travel

Birthday Trip in Sevilla

Published on November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 by RioLeave a comment

So, I went back to Andalucía end of last month to see the city of Sevilla. Last time I was in that region, I stayed only in the mountains in Alajar for my Botanical Skincare and Art Retreat. Well, this time, I went to see the famous city for some sight-seeing and some artistic workshops – Mosaic Tile Making and the Flamenco Dance tutorial in the video below. 😀

This was the first time I went on a birthday trip without really much planning. I just wanted to take it easy this time. And also, no going to too many fancy restaurants that explain too much about the food and all that. Just simple, fresh and good quality food with some nice ambience. 🙂

We stayed at an AirBNB in a quiet location right next to the Market along Calle Feria. We had a lovely two-storey apartment at the top floor, with a big terasse overlooking the neighborhood and the gorgeous bell tower of the Parroquia Omnium Sanctorum, a nice small church right next to our place. Having a good view, is always a requirement for me when picking a place to stay. This is probably one of the nicest views I have ever had in an AirBNB (except for those overlooking the sea). I enjoyed taking my breakfast, snacks and apéro in this private terasse, just outside our bedroom. It was the first thing I see upon waking in the morning. And so, it was almost impossible for me to not paint this view. And I had to use my new Fabriano watercolor pencils, I chanced upon at the Fabriano shop at the airport in Munich from our last summer trip. These pencils are fantastic! I love them!

We wanted to go to Real Alcazar on our first day but the tickets were already sold out when we got there. We tried again the next day, earlier this time, but still sold out! We decided to just go to Plaza de España instead. I am not about to start queuing at 6AM and wait for three hours to enter! I was not really sure if Real Alcazar was worth it anyway since the garden was closed due to the flooding the day before we arrived. Also, it must be very crowded inside. And I don’t do well with overcrowded places. Meanwhile, Plaza de España did not disappoint. I also later found out that this was used as a filming location in “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.” It was so grand and so gorgeous in every corner! I was surprised to find out it was only built in the previous century!

The next day, my daughter and I tried our hand at Mosaic tile making at Triana Market. It was a bit tedious but quite a nice bonding experience. I found out that this market used to be a prison, and it was also right next to the dreaded Spanish Inquisition. I remember that from history classes. Not a very good core memory. We also checked out the tile shops right next to the market, where they sell just too many tiles. I got myself a nice small and cute souvenir in the form of hand-painted ceramic earrings.

We did a lot strolling around the area of our AirBNB, the market there was very nice, along with the shops and the restaurants. Also, the crowds were more local. The food, more authentic and cheaper. But still so very near to a lot of places of interest. One of the more quiet places that I liked so much was Palacio de las Dueñas, just a 10-minute walk from where we were staying. Lovely architecture, lovely garden, and lots of quiet corners.

I had the loveliest time in Seville, I highly recommend passing by it if you get a chance to visit Spain. Oh, and those orange trees everywhere !!! I just love them!

The Sound of Music Tour

Published on August 24, 2025August 29, 2025 by Rio4 Comments

As a child, I was a big fan of the movie, The Sound of Music. I have fond memories of watching it on TV every year around Christmas time. There was even one time when it was shown so late in the night and it finished right around midnight, just in time for the last Misa de Gallo on the eve of Christmas. So, you can imagine how delightful it was for me to plan this trip for me and my family’s summer holiday.

We actually started off with a direct flight to Munich. From there, we drove to Salzburg, where we stayed for four days doing my personalized The Sound of Music Tour. I did not join the bus tour because I found it a bit too much, and did not like the idea of being squeezed into a bus with a big group of strangers. So, we just drove around with our own car and planned my own itinerary.

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It was rainy on our first day in Salzburg. But from the second day on, we had lots of sunshine during the day and just a slight drizzle towards the evening. It was refreshing to be in the Alps, with the cool mountain air and lovely smell of the pine trees.

Our first stop was Nonnberg Abbey. I went inside and lit a candle. It was all quiet, and I appreciated the fact that we were the only ones there. It was a steep climb to the abbey, but the view of the city rooftops was magnificent. We also went farther up to climb to the palace that overlooks the whole city. It was also so much fun to ride the telepherique on the way down. Especially if you sit right on the very front. It felt like riding on a roller coaster. 😀

Next stop was the Gazebo at Schloss Hellbrunn, where Rolf and Liesl sang and danced to that sexist and condescending but cute, nonetheless, song. 😀 Well, it was a different time. It was considered cute back then. It was a little bit underwhelming when I saw the gazebo. But it was situated in a nice garden and a museum with a Roman water garden, they fondly call, Trick Fountains. Don’t go there, if you do not like being surprised and getting all wet for no good reason!

Last stop was the Mirabell Gardens. By this time, it was drizzling and there were so many people, I had to use AI to crop them out. You can see that my picture (feature image and instagram video) looked a bit weird because of this. 😀 Still worth it, though! These steps in the garden was part of the scene where they were singing, Do-re-mi.

By the way, Salzburg is not only famous for The Sound of Music (in fact, the locals did not even like that movie for quite some time, see YT rabbit hole for deets), it is also famous for being the birth place of Mozart. 😉 I did not go to any of the museums, btw. They were all too crowded and cramped. Also, a bit outside Salzburg is Hallstatt, a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage tourist trap for instagram-crazy people. I’m not instagram-crazy enough to really appreciate all that crowd. We immediately exited and went to a more quiet lake-side restaurant for lunch.

