Guide to Napa + SF

I had the absolute pleasure to spend a week on the West Coast in October 2021. I joke that I need my bi-annual trip to California for my health, but I’m starting to really believe it. I usually find myself in LA, but I decided it was time to switch it up and go somewhere new. With one of my besties from high school now living in SF and my other bestie from college itching to travel, a trip to NorCal was born. I love so much of California - the pace of life, the food, and especially the weather. Every day was a mid seventy high with lows in the mid-fifties. I got to wear my cutest summer fits with my cutest fall jackets! 

I started my trip with a non-stop flight to SF on a Thursday landing at 9 pm PDT. Jordyn and I rented an adorable Jeep Wrangler and drove an hour and a half out to Napa Valley. For the next three days, Jordyn and I rested, ate, drank, watched TV, wore cute outfits, and drove around one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in the US. It was the best quality time I could’ve asked for with a friend. Once Monday rolled around, we made our way to San Francisco, where Jordyn would take a flight back home and I’d spend two more days with Matthew. I hadn’t been to SF in years, so it was a true joy to see the city from the perspective of a newfound local. In the dream future, I’d like to take a trip to Napa every year to drink delicious reds. For now, I’ll just reflect on the amazing memories I got to make with my best friends through this blog post. 

Where to eat in Napa

For coffee and breakfast…

• Southside Yountville. We went almost every morning for a large americano. I rarely like coffee black, but I would drink this coffee black. It’s that good. The cafe itself has a lovely outdoor seating area that you can enjoy with beautiful weather. We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Southside our first morning. We split the ricotta and avocado toast.

• Model Bakery for Oprah’s favorite English muffin. This spot is a must in Napa. Don’t be the person that doesn’t try Model when in Napa. I ordered a breakfast sandwich on the English muffin and it did not disappoint. We got there on the earlier side and avoided waiting in line so maybe try the same.

• Bouchon Bakery for a plethora of delicious pastries. I tried a kouign-amann for the first time, not knowing that I was about to eat a caramelized croissant. I loved it and hope to try every kouign-amann on the planet. Bouchon reminds me of Magnolia Bakery with a more rustic feel and less cupcakes. The line is intimidating and can go slowly but let it be a sign that you’re in the right place

For a farm-to-table dinner…

• Farmstead. We went to Farmstead on our first night in Napa and it did not disappoint. We sat outside and enjoyed espresso martinis. Everything we ordered was great. We shared the deviled eggs (which I had for the first time ever), the meatballs, a kale salad, and the pork chop entree. I would highly recommend coming here.

• Goose and Gander. It’s a romantic and intimate restaurant that boasts many strong entree dishes and smaller appetizers. We didn’t go with the biggest appetite so we shared the corn croquettes and each ordered a salad. We thought adding steak to our salads would be a good idea until we saw the check. Don’t be silly like us and just get an entree. 

For a classic, always hits the spot meal…

• Restoration Hardware. I’ve actually never eaten at any of their other locations but I’m sure they are just as great as the RH In Yountville. Brunch was fantastic - I wish I could’ve ordered everything on the menu. We shared the avocado toast and the smoked salmon plate. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows, sparkly chandeliers, and decorative fountains. It’s the perfect restaurant for taking pictures, so I took full advantage.

• R+D Kitchen. A branch of the Hillstones Group. The perfect spot to get your fixing of sushi, a fried chicken sandwich, and insanely large and tasty salads. You can make a reservation at this location which is highly recommended. You can also sit outside and order from a limited menu. We got lucky and were able to sit within twenty minutes of arriving without a reservation. It has the same trusty feeling like all their other locations, with great service and better food. 

Where to drink in Napa

• V. Sattui. A casual vineyard offering wine tastings, a deli and cheese shop, and outdoor seating areas to picnic. Jordyn and I made reservations for their wine tasting at 3 pm, but decided to get there a bit earlier to check out the vibes. I’m so glad we did it because we ended up having a delicious charcuterie lunch. We bought salads, truffle cheese, bread, crackers, and prosciutto. We even had the chance to check out the wine train, which travels right by V. Sattui. At the wine tasting, we tried rose, reds, and whites. We never felt rushed, just encouraged to enjoy every wine. 

• Del Dotto Cave Experience and Wine Tasting. Amazing winery tour. We booked the tour in advance and went in the late afternoon. Del Dotto has various vineyards but the cave is their newest location. We tried probably 10-15 different wines, each one was better than the next. After the tour, we enjoyed pizza on the terrace and explored the vineyard gardens. 

Where to eat in San Francisco

• Tartine. Famous bakery with delicious sweet and savory treats. I tried the sweet potato and cheddar scone - it was incredible.

• Foreign Cinema. Trendy and vibrant restaurant that plays movies old school (projector and everything). Absolutely worth going to with good friends, parents, or on a date night. The menu is seasonal so it changes frequently. We ordered a couple of cocktails, the cod dip, a tomato salad, the duck, and fried chicken. The entrees and the bread were incredible.

• Souvla. I wish they had this quick and casual greek food spot in NYC. We went to the one on Hayes for lunch. I ordered a salad and fries. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, definitely order the froyo.

• Dumpling Home. Casual dim sum spot that’s usually very, very busy. We went for lunch and didn’t wait a minute. Everything’s good you can’t go wrong.

What to do in San Francisco

• Lands End Lookout. Beautiful trail along the San Fransisco Bay with beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge. If I lived in SF I would walk here in the evenings at sunset all the time. The trail is perfectly shady and breezy so it’s great to do when you don’t want to work up a sweat. It also wasn’t busy when we went. There’s also many spots along the way to sit, people watch, marvel at nature’s beauty, and take pictures!

• Mission District. Cute area with streets filled with shops and restaurants. Foreign Cinema and Tartine are both in this area. I only walked around the area at night but I’d assume it’s great during the day too. The Mission Dolores Park is also right around here - it’s small park with benches, tennis courts, and lots of cute dogs. The park is also surrounded by beautiful houses.

• Filmore Street. Great shopping street with your favorite trendy shops (Reformation, Isalis, Gorjana, etc). I spent about two hours in this area just window shopping and browsing.

South Florida Activities Guide

As you can probably tell by now, I stand by the fact that I’m a Miami queen even though I’ve lived in New York for the last four years. I thrive in warm weather, driving semi-long distances, and perusing outdoor shopping malls. One of the few things I can thank COVID for is more time at home in Florida. I not only got to spend more time with my family, but I also got to enjoy one of my favorite cities in the world. Sadly, Miami hasn’t gotten the best rep over the last months because everything has remained relatively open during the pandemic. I’m here to tell you that you can safely spend time in Florida. This guide is for the people already in Florida looking to spice up their lives or for those planning a trip. There are plenty of things to do that don’t revolve around partying, I swear!

It’s always worth visiting the Design District if you find yourself in the south Miami area. Although the stores and restaurants usually remain the same, the art is constantly changing. The shopping is fantastic in this area if you’re into dressing like an influencer. Plus, the whole area is so aesthetic, you can get a good pic for Insta anywhere. But in all seriousness, the museums, galleries, and outdoor exhibitions make the Design District different from other shopping districts (think Melrose or SoHo meets modern art). In December, I was even lucky enough to stumble across the Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residence, which had popped up in the Design District. This was just another reminder that it’s always worth it to drive down and visit Design District when in Miami. You never know what you’re going to see. 

If you find yourself in the Brickell area, you might as well visit the Frost Museum of Science and the Perez Art Museum Miami. Both museums are incredible and have become central to the cultural growth of the Miami area. The Frost Museums is a great indoor activity for all ages. The Museum features mainly modern art, so I don’t know if it’s every child’s cup of tea. But I will say that both museums have an emphasis on being interactive and spacious. The Frost and PAMM are exemplary examples of what it means to make a space multipurpose. You don’t even have to go inside the museums to appreciate the architecture and natural beauty of it all. There’s plenty of outdoor seating and even a cafe/restaurant/bar. The museums are located within the Maure A. Ferré park, free and open to the public every day. You can enjoy the most incredible views of the bay, see some outdoor artwork, and explore a beautiful park in the heart of a big city. I wouldn’t spend my precious Miami time exploring any more of the downtown area. If you choose to do so, check out the American Airlines arena (your classic concert and sports venue), Bayfront Park, and the Bayside Mall. 

