Reflections on the 2025 Wine Travel Food's Group Adventure: Oct 16, 2025- Oct 31, 2025

by Charalotte Hardy, CTA

Dearest Travel Friends,

This is my much overdue reflection on our group Wine Travel Food Adventure last Fall. I’m sorry to say, it’s a bit long. I feel it’s important to share details about the food and wine experiences I seek out on my adventures. I aspire to wet your appetite for travel, inspire your next adventure and hopefully you’ll join me in a future Wine Travel Food Adventure. Cheers!

Day 1- October 16, 2025:

Departing Denver. We have a short layover at JFK. Long enough to eat delicious Ruben sandwiches at The Local at JFK. Then off to Lisbon on TAP Airlines. We are wined and dined on TAP Airlines. TAP offers many free entertainment options to pass the time from movies, TV shows, many genres of music (including Fado) and even Portuguese language lessons. I practice a little Portuguese, listened to Portuguese music before settling down to sleep. We are awakened gently with lighting changes in the plane before eating a quick breakfast and drinking some coffee.

Day 2- October 17, 2025

We arrived at Humberto Int’l Airport a little tired except very excited to be back in Portugal. Our first stop, after navigating customs, is at the coffee shop in the main terminal for a bica (shot of strong black coffee with sugar) and Pasteis de Nata (small custard tarts with a sprinkle of cinnamon). Heaven! We’re ready to hit the ground running…or at least walking briskly.

We catch our ride to the Rossio Plaza Hotel to drop off our luggage and are treated to a warm Nata! The hotel lobby is very small but stunning with floor to ceiling marble. The receptionists were so kind and helpful. They even have warm Pasteis de Natas at reception for the guests! Our room was cozy and comfortable.

We are then off to start our day of exploring Lisbon on foot. We head to Rossio Square, since it’s steps from our hotel, Rossio Plaza Hotel. In Rossio Plaza, we took in the beautiful architecture of the buildings, fountain, statuary and patterned cobblestones of the plaza. The we wandered down Rua Augusta, through the Arch to Praca Comercio. From Praca Comercio, we meandered until we found Los Chanetes, a great restaurant with patio seating to indulge in glasses of vinho verde, shrimp with eggs and charcuterie.

After proper sustenance, we meandered towards Carmo then Midadouro da Senhora da Graca to take in the views and refreshing beverages and watch the sun set. Lisbon is known as the city of Seven Hills and we probably explored three of them today.

Before turning in for the evening, we returned to Rossio Plaza for a delicious Bifana sandwich and were treated to a live Fado concert in the Plaza. A perfect way to end our first day in Lisbon.

Day 3- October 18, 2025

After a tasty breakfast at the hotel’s breakfast buffet, we checked out of our accommodations and caught our ride to the port of Lisbon.

We embarked on the MSC Musica for our 10 day Mediterranean cruise. Once on board we check out our Premium Balcony cabin on deck 12. The cabin felt luxurious, the bed quite comfortable, ample storage and a fabulous view of Lisbon from our balcony.

Off to explore the ship, in search of our new favorite place to hang out and relax while on board. After walking a lap around the ship exploring all the the Musica offers including the buffet, the shops, the spa, the multiple lounges and bars. We eventually settle ourselves, with snacks and beverages, by the pool to enjoy the sun and sea breeze.

We quickly discovered our favorite place to relax onboard, L’Enotech (the wine bar of course). At L’Enotech, we can listen to live music while enjoying a delightful wine experience each evening, such as themed wine tastings, Rum tastings and whiskey tastings for the low price of a premium glass of wine. The bartenders are knowledgeable and genuinely excited to share their insights with anyone who takes the time to ask. Definitely, my kind of place to hang out.

We enjoyed our wine as we sailed away at sunset taking in the beauty of Lisbon. Our late dinner at Belle Epoque Restaurant (main dining room) did not disappoint. The menu provides many delicious 3-course meal options each night, usually with a theme connected to the port destination. There is something for every type of dinner guest from picky eater to adventurous foodies. I settled on Calamari & Seafood Salad, Artichoke & Chard Cannelloni accompanied by a lovely Côtes du Rhône wine followed by Chocolate Mousse Cake. Fabulous!

Day 4- October 19, 2025 -Day at sea

We start the days adventures at the buffet, which offers many interesting and tasty options from standard American fare to European delights. It’s a great meal option for casual dining and grab-and-go snacking throughout the day and night.

