Let's take a lil' trip!
Upon sitting down for a drink near our centrally located hotel on Calle Bretón de los Herreros in Logroño, capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain, we struck up a conversation with some friendly locals who literally read us their list of go-to spots for pintxos around town. Shout out to those two ladies – we’d be lost without ya. Here is their list of hot-spots to pintxo-hop like a local, which we dutifully followed.
Continue reading “Logroño, La Rioja: Pintxo-Hop Like a Local”
Although Bilbao is not known for its knock-out beauty, it’s def a must while in the north of Spain. The city’s appearance reflects its history as an industrial hub, but investments over the past few decades have breathed new life into the city: The Guggenheim, inaugurated in 1997, has become one of the world’s best-known museums. Below I sum up my weekend in Bilbao, featuring pintxos, pinturas (paintings), and paseos (strolls), from my visit with friends in July 2021 😍.
Ronda, known as the largest of Andalucía’s “white towns,” or pueblos blancos, is a cozy little spot in the province of Málaga. A weekend in Ronda is a must while in the south of Spain! We visited Ronda in December of 2018 when we lived in Bucharest to enjoy the mild Andalusian winter (i.e. clear blue skies, temps in the 50-60s Fahrenheit, and los naranjoooos.) Continue reading “Weekend in Ronda: Bridges, Bull Rings, & Bottles of Wine”
In August of 2020, I spent a week in Granada – a world-renowned gem of Spain’s southern autonomous community, Andalucía – working from a hotel to get in a little summer “fake”-cation trip. Although Granada is no doubt a scorcher in the summer, I really enjoyed my week there! Since I had lots of time to spend and meals to plan, I was able to sample a variety of Granada’s culinary treats, from its famously generous tapas that accompany any beer or wine to pastries at Moorish-style tea houses. Below is my guide for where to eat in Granada – enjoy! Continue reading “Where to Eat in Granada: Tapas, Teterías, y Todo”
Bologna is regarded by many as a foodie capital in Italy – pretty impressive given that practically every city in Italy is a foodie capital in my book. Bologna’s earned the nickname “La Grassa,” or “The Fat One,” so you know this is serious. Bologna’s location in the Emilia-Romagna region means it’s fortunately close to cities like Parma and Modena, who we can thank for wonders like parmigiano reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Modena balsamic vinegar. These delicacies figure prominently in bolognese food markets and cuisine. Here’s my Bologna foodie guide to these and other mouthwatering gastro-goodies – but first, a few pics of pretty Bologna. Enjoy!
Continue reading “Bologna Foodie Guide: Pasta, Prosciutto, and Parmesan”
Brasov, Romania, is a cute and cozy getaway in the region of Transylvania, about a 2-3 hour drive from Bucharest (depending on the traffic, as the roads are not always so reliable). You can cover the city’s main sights in a day: highlights include going up the cable car to the Brasov sign on Mount Tampa, exploring the Black Church, and wandering down Rope Street, the narrowest street in Romania. You can also use Brasov as a base to hit up other popular sights in the region, like Peles Castle or Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s castle aka kind of a tourist trap). The historic center of Brasov offers a variety of delicious eateries to choose from, so you can take your pick. Here are my recommendations for where to eat in Brasov! Continue reading “Where to Eat in Brasov: The Coolest and Coziest Places for Food and Drinks”
There are few experiences in the world like Christmas in Copenhagen. As a lover of the holiday season and an avowed fan of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I was in awe of the place during my trip in December of 2016. Continue reading “Christmas in Copenhagen: A Real-Life Whoville!!!”
Alsace, a region in France on the eastern border with Germany, is a fantasy world: this picturesque paradise of half-timbered pastel houses makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. During Christmas, Alsace transforms into a winter wonderland, buzzing with Christmas markets, or marchés de noël, and teeming with festive decor. Continue reading “Christmas in Alsace: A Guide to the Best of this Winter Wonderland”