Our family journey through Lisbon in Washington Family Magazine!

The latest online issue of Washington Family Magazine features my travel feature on Lisbon!
Join us as we delve into the heart of Lisbon, Portugal, a city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and affordability. Our family has visited Lisbon twice, pre- and post-pandemic, and each time, we've found new adventures in one of Europe's oldest nations.

Our favorite neighborhood in Lisbon is Alfama, the city's oldest area, where historic buildings with red-clay roofs and cobblestone streets create a picturesque scene. We also explored the Castelo de São Jorge, a fortress that offers panoramic views of the city.

Lisbon isn't just about history. The city is also home to one of the largest aquariums in Europe, the Lisbon Oceanarium, which houses over 8,000 marine animals from around the world.

The city's main pedestrian street, Rua Augusta, is filled with cafes and restaurants where we sampled local delicacies like pastel de nata, a delicious egg custard pastry.

Our journey through Lisbon offered us a chance to immerse ourselves in a different culture and create lasting family memories. 

Check out the full story in Washington Family Magazine at the link below:

https://www.washingtonfamily.com/lisbon-authentic-affordable-family-friendly/ 

Shanghai's Life in the Fast Lane

Beijing has it's Imperial history, Hangzhou has it's West Lake and Dragon Well Tea, Xi'an has the Terracotta Army, but for modern day life in the fast lane, there's no better place to visit than Shanghai.

The twisted side streets still wind within pockets of the city, as does the colonial buildings of the Bundt, but for the most part you'll notice the museum of skyscrapers and modern buildings.

Join me for a tour of Shanghai in this travel story published by HackWriters.

https://www.hackwriters.com/ShanghaiEDG.htm

Take Time for Tea (Fit for an Emperor)

In our new work-at-home quarantine reality, there's more time than ever to take time for a regular afternoon tea. How about sampling tea fit for an emperor?

We did just that when we visited Hangzhou's Longjing Village and sampled Dragon Well Tea for ourselves. Set within the rolling green tea hills, taking part in the roasting process ourselves, we enjoyed the tea that was once exclusively for the emperor of China and his guests alone. 

Find out more. Steep yourself a cup of tea and read my travel story in Go World Travel.

https://www.goworldtravel.com/hangzhou-dragon-well-tea-china/

Go Nomad Goes to Xi'an

Another travel story I wrote shortly after returning from my tour of China was published by Go Nomad. "Xi'an: The Cradle of Unified China" explores the ancient city of Xi'an and its most notable citizens: the terracotta warriors. This army of life-sized soldiers, the most important archaeological discover of the 20th century, is a marvel. We get into the pit, and meet one of the farmers who found them.

Also in Xi'an, we visit another great wall, the bell and drum towers, and experience some close calls in a rickshaw. 

Join the adventure at Go Nomad.

https://www.gonomad.com/69389-xian-cradle-unified-china

Something So Right about Armchair Travel

Feeling walled in by the lack of travel opportunities? 

In 1972, nearly 50 years ago, Paul Simon recorded "Something So Right." The song came to mind this morning as I share a travel story.

       They've got a wall in China

       It's a thousand miles long

       To keep out the foreigners

       They made it strong
       I've got a wall around me
       You can't even see
       It took a little time
       To get to me

Of course, Simon is writing about something more personal than the Great Wall of China. But with Trump's talk of building walls, our situation of being walled into isolation by the pandemic, my former travel to the Great Wall of China, and my travel story about that visit, along with the forthcoming release of my thriller with a scene set there, The Color of Jadeite, something sounds right about "Something So Right" being in my head.

Take a walk on the wall with me. Read my story, "World's Greatest Wall," in Go World Travel.

https://www.goworldtravel.com/great-wall-china/

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Beijing

We just celebrated the lunar new year. What better time than now to explore China?

Baltimore Style Magazine published my travel story about Beijing, China. “Crickets and Dragons” is available in the print and online versions of the magazine.

In the article, my daughter, Nicole, and I venture through modern and historic Beijing, rickshawing through the Hutong, touring Tiananmen Square, strolling through the Forbidden City, and joining locals in the gardens of the Summer Palace.

Music wafted down a hillside path; we climbed it and arrived at the Garden of Virtue and Harmony. A full band sounded, as dozens of seniors sang from songbooks and others danced in circles. We were pulled in and danced, hand-in-hand, in their cozy circle. Their smiles brightened our morning in a way that the smog-veiled sun did not.

Tourists and locals, in perfect harmony.

Join me in China; read “Crickets and Dragons” in Baltimore Style. 

http://baltimorestyle.com/crickets-and-dragons/

Poland’s Architecture, Mermaids and LEGOs in Baltimore Style

This time last year, I was with my son, Alex, adventuring through Poland. 

At one point during my father-son trip with Alex last summer, I remember wondering whether I’d made the right choice of vacation. While other kids were on the beach or at Disney Land, we were trudging through the dingy streets of Eastern Europe. But we were also rewarded with some of the most amazing and authentic sights—and seeing how much Alex enjoyed the adventure laid to rest any second guessing.

Baltimore Style Magazine published my travel story about our adventures both in print and online. 

Join me and Alex as we travel through Warsaw and Krakow.

Pick up a copy in print, or check it out online at http://baltimorestyle.com/architecture-mermaids-legos/.

Itching for Italy

It’s that time of year—I’ve got an itch that needs scratching. The travel bug has bitten, and we’re off. This time, we’re itching for Italy.

As much as we like to travel and as often as we go to Europe, we’ve yet to step foot in Italy. From what we’ve read and seen, it’s going to be a full and rich experience.

In Venice, we’ll get around the Grand Canal by gondola and visit St. Mark’s Basilica and Square. We’ll visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia and cross both under and over the Bridge of Sighs.

In Florence, we’ll peer into the eyes of Michalangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia, stroll through the Piazza della Signoria, and visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

In Rome … where to begin? The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Roman Forum.  

And Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, maybe even a meeting with the Pope.

As a bonus, we’ll be spending a day in Casablanca, Morocco on the way there, where we’ll fortify ourselves with mint tea and strong coffee before visiting the Mohammad II Mosque and heading for Italy.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks for pictures and posts along the way at www.Facebook.com/EricDGoodman!

Ciao!