Category: Trips

Montreal Days 4 & 5: Mount Royal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Little Italy and a Birthday in the City

Days four and five in Montreal were packed with some of the places we had been looking forward to seeing most, including Mount Royal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Little Italy, Jean Talon Market and Notre Dame Basilica. We also managed to fit in plenty of amazing food along the way, which seems to be a recurring theme on this trip. Day five was also my birthday, so Montreal turned out to be a pretty great place to celebrate.

Day Four: Mount Royal and Saint Joseph’s Oratory

We started day four by taking an Uber from our hotel up to Mount Royal. You certainly can explore the mountain on foot, but from where we were staying, taking an Uber to the park made much more sense and saved our legs for the climb ahead. Once we arrived, there were plenty of wide trails filled with walkers, runners and cyclists, along with smaller wooded trails if you want something a little more adventurous. One word of advice though, dress appropriately if you plan to wander off onto the wooded trails because we saw plenty of poison ivy along the way.

Mount Royal really is the centerpiece of Montreal and it has an interesting history. Mount Royal Park officially opened in 1876 and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect behind New York City’s Central Park. His vision was to preserve the natural character of the mountain while creating a beautiful public space where people could escape the growing city below. The park actually celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2026, which made our timing pretty cool. (Patrimoine Culturel).

It took us about 30 minutes to make our way up to the Chalet du Mont Royal and the Kondiaronk Belvedere, but once you reach the top, the views make the walk completely worth it. The chalet itself was built in 1931 and 1932 and designed by Montreal architect Aristide Beaugrand Champagne. Inside are murals depicting scenes from Montreal’s history, but of course the real star is the huge terrace outside overlooking downtown Montreal and the St. Lawrence River. We spent about 15 minutes just taking it all in and admiring the view before starting our walk back down. (Mont Royal).

Once we reached the bottom, we crossed over to check out what I had been calling the Canadian cavalry horses, but I learned they are actually part of the Montreal Police Service cavalry unit. The SPVM cavalry dates all the way back to 1885 and was originally created in part to patrol public spaces including Mount Royal Park. Their stables were built on Mount Royal in 1962 and today the unit still patrols parks and other areas that can be difficult for traditional police vehicles to access. Even better, the horses they use today are Canadian Horses, so I was not completely wrong about the Canadian part. (SPVM).

Time for Lunch

By this point we were definitely ready for lunch, so we grabbed another Uber and headed over to the famous Schwartz’s Deli, which had come highly recommended. Apparently everyone else in Montreal had the same idea because the line wrapped all the way around the block. We could see the smoked meat coming out and it looked amazing, so now we completely understand why people wait for it, but we were hungry and not quite committed enough to stand in that line.

Instead, we stumbled upon Petit Poisson Dumpling and it turned out to be a great backup plan. Somewhere between reading the menu and talking to the waiter, we completely misunderstood how many dumplings we were ordering and ended up with enough food for a small army. Luckily, they were phenomenal, so having way too many dumplings was not exactly the worst problem to have.

St. Joseph’s Oratory

After lunch it was time for Saint Joseph’s Oratory, so back into an Uber we went. The ride itself was actually pretty entertaining because our driver took us through a beautiful residential neighborhood filled with enormous mansions. Unfortunately, he also dropped us off at the back side of the Oratory where we quickly discovered we could not get in. That meant walking back down the hill, finding a side entrance and somehow entering the complex way up near the top. Basically, we toured Saint Joseph’s Oratory completely backwards.

Saint Joseph’s Oratory began very modestly in 1904 when Brother André, later canonized as Saint André Bessette, built a small chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph on Mount Royal. As more pilgrims began visiting, the site continued to expand. Construction of the massive basilica began in 1924 and the complex was eventually completed in 1967.

The original little chapel is still part of the site today, which makes it even harder to believe that this enormous pilgrimage destination grew from such humble beginnings.

Because of where we entered, we started with the massive upper basilica, which is much more modern inside than I expected. Then, as we worked our way down through the complex, we visited the beautiful Crypt Church and the Votive Chapel, where thousands of candles create an incredible atmosphere.

The entire property is enormous and the views from the terraces reminded me a bit of Sacré Coeur in Paris, especially with the city stretching out below you. If stairs are difficult, the Oratory is also designed to be accessible, with elevators and other accessible routes throughout much of the complex, and of course there is a very large gift shop because no major tourist attraction is complete without one.

After a full day of walking, Scott and I headed back to the hotel and decided to stop at The Keg around the corner for a quick cocktail. The Keg has a little nostalgia for us because we used to have one in Renton, Washington, where we lived, and we went there quite a bit. That location has since closed, so when we saw one in Montreal we had to stop in for old times’ sake.

Dinner at Jacopo in Montreal

Dinner that evening was at Jacopo on Place Jacques Cartier, an Italian restaurant right in the heart of Old Montreal. We sat upstairs and this restaurant reminded me so much of Flor Dos Congregados in Porto. Once again the food was amazing and they even surprised me with an early birthday cake. I somehow forgot to take photos of our food! Shocking, I know!

