Dear Ageless Traveler,
We are all aware of recent safety concerns in travel. I am concerned that some Ageless Travelers will hold off on vacations.
In this newsletter, I offer the solution of local travel by whetting your appetite (literally!) to travel nearby for summer fun – pick fresh fruits and vegetables, eat at local gems, visit gardens, and join farm tours. Take the grandkids to local attractions. I give you my top garden and farm picks.
In the podcast, I interviewed the Executive Chef and owner, John Fritsch, of The Peaks, the Palm Springs Tramway Restaurants (my local restaurant). The Peaks was named the sixth most beautiful view restaurant in the world, a remarkable achievement.
The episode continues with a unique form of travel: agri-travel with Ellen Way and Aziz Farms. What’s best is that many garden and farm adventures are available locally, from wherever you call home.
I also continue our recurring segments:
- News You Can Use: Longevity Travel
- Culture Vulturing: 10 picks for Farm, garden, and agri-tours
- Luxury Travel for Less: Road trips through Portugal
- Ask Adriane: Glamping with grandkids at Yogi Bear Parks
If you have travel questions, I can answer them. Send voicemail and text questions to fanlist.com/ageless traveler.
And don’t forget…for the best discounts on cruises, visit Cruises It.
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P.S.
For you to get everything we offer at The Ageless Traveler, I need your email!
We offer free eBooks, live Ask Adriane events, discount alerts, tutorials on using AI for travel, how to listen to podcasts, and more.
But we do that through email. There are two ways to give me your contact info:
Join our Private Facebook Salon (and meet likeminded travelers too)
Subscribe directly to this newsletter here.
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P.P.S.
Interested in Japan?
Leave your expression of interest at fanlist.com/ageless traveler or email me at adrianegberg.agelesstraveler@gmail.com
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This Week’s Highlights
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On Our Podcast
Fine Dining and Agri-Travel
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“Simple quality ingredients that go well together are the trend right now.”
Ready for a culinary adventure? Join us in our latest episode featuring John Fritsch, the executive chef and owner of Elevated Experiences. Learn about the breathtaking dining options at Peaks Restaurant, Pines Café, and Lookout Lounge, all accessible via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Discover how the journey to these stunning mountaintop eateries is as exciting as the meals themselves, with seasonal menus, breathtaking views, and a commitment to local, organic ingredients.
“Agriculture is the great unifier; we all must eat daily.”
We also spoke with Ellen Sanders Way, a third-generation farmer and advocate for sustainable agriculture. As owner of Aziz Farms and Sanders Way Ranch and partner in Primetime International, she has firsthand experience farming in California, the breadbasket of America.
Ellen shares the trend toward agri-tours for families and adults. AZIZ Farms in Thermal, California, offers hands-on experiences that inspire the next generation and foster a deep connection with the food we eat.
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Culture Vulturing Around the World
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Gardens & Agri-Tourism: My top 10 favorites:
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Road Trips in Portugal
Road trips let you control the budget and enjoy the journey. My all-time favorite road trip in Europe is this artisan Odyssey in Portugal. Here are suggestions from my experience and a report by Matador Network.
Lisbon
- Attraction: The Bordallo Pinheiro Museum is dedicated to Portugal’s famous ceramic artist, offering an early taste of the country’s artisan landscape. While in Lisbon, you can also explore azulejo (tile) shops and the locally made product emporium A Vida Portuguesa.
- Restaurant: Cervejaria Ramiro in the Intendente neighborhood is a highly recommended spot for seafood. It is known for dishes smothered in butter and garlic and is endorsed by Anthony Bourdain.
- Hotel: The One Palácio da Anunciada is a centrally located hotel off Avenida da Liberdade, housed in a 16th-century palace, featuring grand hallways, soaring ceilings, a spa, an outdoor pool, and a beautiful garden.
Alentejo
- Attraction: In São Pedro do Corval, often called “the capital of Portuguese pottery,” Olaria Bulhão is a traditional clay pottery workshop run by António and his daughter, Manuela. Here, you can test your skills on the classic potter’s wheel and appreciate the mastery required for ceramics.
- Restaurant: Sabores de Monsaraz, located in the medieval village of Monsaraz, serves regional dishes like black pork entrees and savory codfish, with the friendly owner, Dona Isabel, offering her hospitality and homemade O Poejo lime green liqueur.
- Hotel: The Torre de Palma Wine Hotel in Vaiamonte offers a historical ambiance with its castle-style exterior set among 14th-century vineyards. It provides a spa, an outdoor pool, a restaurant featuring local wines, and stylish rooms perfect for relaxation.
Serra da Estrela
- Attraction: The Burel Factory is a 1940s manufacturer revived in 2011 to continue producing thick, water-resistant Burel wool fabric. Visitors can tour the facility to learn the process, from wool-gathering to weaving, and see how this traditional fabric is transformed into modern clothing and home decor.
- Restaurant: Varanda da Estrela in the mountain village of Cortes do Meio offers a warm, ski-lodge atmosphere suitable for the colder climate. It serves comforting warm soups, hearty roasted meats, and wine.
- Hotel: Casa de São Lourenço is a mountaintop retreat in Manteigas, with every detail honoring Burel wool. The rooms are minimalist yet chic, offering panoramic views and magical sunsets.
Bisalhães
- Attraction: In Bisalhães, which is known for its UNESCO-classified black pottery, you can meet local ceramicists with the guidance of Douro Walks. You’ll observe the unique process of firing clay objects without oxygen to achieve their dark hue, relying solely on smoke and earth without glaze.
- Restaurant: Come Na 2 in the Douro Valley village of Cumiera is a black pottery workshop and a place offering home-style meals, all set within a traditional Douro house from the late 18th century.
- Hotel: The Valverde Santar Hotel & Spa in Santar is housed in a 17th-century manor house, featuring period decor, a comprehensive spa, and Memórias, a Michelin-recommended restaurant. It’s also next to the beautiful Santar Vila Jardim.
Barcelos and Porto
- Attraction: In Porto, the House of Filigree offers a workshop where you can shape delicate silver threads into intricate designs that symbolize love, nature, and faith. This hands-on experience provides insight into why these pieces are highly valued.
- Restaurant: O ÁS in Barcelos is noted for blending flair and tradition in its beautifully presented dishes, offering a variety of meat and fish entrees and a generous wine selection.
- Hotel: The Lince Santa Clara in Vila do Conde, located about 30 minutes north of Porto, is in a former monastery overlooking the sea. It combines luxury with a historic feel, featuring a spa, restaurants, a bar, and aesthetically pleasing interior design.
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