Travel Itch Radio: An Interview with Travel Icon Nick Kontis Traveling to the Azores & Portugal Mid-Pandemic and more of his takes on travel. (Photos)

Traveling Mid-Pandemic: Interviewing Global Explorer and Travel Expert Nick Kontis on his takes on Travel now and into the future.

Nick Kontis on Travel Itch Radio

With host

Dan Schlossberg

Nick, first introduce us to your audience. Where do you live, and what kind of travel writing do you do?

I’m 100 Plus country global explorer and travel writer, journalist, photographer, author, speaker Nick Kontis. I’m born on one of the worlds’ most jaw-dropping islands Santorini Island in Greece and at age three years of age, my parents brought me to San Francisco, where I grew up. I keep a base in the Napa Valley, but I’m living primarily in Puerto Vallarta and further north in San Blas, Mexico. In my travels, I write and photograph just about everything from adventures like sailing the Amazon or gorilla tracking in Volcanos National Park in Rwanda. I also cover cruises, hotels, epicure, wine, and luxury. So, I’m a little both adventure and luxury.

I have a book on experiential travel, Going Local Experiences and Encounters on the Road on Amazon, which I am redoing for an updated 2nd-edition. 

As I mention, "Experiential is the new luxury," people want to delve deeper into local culture and society while treading lightly on pristine land and people, perhaps less than laying on a beach for seven days or so with a fruity drink in hand. 

You are a photojournalist and writer for USA Today and Port Hole Cruise. How often does it come out, and where are listeners and readers find it?

As we all know, the pandemic continues to rage out of control and has stopped travel for now, but as more people get vaccinated trips will come back. Port Hole Cruise will be running my story on my sailing 200 upstream from Manaus last February without knowing what was to come. USA Today will resume taking my photoshoots soon. They will be featuring Nicaragua and now the Azores. I just don’t exactly when. Port Hole cruise in print and USA Today Travel on-line, which works best for 20-40 photos of the destination. 

The reopening of the TAP premium lounge at Lisbon Airport meets the countries

Besides wearing your mask, the use of hand sanitizer is mandatory when entering vans during tours.

What are some of your other outlets?

Napa Valley Register, Huffington Post, Forbes Travel Guides, JaxFax, Magazine, Luxe Getaways, Just Luxe, Go Nomad, One Travel, Iconic Life, A Luxury Travel Blog, One Travel, and AAA Explorer I seeking some USA road trips to submit to them.

Please tell our listeners about your recent international trip. Also, how did Covid protocols impact it?

I was one of four journalists from North America invited by Tap Air Portugal and Azores Getaways allowed into the Azores and later to mainland Portugal. I came to see first-hand TAP’s newest flight from Boston to Ponta Delgada in the Azores to experience the new clean and safe stamp, measures put in place by Portugal to see how Portugal is handling the pandemic.

For me, as someone in the know who might provide insight on traveling mid-pandemic, to get a glimpse of how Portugal will is prepared for international travel's comeback, hopefully sometime later in 2021?

I departed from Puerto Vallarta and had to get a Covid test 72 hours prior. 

On a Friday, I went to take the Covid test at a local hospital, on Saturday I went back and received my negative test paperwork; on Sunday, I flew from Puerto Vallarta via Houston to Boston on United to meet up with my fellow journalists and to board TAP for the five and a half flight to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island in the Azores.

Logan Airport was eerily empty, but again, the flight was at midnight.

Upon check-in at the TAP counter, I was asked for my negative paperwork, which I provided.

Before the flight, I had to take a temperature check, and onboard, I was reminded to continuously wear my mask at all times unless eating or drinking. 

TAP’s clean and safe protocol makes sure that all spaces on the Airbus 320 are sanitized. Tap provided us with ample sanitizing wipes, and of course, the crew is fully masked at all times.  

