Embark on the new adventure
Jeni Buchkowski
Rick & Barbara Krolick
"Saude!" to Scrapbooking expedition
We are Rick and Barbara Krolick of South Deerfield, Massachusetts. We are happy to support our travel buddy, Jeni Buchkowski, in the creation of this Rick Steves' Heart of Portugal Tour scrapbook. When we lived in Southeastern Massachusetts, many of our friends, neighbors and co-workers were of Portuguese ancestry. We enjoyed experiencing their cultural roots and it was always our hope to travel to Portugal one day. Well, seven Rick Steves' tours later, we finally made it and were thrilled to be there to celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary. It is a beautiful country, but the true beauty lies in the generous and welcoming people that graciously shared their culture with us. Our hope is that this scrapbook captures that beauty and spirit so that you can share our experience as well.
Hello! I am Jeni Buchkowski. The big day to visit Portugal has finally come! It had been four long years in the making, but it was worth the wait. I was supposed to go with my husband George, but he got really sick with cancer and we had to cancel. Unfortunately, he passed away, but I know he would've wanted me to still go on this trip from our hometown of Marietta, Georgia. I remember a quote that says "Great minds have purpose, others have wishes." I want to make this trip happen as a way to honor George's memory, and to see the beautiful Belem Tower with the white, foamy waves crashing against the shore. I'm so grateful for all the time I had to build up the courage to go on my own, and for all the kind and supportive people who helped me. I’m excited to embark on this new adventure!
Our group on the Heart of Portugal Tour was excited to explore the layers of Portuguese maritime history with our knowledgeable guide, Cristina Duarte. We took a group photo at the beautiful Largo do Carmo to mark the beginning of our 12 days adventure.
The members of our tour came from diverse backgrounds spanning the West to East coasts, including Canada. Barbara works independently as a Nutrition Consultant, Rick is a retired General Manager of Food & Nutrition and Environmental Services, and I am a retired Math teacher.
Connect your curiosity to the vast Portuguese naval expeditions. Polish your knowledge of maritime history with the daily Trivia Trunk. Please click on the elephant.
Visit the world of Portuguese virtues and vices through Portuguese proverbs and sayings. Please click on the rose.
On every page, there is a helpful link for enlightenment by travel expert Rick Steves.
Click on ℹ️💜 to watch video or to read article.
Our first day in Lisbon went really well! We had a greet and meet where we got to taste some delicious Port wine - both tawny and white - which was a nice way to start the trip. After that, we walked together to dinner. It was a short walk from Avenida Liberdade to Rossio station, and on the way, we passed by some really cool places like Praca dos Restauradores and the Pavers Monument.
Where was the dinner? Cozinha Da Estacao
What did we eat? Grill Meat platter with wine and dessert
Do you want to try a recipe?
Our squad, Barbara, Rick, and I, put together this scrapbook to show you the awesome experience of the Heart of Portugal Tour. We're hoping that the old cobblestone streets, cool cafes, fancy cathedrals, and all the hidden gems you can find there will inspire you to be a more adventurous traveler. We also want you to learn about the history of voyages to the Spice Islands, where I was born. A school started by Henry the Navigator taught really cool stuff about navigation and sailing. Because of the Portuguese, we know that the world is round! I asked my nephews (with their parents' permission) to draw some of the tools that sailors used so you can get a better understanding of what life was like for Vasco da Gama and other explorers. We really admire these pioneers for discovering and connecting the world.
Monument to the Great War on Avenida Liberdade
Cristo Rei Statue overlooks Lisbon from across the Rio Tejo
Back in the Age of Discovery, sailors had to navigate their voyages with basic tools and unreliable maps. These days, we use GPS, maps and our own sense of direction to figure out the routes to explore Lisbon's scenic neighborhood. We can walk, take metro, trolley, bus or tuk tuk. To appreciate the school of navigation, we connect your curiosity to the first quiz.
1. What is the name of the tool used for navigation and geographic orientation to find directions?
"Experience is the mother of wisdom."
