Voyageons!
European Summer is calling. Let's peruse some of my faves!
With summer coming up, I have travel onnn the brain! Especially when the weather becomes unbearable in Dallas, it’s time to GTFO!
I have been fortunate enough to travel to over 20 countries in my life. Although, I have barely even scratched the surface! My travels have ranged from popular tourist destinations like France and Italy, to less commonly visited countries including Cuba and Russia. I have stayed in five-star hotels, and in hostel rooms sharing bunk beds with 12 other travelers. I’ve been lucky to have dined at some of the best restaurants in the world, and have also used my very last Dirham in Morocco on a gas station sandwich. Don’t necessarily recommend that!
As I am now older and have more means, I prefer to shell out for the nicer hotel or occasional AirBNB. *I just don’t think, at this age, I’m meant to live an uncomfortable life.* I’ll say it with my chest!
The life experience I have gained from traveling is priceless. From months studying abroad, back-packing with friends, mission trips, and vacations with family, I think that travel is truly the best way to spend money. Trust me, I understand traveling is a privilege!
Immersing yourself in a foreign country is a unique kind of learning. You discover just how resourceful you can be when navigating a transportation system in a language you don’t speak. Your eyes are opened to completely different parts of the world — a world you’ve only seen through the lens of a camera, or read about in a book. I have images ingrained in my brain of people and places that I will likely never see again, but have evidently had a profound and lasting impact on me. Real-life portraits that have changed the way I view the vastness of the world — the way I view myself, and my place in it.
It's easy to feel comfortable in the safety of our everyday bubbles, but staying in them can really limit how we see the world—socially, economically, and culturally. Travel has a unique way of making people more compassionate, open-minded and diverse. If you are fortunate enough to be able to take time and explore the world, I highly recommend!
I’m occasionally asked for my travel recommendations, so I’ve compiled a list of five of my favorite cities in the world. Keep in mind, this list is by no means exhaustive, and it spans a mix of high-end destinations and more affordable options. Consider this a “top 5 hits”—it’s based on my personal experiences and limited knowledge of each place. There are still so many areas of the world I have unexplored on my list! (I’ve never ventured to Asia, and it’s a high priority.)
My Top 5 Hits: (apologies it’s not very organized!)
Milan - A city I didn’t think I would love so much because it’s one of the more industrial cities in Italy, but it’s quickly become a favorite after multiple visits! While Tuscany and the Italian coast boasts beautiful scenery, I find Milano to be “NYC” of Europe, as it’s bustling with amazing fashion, culture and incredible restaurants. I’ve added some heavy hitters below, but wandering the neighborhoods (San Babila is a favorite) will guarantee you to find a delicious meal at any corner!
La Specialita- Iconic spot to grab dinner! Fresh seafood and an amazing assortment of brick-oven pizzas
Langosteria - Great dinner date spot with a cozy ambiance. Recommend the Paccheri pasta!
Trattoria Milanese- Love this for dinner, and the interiors feel authentic and timeless. The artichokes appetizer is a must-try!
Marchesi 1824 - Cute spot for coffee and aperitivo!
Bar Basso - Great cafe for a quick Aperitivo stop to sit outside — they have crispiest Aperol spritz in town
Ralph Lauren Palazzo- The restaurant outside of the store is lovely! More American offerings, but great outdoor patio. I go solely for the fried olives and cheeseburger.
Il Salumaio di Montenapoloene - Amazing lunch location with a great outdoor area. Get the burrata - it’s insane!
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the oldest shopping center in Milan and worth the visit!
South of France & Provence - J’adore Paris, but I dream of the SOF once the weather warms up! It’s the epitome of European Summer. Before you visit, watch “To Catch a Thief” (1955) with princess Grace and Carry Grant. The movie is filmed around the French Riviera and it’s fun to set the scene for a vacation. This list is categorized by cities in the area.
Cannes:
The Carlton hotel - Iconic and historic hotel on the strip! A must for drinks/aperitvo (at Bar 58 inside or outside bar terrace)
La Mome - good dinner party spot (book a late res because it turns into fun nightlife later on) I loved the steak frites!
Anna - amazing Mediterranean spot if you’re sick of French food, sit on patio if you can. The menu has amazing fresh fish options
Le Petite Maison - The food isn’t the best in the world but the vibes make this spot worth visiting! Be sure to make a res in advance during busy season. Turns into a fun party later in the night
Baoili - Asian/meditteranean food, also turns into a party after hours
Copenhagen coffee - cute coffee shop that has iced(!!!!!) coffee and great croissants
Dior Cafe- overpriced coffee and drinks but cute vibes/good location
Chrystie - great spot for dancing/drinks and quick walk from La Mome for after dinner clubbing. They have great music
La Guerite- a literal MUST if you make it to one beach club- go here. Make reservations months ahead of time.
