<p class="ingestion featured-caption">Although I enjoyed my trip to Portugal, a few things would've made it even better.Rebecca Strassberg</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I enjoyed <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-visiting-portugal-first-time-surprising-things-lisbon-2022-8">visiting Portugal for the first time</a>, but I wish I had done a few things differently.</li><li>I didn't realize we'd need <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/michelin-star-restaurant-disney-world-victoria-and-alberts-review-2024-6">dinner reservations</a> for most restaurants.</li></ul><p>This year, it felt like everyone I knew was visiting Portugal — which makes sense, considering the country saw a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/foreign-tourism-portugal-has-best-first-half-ever-2024-08-14/">record-breaking number of tourists</a> between January and June.</p><p>So, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about when my boyfriend and I finally made our way there this summer.</p><p>I hadn't put much effort into our last vacation together, so I was determined to make this trip different.</p><p>After weeks of patient monitoring, I found great flights, my spreadsheet was magnificently organized with activities, and I booked awesome accommodations.</p><p>But even with the most diligent planning skills and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-luxury-taj-lake-palace-hotel-on-lake-worth-it-2024-2">luxe accommodations</a>, no vacation is <em>perfect.</em> If I were to do it all over again, here are a few things I'd do differently.</p>