Travel

Discover 7 Best Things to Do in Montreal

city view of Montreal from top of MontRoyal — City skyline view from the top of Mont-Royal

Montreal is one of my favorite cities in North America. We lived there for two short years but it always has a special place in my heart. It is unique, it is special, it is charming and it’s a heaven for foodies.

The city has a very European feel and called “Paris of Canada” for its love for festivals, street art, good food, and enjoying life to the hilt.

Even Montreal is a big and cosmopolitan city and yet it is made for people. In summer there are lots of green areas and small parks where residents can relax, walk around, ride a bike, or make a picnic.

People of Montreal definitely know how to have a good time. The streets are alive and buzzing with French and English conversations. It’s safe and you can walk around even late at night. People enjoy staying late dining out, partying or just simply cycling with the family through the streets.

There are several universities in Montreal with students from Canada, the United States, and Europe. All that just adds to the city’s vibe and its multicultural atmosphere.

In this post I want to share my experience of how to discover Montreal and 7 best things to do in this city:

1. Wander around Old Montreal & Old Port

St. Paul Street in Old Montreal, Canada — St. Paul Street – Old Montreal

Start your visit by exploring the oldest part of Montreal – Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal).

Walk along St. Paul Street for that old European charm. It’s a pure pleasure to walk the cobblestone streets dated back to the 17th century. The old limestone buildings bring a lot of flavor to this area. Don’t miss to stop at the unique place called Bonsecours Market or Marche Bonsecours for locals. If you go inside, you’ll find it an ideal place for shopping for gifts and souvenirs.

St. Paul Street & Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal — Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal

The most popular part of Old Montreal is the area called Old Port (Vieux-Port de Montreal). It was established around 1611 as a trading post among French fur traders who ventured into the wilderness of the region.

Today, the Old Port stretches 2 km along the shores of the St. Lawrence River and one of the most popular places with tourists and locals. The pedestrian street Place Jacques-Cartier comes to life especially during the summer months, when restaurant’s terraces stay open until very late, and when many street performers keep visitors entertained.

Place Jacques-Cartier is part of Old Montreal — Place Jacques-Cartier and City Hall of Montreal is part of Old Montreal

The Old Port was re-developed in the 1990s to make it more attractive to tourists and locals. According to the statistics, the impressive six million tourists visit this area each year. One of the best things you can do is to stroll along the riverfront on foot or cycling on the bike with Segway rentals available everywhere. Also, there is a giant IMAX theater and the Montreal Science Center.

Place Jackes-Cartier in Montreal in summer — We enjoyed visiting Place Jacques-Cartier during the summer months

There are so many events, festivals and shows happen in the Old Port. Each season brings something new and different to the calendar. But I want to mention the most popular events: the annual outdoor music festival, the famous Montreal’s Festival of Lights, the Matsuri Japan festival and in the winter Igloo fest which draws tens of thousands.

Old Port of Montreal is part of Boat tours on the St-Lawrence river

Montreal: Private Walking Tour with a Local

2. Notre-Dame Basilica

Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal — Notre-Dame Basilica – Old Montreal

Notre-Dame Basilica is one of Montreal’s oldest buildings and it’s a short walk from picturesque St. Paul Street. The Basilica was built in an impressive Gothic Revival style, standing 200 feet high.

This beautiful building is one of my favorites. I always feel overwhelmed by its architectural beauty and grand, colorful interiors. The deep blue ceiling is dotted with golden stars. The stained glass windows show scenes from the city’s religious history. Hundreds of rare wood carvings grace the interior. The whole interior is a blast of colors in blues, reds, silver, and azure.

If you want to get inside you have to pay an admission fee around $6.00, unless you want to attend a Catholic mass. Even Notre-Dame is a religious place, it has an active calendar for cultural events, with regular concerts and light shows being held throughout the year. It was also the setting of Celine Dion’s wedding to Rene Angelil.

3. Mary Queen of the World Cathedral

interior of Mary Queen Cathedral in Montreal — Beautifully ornate interiors of Mary Queen Cathedral

If you are like me and fascinated by the architecture, you should visit the magnificent Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. You can find this beautifully ornate church right in downtown Montreal.

The story behind its facade that the original building of Saint-Jacques Cathedral was burned to the ground in 1862. The new church was built in the same place and it was modeled after St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Mary Queen Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in Quebec.

Go inside and you will be fascinated with the paintings depicting early Montreal history. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy a few minutes of looking at the church baldachin covering the altar and the bishop’s mortuary chapel. Also, take note of the texts written in golden letters that decorate the inside of the cathedral.

**4. Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal)**

People walking up the street in Montreal to get to Mont Royal — You can walk along the street to get to Mount Royal Park. It’s right in the heart of downtown Montreal. You cannot miss it.

I’m always a huge fan of looking at the city from above and Montreal has some great points to admire its beauty. One of the Mount Royal (Mont-Royal) is a small mountain in the middle of the city. Montreal’s spectacular Mount Royal Park offers one of the best views of the city below.

The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – an architect of New York’s Central Park and offers acres of green space and different outdoor activities in the middle of the bustling city. It’s one of the best getaways from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

I would recommend driving to the top of the mountain to see the entire city stretched out below or you may walk to the top through one of the many trails. However, you can climb on top of Mount Royal by using steep wooden stairs that start at the base of the park.

When you reach the top, you will find the beautiful observation place with a historical Smith House on the background. It was built in 1858 and considered the last standing example of rural architecture of that period.

**5. St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal (Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Montreal)**

St. Joseph Oratory wall murals — A mural of all nations is by the escalator that takes us to the main sanctuary of the Oratory

While in Montreal you might notice a big, green, round roof of the building standing tall in the city skyline. It belongs to St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal and the largest church in Canada.

The green dome of the Oratory was modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and is the second highest in the world. The Basilica was built on the top of the hill with long rows of steps and amazing views of the city. The whole complex of landscape and architecture reminds me of the famous Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris.

There are a few interesting facts behind St. Joseph’s Oratory Basilica. According to the legend, “Brother Andre” was known to perform miraculous healing on the sick and injured. He built a small chapel on the slopes of Mont-Royal and dedicated it to Saint Joseph.

But with time it became very crowded and the demand for prayer space had grown. So, a larger church was built in 1917, and then expanded and completed in 1967. It hosts over 2 million visitors each year, many of whom come looking for healing.