Like I slightly touched on before, Do NOT forget that Miami also has some incredible parks worth visiting! If you’re into outdoor activities, I’d also visit Greynolds Park in Aventura or South Point in Miami Beach. There’s so much nature in Florida, whether at the parks, by the beach, or in the swamps. I love knowing that there are areas that you can still go just chill at for free - it seems like there’s less and less of that as the world evolves. Greynolds Park is more for families and friends looking for ample space to hang out for an afternoon. There are many shady areas by the lakes, pavilions with tables, and even sports fields. South Point Park is more for people watching and strutting your stuff in a cute bikini. You’re also right by South Beach, so you can hit the town after.

If you want to factor in some fitness on vacation, I’d highly recommend taking a class at one of SoulCycle’s outdoor studios in the South Beach area. Their first pop-up was at the 1Hotel, aka a collaboration of my dreams. The whole experience was very “competitive fitness cult meets the tropics,” transforming an outdoor event space to a spin studio with sixty socially distanced bikes covered by white umbrellas. Since closed at the 1Hotel, the studio has reopened at the roof of a parking lot near Lincoln Road. I’m not quite sure how this new space’s vibes could compare to those of the 1Hotel. Regardless, Miami SoulCycle instructions always bring the best energy and music. 

Behind all the hotels located on A1A or Collins Avenue lies a beach-side boardwalk worth strolling in Miami. It’s a great way to catch a peek at all the hotel pools, do more people watching, and get some rays without actually going to the beach. I’ve always entered the Boardwalk on 24th street, which is the official starting place. Make sure you bring a water bottle, wear comfortable clothes, and slather yourself in sunscreen. I also encourage having a plan of where you want to turn around, as the Boardwalk does not make a loop. You can either walk it up and back or break off at various points and get back onto A1A. 

Another fitness option that’s more scenic and unique to Miami Beach is Bluespace, a floating wellness space located right off the MacArthur causeway. I had the pleasure of taking a semi-private sunset yoga class back in January. The entire experience was so peaceful and truly magical. There is nothing quite like listening to music, getting your yoga flow on, and overlooking the Miami bay area. They offer membership options in various price ranges, classes at all hours of the day, and teach yoga suited for all levels. If you’re looking to spice up your yoga routine in a very Miami way, this is the place for you. 

If you’re into water activities, I’d highly recommend renting kayaks at the Oleta River Outdoor Center. The state park offers an extensive network of streams and rivers that end at Biscayne Bay. You can either spend the day within the park rivers or head out to the intercoastal and explore the sandbars and small islands. I’d recommend packing a picnic lunch and bringing it on the kayak. Then, you can make it out to one of the islands, dock your kayak in the sand, and enjoy lunch on the beach. Make sure to bring water, a trash bag, and towels. The less you bring, the less you have to worry - it’s just good to be prepared if you want to make a day out of it. Kayaks can be rented on a daily or hourly basis. The picture below is actually a picture of my mom’s kayak! I ride it around the canals behind our home every time I’m home.

South Florida Restaurant Guide

Miami has truly established itself as a trendy city in recent years, offering arguably as much as LA or NYC would to a tourist (especially if you’re trying to be touristy while still being cool). Thankfully, I get to call Miami my home having grown up just a mere sixteen miles up north on I-95. There’s always something new to do, somewhere new to try, and someone willing to do it all with me. If you come to Miami for the weather, you’ll probably stay for the food, the vibes, and the endless opportunities to spend time outside. 

I have a hard time trying new restaurants when I’m home or even leaving my neighborhood since I already have my ride or die spots (I’m also lazy and work full-time). But now that I’m putting more time and energy into my blog, I made it a priority to try some new spots and explore this amazing city even more than I usually do. Keep reading to learn more about restaurants I’ve recently discovered in SoFlo.

If you’re in Aventura, try Reunion Ktchn right on Biscayne Blvd, just south of the Aventura Mall. This local restaurant boasts an extensive menu with global dishes served tapas-style. I think my favorite section of the menu is the drinks - fruity, strong, and special, everything you need in a good cocktail. I’d suggest going to Reunion Ktch with four to six people so you can try and share more dishes. Each dish on the menu also includes a size reference, so you can gauge what you want to order based on the dish sizes. I still found that all the dishes, regardless of the size, could be shared between two to three people. I went with a friend for dinner and we barely made a dent in most of our dishes. If you go, definitely order the tuna tartar and the pear pizza. We also ordered the fish crispy rice, burrata, cauliflower, and a salad.

If you’re in the mood for Latin American eats in Aventura, make sure to check out Novecento for brunch on the weekends (or for any meal at any time, really). I’ve now been multiple times to this fabulous Argentinian steak house and can safely nothing beats their brunch menu. Novecento has something for everyone, whether you like sweet, savory, meats, or salads. They even have a bottomless mimosa add-on that lets you have unlimited drinks for the entirety of your meal. I usually order the bloody mary as my cocktail, the empanadas as an appetizer, the chorizo scramble for my main course, and try my best to resist the desert. Which never works. Someone always has to get the dulce de leche french toast or the bacon pancakes. You can’t go wrong here. 

If you’re in Coral Gables, try Tur Kitchen. This beautifully decorated, semi-fancy restaurant blew me away with one of the most innovative menus and dishes I’ve tried in years. I love any excuse to dress up and you can definitely do so when going to Tur Kitchen. I loved that there were people of all ages and backgrounds dining alongside us enjoying the incredible March Miami weather. Each plate we ordered was better and more different than the next. Start your meal with the pides (like a flatbread but better) and the squid appetizer, leave some room to enjoy the pork loin as your entree, and finish the meal with the kunafa, which is their award-winning walnut, pistachio, and rose pastry. The whole experience blew me away, from the soft tropical house music playing the whole night, to the way a strip mall local was transformed into a Mediterranean oasis. Tur Kitchen is a MUST when in Miami.

If you’re in Fort Lauderdale, try Taco Craft on US-1 and Broward Blvd. This popular Mexican taco spot usually has a long wait and a crowd ready to feast, so either plan accordingly or stop by on a weeknight as I did. On Mondays, they do $5 margaritas to my surprise. My friends and I all ordered the taco platter for $18 - three tacos and a side of rice and beans. There were so many tacos to choose from but I went with my usual strategy which is one veggie and two meat tacos. All the tacos were made with homemade corn tortillas and very fresh-tasting ingredients. Taco Craft is the perfect spot to grab dinner with friends if you’re looking to stay within budget and have a good time. 

If you’re still in FTL but looking to try a different cuisine in a fancier atmosphere, check out Takato on the beach right off of Sunrise Blvd and A1A. It’s a new Asian fusion restaurant with predominantly Japanese cuisine, similar to Makoto with a bit more spice. The outdoor space is large, spacious, and has one of the best views ground-level ocean views I’ve seen at a South Florida restaurant. I’d highly recommend ordering the fried chicken, the duck bao buns, and the spicy tuna crispy rice. I’d also recommend going with at least three people so you can share the dishes. They are on the smaller side but still filling and satisfying. 

If you’re in Miami Beach, visit Pura Vida for healthy wraps, bowls, and juices. With locations all over Miami and expanding up north, soon everyone will be asking you to grab lunch on the weekends at Pura Vida. I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting their Miami Beach location, which has a cute outside seating area with low couches, square tables, and large white umbrellas to keep you out of the scorching sun. It feels very Soho House but make it non-exclusive (lol). I ordered the vegan lentil bowl and loved it until I saw the spicy tuna bowl which I will definitely order next time. I also had a delicious oat milk latte that felt borderline unhealthy from how creamy it was. But none of that is possible at a health food restaurant, right? If you want to try to pretend like you’re in LA, check out Pura Vida.

If you’re still in the Miami Beach area craving something healthy but way boujee-er, check out Dave Grutman’s vegan restaurant Planta. Located in the worst area possible with the worst parking in the entire world lies this overpriced, it’s a trendy spot I felt obliged to try. Overall, the experience was fine. The food was great, the service was below average, and the outdoor seating was weak compared to the beautiful indoor dining space. Would I return? No. But I’d still tell you to go try it out. Definitely get the sushi - we ordered the watermelon nigiri and it was quite deceiving. The pizza and tofu lettuce wraps were great but nothing special. Next time I’m in Miami, I want to try Swan, another one of Dave Grutman’s restaurants. 

If you’re looking to dine in the Wynwood area, make a reservation at Bakan. This beautiful indoor/outdoor restaurant has one of the best corners of Wynwood in terms of real estate. It’s far enough from the heart of Wynwood where you don’t feel like everyone walking on the street is looking at you, but close enough where you can walk to the Wynwood boutiques and bars before or after dinner. This was my second time at Bakan and can say the food is consistent, seasoned to perfection, and accompanied by delicious sides always. I’d also recommend insisting on not being the DD because the drinks are amazing - it’s hard to just have one. I’d recommend sharing any of the tacos and the NY strip with someone else for your meal. 

Stay tuned for part two with recommendations on what to do in Miami!

Guide to Palm Beach

A couple of weeks ago, my family decided to load up our car with embarrassingly over-packed suitcases and drive north to stay at my grandpa’s apartment. The staycation destination: Palm Beach, Florida, a town I grew up thinking was boring, old, and strictly for snowbirds. I’ll happily report that today it’s a burgeoning, warm-weather, Hamptons meets Nantucket vacation destination. Looking for a different city in South Florida to frequent on the weekends besides Miami? This place is for you.

I think you only need a day or two in Palm Beach to get the gist; it’s glitzy yet quiet, beautiful from afar because it could drain your wallet. If you’re looking to crash for a night or two, you might as well go all out and stay at the White Elephant Hotel or the Colony Hotel. Both hotels gave me Beverly Hills vibes with their open-air lobbies, striped pool furniture, and hanging lights. Don’t be fooled by appearances; the hotels still have their South Florida charm with lots of tourists and background tropical music. The White Elephant, the newer of the two hotels, is right off of the main street in Palm Beach. It’s within walking distance of the beach, the Publix, and the local shops. Stay here if you’re looking for easy access to town during the day and a social scene at night. If you’re more interested in a more relaxing atmosphere, stay at the Colony Hotel. It has a poolside restaurant, a Bluestone Lane cafe and is right next to the beach and Worth Avenue. 

I had the lovely opportunity to dine at Swifty’s POOL, underneath a green canopy, looking out at the Colony Hotel pool, drinking a bellini. Although the Swifty’s cuisine is not my favorite (it was very club sandwich and caesar salad vibes), it’s worth going for the people watching. I wish I would’ve brought a bathing suit with me because you can purchase a day pass for the hotel and use all the amenities, including the pool! They even had a live DJ the day I went, which I thought was dope for a Palm Beach pool. After lunch, I got an iced oat latte from Bluestone to give me a taste of NYC. 

I’m a sucker for a coffee shop latte, so I had to visit the San Ambroeus in Royal Poinciana Plaza while I was in town. I’ve yet to eat at the restaurant, but I can attest that the coffee is delicious. Once you have your coffee, I encourage you to walk around the plaza and strictly window shop. You can also watch fitness junkies do an outdoor SoulCycle class located in the plaza parking lot. It’s not nearly as beautiful as the South Beach location, but it’s a good option if you miss the group fitness vibe and live up north. 

If you’re dressed comfortably, you might as well continue walking down Lake Shore Drive Trail after window shopping in Poinciana Plaza. It’s a very long trail that goes along Lake Worth Lagoon. You’ll get beautiful waterfront views on one side and Palm Beach’s mega-mansions as your view on the other side. I wouldn’t recommend biking or running along the trail since it’s quite populated. But people definitely do it, so don’t be shy if you’re trying to exercise with a view.

If you’re looking to continue window shopping in Palm Beach, head over to Worth Avenue, Palm Beach’s main shopping and dining area. I take a stroll down the avenue every time in Palm Beach without fail. I’ve never purchased something on Worth Ave, but that’s ok because I love any excuse to stroll mindlessly. Most shops are located along the main street, while the restaurants are nestled away along the vias. I encourage you to wander down the side streets, so you temporarily feel like you’re in the streets of a small European town. One evening, my family dined at Ta-boo on Worth Avenue. It’s the opposite of a quaint European restaurant nestled away. It’s more like a Houstons with an older crowd and an even bigger menu. It might not sound so great, but I promise it’s a very local spot worth visiting. 

I’d also recommend going to Henry’s for dinner if you’re looking for a trendier restaurant that still has the old school Palm Beach vibe. It’s a pricey spot with earth-toned 70s decor and a contemporary menu. I enjoyed a delicious lobster roll as my main, along with a fruity cocktail. Henry’s has plenty of outdoor dining and indoor tables that look out onto the Palm Beach main street. After dinner, make sure to walk around and check out the other restaurants in town.

Lastly, you must visit the beach when in Palm BEACH! I love going to the beach up by the Palm Beach Beach Club. But if you don’t have a beach membership, you can visit the beach by Worth Avenue. It also has a boardwalk you can stroll. There’s plenty of parking along the street and has access to the restaurants and shops of Worth Avenue. Make sure you bring everything because it really is just a beach (chairs, towels, umbrellas, etc.)

Road trip to Acadia National Park

If you know me you know travel is an essential part of my life. If I have some extra cash in the bank, it’s going towards a dope trip. Thanks to COVID-19, that part of my life was slightly put on hold. I stopped traveling by plane for leisure in 2020. Instead, I learned to travel cautiously by land. My best travel buddy, Gaby, and I decided to plan a trip right before Thanksgiving. Things in NYC were looking better, Gaby was getting slightly over her fear of travel, and we both had thankfully managed to avoid getting the virus. We figured we’d be able to plan a safe and efficient road trip that would yield maximum happiness and satisfaction. We decided to rent a car and drive from NYC to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. Craving nature and girl time, we set aside four days to drive up and down the east coast to a place we’d never been to before. 

From the beginning, Gaby and I had agreed we would have to make a stop somewhere between NYC and Portland, which is where we were going to spend the night. We decided to stop in Boston at about two hours into our drive. My best friend from high school, Jenna, lives in Boston and we knew we could get a really yummy lunch in the city. We went to Oishii Boston ($$$) and had some delicious sushi. The quality was amazing, the portions were tiny, and we left with a bit of a dent in our wallets. It wasn’t too much of an issue because we got to spend quality time with Jenna and we knew we wouldn’t be spending too much during the rest of our trip. After Oishii, we stopped by the classic Tatte Bakery for afternoon hot drinks. My latte was the perfect pick me up for the second leg of our drive. It took us about three and a half hours to get to Boston from the city, and about two hours to get to Portland from Boston.

We chose to stop in Portland for the night to break up the driving on our trip up to Acadia. Although skeptical at first, Gaby and I really grew to like Portland. We spent the night at the Holiday Inn Portland-By the Bay. It was affordable, offered free parking, and was close enough to town where we could walk or drive in every day. If you want a more authentic downtown Portland experience, I’d recommend staying even closer in town.

Of course, we had some delicious meals in Portland. There were absolutely no outdoor dining options due to the weather (it was freaking COLD), so make sure you’re comfortable with indoor dining or take out. We had dinner at Evo Kitchen + Bar ($$) our first night and brunch at UNION ($$) the next day. Both were absolutely divine. Evo offered Mediterranean fusion with lots of veggie-forward dishes. UNION was more of an NYC brunch spot with Brussel sprouts and avo toast. I’d recommend making reservations at both of them to avoid waiting.

Our Portland sightseeing consisted of walking along the pier, window shopping at all the local shops, and spending the afternoon in Fort Allen Park. I personally loved browsing in Sherman’s Book Shop and having a full-blown photo shoot at the park. There’s something a little romantic about all the activities we did, and I loved doing them with my gal pal. Due to COVID-19, you could probably see all of downtown Portland in a day. We would’ve also liked to visit the Portland Art Museum, Observatory, and Lighthouse, but they were all closed due to the pandemic. After we checked out all the open touristy spots, we hopped in the car and started our evening drive to Bar Harbor. 

The drive from Portland to Bar Harbor was much more of a direct trip. We basically were on I-95 North the entire time and drove for about three hours. Bar Harbor is the closest town to the national park. I’d recommend staying here over the other towns because it has a main street with various dining, social, and shopping options. Every day, we would get in our rental car and drive less than 10 minutes to one of the trails to start our day hiking. I would highly recommend going to Acadia in early fall because you’ll get more hours of sunlight and warmer weather. The weekend we chose to go was basically the last weekend of the season. We were some of the only people staying in the hotel, the town was basically shut down, and the sun set at around four pm. Although we had an incredible time and made the most of it, I’d recommend going in between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. 

We stayed at the Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina. Our hotel room was very spacious, with a large bathroom and terrace looking out at the ocean. I would definitely stay at this hotel again. The staff at the hotel was extremely knowledgeable and helped us come up with fun activities to do that we hadn’t thought of ourselves. The hotel also has a warm and inviting lobby, perfect for lounging and meeting others in non-COVID times. We ate at the hotel restaurant twice: once for dinner and for breakfast. Both meals were delicious. It’s a pricier option than the spots in town, but so convenient it was hard to pass up.

On our first night, the concierge recommended we drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to stargaze. The view was absolutely breathtaking. I’d never seen stars so clearly and in such a large quantity before. We only lasted about twenty minutes because it was so cold. The hotel gave us some blankets, but even then we were freezing. It’s a pitch-black drive, so be careful driving up. I would assume it's equally beautiful in warm weather. There was nothing to do in town at night since everything was closed, so this was a great nighttime activity. 

During the next two days, we hiked from morning to sunset. We hiked the Precipice trail that first morning because Gaby and I are absolute ballers. This is the hardest trail in the park. Do not take that lightly. Gaby and I joked that most of our hiking was really rock climbing, which was definitely true for this trail. It took us almost two hours to get up and about an hour to get down. In the afternoon, we picked up lunch at Side Street Cafe ($$) and ate it in our hotel room. Almost all the restaurants in town were take-out only due to COVID-19. We ended our day hiking up Bubble Rock and strolling around Jordan Pond. That night, we discovered the Royal Indian ($$) restaurant. It became our holy grail since it was the only spot open for indoor dining. The food was so comforting and delicious. Don’t pass up on this spot.

The next morning, we decided to take it easier and hike Beehive Trail. It’s one of the most popular trails in the Park along with Bubble. It was a great hike to do after our previous crazy day. Beehive took us a little over two hours going up and down. It was one of the more scenic hikes because of its proximity to the beach. Instead of walking down to the beach after, we drove our car down to make the most of the daylight. We spent the rest of the day at Thunderhole, followed by Sand Beach. Both are beautiful, picturesque nature spots worth seeing. Sand Beach reminded me of a West Coast beach with large, crashing waves surrounded by beautiful mountains. We ended our last day in Acadia with Indian food for lunch and watching the sunset at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. This was another activity that is an absolute must-do. There’s nothing like watching the sun meet the ocean while sitting on a rocky overlook. 

This same day, we drove back to Portland for dinner. We had so many Portland restaurant recommendations it was hard to ignore. We ended up having one of the most delicious dinners of our entire trip at Scales ($$$) in Downtown Portland. I had a local beer, followed by a delicious lobster roll with a side of squash gratin. If you had one night in Portland, I’d tell you that you must go to this restaurant. The restaurant itself was so beautiful and maintained social distance between every table. After dinner, we drove to Portsmouth to spend the night in a different city and state. We didn’t see much of the city until the next morning. We had brunch at a local diner and then walked around before heading back to NYC. The drive back felt like the longest out of our whole trip. 

Thankfully, we made it back safe and sound to NYC. All in all, our trip was five days long. We visited so many cities and states, saw so much beautiful nature, and had tons of quality time together. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about doing this road trip!

Guide to Boston

Finally, a post! I took last week off to recharge. It also took me longer than I thought to write about my weekend in Boston! It had been two years since my previous Boston visit, so this trip was very overdue. This time around, I was really able to get a feel for what life in Boston is like post-college. The trip’s main objective was to celebrate my lovely friend Jenna’s 23rd birthday with my other high school besties and our significant others. We had the best time, filled with laughs, good food, and fantastic weather. But I also got to experience and see parts of Boston I’d never been to before. I would highly recommend taking a trip to Boston during this time. It was incredibly convenient for me to come from NYC because I didn’t have to quarantine upon arrival, and I could go by train. You can do practically anything socially distanced and wearing a mask. 

FOOD

Boston has QUITE the food scene. I would say the food and service are just as great as the NYC restaurant scene with less competition. But even after extensive research, I realized there was no chance I would be able to try all the places I wanted to try in one weekend. We decided to pick spots close to where we stayed (Cambridge) and offered reservations at all hours. They have also started offering indoor seating at a limited capacity.

Naco Taco ($$) - We discovered Naco Taco walking around the Cambridge neighborhood. It caught our eye because of its adorable outdoor seating. It also has a “food truck” in the outside area; it’s an extension of their inside kitchen. I went with Sebastian on Saturday night, and we went all out. The portions were huge. We got the salsa dips to start, a salad to share, and tacos. It was some of the best salsa I’ve had! We left very, very full. I’d highly recommend checking this spot out. 

Committee ($$$) - I came across Committee while looking for a brunch spot on Google Maps in Seaport. We made a reservation to go after our visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), which was close by. I think Committee was my favorite restaurant food-wise from this trip. It probably was one of the best brunches I’ve had in a while. We ordered the calamari to start and an omelet and pancakes to share as entrees. Our meal wasn’t too expensive because we just ordered food and shared everything, but some expensive dishes were on the menu. Portions are MASSIVE so keep that in mind. We got the half stack of pancakes, and it was still so much food.

Celeste ($$$-$$$$) - Sebastian, Jenna, and I went to Celeste on our first night in Boston. Celeste is located in Somerville, so it was about a 10-minute drive from Cambridge. I wanted to try Celeste because I rarely eat Peruvian food in the northeast. I was also very curious to see how Boston does Peruvian. We feasted at this delicious restaurant. The ambiance is adorable, and the serving staff was so kind. We started with ceviche, and then each got an entree. I ordered the lomo saltado as my main dish and drank two watermelon Moscow mules throughout the meal. It was one of the most expensive meals I’ve had in a very long time, but it was worth it!   

Tatte Bakery ($) - We stopped by Tatte Bakery a couple of times throughout the weekend. It’s an adorable cafe & bakery chain with locations in Brookline, Boston, and Cambridge. Sebastian and I tried their breakfast dishes and many pastries. You must get the cheese bureka.

Brookline Lunch ($) - I stumbled upon Brookline Lunch while walking to the Central T stop. It looked like the perfect place to have a quick meal, and it turned out to be just that. Run by a couple and their son, this lovely cafe has a plethora of inexpensive diner-like dishes. They’re known for the vegetable hash side that comes with every plate. It includes seasoned potatoes, beans, olives, spinach, and many other vegetables. I was so pleasantly surprised when my veggie omelet came with even more veggies. The owners told us to come back for brunch, which we sadly were unable to do. I’d return if I were in the area.

Eataly ($$) - Even though there are Eataly restaurants everywhere, they are always a good option for solid Italian food. We ate at their pizza & pasta restaurant, which was offering a $19 lunch special. It included an appetizer with a pizza, pasta, or salad entree. I ordered the steak carpaccio to start and the four cheese pizza as my entree. The service was very meh, and the food was okay. I think a lot of the Eataly charm is in the ambiance. You feel like you’re eating in a lux grocery store. I wouldn’t recommend it, but I don’t regret going. 

AREAS TO EXPLORE

MIT/ Cambridge - Although most of our activities took place in Boston proper, it was nice to call Cambridge our home base for the weekend. It’s a very calm, residential, and academic area filled with local eateries and outdoor spaces. It’s also a great area to stay in if you’re interested in exploring MIT and Harvard. Just keep in mind that the neighborhood does not have great public transportation (we walked almost everywhere and occasionally Ubered). 

Southie - Southie is what Bostonians call the area of South Boston and Seaport. It’s a beautiful area, situated right on the water, booming with new developments. It’s the kind of place you go to walk around and dream about future #goals. The ICA and Celeste are located in this area. There’s not much to do in terms of activities - we just walked around and did sightseeing. But, it’s truly the best place to see the waters around Boston Harbor. There are so many beautiful boats and great people watching. 

Boston Public Garden - one of the most beautiful places to spend a weekend afternoon in Boston. Just west of the Boston Commons, the Public Garden has plenty of areas to explore and relax in. Sebastian and I decided to rest here after walking the Freedom Trail. We chose to sit by the lake, take pictures, people watch, and look at the beautiful nature Boston has to offer. The most significant difference between a city like Boston and a city like NYC is that you can see the sky! There aren’t many high rise buildings, which makes spaces like the Public Garden feel so much more peaceful. You could spend as little as twenty minutes here or as much as a couple of hours. 

Newberry + Back Bay - the best area to shop in Boston is Newberry Street. It is in the Back Bay area of Boston, just west of the Public Garden and south of the Charles River. The architecture of all the buildings, even some of the stores, are still in a very classic Boston style. It has all your favorite stores from Sephora to Brandy Melville to Reformation and Uniqlo. We went on a Friday afternoon, so it was pretty calm and enjoyable. My friends told me that the lines to get into stores during the weekend are out the door due to stores taking COVID-19 precautions. There’s also plenty of spots to eat along the street. 

ACTIVITIES

Picnic @ The Charles River Esplanade - this lovely spot and activity are right near Newbury St and the Back Bay area. It’s a piece of land that is separated from Boston by a bit of water. It has some of the most beautiful views of the Charles River and plenty of open space. We saw people walking their dogs, drinking beer at the brewery, and others running along the pedestrian path. We had a big group picnic. Everyone brought their beverage or snack of choice. Make sure to bring a blanket or towel to sit on and a speaker to play music. There’s also a couple of bathrooms on the Esplanade, so you could stay for hours as we did! At sunset, there was the most beautiful golden hour. Going to the Esplanade is probably one of the best free activities Boston has to offer. 

Freedom Trail - Per Sebastian’s request and suggestion, we walked the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile guided walk that connects a bunch of Boston’s historic sites. It starts in the Boston Commons and ends on the other side of the river in Charlestown. We walked the first half of the trail on Friday and the second half on Saturday. I actually would recommend walking the trail (self-guided like we did) if you have time to spare in Boston. My favorite part of the trail was the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill. Charlestown is such a beautiful area, and I would’ve probably never gone if it wasn’t for those two historical sites. 

ICA - The Institute of Contemporary Art is a beautiful museum located in Seaport. Not only is the building itself outstanding and worth exploring, but the art is also excellent. It’s a small museum that you only really need about an hour/1.5 hours to cover. We got to see two unique exhibits by two different artists: Sterling Ruby and “The Visitors” by Ragnar Kjartansson. I’d highly recommend going to see both!

TRAVEL TIPS

• Take the Amtrak from NYC. They’re offering two tickets for the price of one deal now!

• Take the T if it’s convenient. Uber is also very affordable. 

• Boston is a great city to visit on a low budget. The most expensive part of it will probably be lodging and food if you choose to go to expensive restaurants. Other than that, the city offers a lot of free and low-cost tourism/ activities. 

Madrid 2019 Restaurant Guide

If you didn’t know by now, I am a major foodie. I love to find new spots and I love to share my experiences with others. I also judge restaurant experiences as if I am a food critic. I constantly get asked for food recommendations in  the cities I’ve visited, so I figured it would be a good idea to write my opinions down before I forget. Everything is just going to be listed in alphabetical order. These are all my absolute favorites of all time. 

Amazonico: This is my absolute favorite restaurant in Madrid. When you step foot in this restaurant, you are immediately transported to the jungle in the 60s. I’m basing this off of the decoration. The cuisine is Brazilian steakhouse with a sushi bar: think tiraditos, sashimi, sushi rolls, many pork dishes, large steaks to share, and rice and potato side dishes. Make sure to make a reservation, as I have waited over an hour in the bar area and it is quite hectic. For drinks, I’ve only gotten the sangria and the gin tonics and they were great. My must order dishes are the hamachi, the tostones with pork, the duck chaufa, and the chocolate mousse for dessert. If you have a late night reservation, go down to the jazz club after midnight. The vibes, the people watching, and the food of this restaurant are to die for ($$$$).

Amazonico’s chocolate mousse dessert

Casa Benigna: I decided to make a reservation here with three friends after my parents insisted it was the best paella in all of Madrid. It lived up to the hype. I was really confused when I first arrived because it looks like a shack from the outside. Once “secret door” opens up, you enter a majestic and eclectic restaurant. Casa Benigna makes you feel at home. The servers are so kind and give you undivided attention because of the small size and nature of the dining experience. They bring you so many tapas to snack on before the meal and champagne with dessert. I wish I could’ve eaten here once more before leaving; paella is one of my favorite dishes. We ordered the chicken and veggie paella because two of my friends are Kosher. It was still to die for and one of the best paellas I’ve had. I’d recommend coming with a small group of friends or on a date night. It’s a really intimate experience ($$$$).

Casa Benigna starter selection: egg salad, croquettas, mushrooms with a fried egg, sliced tomato

El perro y la galleta: This chain of Spanish fusion restaurants has my heart. During my time in Madrid, I visited El perro y la galletta and Casa Galleta. I went for both lunch and dinner and had such delicious food. Both of these locations are small, so I’d recommend making a reservation around peak eating hours. This restaurant could just be any other restaurant in Madrid in terms of the service and vibes. The food is just absolutely amazing. It has one of those menus that has something for everyone, with a little bit of a kick to it ($$).

El perro y la galleta’s shrimp shumai

Cafe Federal: This was my favorite breakfast, lunch, and brunch spot in Madrid. Whenever I needed a taste of NYC cafe culture, I came here. Cafe Federal offers every dish your heart could desire: pancakes, eggs any style, salads, avo toast, burgers, cookies, sandwiches, omelette, and iced coffee. It’s also a great shared work space, with free wifi and large tables. Cafe Federal is also one of the most tourist friendly places I visited while abroad; almost all the waiters speak multiple languages and the menu comes in English and Spanish. If you’re in the Malasaña area, I’d highly recommend coming here! ($$)

Cafe Federal’s eggs with sides

Honest Greens: The sweetgreen of Madrid, Honest Greens is definitely one of your best healthy options. The menu features market plates, salads, tasty drinks, and deserts. Sadly, the salads aren’t customizable. That’s why I usually opted for a market plate, where I could pick a protein with salad and whatever side my heart desired (usually something with avocado). My favorite proteins are the chicken and tofu. Honest Greens are located all over Madrid, a major plus when you’re on the move. It’s also really well priced ($).

Honest Green’s chicken market plate with sweet potatos

Lateral: Another awesome Madrid chain. Lateral is a go-to inexpensive tapas restaurant. You can order anything from meatballs to tuna tartar to croquettas. The drinks are also to die for and well within budget. Every Lateral is decorated differently, so even though the menu is the same, you feel like you’re having a different experience. They are large restaurants with multiple locations, so reservations aren’t accepted. If you go during peak meal times, expect a wait of up to an hour. You can enjoy a drink at the bar or walk around the neighborhoods, as Laterals are usually located in great areas ($).

Ochenta Grados: Even though I only went to Ochenta Grados once, it made an amazing first impression on my friend and I. It’s an inexpensive, creative, Spanish tapas style restaurant with fantastic music, decorations, and overall ambiance. I’d say it’s the perfect spot to eat before a night out, dinner with friends, or even a date night. I’d definitely make a reservation if you want to eat at prime time. The most memorable part of my meal was the desert. Don’t be fooled by the prices. Dishes are cheap but small, so you’ll probably want to get individual portions for certain things. The mix of ingredients and fusions of Ochenta Grados are unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! ($)

Perrachica: Perrachica was a favorite for me becuse it was so close to my dorm in Chamberí. It had consistently healthy, yummy food, and had a thorough selection of options for an inexpensive lunch menu. Dishes range from being traditional Spanish meals to pizza and salads. The decoration of the restaurant is also worth noting; you kind of feel like you’re in a nice garden having tea but also in a jungle (does that make sense?) While Perrachica is great for any meal, it also has an awesome bar worth visiting late at night. After 10 pm, the lights go down and the music turns up. If you’re looking for a spot to eat and then party at, this is a great place to do so ($$).

Sala de Despiece: The Sala de Despiece experience is one of a kind — incredible food at what is basically a bar. While all the menu items seem like Madrid staples, they are prepared unlike in a way I had never seen before. This is why the restaurant is designed as a bar. The food is basically made in front of your eyes. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the items on the menu. I would call the cuisine of Sala de Despiece progressive fusion because the dishes were generally pretty healthy. Personally, I loved the tuna, broccolini, and the fruit dessert. Make sure you either get there when it opens or expect a decent wait. Also, try to go with a smaller group so you can actually enjoy the bar experience ($$$).

Sala de Despiece berry dessert

Sushita Cafe: It was almost impossible to find delicious and well-priced sushi in Madrid. I struggled most of the semester and almost gave up on giving sushi a chance. This was until I was introduced to the Sushita restaurants. They offer, by far, the best and most affordable sushi in Madrid. It was also the restaurant that i felt most resembled a Miami or LA restaurant. Not only did the fish actually taste amazing, but the menu included all of my favorite sushi fusion dishes: tuna pizza, crispy rice, and rock shrimp. They have a bunch of locations all over Madrid and they are all branded, named, and decorated in different ways. I only visited Sushita, but I can assure you that you won’t go wrong with the others. Come with friends, family, co-workers, or even a date ($$).

