Well, here we go.
After months of planning, researching, and counting down the days, we’re finally at the airport waiting to board our flight to Portugal.
First stop: Porto.
There’s always something special about the beginning of a new adventure. The bags are packed, the passports are ready, and for the first time in a long time, the focus isn’t on work schedules, school calendars, or everyday responsibilities. It’s on the journey ahead.
It’s hard not to reflect on how much life has changed recently. This trip is about more than exploring Portugal. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for us as empty nesters. After more than twenty years of school events, sports practices, family vacations, and college visits, life feels a little different these days.
Different, but exciting.
One of the things that makes this Portugal trip even more special is that we’re sharing it with our good friends, Maurisa and David. Like us, they’re adjusting to life as empty nesters, and it seems fitting that we’re beginning this next chapter together.
Right now, the four of us are relaxing in the lounge, enjoying a few drinks, swapping travel stories, and talking about everything we’re looking forward to over the next two weeks. The conversation has already covered Portuguese wine, coastal sunsets, winery stays, and how many pastel de nata we can reasonably eat before someone stages an intervention.
The answer is still under debate.
First Stop: Porto
Our Portugal itinerary begins in Porto, a city that has been on my travel bucket list for years.
I’ve always been drawn to photos of the colorful buildings lining the Douro River, the historic streets climbing the hillsides, and the centuries-old architecture that gives the city so much character. Soon enough, we’ll be wandering through Ribeira, exploring hidden alleyways, enjoying riverside cafés, and discovering why Porto is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
A Winery Stay in the Douro Valley
After Porto, we’ll head into the heart of Portugal’s wine country—the Douro Valley.
This is one of the experiences I’m most looking forward to.
We’ll be spending a few nights at a winery surrounded by rolling vineyard-covered hills overlooking the Douro River. The idea of slowing down, enjoying local wines, watching the sun set over the valley, and waking up among the vines sounds pretty close to perfect.
Travel isn’t always about checking attractions off a list. Sometimes it’s about finding a place that forces you to slow down and appreciate the moment. I’m hoping the Douro Valley will be exactly that kind of place.
Next Up: Lagos and the Algarve
From wine country, we’ll make our way south to Lagos in Portugal’s Algarve region.
When I think of Lagos, I picture dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, crystal-clear water, and long coastal walks overlooking the Atlantic. After a busy year filled with major life changes, it feels like the perfect destination to recharge and reconnect.
No schedules.
No alarms.
No rushing from one place to another.
Just sunshine, ocean views, fresh seafood, and a chance to enjoy every moment.
Finishing in Lisbon
Our final stop will be Lisbon.
Every traveler I know seems to have a great story about Portugal’s capital city. Whether it’s riding the iconic yellow trams, discovering hidden viewpoints, exploring historic neighborhoods, or finding an unforgettable restaurant tucked away on a side street, Lisbon feels like the perfect way to end this journey.
More Than a Portugal Vacation
This trip isn’t just about Porto, the Douro Valley, Lagos, or Lisbon.
It’s about embracing a new season of life.
For more than two decades, our focus was raising our family. While that role never ends, we’re finding ourselves with opportunities to create new traditions, explore new places, and experience the world in a different way. Portugal just happens to be the backdrop for this next adventure.
As we sit here waiting for our flight to board, there’s a mix of gratitude, anticipation, and maybe a little nostalgia.
Mostly, though, there’s excitement.
Excitement for the places we’ll see, the memories we’ll make, the friends we’re sharing this journey with, and the adventures waiting on the other side of the Atlantic.
The next time I write, we’ll be in Porto.
Portugal, we’re on our way.
