Next stop, Portugal.

One of life's most well-known secrets is the joy of immersing yourself in a climate and location that stimulates the senses and brings utter pleasure to your soul. Every day flocks of people board planes, traverse cities and states by boat or car, or simply rely upon one's own feet to carry them to locations and pockets of nature's beauty — to feel alive and reset life's mundane forces.

In the dawn of time, people have traveled for survival, for pleasure, for pain, and each new adventure is a click in one's own camera of life. It has always been a dream of mine to check off the boxes for places that are near and far, and experience the real beauty of what it means to be alive. Now, as I gain momentum and drive, I vow to be a small part of each of these spots — to learn and grow, and hopefully gain more with each step forward.

Our evolution as humans should not contain only the experiences in which we know, but the new ones that await and summon us. Sitting 600 feet in the air on a recent trip to Washington was fortuitous in the way it demonstrates how small we all are — and learning of what the vast surroundings have to offer is a chance for invitation and exploration.

Where it lies

One of Europe's most treasured and enchanting countries lies on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain. Its location on the Atlantic Ocean can be mirrored to southern California's coast, dependent on region, and offers up delightful cuisine, beautiful beaches, and historic places to venture and see. Whether you begin your journey in the country's northern region, the Silver Coast, or the tourist-attracted southern stretch, there are many districts and regions to explore.

Porto and Lisbon

The top two bustling cities are Porto and Lisbon. Lisbon, Portugal's capital city, with its charming cobble roads and hand-painted tiles — azulejos — can be alluring, while Porto is known for its music festivals and bespoke riverfront, inspiring even the weary traveler.

Islands, waves, and medieval towns

The Azores offer plantations of vibrant flowers, tea farms, and pineapple, while Nazaré is a small fishing town known for surfing huge waves. Peneda-Gerês National Park, located north of Porto, offers majestic views and blooms, while Guimarães harkens back to the Middle Ages with castles and medieval churches. Impossible not to mention the Algarve — home of some of the world's most popular beaches and weather, and home to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Our evolution as humans should not contain only the experiences in which we know, but the new ones that await and summon us.

Until the next stop.