Upon arrival in the Azores, we're met by officials wearing PPE hazmat suits, and every person arriving into the Azores receives a temperature check. I had to present my paperwork with a negative COVID result. Also, I had to further show my paperwork on the purpose of my trip as a journalist on a working assignment that I filled out on TAP’s website before departure. 

I should mention that Portugal was the first country in Europe to receive the safe travels badge from the World Tourism Council.

This trip opened my eyes that travel will be possible later in 2021. Portugal is doing it right.

A flight attended showcase the new Clean & Safe protocols on board all TAP flights

 Where did you visit?

My new friend Luis from Azores Getaways mentioned to me before I left, Nick, If you think you know Portugal but have not visited the remote Azores, you’re really missing out on a special place. Luis said, “you will see for yourself the beauty of our islands.”

The Azores are 900 miles off of mainland Portugal. 

I visited two of the nine far-flung, remote Atlantic archipelago of the Azores, Sao Miguel, and Terceira. 

After the Azores, I spent time in Lisbon; it's just one of the most underrated or maybe slightly less visited top tier cool vibe cities on the planet, and then finally to the medieval and lesser-known but very palatable wine region that rivals the Napa Valley or anywhere for that matter the area south of Lisbon known as The Alentejo. I drove there. It felt so normal to be a road trip in Europe. 

I would say get there before it’s ultimately discovered. 

The lakes in Sete Cidades. Lagos en los crateres, Lakes in volcanic craters on Sao Miguel Island, Azores.

The grounds around the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel at the hot springs in Furnas, Sao Miguel Island, Azores.

Terra Nostra Park hot springs in Furnas. In Sao Miguel Island there are 3 volcanic centers: Furnas, Fogo, Sete Codades. The thermal are a relaxing way to spend the day.

Talking with travel writer Nick Kontis.

How were granted permission to enter the Azores and Mainland Portugal?

Again, it was on special assignment to see how Portugal has stayed ahead of the Covid curve, to see first-hand Portugal’s Clean and Safe protocols. The sponsorship was by TAP Air Portugal and Azores Getaways. It seems odd, but my small group was probably only a handful of North Americans in the country or anywhere in Europe. I was to travel safely in Portugal mid-pandemic.

How was your flight with TAP? What new protocols are in place?

To begin with, TAP is a wonderful airline. I’ve really yet to have a bad flight on TAP, so I expected that TAP would make the best out of flying during Covid, and they did. Before the flight, I had to take a temperature check, and onboard I was reminded to continuously wear my mask at all times unless eating or drinking. We were even reminded to change our masks every four hours or so. 

TAP’s clean and safe protocol makes sure that all spaces on the Airbus 320 remain continuously sanitized. I should say that flying does not have to unsafe. The airlines indeed are doing their part, and you have to follow the new rules to combat Covid. Hopefully, later this year, more countries will open their doors to foreigners.

They did serve a hot meal and drinks, making the flight process a bit more normal. I had no idea what to expect. I mean, we’re led to believe that this Covid is the end of the world, but it’s not.

Portugal is the first country is Europe receiving the "Safe Travels" stamp from the World Tourism Council.

Four young men from the Portuguese navy stop for a photo with Belem Tower in the background.

What can you tell us about the Azores?

In one sentence, “The Hawaiian Islands of the Atlantic.” Almost as central to Lisbon as to Morocco, close to 900 miles from both Europe and Africa. 

It was an exploratory visit. I visited two of the nine islands Sao Miguel, the main island where international flights land, and Terceira.

The archipelago has 15 Unesco World Heritage sites. I visited one in the town of Agra do Heroismo. As luxury travelers also seek local society encounters, the Azores are the perfect concoction for lure exploratory travelers. If you’re a curious traveler seeking less populated areas with an abundance of open spaces, then the Azores are right for you. 

The destination is filled with adventures both outdoors and encounters with culture and epicure: fantastic seafood, tuna, and succulent cuts of meat. Volcanic cooking underground is interesting. Cozido das Furnas is a meat stew buried underground and using a natural head. 

