Now in its second season, Best Place to Be sees presenter Baz Ashmawy once again hit the road, with bags packed and passport in hand, to meet those who left Ireland for a life abroad.
Over six episodes, Baz meets a variety of Irish people who have settled far from home, and finds out how their adopted countries fare when it comes to how they live, work and play.
In tonight's episode, our presenter soaks up the sun in Portugal, taking in the the beauty of Lisbon where he meets a Dubliner who runs a cocktail bar, a young couple enjoying the lifestyle the city has to offer, and a former solicitor turned yoga teacher.
"I was probably massively influenced by Eat, Pray, Love," Sarah Shannon laughs, speaking over the phone from Bali, her temporary home until she returns to the Algarve in a few weeks time.
The lauded memoir - which was later adapted into a hit rom com starring Julia Roberts - was written by Elizabeth Gilbert, an American writer who travelled to Italy, India and Indonesia in an attempt to find herself.
Like many women their early 30s, Sarah was inspired by the book, and decided to pause her career in law for a nine-month adventure that saw her immerse herself in a world of yoga and meditation.
"I had never travelled by myself," she says, "and it was just the best thing I did. After that, I continued to travel by myself to Bali, the Camino, to my yoga teacher training - it just started something. Travel by yourself and you can follow your own curiosity."
"All of my friends were settling down and buying houses," she adds. "But even now, I'm 39 - I'll be 40 in November - and it still feels a bit the same, like I should be at home and settling down."
On her return to Ireland, the then 33-year-old quickly realised that life in a law firm wasn't for her. When the pandemic hit, she began teaching online classes and even searched the countryside for a brick and mortar base.
Despite her best efforts, though, Ireland just never made sense.
"I just felt like I needed to change something," she explains. "I loved what I was doing, but I had this dream of a retreat - I was dreaming of it all through lockdown - and I wanted to meet somebody. I just needed movement in my life. Then Portugal came to mind, just out of the blue."
In 2021, Sarah found herself on the shore of Quinta do Lago where she found a home, built up a strong community, and founded a thriving business in one of the world's most beautiful locations.
"It was the idea that wouldn't go away," she laughs. "I was 36, I packed my bags, and I headed over."
As for romance? Soon after her landing in the Algarve she fell in love with, you guessed it, an Irish man.
"I knew I would meet someone when I was doing something that I loved," she muses. "I thought it would be by the sea or hiking but it turned out to be a Portuguese party.
"We were standing on a balcony nearby the sea, so I suppose I manifested it," she adds, laughing.
As the only Irish people at the party, the two immediately bonded and soon found a long list of life crossovers, including their home towns and childhood holiday destinations: "We really had the same dreams".
Now, with her 18th retreat coming up in October, the yoga instructor says that her community has grown from familiar faces and Irish holidaymakers to women of all different backgrounds from all over the world.
For Sarah, leaving Ireland was less about lifestyle or career opportunities, and more about following her own intuition.
"I never wanted to leave Ireland," she says. "I was doing it because my heart was calling me somewhere else. I love Ireland, it wasn't to get out, I was more just pulled away."
You can find out more about Sarah Shannon's yoga retreats on www.sarahshannonyoga.com.
Best Place to Be airs Tuesdays at 7pm on RTÉ One. Catch up on RTÉ Player.
