I have only been to Chicago a handful of times, yet I love it so much. Given my lack of experience with traveling around the Windy City, I’m handing over the city guide ownership to my good friend, Mara, who writes one of my favorite blogs – Hook, Thread & Tinker. Mara lives in Chicago with her husband, James, and their newborn son, Simon, who is two days younger than Isla (and the cutest boy ever!). Her style is très similar to mine, so naturally I think she’s super cool (ha). She has written a detailed city guide, which I’m sharing with you today! First, I’ll give you my abbreviated, yet sound, list of Chicago must-do’s.
My Chicago Recommendations
Eat brunch at 2 Sparrows (where I tasted my first St-Germain cocktail)
Get coffee at La Colombe (I’m not an iced coffee person, but I am here)
Eat lunch at Tavern on Rush (sit outside and people watch)
Laugh until you cry at Second City (book well ahead of time)
For the full Chicago City Guide on Hook, Thread & Tinker, click here. It’s literally the best city guide ever made – it includes separate posts for breakfast and brunch, lunch and dinner, pizza, snacks and dessert, daytime activities, drinks and nightlife – as well as a detailed 48 hour itinerary. Happy reading (and hopefully, planning!).
Click here to see a complete list of my travel guides.
Last summer, Sasha and I got married at The Carneros Inn in Napa Valley (see photos here and here). I am head-over-heels in love with the California Wine Country. I went for the first time in 2010 and have been five times since. Although I could spend an eternity there, I’ve created a travel guide which outlines two absolutely perfect days in Sonoma, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. While most of my trips have been day trips, I’ve stayed at The Meritage Resort and Spa and The Carneros Inn (for the wedding). I highly recommend both, although The Meritage is more reasonably priced for a weekend trip.
To make navigation a little easier, I’ve created a Google map with all of the recommendations below. Don’t want to drive around? Smart decision. There are lots of private drivers in the area, including Private Limousine Service, Wine Country Driver and Pure Luxury.
Please share with me some of your Wine Country favorites! I’d love to try them on our next trip. Click here to see a list of my other city guides.
Two Perfect Days in the California Wine Country
Day 1: Sonoma and Napa
Eat breakfast at FARM at The Carneros Inn (get there early and be prepared to wait – it’s worth it) – then play some bocce ball in the main courtyard when you’re done!
Drive to Domaine Carneros and walk up the majestic stairs to what reminds me of a French chateau – get your day started early with some amazing sparkling wine.
Leave Domaine Carneros and drive to the nearby Artesa Vineyards, where you’ll find another incredible view – look into doing a private tour of the facilities (totally worth it).
After eating lunch, pile back in the car and head towards Gundlach Bundschu (where we had our rehearsal dinner) – they wine is absolutely phenomenal.
Take a short drive to nearby Nicholson Ranch, and gaze out at the rolling wine country in front of you.
Determine your ability to drink more wine (c’mon, you can do it!), and if you’re up for it, end your day’s wine tasting at Viansa (amazing cheeses!).
Return to your hotel to shower, rest and get ready for dinner at Azzurro Pizzeria E Enoteca in downtown Napa and walk around the pretty little city afterwards.
New York, New York: Definitely one of the most overwhelming cities to visit because there is just so much to do and so much to see while you’re there. I’ve visited three times, and during each trip, we packed in a ton of fun activities and delicious restaurants. My nine days in the Concrete Jungle feel like at least three months, as I’ve covered miles and miles of the city by foot (lesson learned the first time: pack comfortable shoes!).
“The glamour of it all! New York! America!”
-Charlie Chaplin
Instead of creating a City Guide like I have in the past, where I outline my favorite restaurants, activities and sites, I’ve created a three day itinerary which includes all of my ‘must do’s’ for NYC. I’ve also made a Google map of these locations, which you can access here. I find the city can be challenging to navigate, so I hope this helps!
Also, if you’re up for church on Sunday, you should definitely go to Hillsong NYC and C3 Brooklyn. I’ve been to the former (it’s incredible), and the latter was started a few years ago by a sweet couple I traveled to Manila with three years ago.
Take the subway or a taxi to the Empire State Building and go to the observation level (very touristy, but totally worth it), then take a cab to the hotel to get ready for dinner
Enjoy dinner at Market Table (reservation highly recommended)
It astounds me that Athens is a city that has recently gotten a bad rap amongst American tourists as being ‘dirty’ (I hear this all the time!).I’ve traveled quite a bit around the world, and the Greek capital is one of my favorite places to visit. Not only is it a mecca of ancient history, resulting in gorgeous monuments and ruins everywhere you look, the food is phenomenal. I repeat, phenomenal.
Sasha and I visited Athens in December, which is the off-season, so we got to experience the touristy activities in a slightly quieter environment. We spent four days in Athens, and then took a day trip to Corinth with Greece Private Tours and loved it.
One of my best friends, Brooke, just returned from a trip to Athens with her family. They booked their vacation through Olympic Tours and were shown around Athens, then driven to Corinth for a day, visited Olympia for one night and ended their Greek tour in Nafplio, where they spent three days. Brooke kindly wrote recommendations for the latter two cities to help make this travel guide a multi-faceted Greek sightseeing bible (thank you, sweet friend!).
Below you’ll find restaurant, site, and activity recommendations for all four cities. If you have any questions, please email me. To find the full list of my travel guides, click here.
ATHENS
Food & Drink
Oroscopo: This little Greek restaurant won’t win you over with their decor, but I promise that the food is delicious. They serve the most amazing baked feta dish which I highly recommend.
Strofi: The views from the top floor of Strofi are unmatched. The mood is slightly romantic, with dim lights and candles, and the food is (ohmygosh) tasty. Sasha and I both devoured salad appetizers and barely had room for our main courses.
Avocado: A vegan restaurant in Greece? Why bother? Well, because it’s heavenly. Even Sasha (solid carnivore) said it was the best meal he ate in the city. We ordered falafel, Ashima (a quinoa dish), the forest burger and vegan chocolate pie, and savored every last bite.
Thanasis: Order the spicy peppers (of course, too hot for Sasha to handle!) and get their Greek salad – it was one of the most beautiful and colorful dishes I’ve ever eaten.
Cafe Boheme: The food at Boheme was delicious and tasted very authentic. It’s best if you can get a table outside.
Piazza Duomo: Sasha drank Irish coffee and ate apple pie, and I sipped on flavorful Greek coffee (me) while doing some serious people watching. It’s in the middle of the Monastiraki neighborhood, so there is a lot of hustle and bustle nearby (i.e. good people watching).
Orizontes Lycabettus: After a long walk to the top of Mt. Lycabettus (or less tiring funicular ride), you should reward yourself with wine at this gorgeous glass restaurant and make sure to take a million photos outside (over all of Athens).
Yogolicious: After eating dinner one night, I told Sasha that all I wanted was frozen yogurt, and voila, we found Yogolicious, which is a slice of America transplated into this ancient city. The yogurt was delicious, and the area is great to walk around at night (live music, bars, etc.).
Lucafe: We sat by the fire outside and had Greek coffee and wine while watching the world pass by. Get a seat outside and sit side-by-side so you can get good views of passersby.
Vezene: This gem is a peaceful 30 minute stroll from the Acropolis, so we went one night after staring at the old monument. The meal was worth the walk, and the service was phenomenal. Just learn how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ – ‘parakalo’ and ‘efharisto’!
Sites
Parthenon: The Parthenon is the large stone building at the top of the Athenian Acropolis (see more below). It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece and is regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy and western civilization, and one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments. The Greek Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a program of selective restoration and reconstruction to ensure the stability of the partially ruined structure. It is important to note what times the Parthenon is open, as we made several attempts to view it but it had already closed.
Acropolis: The Acropolis is located on a rocky promontory over 520 feet above the valley of Ilissos. The Acropolis has been a fortress to protect places of worship and royal palaces from 2000 BC. Over years, fighting and wars destroyed the Acropolis and forced it to be rebuilt. I highly recommend that you get a private tour guide through Olympic Tours so you can get the full experience with the history, background and fun facts about Greek Mythology.
Mount Lycabettus: The peak of Mount Lycabettus is highest point in the city that surrounds it. Pine trees cover its base, and at its peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant (mentioned above). The hill is a popular tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki (the railway station can be found at Aristippou street). Sasha and I walked up to the top and were very tired when we arrived, but the views were breathtaking and make the semi-hike worth it.
Temple of Olympic Zeus: This colossal temple in the center of the city was dedicated to Zeus, king of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world, but it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. The temple is very much in ruins now, but it is worthwhile visiting.
Panathinaikon Stadium: You will find this ancient stadium while walking through Zappeion. It is where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Sasha and I played on the field like children, and took great enjoyment in doing so.
Church of Panagia Gorgoepikoos: This gorgeous church is located in the Plaka region of Athens and was built over 700 years ago. We weren’t inside of the church for very long, but we took some gorgeous photos of the intricate interior and exterior.
Go to the rooftop restaurant of Hotel Divani Acropolis and have a drink while watching the Acropolis light up at night
CORINTH
Food & Drink
Marinos Restaurant: The views from Marinos Restaurant are phenomenal, as is the food. The staff are very polite, and eating here is definitely a must-do during a trip to Corinth.
Papaioannou Wine: We visited Papaioannou Wines as part of our private tour, and drink a handful of delicious wines. They have massive barrels everywhere, and while it may not be up to Napa Valley’s aesthetical vineyard standards, the wine makes up for it.
Palivou Estate: Sasha and I loved Palivou Estate’s wine so much that we bought a massive bottle and carefully brought it back over to the states and are so nervous about opening it (when is the right moment to open your favorite wine from Greece?). The staff were incredibly friendly and we loved chatting to them about the wine making process and sipping a number of their award winning wines.
Sites
Corinth Canal: When driving from Athens to Corinth, you pass over the Corinth Canal, and should stop to take pictures of this terribly narrow waterway. The canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea, and cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland.
Ancient Corinth Archaeological Site: This site is where the ancient city of Corinth existed, which is separate from the modern city now. There is a museum on the site which is worthwhile visiting, as it houses a large collection of artifacts of the local archaeological site and smaller sites in the neighboring area.
Acrocorinth Fortress: Acrocorinth was first a Greek acropolis, then a Roman citadel, and later, a Byzantine fortress. You will see this fortress from any point in Corinth, and need a car or taxi to drive you to the top. Walk up the cobblestones to the top for the most breathtaking views (a great photo opp!).
Mycenaen Ruins: Mycenae was the center of power in the Late Bronze age (1600-1100 BC). The ruins of the Mycenaean Acropolis themselves are awe-inspiring – most notably the Lion Gates, which is the earliest known piece of monumental sculpture on the European continent. You can (and should) also visit the tomb where Agamemnon was murdered by his wife and her lover after he returned from the Trojan war (see photos below).
Eat dinner at the Europa Hotel (family run restaurant) and watch the sunset – the most beautiful views and delicious food
Sites
Ancient Olympic Games site: Do a private guided tour through Olympic Tours (request Niki as your tour guide – also recommended by Rick Steves). Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty. Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it.
NAFPLIO
Sites
Palamidi Castle: This castile is a fortress built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area between 1686 and 1715. There are 857 steps in the winding stairs from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress, there are over 1,000. It is definitely worth the hike!
Activities
Do a Segway tour through the city but make sure you know how to fully operate one!
Rent a bike for four and explore the city
Sail with Captain Aris for a day where you will take a private sailboat out to an uninhabited Greek island where you get to swim, snorkel, etc.
We left for Mexico City with friends of ours early Thursday morning and landed around 10am. Our fully-packed agenda started almost immediately after checking into the Meridien Hotel (located near the Paseo de la Reforma – see more below). We were in town for one of my best friend’s weddings – her and her husband are both from Central America, and chose this gorgeous city for the wedding – I am so glad they did.
I’ve created a travel guide to inspire you to travel to Mexico City and then help you plan your trip! Many of the recommendations below are from my older sister’s good friend, Marina, who is from Mexico City and also got married there earlier this year. We also received tips from a friend’s uncle who visits there often, and from a fellow blogger, Ashton, whose wedding site was extremely useful in planning our long weekend.
Castillo de Chapultepec (“Chapultepec Castle”): Chapultepec Castle is located on top of Chapultepec Hill, located in the middle of Chapultepec Park at a height of 7,628 ft. above sea level. The site of the hill was a sacred place for Aztecs, and the buildings atop it have served several purposes during its history, including that of Military Academy, Imperial residence, Presidential home, observatory, and presently, the Museo Nacional de Historia. The castile is gorgeous and definitely worth the slight trek through the park.
Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology): This museum is the most visited in Mexico. Located in the area between Paseo de la Reforma and Calle Mahatma Gandhi within Chapultepec Park, the museum contains significant archaeological and anthropological artifacts from the pre-Columbian heritage of Mexico, such as the Stone of the Sun (or the Aztec calendar stone) and the 16th-century Aztec statue of Xochipilli.
Alameda Central Park: The Alameda Central park is a green garden with paved paths and decorative fountains and statues, and is frequently the center of civic events. The area used to be an Aztec marketplace. The park was created in 1592, and the name comes from the Spanish word álamo, which means poplar tree.
Casa de los Azulejos (“House of Tiles”): The House of Tile is an 18th-century palace which was built by the Count del Valle de Orizaba family. What makes this palace distinctive is that its facade on three sides is completely covered in the expensive blue and white tile of Puebla state. The palace remained in private hands until near the end of the 19th century. It changed hands several times before being bought by brothers who expanded their soda fountain/drugstore business into one of the best-recognized restaurant chains in Mexico called Sanborns. The house today serves as their flagship restaurant.