There are lots of beach clubs all along the beach strip - pretty much all the same prices for day beds/menus. A good place to be if you want to have a chill day.
St. Tropez - Beach clubs are a must-do in St Tropez!
La petit plag - really fun beach club, make reservations
Club 55- best beach club in St Tropez imo because food/vibes are 100!!!
The market is on Tuesday/Saturday mornings and fun to visit for antique shopping!
Monaco - A very walkable, expensive city. Could be seen in a day, but I love spending time here. 10/10 people watching! Be sure to walk the pier to gawk the yachts of the 1 percenters. The Casino is also a must-do! So much beautiful decor and history here.
Rampoldi - fav restaurant in the city, open for lunch and dinner. Their bread service is top-notch!
Cipriani- People watching is incredibly entertaining and the pasta is divine if you need a French food break. Same menu as most other Cipriani locations. I recommend the pesto!
American Bar - fun jazz bar for drinks inside the Hotel de Paris
The best vintage shopping in the world at The Queen Bee
Provence - Many people stay in the Riviera, but if you are willing to venture about an hour by train, Provence is idyllic and charming! Summertime is the best season to go if you want to see the famous lavender fields in bloom. We stayed in Egalyiere and it was easy to bop around to Saint-Rémy, Avignon and other cute towns. If anyone wants to buy me a French chateau in the area, I would definitely say Oui Oui!
Maison Hache - One Michelin Star restaurant in the quaint town of Egalyiere. Some of the best assortment of cheeses I’ve ever seen! The tasting menu is the way to go — everything is divine and very French.
Pollen - One Michelin Star, and one of my family’s favorites — I recommend the tasting menu for lunch. The surprise menu makes it a true culinary experience!
Châteauneuf-du-Pape - A wine tour in Provence is a must! In addition to the delicious wine from this region, the Papal history and views of the communes offer a unique wine tasting experience.
Saint-Rémy - The town is adorable for a day trip and the outdoor market every Wednesday has incredible shopping! Some of my favorite market find include vintage Baccarat caviar bowls and the most beautiful linens.
Madrid - Most travelers hit Barcelona (which is beautiful), but I personally have an affinity for Madrid, as it feels slightly less touristy and more rich with culture. I also have an affinity for the best sangria and olives in the country! What I love most about this city is you can wander into any restaurant and guarantee yourself a fabulous dining experience. I would like to mention Mallorca is next on my list, as I’ve heard rave reviews!
Retiro Park - I will never shut up about this park. It’s exquisitely designed, clean and a lush escape in the heart of the city. Grab some coffee and go for a stroll or 10! We did a picnic here and it was a highlight of the trip.
Ten Con Ten - Trendy, but delicious restaurant with a great variety of tapas. The Croquetas and Duck Spring rolls are personal faves!
Coque - For a treat-yourself-meal. The ambiance is stunning and chic, and the menu is delectable
The Mandarin Ritz hotel - This is another spot for a trendy overpriced cocktail and tapas, but the views are with the $$$! This hotel boasts incredibly beautiful interiors, and it’s right along the park.
Restaurante Botín - The world’s oldest restaurant! The food is authentic and delicious. Try their famous roasted suckling pig.
The Prado Museum - one of my favorite art museums in the world, as it includes an incredibly diverse collection! I’ve heard good things about Reina Sofía as well, but it was closed the day I tried to visit.
Plaza Mayor - Wander around the plaza for the beautiful architecture and then hit the market for delicious and local fare!
Mexico City - The fact that I am putting CDMX on this list means I truly love it, because my girlfriends and I got SICK SICK SICK during one trip here! To add this one as a top five-er means I really enjoyed my time here. Just don’t drink the ice water unless you want to lose 10 pounds in a week (honestly… would do again)!?
Pujol - Michelin star menu, Michelin star prices. This is dinner will make you feel like you are in the movie The Menu, but you leave satisfied instead of dead. They have various dining experiences to choose from, and the food is a work of art. Definitely reserve months in advance!
Contramar - It’s hyped for a reason! Unfortunately I was too sick on this night to join my friends for dinner, but they still rave about the meal. Specifically, the desserts
Club Tengo Hambre - 10/10 a highlight of our trip. This was a walking food tour that took us into areas of the city we likely wouldn’t have ventured to ourselves. You eat straight off of the vendor’s and it will be some of the most insane street tacos you’ll ever eat, promise! We did this the first day and never stopped talking about it. And no, we didn’t get sick from this!
