atlantic ocean.

    After walking up all those hills, there is no shortage of wine bars, tapas lounges, and terrace cafés to refuel you. You can explore by foot, tuk-tuk, or take the historic trams through the old winding and beautifully cobbled streets.

    In this city guide we share our favorite attractions, wine bars & best vegetarian place to eat. Keep scrolling to the end of the post for a map with all our recommendations listed…

    Lisbon, Portugal View Over Red Tiled Roofs to Tagus River in Alfama| www.sailsandspices.com

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  • Top Tips for Visiting the Statue of Liberty

    Top Tips for Visiting the Statue of Liberty

    Top tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty | Sails & Spices

    The Statue of Liberty is most likely at the top of your list if you are planning a visit to New York City. It’s such a classic icon of NYC, with a history of greeting passengers and immigrants as they came into the New York Harbor.

    Sitting out in the misty harbor, the statue beckons you from its island, the torch continuously lighting the way for enlightenment and freedom.

    These are our best tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Statue Of Liberty visit, including how to secure the best seat on the ferry for sweeping views…  (more…)

  • An afternoon at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis

    An afternoon at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis

    St Louis Budweiser Brewery TourIf your travels should ever take you to St. Louis, you have two things to do… take in a Cardinals baseball game and head over to the Anheseur-Busch Brewery for a guided tour and a couple of beers.  St. Louis is home to Budweiser and the original Anheseur-Busch Brewery, open since 1852!

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  • Hunting for Truffles in Manjimup, Western Australia

    Hunting for Truffles in Manjimup, Western Australia

    Truffle Hunting in Manjimup, Western Australia is such a unique experience and should be on your bucket list! | www.sailsandspices.comTruffle hunting is such a wonderful experience for any food lover. Walking through an oak forest in the autumn, crisp leaves on the ground, a trained dog as your guide, you truly enjoy nature and the enjoyment that comes from finding your own food and digging it from the earth. The best part?  Your prize is a sought after delicacy, adding immense flavor to any dish, enjoyed by world renowned chefs, vegetarians, and vegans alike.

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