Stop rushing through your bucket list and start experiencing the destination. In 2026, "Slow Travel" has moved from a niche trend to a travel essential. From the economic benefits for local communities to the mental health perks of a "cool-cation," discover why staying longer and doing less is the key to a better trip. Includes a practical "3-2-1" framework to help you plan your first slow travel itinerary this year.

View from Praia dos Três Irmãos looking toward Praia de Alvor, with the Alvor shoreline and estuary stretching into the distance. We knew our time in Alvor was coming to an end — we just didn’t expect it to feel so sudden. A month felt like it would be long. In reality, it passed quickly, and by our final week, we found ourselves looking back at just how much had changed. When we arrived, the weather had been unseasonably wet and windy. The town was quiet, with many places s

Planning a trip to Alvor in February? Week three includes hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, visiting Benagil, and day trips to Monchique, Albufeira, and Faro.