Sushita Cafe’s tuna pizzas

Guide to Copenhagen

Copenhagen was the top city on my list of places I wanted to see during my time abroad. It’s safe to say that it lived up to my expectations. It was beautiful, quaint, and cold. The food was delicious, the tourism was enjoyable, and it had some really unexpected, cool neighborhoods. This city is the perfect combination of chill and lively where you can really feel like you’re on vacation when visiting.

Where we stayed…

• The Hotel Skt. Annae - it’s really well located and beautiful. It has a delicious breakfast buffet, a bar, restaurant, rooftop, and quiet lobby. It’s a very no fuss hotel where you can slip in and out. The rooms were a little small, but that’s probably because we were in the cheapest room available.

• Nyhavn is the neighborhood where our hotel was located. It’s touristy but so scenic and worth staying in. It’s really close to a major canal that’s lined with many, many restaurants and boat tour options. We ate in this area for almost every meal.

Where we ate…

Like I said, we ate in Nyhavn for the most part. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the restaurants. It was really nice to sit outside by the canal under heat lamps… until the wind hit. Then we immediately regretted it. These are my two must try spots.

• The waffle and ice cream shops in Nyhavn - I don’t remember the name of the one we specifically went to but there are only two in this area. The waffles are so delicious and hard to miss because of the smell. You can smell the waffles from a mile away.

• Sticks and Sushi - All I can say is wow. This was 100% the best sushi meal I’ve had since being in Europe. We had a solid mix of good fusion dishes and good sushi. This restaurant is actually all over Europe but I think the Nordic fish made it all the better.

What we did…

• Canal boat tour - It’s really worth it to go on any of the boat tours around Copenhagen. It’s a great way to see the city because so much of the city is surrounded by water. The tour we did drove by the Opera House, the Little Mermaid, and Christiania.

• Christiania - This was the most pleasantly surprising part of our trip. You just have to go. There’s nothing like an anarchist city!

• National Museum of Denmark - On Sunday, we went to the museum for a chill mid-morning activity. I was really impressed with the extensive amount of artifacts in this museum. I felt like I learned so much, on just the first floor, about the history of mankind. You can spend as little as two hours or as much as all day here.

• Tivoli Gardens - I can see why this amusement park is so iconic. It’s so much more than rides. It’s also a food, drink, and music destination. I love rides so we got the all access ticket. You must go on the spinning and floating chairs ride because you get an incredible view of the whole city. The food court is nice, but nothing fancy.

Spring Break 2019

Hi there! SORRY being MIA these last couple of weeks. I had so much going on with school in the weeks leading up to spring break that I had to set aside all my fun personal stuff. But fear not, I am back and better than ever. This 11 day vacation was needed. I got to spend time with amazing people, see cities I’ve always dreamed of visiting, do fun touristy things, eat delicious food, and relax. I feel like this trip allowed me to really dive deep into my gratitude practice, reflect on what an incredible experience this semester has been, and look forward to the end of a chapter in my life. Thank you to everyone who made this spring break the best one yet. It’s a long post but I promise it’s worth reading!

First stop…TEL AVIV!

I’d been wanting to go to Israel since as long as I can remember. This was definitely the perfect time to go. The flight wasn’t too long (4.5 hours from Madrid), there’s barely a time difference (1 hour ahead of Madrid), the weather was perfect (high 60s), and I got to stay with friends who are studying abroad in Tel Aviv. The blend of religions is pretty remarkable and really enhances the uniqueness of Israeli culture, life, identity, etc.

Food: To say we ate a lot is an understatement. There are so many options for yummy food in Tel Aviv. I would highly recommend Cafe Pua and Golda’s for brunch, the Old Man and the Sea for a group dinner, and Claro for a farm to table meal. The Sarona Market is also worth going to. It’s a center for food vendors/ a food hall…similar to Chelsea Market in NYC.

Neighborhoods: There are so many little areas in Tel Aviv that are worth exploring. My favorites were definitely Jaffa and the beach. Jaffa is one of the oldest areas in Tel Aviv, yet it has some of the best food and bars. The beach also is packed with different areas to chill at. Other areas worth exploring are Sarona, the shops and neighborhood around Allenby St., and the Marina.

Tourism: I got to visit Shuk Ha Carmel and Jerusalem. I would highly recommend going to Jerusalem for an entire day, where you can see the different quarters and monuments of each religion. In Jerusalem, I got to visit the Western Wall and get slight glimpse at the Jewish Quarter. Shuk HaCarmel is located in the heart of Tel Aviv. It’s such a fun experience for shopping, eating, and people watching. This was one of my favorite activities!

Next stop…PARIS!

To be quite frank, I’m not totally sure why I decided to go to Paris for two days. It’s my favorite city that I’ve visited during my semester abroad, so it only seemed logical to go back. I loved Paris even more the second time around because I got to explore the city a lot by myself. I genuinely think walking around is the best way to get to know somewhere. Since I plan on moving here at some point of my life (haha), I’m starting to get acquainted now.

Food: I ate my first acai bowl in months, had a crepe the size of my face, brunched, and finally got to try LouLou. I honestly think LouLou was very overhyped. Location wise it’s absolutely amazing; I don’t know of any other restaurants that are located on a beautiful garden in the heart of Paris. We also had great weather. It’s a good option for a restaurant with a scene. The food was pretty mediocre for its price point.

Neighborhoods: I spent a lot of time around St. Germain and Le Marais (my two favorite areas in Paris). I did a ton of window shopping and strolling.

Beauty: I randomly decide to get a haircut while in Paris, and it’s one of the best one’s I’ve ever gotten. I waltzed into Maison de Coiffure Christophe Nicolas Biot because it had great reviews and was close to me. Even though we were practically unable to communicate due to the language barrier, they were so kind and tried their best to meet my expectations. Picture below is me pre hair cut.

Tourism: I got to see two awesome tourist sights I’d actually never visited while in Paris. I spent some time in the Pantheon with my boyfriend and visited Saint Chapelle alone. The Pantheon is actually massive, so you can spend a decent amount of time in there. It’s also a great indoor activity. Saint Chapelle can be a quick pit stop. I wouldn’t say it’s a must see, but the stained glass is breathtaking. Pro tip: take a picture of your European visa and get into both of these sites for free!

Final stop…AMSTERDAM!

Amsterdam was a TRIP. 3 nights & days was the perfect amount of time to visit. I gave myself a free pass on tourism because I’d seen a lot of the sites on a previous visit. This allowed me to really immerse myself in city life, even if it was just for a bit. The weather was so perfect that all I wanted to do was be outside. It’s actually incredible how much people appreciate nature/the outdoors there. It seemed like everyone was doing the same things: riding bikes, drinking beer, and relaxing.

Food: You must try danish pancakes, bitterballen, and stroop waffles. We had breakfast at Pancakes, where my bf and I shared sweet and savory pancakes. I would describe them as a a large crepe with the taste of a traditional pancake. You can get bitterballen anywhere (I’m serious). They are the dutch version of croquetas…fried cheesy meaty deliciousness. Van Wonderen offered ready made and fresh stroop waffles with all the toppings. Make sure you go on the earlier side!

Neighborhoods: I explored Amsterdam Noord, Pijp, Central Amsterdam, the Vondelpark area, and Amsterdam West. It was honestly pretty tough to get around considering how far our Airbnb was. But we did it nonetheless. Almost every day we found ourselves in the museum park area. It was definitely one of my favorite places to relax outside. Although the center was crowded, it was full of action. The canals also tended to be more scenic in the center.

Tourism: The most and only really touristy things I did were the Heineken Experience and the Moco Museum. Moco is great if you want to see a lighthearted, quick modern art exhibit. It’s fairly small and kinda pricey. The Heineken Experience was also pricey (about the same as the major museums) but honestly really worth it. We had soooo much fun in there. For free tourism, HEAD TO THE PARKS! Vondelpark, Museumplein, and the park in Amsterdam Noord by the museum and camp ground.

Hope you enjoyed this spring break blog! I promise I’ll be posting more soon!

Guide to London

Hello everyone! Decided I’d try to crank out this blog post before I started to blank on what I did during my weekend in London. I’m going to Mallorca this weekend (!!!) so I wanted to make sure I set aside time to dissect this trip. The weekend went by so fast because there was so much to do, so much to see, and so little time to do it all. I definitely underestimated London. It’s a massive, fast paced, energetic, diverse, and expensive city to visit. If I could do it again, I’d go back for week. Regardless, I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to go during my semester abroad. London was one of the cities at the top of my list to visit. I spent quality time with friends, ate delicious food, and walked a ton much.

What I did…

• Visited Hyde & St. James Park. If you like to people watch, stroll, and chill (even with gloomy London weather), these parks are worth visiting. Hyde park reminds me more of Central Park in that it’s massive. It’s more of a place to just go walk around in. St. James park is also big but not as big as Hyde Park. It’s very centrally located, right next to some of the major tourist attractions and iconic London monuments. I felt like St. James always had something going on. We got really lucky on Sunday with good weather and saw it really come alive. Both parks are the perfect place to picnic or lay out.

• Explored the various neighborhoods of London: Shoreditch, Kensington, SoHo, Westminster, Notting Hill and Covington Garden. Shoreditch was fun to go out at night. There are so many bars and small clubs. Kensington was a very lively shopping area. SoHo was like a cuter, more quaint version of NYC SoHo. Westminster had all the tourist spots. Notting Hill was scenic. Covent Garden was the area we stayed in and I absolutely loved it. Safe to say it was my favorite area of London. It has so many restaurants, shops, and is lively at all hours of the day.

• Cross the bridges by food. We walked Tower Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. This may seem kinda silly and the only obvious way to get across the Thames, but it’s so enjoyable. It’s such a great way to get a different view of the city. There’s also lots of action going on around the Thames always, with river cruises departing and pubs poppin’.

• We also splurged and went on the London Eye. It’s priced at thirty pounds. When compared to the cost of getting to the top of the Empire State Building or One World Trade Center, it’s the same. The things you do to get a sick view of the city. We went in the evening where we saw the whole city light up.

Where we ate…

• ROKA Aldwych - really yummy small plate Asian fusion restaurant in the Covent Garden area. I’d been hesitant to go because there were no reservations available. We ended up going for a late lunch and it wasn’t a problem. It reminded me a lot of my fav spot in Miami, Makoto. We ordered a wagyu tempura roll, shrimp tempura, ribs, lamb dumplings, and a mushroom & rice hot pot. This was the priciest meal from the weekend.

• The Ivy Soho Brasserie - came here thanks to a recommendation from my good friend who studied abroad in London last semester. Had really great music, an extensive cocktail menu, and dishes for everyones tastes. I ordered the chicken salad. Pictured are two appetizers: the grilled scallops and burrata with asparagus.

• Dishoom Kensington - chain Indian restaurant all over London. It was really, really hyped up to me by every person whom I know that’s spent time in London. The food was delicious and well priced, which I appreciated half way through the weekend. It did give me Cheesecake Factory vibes with the huge menu and large crowds of people. But a friend told me that the vibe depends on which location you go to and I believe her. We ordered a side of greens, garlic & cheese naan, daal, white rice, and a chicken dish.

• Ben’s Cookies - popular cookie bakery in London. These babies did not disappoint. I got the buy 5 get two free deal and brought a box back to Madrid. My favorite was the double dark chocolate & the dark chocolate chip.

• Bill’s Wellington Street Restaurant - cafe chain all over London. Came for breakfast on my last day. It had a big menu which I appreciate for breakfast. I ordered the avocado & hummus toast. It wasn’t the best breakfast I’ve ever had, but it did the job and didn’t break the bank. The service was meh and the food took way longer than expected.

So as you can see, I did a lot of eating and exploring in London. And I absolutely loved it. Wish I could go back during my time abroad, but I know London isn’t going anywhere. Can’t wait to share my Mallorca trip in my next post! Please comment if you have any suggestions for what I should blog about next :)

Guide to Milan & Como

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Milan for the weekend. It was the perfect city to go to for a mild taste of Italy; light hearted tourism, lots of walking around, really kind people, and Italian food. I’d been a little hesitant to go due to some mediocre reviews I got from some friends who had previously visited. But I enjoyed every minute of my trip. Would I go back? Milan is definitely worth visiting but wouldn’t be at the top of my list. I would 100% go back to Lake Como.

Where to stay: Brera

I loved the area of Brera. It’s far enough from the city center where it feels residential, but central enough where you can walk everywhere. There’s plenty of places in the area to eat and drink. It’s also very well situated in terms of public transportation. It’s right next to a train stop and most major Metro lines. I thought we’d use the Metro to get around but we ended up walking everywhere. We only took one taxi during the entire weekend.

Where to go: Como

A day trip to Como is a must if you’re staying in Milan. We took a 10:30 am train and were back in Milan by 8 pm. The train ride is only 50 minutes. Wish I would’ve had more time to visit the other little towns around the lake, but one day was the perfect amount of time to see just Como. Also, we were very lucky to have incredible weather all weekend. It must’ve been in the high 50s all day. Perfect for having lunch outside, walking along the lake, and laying in the park.

What to do: Duomo area & parks

Just walk over to the area of the Milan Duomo and you will have every tourism sight within ten minutes walking distance. It’s worth spending some time in the different plazas and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. There’s also loads of gelato spots around here. We went to Grom because I love the one in New York.

Right inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, there’s the Leonardo Museum. We spent a little under two hours in there. It displays remakes of DaVinci’s sketches. The museum is definitely worth going into if you are a fan of DaVinci´s work or looking for a casual plan. Sadly, you can’t take pictures inside.

It’s also worth spending some time in the two major parks in Milan: Parco Sempione and Giardini Publicci Indro Montanelli. Sempione Park offers various attractions within the park like the grand Castello Sforezco, an aquarium, and a carnival at night. The Indro Montanelli public gardens are a nice stop on the way back from some shopping. It is just north of the Quadrilatero della Moda, the Fashion Quadrilateral.

Where to eat: anywhere

Our trip to Milan dining experience consisted of stopping wherever Italian food was offered at a good price. Or at places that just looked nice. We also used my favorite app, The Fork, for last minute reservations with discounts. This app has seriously saved my life. I get to eat good and stay within my budget. I’ll share some pics of the spots we went to in the pictures bellow. I’m not sure if I would highly recommend any of these spots to anyone. There’s so many options for food, coffee, drinking, and gelato that are probably just as good as any of these. If you want to know the specific names of any of these restaurants, comment!

xx

Guide to Paris

To say I loved my trip to Paris would be an understatement.

I had the pleasure of flying to Paris for my first weekend trip outside of Spain. I had faint memories of the city (I last visited 8 years ago) and very high expectations (it´s PARIS). I can happily report that Paris is just as energetic and beautiful as I recalled. I'm already itching to go back. I had such a wonderful time that I could truly picture myself living in this city, and that is RARE of me to say. The biggest perk of going to Paris was visiting my sweet boyfriend who is studying abroad there. I was so thankful to have him as my tour guide and travel buddy this weekend. We laughed, explored, and ate all weekend long, aka my favorite activities. I'll be sharing some highlights from the weekend, suggestions, and tips for traveling overall.

General Observations

• Check the weather. I knew it was going to rain all weekend and still brought my spring whites and my light coat. Don’t be me or you’ll end up buying clothes to compensate. I guess that’s not really that bad hehe.

• Make sure you arrive at least one hour before your boarding time. This may be common sense to some, but I tend to arrive at the airport at boarding time in the US. There is no such thing as “pre-check” or Global Entry for flights between European cities. Some flights will board an hour early and some will board 30 minutes before. Security lines can be very long or empty and speedy. People will just hover around the gate desk because they don’t board by group. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get through security and to your gate.

Transportation

• Paris is huuuuge but very pedestrian friendly. You can basically walk anywhere. This is the best “free” activity in Paris hands down, along with the various gardens/parks. We spent a lot of time sitting in parks, walking to and from neighborhoods, and strolling through gardens.

• You will also see many, many people using electric scooters to get around. It was quite comical seeing families, couples, and friends scootering along the Seine. There were also the brave souls that rode with two people on one scooter. If you’re into that, download Lime and Bird so you can travel via electric scooter. They are on every corner and work really well.

