Admin

Travel Musings

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 DRE# ER40011786

Spring is the time real estate USUALLY ramps up, so I decided to stay in Colorado through June.   Going on a road trip to Vermont in June.

The trip to Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Prague will be in September.   The EF Tour I took to South America was really good, so I decided to go with them again to Europe.   I also decided at the end of this trip (Prague) to fly directly to Faro, Portugal, to wander the city as a resident so I know FOR SURE I want to move there.   It will be a long time away, especially for the kitties with the pet sitter!

I booked my flight today, as flights are very reasonable right now.   I found the $691.00 for he round-trip fare, which did not include checked bags, a seat on the plane (think that one is hilarious), and insurance.    Still, the round trip for $1,000 is really good, I think.   The trip there will be non-stop, and we will stop in Frankfurt on the way home.

Also, on a side note, doing some research on cars, and driving in Portugal over the weekend and found out some interesting things.    I have to have a residence before I can buy a car.   They have a rule you have to carry a warning triangle in the car, along with a high V12 jacket.    Also, most new cars in Portugal do not have an anti-theft system.  Guess they don't have cars stolen like we do!    They have higher gas performance and also hold their value better there. 

Posted by

Joan Cox
Broker/Owner, REALTOR®
House to Home, Inc.

Serving the Denver Metro area including all suburbs


Helping Buyers and Sellers achieve their real estate dreams, one house at a time!

LinkedIn  |  Facebook  |  YouTube
About Me  |   My Blog
       My Website

720-231-6373  
Call or Text Me!

Email Me!

 

Comments(22)

Show All Comments Sort:
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good afternoon Joan. Sounds like you are ready for the Portugal adventure of a lifetime. It has been a long time coming and desired. I am jealous of your sense of adventure. Enjoy your day. 

May 12, 2025 11:12 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks for sharing your exciting travel plans, Joan Cox—sounds like an adventure of a lifetime! I appreciate you bringing us along with your insights and discoveries; it’s inspiring to see how you’re embracing new experiences. Safe travels, and I look forward to hearing more about your journey! 🌍✈️

May 12, 2025 04:59 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Joan- I commend and admire you for all of the research you're doing for your trip. I would find it exhausting!   However, I love that you're sharing this with us. Your post is very much in line with Lew Corcoran's post today.

May 12, 2025 05:48 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good for you Joan for researching so may things for your upcoming trip! Really is fun to read all the things you are uncovering.

May 12, 2025 07:48 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Joan - Time, air travel and many sorts of related things can fly by quickly. Of course, when the combination of anticipation is considered, the experience can sometimes make it seem to slow to a halt.  You've got the proper preparation "in the bag".  Being patient is a work-in-progress.  

May 13, 2025 02:46 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Joan... I suspect that it's more a question of the cost of anti-theft systems in cars than safety in Portugal. According to a Eurostat study, Portugal is close to joining the group of European countries with the most cars stolen each year. Car theft for parts that go to Eastern Europe has been a problem in Europe for many years.

May 13, 2025 05:08 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

That sounds like quite the trip! I am sure it will be amazing!

May 13, 2025 05:16 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

So, can the kittens come with if you move there? I is a bit harder to bring a pet...but worth it.

May 13, 2025 06:38 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ed, I think that is the other reason they recommend NOT shipping your car from the US.   Initially they said there were not parts for them, but now also the testing may not pass.

May 13, 2025 06:56 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Hannah, nice speaking with you yesterday and wish you the best on your testing.   Yes, hoping to move this time next year, or early spring.

May 13, 2025 06:57 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Wayne, just love traveling, and have always loved exploring.

May 13, 2025 06:57 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Lew Corcoran I read on one of your comments, you have been to 30 countries, and think you should write a post on that.  I for one would love to hear this!

May 13, 2025 06:58 AM
Lew Corcoran

Oh, boy. That would be a tall order!

May 13, 2025 01:46 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy Streib it almost is exhausting, and when I lay down at night, more things pop in my head keeping me awake some nights.

May 13, 2025 06:59 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Dorie, we had bad air quality today in Denver, so asked Google about the air quality in Portugal.   I thought with the ocean breezes, it would be good, but it isn't that good.

May 13, 2025 06:59 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael Jacobs good thing this move is in the future, have so much to accomplish before next year.   AND, my road trip is now less than a month away.  SO excited.

May 13, 2025 07:00 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nina Hollander, Broker I know there are few garages, so easy to steal a car.   Will need to ensure there is a theft system on the car I purchase.

May 13, 2025 07:01 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Joan Cox hi Joan... I know cars are expensive in places like Portugal... so hopefully you won't faint dead away when you see the prices. 

May 13, 2025 09:55 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kat, my life is pretty full and exciting right now.

May 13, 2025 07:01 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty that was probably around the first thing I checked out.  I have to buy two tickets, but then I can bring more suitcases, since that is all I will be bringing.   They have to have a certificate of health, and the carriers have to conform to their requirements, but yes, they will be coming with me!

May 13, 2025 07:03 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Joan:

Sounds like a wonderful trip to Europe coming up, as well as your road trip to Vermont!

Jeff

May 13, 2025 12:46 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeff, I do have a lot going on right now, and all of it is exciting!

May 14, 2025 11:01 AM