To The Sea

A chance to slow down. Take a breath. Look at the horizon. And remember that the world is much bigger than our everyday worries

This is probably one of the most popular travel destinations. The sea is often associated with relaxation, and that is truly the case.

For example, I do not really enjoy spending time in the water. But I love being near it. Whether it is a river, the sea, the ocean, or a lake, water has a special ability to slow us down, calm us, and help us recharge.

I enjoy walking along the shore, drinking my morning coffee with a view of the water, listening to the sound of the waves, and watching the sunset. These are exactly the moments that often make me choose trips to the sea.

For some people, the sea means a beach holiday. For others, it is surfing, walking, or sports. And there are places where you can combine all of these. So, let me begin my stories.

Peniche, Portugal

The best seasons for surfing are considered to be spring and autumn — roughly from April to June and from September to November. During these months, the waves are usually more consistent and the beaches are less crowded.

What I like about places such as Peniche and Ericeira is that they are not only for surfers. Here, you can combine the ocean, walks, sports, good coffee, seafood, and a slower pace of life.

I have been to Peniche at least seven times. Most of those visits were surf camps, and once I came here on my own during my solo trip around Portugal.

I have many memories connected to this place. It was here that I caught my first green wave, used travel insurance for the first time after injuring my toe, and celebrated my first birthday far from home — on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

Over the years, I realized that I keep coming back not only because of the waves. Some places gradually become something more than just a point on the map. For me, Peniche became one of those places — a place that always reminds me of freedom, adventure, and my love for the ocean.

Even if you never plan to stand on a surfboard, Peniche is worth visiting for its atmosphere alone. It is a place where you can simply sit by the ocean, watch the waves, and observe people who have come from all over the world for one reason — to be closer to the ocean.

Ericeira, Portugal

My first solo trip around Portugal with just one backpack took me through Ericeira. Perhaps that is why I remember this town not only for the ocean and beautiful views, but also for the sense of pride in myself and in achieving a dream.

It is a small town on the Atlantic coast with white houses, narrow streets, and views that are hard to look away from.

I enjoyed simply walking along the ocean, stopping at cafés, watching surfers riding the waves below, and embracing the slower pace of life.

I also surfed here. Unlike many of the beaches in Peniche, however, many of Ericeira’s surf spots have rocks and cliffs instead of sandy beaches. That is perfectly normal for surfers, but personally, I still prefer sand. Although the views here are so beautiful that you quickly forget about it.

Ericeira became Europe’s first World Surfing Reserve, but it is worth visiting even if you never plan to stand on a surfboard.

It is one of those places where it feels good not to have any plans. Just walk, look at the ocean, and allow yourself to slow down.

If Peniche reminds me of surfing and adventure, then Ericeira is all about coziness, beauty, and tranquility.

Tenerife, Spain

My friends decided to surprise me and planned the entire trip. At the airport, I wore headphones so I would not hear any hints, avoided looking at departure boards, and tried not to notice the names of cities or flights.

Only after we landed did I open Google Maps to find out where we were.

That was how I discovered that I had arrived in Tenerife.

Perhaps that is why this island remains so memorable to me. I came here with no expectations, no itinerary, and no list of places I “had to see.”

Sometimes, that is the best way to travel.

For me, Tenerife became a place of ocean, sunshine, and new experiences. You can spend the whole day walking along the coast, being active, sitting in a café overlooking the water, or simply enjoying the warmth.

And Tenerife gives you the feeling of an endless spring. Even in winter, you can walk around in light clothes, drink coffee in the sunshine, and forget that somewhere far away there is snow, winter, and freezing temperatures.

Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos became a place of sunshine, sea, and peace for me. I visited it during the year the war began in my country, and it felt as if I had stepped into a different reality.

There are no huge Atlantic waves here like in Portugal, and no volcanoes like in Tenerife. Instead, there is the warm Mediterranean Sea, palm trees, promenades for long walks, and that special rhythm of life where there is no need to rush anywhere.