Day Five: My Birthday in Little Italy & Jean Talon Market Montreal

Day five was my birthday, and we started the celebration by heading to Little Italy. Our first stop was Jean Talon Market, and I knew it was going to be big, but I was not prepared for just how big it actually was. Everywhere we looked there were huge displays of fruits and vegetables, flowers, cheeses, meats, baked goods and just about anything else you could imagine. If I lived here, I would shop here all the time. Funny that last year I spent my birthday at a Farmer’s Market in Portugal.

Jean Talon Market is one of Montreal’s oldest public markets and one of the largest open air markets in North America. It opened in May 1933 as Marché du Nord and was renamed Jean Talon Market in 1983 in honor of Jean Talon, the first intendant of New France. During the height of summer, the market can have nearly 200 vendors, which explains why it feels like it just keeps going and going. I could have spent hours simply walking around looking at all of the beautiful produce.

The market doesn’t just sell fruits and vegetables either. They have a huge selection of seafood, cured meats, cheeses, spices and so much more!

Exploring Little Italy

Once we left the market, we started wandering through Little Italy and realized that we had arrived right as the neighborhood was getting ready for ItalfestMTL. Formerly known as Montreal’s Italian Week, the festival celebrates Italian culture, food, music and heritage, and in 2026 it ran from August 7 through August 16 with several events taking place right in Little Italy. We had no idea when we planned the trip, so stumbling into the preparations was a fun surprise.

We stopped in a cute little spot for a drink and then made our way over to Fruiterie Milano, which was another place we had heard about. This is not your average grocery store. Milano opened in 1954 when brothers Vincenzo and Angelo Zaurrini saw a need for authentic Italian products in Montreal. What started as a tiny storefront about 15 feet wide has grown into an enormous Italian specialty market, and we had a blast walking through it. The selection of olive oils, vinegars, prosciutto, cheeses, meats, wine and imported Italian products was incredible. This is definitely a dangerous place to visit if you are hungry or have room in your suitcase.

From there we continued walking through Little Italy and eventually stopped for lunch at Corneli, a neighborhood Italian restaurant that has been around since 1960. Once again, Montreal did not disappoint us when it came to food and it was the perfect place to sit down, relax and enjoy lunch before heading back toward the heart of the city. I ordered a cocktail that came with lychee fruit – needless to say I was not expecting it to look like this! LOL, but it was delicious.

Notre Dame Basilica Montreal

Later that afternoon we returned to Old Montreal and finally went inside Notre Dame Basilica during the daytime. We had passed it several times throughout the trip, but seeing the interior in daylight was spectacular. The current church was designed by Irish born New York architect James O’Donnell and constructed between 1824 and 1829. It was the first Gothic Revival church in Canada, and the elaborate blue and gold interior that you see today was developed later in the nineteenth century. It is one of those buildings where you can look around for 20 minutes and still keep noticing details you missed the first time.

Since it was my birthday, we had one more great dinner planned that night at The Benjamin, a steakhouse in downtown Montreal. This was actually located in a hotel and it was nice to dress up for the occasion. The service was okay (not remarkable) and the steaks were just okay too. I guess we are still struggling to find anything that compared to Moo and The Butcher in Portugal. Ben and Maria gave me a beautiful bracelet made with Peridot stones, which is my birthstone.

The night was not quite over yet because we had tickets to go back to Notre Dame for AURA. AURA is an immersive light and music experience created by Montreal based Moment Factory specifically for Notre Dame Basilica. The show uses the basilica itself as the canvas, projecting light, color and imagery across the walls, vaulted ceiling and altar while music fills the entire space. The main multimedia performance lasts about 25 minutes, with illuminated stations to explore beforehand.

They do not allow you to take photos or video during the show, so unfortunately I cannot share what it actually looks like, but this is one of those experiences where pictures probably would not do it justice anyway. If you are visiting Montreal, I would absolutely put AURA on your list.

It was a pretty incredible way to finish my birthday and also a great ending to our time in Montreal.

Next up, we are leaving Montreal behind and boarding the train for the roughly three hour ride to Quebec City, where our Canadian adventure continues. Stay tuned because there is still plenty more to come! As always, thank you for following our boating blog! Please be sure to subscribe to our channel (see link below) and follow us on social @BoatingJourney. Cheers, Scott and Ally

Only Four Days in France

If you had told me a month ago that I’d be flying to France during my second week at a new job, I probably would have laughed. Yet that’s exactly what happened. As many of you know, I recently left 26 North Yachts and joined Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest recreational boat builder, as Boat Shows, Events and Marketing Director for the Americas. I had barely figured out where the coffee machine was before they were sending me across the Atlantic to meet my new colleagues.

Since my flight departed early Sunday morning, Scott and I decided not to take any chances with South Florida traffic. With the World Cup bringing extra congestion to Miami, we hopped on the Tri Rail Saturday afternoon and spent the night at the Miami International Hotel inside the airport. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. We enjoyed one last evening together before I headed off on what would become one very memorable business trip. This is certainly not a fancy hotel, but be prepared to pay over $350/night. This was not covered by my employer, as it was not a necessary stay.

