What I've read this summer.

• The Razor's Edge, W. Somerset Maugham
• One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
• The Stranger, Albert Camus
• The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson
• Notes From a Small Island, Bill Bryson
• Bossypants, Tina Fey
• The Woman I Wanted to Be, Diane Von Furstenberg
• Paper Towns, John Green

Of all these books, the one I loved the most was definitely The Razor's Edge. I wasn't expecting such an incredible story about a man in search of the true meaning of life. All the characters that Maugham (as narrator) describes us are different and interesting in its own way, but it's Larry that captivates us all our with his perspective of life. It's a must-read book.

Lately - August.

1. Day in Lisbon exploring the University Botanical Garden | 2. Sunny pool day | 3. Beautiful view from my house | 4. Furry friend I met when I went for a walk | 5. Afternoon exploring the mountains | 6. Grapes from my grandma's farm.

Roadtripping - Alentejo & Algarve.

After our last exam, my friends and I begin our roadtrip. This was something we had been talking abou all semester but we were always dubious if we would actually do it. We eventually pulled off this 10 day trip and it was truly awesome!

We left Lisbon and headed to Montemor-o-Novo, where one of the girls live. It was her birthday next day and she wanted to spend it with her family and friends from home. She has this amazing country house and we had a blast at her party. On the day after we left for my zone of Alentejo. From Porto Covo to Milfontes, I took them to see the things I most love about my region - my favourite restaurant, all the best beaches and most beautiful landscapes. We didn't have time to see everything, but they loved the places I took them.

Then we continued south, to Odeceixe and Aljezur where we could find some of the best beaches of Algarve. One of my friends father came to meet us one afternoon and made us dinner in their van after the beach. They parked the van in one of the most breathtaking places we had seen. It was a dinner to remember. That same night we camped near Aljezur. After this experience (a first for one of the girls) we continued our trip south. We went to Lagos, Alvor and then we reached our final destination: Vilamoura. We stayed there for four days in an incredible house near the beach and all the bars. I'll always remember that funny night when we sang karaoke in bar full of british people.

It was a memorable roadtrip. I never thought I would meet these incredible people in college. I'm really glad that I did.

Remembering Paris - b&w.

I snapped these photos a few years ago when I visited Paris. Nevertheless, I remember it like it was yesterday. B&w photos have some kind of magic, they are beautifully old-fashioned - perfect to portrait a timeless city.

I've visited Paris three times but there's still so many places to discover. I can't wait to return in February. I'm already counting the days!

Paris sera toujours Paris.

Oh summer...

I've started the holidays in the best way possible... with drinks, ice creams, beach days and picnics. Hello summer!

Allô Belgique!

I'm going to study in Belgium for six months next year!

It's a bit paradoxical because I'm a little scared of going alone to a strange country, but it's exciting at the same time. This was always a personal challenge for me, I always wanted to have the opportunity to study abroad. Belgium was my first choice because the Université Catholique de Louvain is one of the best in Europe and I'll get to improve my french. On top of all that, Belgium is awesomely located, which means I'll get to travel - A LOT!
I can't wait to start my new adventure... 2016 en Belgique!

The first of May.

The first of May is the mandatory picnic day. Every year since I can remember I have spent this day having a picnic with family & friends near the beach. It's always an incredible day. When I was little I used to spend the day running back and forth on the dunes. Now that I've grown my favourite activity is eating & drinking, but I still love those dunes and I never miss the opportunity to go there for a walk near the sea.

The best start for a long weekend!

Starry Nights.

Starry Night Over the Rhone 

"I confess I do not know why, but looking at the stars always makes me dream."

~ Vincent van Gogh

When I spend nights lying in the middle of nowhere looking at the sky, I found myself dreaming. I hear planes crossing the beautiful starry sky. I always feel so nostalgic. In these quiet nights, looking at those little shiny speckles in the sky just makes me want to elope. My travel addiction kicks in and I just feel the need to get away, to live an exciting adventure. 
These nights are inspiring... and they make you wish so many incredible things...

Week in pictures.

1. Lisbon  |  2. Bed heaven  |  3. New apple candle  |  4. Back to study

Oporto.

Last month I had the pleasure of spending three amazing days in Oporto while visiting my dear friend.

We left Lisbon and after a long journey we arrived in Oporto, a wonderful city in the north of Portugal where you can truly feel welcome.