I enjoyed walking along the seafront, watching the sunsets, sitting in cafés by the water, and simply enjoying the warmth. Even in winter, you can see people wearing T-shirts here, and there are far more sunny days than in most European countries.

For me, Paphos is a place where it is easy to combine relaxation, walks, sports, and slow evenings by the sea. And for those who enjoy running, the local promenade can be a real find.

Cyprus taught me one simple lesson: always bring a power adapter with you. Electrical outlets can be very different from one country to another.

And Cyprus also reminded me that while palm trees do a great job of recharging my energy, they do absolutely nothing for my gadgets.

Zandvoort, Netherlands

After spending a few days in Amsterdam, Zandvoort felt like a refreshing change of atmosphere.

Although it is located very close to Amsterdam, it feels completely different. Instead of city noise, there is the sound of the waves. Instead of canals, there are wide beaches. And instead of crowds of tourists, there are long walks along the sea.

What I remember most are the sunsets. And the wind. A lot of wind. So if you are planning a trip to Zandvoort, a hoodie or a light jacket is definitely worth bringing, even during the warmer months.

Another interesting feature of the town is the famous Circuit Zandvoort, home to the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix. It is an unusual combination: on one side, the sea and sand dunes; on the other, one of Europe’s most famous racing circuits.

For me, Zandvoort was a reminder that some of the best travel experiences can be found right next to popular destinations. Sometimes all you need to do is go a little farther and allow yourself to slow down.

Ostia, Italy

A small seaside town just an hour from the Italian capital.

I love the idea of combining a major historic city with the sea in a single trip. One day you can be walking among ancient landmarks, and the next you can be sitting by the sea or on your hotel balcony, drinking coffee and listening to the sound of the waves.

It was also here that I ordered coffee in Italian for the first time. Before the trip, I had learned the phrase специально and was a little nervous about saying it correctly. The barista smiled, gave me a thumbs-up, and my friend and I immediately started laughing. It was a small moment, but those are often the memories that stay with us the longest.

There are fewer tourists here and more everyday Italian life. People stroll along the promenade, meet in cafés, exercise, and spend their evenings by the sea.

What I enjoyed most were the long walks along the coast and the feeling that the sea is part of everyday life here, not just a tourist attraction.

For me, Ostia was a reminder that sometimes it is worth adding a few days by the sea to a bigger trip. After the energy and noise of Rome, it was exactly the slower pace I was looking for at the end of my journey.

White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

When I first arrived here, I did not feel like I was in Canada at all.

When people think of Canada, they often imagine snow, freezing temperatures, maple leaves, lakes, and mountains. But here, there is the ocean, palm trees, people wearing shorts, walks along the waterfront, and sunsets over the water.

White Rock is located right on the border with the United States, on the shores of Semiahmoo Bay. It is a small town that moves at its own relaxed pace.

I loved simply walking along the ocean. It has one of the longest waterfront promenades in British Columbia, plenty of cafes and restaurants, and countless places where you can sit and watch the water.

The town takes its name from a huge white boulder on the beach. According to local legend, it was left there by a glacier thousands of years ago.

What fascinated me most were the tides. During low tide, the ocean seems to retreat hundreds of meters, revealing wide stretches of sand that you can walk across. For someone who grew up far from the ocean, it feels a little like magic every time.

White Rock is not a place for checking attractions off a list or rushing from one sight to another. Its greatest value is its atmosphere.

It is the kind of place where you slow down, drink coffee by the water, watch the sunset, and simply enjoy being near the ocean.

All of these places were very different. Peniche gave me surfing and adventure, Ericeira gave me coziness, Tenerife brought an unexpected surprise, Paphos offered peace, Zandvoort and Ostia showed me a new way to combine cities and the sea, and White Rock taught me how not to rush.

Over the years, I realized that I do not just love the sea or the ocean. I love the feeling they give me.

A chance to slow down. Take a breath. Look at the horizon. And remember that the world is much bigger than our everyday worries.

So if you do not know where to go next, perhaps it is worth simply going to the sea.

Thank you for reading!