The Adventure Begins at JFK

My first stop was New York’s JFK Airport, where I had what I thought was a comfortable two hour layover before boarding my Air France flight. I quickly discovered that two hours at JFK isn’t nearly as much time as it sounds. I had to take a bus shuttle between terminals, then catch the AirTrain, and practically jog through the airport before arriving at my gate just as boarding began. So much for grabbing lunch.

The overnight flight to Paris was my first experience flying Air France. Their amenity kit included a pillow, a blanket and ear phones.

Fortunately, no one was seated beside me, which made economy a little more comfortable. The service, however, was a different story. Dinner arrived a couple of hours after takeoff and I failed to grab a photo of it. Probably because it was not that great. Then the cabin seemed to disappear for several hours before I finally tracked someone down for a glass of wine. Thankfully, I managed to get a little sleep before we landed at Charles de Gaulle just before six o’clock Monday morning.

My Very First Lesson in Paris

I had done my homework before arriving in Paris. ChatGPT had given me very specific instructions on how to find the official taxi stand and warned me not to talk to anyone who approached me outside the terminal. Naturally, I ignored every bit of that advice.

A friendly gentleman named Jacques asked if I needed a taxi and quoted me the standard fare of 65 euros. Perfect, I thought. Before long, I realized I wasn’t climbing into an official Paris taxi at all, but rather his private Mercedes. To be fair, he gave me a wonderful tour of Paris, driving past the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and along the Seine before dropping me at Montparnasse Station.

Unfortunately, that sightseeing tour came with a hefty price tag. Instead of 65 euros, he charged me 181 euros after adding extra time for traffic. It was an expensive lesson, but at least now I have a good story to tell. Next time I’ll be heading straight to the official taxi line.

Learning the French Train System

I arrived at Montparnasse Station with nearly two hours before my train departed for La Roche-sur-Yon. The first challenge was finding a restroom, only to discover you have to pay one euro to use it. Luckily, I had stopped at the ATM at the airport when I landed to get some Euros. Since I only had larger bills, I bought a bottle of water just so I could get enough change to use the restroom. Welcome to France!

I booked my train using Trainline.com and it worked fine. However, my colleagues told me to use SNCF, the official ticketing agency for the TGV. When I tried doing that online, it could not verify my bank account and it would not work, so I ended up using Trainline after all. One thing to note though, is the platform your train departs from, is not listed on the board until 20 minutes before your departure time. As departure time approached, I started getting nervous because I couldn’t find my train listed on the board. After a few minutes of panic, I realized the departure board lists the final destination of the train, not necessarily your stop along the route. Once I figured that out, I made my way to the platform.

I had booked a first class seat, which sounded wonderful until I realized my luggage and I had to climb a narrow staircase to the second floor of the train. By this point I had been awake for nearly twenty one hours, and hauling a heavy suitcase upstairs almost sent me tumbling backwards. Thankfully, the ride itself was beautiful and peaceful.

A Tiny French Town

Three and a half hours later I arrived in La Roche-sur-Yon, where another surprise awaited me.

My rental car office was closed for lunch. Let’s go back though, a couple of weeks. When my HR Director in France asked me if I had an international driver’s license? What?! You have to be kidding me! I’ve never driven in a foreign country – not even Canada! Turns out getting one was pretty easy. AAA offers international driver’s licenses for an application fee of $20 and of course, they convince you to join them. I walked right in at 9am here in Florida and 30 minutes later I was set!

After waiting about an hour, Avis reopened and handed me the keys to a tiny Peugeot hybrid. I asked the agent how far my hotel was, and he simply pointed across the street. I had spent the last hour waiting for a car only to find out I could have checked in to my room!

I stayed at the Campanile hotel, which is somewhat of a budget hotel. My three night stay cost about 296 Euro. The hotel itself was comfortable enough, although the air conditioning struggled to keep up with temperatures in the 90s. After unpacking, I walked to a nearby grocery store for bottled water, snacks, and yes…a bottle of wine.

French Dining Hours Take Some Getting Used To

When I asked the hotel receptionist where I could have dinner, she politely informed me that most restaurants wouldn’t open until 7:30 that evening. By then I had been awake for almost twenty seven hours and couldn’t imagine staying awake another two hours.

Thankfully, the hotel bar served food. The bartender disappeared into the kitchen and emerged a minute later with what was obviously a frozen pizza. At that moment it tasted like the best pizza I’d ever had.

My reservation did include breakfast, so each morning I headed down to the breakfast area. This included the basics of scrambled eggs, sausage (actually small hot dogs), potatoes, pastries, cheese, lunch meat, fruit, yogurt and cereal, along with juice, coffee and tea. Every day I had the same thing – croissant, ham, cheese and some eggs!

The following evening I decided to be a little more adventurous and ordered the lasagna. She grabbed a jar that was on display and disappeared into the kitchen. A minute later, she brought out the jar on a plate with two pieces of plain bread. When I touched the lid, it was scalding hot! Looking inside, it was olive green in color (and looked like it might have livers in it), and after a few bites I realized it was spinach and goat cheese lasagna. Let’s just say it wasn’t my favorite French meal. I quietly ordered another pizza and called it a night.

Driving in France

The next morning I climbed into my little Peugeot, ready to drive to Groupe Beneteau’s headquarters. There was just one problem. I couldn’t figure out how to start the car. One thing I should note, is that most European rental cars are not automatic transmissions. Though I know how to drive a stick, I didn’t want to deal with that in a foreign country, so I asked my travel planner to be sure to book an automatic for me! Thank God.

After several embarrassing attempts, I walked back across the street to Avis where the agent smiled and explained that I simply needed to press the brake pedal while starting the hybrid. Problem solved.

Driving through France turned out to be much easier than I expected, thanks largely to Waze. The endless roundabouts initially looked intimidating, but the app did an excellent job telling me exactly which exit to take. Before long I was comfortably navigating both the small villages and the highways.

Meeting My New Team

The purpose of the trip, of course, wasn’t sightseeing. It was to meet the incredible team at Groupe Beneteau.

Over the next few days I met colleagues from across the organization, toured the facilities, learned about the brands, and began building relationships with the people I’ll be working with throughout the Americas and France. It was fascinating to see the scale of the operation and understand how much collaboration takes place between countries.

For someone who had only been employed for about a week, I felt incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. It made an already exciting career move feel even more meaningful.

Finally Exploring La Roche-sur-Yon

On my final evening, I finally had enough energy to explore the town.

La Roche-sur-Yon completely surprised me. Beautiful gardens lined the streets, historic buildings surrounded the town square, and restaurants filled the outdoor plazas with people enjoying the warm evening. I stumbled upon a wonderful restaurant called Tribu where I sat outside and enjoyed a cheeseburger, French fries, and a much deserved glass of wine.

After dinner I wandered through the town, eventually finding Napoleon’s statue overlooking one of the parks. A choir was performing nearby while families relaxed along the canals. It was one of those moments where I finally stopped thinking about work and simply appreciated where I was.

One Last Night in Paris

The next day, I headed back to the office for a half day’s work. After wrapping up my meetings, I drove back into town, returned the car and walked over to the train station. Luckily, I noticed people walking down a set of stairs at the station and it turned out, we had to get to the other side and so we went under the tracks. This proved to be painful on my back, as my luggage was so heavy! The three and a half hour ride through the French countryside was easily one of my favorite parts of the trip. Vineyards, rolling farmland, historic churches, and beautiful stone homes seemed to stretch endlessly outside my window.

That evening I checked into the Mercure Hotel near Montparnasse Station. As I checked in, the receptionist apologized because the hotel’s air conditioning had failed. Apparently broken air conditioning had become a recurring theme during my visit.

I walked across the street for dinner at Ernest, as I was not up for walking around. It was raining on and off and it was very humid. Ernest was lively, with indoor and outdoor seating. I grabbed a seat inside, but near the doorway as there was no air-conditioning. I ordered a chicken wrap that was delicious and a glass of wine. The prices were reasonable, but the glass was only about 2 or 3 oz in size! LOL.

A Memorable Flight Home

The next morning began with one of the nicest hotel breakfasts I’ve ever experienced. It reminded me of the breakfast buffet at Sandals resort. Fresh fruit, made to order omelets, crepes, salad, bacon, potatoes, salad, pastries, cheeses, and just about anything else you could imagine made for a wonderful start to the day.

Then, just as I opened my hotel room door to leave, the fire alarm sounded throughout the building. Now, I know exactly what you’re supposed to do. Evacuate immediately.

Instead, I brushed my teeth, finished packing, and figured if nobody else seemed concerned, I probably didn’t need to be either. Thankfully, the alarm ended a few minutes later.

The ride to Charles de Gaulle Airport went much smoother this time. I made sure to use an official taxi, and sure enough, the fare was exactly the 65 euros I had originally expected a few days earlier.

Air France

Air France is in the 2E Terminal. When you arrive, you will see that there are about 15 gates or counters for Air France, depending on your destination. I also noticed there were a ton of restaurants on the outside of security. Unfortunately, Air France ended my trip on another disappointing note. As I approached the line for security, Air France diverted me to the left, where I saw an attendant weighing luggage. Even though I had carried my suitcase on during the outbound flight, they insisted on weighing it in Paris and forced me to check it. So I had to find my check-in counter for Miami, which was number 8 to check my luggage. Back into the line for security and it went pretty smoothly. They were not the friendliest people though. Once through, I immediately noticed all of the shopping, from perfume, to Coach, Cartier, Hermes and many more.

Unfortunately, once I passed all of the shopping, I noticed they did not have any restaurants where you can sit for lunch or grab a glass of wine! Instead, you can buy a sandwich and a bottle of Champagne at the Relay Store (similar to our Hudson’s). So I sat in the standard airport seating for over two hours.

Once again, I did not have anyone next to me. I was a bit annoyed that the bins above me, were practically empty, so I could have carried on my bag.

Dinner was a little better on the way home, offering a pesto gnocchi.

During the nine hour flight to Miami, cabin service was once again extremely limited. At one point I walked to the galley and asked for a glass of wine, only to be told they would bring it later. Hours passed before service finally resumed, and by then they informed me they could no longer serve alcohol because we had entered U.S. airspace. That was certainly a first for me. One cool thing about this airplane, was they had a camera under the plane, so you could see below. It was mostly the ocean, but still cool to watch.

