63 Comments
User's avatar
Candyce Fisher's avatar

Hope Rick Steves doesn’t constantly talk while in bed with your wife. He has a habit of not letting anyone get a word in edgewise which can be annoying! You made me laugh out loud and I had only a sip of my first cup of morning coffee. Nice read.

Abigail Cerquitella's avatar

enjoy lisbon, my favorite city in the world! please have a pasteis de nata every day and visit black sheep wine bar!

Gina's avatar

Have a great vacation….How Shakespeare Changed My Life: fascinating

Kristin Fellows storyteller's avatar

Ron, tell your wife, I moved to Coimbra (Portugal) three and a half years ago based on Rick Steves describing it as "The Oxford of Portugal." 😂

I've met Rick at numerous PBS conferences and he's always a great source for travel tips and ideas.

Ron Charles's avatar

Love that!

Kirie Pedersen's avatar

Rick Steves was a neighbor for most of my life, and my parents went on many of his trips. Amazing guy.

Erika Dreifus's avatar

Have a wonderful trip, Ron.

Aiden Aaberg's avatar

The Seneca line about needing to change your mind, not your climate, is the hinge for me. Travel always promises transformation, but maps also expose how much of ourselves we keep trying to smuggle across borders.

Lois Kallunki's avatar

Thank you for How Shakespeare Saved My Life.

Amy's avatar

I hope you and the lovely Dawn have a wonderful time on your trip! Great newsletter, as always. Appreciate you so much, Ron!

Jerry D.'s avatar

Safe travels!

Keith Donohue's avatar

But you will miss the Great American State Fair. Is miss the right word?

Bon voyage!

Ron Charles's avatar

Please save an algae-flavored snow cone for me!

Kirie Pedersen's avatar

Re America's founding, I strongly recommend Amanda Vaill's "Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution." Based on archives and letters, it tells the "founding father's" stories from the point of view of three "aristocratic" sisters, each very different. I learned about an America never taught when I was in school.

Judith Mayne's avatar

Have a wonderful vacation! And thanks for another great review. I count on you for great catchphrases. I'm now going to say "Bingo in Bethesda?" instead of rolling my eyes whenever someone suggests an elder-appropriate activity!

Crossroads Publishing Group's avatar

Cool roundup. I went to Lisbon in 2013 and loved it and got really into Fernando Pessoa. Haven't been back since, but I hear it's what's happening.

Maureen Doallas's avatar

Have fun in Portugal. I've heard nothing but good things about the country. I have friends who are leaving America to live there (they are older than you), having spent about a year in preparation. I wish I were right behind them.

Ron Charles's avatar

Right?! It’s amazing how many people seem to be moving there.

Susan Smith's avatar

Have fun but come back! We need you.

Ron Charles's avatar

Thank you!

Too much family here to leave for more than a week or two!

Chris Donohoo's avatar

I live in no where special Ohio & have friends whose family members have moved to Lisbon, Utrecht, and Berlin. Some continue their US jobs remotely. Some have kids in Lisbon schools. Some have started businesses there. None have definite return plans.