This past fall (Sept 2024) kicked off in the most incredible way imaginable—an unforgettable European getaway with my fiancé Christian, my cousin Sage, and his equally amazing fiancé Ellie! We set off in September and spent the next few weeks soaking up the charm of four stunning countries: Portugal, Italy, Croatia, and Germany. Each stop was like a new chapter in our favorite dream—sipping espresso in Italy’s sun-kissed cafés, strolling through Portugal’s golden streets, enjoying the rich history of Croatia’s coastlines, and getting cozy with the crisp air in Germany’s Oktoberfest beer gardens. All photos taken on my Rebel 2000 or Canon Sure Shot (35mm), and a few on my old Olympus digi.

First stop: Portugal

Our first stop was Portugal, where we kicked things off with a night in Lisbon, then headed to the Algarve for two nights in the charming town of Lagos before wrapping up our time in Porto. This country gave us the perfect mix of vibrant city life and laid-back coastal vibes. With a rental car, we really got to dive into the local scene—driving across country to see all the cities and experience the different areas. We indulged in plenty of tapas, danced the night away, and sipped on what might have been, too much limoncello. One of the highlights was kayaking to the famous Benagil Cave, where the stunning Algarve coastline took our breath away with its unique rock formations. The cities of Lisbon and Porto were full of energy, and we drank some of the best wine we’ve ever had, setting the tone for the rest of our adventure!

Some recommendations I saved from Portugal:

Lisbon:

Time Out Market (specifically Manteigaria Silva for Pastal De Nadas)
Javá Rooftop Bar/Restaurant
Fauna & Flora Breakkie Spot
Praca Do Comercio: Historic Landmark

Lagos, Algarve:

Benagil Cave Kayak Tour
Casa Do Prego & Mimar for Tapas dinner
Batata Beach for sunset views
Forbidden Door (secret speakeasy)
The Coffee Studio

Porto:

Cai’s 35 Sushi restaurant dining experience on the Douro River
Boutique Do Gelado
Prova Food + Wine bar
Livraria Chardron famous library (Harry Potter)
Epoca Cafe
Crystal Palace Garden
Wine Box Restaurant

Taken in a Speakeasy we fumbled upon in Lagos, called the Hidden Door..

Next stop: Italy

Our second stop on this adventure took us to the stunning country of Italy. The moment we touched down in Naples, we dove straight into the local cuisine with our first-ever Neapolitan pizza, classic + fresh Pomodoro pasta, and large, chilled Peronis. It was one of those Eat, Pray, Love moments, enjoying every bite of pasta at a charming street-side café in the heart of downtown Naples. We stayed in a cozy Airbnb within walking distance of the city center, which made it easy to explore on foot or by metro. From bustling cafés to historic castles, we soaked in the vibrant energy of the city during our two-day stay. And the food? Unforgettable. The pizza, in particular, was the best we had out of all the Italian cities we visited.

After Naples, we took a ferry to the Amalfi Coast—an absolute 180-degree shift from the city's vibrant energy. The Amalfi Coast is laid-back and coastal, with people honeymooning and basking in the warm Italian sun. We rented mopeds and cruised along the stunning coastline to Positano, stopping at a few beachside cafés for Aperols and Peronis along the way. The highlight of our trip was definitely the cooking class we took in the countryside. It was an unforgettable experience—learning how to make authentic gnocchi and tiramisu, all while meeting some of the friendliest travellers. Though our time in Amalfi was short, with just two nights, we made the most of every moment.

Our final stop in Italy was Rome, a city steeped in history and brimming with timeless charm. After ferrying to Salerno and catching a train to Rome, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed this neat city. With just one night before heading to Croatia, we made the most of our time, visiting iconic landmarks like the Venetian, Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum. We ended our day with a delicious dinner at Vecchia Roma, savoring the flavors of the city. The next morning, we woke up at sunrise to experience the landmarks without the crowds—and it was totally worth it. As the sun rose over the Colosseum, we packed our bags, and got ready for the next chapter of our adventure.

Recs from Italy:

Naples:

Bellini Restorante
Pizzaria D’Autore
The Florist Bar (farm to table breakkie + coffee spot)
Al Barcadero Cafe

Amalfi:

Trattoria Da Maria Restorante
II Pirata Cave
II Veliero Restorante
La Vigna Degli Dei Cooking Class (the best!)

Rome:

Historic Landmarks: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Ruins of the Roman forum, Colosseum, Vatican city, Sistine Chapel
Tapizzino (famous for their fried risotto balls)
La Prosciutteria
Vecchia Roma Restorante (delish!)

Our 3rd Country: Croatia

Taken on my Rebel 2000 on the Dubrovinik City Walls walk.

Croatia was our third stop on our European adventure, and it turned out to be a wonderfully relaxing one. We started with two nights in Dubrovnik, where we spent our days hiking the City Walls to soak in the rich history of the Old Town. We also enjoyed the Mediterranean sunshine at local beach clubs, swimming in the crystal-clear, salty waters. After our time in Dubrovnik, we took a ferry to Hvar Island for a different taste of Croatia. Known for its upscale yachting scene, resorts, clubs, and fine dining, Hvar offered a more glamorous vibe. Despite the gloomy weather, we made the most of it, exploring nearby beaches and hanging out at local breweries, playing cards and sharing laughs over wine and Ožujsko beer.

Croatia Recs:

Dubrovinik (Old Town):

City Walls Walk (where Game of Thrones was filmed)
Banje Beach
Sveti Jakov Beach
Bota Šare Oyster & Sushi Bar
Panorama Restaurant (take the trolly from Old Town to the top for sunset views)

Hvar Island:

Dalmatino Restaurant
Fig Breakkie/Coffee
Hvar Brewering Co.

Last Stop: Germany

Our final stop on our three-week adventure was Munich, Germany, where we were eager to experience the iconic Oktoberfest. While none of us had been to Oktoberfest before, half the group had visited Germany in the past, so we were all excited for the festivities. With no real expectations, we rented traditional lederhosen and dirndls, then headed straight for the lively beer tents packed with people from all over the world. Since we were staying in the countryside just outside of Munich, we had to catch an early train into the city to grab our outfits, change, and walk to the festival grounds. The day was filled with meeting friendly faces from Munich, England, and Austria, all while laughing, chatting, and chugging our steins of German beer. As the hours passed, things got wilder—Germans stood on tables, pouring beer down their throats while belting out American songs at the top of their lungs. We had an absolute blast—at least, from what we can remember, haha. The rest of our time in Germany was spent exploring the city and, of course, eating our way through the weekend.

We had such an amazing trip, and we truly felt lucky to have taken time away from our busy work schedules to reset and explore the world. Traveling to all these incredible places left me feeling inspired to come home and work even harder, so I can continue to travel and discover new spots. I hope you enjoyed this visual journey through my photographs. One of my favorite parts of traveling is coming home, developing the film, and getting to relive the trip all over again through those images. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure!

European Fall