“Sometimes you just have to stop and stare at the beauty of the world.

Portugal was my first solo trip. I am a fairly social person so I usually travel with friends or family or meet up with them abroad. I had just been visiting a friend in Paris and we had planned to go away for a few days together but she had to cancel at the last minute. I didn’t want to miss out on an adventure, so I decided to go to Faro in Algarve, Portugal on my own. In my usual fashion, I had no hotel reservation and no itinerary, since I like to plan on the go, but this time, I also had no travel companion. I wasn’t sure how I would like it, but I ended up relishing the freedom. No travel companion meant no compromises, no scheduling, and pretty much doing whatever I wanted. I could chat with strangers if I felt lonely, or put my headphones on and ignore the world if I wanted solace. I ended up staying at the gorgeous Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel with a private terrace overlooking a cave-filled beach which disappeared and reappeared with the tides. Really, who needs company when you’ve got views like this?!” ~Eileen from @lighttravelsfaster.