If you want to explore the Basilica, visit a small original chapel, the gardens, the museum with religious and artistic exhibits. In summer I like to take a stroll through the basilica’s gardens. It showcases wide lawns and colorful flower beds.

**6. Jean-Talon Market (Marche Jean-Talon)**

Jean Talon market in Montreal — Jean-Talon Market has many stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms

One of the oldest public markets in Montreal is the Jean-Talon Market. It’s a heaven for foodies and one of my favorite places to visit on Sunday morning. The market is open throughout the year. Its busiest time in the summer and fall where up to 300 vendors from the city countryside come to display their fresh produce. No cars are allowed in the market streets over summer weekends. So, it will be easier to use public transportation, Uber or taxicab.

The market reminds me of a little village. Some merchants continue generations of market sellers. It’s very popular among locals and tourists. You can find all kinds of local fruits and vegetables, spices, oils, cheese, meat, fish and baked goods.

If you are at Jean-Talon Market don’t forget to visit the Premiere Moisson shop. Everyone loves it. It’s a bakery that makes bread, desserts, and sandwiches. It’s not a restaurant, but if you want to stop for a sandwich, dessert and coffee there is no better place. A very “French” experience. We love it. You can buy an amazing variety of pates, terrines and artisan bread.

Premiere Moisson Bakery display of tarts and cakes — My favorite part of Premiere Moisson bakery – all kinds of tarts and cakes

If you are looking to appreciate the flavors of Jean-Talon Market, you should consider the Food Tour Of Montreal’s Little Italy including the Jean-Talon Market:

A Foodie’s Tour of Little Italy

7. Shopping on St. Catherine Street

You cannot leave Montreal without visiting its main shopping hub – St. Catherine Street. This street is long and crosses the Montreal’s downtown from east to west. You can walk it for hours and find the local boutiques, high-end designers, chain department stores and small souvenir shops. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars along the street. In summer you can enjoy the drinks and meals outdoors while the street breaks into small and big patios on every corner.

People are walking along St Catherine in Montreal — St. Catherine Street is long and you can walk it for hours.

Keep walking towards St Catherine West until you find Place-des-Arts. Recently renovated and expanded this place is a major cultural venue of the city. The city hosts numerous festivals each year and the most famous one is Jazz Festival. The admission to many attractions is free, so more people can enjoy the festivities.

Food

brunch plate with omelette, potatoes, fruits — Montreal is big on brunches. We had brunch at one of the popular places where people wait in line to get seated

Montreal is famous for its excellent restaurants that serve national and ethnic food. If you are a tourist, it’s easy to find a decent place to eat within a walking distance. The city is full of French bistros, patisseries, pubs, hipster bars, and fancy restaurants. On a sunny afternoon, terraced cafes and outdoor restaurants are filled with locals and tourists lounging in groups.

I would recommend to take one of Montreal popular food tours if you want to taste the delicious diversity of this city:

Local Food Tours Montreal

Weather

I would recommend visiting Montreal between mid-June and mid-October while the weather is decent for traveling and enjoying the outdoor activities. Montreal has 4 seasons with the height of summer being warm, sunny and hot. Winter months are cold and long here with several large snowstorms with a foot or more of snow on the ground.

If you are trying to escape a cold day outside, you would be happy to learn that Montreal is home to the largest “underground city” in the world. It sounds scary, but the underground city is one of Canada’s busiest shopping areas. You can access the network of underground paths and tunnels from the street, subway stations, and even major hotels. It will directly connect you to shopping centers, office and public buildings, night clubs, a movie theater, and many cafes and restaurants.

Other places to visit:

**Museum of Fine Arts (Musee Des Beaux-Arts)**

Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal — Museum of Fine Arts in downtown Montreal. It’s too bad that the front facade was under renovation.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the prominent in the world and welcomes over 1 million visitors every year. It was founded in 1860 and made of three pavilions featuring the art from around the world.

**Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanique de Montreal)**

Montreal Botanical Gardens is considered one of the most important botanical gardens in the world. It dates to 1931 and has a 200-acre collection of gardens and greenhouses. Each garden has a theme and there are flowers and plants from all around the globe.

**Montreal Olympic Park (Parc Olympique)**

Parc Olympique was built for the 1976 Olympic Games. It cost over $1.4 billion to build but was not completed until the 1980s. It was the subject of much frustration for many Montreal residents. However, it is a popular tourist attraction and offers visitors to view exhibitions and participate in many types of activities.

Have fun visiting and discovering Montreal!

Have you been to Montreal? If yes, did you enjoy it? If not, would you like to visit it?

What to Do and See in Vilnius, Lithuania?

by Maggie Leave a Comment

View over Vilnius' Old Town from the Gediminas Tower — Beautiful panoramic view over the Old Town with its orange rooftops and church towers.

Want to know what to see and things to do in Vilnius? On my recent trip to Lithuania, I got to explore the best this city has to offer and want to share it with you.

Lithuania is a country with a long history. The first Baltic tribes settled here in the 7th-2nd centuries BC. The country is one of the three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – and is located just north-east of Poland.

Vilnius is the capital and largest city of Lithuania with a population of only half a million people. The city has a unique Old Town which considered as one of the largest remaining and best-preserved medieval towns in Northern Europe.

Vilnius’ Old Town was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as one of the most beautiful and having the biggest Baroque style buildings in East and Middle Europe. No wonder it has been called a masterpiece of Baroque style.

When you plan a trip to Vilnius it’s best to stay in the Old Town, so you will be in the heart of everything and within a walking distance to all attractions.

Wander around Old Town

I feel that the Old Town has a perfect size to explore on foot. It’s a center of the tourist hub and there is no need for a touristy hop-on, hop-off bus. The Old Town is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets, parks, squares and beautiful pastel tone houses, some of them in a process of renovation.

This part of a city is a mixture of different architectural styles – Baroque, Gothic, Neo-Classical and Renaissance. Some buildings are dated back to the 13th century. It’s so easy to walk around, admire the architecture and pop in and out of trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

Places to see in Old Town

Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is Vilnius’ most important gathering place. The Square witnessed mass anti-Soviet Union demonstration in the fight for independence in 1991.

This grand place is home to the country’s main Roman Catholic Cathedral (Sts Stanislav and Vladislav Cathedral). The Cathedral is connected to the Palace of Grand Dukes of Lithuania which was originally built in the 15th century for the rules of Lithuania and future kings of Poland.

Sts Stanislav and Vladislav Cathedral (mostly called as Vilnius Cathedral) was built in 1251 by Grand Duke on an ancient site of a pagan temple. Rebuilt eleven times, it received its neo-classical facade in late 18th century. If you want to explore inside the cathedral you would find the impressive tombs of the members of Polish-Lithuanian royal dynasty.

Bell Tower of Vilnius Cathedral is one of the oldest and highest towers in Old Town. It was built as a defensive tower in the 13th century. Later in the 16th century, it was converted into the Cathedral bell tower. You can climb the narrow and steep stairs inside the tower and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the top. Also, you can join the crowds at 5 p.m. and listen to the sound of big bells.

There are plenty of city walking tours offered at Cathedral Square in front of the Bell Tower.

Walking tour with Old Town, Uzupis and Brewery

Town Hall Square (Ratusha Square)

Town Hall Square in Vilnius Old Town — Town Hall Square is surrounded by modern and historic buildings

The Town Hall Square is a traditional center of big events and fairs in Vilnius. The history of this square dates to the 14th century when in 1387 Lithuania became a Christian State.

The neo-classical building of Vilnius’ Old Town Hall is in the center of this square. Walk around to see a mix of old and new buildings surrounded the square, get a taste of local beer or just enjoy the relaxing afternoon at the outdoor cafe.

Pilis Street

People are walking along cobblestone Pilis St. in Vilnius'Old Town — Pilis Street in Vilnius’ Old Town is always busy with locals and tourists.

Pilis Street is one of the oldest streets in Vilnius’ Old Town. Since ancient times, Pilis Street has been the link between the Town Hall Square and Cathedral Square.

Walking along the street you can see the great examples of authentic architecture, and enjoy a great variety of cafes, restaurants, and coffee houses. At the end of the street, it’s easy to see the red brick walls of Gediminas Tower mounted on the top of the hill. It’s the only remaining part of Vilnius Upper castle.

As the legend goes, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas, first built the wooden castle after he had a dream about an iron wolf howling on the top of the hill.

Gediminas Tower

People are walking around Cathedral Square in Vilnius — Vilnius’ Cathedral Square with the Palace of Grand Dukes facade and the Gediminas Tower on the hilltop

The Gediminas Tower is all that remains of the royal castle, named after Grand Duke of Lithuania, and it’s located on the top of a hill behind the Cathedral.

The castle dates back to around 13th century and houses a small museum. The best way to get to the castle is by foot or you can take a funicular. This place is very popular with locals and tourists.

It offers the best panoramic view of the city. You can see the Old Town with its orange rooftops on one side and modern part of the city across Neris River on another side. Don’t miss it. It looks spectacular in any kind of weather.

Churches

Vilnius is often called “the city of 100 churches”

Lithuania was the last country in Europe to convert to Christianity around the 14th century. It managed to stick to their Catholic traditions and beliefs for a long time even though the harsh rules of Soviet Union times.

Most of Vilnius’ churches are a great example of the Baroque style: domes, rich interiors, and richness of decorative details. I always feel overwhelmed by the beauty of them and craftsmanship of people who build these great monuments.

St. Peter and Paul’ Church

St. Peter and Paul’ Church is considered the finest Baroque church interior in Vilnius with more than 2,000 stucco figures and it’s worth visiting.

St. Anne’ Church

St. Anne’ Church is my favorite and deserves its own point. The first church at this site was built out of wood and was destroyed by fire in 1419. Then the church was re-built out of brick. The main facade designed in the Flamboyant Gothic style remains its most striking feature.

According to a well-known legend, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte fell in love with the church. He was so much under the charm of the building that he wanted to take it home to Paris “on the palm of his hand” There is a special atmosphere when you walk inside this little church and spend some time breathing the air of the old history and legend.

St. Anne' Church in Vilnius'Old Town built in Gothic style and favored by Napoleon Bonaparte — St. Anne’ Church is called a masterpiece of Gothic architecture

Gates of Dawn

Gates of Dawn is the only surviving relic of the city’s original defensive wall, dated to 16th century. At that ancient time, the city was surrounded by a tall defensive wall and the only access to the city was through nine guarded gates. Today only one of the entrances remains – Gates of Dawn.

It attracts pilgrims from all over the worlds who come to visit and seek miracles from an icon of Virgin Mary which lives inside the Gate’s chapel.

The chapel with a sacred Virgin Mary icon once guarded an entrance to the original city. Even you’re not a religious person the Gates of Dawn will impress you. It’s much easier to come closer to the holy icon If you are there in the evening when all the tourist groups are gone.

Gates of Dawn in the Old Town of Vilnius — Gates of Dawn is the only surviving part of the city’s original defensive wall.

St. Casimir’ Church

St. Casimir’ Church is one of the finest Baroque churches in Vilnius. It’s located just a few steps from the Town Hall Square.

The construction of this monumental building started in 1604 and was completed in 1635. Then it was burnt to the ground 20 years later and then restored several times. The latest renovation project shows the beauty of the oldest Baroque-style church in Vilnius.

St. Casimir Church in Vilnius' Old Town — St. Casimir Church is the first and oldest Baroque-style church in Vilnius’ Old Town and next to Town Hall Square

Uzupis district

No trip to Vilnius would be complete without spending a few hours wandering the streets of its most unusual neighborhood – Uzupis and it translates “Beyond the River”.

You can get there by taking a short stroll across a bridge. It will bring to you to the self-declared republic of artists who declared themselves independent on April 1, 1997. Uzupis has its own president, prime minister, ambassadors, flag.

The biggest attraction is the constitution of Uzupis. You can find the whole text, translated into 15 languages, on the wall along Paupio street. One of my favorites: “everyone has the right to be happy and a dog has the right to be a dog”

If you want to explore the area properly, check all the quirky pubs and tiny art galleries, step into courtyards and spot some original street art. I always enjoy the bohemian feel and slow pace of life in this neighborhood.

Trakai Castle

Trakai Island Castle in Lithuania - view from the lake — Trakai Castle is on a picturesque lake Galve

Trakai is the old medieval town located just a half an hour from Vilnius. The main attraction is an impressive red-brick Gothic castle on a picturesque lake Galve. The construction of the castle started in the 14th century by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and completed by his son Vytautas the Great at the beginning of the 15th century.

The trip to Trakai and old castle could be a perfect day trip. You can get there by train, bus or a car.

red-brick walls of medieval Trakai Castle in Lithuania — We spent a few hours walking inside the medieval walls of the Trakai Castle.

Food

Traditional Lithuanian food is heavy and hearty, and it’s all about potato dishes. The most popular one is cepelinai (“Zeppelins”) – large boiled potato dumplings filled with minced meat or cottage cheese.

The most exotic Lithuanian dish is vedarai (potato sausage) – pork intestines stuffed with grated raw potatoes and baked in an oven or better in a wood stove.

Kibinais are traditional Lithuanian pastries filled with minced meat and onion. They are mostly associated with the city of Trakai.

On a hot summer day, locals love to eat saltibarsciai (cold beetroot soup) served with warm boiled potatoes.

photo of traditional Lithuanian cold beetroot soup — Traditional Lithuanian cold beetroot soup – saltibarsciai

There are so many great restaurants in Vilnius, but if you want to try traditional Lithuanian cuisine, I would recommend a few of my favorite choices: Lokys, Mykolo 4, Senoji Trobele or Etno Dvaras.

Beer

Lithuania is known as a beer-loving country. There are more than 80 breweries, large and small, producing all kind of beer, light or dark, weak or strong. There are plenty of pubs or bars off Ausros Vartu or Pillis Streets. I am not big on beer, but my husband does. He loves locally brewed dark ale with the bittersweet taste of it. Try any of these pubs: “Leiciai” or “Beer House & Craft Kitchen”.

Amber belt

window display with amber necklaces in the Old Town of Vilnius — Window shop display of amber necklaces in the Old Town of Vilnius.

The Baltic countries are famous for their amber and Lithuania is very often called “The Land of Amber”. Lithuania’s seashore is full of pieces of amber. Many amber artifacts dating to the 5th-6th century had been found during the excavation in many parts of the country.

In ancient times amber necklaces were used not only as a decoration but also as a currency. You can pick up a stylish take on the stone in the form of a necklace in many shops on Ausros Vartu or Pilis Street.

Places to stay

There is no shortage of all kind of accommodations in Vilnius.

We stayed at Radisson Blu Royal Astorija hotel next to the Town Hall Square. The location was perfect for walking around the Old Town. The hotel stands out with its Baroque-style facade. The beautiful architecture blends well with modern amenities. It has been recently renovated and accommodates guests in 119 comfortable rooms many of them facing the Town Hall Square.

George W. Bush was one of the hotel’s distinguished guest together with the long list of other dignitaries, royal families, and celebrities.

Getting to and around Vilnius

Getting to Vilnius should be relatively easy with the city’ recently modernized airport receiving flights from all over Europe. For this trip, we flew to Vilnius from Boston airport with one connecting stop in Frankfurt, Germany.

A taxi ride from the airport to the city center is short and relatively cheap between 10 to 20 euro. Getting around the city is simple and you can do most of it on foot.

But if you want to explore the city outside of the Old Town you can use an excellent city bus system starting at 5 a.m. and finishes at midnight. The city card like everything else in Vilnius is very affordable and you can buy one, three or ten passes.

Have fun visiting Vilnius!

Related Post: Our Trip to St. Martin

Have you been to Vilnius or any places in Lithuania?

How We Spent 2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal – Part 2

by Maggie Leave a Comment

I really wanted to visit Portugal. There is a lot of buzz in the travel community about the old-world charm of Lisbon, the beauty of the Algarve region, and port wineries of Porto. Roman, Ksenia and I agreed that we wanted to see it all and decided to spend the second part of our trip in Portugal visiting Porto, Lagos, and Lisbon.

The fifth day of our trip we spent traveling from Spain to Portugal.

Unfortunately, our early morning flight from Barcelona to Porto was overbooked and we didn’t get on that plane. The airline “Vueling” only offered us the next flight at 8pm, so we would be in Porto by 10pm. There would be no time left for any plans of sightseeing or port tasting in Porto.

We were very disappointed. But things happen when you travel. All you need is to use every opportunity for taking advantage of the unpleasant situation. We checked in our luggage, took the subway to Barceloneta and spend several hours on the beach. Later, we got back to the airport and hopped on our plane which was delayed several times.

Barcelona beach — Our early morning flight from Barcelona to Porto was overbooked. So, we decided to spend extra hours on the beach.

Porto

The sixth day of our trip we were planning to spend in Porto exploring the city and visiting the famous port houses. Unfortunately, the real-life interfered in our plans and we got stuck in Barcelona for one extra day and no chance to see the city of Porto.

When we checked in to Flores Village Hotel and Spa it was already late, dark, and cold. The receptionist was very friendly and offered us a glass of port while we were checking in.

Flores Village Hotel and Spa in Porto

The hotel had a perfect location in the old part of the town in an elegantly renovated 18th-century building with modern amenities. Our 1st floor room was very spacious and lovely decorated. It was facing the narrow street below with people strolling after dinner.

Next morning we had breakfast at the hotel with great selection of local cheeses, meat and sausages, fruits, eggs, bread, pastries, and options of juice, coffee, and tea.

The taxi ride from the hotel to the train station was around 20 minutes. The taxi driver was very nice and pointed at several historical sites and gave us a brief history of Porto. We liked what we saw.

Porto, Portugal - Old Town — Beautiful buildings of Old Town in Porto

The city was small and manageable after the big and bustling Barcelona. The construction cranes and scaffolds were everywhere, because the city was going through the major renovation time. I could see myself exploring the beauty of this place when we come back and stay a little bit longer next time.

Traveling from Porto to Lagos

The seventh day of our trip we spent traveling from Porto to the Algarve region.

You can travel from Porto to Lagos by train or bus. We took a train with two connecting stops in Lisbon and Tunes. The ride is almost 8 hours long. We had a two-hour stop at the main train station in Lisbon “Gare do Oriente”. Then another 4.5 hours from Lisbon to Lagos with a very quick transfer in Tunes.

Lagos

We arrived in Lagos at the end of the day and stayed there for four days.

Why we choose Lagos?

