Portugal

This has been our first full summer as Berliners. Like many Europeans, we have been fortunate to have traveled to many places including new cities and even a few new countries.

{Ready for take off}

But instead of getting in the car or on a plane and heading to Florida or to the Grand Canyon, like many Americas do, we have road tripped throughout Germany and to the Czech Republic. And have flown to Portugal and Croatia.

{We stayed in a former 18th century palace our first night}

This trip was to Faro, Portugal in the Algarve region, just north of Morocco and close to the Spanish border towards Seville.

{Karate chop and into the pool}

We were meeting Dave’s parents and his brother and wife there. With airline fares much lower on Thursday, we came a day early before them and had a relaxing time at the hotel.

{Beautiful French-style Gardens}

{Our first ‘extended family’ trip to a resort together – Faro, Portugal}

{Complimentary breakfast buffet was welcomed by all}

Since the boys have outgrown/not grown into cities (not so easy now that they aren’t stroller bound or that interested in history, museums or cathedrals), we tend to favor places with either a pool, the sea or both.

{Happiest in the water – and very serious looking here, I must note}

Before having two very rambunctious boys myself, I couldn’t understand families that tended to drive to the gulf coast for countless beach trips. Now I get it. Kids their age love the water and have boundless energy.

{Exhausted and sun kissed after a day at the pool}

Why battle touring a “boring” city when you can exhaust them in the sun? And why not get a sitter and sign them up for Kids’ Club to spare them from the things that grown ups love doing? Win-Win.

{Sam, Dave and John at a child-free dinner out}

{Child-free tour of beautiful Tavira}

{Fox mascot got different reactions from the boys}

Meanwhile, the kids had a chance to get some down time watching movies and doing art projects, while getting a break from the sun.

{T-shirts painted by the boys while at Kids’ Club}

One day, Sam and Dave took the boys to a water park while John, Martha, Barbara and I ventured to a beautiful beach and enjoyed lunch at a sea side restaurant.

{Water Park day for the boys and twins}

{Praia da Rocha Baixinha}

While the young boys went to Kids’ Club another day, the older boys enjoyed themselves on the links while the ladies had a day at the spa and pool. Everyone was happy.

{John was thrilled to be golfing with his sons}

{Happy Kids}

{Ladies having an EPIC time at the spa}

We all ventured out the next day to enjoy a beach together. The waves were awesome.

{Beach Boy}

The Lubells had gone to Portugal around 35 years ago. And for 35 years, the story detailed how little Sam had ordered clams, only to be tortured while everyone else ate most of them. He has been dreaming of those clams for all of these years.

The day had finally come for Sam to order and enjoy a bowl of Portuguese clams for himself.

{Sam finally enjoying his Portuguese clams}

{Magical memories made poolside}

On our last day there, the four of us enjoyed the entire day at the pool while the others toured Faro. It was perfect.

I now fully get beach vacations and was thrilled to have even seen a little culture while soaking up the extra Vitamin D in anticipation of our next grey Berlin winter.