Looking Back

Although the trip was exhausting, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I learned to ignore unofficial taxi drivers, discovered that French restaurants don’t believe in early dinners, survived questionable lasagna, learned how to start a hybrid Peugeot, and somehow managed to stay awake long enough to meet an incredible group of new colleagues.

Most importantly, I came home even more excited about this next chapter in my career. Seeing Groupe Beneteau firsthand, meeting the people behind the brands, and experiencing a small part of France reminded me why I accepted this opportunity in the first place.

Sometimes the best business trips aren’t just about the meetings. They’re about the stories you bring home. And this trip certainly gave me plenty of those.

As always, thank you for following our blog! We’re heading home to Seattle for the July 4th weekend next week and we’ll hopefully have some great stories to share with you (and not lose another drone!). In August, our big trip will be Montreal and Quebec, so be sure to tune in and follow along. If you are not subscribed to our YouTube Channel, please sign up today! We appreciate the support.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

On our second day in New Orleans, Scott and I started our day with a River Cruise on a Steamboat down the Mississippi River. It was an easy walk from our hotel to the Riverwalk, where we explored the walk as we arrived early.

As we walked along the Riverwalk, we came upon the holocaust memorial, which was very beautiful. Depending on the angle you were viewing it, you would see different images.

There were a number of sculptures along the way, including a padlock fence.

We purchased our tickets in advance using the Viator app and chose the Natchez Jazz Cruise, one of two steamboat options available. The cruise offers a lunch or dinner package depending on the departure time, but we opted to skip the meal and simply purchased drinks, with snacks also available for purchase. An old-school jazz band played inside during the cruise, adding to the classic New Orleans atmosphere.

It was nice being out on the water, even though there isn’t a whole lot to see along the Mississippi River. That said, the captain did point out and call attention to the various landmarks and sites along the way, which helped provide some context and history during the ride.

Exploring More of New Orleans

After our cruise, we grabbed some lunch at Daisy Duke’s (a very casual diner style breakfast and lunch spot) and then headed to the Waldorf Astoria to see the holiday lobby lights. One thing I did not mention in the episode (see link below), was that I actually did not feel safe in New Orleans. As Scott and I were walking to the Waldorf Astoria we passed a number of people doing drugs, selling drugs and on drugs. It was very unnerving. There were also a number of thug kids wreaking havoc on the crowds and tourists (and this was in broad daylight!)

One thing I did like about the city, is they kept a lot of the old gas lamps and they are still using gas! The photo below was an old clock from over 100 years ago!

Our 2nd Night in NOLA

As you know, I like to make dinner reservations in advance just to make sure we can get in to a popular restaurant. For our second dinner, we selected Red Fish Grill. Before we headed to dinner, we grabbed a quick cocktail at the Drinkery and listened to some live music.

From there, we walked down Bourbon Street looking for more live music and we stumbled upon the Honky Tonk. We didn’t stay too long, but the music was great.

Last Day in New Orleans

Unfortunately during our three day trip, I was battling some kind of flu and tried my best to enjoy the trip. There are not too many cities I don’t like, but I really struggled with New Orleans. Scott has been many times and loves it. It could have been my health, but I really disliked seeing young four year-olds performing on Bourbon Street at 11pm.

The weather had been chilly the first few days, which I love when it comes to celebrating the holiday season, but it was back to the 80 degree weather on our last day. After having breakfast at a local diner (nothing to write home about), we decided to check out the Sazerac Distillery. The Sazerac Distillery in New Orleans highlights the city’s deep-rooted cocktail heritage and the legacy of the iconic Sazerac cocktail, often called America’s first. Located near Canal Street, it offers an engaging look at New Orleans’ lasting influence on American spirits and cocktail culture.

The French Market

Then Scott and I headed towards the infamous French Market. We took the long route through the French Quarter and found lots of galleries.

The French market in New Orleans is one of the city’s most iconic and historic landmarks, reflecting its deep French and Creole roots. Established in the late 18th century, it is the oldest public market in the United States and remains a vibrant hub of local culture. Stretching through the heart of the French Quarter, the market is known for its mix of artisan goods, local art, spices, fresh produce, and classic New Orleans flavors. Today, the French Market continues to capture the city’s lively spirit, blending history, music, food, and craftsmanship into an experience that feels unmistakably New Orleans.

Just outside The French Market, you will find the Joan of Arc statue. The replica Joan of Arc statue in New Orleans stands as a symbol of the city’s French heritage and enduring ties to France. Located along Decatur Street in the French Quarter, it honors the French heroine and reflects New Orleans’ historic French influence and cultural pride.

Voodoo Museum

Scott and I stopped at the Voodoo Museum and it was fascinating. It was probably the most interesting museum we visited during our stay. In fact, I was disappointed there were not more museums to learn about the culture. The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s spiritual and cultural history, rooted in African, Caribbean, and Creole traditions. The small but powerful space highlights the influence of Voodoo on New Orleans through artifacts, altars, and storytelling that explain its role in everyday life and folklore. During my visit, I purchased a Gris Gris bag for success and health, along with a bayberry candle to burn on New Year’s Eve—traditionally used to invite good luck and prosperity in the year ahead.