Lagos is a beach town in the South of Portugal region known as Algarve.

The Algarve is well known for its warm and dry climate, beautiful sandy beaches framed by jagged rocks and green hills with orange and lemon orchards.

Lagos, Portugal - white-washed houses — White-washed houses with terracotta tiles – newer part of Lagos

A little bit of history:

Lagos is located along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an ancient town with more than 2000 years of history. In the 6th-century, it was occupied by the Visigoths, later by the Byzantines, then by the Moors in the 8th-century.

The city of Lagos was the capital of the Algarve region in the 13th- and 14th- centuries. The first great Portuguese sea expeditions embarked from here. The first African slave market in Europe was held here.

Lagos old town is defined by 16th-century medieval walls and stretches between Praca Gil Eanes (the main square) and the fort.

The wide pedestrian street along the bank of Bensafrim River is called Lagos Promenade. You can take a pleasant walk with the views of palm trees and busy little boats. We found that most of the tourists spend their evening time in the old town. It’s packed with all kind of restaurants, funky cafes, bars, and nightclubs. The atmosphere is very relaxing and enjoyable.

Beaches:

The beaches around Lagos are famous for their dramatic scenery.

The most popular beaches are Praia da Batata, Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo. The picturesque cliff formations work as a background for secluded sandy beaches with crystal clear waters.

Dona Ana Beach in Lagos, Portugal — Dona Ana Beach

Dona Ana Beach (Praia Dona Ana) is the most popular with stunning views. You need to use wooden stairs to get to the beach. There are a basic restaurant, and a kiosk for rentable chairs with umbrellas.

Camilo Beach (Praia do Camilo) is more secluded. The view from the top is breathtaking. Picturesque cliffs embrace the little sandy beach with blue waters. There are wooden stairs to get down to the beach. Don’t forget to bring your own blankets, umbrellas, but you will not be disappointed.

The beach is a sheltered bay and perfect for swimming and suntanning. There is a seafood restaurant on the cliff above the beach with a spectacular view. You may need to book it in advance. We tried to get there, but it was always fully booked.

Where to stay in Lagos:

We stayed at Villas D. Dinis Charming Residence.

Villas Dinnis Hotel - Villa Rose — We stayed at Villa Rose in Lagos. This complex of small villas is a part of Villas D Dinnis Hotel.

It’s a complex of small villas or option of rooms in the main building. The hotel is for adults only. We stayed at Villa Rose. The Villa Rose is a complex of 5 attached suites and has a little pool to share, the cabana style patio with lounge chairs and another one with beds.

Our corner suite was clean, spacious and had a small roof terrace with a beautiful view of the neighborhood. The best part that it was very close to Dona Ana beach.

Where to eat in Lagos:

Fresh fish served in many Lagos restaurants

There are so many good places to eat in Lagos. Most of them serve fish and seafood caught no more than a few hours earlier.

Most of the restaurants are located along Rua 25 de Abril. We dined a couple of nights there and were a little bit disappointed. The choice of dishes was catered to the tourists with long menus in English.

Then one night we decided to try several places outside of the main drag and liked them more.

Our favorite dishes were deep-fried squid, steamed tiny clams and grilled seabass all served with plenty of vegetables.

Lisbon

After four days in Lagos, we said good-bye to this lovely beach town. The last leg of our trip was Lisbon. Saturday morning, we hopped on the early train to Tunes and one hour later changed to the one going to Lisbon.

Lisbon at glance:

Lisbon is Portugal’s coastal capital. One time it was Old World capital of the huge empire stretching from Europe to Brazil to Africa and to China. The city was built on seven hills and has many spectacular views.

Old Town of Lisbon is an interesting combination of the narrow and steep streets with mosaic sidewalks, tall buildings adorned with multicolored tiles, decorative wrought-iron balconies, trendy cafes and designer boutiques. It is old and modern, trendy and charming all at once.

Lisbon - city view — Our favorite spot with the best city views at Miradouro de Sao pedro de Alcantara

It was our first time in Lisbon, so we decided to walk, explore the city, and enjoy the relaxed café culture of Portugal.

We had booked an Airbnb apartment which was in the old city of Lisbon in the residential neighborhood of Principe Real. The apartment was a short walk to downtown called Baixa.

The Baixa district is the heart of Lisbon. It consists of grand avenues, impressive plazas and shopping boulevards with trendy boutiques.

Places we visited:

Praca do Comercio is Lisbon’s largest open square situated next to RioTejo (River Tagus). You can tell that it’s a focal point for events, festivities, shopping, and dining.

The monumental Arco da Rua Augusta is at the entrance of Praca do Comercio. The arch was built to mark the reconstruction of the city after the 1755 earthquake.

On the other side of the Arco da Rua Augusta is the main shopping street Rua Augusta. This wide pedestrian street has many fashionable boutiques and upscale hotels and restaurants.

The Elevator Santa Justa is one of the major tourist attractions right off Rua Augusta. This giant elevator was designed by an apprentice of Gustav Eiffel and considers as an artistic marvel of the industrial age. The lift takes you 32 meters up inside the ornate metal tower to the platform with spectacular city views.

By the end of our trip, we were tired and didn’t book any city tours in advance. But the basic hop on and hop off tour helped us to go around the city in a more relaxed way.

CitySightseeing in Lisbon

Roman and I bought the bus tour tickets from CitySightseeing company. It was very affordable – 44 euros for two of us and you can spread the tours in two days.

Cathedrals of Old Town of Lisbon — Beautiful cathedrals of Old Town

The first day we went with a red line bus tour. There were two amazing places we wanted to come back and explore more: Torre de Belem (Tower of Belem) and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.

The next day we took a blue line bus tour. The tour started at Praca do Comercio and took us east of the city along the river, old and new docks and warehouses, through modern buildings of Oceanario de Lisboa and Gare do Oriente (train station) and then down south through Jardim Zoologico and very popular Parque Eduardo VII.

Places we want to visit next time:

After staying in Lisbon for four days we already knew that we need to come back and explore this city in full.

Here is our list:

Torre de Belem (Tower of Belem) is the 16th-century fortress placed on the Tagus River. It was built to welcome the returning sailors. It was from Belem that Vasco da Gama set sail for India at the end of the 15th-century and returned a year later.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Jeronimos Monastery) is a large complex including a church, cloisters, and galleries in combined Renaissance and Gothic styles. It was built as a celebration of the discovery of a sea route to the Orient and beginning of Portuguese’s golden age.

Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George castle) is another Lisbon’s famous landmark. The castle was once the heart of a walled city that spread downhill as far as the river. It was built on the original site of the Moorish castle which was defeated in 12th-century by Crusaders. There are spectacular views overlooking the historic center of Lisbon.

Take away from our trip

It was our first visit to Portugal. We liked the places we had visited, we liked the fresh food and very friendly Portuguese people. During our travels, we come across countless construction sites in every city. Portugal is a country with many old and medieval buildings which are being preserved and restored. The process is slow.

Lisbon - narrow and steep streets ofOld Town - — Narrow and steep streets of Old Town in Lisbon

There are tourists everywhere and the streets are narrow and steep. And yet every place we visited had its own distinct charm. There is a lot of history and beautiful architecture around every corner. We are planning to come back and explore this country next time.

How We Spent 2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal – Part 1

Related Post: Our Trip to St. Martin

Have you visited Portugal? What places did you visit? Share your comments below.

How We Spent 2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal – Part 1

by Maggie 2 Comments

Barcelona is like no other city in the world. It is full of amazing architecture, great art, tasty cuisine, and beautiful beaches. You can spend days exploring this big metropolis and never feel tired of it. It is not a surprise that Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe.

For our family vacation, we decided to spend at least four days exploring Barcelona, then move to Portugal and spend eight days visiting Porto, Lagos, and Lisbon.

Our trip started with an overnight flight from Boston International Airport to Barcelona with Iberia Airlines.

First day in Barcelona. The day began with unpacking our suitcases and then walking around to get some groceries and bottled water. We discovered that our new neighborhood – Placa de Tetuan – is a quiet residential area within a short walk to many popular tourist places. As a bonus, our Airbnb apartment had a good size roof terrace with an amazing city view. We could even see famous Sagrada Familia towers from our windows.

Santa Caterina Market

Our first long walk was to Santa Caterina market, located not far from the Barcelona Cathedral. The popular market had a big variety of fruit and vegetable stalls combined with local cheeses and Iberian ham. On a way home, we stopped at the wine store and bought several bottles of local wine. We had our dinner on the roof terrace overlooking Placa de Tetuan park and enjoying the breathtaking view of the city.

Dinner on the roof terrace in Barcelona, Spain — Our first night dinner on the roof terrace overlooking Placa de Tetuan park and the city of Barcelona

After dinner, we headed towards the Arc de Triomf, which was a short walk from our new home. This monumental arch was built in Moorish Revival architectural style. It served as the main gate to Barcelona World Fair in 1888. The arch opens to a wide promenade surrounded by palm trees and obelisks.

Arc de Triomf in Barcelona, Spain — Arc de Triomf

At the end of a promenade there is a big green space of Ciutadella Park. This historical garden has the city zoo, a small lake with a beautiful fountain, and classic building of Palace of the Parliament of Catalonia.

Second day in Barcelona. We were still jet-lagged but decided to follow our plan and visit Park Guell in the morning and then spend the afternoon on the beach.

Park Guell

The Park Guell is one of the main attractions in Barcelona. It was designed and built by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi between 1900 and 1914. Originally the architect got a commission from capitalist E. Guell to create a park around his family summer residence. The only portion of the original project was completed. The land was later sold to the city of Barcelona and turned into a public park.

The park occupies a small area, but it is beautifully designed and full of architectural elements in Gaudi’s signature style. It’s colorful, cheerful and whimsical. There are grottoes, a colonnaded hall, winding stairs and other creative structures decorated in multi-colored tiles.

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain — Park Guell was designed and built by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. It is cheerful and whimsical

We walked around the park for several hours and then climbed on top of the hill located outside of the park. Here we found a small terrace with the best panoramic views of the whole city and blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Walking around the park and climbing up the hill for the city views is a wonderful experience. But you get tired fast going up and down the hills. The best way to relax and feel that you’re still on vacation is to spend some time on the beach.

Barceloneta

The city of Barcelona has many beaches which are stretching over 4.5 km (2.8 miles) of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Barceloneta is one of the most popular ones and is closest to the city center. It is easily accessible on foot, bus or metro.

There is a walkway which runs along the sandy beach and several bars and restaurants. We didn’t find many places with rentable chairs and umbrellas. But there were many local vendors who sold the beach stuff for 10 to 12 euros.

After spending the whole afternoon on the beach, we strolled along crowded with tourists and locals’ promenade and had a relaxing dinner at one of many waterfront restaurants.

On our third day in Barcelona, we decided to explore the old city and then stroll along Las Ramblas all way down to the Harbor Front.

Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter)

The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Old Town of Barcelona. There are remains of ancient Roman buildings dating back 2,000 years. However, most of the buildings and historic monuments are from the Middle Ages.

We wandered around. The streets of the Gothic Quarter were narrow and dark. Old buildings were built very close to each other, so the windows are opened right into your neighbor’s living room or kitchen. The dry clothes rods were hung above the pedestrians together with the geraniums flowers boxes. I could tell that the sun hardly ever reaches the bottom of these streets. It looked old, dark and mysterious. It was full of history.

Dinner at Gothic Quarter's restaurant in Barcelona, Spain — We had dinner at one of the Gothic Quarter’s restaurant before heading down to La Ramblas

After walking the streets of the Gothic Quarter, we took a short walk from the Old Town to the city center – Plaza Catalunya (Placa de Catalunya).

La Rambla

You can call “La Rambla” as Barcelona’s most famous street or a social hub. It’s located just off Plaza Catalunya and leading right down towards the spectacular Harbor Front and the beach. It is often called Las Ramblas because it’s a series of several different streets.

This wide avenue is lined with many shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafes, making it one of the most popular hangouts in Barcelona. At night, groups of locals and tourists stroll along La Rambla or sit at the outdoor café with a glass wine. There are many street performers or live music bands.

We spent some time enjoying this lovely street and a bustling hive of activity. But you need to be careful and watch your wallet. With thousands of tourists and locals wandering around there is a chance to get pickpocketed.

On our last day in Barcelona we were planning to visit La Sagrada Familia and then to go and see the light and music show of Magic Fountain of Montjuic at night.