I decided to schedule a hot lava stone massage in the spa and was delighted that they had availability an hour later. The spa has soothing décor and smells amazing. The spa offers many treatment options and amenities including juice bar, thermal pools. The massage rooms offer a peaceful refuge and stunning views of the ocean with the floor to ceiling window. So very relaxing and just what I needed.

We spend our afternoon relaxing poolside. Enjoying music while reading a great book intermingled with watching the various live activities such as games, dance classes, quiz shows and just watching the sea.

This evening, we attended the ‘Welcome Aboard’ Reception, where we met the MSC Musica’s Captain and Officers while sipping Prosecco and watching the lively Flamenco show. Ole! L’Enotech offered an educational whiskey flight featuring various whiskeys from Scotland, Japan accompanied by chocolate truffles. So interesting and tasty.

Dinner at Belle Epoque was a treat for the senses with thinly sliced beef with pickled vegetables, Duck a l’Orange accompanied by the remainder of our bottle of Côtes du Rhône followed by Baked Alaska. (Drink hack: If you don’t buy a drink package, opt for buying a bottle of wine at dinner. The waitstaff will save any remaining wine for you to enjoy later.)

Day 5- October 20, 2025 -Alicante, Spain

We hop aboard the free shuttle from the port to the El Adivinator statue to start our self guided tour of Alicante (aka wandering aimlessly). Alicante is one of the most beautiful cities of the Spanish East Coast. We strolled the Esplanade d’Espanya, discovering St. Nicolas Cathedral, Basilica St Maria and of course, stopping at the Mercat Central d’Alacant to explore delicacies offered at the various food stalls.

We stopped at a cute cafe along the Esplanade for refreshing glasses of vino tinto to accompany traditional Patatas Bravas and Paella Alicante. We ended our day of exploration by wandering along the beach, enjoying the feel of the sand and sea on our tired feet.

After returning to the ship, we enjoyed refreshments on the balcony, a refreshing siesta and people watching until we sailed away into the sunset.

In the evening, we enjoyed some live music and wine at our favorite wine bar, before setting off to a delightful dinner with our Portuguese table mates at Belle Epoque, sharing stories about our day in Alicante.

Day 6- October 21, 2025 – Surprise Day at sea

We were informed that we’d have another day at sea instead of going to the port of Mahon, Menorca, Spain due to poor weather in Menorca and high waves, Taking the tenders to port would not be safe. Bummer.

Instead, we enjoyed a day of leisure, wandering around the ship, enjoying the many entertainment options like relaxing by the pool, listening to the music, watching the game shows, enjoying the dance classes and making new friends from other countries.

We indulged in a multi-course sushi lunch experience at Kaito Sushi Bar (specialty dining) instead of a quick bite at the buffet. Fabulous foodie experience in a Zen setting!

It’s White Night, so the ship feels extra festive and lively tonight. Our evening was filled with an Italian wine tasting flight at L’Enotech wine bar before dinner. Dinner selections included Beef Carpaccio with cheese, Suckling Pig, chocolate-berry trifle. Amazing! Followed by dancing away the night (and calories!) by the pool and discovering the fabulous snacks at the late night buffet.

Day 7- October 22 -Olbia, Sardinia, Italy

After a quick bite to eat we joined our excursion to Northern Sardinia. A relaxing drive from the port of Olbia to Santa Teresa di Gallura, a charming town with views of Isola di Municca and the outline of Corsica across the Strait of Bonifacio. We enjoyed a guided walking tour of the town, indulged in some shopping for tasty souvenirs (wine, oil, honey & sweets) to share with family and friends back home.

We travel on to the picturesque village of San Pantaleo, where quaint houses sit beneath dramatic granite outcroppings. The cobbled streets are lined with restaurants, galleries, and small boutiques. We enjoyed gelato while taking in the beauty of the village and it’s people. A day well spent!

After an amazing dinner of Tuna Tartar, Roasted Pork and Coconut Cake, our waitstaff surprised us all with an impromptu dance party ABBA style. Great fun!

We enjoyed a brief stroll around the ship before turning in for the night.

Day 8- October 23, 2025 -Genoa, Italy

The day is cool (50’s) and overcast. We’ve planned a self guided tour (aka wander aimlessly) in the quaint Italian city that perfectly merges old-town charm with modern appeal. We explored the old port area, in search of a great view of our cruise ship. We meandered along the quaint streets and alleyways and were treated with seeing what remains of Columbus’ childhood home, the Ferrari Fountain, beautiful churches and cathedrals.

We discovered a bakery pulling fresh foccacia out of the oven. Such a delightful aroma! The olive oil based bread generously covered with basil pesto, ham, cheese topped with tomatoes and arugula…Such a feast for the senses. Especially when enjoyed near the steps of a beautiful cathedral in a bustling plaza.

We continued to wander and shop for the things on my food souvenir list at a quaint market in a plaza on our way back to the ship. Nothing is better than locally sourced products like olive oil, wine, honey and sweets.

Upon returning to the ship, we grabbed a refreshing beverage and snacks to enjoy on our balcony. We were treated with a stunning sunset as we sailed away.

Tonight is the very festive Italian Night. We returned to our favorite wine bar to enjoy live music and a glass of wine before joining our Portuguese table mates in lively dinner conversations over another amazing meal with much fanfare and celebration Italian style.

Day 9- October 24, 2025 -Marseille, France

We’re blessed with great weather today: cool with sunny skies and gentle breeze. We take the free shuttle from the port to Marseille city center and Vielle Port area. Another day of exploration via wandering aimlessly along bustling streets full of breathtaking ancient architecture, aromatic cafes, fresh fish markets, and breathtaking views of the marina and Chateau d’If.

We stopped at a cute cafe along the promenade, Le Petit Pernod, to enjoy a fabulous lunch of local delicacies: glasses of local Rose` wine, Plat du Jour ( local fish and chips), Salad Marseillaise followed by Cafe Gourmand (Consists of espresso with assorted bite sized desserts like Macarons, cake, mousse, chocolates, fruit. (Cafe Gourmand is the best dessert value if you’re a foodie and want to try all the things!)

After such a fabulous meal, we decided to walk it off with more wandering and shopping for Noisette cookies, local honey and wine before returning to the ship for a restorative siesta on our balcony.

Our evening was spent enjoying live music and a rum tasting accompanied by chocolate truffles at L’Enotech. The rum tasting was quite the educational experience: exploring rums from counties that I would not have thought buy from like Venezuela, Martinique and Barbados. Lovely to experience how chocolate brings out the flavors of the different rums. Certainly not my usual rum pairing.

Dinner at Belle Epoque featured French cuisine: Cuttlefish Salad, Beef Bourguignon paired with a lovely red wine followed by lemon cake.

After our traditional evening stroll, stopping to listen to live music in various parts of the ship, we turned in for the night.

Day 10- October 25, 2025 -Day at Sea

A much needed day of relaxation and we’re blessed with great weather.

Surprise! We received word that our cruise would end differently than we had planned due to the port workers strike in Lisbon. Our cruise will end in Cadiz, Spain with an overnight and we will be provided a motor coach ride from Cadiz to the port in Lisbon. A road trip to end our journey could be interesting.

After eating our breakfast pool side, we leisurely strolled around the ships outer decks enjoying sunshine and fresh air. We settled into the Toscana Lounge to watch the various trivia game shows for a while before cabin balcony time. (I did not think that I was a balcony cabin type of person since I enjoy people watching by the pool, but I am really enjoying the peace and solitude of having our own balcony.)

In the evening, we returned to our favorite wine hangout. It’s starting to feel a little like the TV show ‘Cheers’ and the bar staff now greet us by name. My husband is treated to a special off menu beverage, “The Bossman’s IPA cocktail”, consisting of IPA beer, ginger beer, shot of rum, a squeeze of lime juice. Quite tasty!

It’s Gala night. People are dressed in their best and the Prosecco is flowing. For dinner, I settle on Salmon Mousse wrapped in Smoked Salmon, Braised Pork followed by a fantastic Cheese and Fruit Plate accompanied by a Santa Cristina Red wine. A great way to end a fabulous day at sea.

Day 10 October 26, 2025 -Malaga, Spain

We’re blessed with beautiful weather again. For today’s adventure, we booked a guided walking tour of Malaga to discover one of the oldest cities in the world and the birthplace of the famous artist Pablo Picasso. We were guided through alleyways filled with captivating art, Spanish taverns, a Roman Theatre and Al Cazaba, the oldest church. We bought freshly roasted Marconi Almonds from a street vendor in a plaza surrounded by “Washington” trees (The trees were a ‘thank you’ gift from George Washington). We shopped for other tasty treats like Turrin (nougat with nuts and fruit) and Spanish chocolate.

We boarded a motor coach for the short drive up the hills to Castle Gibralfaro , followed by walking up hill and up many stairs to be rewarded with stunning views of Malaga and it’s dazzling beaches. Malaga has become one of my happy places and I can’t wait to visit again!

It turned out to be a surprisingly hot afternoon, we opted to return to the air conditioned ship to recover from our castle stairs workout.

After a siesta, we headed to our favorite wine bar and were treated with personalized beverages: “The Bossman’s IPA Cocktail” and a delicious “Baileys Alexander” topped off with a cocoa portrait of myself! I was so moved, that I forgot to take a picture.

To everyone’s surprise, our dinner was a special celebration: a Wedding Anniversary. The table was decorated with heart shaped chocolates and we had a sparkling wine toast to the happy couple. For dinner, I enjoyed a Salad Nichoise, Mediterranean Sea Bass and Coconut Cake. Another fantastic ending to another amazing day!

Day 11- October 27, 2025 -Cadiz, Spain

The day starts overcast with light rain. Fortunately, our excursion to Jerez de la Frontera, Sherry Capital of the World, starts with a motor coach ride around the old port city Cadiz, Spain passing between the old gates to modern Cadiz. We drove along Cadiz’s fabulous beaches and resorts before leaving Cadiz for Jerez. We traveled through rolling countryside on a scenery-laden drive northeast along the Doñana National Park, which is home to 200+ varieties of birds, including Flamingos, and salt farms.

After arriving in Jerez, we embark on a walking tour of the ancient city of Jerez, also known for its fiery Flamenco, Moorish-era monuments and elaborately decorated churches. I am taken by the intoxicating floral aromas of the city, a mix of Plumbago and Bitter Orange.

Next a tour and Sherry tasting at Gonzalez Byass Winery (aka Tio Pepe Sherry producer). A quirky and fun place to visit. Our tasting consisted of a sweet and a dry sherry with munchies. After making some purchases, we made our motor coach journey back to port. Rather than return to the ship directly, we options to explore Cadiz on foot. We found a restaurant in a quaint plaza called San Francisco. We dined on Shrimp Ceviche with Chicharrones, croquettes with a nice glass of vino tinto. Food was great! Afterwards, we did a little shopping for tasty treats to bring home before returning to the ship for siesta.

While we were away, the crew had spent the day decking the halls in Halloween themed décor. Very festive!

We spent our last evening in our favorite wine bar, L’Enotech, sipping wine and saying ‘Thank you!’ and ‘Until next time, friend’ followed by our final dinner with our new Portuguese friends. For dinner, I enjoyed Prosciutto with Cantaloupe, Prime Rib with a Wine Reduction sauce, Chocolate Mousse cake all with a lovely red wine.

Many Farewells and hugs were shared with our table mates. ‘Thank you! And until next time’ gifts and hugs for the amazing dining room staff, who had become like family.

Then off to our cabin for the saddest end of our day…putting our luggage outside the cabin door. The signal that our cruise is truly ending the next day.

Day 12- October 28, 2025 -Travel from Spain to Portugal and Lisbon post cruise stay

It was an early start to the day for our return to Lisbon via motor coach. Our route will be Cadiz, Seville, Medica, Badajoz, Evora and finally Lisbon. Our drive through Andalusia took us passed olive groves, cork forests, orchards, vineyards of San Marcos, ranches with bulls grazing in fields, quaint villages, even Flamingos. We made a couple of stops along the way to eat our boxed lunches provided by MSC, stretch our legs and I took the opportunity to grab thick hot chocolate and Churros. Yummy! I knew our journey was coming to and end when I started seeing the cork forests, olive groves and vineyards in the Alentejo.

It began to rain when we arrived in Lisbon and quickly became a torrential downpour as we reached our Lisbon accommodations, Residentas Sao Pedro.

Residentas Sao Pedro is a 2 BR apparthotel in Lisbon’s Barrio Alto neighborhood and right beside the famous Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint . The apartment has cute decor, very comfortable, with a well equipped kitchen, has excellent views, to say the least, and is situated above a bakery with fresh pasteis de natas! (I may never leave this place!) There’s a lively food court and music nightly across the street at the Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara and many more restaurants and shops a short distance away.

