For Martina, long-term volunteer in our Association, the time has come to reflect on the memories collected over the past 12 months in the Southwest of Portugal
It feels like just yesterday I was writing about my first steps on the Rota Vicentina. And yet, here I am, a year later, reflecting on over 230 kilometers walked and lived in this beautiful Portuguese region.
These months of volunteering have been an incredibly enriching experience, one that has transformed me in countless ways. I would love to share with you, dear hikers, a recount of these 12 months: the landscapes that welcomed me, the people who inspired me, and the emotions these places have gifted me.
Over this year, I’ve had the privilege of observing the Rota Vicentina not only from different angles but also through unique experiences. Like many of you, I was immediately captivated by the cliffs plunging into the sea and the wild beauty of this landscape.
You might be wondering if, over time, the intensity of those first steps has changed. The answer is yes; they have transformed me in deep and meaningful ways.
At first, my eyes were drawn to the vast landscapes—the cliffs, the golden fields dotted with cork trees, the white and blue houses. But today, those same panoramas tell me a more intimate story. Now I see the people who live in these places, a warm community devoted to preserving and protecting their territory.
I see windmills standing tall among the wheat fields, reminders of a tradition that endures with time. I smell the scent of strawberry trees and know their taste. I’ve learned to appreciate the shade of an ancient cork tree on sunny spring days and to recognize the quiet hospitality of the Portuguese, hidden in the gestures of field workers. I am enchanted watching the fishermen walk the trails with buckets full of hooks and respect for the ocean, their faithful companion.
This is the experience I invite you to have when exploring the trails of the Rota Vicentina: don’t simply walk to cover miles or to take a good photo, immerse yourself in these places. Talk to the people you meet along the way, respect the nature beneath your feet, and ask yourself what the places you stay in or the dishes you taste have to share.
Here, authenticity is everywhere; people live in harmony with their surroundings, keeping alive traditions and values from the past and supporting a community that lifts each other up.
From my experience, I can say there wasn’t a single moment when I didn’t feel at home. From the very beginning, I found a welcoming and supportive community that continued to offer me support to the very end, as shown by the JUNTES festival that my companion Nina and I managed to organize together, celebrating the art and diversity of this region.
With this invitation, I close a chapter of volunteering that marked a deep transformation. I am grateful to have spent this year with Rota Vicentina, a family that welcomed me with open arms, a team that taught me to look at tourism with fresh eyes—caring for a region and envisioning a sustainable, responsible, and regenerative tourism.
A special thanks goes to the European Solidarity Corps, which makes these growth experiences possible for young people.
Martina was born in Italy in 1998. In her young life, she has already lived in different parts of the world and, for now, has chosen to settle in the enchanting Southwest of Portugal. A tireless dreamer, Martina envisions a future where Tourism is Sustainable and Regenerative.
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