Iceland holds a special place in my heart. It is the country that awakened my adventurous spirit and forever changed the way I travel. Before visiting this Nordic island nation, located just beneath the Arctic Circle, I thought “vacationing” meant going somewhere warm and tropical to rest and relax. I never envisioned myself on a vacation that included treks to snow-capped mountains and volcanic valleys in the bitter cold. Never did I think that I’d enjoy a vacation that took me so far out of my element. But Iceland taught me that life and magic lie at the end of my comfort zone.

For many years ever since Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes honeymooned there, one country has been firmly stationed at the top of my travel bucket list. It is a Muslim nation of idyllic islands spread across the Arabian sea in the Indian Ocean. Known for pristine white-sand beaches, striking overwater villas, and extraordinary underwater scenery, it is - what I imagine to be - the closest thing to paradise on Earth.

When you think of Portugal, chances are, you think of trams, colorful buildings, Cristiano Ronaldo soccer, piri piri chicken, painted tiles, and pastel de nata. Beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by turquoise waters probably don’t come to mind. But what if I told you that some of Europe’s best beaches are located here? Yes, really - in the Algarve region!