There is easy hiking, sailing, biking, surfing, watersports, whale watching, pottery making, churches, encounters with delicious cuisine, and lots of happy cows seemingly everywhere. 

They make beautiful wines, and also, the islands produce tea. The Azores are laden with tea plantations, and the destination is one of only two places in Europe that produce coffee. 

As I mention, there is something for every taste in the Azores and every travel style. 

These volcanic islands are lush green, pastoral with dairy farms and rugged coastlines, and lots of cows. I did notice that they treat animals well. Like Spain, the Azores have festivals surrounded by bulls, but they do not hurt the Azores' animals. 

Happy Cows - Farm fields with stone walls on charming Terceira Island, Azores

Igreja da Misericordia (Church of Mercy) and a statue of 15th century Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in the Unesco World Heritage site of Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, Island, Azores.

On the island of Terceira, the Algar do Carvao (Cavern of Coal) is an ancient lava funnel made up of basalt rock is a geological gem worth a visit. This is the main entrance to the cavern, as seen from the within the cavernous cave.

Traveling Mid-Pandemic: Interviewing Global Explorer and Travel Expert Nick Kontis on his takes on Travel now and into the future.

Nick Kontis on Travel Itch Radio

What about hotels? Where you stay? What was the process involving check-in, and how were the rooms?

Like my native Greece, Portugal is one of the most sought after safe and warm year-round destinations in Europe. Tourism is vital to the nation. 

The Clean and Safe stamp is everywhere, from planes to restaurants, and of course, hotels.

As for hotels, one thing that I liked is that there is a tap across your hotel room door. Your room is not only sanitized, but no one has entered your room since the cleaning. I believe that this is important in these trying times of reigniting the movement of people. These cleanliness practices showcase that the destination is doing its part to ensure that travelers can feel safe to plan a Portugal trip. 

All of my hotels were wonderful. The central part of my journey consisted of stays at two hotels in the Azores. They were the Marina Atlantico in Ponta Delgada and on Terceira Island the Terceira Mar Hotel in the Unesco world heritage picturesque town of Angra do Heroismo overlooking the sea and one of my favorite vantage points. 

In Lison, it is just better as I stayed the crown jewel of this marvelous city, the Tivoli Avenida Atlantico, located right in the heart of Lisbon’s most fashionable neighborhood. I was walking distance to many of the highlights in the ‘City of Seven Hills’ as is its nickname.

In the astonishing medieval-wine country of Alentejo, I stayed at two truly remarkable hotels. Pousada da Rainha Santa Isabel is the past Castle of Estremoz is now a hotel. It’s not every day that one stays in a 14th-century castle. 

My other hotel was equally from another world. The Convento do Espinheiro. It’s a preserved convent also dating back to the 1400s and now a luxury heritage hotel.

While at the Tivoli in Lisbon, I wanted to learn how Portugal did things right combating Covid. I sat down with Miguel Garcia, the G.M. at the Tivoli. Miguel Garcia is a career-long hotel industry insider. He mentioned something that resonated well with me, especially since the U.S. was slower to react at the beginning of the pandemic. He said that all government and health care sectors came together to combat the virus and immediately join forces to attempt to save travel to Portugal. I like that a lot. 

One more hotel that I toured but only stayed for a sushi lunch is the whimsical Farol Hotel on the water in Cascais' suburb, 20 minutes south of Lisbon. The property is stunning, as is the gorgeous seaside town. I want to go back and stay there.

The doorman at the Lisbon's crown jewel hotel, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade wearing his mask and gloves.

The magnificent Hotel Pousada Da Rainha Santa Isabel of Estremoz is set in a 14th century castle in Estremoz, Alentejo.

The whimsical bar and lounge at the at the Farol Hotel in Cascais.

What were the protocols for guided tours, restaurants, and everyday travel?

Azores Getaways presented flawless experiences; more importantly, safety comes first. The drivers and guides wore masks and provided us with hand sanitizer each time we entered vehicles. 

On the island of Terceira, I have to mention an excellent guide named Mara. A young in her twenties made our journey unforgettable with her passion and enthusiasm for her island. As I learned to expect from the Portuguese, they are always kind and giving. Here is this amazing young girl taking care of a bunch of older travel journalists. I remember her saying, “come on, we have so much more to see.”

Restaurants follow the same clean and safe protocols. There is the spacing between tables. Many do temperature checks upon entering the restaurant.

To be honest, I never felt unsafe in any phase of the trip. 

The Azores are known for their high quality pottery as seen touring Ceramica Viera on Sao Miguel Island with my amazing tour guides from Azores Getaways.

A sure cure for any sweet-tooth is the national desert, Pasteis de Nata, a custard tart pastry that can be found throughout Portugal.

After the Azores, you traveled to mainland Portugal; tell us what that was like?

After Lisbon, I took a road trip to The Alentejo. They provided a car for me and another journalist Tim Johnson from Toronto, to drive from Lisbon to explore perhaps the most stunning part of the mainland. The Alentejo covers almost a third of Portugal dotted, with medieval fortresses, fragments of Roman conquerors, rolling hills, and fields of grapes. The regional wines are mostly robust blends, and I’d say that they even rival the full-bodied Cabernets of the Napa Valley. The area is also big on cork production. 

I keep mentioning this, get there before the world outside of Europe catches on. How about staying in a hotel that is medieval fortress. That was pretty cool, and the region is only a couple of hours from Lisbon. 

The well-preserved citadel of Montaraz and it's castle fortress in The Alentejo

The flawless medieval walled settlement of Montaraz is a glimpse of Roman occupation and its Visigothic kingdom dating from the 5th to 8th centuries.

The world will catch on soon to Portugal's largest region, The Alentejo, covering almost a third of the country. Europe's most unassuming wine region known for its deep reds, with leathery hints, cherry, fruity, peppery, blackberry notes and perfect for blending.

Passionate winemaker, Duarte Ervideira provides a special wine tasting and behind scenes glimpse into his family wine business. Ervideira Winery has been making it exclusive since 1880, fruity easy-drinking wine with soft tannins.

Was it a culture shock to suddenly land in a large city like Lisbon? Had you been there before?

Not at all, and you know, for me, Lisbon is a magical city. It’s very San Francisco like. An underrated city a bit off the superstar radar of a New York, Paris, Rome, London, but well deserving of a visit. I walk all around Lisbon, knowing that it’s safe and that I’ll always find my way back to my hotel. 

Lisbon has excellent cuisine come museums and shopping, filled with encounters in culture, and with hills that rival my native San Francisco. The city has its 25th April Bridge, a mini Golden Gate Bridge replica, and a Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

 Balacalau is codfish, and I’m hooked on it. They even have a museum based on the history of bacalhau in Portugal.

As for your sweet tooth the ever so addicting custard tart sweet Pasteis de Nata, oh, it’s the sugar overload. Let’s say that I received my share of press trip calories, but I knocked off some of those calories, as I love to meander a city on foot while trying new foods, and Lisbon is a great walking city. 

Lisbon, the time-skipping capital of Portugal is a city that simultaneously mingles a storied past with a contemporary European gateway.

What would you say to travelers who plan on traveling once destinations and borders reopen?

Travel will begin its gradual comeback, probably during the summer.

It’s going to be rough for a while; even as more people get vaccinated, we’re still weaving through this once every 100-year pandemic. However, medicine has evolved; doctors and scientists know more now than 100 years back during the Spanish flu times. 

 I’d say be prepared for delays. Give yourself time, arrive early at the airport. Learn to take it slow.

Expect to wear your mask most of the time, don’t fight, go with it, use hand sanitizer when available, be prepared for temperature checks. Avoid crowds outside of your immediate group. Restaurants will have tables spaced apart. Don't worry, and you can still have a great trip. 

I will be able to look back one day, remembering my trips before lockdowns took place worldwide. Last February and March, I was in the Amazon, Rio, and Nicaragua. It was incredible. Now mid-pandemic traveling in the autonomous Azores and mainland Portugal. If you know me a bit, I'll be one of the first to board a plane as we begin to pull away from this horrific virus. 

Let me say one thing for sure. Less crowded destinations with open spaces, surrounded by hiking and biking trails, national parks, empty beaches, like the Azores, these places will do well and remain on top of the traveler's radar.

Dressed well-prepared to enter the the refrigerated cheese factory at the working farm at Queijo Vaquinha, A must visit on the island of Terceira.

Talking with travel writer Nick Kontis.

Do you write on the road or wait till you get back? So that leads to the question: how often are you home and how often are you away?

I envy my colleagues who can write on their trips, but I usually wait until I get home. I feel that the precious time I get on the road should be about exploration and new findings. Of course, I will do some Facebook and Instagram in the digital age, which is mandatory in my work line.

And how do you find time for both traveling and writing?

That’s a good question. I guess that the correct for me at least is to stay focused. I try to realize I’m not solely a wanderer but also a reporter on my travel finds. After a trip, upon my return, I try to hunker down and write. I take notes while traveling, take photos of maybe a restaurant menu or even an iconic place, and record interviews that keep a memory alive. It serves as a reminder for later. 

Feeding a baby calf on tour of a working farm - Vaquinha Queijo Vaquinha, Angro do Hermoismo, Terceira Island, Azores.

Goats crossing the road on Terceira Island.

 DS: Do you prefer to travel on your own or in a group, Nick?

Well, the correct answer is a bit of both. I don’t mind traveling with a group of maybe five people as I did in Portugal? However, I find large groups to be a bit much. As I’ve discovered, the larger the group, the more likely you will find a person you do not like. Maybe a complainer. I believe in always being gracious when you travel. When I sailed the Amazon on the riverboat MY Tucano, I was with my wife and nine other passengers, which became a trip of new friendships. 

Not every Covid-travel moment involves wearing a mask. A group photo sharing a meal at the newfangled Grand Hotel Acores Atlantico, Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island, Azores.

A masterpiece of colors, grilled limpets are a delicacy in the Azores. Across the Azores and on mainland Portugal there's a penchant for diverse fruits of the sea.

Azorean Alcatra (Portuguese Beef Pot Stew) is traditionally cooked in a ceramic deep pot called alguidar de barro.

Friendly locals welcome you with open arms in the Azores and throughout Portugal.

D.S.: How do you handle language, food, and money – not to mention local customs – in foreign countries? How many languages do you speak?

Yeah, let’s say that in my 100 country conquest, that I’m an admitted lousy packer. Is there a support group for that?

I mean, should I bring my computer along? I always do, but I rarely open it. The camera equipment is bulky. I guess it also depends on the length of the journey. Sometimes, I mix business and pleasure and travel to different regions. If I’m attending a conference like World Travel Market in London, or Tianguis in Mexico where I’ll want slacks and sport coasts to look smart, then knowing that I’m continuing to Scotland on a walking tour or hiking the Copper Canyon in the state of Chihuahua then I need REI clothing and gear. I might follow that up somewhere tropical on a beach, especially in Mexico, where each state has something different to offer. Then I need multiple types of clothing. Who knows, maybe I’ll be reincarnated as Rick Steves, a packing guru one day?

As for language, I always try to learn some phrases of a new nation. I can get by with my Greek, but only in Greece, and I speak enough Spanish to travel comfortably. Itranslate, Google Translate, something like 30 translation apps, some specific only to say only Chinese dialects and translation. It’s easier with GPS to travel now than when I was a young backpacker, but I still believe that it was more fun in my pre-technology days, getting lost and discovering the road less traveled.