Wrapping up our New Orleans Trip

For our last night in New Orleans, we made dinner reservations at an Italian restaurant and two hours before dinner, they messaged us that the restaurant had an emergency and had to close. Scott and I didn’t want another Cajun or Creole dinner, so we looked for a steakhouse (that wouldn’t break the bank). We found a highly rated restaurant on Open Table called. Rizzuto’s. We took an Uber to the restaurant only to find out it was a restaurant inside the Hyatt hotel. When we arrived, the restaurant was super bright and set up like a breakfast buffet restaurant. This was not an upscale steak joint, but they did charge the prices you would expect at a Morton’s. Since I wasn’t feeling good, I didn’t order much. They insisted on bringing Scott a glass of bubbly as a thank you for coming by. LOL!!

Thoughts about New Orleans

At the end of the day, it was a quick holiday getaway and I’m glad I experienced New Orleans at least once. While I appreciated the live music and the city’s deep, fascinating history, the overall atmosphere wasn’t quite for me, and much of it took away from the holiday charm I was hoping for. I would have loved to see more museums and more structured ways to truly learn about the city beyond the streets. It’s not a destination I feel the need to return to, but I’m grateful for the experience and for the perspective it gave me.

As always, thank you for following our blog and journey! Please take a moment to subscribe to our blog and our channel (link below). We have a great year planned for 2026, so please tune in!

Cheers,

Last month, Scott and I headed to New Orleans to experience the holidays in New Orleans. Since moving to Florida four years ago, we always find somewhere cooler to enjoy the holiday season, since it’s so warm in Fort Lauderdale. You may remember three Christmas’s ago, we went to St. Augustine and last year we went to Savannah, GA. We loved both cities, so we were excited to see what New Orleans had to offer.

Our flight left Fort Lauderdale at 7am and we flew through Charlotte, NC as we flew on American. Arriving into New Orleans around 1pm, left us most of the day to explore. Scott has been to New Orleans many times and specifically to attend Mardi Gras. This was my first trip to NOLA and I didn’t know what to expect. There are not too many cities I visit, that I don’t like.

JW Marriott New Orleans

We stayed at the JW Marriott on Canal Street and our room did not disappoint. We had a great room and a view of Canal Street and the Mississippi River.

To see our view, be sure to watch our video on YouTube! The GM of the hotel upgraded us and also gave us access to the executive lounge. This lounge does not serve cocktails, but they do offer a light breakfast and snacks throughout the day.

New Orleans French Quarter

Soon after Scott and I checked in, we headed out to find a bite to eat for lunch. We took a wrong turn, and ended up somewhere in the French Quarter, so we grabbed a quick bite before exploring more.

After lunch, we headed to the famous St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square. This is a very famous landmark and can be seen miles away by it’s three steeples. St. Louis Cathedral, located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter, is one of the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedrals in the United States.

The current structure was completed in the mid-1800s and stands on the site of earlier churches dating back to 1720, reflecting the city’s French and Spanish colonial roots. Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt and restored multiple times due to fires and storms, remaining a powerful symbol of New Orleans’ faith, culture, and resilience.

Hurricane Katrina

Our next stop was The Presbytère, a historic structure that sits right next door to St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square and is part of the Louisiana State Museum. Inside, the ground floor features the powerful exhibit “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond,” which explores the storm, the aftermath, and the city’s ongoing recovery through artifacts, firsthand accounts, and multimedia displays.

Upstairs, the museum shifts to celebration with “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana,” showcasing elaborate costumes, krewe traditions, parade history, and iconic throws that capture the spirit and spectacle of New Orleans’ most famous festival.

Bourbon Street After Dark

Knowing that it was a football weekend and New Orleans would be crowded, I made all of our dinner reservations ahead of time. Thanks to recommendations from Chat GPT and Open Table, we found three highly recommended restaurants. For our first night, we chose Bourbon House. One thing I will tell you, is be prepared to eat Cajun or Creole almost everywhere. It was difficult to find a non Cajun restaurant, so if you don’t like seafood or southern cooking, New Orleans is not for you.

Our first stop before dinner was a cocktail at the Blue Bayou Oyster Bar. We actually sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the chef grill up fresh oysters. We regretted not ordering a dozen while we were there!

Dinner at The Bourbon House was one of those classic New Orleans nights—excellent food, perfectly made cocktails, and warm hospitality that makes you want to linger.

Our server, Destiny, was absolutely amazing and made the whole experience feel special, guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm and care. With its longtime reputation on Bourbon Street and deep roots in the city’s iconic Brennan-family dining legacy, the restaurant blends Old-World French Quarter charm with the kind of seafood-and-bourbon tradition New Orleans is famous for.

Unfortunately it was so dark, that all of my photos are yellow and a little blurry! We started with Charbroiled Gulf Oyters, which were amazing. For dinner Scott had Bourbon Shrimp & Grits and I had Blackened Gulf Fish, both of which were one of the best meals we’ve had since Portugal.

