Hailing from a small town in Connecticut, I’ve always dreamed of expanding my horizons and seeing the world. I set my heart on France and began taking French lessons after school in fourth grade, a hobby that snowballed into a passion and ultimately a college degree. After graduation, I spent a year living in Toulouse and working as a high school English teacher.
Living only an hour from the Spanish border, I took frequent trips to my southern neighbor. Some of my most poignant memories from my year in France are from my time in Spain: sharing tapas with my co-workers, skiing in the Spanish Pyrenees, exploring the calas and prehistoric monuments on my first ever solo trip to Menorca. Now confident in my French skills I needed a new passion project, which quickly became learning Spanish.
Spain has always held a special space in my heart — the first time I finally did make it out of the northeast was on a trip to Barcelona with my best friend during our sophomore year of college. Logically, Portugal became my next fixation, and I’ve loved exploring the coastlines, cities, and vineyards of Portugal. I’m delighted to share my passion for the Iberian Peninsula with those who are eager to explore this vibrant region.
Q&A with Riley
What’s the best local dish you’ve tasted?
Cod, or bacalhau, is considered Portugal’s national dish and the Portuguese boast 365 different methods of preparing bacalhau to have a unique meal each day of the year. One of my favorite preparations was the ‘Cobblestreet’ salted cod at Alma in Lisbon. A play on bacalhau à bras — a typical dish that features shredded cod, potatoes, onions, scrambled eggs, and black olives — the chef proposed this mixture topped with a cod crudo sectioned off with a black olive tapenade that evokes Lisbon’s iconic cobblestone streets. An exquisite blend of flavor and history, this dish was truly unforgettable.
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
One of my most memorable trips was to Lake Bled in Slovenia. Nestled in the Julian Alps, we decided to spend our last day by going on a sunrise hike. When reality set in and this turned out to mean four miles uphill in the dark, I’ll admit that I was a bit grumpy. Once we made it to the top, I quickly ate my words upon seeing the reflection of the pink-streaked sky on the lake, the cloud-filled valleys, and the miniscule villages lighting up one window at a time. The community I felt with the other hikers who braved the early wake up and views straight out of an impressionist painting are striking to this day.
Where would you love to travel next?
The Azores are on the top of my travel list. After catching a glimpse of their beauty during a brief layover, I’m itching to go back to explore the lush green landscapes, bathe in the thermal baths, and try my chance at whale watching.
