If there is one thing that's mandatory for me, at least once a year, is to have a weekend just for me - staying at home alone doesn't count!

At the end of last year, just a few days before Christmas, I decided to go on a kind of road trip during a weekend in the center of Portugal.

As I had a voucher for two nights in a Pestana hotel or Pousadas de Portugal, this was less one thing that I had to think about, I just had to decide where I wanted to go to and the elected one was the wonderful Pousada da Ria (Aveiro). All rooms have a small balcony overlooking the Ria de Aveiro and, as an unconditional fan of breakfasts, I couldn't fail to mention it: they are everything I want in the first meal of the day in a hotel. Loved it!

During the trip, I also visited other places that I didn't yet knew (and that, somehow, said something to me, some good, some less so). Because it was winter and low season, confusion was the word that never crossed my mind.

1. First stop: Figueira da Foz

2. Knowing Aveiro in a Moliceiro

3. Torreira and São Jacinto

4. Quick stop to get to know the Monastery of Alcobaça

5. Nazaré (without giant waves but with beautiful landscapes to die for!)

Weekends like this are great for 'escaping' from the stresses of our daily lives, recharging energy and focusing on what's important to us and our future. You don't need to go far, just choose a place you don't know yet - Portugal has so much to discover! As for this year's trip ... it's still being decided!