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family)

La Sagrada Familia is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona. The church is in the northern part of the city with tall towers soaring high above all other monuments. It’s a creation of the city most famous architect Antoni Gaudi. He was commissioned to design this basilica as a neo-Gothic church in 1883. But instead of following the plan, Gaudi created one of his famous surrealistic Art Nouveau architecture. He worked on this monumental church until his death in 1926. It was left unfinished.

We bought tickets online for the escorted tour around the church and were happy to skip the long waiting lines. It was my first time to see the interiors of this iconic building after the complete restoration. It was hard not to be entranced by the beauty of this enormous space soaring 90 meters high. I think everyone was admiring the decorative elements of the ceiling and multi-colored stained-glass windows.

La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain — La Sagrada Familia Basilica – interiors

The exteriors looked equally stunning with 18 towers of different heights, each dedicated to a biblical figure.

However, the restoration process is still going on. The cranes and construction equipment not always look pretty on the travel photos. The whole team of architects and construction workers is trying to finish this never-ending project by 2026. By that time, it will be a celebration of 100 years of building a church started by the famous architect in the 20^th century and finished in 21^st by his followers.

Magic Fountain of Montjuic

The light and music show of Montjuic fountain is one of the most amazing spectacles in Barcelona. The show gathers big crowds of tourists and locals who watch the spectacular display of light, water, and music.

Magic Fountain in Barcelona, Spain — The light and music show of Magic Fountain of Montjuic

It’s free of charge, but you need to verify the time and the day of the show. On our first visit to Barcelona, we missed it by arriving too late to the site.

The water fountain was built at the bottom of the Montjuic hill with a grand building of National Palace in Neo-Baroque style on the top. The cascade of large staircases adds another element to a stunning view.

After watching the show for almost one hour, we walked down the hill to Placa d’Espanya. This place is one of Barcelona’s most important and biggest squares. It was built for 1929 International Exhibition and still serves as a popular place for city’s festivities, celebrations, and fireworks shows.

Walk to Placa d"Espanya in Barcelona, Spain — After the show, we walked down the hill to Placa d’Espanya

Places to Eat in Barcelona

There are so many great places to eat in Barcelona. International and local food is super tasty here. For us, foreigners, Spanish food is all about tapas and paella. However, in several places, we had a great experience with simple dishes made from fresh ingredients, like tomatoes, artichokes, peppers, and eggplants. But my favorite food was all kind of sea products fresh from the Mediterranean Sea.

I have a list of places where we liked to eat:

Fiberbug – Brunch -Bar-Bistro. This place has a good selection of salads, sandwiches, tea, coffee, and pastries. We brunched there several times.

Restaurante Arume – a gourmet restaurant with a combination of Galician and Catalonian cuisines. Great octopus, carpaccio and paellas. It’s a small place, but the food is outstanding. We ordered the highly recommended house drink “Blackberry Mojito” and were not disappointed.

Café de L’Academia – this restaurant is in the middle of the Gothic Quarter. It’s very popular with tourists and gets very crowdy. The reservations are essential. Our food was excellent. The grilled octopus and the baby squid were super tender. My favorite was an eggplant terrine with goat cheese. A wonderful combination of fresh ingredients and flavors.

During our four days visit, we saw many beautiful places. I can see why people go back to Barcelona again and again, there’s so much to do and see. I would stay here longer and explore this wonderful city for weeks.

The next morning, we took a taxi and arrived 40 minutes later at Barcelona International airport to continue our journey to Portugal.

This part concludes Part 1 of our family vacation trip.

Related Post: Our Trip to St. Martin

Have you visited Barcelona? What places did you visit? Which attractions in Barcelona do you consider to be the most interesting? Share your comments below.

Our Trip to St. Martin

by Maggie 2 Comments

St. Martin/St. Maarten is a charming slice of Caribbean Paradise that is so easy to fell in love with.

Since the 17^th century, the island has been shared by the Netherlands and France. However, there is no official border between the two sides and no passport is required to get from one side to the next.

The French side calls the island Saint Martin (capital Marigot) and the Dutch side Sint Maarten (capital Philipsburg). The island is a melting pot of cultures, history, food, and activities.

St. Martin’s Dutch side is well known for its festive nightlife, sandy beaches, casinos, and jewelry shopping.

St. Martin’s French side is known for its nude beaches, “Mardis de Grand Case” street festival, clothes shopping, and gourmet restaurants.

Roman and I first visited the island when we were on a Caribbean cruise. We spent around 6 hours on the Dutch side, enjoying the beach, food and some shopping. This time we decided to spend a whole week on the island and explore it in full.

Where is it located?

St. Martin is a tiny island located in the northeast part of the Caribbean not far from Puerto Rico. Several airlines fly directly to the island from Europe, US, and Canada. The Princess Juliana International Airport is considered one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean.

It’s also a favorite port of call for many Caribbean cruises and a popular base for island hopping.

We flew to St. Martin from Boston Logan airport with Jet Blue airlines to spend a week exploring.

As a tourist, I got the feeling that this 34 sq. miles island may offer many things to see and to do compared to similar size Caribbean islands.

Our list of places to visit and things to do in St. Martin

The Dutch side of the island:

Explore Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the Dutch capital of the island and it is located within the stunning view of Great Bay blue waters. It’s easy to walk around a few streets of this town sandwiched between the Salt Pond and Great Bay.

There are many beach front restaurants serving up the fresh catch of the day, Caribbean lobster and conch fritters. The Boardwalk is the most popular place and has many options for lunch and dinner. You can go for a swim in the pristine waters of Great Bay, lounge on the beach and then come back to the Boardwalk for a tropical cocktail.

If you like to shop, Philipsburg is the ideal location. Front Street is lined with high-end boutiques and jewelry stores. You’ll find plenty of fine jewelry, watches, designer clothes and more. It’s duty-free heaven for shoppers!

Maho Beach and Airplanes

Maho beach is world famous for low-flying airplanes. There is a community of people who try to capture the “rush” of jets flying right over their heads. Many “plane spotters” and tourists try to capture the thrilling experience as the planes land or take-off at Princess Juliana International Airport.

We went to Maho beach, but unfortunately never spotted any airplanes. We did enjoy a couple of cocktails at the beach bar and heard stories about people being blown into the water the jet blast of large planes.

