Choosing a Trip
I decided to go trekking in Portugal on a bit of a whim. It all started because I had planned to go skiing, but it was a cold winter
But deep down, I longed for both warmth and winter activities at the same time. I started looking for a way to satisfy this inner desire and came across a program that combined both warmth and adventure.
Why not swap skiing for surfing? Both are fun and exhilarating activities.
Plus, the program included a day of kayaking—a very unique addition, the highlight of the whole trip. Something clicked right away, and I clicked the “Book Now” button
The Trip
I planned the logistics to the meeting point on my own—I’d say, overall, everything went well.
That said, it was a bit tricky to time the connections between the two buses, the flight, and the ride to Lagos.
I took a taxi from Faro to Lagos because I arrived in the evening on the first day. It was very convenient and fast! I think that if possible (unfortunately, I didn’t have that option), it’s better to arrive a day before the program starts.
That way, you can take a leisurely stroll through the city, rest a bit after the trip, and get in the right mindset for the journey before the active part of the program begins. On the day of departure, both the bus to Lisbon and the flight were delayed.
But I made it on time
Itinerary
I felt very comfortable hiking the trail. On the third day, it got a little chilly, and it started raining toward the end of the day.
But the group leader had warned us the night before to wear pants instead of shorts and to pack a raincoat in our backpacks.
Thanks to that, even the rain didn’t get in the way—on the contrary, it was more comfortable to walk because it wasn’t so hot.
The route itself was very picturesque! In early April, many different flowers were blooming, so the landscapes looked especially vibrant and atmospheric.
The girls got up every morning to watch the sunrises, while I, on the other hand, saw two incredibly beautiful sunsets
One of them was particularly enchanting and very moving to me.
I sat among the flowers—those wild Portuguese orchids.
On one side, I could see the lighthouse—a symbol of the edge of the world, or perhaps, for some, the beginning of a new life, a journey to the mainland, and the exploration of new lands.
On the other side—the sun: ripe, bright, but no longer blinding.
It seemed like a symbol of life, activity, movement—something stable in our lives, even more stable than the rocks I was sitting on, which the water had worn away over time.
And at that moment, I felt an incredible synthesis: the ocean, the lighthouse, the rocks, the sun, the ever-changing waves, my thoughts, like those waves. My heart felt so warm and calm.
Then I returned to the group, who had already taken my picture and also photographed an unfamiliar couple, and were talking about love, beauty, and their vision of life
Teamleader on the Route
I really enjoy traveling with Viktoria Palamarchuk—this is my second time, and it definitely won’t be my last!
She sincerely shares her experiences and her view of the world, and it never feels like it’s just part of her job.
She radiates a love for travel, for nature, her aesthetic perspective on things, and the art of photography with an unobstructed horizon.
She also embodies responsibility, safety on the route, professionalism, organizational skills, and flexibility—all in a way that makes you barely notice her work, yet you can feel the atmosphere she creates.