Travel for work often deserves the brickbats thrown its way. But then there are the sublime trips that more than make it all worthwhile.

My travel last week falls in the latter category.

As posted here, here, here, here, and here, Candice and I have been on the road, seeing a variety of special places with friends and supporters of the National Trust through this National Trust Tour of European Coastal Civilizations. But because internet connections were slow-to-nonexistent on the road, I kept the posts short and to the point.

So this is my “bring it all home” post.  I’ll give a short update of each stop, and then will post several new photos from that portion of the trip that weren’t included in the original updates.

Our first port was Porto, Portugal, a wonderful city with a historic center that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It was a great kick-off, with a strong mix of monumental buildings and streets full of markets like the one at the top of the post.  We saw the coffee shop where J.K. Rowling wrote the first chapters of Harry Potter and a beautiful stock exchange building that reflects Portugal’s one-time status as a world power.

The next day we were in Spain, visiting the great pilgrimage site at Santiago de Compostela.  Steeples, plazas, and gargoyles filled my camera on this day.

Bilbao’s transformation from gritty ship-building city to international arts destination was a revelation.  We knew of the Guggenheim’s impact, but we weren’t ready for the blocks of historic buildings intermingled with the works of multiple modern masters.  It was a glorious visit and one that we want to repeat with the entire family.

The next day we moved on to France, and the beautiful island of Belle-Ile.  We toured the coasts where Monet painted, and explored the imposing Citadel that dominates the port.

In both Belle-Ile and Guernsey, our next stop, Candice and I loved the clustering of traditional houses which opened up the beautiful farmland and landscape.  Our tour focused on the German occupation of the island during WWII, but our attention was drawn to the countryside and thought of how the U.S. – with some notable exceptions – has allowed development to eat up our open space.  So I was pleased today when Andrew texted to say he would be working as an intern at the Coalition for Smart Growth this summer.  When one sees places such as Belle-Ile and Guernsey, you see how much we’ve lost.

We ended our wonderful week in Normandy.  My last post spoke of the emotional nature of any visit to the beaches and the American cemetery, and the depth of the sacrifices made on those fateful days some 69 years ago is still very present and powerful.  The countryside of Normandy also speaks to the simple, hardworking lives that were turned upside down throughout the German occupation and the Allied invasion. It is a place one doesn’t soon forget.

It was a trip to remember, and we loved every minute as we were reminded how truly blessed we are.  Thanks to all who made it possible.

More to come…

DJB