We ended 2025 by visiting our 12th country this yearā¦what a year for JEllens excellent adventures. Weāre already planning our getaways for 2026 and 2027, thatās what retirement is all about. We heard an earful from our UBER driver aboutā¦
The facility allows visitors to walk through replicas of four ecosystems found in the Americas: All the exhibits are housed inside the former velodrome that was used for the cycling and judo events of the 1976 Summer Olympics, with each ofā¦
We had a nice brunch and a morning walk in the fresh snowfall that fell overnight. A dashing looking English man, holding his pug, is giving a superior stare at Notre-Dame Basilica, symbol of the religious influence on French Canadians.ā¦
The Notre-Dame Basilica is MontrĆ©alās mother church and was the first Gothic Revival style church in Canada. Its history has been marked by the Sulpicians since its foundation and is inseparable from that of MontrĆ©al. It speaks to its Catholic roots andā¦
It was 10 below with 30+ mph winds now thatās cold š„¶ bone chilling, extremities were numb. Our local wall art walking tour was still on so we walked to the meeting place. Chris was fantastic and even gave usā¦
Last night the temps rose and the rain and sleet started at 4am. We watched the weather and made a break out around 11;00. We slid to the entrance of the RESO which is Montreals underground city. It wasnāt wellā¦
Always good to have an uneventful travel day. Uber pickup on time š„ Gare di Palais Terrific business class waiting room lounge. On time departure and weāre facing the same way as the journey š„. Train travel in Canada isā¦
We decided to try a local cafe for breakfast and it was excellent. At noon we slid back uphill to meet our tour bus for a half-day trip to Montmorency Falls and Ste-Anne-de-BeauprĆ© from Quebec City. First ARRĆT – Chocolate!!!ā¦
One last stop at the cathedral to light some candles & to say some extra special prayers š On to a local shop for Illy coffee āļø before our next tour With friends And the Italian beauty of all timeā¦
We filled our day reading & saved our energy for our Christmas meal at Le Clan a Michelin starred restaurant. Jeff is a foodie Iām along for the ride and if something isnāt to my liking heāll finish it forā¦
The city is buzzing with tourists & locals treading the newly fallen snow. āļø Today is 100% chance of āļø which means itās a bit warmer than yesterday. We saw a sign yesterday telling us that there are Isaac Cordalā¦
Train travel is the bomb. We arrived around 9pm, stepped off the train and the Arctic blast hit us The lil freezing train that could Woke up with a strong desire for a latte & crescent at a local cafe.ā¦
Air Canada was awesome. We loaded quickly flew fast and arrived on time. In case thereās a line going through customs. We went through customs quickly & jumped in a taxi (tariffs included) to Gard Central train stain. French isā¦
Easy squeezy to check in at Air Canada not sure Montreal/Quebec at Christmas is #1 travel destination The lines were longer at Starbucks where we paid $18.55 for 2 baby lattes. Affordability is a thing no matter what ātheyā sayā¦
JEllens Adventure 2025 has come to an end. We have a long day ahead of us. We have to do some serious adjustments upon returning after traveling for so long. More recap when we get unpacked & adjusted Things willā¦
Me tinks this is a signā¦ We leave tomorrow for our Arizona home, no longer all of these amazing āhomes away from home.ā Lots of mixed emotions only because whatās happening in our šŗšø. Weāve stayed on the periphery ofā¦
Storm Amy is on her way across the Atlantic making landfall soon on Irelands West Coast. Sheās expected to bring lots of rain and strong winds. Glad weāre on the east coast enjoying Dublin. Then we were asked by theā¦
So much history, so many stories of the fight for independence. We learned the story of this amazing lady during our visit to the Kilmainham Gaol. And after visiting my Dads Aunt Lizās grave and reading her obituary it givesā¦
Busy couple of days hanging out with the cousins and getting one more golf game in the Irish mist. We had an amazing time with the family & reserved our room for Ryder Cup 2027. Euros are up in theā¦
Our last week in Ireland š¢. Kenmare was a lovely town. We will be back. The family had a fab swim at the holiday homes pool and Jeff finally found a hot hot hot tub. We stopped for one lastā¦
Another beautiful day in Ireland š Hiking day today but first a stop at URAGH STONE A FIVE STONE CIRCLE, AND IT’S ATTENDANT TALL STANDING STONE, STAND LIKE SENTINELS ON A HILLCOCK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LOUGH INCHIQUIN. STONEā¦
Weekend in charming Kenmare with the Gearys. Colorful town center with shops, pubs and restaurants galore. Ended the day with a nice dinner and the Birthday celebration continues. More cake yummy More Kenmare tomorrow.
Hated to wake him up be his sunshine nap, but heās in the middle of the way out We needed good coffee this instant stuff just doesnāt do it Priority Coffee Shop in the village was lovely Happy Birthday sweetā¦
THE EXPERIENCE WAS INCREDIBLE AND THE LUCK OF THE IRISH āļø WAS IN FULL DISPLAY WITH PERFECT WEATHER Occupying a stunning and unique headland reaching out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head of Kinsale is homeā¦
Weāre staying at a lovely farm in Riverstick just outside of Kinsale. The sunrise from our home away from home was breathtaking. Incredible God light Everywhere you look are massive fuchsia bushes Our farm has horses, cows, alpacas and aā¦
Exploring the sights around Killarney on a perfect fall day. The mountains, rolling hills, blue skies and puffy white clouds were like a postcard. Not far out of town is the turn off to the Gap. Looking forward to theā¦
I started the morning seeing this story that I just had to share. Love puffins and love humans that fight the horrors of climate change in our world. Click (or copy/paste) the PBS link for the story. Weāre offā¦
Weāve loved our time in Ballybunion on the fabulously wild Atlantic side of Ireland. Today we say bye to Ballybunion and hello to Killarney. On the way we stopped on Ballyduff for a visit to the Rattoo round tower andā¦
Another fun day of golf & hopefully we can keep the rain away Not so sure about scattered showers āļø so we decided to play a scramble to speed up play. Jeff understood the mission hitting to the flagstick andā¦
The story of the Ardfert Cathedral begins 1500 years ago when St Brendan the Navigator reputedly established a monastery here. The site has three medieval church ruins, the main and earliest building being from the 12th century. Within the adjoiningā¦
