There’s a moment just before the sun rises in Africa when the world seems to pause.
The air is cool, the sky pale and waiting, and every sound — every whisper of the grass — feels important. You sip coffee from a tin cup, and the quiet isn’t empty; it’s full.

Then, the horizon blinks — gold light spilling over the plains — and life begins to move again. . .

If you picture an escorted tour as a crowd of people hustled from one bus to the next, you’re not alone — and you’re not entirely wrong. That version used to exist. But modern escorted travel? It’s a whole new art form.

There are trips you remember — and then there are trips that change the way you see the world. My recent Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro with 3 Nights in Lisbon journey with Avalon Waterways was exactly that kind of experience . . .

Take a look at this picture. Go ahead, I'll wait.

Isn't it glorious? A veritable wonderland of pastries, cakes, and treats, each one looking more tempting than the last. You've got your delicate tarts, your creamy éclairs, those irresistible-looking cream puffs, decadent multi-layered cakes...