When the rain lets up, we meet up with the rest of our group and set out to explore the neighborhood. We find a little bistro to relax and chat about our adventures over Foccacio style pizza and a glass of Portuguese vinho tinto, then off to find a little market for supplies to last the next few days. Then off to sleep in a very comfortable bed while dozing to the pitter-patter of rain drops.

Day 13- October 29, 2025 -Lisbon, Portugal

The day started overcast except cleared quickly, becoming hot and humid. After a coffee and a quick bite to eat, we departed to join our guide, Eva with Devour Food Tours. My favorite way to learn about a culture is with a walking

food tour. Eva skillfully guided us through Baixa, Chiado, and Cais do Sodré neighborhoods, nibbling delicious bites along the way. Our first stop provided us with pastries and Bica (strong black coffee with sugar). We sampled other delicacies like Jamon Iberica, Ginja (Cherry liqueur), Bifanas (pork sandwiches) while learning about the Portuguese culture, history and architecture. Then we enjoyed a homestyle lunch of Seafood Arroz, sausage with egg, a comforting bacalho (cod) dish with vinho verde followed by Pasteis de Natas at the Time-Out Market. So much great food and enjoyable company. The skies opened up again, so time to return to the apartment for siesta.

After a restful afternoon, we went to explore Barrio Alto and search for a place to further explore Portuguese food. We found the food court to be touristy and spendy. We wandered a little further up the hill and stumbled upon a hidden gem, ‘Faz Frio’.

‘Faz Frio’ is family owned, in a place with a lot of history. It’s décor is very cute with private and cozy booths. The food is amazing! We started with shared plates of Eggs with Mushrooms & Truffles, Sauteed shrimp, Tuna, bread with olives & butter, hummus with turmeric, Vinho tinto. We finished the meal with “Not Cake/Not Pudin” Sobremesa accompanied by Amen cocktail and it was the perfect way to end the meal.

On the way back to the apartment, we stopped at a fantastic wine shop with a secret room for tastings. We bought a bottle of the lovely wine that we enjoyed with our dinner. We enjoyed spectacular nighttime views of Lisbon as we strolled back to our apartment.

Day 14- October 30, 2025 -Lisbon, Portugal

Today, we joined a small group tour to Sintra and Cascais. We met up with our guide, Ricardo, at the Hard Rock Cafe, Lisbon. After a 45 minute drive through Lisbon and into the hills, we arrived at Pena Palace and gardens. Ricardo skillfully lead us through the palace, pointing out architectural wonders and explaining the palace history. We spent time in Sintra exploring and stopped for a local “pillow” pastry and Bica and later a Ginja in a chocolate cup. Delicious!

After another short drive, we stop at Cabo da Roca (western most point of Europe), before heading further along the coast and off to Cascais. We found a fabulous restaurant, Hifen, with great view of the marina for a bite to eat. We shared a Traditional Pork dish, Cod a Bras and Portuguese Beef. Fabulous! The perfect way to end today’s adventure.

For dinner we wandered up the hill again to Tapas Bar 52, for Spanish-Portuguese Tapas. We shared plates of cheese and charcuterie with Serrano jam, Spanish Tortilla with shrimp, Portuguese Cod & Chickpea Salad and Jamon Stuffed Mushrooms accompanied by a lovely Portuguese Red wine.

We made a quick stop at the wine shop to pick up some Ginja to take home, on our way back to the apartment. Another day well spent!

Day 15- October 31, 2025 -Halloween in Lisbon

Today started out overcast with rain off and on. We donned our rain gear and headed out for a day of exploring Lisbon on foot. We headed to Rossio Square, down Rua Augusta to Praca Comercio. From Praca Comercio, we meandered towards Carmo then Midadouro da Senhora da Graca to take in the views. We stopped for Bifanas and Pastais de Bacalhao for sustenance and a brief respite. We ended up wandering around the Moorish neighborhood with its variety of shops and architecture based on the many cultures calling the neighborhood home before making our way back to Barrio Alto.

In the mood for Fado, we ventured out to ‘A Tasca do Chico’, for delicious comfort food and Fado. A Tasca do Chico is well known by the locals and hosts a variety of Fado performers. They do not accept credit cards or reservations, so we prepared to wait in line. After waiting in line for an hour, we were guided to the bar to wait for a table and order food and beverages. Their Caldo Verde (potato soup) was delicious and a perfect way to warm up after our wait in the cool evening air. The Fado was soulful, amazing, heart wrenching and so worth the wait. A must do again, for sure!