Bourbon Street Night Life

After dinner, we walked down Bourbon Street looking for live music and taking in the energy that makes the French Quarter feel like a celebration every night. We popped into Fat Catz mainly because we have a Fat Cats back in downtown Fort Lauderdale, and it was exactly what you would expect in the best way, a lively dive bar with great live music and plenty of character. The streets were incredibly festive and I really enjoyed the evening atmosphere, but I was also genuinely shocked to see so many very young kids, some clearly under five, out on the street playing buckets like drums for money. It was a stark reminder of the complicated realities that can exist alongside the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Surprise Ending to Our Day

When we returned to our room that evening, we were so surprised to see that the GM had sent us a bottle of Champagne, along with dessert. What a special touch and it really made us feel welcomed. This is a fantastic hotel to stay at when you visit New Orleans.

Be sure to tune in next week, as we’ll share part 2 of our New Orleans adventure and I’ll let you know how it compared to the other cities we celebrated the holidays in.

As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe to both our blog and our YouTube channel (which is approaching 30k subscribers!). See video link down below.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

Heading back to Lisbon to the Lumen Hotel

Our final day in Portugal began with a three-hour train ride from Porto back to Lisbon. It’s hard to believe how quickly this trip flew by! This time, instead of staying downtown, we booked a room at the Lumen Hotel & Light Show, located in a quieter residential area close to the airport — perfect for our morning flight the next day.

Lunch with a View (and a Turquoise Surprise!)

After checking in around noon, we decided to grab lunch at the hotel’s rooftop bar before heading out. The views were lovely, and it was the perfect spot to relax before our last afternoon of exploring. Scott ordered a hamburger, and when it arrived, we both burst out laughing — not only was it massive, but the bun was a bright neon turquoise! It tasted great (despite the color), and it’s definitely one of those quirky travel moments we won’t forget.

Strolling Through Lisbon’s Neighborhoods

From the Lumen Hotel, we set out on foot to explore the residential streets nearby, heading toward another scenic lookout point — Miradouro do Jardim do Torel. Along the way, we came across a monument honoring Sousa Martins, a 19th-century physician and pharmacist who is deeply revered in Portugal. Locals still leave offerings and tokens of gratitude at the base of his statue — everything from flowers and photos to handwritten notes — thanking him for healing or good fortune. It was such a touching and unexpected discovery in the middle of the city.

When we finally reached Miradouro do Jardim do Torel, it turned out to be a small, quiet lookout. There weren’t any cafés or bars like some of the other miradouros, but it did offer a peaceful view over the rooftops of Lisbon.

The Long Climb to Parque Eduardo VII

Next, we made our way toward Parque Eduardo VII, which ended up being quite the long hike — about 45 minutes uphill. But once we arrived, the effort was totally worth it. The park is one of Lisbon’s largest and most beautiful green spaces, stretching out in symmetrical gardens that lead the eye straight toward the Tagus River and the ocean beyond. At the top, there are two tall stone pillars and a central fountain — the perfect reward after the climb. It’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to relax, take in the view, or enjoy a picnic.

Lumen Hotel Lisbon

After our long hike, we returned back to the Lumen Hotel and our room was now available. The staff was excited to inform us that we had been upgraded. After just getting a suite in Porto, we were excited about our upgrade. Turns out they consider a room that overlooks the light show and upgrade. Either way, it was a nice room for a one night’s stay.

Dinner at The Butcher

That evening, we returned to the hotel to freshen up before heading out to dinner at The Butcher, a local steakhouse not far from our hotel. The food was phenomenal — we shared a perfectly cooked aged T-bone steak, and while the service wasn’t quite as polished as our experience at Mu Steakhouse in Porto, the flavors were out of this world. We finished off with a creamy Crème Brûlée paired with a glass of Port, a sweet way to end our last night in Portugal.

A Magical Light Show and Farewell

Back at the Lumen Hotel, we caught the evening light show, which illuminated the courtyard with colorful, synchronized lights and music. It was a beautiful, unexpected surprise — and a wonderful way to close out our final night in Lisbon.

Homeward Bound

The next morning, our flight wasn’t until 11 a.m., so we enjoyed a slow morning before heading to the airport. Unfortunately, we hit a bit of a hiccup — we didn’t realize we had digital passports, which meant we ended up in the wrong customs line with about 500 other travelers. After waiting nearly an hour and a half, we finally made it through.

The return flight itself was smooth — more legroom, upgraded meals, and a much more comfortable experience than our flight to Portugal. We flew Premium Economy and while the meals were considered “upgraded”, I couldn’t believe how much food they put on a tray! About an hour before we landed, they came by and offered us a snack – sliders. Strange. By the time we landed back home around 8 p.m., we were exhausted but so grateful for the experience (and the next day off to recover).

Final Thoughts

Our Portugal adventure was absolutely unforgettable — from Lisbon’s hills and historic streets to Porto’s riverside charm and incredible port wine. Every stop had its own story, flavor, and personality.