Restaurante Rosetta - I would probably rank this as my top restaurant in CDMX. The ambiance is incredibly chic and the food is amazing. They serve their food on colorful Ginori 1735 plates!!! I mean. Get all of the pastas.
Panadería Rosetta - Wait in the line. I promise it’s worth it. The most insane selection of baked goods I’ve ever seen! We ordered enough pastries to feed a small village and then took them to eat in the park. Recommend this move!
Bosque de Chapultepec - Love a good park, and this one is massive! Definitely worth walking around. There’s lots of carts in the area offering fresh fruit with tajin, yum.
Museo Frida Kahlo- Casa Azul, or the Blue House, is the former residence of Frida Khalo and Diego Rivera, and has since been dedicated to Kahlo’s life and work. Book ahead to avoid the line!
La Clandestina - Mezcal tasting is a must in CDMX and this bar has delicious concoctions. Try the avocado drink to start!
Venice - Visiting Venice feels like stepping into a timeless, captivating dream — every corner offering a glimpse into a world of vintage charm. Every time I visit I am in awe of the city completely built on water. Jetting around on a classic Riva boat feels straight out of a movie. Speaking of cinema, before you go, be sure to watch Summertime (1955) starring Katharine Hepburn. The town truly hasn’t changed a bit since it was filmed!
Murano - take a boat ride out to Murano for a day trip to see the beautiful glass blowing. It’s fascinating to watch, and the boat ride out there is half the fun!
Hotel Cipriani - One of the most beautiful and iconic hotels I’ve ever seen. If you aren’t staying here, be sure to grab a drink at the bar on the terrace! If you have dinner here, try Cip’s Club for delicious, more casual fare. It’s right on the water, and the people watching here is really intriguing.
Harry’s Bar - Iconic for a reason. I love a Cipriani restaurant, but this one feels extra special, and the food really is incredible. Birth place of the Bellini - it’s a must-try!
Ristorante Da Ivo - My favorite for an upscale dinner date. Very cozy ambiance and amazing classic Tuscan & Venetian dishes. Rumored George Clooney’s favorite restaurant! Manifesting a run-in for you.
Bar Terrazza Danieli - Amazing spot for Aperitivo and a stunning view of Venice!
Basilica Santa Maria della Salute - One of the most breath-taking churches I’ve seen in Europe. Absolutely worth a visit, and you can do a free tour on Rick Steve’s app (we stan Rick around here)
Marchini Time - Cute spot for grab-and-go coffee and snacks. Don’t let the crowds deter you - the line moves quickly! Delicious, strong espresso.
Caffè Florian - A more upscale and glamorous coffee/snack stop in Piazza San Marco. A bit on the touristy side, but the interiors are exquisite and this cafe has so much tradition.
I mean….
Charleston - Bonus honorable mention because this city has my heart! I’ve been here countless times and each visit is more magical than the next. The food scene is exquisite, the streets are quaint and colorful, and the town offers an array of great shopping, beach access, and the most idyllic Southern accommodations. It’s one town I will NEVER get tired of visiting!
Halls chop house - iconic steakhouse! The food is incredible and they have icy cold martinis. You’ll likely see a Southern Charm cast member hanging around
Peninsula Grill - Located inside Planters Inn hotel, this is a beautiful spot for a nicer dinner. The food is incredible and all locally sourced. Get the famous coconut cake for dessert!
Post House - if you’re willing to leave center of town and venture to Mt Pleasant, this is one of my favorite restaurants! It’s adorably Americana and the cheeseburger is one of the best I’ve ever had. It’s also where the notebook is filmed, fun fact!
Zero George - My favorite place to stay in the city! Feels like a home away from home with renovated cottages around the property and a lovely breakfast spread every morning. You can also eat at the restaurant there if you’re not staying. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint and the food is Michelin level good!
Chez Nous - the cutest little French spot. Incredible menu options
Raw 167 - best for lunch IMO. Super fresh seafood and great cocktails. They have a new bar spot around the corner that that’s usually easier to get into, but the food isn’t as good
Basic Kitchen- my fav local spot for healthier/lighter eats! Very fresh menu
Caviar and Bananas - really cute for a coffee/quick bite spot (right on college of Charleston campus)
The Dewberry Hotel bar - very chic and they give you popcorn with your drinks! Recommend sitting outside if the weather is nice
The Daily - really cute coffee spot and you’ll likely run into someone from Outter Banks cast if they’re in filming season!
Citrus Club - great spot to grab a cocktail on the rooftop if the weather is nice!
Well now I am ITCHING to get a trip planned! Would love to hear if you have your own top 5 hits or any must-dos that I missed here. There are so many magical places in the world to visit, foods to try and people to meet.
Travel > Therapy. And I stand by that.
Voyageons!
xx
murano is amazing !!