Valdivia (val-DEEV-ya) is about 400 miles south of Chile’s capitol, a couple hours north of where Patagonia really begins. The area is criss-crossed with rivers, with a temperate rainforest on the lower slopes of the stratovolcanoes and other mountains that form the cordillera—the massive mountain range that runs along the western edge of South America. The climate there is reminiscent of the US Pacific Northwest.
Sunrise in Porto, the view from our hotel window. Situated along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, beautiful Porto is one of the oldest European centers. Port wine, one of Portugal’s most famous exports, is named after the city as its metropolitan area is the heart of the packaging, transport, and export of this world-famous fortified wine. Recently my wife Nancy and I had the occasion to visit lovely Portugal and spend a little time enjoying its scenic and gustatorial delights.