Zocalo: Zocalo is the main plaza of Mexico City, and it was once the main ceremonial center in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan and from the colonial period on, the main plaza or square in the heart of the historic center of the city. The plaza used to be known simply as the “Main Square” or “Arms Square,” and today its formal name is Plaza de la Constitución. However, it is almost always called the Zócalo today. Plans were made to erect a column as a monument to Independence, but only the base, or zócalo, was ever built.
Frida Kahlo Museum: Also known as La Casa Azul (or Blue House), the museum is actually the house where she was born and also died. The nickname, Blue House, is due to the structure’s cobalt-blue walls. The historic house museum and art museum is dedicated to the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It is located in the Colonia del Carmen neighborhood of Coyoacán. The building was the birthplace of Kahlo and is also the home where she grew up, lived with her husband Diego Rivera for a number of years, and eventually died, in one of the rooms on the upper floor. In 1958, Diego Rivera donated the home and its contents in order to turn it into a museum in Frida’s honor.
Neighborhood Guides
Click here for a Google map of the main attractions and restaurants
Colonia Polanco
Do and See
This neighborhood is known for nice shops, great restaurants and good people watching. Popular activities in this neighborhood include going on a walk through Parque Lincoln and down Ave. Masaryk for good shopping. Stop by Tane on Ave. Masaryk for silver jewelry and home decorations, or visit the outdoor shopping mall Antara where you will find a few stores not available in the US (Purificacion Garcia, Uterque, Massimo Dutti and Rapsodia). Another one of the main attractions is Castillo de Chapultepec, which is the beautiful castle in the Chapultepec Park. Enjoy the view from the top while you learn about the history of Colonial Mexico. Nearby, you’ll find the National Museum of Anthropology and The Museum of Modern Art.
These neighboring colonia’s are known for their architecture – a lot of the streets are similar to ones you would find in Europe. Walk down Colima Street, Orizaba Street, Parque Rio de Janeiro, Parque Mexico, Parque Espana, Casa Lamm and Ave. Alvaro Obregon for gorgeous scenery.
Do and See
Every Sunday, Paseo de la Reforma is closed to cars until 2pm which makes it the perfect day to walk (or bike) from Polanco to the Historic Center. Walk through Alameda Central Park and arrive at Bellas Artes, the performing arts center. Take the Street 5 de Mayo, where you will pass by the House of Tiles, a few blocks to the Zocalo (Constitutional Plaza). Visit the Cathedral, National Palace (with murals by Diego Rivera inside) and Templo Mayor. Stop by Dulceria de Celaya, which is a very cute candy shop with over 150 different types of Mexican candy
Get drinks at Bar Milan – their mojitos are legendary, and this bar is voted one of the best in the city.
Colonia San Angel
Do and See
This neighborhood is known for its narrow cobblestone streets and is an oasis in otherwise bustling Mexico City. You should visit the Frida Kahlo Museum in the nearby suburb, Coyoacan. In addition, go to the market on Saturday – so many amazing gems to be found.
Eat
Enjoy Sunday brunch at the San Angel Inn and eat at Keizo for lunch or dinner.
Tips when visiting Mexico City
Money: The easiest Peso denominations to carry around are 20 (blue) 50 and 100 (red). Once you break some 100 peso notes, you’ll have some 10 peso and 5 peso coins, which are good for tipping.
Water: The trick to staying hydrated while visiting Mexico City is to buy several liter bottles of purified water at one of the local convenience stores and carry one wherever you go. There is a big convenience store chain called OXXO, and they are everywhere. There are also tons of independent grocery/convenience stores called abarrotes (which means groceries). They are everywhere and mostly look like a storage room filled with junk – but they sell everything and all have an abarrotes sign out front. There will be an OXXO or an abarrote store within a block of your hotel.
Taxis: Make sure to take hotel taxis, and try to make an arrangement with one to use him for the whole day. Ask the hotel concierge to quote the price of your journey if you’re taking a private car without a meter. Also, when you are at a restaurant or bar, ask your waiter or the maître ‘d to call a cab for you. This is common practice and safe. Also, make sure that you tip the doorman, cab drivers, etc. a blue note (100 pesos or about 80 cents) or a red note (200 pesos).
Attire: People dress up to go out at night – it’s a very well-dressed city.
Sidewalks: Walking on sidewalks in Mexico is a heads up experience. There are always sharp objects, wires, rebar and hard stuff hanging off roofs, doors, walls and telephone poles that are easy to walk right into, as there are holes, cracks and trip hazards on the sidewalks. Walk slowly and pay attention to where you’re stepping. Also, remember that cars rule in Mexico City, so cross at lights and look both ways if you decide to step off the curb.
