July 2–6, 2026 · Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
THE
DEEP
END.
a birthday, a funeral, a rebirth.
July 2–6, 2026 · Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
✦ Welcome
39 asked a lot of me.
And honestly? I asked a lot of you.
Every call, every flight, every voice note, every "I've got you" — you carried me to and through it.
And I know I'm not the only one who's had a year. We've all been in it — growing, grieving, rebuilding and starting new chapters of our own. So yes, we're here to celebrate my birthday. But we're also here to celebrate the audacity of all of us — still standing, still showing up, still choosing joy.
We can always grow. We can always restart. We can always reinvent. This past year certainly taught me that.
As a double Cancer I'm ruled by the moon, and feel most myself near the sea. So where else would I turn 40 but at the edge of the Atlantic, diving in headfirst?
From the depths of my soul, across every lifetime — thank you for being here and for loving on me (and each other).
Now let's dive in.
✦ The Itinerary
Thursday · July 2
ease in · beachy · no stress
Travel & Check In · Aqua Pedra dos Bicos
Check in, drop your bags, pour something cold, exhale. We made it!
Casual Dinner & Drinks · Beach Caffé, Praia da Oura Leste
A short walk from the hotel, right on the water. No agenda, no dress code — just everyone finally in the same place. Grab a table, watch the Atlantic, let the week go.
Friday · July 3
Under the Sea Theme 🧜♀️
Ocean colours · Mermaids · ShellsBirthday Beach Day · Praia da Oura Leste
Sunbeds, swimming, Beach Caffé for lunch. Get there early — we need a good cluster of chairs for the whole group!
Back to Hotel · Glam Up 🧜♀️
Shower, get gorgeous. Under the Sea looks only — leave hotel at 5pm sharp. No stragglers on my birthday. 😂
Birthday Drinks · Portas da Vilã (the Mermaid Bar)
A shell-lined bar in the old town. Just a few blocks away from dinner. As magical as it sounds.
Birthday Dinner · Três Coroas ⭐
An outdoor terrace above Praia dos Pescadores with sea views that will make you put your phone down — I promise. Pre-ordered starters for the table, everyone picks their own main. Birthday cake incoming. ~€50/head including drinks. Everyone covers their own dinner — I've got the boat on Sunday!
Dancing · TBD
We'll let the birthday night decide. Someone in this group always knows where to go.
Saturday · July 4
A wake for my 30s. A funeral for America (and her values) on her own Independence Day.
All Black · Day & NightPool Time & Slow Wake Up
No alarms. Hotel pool. Coffee. Ease into the day of mourning.
Depart for Lagos 🚐
Day trip to Lagos old town. All black. Funeral procession style. Yes, I'm serious.
4th of July BBQ for America's Death · Illicit Burgers, Lagos 🍔
Apparently the best smash burgers in the Algarve. Grab your burger, find a spot on the street, and say a proper goodbye to the former land of the free.
Lagos Old Town · Wander & Shop
Cobblestone streets, charming shops, golden Algarve light. Still in all black. Still in mourning. It's giving chic.
Head Back to Albufeira
Back to hotel, freshen up. We leave for Pinecliffs at 7:15pm sharp.
Sunset Champagne · Mirador Bar, Pinecliffs Resort ✨
A clifftop champagne bar overlooking the Atlantic. The official wake for my 30s. Golden hour, bubbles, views that make everything feel possible. Come ready to be speechless.
Bites, Cocktails & Shisha · Casa do Cerro 🌙
A Moroccan lounge bar tucked into Albufeira with vibey decor, incredible cocktails, shisha, and occasional belly dancers. This is where the rebirth begins. 🖤
Sunday · July 5
No dress code · Just vibes and sunscreen
Eat Breakfast at the Hotel
There will be light bites onboard and lunch after — but start the day fed!
Call Ubers to the Marina de Albufeira
Meet in the hotel lobby, coordinate rides together.
Private Catamaran · AlgarExperience
Departs 10am sharp — the captain genuinely will not wait. This one's on me: the charter, extra drinks, and crew tip fully covered. Included: skipper + sailor, cheese board, charcuterie, fresh fruit, snorkel masks & paddleboard.
Algarve Coastline 🌊
Sea caves, dramatic cliffs, swimming stops, drinks on deck. Bring sunscreen. Bring a playlist suggestion. This is the one.
Lunch at the Marina · Play It By Ear
Dock, wander, find somewhere that looks right. I have a few places pinned. Everyone covers their own.
Casual Dinner Near Hotel
Low-key, near the hotel. Some people are heading out tonight — the goodbye hugs begin and I refuse to cry. (I will cry.)
Monday · July 6
slow mornings · pool hangs · many hugs
Hotel Breakfast & Last Pool Hangs ☀️
No rush. Final coffees, last swims. Soak in every last drop.
Safe Travels ✈️
Taxi to Faro Airport (FAO) or train back to Lisbon. See you on the other side.
✦ The Looks
Friday · July 3 · Day & Night
Ocean colours — aqua, seafoam, coral, pearl, deep blue. Mermaids, shells, sea creatures, anything that belongs beneath the waves. The more committed the better.
Welcome to your mermaid era.
Saturday · July 4 · Day & Night
All black. Head to toe. We are burying my 30s and bidding farewell to America on her own Independence Day.
Daytime: black linen, etc. Nighttime: think chic Parisian funeral, not Halloween.
My 30s deserve a dignified send-off. (America maybe not so much…)
✦ Good to Know
Hotel
Aqua Pedra dos Bicos Design Beach Hotel — adults only, walkable to beach and old town. Staying here makes coordinating pool hangs and morning chaos so much easier. Refundable option available!
Getting Here · By Air
FAO (Faro Airport) is the closest airport — direct routes from most major European cities. It's a ~40 minute cab to the hotel.
Getting Here · From Lisbon
Several train options ranging from 2.5–4hrs depending on route. I recommend Rail Ninja — much more user-friendly than the official PT site. I'll create a WhatsApp group to help everyone coordinate logistics.
The Boat Experience
The boat is my gift to all of you — the charter, the extra drinks, and the crew tip are fully covered. Just show up.
Costs & Payments
All meals, Ubers and dinners we cover our own. I'll set up a Splitwise group and designate car captains. I'll always give a heads up on costs in advance — no one gets caught off guard.
Birthday Dinner
Três Coroas · Friday July 3rd · 7pm. Guests cover their own dinner — ~€50/head including drinks. Pre-ordered as a group on arrival. Seamless, I promise.
✦ What to Bring
