Restaurants, food markets, and bars galore, London is indeed a true foodie paradise. In fact, the abundance of tasty treats also means that there is no shortage of “London top places to eat lists”. The question now is, where do you start? In lieu of listing out the top 100, 50 or even the top 20, I’ll make things simple for you: I’ll offer you my FOUR gems! Continue Reading…
The weather is getting warmer and what better way to celebrate than with a trip up to wine country in California? You’ve Googled “best itinerary for wine country”, looked up reviews of different vineyards, asked friends for tips and recommendations and now have a list of dozens upon dozens of fantastic wineries in Napa and Sonoma to visit. Well that doesn’t help very much because you still have to figure out timing, distance between vineyards, where along the route you can have lunch, and which vineyards can take a larger group. Plus price might play a factor. Well fear not! Here is an itinerary created for a perfect day in Sonoma (especially if you’re planning a day for a larger group). Continue Reading…
Located on a nondescript block of Tenderloin in San Francisco, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse has become known as the home of the famous cruffin. What is a cruffin you ask? Imagine if a croissant and muffin had a baby. That’s a cruffin! This crispy pastry is dusted with sugar and filled with the daily flavor of pastry cream; anything ranging from Pineapple Cherry Rum or Tropical Fruit to S’mores or Snickerdoodle. Check @mrholmesbakehouse to find the weekly flavor updates.
Since it’s opening in November 2014, Mr. Holmes Bakeshop has induced cruffin enthusiasts from across the city to form lines around the block at the crack of dawn each morning in anticipation of acquiring a cruffin from the limited daily supply. As much as I’ve wanted to try this infamous cruffin, the long lines deterred me on multiple occasions. However, I finally made up my mind that the cruffin would be mine! Continue Reading…
Most visits to Germany include Berlin or Munich in the itinerary while Hamburg is often overlooked. Hamburg, tucked away in northern Germany, is the country’s second largest city boasting a tremendous amount of history, beautiful architecture, water activities galore, and of course my favorite: delicious food and tasty beverages! So what’s the best of the best in Hamburg? Continue Reading…
After decades of being closed off to many parts of the world, Cuba is finally pulling back the curtains and revealing the mystery behind this beautiful and culturally-stimulating country. Attracting a greater number of foreigners in the past few years, Cuba is becoming a top destination for many. In particular: Havana, the capital of Cuba. What should be at the top of your list for must-do’s during your visit? Continue Reading…
You have your flights booked, casa particulars arranged, and an itinerary all set to go for your trip to Cuba. Now what to pack? Despite an uptick in tourism to Cuba it remains a challenging destination for many foreigners due to the lack of infrastructure and difficulty in purchasing many of the essentials. This list includes the basic necessities you’ll need to ensure a smoother trip! Continue Reading…
Streets lined with classic American cars from the ’50s. Striking architecture around every corner. Miles and miles of white sand beaches. A lively culture filled with creativity and welcoming hospitality. Cuba is a fascinating country that will likely be significantly different than most destinations you might have on your travel bucket list, but undoubtedly one that should be at the top of your list. So what should you know before planning a trip? Here are some essential tips on just that! Continue Reading…
Tokyo is well-known as a destination to find amazingly fresh sushi and tasty bowls of ramen. But what if you’re just plain tired of sushi and ramen and craving a western breakfast? What if you just want some eggs and pancakes? Given the strong gastronomic culture in Tokyo with the numerous Michelin-rated restaurants, it should come as no surprise that there are a number of mouth-watering western breakfast establishments in Tokyo. In fact, a quickly growing brunch craze has taken over many of Tokyo’s neighborhoods. Lines snake through back alleys and wind around the block at all hours of the day as hungry patrons await their turn to sink their teeth into a light fluffy pancake. Continue Reading…
Nearly two decades later, I coerced convinced my husband to make Tanzania our next travel destination. There are so many things to do and places to see in Tanzania–climb Kilimanjaro or Mt. Meru, go on a safari, relax on Zanzibar—-but with limited vacation days we had to stick to our (my) priorities. And making my way to the Serengeti was at the top of the list! Continue Reading…