A Tale Of Two Cities And A Kebab
It went something like this, you see. When we arrived home from the Philippines in late March, it meant that I would be spending my birthday at home instead of abroad for the first time since COVID (remember that?). So we looked at a quick city break, homing in on either of two European cities which had been on the wish list since ever, Porto and Mostar. But neither was straightforward.
Easter airline prices were inflated enough to take Porto out of the equation, simply too many sovereigns for a quick city break. For Mostar, it was more a case of logistics, it’s too time consuming to get to for a similarly short visit. So they both bit the dust, and we stayed home and went for a few pints and a kebab instead. Mixed kebab, of course. It was my birthday after all.
And then we started thinking. As we got down to planning our South America trip, there were two things which were unavoidable: one, we were going to be cold for a while, and two, there was going to be a considerable distance between us and the sea for most of the trip. So, what about our next adventure? Well, says Michaela, better put those two things right.
Portugal. We keep saying we’re going to tour Portugal, still not got round to it. Especially Porto, the Douro Valley, the wine. And the wine. But what about Mostar? We keep putting that one off too.
And then we got thinking a bit more. Why don’t we set off from Porto, travel southwards through Portugal until we reach the Mediterranean, and then turn left. With a bit of skill and a fair wind and a huge dose of the serendipity which regularly accompanies us on our travels, we can end up in Mostar before summer is over.
Porto to Mostar. How about that for a crackpot idea? OK, let’s do it. Thing is, it’s already July and we want to make the most of the Mediterranean summer. So when shall we go? Well, what’s wrong with now?
Good call.
Guess what. We leave for Porto on Wednesday.
39 Comments
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
I am happy that you will be heading to Portugal and have no doubt you will do it justice. I know nothing about Mostar, but Croatia is beautiful, so I look forward to learning from your adventure. Finally, a trip I can completely relate to – beaches, mountains, wine, and more beaches!!! Enjoy. Don’t miss Braga and do climb the steps to the church.
Phil & Michaela
Ha yes, maybe not quite so extreme this time, but a trip we are hugely looking forward to. Not least because it’s mostly unplanned, just gonna head roughly in the right direction and see what happens!
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
I don’t know if you know fellow blogger Jo at http://stillrestlessjo.com She lives in Portugal and can probably provide some good tips and information. Have fun. Cheers.
Phil & Michaela
I am delighted to tell you that yes we know Jo, and she’s been immensely helpful in putting our outline plan together! 😀
Eha Carr
I DO NOT believe you two! Absolutely do not believe you knew we would miss your posts so very much, you just had to get your running shoes on after just a few days home – what a birthday year 🙂 ! Seriously speaking – have wanted to visit Porto myself for the longest time > everybody who has been, loves it. I know very little about Bosnia-Herzegovina except where it is and how racially et al interesting it must be. Am just thinking – isn’t there a historic bridge inn Mostar – hmm? So – we are going to be blessed with late summer northern Mediterranean and we have to be patient to wait where and when . . . oh, yours truly is suffering from the green-eyed monster of course, but have a great beginning and a glass of wine in Porto for me 🙂 !!!
Phil & Michaela
Yes, the bridge at Mostar is our end destination for this one. Looking forward to being a bit more “loose” with this one, Eha…we only have a vague idea of our route. Loving that thought right now!
Lookoom
The Mediterranean in summer is where half of Europe gathers, so last-minute bookings will be full of stories and improvisation, and a few kebabs indeed..
Phil & Michaela
Yep, liking the fact that we’re going to stitch it together as we go along..
Steven and Annie Berger
You certainly picked two beautiful places to focus on and so many great sights to see in between. I can’t remember if you’ve been to Albania, but Annie and I enjoyed it a lot and it’s not much further south. Have a safe trip.
Steve
Phil & Michaela
Hi Steve, yes we did a fairly extensive tour of Albania a few years back. Loved it!
MrsWayfarer
Exciting days await! Looking forward to reading about your adventures.
Phil & Michaela
Thank you 😊
Terrie
Travel well! Love Porto. Looking to your postings. We leave today Sunday for Bordeaux for five days. Love terrie
Phil & Michaela
Enjoy Bordeaux! 😘
Monkey's Tale
Nothing like picking two neighbouring countries for your next trip! 🤣 I’m sure you will love Portugal as much as we do. But I’m curious to see Bosnia. Enjoy and Happy Birthday! Maggie
Phil & Michaela
Haven’t even worked out the route yet….though we do have some good ideas…😁
Monkey's Tale
That’s the best way, adapt as you go 😊
Phil & Michaela
Yup
restlessjo
Boa viagem and a good following wind and I’m sure you’ll get there, Phil. Happy birthday for the other day. Mick had the first home birthday I’ve allowed him to have in many years… and enjoyed it. You have to concede now and then xx
Phil & Michaela
Really looking forward to this. Not going to over-plan, leaving things more open to change like we did on our previous Med trip a couple of years ago
restlessjo
Mostar will be a fabulous ending xx
Toonsarah
I foresee lots of fascinating posts and lovely photos over the coming weeks! Do call in at Split on your way along that coast, I think you’d love it 🙂
Phil & Michaela
We spent sone time in Split in 2020, Croatia was our first post lockdown destination, great city!
Toonsarah
I might have known you’d already been!
WanderingCanadians
Well that didn’t take long! Safe travels!
Phil & Michaela
Thank you, can’t wait to get going again!
grandmisadventures
I just love how you follow the moment like that! Safe travels! Looking forward to following along 🙂
Phil & Michaela
Cheers Meg….already excited!
wetanddustyroads
Great! I look forward to reading about your trip through Portugal – a country that we enjoyed very much! Enjoy!!
Phil & Michaela
Looking forward to it lots!
I. J. Khanewala
Nothing like taking a big decision on a whim. That’s exactly what changes one’s life. All the best for your trip
Phil & Michaela
Cheers bud!
Alison
You are most definitely the hungry travellers! Have fun on this new adventure
Phil & Michaela
Cheers Ali xx
leightontravels
Sorry I’m so late to this one. More exciting travel plans, which I now realised you are deep into. Mostar is just five hours away from where we have settled for the foreseeable future: Novi Sad. Tempted?
Phil & Michaela
Yes. Let me re-check that proposed route….
Annie Berger
Don’t you love how some trips just magically come together, Phil, with little planning but lots of inspiration?! Steven and I had a favorite Italian restaurant near Grayton Beach on Florida’s Panhandle where we used to spend a lot of time each summer basking in the sun. We’d invariably go to the restaurant and try and sit at ‘our’ table before leaving for the long drive home, and throw out ideas where in the world we wanted to go next. So much fun.
Phil & Michaela
Excellent! Yep, the planning stage is all part of the fun!
The Flask Half Full
Fair winds and following seas!