Portugal has always been on my bucket list to visit. It's a modern Western European country, yet, it doesn't get as much attention as say -- Spain, France or Italy. And that's what allured me. You don't really hear much on Portugal -- about the food, the people, or whats worth seeing. Only that the natives speak Portuguese and that it neighbors Spain. While tourist flock to other European destinations, I wanted to explore the most western Iberian country in Europe with my camera. And I absolutely can't deny that it's one of the most beautiful countries I've visited.
If you're looking for a less touristy vibe and more of a 'sit back and enjoy the sunset', Portugal is exactly that. You can easily enjoy the sights without worrying about huge crowds of tourist taking pictures on their iPads or waiting on long lines to visit a landmark. Portugal is very sunny, almost year round, especially in the southern regions like the Algarve. And most people speak English fluently, so don't worry if you didn't get to study some Portuguese on the plane (although its encouraged you learn some Portuguese phrases). What I love most is that there's nothing gimmicky here, just a rich history and a scenic countryside. It's a country that's both simple and chill, which is not a luxury you get when you travel to other places.