As for money, I’ll usually use an ATM, but I still like to carry some cash on me. AMEX whenever I can. AMEX also provides you with purchase protection insurance if any items are lost, stolen, or broken, at least the Platinum card does. 

Rugged and majestic Terceira Island.

Are you most interested in going someplace new or returning to some place you liked?

The answer is both and I have a ton of new places to visit. In fact, too many to count; Mongolia and Namibia have been on my radar for quite some time. For the last past three years or so, I’ve been chomping at the bit to visit the three nations east of Turkey of Armenia, Georgia Azerbaijan. The Caucasus region of Eurasia is channeling me for a visit. I also want to see the two poles and take the Tran Siberian Railroad, which appears I’ll do in 2022. Please may the virus end and allow free movement among people soon. The Central Asia – “Stans” Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the rest are high on my list. I have quite an extensive group of far-flung places that I've missed. Oh, and Bhutan and Easter Island. You know, I’ve seen so much, yet still so little. I have much more to see as the world is a big place. 

Japanese fusion at Restaurante SEEN Liboa located on the 9th floor of the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel is a Lisbon hotspot.

Foreign travel or domestic – what is your favorite?

Haha, any travel. I’m raised in California, and I take great pride in that as well. I could travel for months in California and the west alone and perhaps still not see it all. The vast United States is a world to itself, but I always like to travel, even just for the sake of movement, just as Stevenson said. The late great Anthony Bourdain and I shared this same sentiment, you may not always know where, but just keep going." 

Some of my journeys the past few years include standing memorized at the spiritual red rock center of Uluru in Australia. It moves you, and by contrast, gawking at gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Last year before lockdown, I mentioned that I was blissfully meandering 200 miles upstream from Manaus and this perfectly crafted for the Amazon, elegant riverboat MY Tucano. These pilgrimages will be etched in my mind forever. 

I have an innate feeling to use this mid and post-Covid time frame to explore my Mexican world's provinces. There are 32 states in Mexico. When Canada opens its borders to travelers, I’m big on immersing deep into its 13 provinces. 

I want to visit the American south, America's heart and soul places like the Gulf sections of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. The salt of the earth. I want to delve into how other American's live. I often say California is a fantasyland, and in some ways, not exactly a slice of Americans. I could always eat my way across America.

The splendid fortified settlement of Estremoz lies behind 13th century ramparts. It's a highlight on a visit to The Alentejo.

Visiting fairy tail castles in The Alentejo was a highlight of my Portugal adventure.

Talking with travel writer Nick Kontis.

With a name like yours, you are obviously of Greek extraction. Have you been to Greece and do you have family and friends there?

I as raised Greek, so I frequently mention, “Always Greek First.” That’s how my parents raised me, and I will say that I’m proud of my heritage. After all, we did start Western Civilization. America is a nation built on immigrants, a proverbial melting pot of the world. Greeks have been very successful immigrants wherever they have landed. 

I return to Greece at least every other year to visit family and friends. I met some of my favorite locals on Milos Island, with its moon scraped rock formations, quaint Kimolos, and Amorgos. The vast open spaces of Kefalonia. Sifnos, the island of pottery and gastronomy, is a gem. Olympia and Meteora on the mainland are spectacular. 

Show me a traveler who doesn’t love Greece, and I’ll say that person must be a tourist, not a traveler. 

I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve been in a Greek home anywhere in Greece when I’ll say something like, that’s a lovely vase or table cloth, is it made wherever, on the island, and comeback is “here please take it, I want you to have it,” then I have to say, no I’m just admiring it. Sometimes, it’s hard to say no. Greek hospitality; you just can’t beat it. 

Shopping for wine in the medieval village of Montaraz in The Alentejo. 

What are your favorite places? How about favorite hotels, restaurants, and airlines?

I find beauty everywhere but to rapid-fire this. Ok, in no particular order Greece, even today's Santorini, San Francisco, the Napa Valley, Mexico, California, Portugal and Spain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Scotland, Florence, Venice, Rwanda, Athens, all of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, San Blas, Lisbon, Germany, Amsterdam, Sydney, Paris, New York, London, Burma, all South East Asia, all of Africa, Brazil, Rio suits me well, Canada, Japan, Germany, Spain, Nepal. Turkey. I don’t know, but it’s too many to count. 

Hotels, Got an hour? Check out the Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa in Gateway Colorado, the Springs Resort and the Peace Lodge in Costa Rica, The Bowery Hotel in New York, Samode Palace in Jaipur, The authentic ARIA hotel brands of Greece, Castel Monastero in Chianti, The Athenaeum and Royal Lancaster in London, check out Luxury Lodges of Australia, the Fasano in Rio, and now the Tivoli group of hotels scattered throughout Portugal, and even a cot of the beach, anywhere. 

Airlines: I just flew Tap Air Portugal for l think the fourth time. The service on TAP is impeccable. The gulf carriers of Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad speak for themselves. I’ve never had a bad flight on Singapore Air, Qantas, Air New Zealand, or Virgin. Lufthansa is top-notch. Greece has a fantastic airline in Aegean Air. Alaska flies me between San Francisco and Puerto Vallarta; they’re always pleasant. 

Portugal is an effortless country to maneuver. Simply, grab a car at Lisbon airport and explore hidden gems like the Moorish designed citadels of The Alentejo.

D.S.: Do you have any you would avoid, like the plague? Why?

You know that I’ve been to over 100 countries, and I’ve never physically been harmed. So, I’d say that the world has been pretty good to me. Someone told me that Germany is the world’s least fun country or European country. I disagree; I love Germany and the German's so-called non-sense of humor. 

As for countries you’re asking about, I hear horror stories about Turkmenistan and how they assign someone to follow you around, but as a curious traveler, it makes me want to visit. You hear gloomy tales about North Korea, but you can have a safe and memorable trip when I hear that as long as you follow their rules. I don’t know; Chechnya is not high on my list of nations to visit. I don’t envision going to Syria, Iraq, or Somalia anytime soon. Still, the case remains that most people in the world are just that, good people. It’s governments that are corrupt or remain evil, dictator-like regimes. 

The common man and woman are the same everywhere: what they want, the same thing you want, a roof over their heads, food on the table, and education for their children. I’ve found that people are much more the same than different. 

Iran is on the U.S. State Department's so-called' bad list,' but I know Iranians in California and heard too many tales of locals' kindness to foreigners when you visit Iran. I hope to get there soon. 

The comfortable orange Lancer that fellow travel journalist Tim Johnson and I drove from Lisbon to The Alentejo and back.

What was your most embarrassing moment? How about your funniest moment?

I guess I can’t avoid this one. Many years ago, and let me clarify that, I once arrived at LAX for a flight to Bali on Garuda Indonesia. One needs more than six months on their passport to fly internationally, I had under six remaining, and I would not have been able to travel if I could not have connections with the airline and government who let me in for a week’s journey.

Here is my best knucklehead story, when I was 19, I was running with drunk people d bulls in Pamplona; clearly a recipe for disaster, and I’ve never been known to shy away from a good party. Yes, mad bulls and alcohol should never mix. My travel companion had a sudden epiphany, a vision to save a ton on overpriced European gas prices. I do want to clarify that we were teenage boys on a budget. 

The idea was to go to a hardware store and buy a hose and large gas container and then siphon gas out of other people’s cars—saving money while driving through the Spanish countryside and Costa Del Sol to Portugal. 

If you picture this, imagine, here we were two American teens, partying until 3-4 am then going out looking for cars to steal their gasoline, sucking a bit into our lungs while we fed the rest into a container. We did save a ton of money on the fuel. You only live once, and I’m glad that I always tried new things and came out mostly unscathed. 

In the Algarve village of Lagos, Portugal, our luck finally ran out. We finally got caught by local police, not thrilled by our antics, and sent us for two hours in a small holding cell before being let go. I remember the police officer wanting to call our parents, and of course, we gave the wrong numbers. Finally, they just let us go. I have many knucklehead shenanigans, typically involving alcohol. Shocking!!!

I always feel right at home in Lisbon. The 25 de Abril Bridge (25th of April Bridge) is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in my native San Francisco.

Exploring restaurants, bars, and shops at Lisbon's coolest creative hangout LX Factory with fellow global explorer Tim Johnson from Toronto.

Colorful tins of bacalhau (codfish), tuna, sardines, mackerel with their bright labels are the perfect gift to bring home or to eat on the plane.

Our listeners always like to know about our guests. So please share where you were born, raised, and schooled, and how you became a travel journalist?

I mentioned that I'm born on Santorini Island in Greece, long before it became the world's ultra-hot supermodel. When Santorini became famous, I thought, wow, who knew that this island would be a top 10 favorite place in the world. When I was three, my parents seeking a better life in the new world brought me to San Francisco. There was a Greek mayor of San Francisco, George Christopher, who became a godfather to me. Like all immigrants to America, first, you stick close by to your clan. I went to Chico State University, located 180 northeast of San Francisco. At the time, it was considered America’s number one party by Playboy Magazine. I guess the theme is that I had to become an entrepreneur as I never was book smart or meant for the 9-5 world. I remember returning to San Francisco after now thirteen months-long trips around the world. "Your sister is a school teacher and will receive a pension; you need a job that will give you money when you retire," said my dear Greek-imrant dad. Well, to each his own, I opened a travel agency for backpackers seeking discount around the world airfares, and rest is history. 

My wife is Mexican-American, unlike many Americans of Mexican decent, she kept her roots and embraced Mexico. Lucky for me, I like to say, “When I married a Mexican-American girl who kept her roots, little did I know that I would be marrying the nation of Mexico as well.” So, keeping bases in both San Francisco and the Napa Valley, which I love so much, biking through fields of grapes remains a passion of mine, but I’m currently spending time at my beach house 100 miles to the north of Puerto Vallarta outside of a sleepy town called San Blas. It’s where the Spaniards departed to discover San Francisco Bay with Father Serra. It’s also what I refer to as the Mexican Everglades as it's filled with over 200 migratory bird specifies, crocodiles roam in the estuaries. I mean, how many people can view crocodiles on any given day. 

The abundance of colorful blue, pink, and purple hydrangea flowers in an expanse of tea fields are seen in the community of Porto Formoso on Sao Miguel Island and throughout the 9 exotic Azores archipelago.

D.S.: Is there anything we haven’t asked that you would like to add?

As travel begins its return to normalcy, 2022 will follow the last summer pattern, close to home in places without large crowds. It will be gradual, but it's going to happen, who knows, maybe in the fall. For example, Canada mentioned September 1 as a possible opening date? As more of us receive the vaccine, countries will eventually reopen to tourists.  

For now, a trip surrounded by nature, like road trips to California's jaw-dropping Yosemite National Park and eventually overseas to places like the less-populated nine Atlantic crown jewels in the Azores, will continue to be high on the travelers wish list. 

These types of trips will in demand for 2021. For travelers in Boston or the East Coast in general, the Atlantic Azores' uncrowded pearls are shorter than California, and closer and to some explorers more authentic than a Hawaiian vacation.

These are the types of places where travelers will flock to first. 

When you can visit Europe, go for it; the Azores and Portugal are safe. 

In the end, I've always regretted the trips that I didn't take. Traveling for two weeks in the Azores and mainland Portugal during Covid portrayed that travel is priceless. Even in the worst of times, with the right safety precautions travel is manageable.

Muito Obrigado - Tap Air Portugal, Azores Getaways, Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa Hotel and Visit Alentejo for a safe and unforgettable journey.