I will visit and blog about hotels, restaurants, markets, caves and more while I am there, and have a keen interest in meeting locals and the equivalent of Canada’s snowbirds – Europeans who flee the cooler northern Europe winters for the milder Madeira climate.

And, being a foodie and devoted to kitchen experimentation and cooking with local ingredients, I am thrilled to know that the local market is just 5 minutes walking away from where I will stay and that the only day the market is closed is Sunday – because the fishermen go to church!   I expect to find lots of local, fresh ingredients with which to experiment!

In addition to becoming totally familiar with Madeira and all it has to offer, and mastering basics of the Portuguese language, I intend to visit Morocco, Germany, Spain and naturally, Portugal (again.)  I love the Portuguese people, their cities and their food and really look forward to hearing, seeing and eating more of Portugal.  Our driving trip last year was wonderful and I learned lots as we drove the country from Oporto in the North to the Algarve in the south.  However, a severe bout of H1N1 during that trip meant lots of time resting in Portuguese hotel rooms and, in two cases, Pousadas: the baroque palace of Freixnet in Oporto and Obidos castle. It could have been worse!  Now, though, I have a perfect excuse to return!!

I will be posting regularly and look forward to sharing what I learn.  As well, if you are considering a tour or holiday in Madeira, Portugal, Spain or Morocco drop me a line or follow along on my trip.

I will savour this lifestyle travel journey and may even partake in a glass or two of madeira wine!  Saude.

If you haven’t yet been, Portugal still offers incredible value for money and a warm, friendly welcome.

So … I decided to take a small group with me to taste our way through Portugal and Spain in 2011.  But I’ll be doing some more groundwork before then … keep watching.

Download Itinerary

Please click here to for additional details and to read why you will want to join this trip!

Seafood is always fresh in Portugal and Spain

Whether you are friend, client or web visitor, you have probably heard my ravings about a  research trip I took to Portugal and Spain last year.  I loved the architecture and amazing photo ops, the music and dance, the food and wine and yes, even the lovely little haberdashery stores where I found truly unique buttons and copper pans!  If you haven’t yet been, Portugal still offers incredible value for money and a warm, friendly welcome.

So … I have to go back!  I am in the process of working with a luxury tour operator to organize a  small-group  escorted Food & Wine Tour of Portugal and Spain in Spring 2011.  The itinerary will be active, so you will have less opportunity to show the effects of all that wonderful cuisine.  A truly cultural travel experience where you will come home with stories that will last a lifetime.  Foodies, note:  delicious attention will be paid to experiencing the regional cuisines and wines.

As soon as I have the details finalized, I will be posting the tour itinerary and pricing on this site.