The summer is quickly moving closer as classes come to a bitter end. I had planned on attending field school this summer, but alas, the financials did not meet up with the requirements, and I’m left with exploring the far corners of the world on my own.

I started ordering my first passport, and as I wait patiently for it to arrive, I am focused on planning an adventure to a country I have yet to explore. That’s almost all of them mind you. I went to one my favorite trusty travel sites, holiday-rentals.co.uk. I could spend hours on this site looking at the villas in Algarve Portugal. The open air spaces and the whitewash European feel these luxuriously decorated villas have is incredible, and they’re so reasonable, which always surprises me.

Buying property in Portugal would be a dream of mine, a near future goal I suppose. Western Algarve would be splendid what with the smells of olive trees and the fresh fish and fruit, drifting along the sea breeze from the nearby market, clinging to every wall of your home. Not to mention, in places like Tavira, you’re only two hours away from Seville and an easy transition across the border into Spain.

Alvor is also on every travelers or home buyers list, and one of my favorite areas Casa da Oliveira,  is situated on the outskirts in a residential area. The houses and apartments here are unsurpassed, delicately whitewashed and clay tiled roofs adorn these lavish abodes. On a clear day you can see for miles and your pool, most of the houses have one, is as clean as crystal. You wake up smelling the freshly baked bread in the market, and on some days, will throw on your closest pair of sweats, tank top, and sandals, and walk to the nearest smell. If you have children with you, I can’t think of a better place to stay, as Slide and Splash at Estombar, east of Lagoa and Aqualand  are only thirty minutes away. Not to mention, Aqualand is Europe’s biggest water park.

As I mentioned before, I’ve used just about every travel site, but I tend to look to holiday-rentals.co.uk when I want to rent, as opposed to staying at a hotel with an impersonal staff. They are the number one recognized leader of holiday rentals in the UK and they pride themselves on matching you with the perfect home. If you’re planning on a holiday this summer overseas, look here first.