Portugal

The Portuguese island of Madeira is, without a doubt, the most breathtaking place I’ve experienced with my own eyes. Its incredible views are endless, and the variety of things to do is impressive for such a small island. In the span of a single day, you can find yourself hiking above the clouds, taking a cable car down a steep mountainside, and enjoying the sunset while swimming in the sea.

It started over a bottle of wine and conversation that went something like: “Have you ever heard of the Azores?” “The what?” That girls’ night conversation turned out to be surprisingly productive. The trip was incredible, and Saõ Miguel Island was unlike anything we’d ever experienced. Our most repeated phrase quickly became: “The pictures just don’t do it justice”.