If you’ve never been to Portugal, put it at the top of your list. It’s a country full of heart, hospitality, and discovery — and it truly left its mark on us. Until the next journey — cheers from Boating Journey.

As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe if you haven’t already and please subscribe to our YouTube channel (link below). Cheers, Scott and Ally

Facing our fear of heights for wine, views, and a little magic in Porto

Today’s adventure took Scott and I across one of the most iconic landmarks in Porto — the Ponte Luís I Bridge — and into the heart of the Port District, where cobblestone streets, hillside wineries, and riverfront charm awaited.

Crossing the Ponte Luís I Bridge

Our day began with a walk toward the famous bridge that connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the region’s historic port houses. Let me just say… this bridge is not for the faint of heart! It’s incredibly high, with trams zipping by as you make your way across. I did my best to avoid looking down — though I’m sure the views were breathtaking (at least that’s what everyone says!).

Then there was this couple in front of us, walking as slow as molasses! Between trying not to get hit by a tram and keeping my eyes straight ahead, I was pretty relieved when we finally made it to the other side.

Down to the Waterfront

Once we crossed, we took a winding side road that led us down to the waterfront district of Vila Nova de Gaia. The area is full of energy — boutique shops, wine cellars, local markets, and plenty of restaurants spilling out onto the promenade. We also discovered that there is a lower level on the bridge, that is much less scary to walk across, which we took on our way back.

We could have bi-passed the stairs and taken the Gaia cable car, but no thank you. But before we could explore too much, we had an appointment at 10:30 a.m. for our tour at Cockburn’s Port Lodge (pronounced “Coburn’s,” in case you’re wondering).

A Port Wine Experience at Cockburn’s

Getting to Cockburn’s Port House was no easy feat — it was a steep hike up the hill, winding through narrow cobblestone streets lined with old buildings and glimpses of the river below. By the time we reached the top, we were ready for a glass of wine (or three!). The moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by a beautiful, light-filled lobby filled with historic artifacts, old bottles, and displays that immediately set the tone for what was to come.

Our tour began right there in the lobby, where our guide shared the story of Cockburn’s and how the brand became one of the most recognized names in port. We then watched a short introductory movie that gave us a look into the winery’s long history and family roots before moving deeper into the cellars.

As we entered the main production area, we were stunned by the sheer scale of the operation. Cockburn’s is known as the largest working port lodge in Porto, and it certainly felt that way — massive oak barrels lined the cool, dimly lit cellars, each one aging port that would someday make its way around the world. Along the way, our guide explained why the winery is located in Porto rather than near the vineyards — the cooler coastal climate here allows the wine to mature more slowly and develop deeper, richer flavors.

We also stopped at the cooperage, where they still maintain the age-old tradition of crafting and repairing wooden casks by hand. It was fascinating to see the craftsmanship and precision that goes into every barrel.

Our tour ended in the elegant tasting room, where we enjoyed the 75-euro experience we had reserved in advance. For that, we were treated to an exclusive lineup of three exceptional vintage ports — Quinta dos Canais Vintage Port, Vintage 2007, and Vintage 2017 — each one richer and more complex than the last. The tasting was beautifully paired with a selection of local cheeses, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It was a luxurious and memorable way to cap off our visit to one of Porto’s most historic wineries.

Ramos Pinto and the Riverfront Markets

Afterward, we wandered further along the waterfront and decided to stop at another port house — Ramos Pinto. We sampled two white wines, two tino reds and three Port wines there, but honestly, the wines were just okay. The setting was lovely, though, and it was still fun to compare the styles between producers.

The waterfront itself was lively, with markets, street musicians, and plenty of outdoor cafés. It’s the kind of place where you could spend hours people-watching and sipping wine by the river.

Lunch at Pestana Vintage Porto

Eventually, we decided to head back across the lower level of the Ponte Luís I Bridge and return to the Porto side for lunch. We stopped at Pestana Vintage Porto, a charming spot right along the riverfront, and grabbed a quick sandwich to refuel.

A Missed Stop at the Harry Potter Bookstore

After lunch, we made our way uphill again toward the Livraria Lello, often called the “Harry Potter Bookstore” because of its magical architecture and connection to J.K. Rowling’s time in Porto. Unfortunately, it requires advance reservations, which I didn’t realize — so we had to admire it from the outside. Lesson learned for next time!

However, not all was lost, as we stumbled upon another gorgeous church Igreja do Carmo. We were able to climb a very narrow staircase up three floors, which was an apartment at one time for the priest.

Finally Trying Sardines

After a long day of wine tasting, we relaxed in our suite before dinner. If you recall, we bought sardines and octopus in Lisbon at one of the infamous Sardine shops. This was Scott’s first time having either and we must say, they were delicious! Unfortunately, we can’t find this quality of sardines in the states.

Dinner and Reflections

We wrapped up the day with dinner back at our hotel, Hotel Teatro, where we kept things simple with some delicious pasta and wine. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring hills, bridges, and cellars.

The next day, we head back to Lisbon for our final day in Portugal — so stay tuned for the last vlog of this adventure!

As always, thank you for following our blog and YouTube channel (link down below). If you are not already subscribed, please do so and share your comments down below. You can also follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally