All my dreams came true! Now what?

Porto, Portugal

I did it! After years of dreaming, it all came together — suddenly and perfectly. I walked into the office after a long weekend and the paperwork was waiting. Within a day I was off-boarded, cleared out my desk, and walked away from a job that had been draining me. It felt liberating.

By the next morning, I was online hunting for adventure. I knew I wanted to go somewhere in it’s shoulder season — pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and better prices. But more than that, I wasn’t going to settle for anywhere, I wanted to go somewhere that excited me. When I found a nonstop flight from my local airport to Paris for $450, I dug a little deeper. I was able to book the entire flight for 44,000 Chase point and $0. It was one of those lucky pop-up deals, probably one of the last empty seats. I’d always wanted to visit Portugal, and a short, inexpensive flight from Paris made that easy. Within a week, I was packed and on my way.

After a 10-hour flight, I landed in Paris. The airplane food was actually pretty good but I couldn’t sleep much on the way so I was filled with excitement with the weight of jet-lag by the time I landed. I stayed in Le Marais near the Seine, soaking in every bit of touristy awe. I galled at the Eiffel tower day and night like any good tourist and wandered until my feet ached. Two days later I boarded my flight to Porto, Portugal.

My 30L backpack and I arrived in Portugal after a bumpy start — our plane sat on the tarmac for an hour before the entire flight was moved to a different aircraft. The pilot only spoke French, so I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, but I had no urgent plans and chose to roll with it. Mildly irritated, but still grateful.

And then — Porto. Worth every inconvenience. A fairytale city built along the Douro River, Porto has this stunning, stacked architecture and a bridge that connects both sides of the city like something out of a painting. I spent my days wandering, staring across the water at the colorful homes of Vila Nova de Gaia, and sipping port wine under the sun. On day two, I joined a Douro Valley wine tour, filled with beautiful views, flowing wine, and kind strangers who felt like friends.

A few days later, I hopped a train to Lisbon. There’s something soothing about European train rides — the rhythm, the views, the pause between destinations. Lisbon itself buzzed with energy. It was the hottest city I visited, hovering around 85–90 degrees. I spent my days zigzagging the hills (always walking on the shaded side), eating incredible food, and admiring the wide plazas and old-world beauty. I wouldn’t say Lisbon was my favorite, but it had a rhythm and variety that kept things interesting.

Then came the Algarve. I took another train south and made Lagos my home base for about a week. If you’re a beach lover, this place is paradise. Rugged cliffs, aquamarine waters, and hidden beaches that make you gasp. I took boat rides to see Ponta da Piedade and the Benagil caves. I shopped local markets for beach snacks and met some great friends at the places I was staying. We went out to experience the night life and the next day I’d see the locals I met out the previous night working in their restaurants and shops. That’s when I realized how small the area really was. Other than the water being very cold (I still got in. Once) I couldn’t have asked for more.

Algarve area, Portugal

To round out the trip, I spent a couple days in Faro before flying out. It’s a practical hub — convenient, with a big beach a ferry ride away — but not particularly charming. Still, I had an amazing seafood linguine and a final walk along the shore.

I flew back to Paris and spent a final few days in Montmartre, soaking in its artistic charm. On my last night, I sat under the twinkling Eiffel Tower with a citrus tarte and a bottle of wine. I felt so full. So thankful.

Back home now, I’m still riding the high. I came back to a cozy rental I’ve made into a home, just in time for Father’s Day weekend with family. I technically have months before I need a new job, and I’m using this time to explore new career paths — this week I’m learning about digital marketing.

This trip reminded me of what I want: to integrate travel into my life more seamlessly. I don’t want adventure to be a reward — I want it to be part of the rhythm. So here I am, onto the next thing. There’s always a next thing. And that brings me comfort.

Thanks for reading

Rachel