The French side of the island:

Orient Bay (Baie Orientale) Beach

Orient Bay beach - St. Martin — Orient Bay Beach at Kontiki Bar

St. Martin island is blessed with 37 gorgeous beaches. But Orient Bay beach is probably the most famous in the entire Caribbean. But be warned! Parts of this beach is famous for its nudity.

This 2-mile-long, white powdered sand beach is beautiful and protected from the Atlantic waves by a reef. So, the snorkeling here is just incredible.

Orient Bay is the only beach on St. Martin with many bars and restaurants directly located on the beach.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Irma left a trail of devastation on Orient Bay. All beach bars were wiped out. All vegetation and many coconut trees were swept away. However, the beach still consists of a large curve of white sand and the colors of the sea are still spectacular. The vegetation is growing back quickly, and the beach bars are reopening.

We had a wonderful lunch at Kontiki Bar. After that, we spent the rest of the day swimming in clear tropical waters and lounging on the beach chairs with matching umbrellas. No wonder this beach is called the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean”.

Grand Case – Fishing Village

St. Martin has a reputation of a culinary melting pot of cultures and flavors. The small beach town of Grand Case on the French side is often called a “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean”. Many top chefs of the world opened their restaurants here. You will find an interesting mix of French Caribbean and Creole cuisines. If you want to get a taste of less expensive food, try to eat at the local “Lolo”.

Open-air barbecue stand "Lolo" — The barbecue stand is called “Lolo” by locals. It means “locally owned, locally operated”.

The open-air barbecue stands are called “Lolo” by locals. They are a good place for a well-seasoned rack of ribs, chicken or grilled red snapper served with rice, beans, and coleslaw. The full platter costs from $10 to $20, and a real bargain on pricey St. Martin.

I would highly recommend dining here at least once. The Grand Case Boulevard and the beach are lined up with restaurants and Lolos. So, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Grand Case’s Street Festival

The colorful “Mardis de Grand Case” festival starts on the second Tuesday of January. It held every Tuesday evening for 12 weeks.

We were lucky to see the last parade of the year. We drove to Grand Case with friends. There were many tourists and locals sitting at Lolo’s or just walking around. The street was lined up with vendor’s tables and stalls selling art, crafts, and food.

St. Martin's street festival — The local dancers dressed up in colorful costumes

We had dinner at one of Lolos and watched the parade. The dancers in colorful, tropical costumes walked the street under the rhythms of Caribbean music.

I would recommend visiting the event if you happen to be on the island during these months.

Pinel Island (Ile de Pinel)

Pinel Island's beach — Pinel Island’s beach

Pinel Island is located at the North East side of St. Martin and set in the heart of the French Marine Park. The place is popular with locals and tourists.

One day we decided to visit this little treasure in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. We drove to the Cul de Sac on the French side and took a small boat/ ferry for a five-minute ride.

The first thing you see is a picture-perfect scenery – the turquoise water and the white sand of the beach surrounded by coconut trees.

There are two cute French restaurants and a souvenir shack at the back of the main beach. The island is a perfect place for a relaxing day of swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing with a glass of cold rum punch.

Hike to Pic Paradis

Pic Paradis is the highest point of the island at a height of 1,391 feet. It rises from the center of St. Martin on the French side not far from the village Colombier.

One day we decided to go hiking with friends who stay on the island every year for a few weeks. We were lucky that they know this area well. We followed the trails all way up and come to one of the two observation decks. The view from the deck over the island and lush rain forest below was spectacular. On our way down we saw a group of wild monkeys eating peacefully within the shade of big trees.

Loterie Farm

We never stopped at Loterie Farm which is located at the foot of the mountain. But we passed it on our way back from Pic Paradis. I had a feeling that I would love to spend some time at this secret hideaway.

A former sugar plantation, this private nature sanctuary is very popular with tourists. Loterie Farm is well-known as a place for great food and drinks in the lush green surroundings, and swimming pools with cascades and tropical cabanas.

Marigot

Marigot is a capital of the French side of St. Martin. Before going on this trip, I read a lot about this town. It was described as a pleasant place with brightly colored Creole-style houses, chic boutiques, and delicious restaurants.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Irma brought a lot of damage to this charming place. We saw many houses in ruins without roofs, doors, and windows. The whole island suffered huge devastation after September 2017. The town is slowly recovering from the hurricane, but it will take time before the traces of the disaster will be removed from the island.

Where to stay in St. Martin?

When it comes where to stay, it can depend on what you’re looking for. The island offers a wide range of accommodation, from five-star resorts to charming boutique hotels. There are many timeshare or condo rental options. Most hotels and resorts are located on the island’s beaches. Regardless of whether you choose to stay on the Dutch or French side, everything is relatively close and easy to access with a rental car.

We stayed at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort. Divi is part of large chain resorts.

Divi Resort on St. Martin — Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

St. Martin’s Divi resort is located on a peninsula within walking distance of Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island. It is a timeshare resort with 235 rooms, three pools, four restaurants, a mini-mart, and a gift shop. You can choose from an all-inclusive package (rare option on the island) or room only.

Hotel location: located on its own private beach facing Little Bay waters. It is a perfect location for a relaxing stay on a tropical island. You’ll need to rent a car if planning to explore other sides of the island.

Hotel room: our room was spacious and comfortable with a scenic view of Little Bay beach. The room had an open concept of sleeping and sitting areas with a kitchenette and a bathroom with a Jacuzzi and large-size shower room.

Hotel amenities: the hotel has a full-service spa, gym, water-sports center, and several shops. There are two swimming pools located at Seabreeze bar and new infinity pool on the hilly side of the resort. The bars and restaurants provide a great mix of fine dining and casual poolside snack options.

Hotel value: we paid $2,600 per person for all-inclusive air and hotel package. I believe that on this island where hotels are quite expensive, this was a good value for our money. We stayed at the resort for seven days and enjoyed a good service, great amenities, food, and a beautiful beach.

dinner at Divi resort's restaurant — The sunset and dinner at the resort’s restaurant

There are so many reasons to visit the island: history, culture, beaches, food, fun, and shopping. We didn’t have time to take in all the sights of this beautiful island.

But we were happy to explore and experience a small piece of this paradise that is a little Dutch and a little French.

Have you ever visited St. Martin?