Almost a year has passed since my first trip overseas by myself. This month’s post is the first of a three-part series about that adventure.
Portugal. It had never been on my radar, yet I found myself flying there alone one October night in 2018. Alone because my husband’s fear of flying had compelled him to stay behind in Colorado.
Alone, if that’s what you call boarding the plane in Newark, New Jersey, with two hundred strangers. Among them were thirty-five who would gather with me at the Porto airport for the excursion sponsored by SmarTours.
Nine full days, Porto to Lisbon. Five UNESCO sites. Round-trip airfare from Newark. All for $2,300. Short, cheap, and culturally rich. Perfect for my first trip abroad in more than a decade.
I only lacked a companion. For eight months a friend and I had poured over brochures of possible trips. Portugal was the last destination we looked at before we agreed we couldn’t agree. Although she was not to accompany me, she had irreversibly opened me to the idea of traveling for fun without my husband.
Trusted, well-traveled friends who had recommended SmarTours assured me I would find a companion on the tour. Their prediction soon became fact. Several hours into the flight I finally asked the two women occupying the middle row with me if they would be going on a tour when we arrived. Indeed they would. They had selected the same tour I had.
Mary and Susan, who reminded me of my friends at the bridge table, were traveling together; they would soon make me feel as if they had planned all along to bring me with them. Seasoned travelers, Mary and Susan always watched out for me and helped me deal with everything unfamiliar. As the next nine days went by, I would often feel like d’Artagnan, and I would come to think of us as the three musketeers.
If we were the three musketeers, then Romina was our captain. She was waiting for us at the Porto airport and would lead and advise us as we zigzagged through her country.
College-educated and about 35 years old, Romina was a font of knowledge on all things Portuguese: history, economy, culture, and ethnicity, to name a few. Under her guidance I would come to appreciate Portugal’s rich place in Western civilization as I climbed to its castles, looked up in its cathedrals, and wandered its cobblestone streets.
Still to come: what fascinated me most on my journey through Portugal.
I’m so happy you are writing about your trip to Portugal. It is one of the countries on my bucket list and I’m going to love previewing it through your words
I’m delighted, Jeanette. Sorry to be so late replying to everyone. I’ve been off on another adventure … but in Wyoming with my husband.
Eager and ready to read part 2. Maybe I should go back to Portugal just to remind me of that country.
Ah, so you’ve been to Portugal, Marilyn! This was my first organized tour in Europe, and I was thrilled with how much I learned by being there with an expert.
I doubt that I could do your trip alone. At least, without severe anxieties. Congratulations.
Thanks, Tom. The trip certainly was worth the plunge out of my comfort zone.
How fun. Looking forward to the next segment. We have talked about Portugal but haven’t made it there yet. Sounds like a great experience. I’m intrigued.
Great, Imo Jeane! I’m so glad you will be watching for the next edition.
Looking forward to the next installment. Great information.
Thanks, Carol. So nice to know it was interesting to you.
I am so glad that you are sharing your travel stories! I had loved it so much when you shared it with the group. I am glad I am getting to read it again!!
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Becky.