I cannot believe that our time abroad is coming to a close. It had been such a wonderful experience, and I loved taking this week to relax and reflect. For our free weekend, Lucie, Emilia, Zoe, Kiki and I went to Tavira, Portugal. We were dying to get some sun after being in Dublin for the summer, and the short flight and cheap apartment was enough convincing to take the opportunity to escape Ireland for a bit.
From the moment we arrived in Tavira, I knew we’d made the right choice. The town had this perfect mix of old-world charm and lively nightlife without feeling overly touristy or crowded. Our first evening, we wandered through winding cobblestone streets, window-shopped, and enjoyed an incredible dinner.
I got octopus, oysters, and tuna tartare (always down for fresh seafood anywhere, anytime). My eyes were certianly bigger than my stomach, but I was determined to finish my dishes. They were so delicious and incredibly cheap for the quality (and quantity) of seafood I had.
The next day, we headed to the beach and quickly discovered the local beach club was not only beautiful but surprisingly affordable, with the best deals on food and drinks. We spent most of the day relaxing and tanning, something all of us really missed while in Dublin.
On our second day, we took a trip to Albufeira to check out the famous cliffs. The views were stunning, but the area felt much more tourist-packed compared to Tavira. We all agreed we were glad we chose to stay in Tavira, where everything felt more authentic and relaxed. Back in Tavira, we spent the next day lounging on the sands of Tavira Island, soaking up as much sunshine as possible before heading back to Ireland’s cooler weather.
Before our flight home, we had one last chance to explore Tavira. The town was full of beautiful little shops and galleries, and we stumbled upon a tiny jewelry shop run by a local woman. Emilia, Kiki, and I each picked out a piece of handmade jewelry and got to hear the artist’s story behind her creations. She even adjusted the bracelets to fit us perfectly while we chatted, which made the experience feel so personal and memorable.
To round out the week, Kiki and I went to SOLE (it was so great I couldn’t wait a full week to go again) and splurged on great seafood. We treated ourselves to caviar, oysters, and scallops, which was the perfect sendoff for our time abroad.
Looking back, this trip was the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and reflection. It was exactly what I needed as we wrap up an unforgettable summer.
Wow, Tavira looks amazing! I don’t know how you can stomach so much seafood though. That beach is gorgeous! I’m glad you had fun, and thank you for being my internship partner 🙂