After having rested during the night, we got up in the morning and went to explore the city's downton and its beautiful old buildings. This day ended the best way possible. After crossing the famous D. Luís I Bridge we enjoyed a glass of Porto wine in a old warehouse - fabulous.

On the last day we visited the Casa da Música and Serralves, a famous culture institution and its gardens. It is not located in the center but the visit is worth it.

This trip was spectacular and I hope to come back very soon!

Thoughts on turning 20.

It is so weird to acknowledge that I am already 20. I feel like I'm getting old too fast, and I'm not ready for that. I've officially left my teen years behind. I'm a little adult now. Everyone says "That's an amazing age! Oh, when I was 20..." .  I think I'm afraid of getting older because I am already 20 and I still don't know what I want to do with my life. It's a scary thought. I'm getting older and older and I find myself thinking about life... should I have done something by now that I haven't done? Could my life be any different? Am I really making the best of it? 
I can't answer this. I must focus on my present and live life to its fullest and work for an incredible future.

“And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!” 

―Audrey Hepburn

“Wisdom comes with winters”

 ― Oscar Wilde

Dublin.

There's nothing better than hop on a plane and fly somewhere. There's a reason for the name of this blog and that's exactly my passion for travelling, for escaping to new and exciting places.
This year I decided to book the cheapest flight I could find online on my birthday weekend. My friends loved the idea, so we started searching for destinations. First, we decided we would go to Luxembourg, which was the cheapest option we had find. But one day I was looking for more flights and I found a better flight... to Dublin. Everyone loved the new destination, so we book our flights immediately.

Our trip to Dublin began on january 30. We arrived after lunch and hoped on a bus to the city centre. After dropping our baggage at the hostel (Avalon House, if you're interested), we braved the freezing weather to meet beautiful Dublin. Our first stop was St. Patricks Cathedral, which was the closest place to our hostel on our list. The gardens were such a beautiful and quiet place. The best way to start our trip.

After visiting the cathedral we found ourselves on our way to the Guinness Storehouse. We all loved the tour, including my friend who didn't like beer (now she likes Guinness). I recommend it to everyone, especially to all people over 18 who can enjoy the free pint after the tour in the Gravity Bar, with 360º views of Dublin.

On the second day we left the hostel and went for a morning walk at St. Stephen's Green. It's a beautiful and calm garden when you can escape the city morning rush.
Next we visited Merrion Square to take a picture with our beloved Oscar Wilde, we went to the National Gallery of Ireland which was just around the corner (I loved the the indoor cafe - in picture). After the cultural visit, we went to have lunch in the famous Grafton Street.

We took the afternoon to go to the Trinity College, one of the most beautiful Universities I've ever seen in my life. If I studied in a place like that I wouldn't have problems concentrating. The atmosphere makes you WANT to study, Crazy, I know.
There, we visited the Book of Kells exhibition and the famous Old Library, which is a dream come true in the life of every book lover (or a big Harry Potter fan).

After leaving the beautiful Trinity College we went for a walk near the river to the Custom House and then returned back to visit the Christ Church Cathedral.

On our last day we went to explore the Phoenix Park. I loved every part of it. It was sunny (and freaking cold), we walked a few miles but we got to see the deer - it was worth it.

We spent our last night in the most famous pub of Dublin, the Temple Bar. The music was great and we met some amazing people. It was the best place to celebrate my birthday night in Dublin!

See you next time Dublin!

B&W.

Images can be found in my tumblr.

Listening.

Saying goodbye to "Friends" - again.

Tonight I finished watching Friends all over again and it hurt just like the first time. I laughed, as I did in every other episode, but I shed a tear when it ended - obviously, it's the e n d. 

After re-watching the episodes I still think this is the best sitcom ever. It's always funny, I mean, a l w a y s. It never get's boring, I can't get tired of watching it. 

I could try to find another series that was as good as this one but I don't think I will. There are many great series, but Friends is definitely the b e s t. They made me laugh every morning, every afternoon, every night I watched it for these past few months.

Now I feel that...

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They are all great: Rachel, Ross, Joey, Phoebe, Monica and, my favourite, Chandler. The best characteres. The best group. The very best company.

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I'll miss you guys... But only for a few months. Then I will start watching the series - a g a i n.  Should I be worried? I guess this is kind of a sickness (but a good & funny one).

Just remember whenever you're feeling down you'll always have Friends.