• I would highly recommend avoiding taking taxis and/or Ubers as a main source of transportation. They can get quite pricey, but this obviously depends on the distance and time your trip takes. The metro and buses in Paris work really well; getting across town can cost you €1.90 on metro versus €16 with an Uber and take the same amount of time. There are also really great ways to get to and from the Paris airports (specifically ORD and CDG) on public transportation.

Sightseeing

For neighborhoods… spend time in the 7th Arr., Saint Germain, and Le Marais. We also walked around the Champs-Elysees area on Sunday afternoon. I absolutely loved the 7th Arr.. It has so many stores to shop in, restaurants, streets to get lost in, and great people watching.

For free outdoor activities...walk along the Seine, hang out at the Touleries, visit the Palais Royale, and the Luxembourg Gardens. Walking along the Seine (at water level and above it) was my favorite activity.  It’s not the most beautiful river appearance wise, but its´s so peaceful.

For a museum… visit the D’Orsay. This is the only museum I got to explore. I love neo impressionist and impressionist art, so this was truly art heaven for me. There was no world in which we could have seen it all in a day, so we focused on the third floor and the Van Gogh area. If you have a student visa for the EU, you can get in for free! Just make sure to take a picture of your passport or bring it with you and a second form of ID.

Restaurants

This was my favorite part of the trip. Parisian food is TO DIE FOR. All the restaurants we went to were in the medium price range (€€), making the culinary experience delicious and affordable for Paris. I’ve come to realize it is quite unnecessary to eat at super fancy restaurants in Europe. There are plenty of delicious and affordable local spots. This is not to say I don’t love a fancy meal. Les Deux Magots is on the pricier side, but the breakfast menu was not.

• Season (1 Rue Charles-François Dupis, 75003 Paris, France): Healthy, Aussie style cafe. Waited for such a long time. It was really crowded. Although the food was delicious, I don’t think it was worth the wait. I ordered a chicken quinoa salad, one of the better salads I’ve had in Europe. Sebastian got eggs benedict that I barely got a look at because he ate it so fast. We shared yummy, fluffy pancakes.

• Il était un square (54 Rue Corvisart, 75013 Paris, France): Rated #2 most popular restaurant in Paris on TripAdvisor. We went with a reservation, it’s necessary. The servers were so welcoming and kind (as they were everywhere, honestly). Loved the fact that we were from New York/Florida/South America. We both got the Max Burger. Don’t expect an American style burger, but do expect an incredible cheese situation. I personally would have preferred my burger a little warmer and a little more cooked. Overall experience was fantastic.

• Les Deux Magots (6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France): Stopped here for breakfast after being turned away from Claus because they were fully booked (very sad). Very traditional French cafe situation with the outdoor seating and many carb options. I got a ham and cheese omelette with a croissant. Sebastian ate so much I can’t remember exactly what he ate...except that it was all different breads.

• Bouillon Racine (3 Rue Racine, 75006 Paris, France): Classic french bistro vibes. Came here for dinner on Saturday night and it was POPPIN and PACKED. Sebastian got the duck and I got the vegetarian dish. I’m so glad we ended up coming here. We were both so tired and lazy but wanted to go to a nice sit down spot. The highlight of dinner was the crème brûlée stuffed waffle. Honestly best dessert I’ve had in awhile. Thank god Sebastian insisted we each get our own waffle.

• Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (15 Rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris, France): a Parisian classic. You cannot come to Paris and not eat here. Truly the best steak frite in the world. We waited for 30 minutes in line before getting seated - this was at one pm on a Sunday. Service was stellar and food was even better.

Hope you enjoy this guide/ suggestions. Can’t wait to share more! Stay tuned for my Milan & Como guide!

Guide to Córdoba

Hi everyone!

I am kicking off my study abroad blogging experience with a post about my first weekend trip! I went on an academic excursion to Córdoba, a vibrant city south of Madrid. One of the best things about my university’s program is the optional trips they offer throughout the semester; they provide lodging, transportation, and tours of many of Spain’s most famous cities. The Córdoba trip was actually a mandatory activity for one of my classes. I would have gone regardless. I’d been wanting to see the Grand Mosque of Córdoba since I studied it in Art History in high school. There are surprisingly so many things to do and see in what I thought was a tiny city. Córdoba has a lively social scene and incredible food on top of it’s cultural and historical importance. The city has definitely come a long way since it’s days as the capital of the old Muslim empire.

We started off the trip at 8 am with forty students piling into a coach bus for a five hour drive. We were all exhausted yet excited to finally get to stretch our legs once arriving in Córdoba. We were given one hour for lunch before touring the city. A group of students and I decided to do lunch at a very local spot recommended to us by our tour guides. Taberna Casa Tollin had all the classic Spanish dishes except for croquetas....devastating. The food was absolutely delicious. We ordered tapas style - potato salad, jamón ibérico, tuna tartar, ribs, and artichokes. These may seem like random dishes but we actually only ordered things we recognized. Everything else seemed a little too out there. I’d recommend this spot if you’re interested in a Spanish cafe vibe with high quality food. We each paid seventeen euros, which was actually kind of pricey for a tapas cafe.

The tour of the city was surprisingly very relaxing, just like the overall vibes of Córdoba. Everyone is dressed very casually and seems to be in no rush. We got to do a lot of great people watching. The weather was perfect, around 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. The most notable part of our tour was, of course, the Grand Mosque. The mosque is as architecturally astonishing as you imagine it to be. Seeing it in person is unlike anything you would see in pictures. The many red and white striped arches truly make the inside of the mosque feel like a forest. The Catholic influence also plays a huge role in the grandeur of the mosque; smack in the center there’s an intricate and slightly gaudy alter, choir section, and benches for prayer. If you make one tourism stop in Córdoba, this is the place to go. Most of our tour consisted of walking through the different neighborhoods of Córdoba. It was a great way to get an overall feel for the city.

The last stop on our tour for the day was the “Jardín del Alcázar Reyes Cristianos”, a beautiful garden that truly feels like a piece of paradise. We got to watch the sunset here. It was so beautiful seeing the strong orange and yellow sun beams turn the garden into gold. I enjoyed the garden the most when sitting on a bench by the pools, breathing in the fresh air that was masked by multiple flower scents. If you are looking for nature in this very developed city, i’d recommend coming here.

Dinner was one of the most memorable moments of the trip because it was so, so good. Qurtubah Cafe & Restaurant offered some of the best Moroccan food I’ve ever had. I think many people don’t realize how much of an Islamic influence is still present in Spain; you really can appreciate it through the cuisine of southern Spain. The ingredients and preparation of this meal reminded me of my time in Abu Dhabi. They didn’t even offer alcoholic beverages! I, along with seven other students, ordered basically half of the menu. My favorite dishes were the bourekas, hummus trio, and couscous salad. The restaurant experience was made even better by their stellar service. The servers were so accommodating and let us split the bill eight ways, which is not very common in Spain. We each ate for twelve euros. I would definitely come back to this restaurant if I found myself in Córdoba again.

We spent the night at the NH Califa Hotel. It was the kind of hotel you’d only spend a couple of nights in, so it was perfect for our travel purposes. The hotel staff was super friendly, the shower water pressure was great, and the breakfast buffet was delicious. The beds were pretty stiff and the AC wasn’t really working. Thankfully, I was exhausted by the time I went to bed and unbothered by those things.

Our last day in Córdoba was spent at the Medina Azahara. This beautiful old city, now in ruins and under restoration, used to be the home of the first Umayyad Caliph of Córdoba. It’s said that the Muslims of Spain were basically responsible for creating a new way of urban living. This medina specifically was only inhabited for eighty years, but it set a precedent for the economic and social structure of Muslim life in Spain. The grounds have now been made into a popular tourist attraction. I would highly recommend going with a tour guide throughout the ruins. If you decide to do it on your own, which I am not completely sure you can do, just make sure you do your own research on the medina. From here, we all piled back into the bus and headed back to Madrid.

I hope you were able to get an idea of my trip to Córdoba from this post. I can’t wait to keep sharing. Please comment, offer any suggestions, opinions, and subscribe if you want to!

xx

The Roman bridge of Córdoba

Streets of Córdoba

Arches of the Grand Mosque

Mihrab of the Grand Mosque

Catholic church ceiling in the Grand Mosque

Orange trees

These are all over the city. Sadly, they weren’t ready to be eaten.

Views from the Jardín of Alcazar

Bourekas from Qurtubah Cafe & Restaurant

I would describe these delicacies like spring rolls. Filo dough filled with spinach and feta cheese, topped with crushed pistachios.

View of the Medina Azahara