At 21, I planned a girls’ trip to Iceland and fell in love with the art of crafting the perfect itinerary. I’ve been traveling internationally ever since.
Now, years later, I’ve been all over Europe, from Spain to Germany to Slovakia. I work in the industry as a travel consultant, and I love nothing more than discovering new places that I’m excited not only to share with clients, but also to return to again and again.
If you also have the travel bug this summer, there are three European spots that I’d recommend for an incredible time.
I can’t stop thinking about Comporta, a laid-back beach town in Portugal
Sara Sturek
Seventy-five miles south of Lisbon — or about an hour-and-a-half drive away — is Comporta, a dreamy village with white-sand beaches, pine forests, and clear blue water.
During my time there, I soaked in the sun at Praia da Comporta and Praia do Pego, where the ocean was the main attraction and superb beach clubs were never too far away.
I loved Comporta Café Beach Club, which was nestled in the dunes of Praia da Comporta and offered plenty of delicious, traditional Portuguese seafood.
One of the highlights of my visit was horseback riding right on the beach. I visited a local equestrian school that offered scenic trail rides — and, while riding, I learned that Madonna was a frequent visitor.
If you’re looking for a true gem that offers serenity, great food, and a bit of adventure, I’d plan a trip to Comporta.
Gozo, an island located in the Maltese archipelago, is relaxing and unique
Sara Sturek
Malta had been on my list for a long time, but I had no idea that its sister island, Gozo, would leave such a lasting impression. I first learned about this island from the owners of a local Maltese restaurant, who recommended that my partner and I visit.
Getting there was straightforward: We took a quick ferry ride from Malta, and within 40 minutes, we were instantly awestruck by the island’s dramatic coastline.
Once we arrived, we chatted with some locals and learned about the famous Maxokk Bakery. We were told that the ftira — a flattened Maltese bread often used for sandwiches — would be well worth the hourslong wait times. After trying a tuna ftira and anchovy pizza ourselves, we agreed.
Soon, we took a quick ride-share to Ramla Bay, a gorgeous red-sand beach. After some relaxing, we hiked up to Mixta Cave, a natural cave overlooking Ramla Bay. It turned out to be the highlight of our trip.
Next time, I want to stay for even longer, and explore towns and villages like Xlendi and Marsalforn — not only for some seaside dining, but to check out the diving scene and more natural wonders.
After exploring Croatia, Hvar was my favorite spot
Sara Sturek
Split and Dubrovnik were both highlights of my trip to Croatia, but the true standout was Hvar, a stunning island in the Adriatic Sea. It’s easy to get there — just fly into Split, then take a 90-minute ferry ride.
There are tons of cool places to stay here. We found a gorgeous Airbnb located right in Hvar Town, about 90 steps from the water.
The seafood here was also delicious. Two memorable spots were Mamato Bar, which offered a laid-back lunch with great ocean views, and Laganini Lounge Bar and Fish House, a slightly fancier spot that we reached by boat. There, we enjoyed Dalmatian cuisine and a live DJ music set.
Speaking of music, Hvar has a great nightlife scene. Specifically, Carpe Diem Beach Hvar and Hula-Hula Beach Bar provided some legendary sunsets, dancing, and drinks.
For a lively place where you can relax and dance the night away, I’d recommend Hvar.