From Salzburg, we drove to the Dolomites in Brunico, Italy passing through the Austrian-Italian border in the Alps. There was a 25-minute wait at the exit because vehicles can only go one way, so I had some time to do some photo-ops and have some coffee. Made me want to sing Climb Every Mountain while doing some photo-ops. 😀

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In Brunico, we stayed in a charming Chalet/hotel (Hofergut) right beside a river. It was so peaceful and quiet in the area, with lots of greeneries, mountains and lovely sceneries. We had a lovely balcony with a view of the mountains. I even had the opportunity to see a meteor one night because it was the Perseids meteor shower season during this time. It was magical!

My quick doodle of the view from the restaurant at Rifugio Nuvolau in Brunico

We went hiking to see beautiful lakes (Lago di Braies) and spectacular rocky mountains with a tiny restaurants at the Peak (Rifugio Nuvolau). I did not expect the food to be delicious, but it was! Of course, we were in Italy! Speaking of which, we took the opportunity to dine in a Three–Michelin restaurant built in an old and historic wool factory called, Moessmer. This factory supplies fabric to luxury brands like Chanel and Prada. We did not only try the two restaurants of the chef, both located in Brunico. We also bought a few items at the factory outlet. 🙂 The other restaurant, which is in fact a brasserie, is called, Alpinn. I enjoyed this restaurant less. Not just because of the weird snow (in the middle of summer) at the peak, but also, the food was so-so for me.

From Brunico, we drove all the way back to Germany, passing by Schloss Neuchwanstein, on the way. This is the castle that inspired Walt Disney for their logo, and was also the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle. It was a bit meh (compared to the ancient castles in France), and very touristy. But quite a nice stop over, anyway.

Schloss Neuschwanstein view from the carpark

I had the most wonderful time during this summer holiday doing paintings, hiking, shopping, experiencing great food, and taking in some wonderful mountain sites. 🙂

And that concludes this summer holiday’s fabulous trip! Till next time. Thanks for dropping by! 😀

Back in Bicolandia Two Decades Later

Published on February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 by RioLeave a comment

Spent the new year traveling from Manila to Legazpi City to Donsol, Sorsogon to see the famous whale sharks. Unfortunately, it had been raining quite a lot the weeks before we got there, we didn’t see any whale sharks, or butandings, as the locals call them. Although, twenty years ago, I was there with a group of eco-tourists to see them. And there were so many! You wouldn’t even need to get off the boat to see them. They actually surface and swim alongside the boat. Such playful and gentle creatures. So adorable. I so wanted to show them to my family, but it was not meant to be. It only means, we’ll have to go back! 😀

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By the way, please DO NOT, by any means go to Oslob in Cebu to see the whale sharks. You will see them there all year round, for sure, because they are kept in captivity! Please do not contribute to this act of disrespect. In Donsol, they even respect the mating season. During these times, they do not conduct boat trips. Please do your share and contribute to the humane treatments of these magical creatures. 🙂

By the way, the butandings are not the only magical creatures that you can find in Donsol. You can also see the fireflies. I remember the very first time I saw them. It was on this very small paddle boat, without a motor. Everything was so quiet and dark. There was only the light of the moon and the fireflies. And they were everywhere. I even managed to touch them. One of the most memorable trips of my entire single life, when I was still living in the Philippines.

Back in Legazpi City, we rode an ATV to go to the Lava Wall, where you can do a zip line. This lava wall was formed during the last major eruption in 2016, according to the tour guide. We totally enjoyed this day of adventure, especially since the beauteous volcano was in clear visibility all morning. Mt Mayon is usually always hiding behind the clouds. But according to the locals, it only shows its magnificent self in full cloudless glory to people with good intentions. LOL. Although, the first time I saw it, was on a very clear, cloudless day. And the people in the trip told me, if it’s the first time you’re seeing it and it’s completely cloudless, it means you’re still a virgin. Haha!

You must also try the local dishes, if you are in Bicol. Especially if you love spicy food.

Mini Art Haul and Porto Souvenirs

Published on May 5, 2024 by RioLeave a comment

Hi all! Thought I’d drop by to post this new Youtube video where I show some interesting finds in Porto, Portugal. I got some nice watercolor postcard paper from Fabriano and Winsor & Newton, and acrylic paper block also from Winsor & Newton. I also got some souvenir items that I thought would be interesting to share in my channel.

Thanks for dropping by, and have a good weekend!

Porto Portugal – Art and Travel Vlog

Published on March 31, 2024 by RioLeave a comment

Spent the entire weekend last week in Porto, Portugal. It was my first time there and I had such a great time staying in an AirBNB right along the Douro River, overlooking the bridge that was built by Gustave Eiffel, the same guy who architected the Eiffel Tower.

Together with my family, we spent the weekend dining, trying out wine, local delicacies, and visiting famous sites . We did not like the local wines so much. We don’t like sweet wines like Porto, but I totally loved the Vinho Verde. Pastel de Nata is also too sweet for me, but you can find some versions in certain patisseries that make them less sweet. We found some at Mercado Bolhaõ on our last day.

Clockwise from top: My Vinho Verde glass at one of the best wine bars in Porto, My daughter and the Gustave Eiffel Bridge along the Douro River, The flower-patterned tile which was my inspiration for my tile painting, At Livraria Lello (oldest bookshop still in operation in Porto), The azulejos and me at Igreja do Carmo.

One of the highlights of our trip was the Tile Painting Workshop at this place called, Domus Arte, which is a small curio shop selling Portuguese arts and crafts. At the basement, they have an atelier where they organize the “Tile Painting Workshop”.

Here is my Youtube video for some quick highlights of our trip: