Leavenworth, WA

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Bavarian Lodge, Leavenworth

When I visited Leavenworth, I wasn’t sure if I was in a little German village or what. It is such a unique place to visit and explore! For us, it is only a couple hour drive so it’s easy to get to. If you’re around in Washington and enjoy beers, brats, and German feels, then by all means go take a look at Leavenworth. It’s a really cute town and there are a lot of outdoor adventures right under your fingertips. I especially loved visiting in the winter when they had the twinkling lights on the village. The views are prettier in the summer though because you get to see all of the mountains around. There is also tubing down the river during the warmer months. When to visit all depends on what you’re looking for!

Winter in Leavenworth

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Lunch @Munchen Haus, Leavenworth
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Beers @Stein, Leavenworth
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Icicle Brewing Company, Leavenworth
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Village Lights, Leavnworth Village

Summer in Leavenworth

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Munchen Haus, Leavenworth
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Before all the toppings @Munchen Haus

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Tubing down the Wenatchee River
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My mom @The Nutcracker Museum
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Inside the Nutcracker Museum

Tara Tips*

To Stay

Bavarian Lodge | It really is such a special place to stay, especially in the winter! I like the whole vibe there. Also, make sure you get a room with a fireplace and good view if possible.

There is always some kind of event going on here so check your calendar prior to visiting. I know a lot of people enjoy coming here for the Christmas lighting and Octoberfest! Just some thoughts! 🙂 Hotels book way in advance during the month of October, so if you plan on visiting during that time, plan accordingly.

To Do

Tubing | Rent a tube and go tubing down the Wenatchee River with some friends!

Walk Leavenworth Village | Enjoy all of the cute shops, bakeries, and souvenir stores.

Nutcracker Museum | My mom is a huge Nutcracker fan and there so happens to be a Nutcracker Museum in the village. It is about $5-$10 per person to enter. If this is your thing, then definitely take a peek! They have every Nutcracker that has ever lived in this place and the lady there is somewhat of a Nutcracker legend. You’ll see.

To Eat

Munchën Haus | Must eat here for lunch or dinner! They have delicious brats and pretzels. There are about 20 different mustards to choose from, along with numerous toppings. It’s such a fun atmosphere there too. For all my non meat eaters, order the veggie brat and you will be happy. It’s SO tasty! A little confession…we ate there for lunch and dinner the same night. There’s no shame in that, right??

To Drink

Stein | Enjoy some brews here! They have so many beer options. You can also visit one of the many outdoor breweries during the summer time.

Wine Tasting | There are plenty of places to grab a drink here. I did not try any wines while I was there, but there are A LOT of tasting rooms right in the village.

 

Cheers to beers and brats! Enjoy!

Palm Springs

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Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel | Palm Springs

Sometimes you just need to get away to Palm Springs. If it is cold and gloomy (or not), head on down and you will have the best time. We decided to do just that for Easter. We had enough of the gloomy winter in Seattle at the time, and booked ourselves about a week getaway. If I could have a little second place, Palm Springs would be it. I wish I kept more of my pics of the streets and downtown area, but I erased a lot of them. Luckily, I remembered all of the places to go out to eat, what to do, and saved a couple good pics too.

I LOVED the location where we stayed. It is walking distance to downtown and all of the restaurants and bars. It has beautiful pools and outside areas to relax at too. It really was a great hotel option! I also would recommend staying at any of the places mentioned at the bottom of this post.

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Outside Pool Area | Renaissance Palm Springs

Okay, you must must have brunch at Cheeky’s first and foremost. There will most likely be a long wait there, so hop on over to Birba (which is right next door) and order yourself some Bloody Marys!

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Birba | Palm Springs

Jake’s for lunch is the only way to do it. This might have been my favorite meal of the whole week stay. Everything was so fresh and delicious. The ambiance there is quite perfect too.

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Jake’s | Palm Springs

When you are in Cali, you have to eat some Authentic Mexican food. Grab yourself a margarita, chips and salsa, and some enchiladas. YUM and done.

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Shrimp Enchilada’s | El Mirasol | Palm Springs

One night, we decided to take the tram up to the top to see what was going on up there. There’s so much to see up there! If you plan to go, know that you can hike the various trails, relax, take in views of the city, and eat up at the top!

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Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Palm Springs
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View from the top | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

If you go to Palm Springs and have an extra day in there, please do yourself a favor and head to Joshua Tree. I always love going to National Parks, and this one is pretty spectacular. I talk a little more about it below if you want to know more. We ended our night at Joshua Tree with dancing on the colossal rocks, singing, and drinking wine. Is there anything better than that?? It was the BEST.

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Joshua Tree National Park

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Hubs and I hiking | Joshua Tree National Park

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Sunset | Joshua Tree National Park

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Final Sunset | Joshua Tree National Park

Tara Tips*

To Stay

Renaissance Palm Springs | Downtown | Close to the Palm Springs Airport and walking distance to downtown. I really loved our stay here!

These are some other great options depending on how much you would like to spend | Andreas Hotel and Spa | Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel | Ace Hotel and Swim Club| Hyatt Palm Springs | Parker Palm Springs.

To Do

Joshua Tree National Park |  Rent a car and head over to this absolutely MAGICAL place. It was my favorite part of our whole trip! Joshua Tree is only an hour away and it’s an easy drive. Make sure to grab some sandwiches at Sherman’s Deli and Bakery before heading over there. Also, don’t forget to pack some snacks and drinks to enjoy while you’re watching the sunset and staring at the stars. Perfection.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Take a ride on the tram and be prepared for views upon views. We didn’t get an entirely clear night of the city when we went, but it was so breathtaking anyway. There is lots of hiking and wilderness all around too. There is also an area to eat at once you get to the top if you want a little something to eat. If you don’t have a lot of time, I would say to skip this and head to Joshua Tree instead 🙂 My fav!

Walk Downtown Palm Springs | Visit all of the modern design shops! You can also take a tour of all the famous mid century modern homes throughout the area. I personally am so interested in that kind of architecture and design style.

Pool Day | What better way to relax than by sitting by the pool and enjoying a refreshing drink? Just do it, you deserve it.

To Eat

Eat, eat, and eat. SO many good food options! We ate at all the places listed below. These are ALL DELISH options, depending on what kind of cuisine you want. Bon Appétit!

Breakfast | Cheeky’s (best brunch) | Koffi ( best coffee spot!)

Lunch | Jake’s (perfect lunch spot) | Sherman’s Deli and Bakery (super yummy deli) | Lulu California Bistro

Dinner | Workshop Kitchen + Bar ($$$) | El Mirasol Restaurant (Mexican)

Bars | Blackbook Bar (great nachos!) | Birba (delish drinks!)

 

Have fun in Palm Springs!

 

 

Portland, Oregon

Keep Portland weird! That’s what they all say isn’t it? It is also written on walls around the city. I love Portland’s vibe, even if it is a little weird. I’m giving you guys Portland, 3 ways. Portland with your love, your parents, and your bestie. I’ve been there a bunch of times and I want to highlight on different things you can see and do depending on who you are with! 🙂 Obviously, any of these options are great to share with someone ❤

Portland with your love 

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Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Portland

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Falafel Sandwich @Food Trucks
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10 Barrel Brewing Co.
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McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

Portland with your parents

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The Benson, Portland
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Portland City Grill, Portland
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Portland Japanese Garden

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Umami Cafe @Portland Japanese Garden

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Portland with your bestie

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The Nines, A Luxury Collections Hotel, Portland

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Dinner @Oven and Shaker

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With your love

To Stay

Hotel Monaco | This is seriously one of my favorite hotels! They have happy hour for all guests staying at the hotel and drinks are free in the lobby area. Usually there is a musician playing and the ambiance is just perfect.

To Eat 

Voodoo Donuts | An absolute must goIt’s just one of those things to do! I’ve heard that Blue Star is even better, but it doesn’t have that feel that comes along with getting one of those pink boxes!

Food trucks |  Grab some grub from the numerous trucks! There is a entire area in the middle of the city dedicated to food trucks. The choices are unlimited!

To Drink

10 Barrel Brewing Co | Such great beer here! They have a rooftop patio if you are visiting during the nicer weather. If not, this place is still just as awesome.

To do

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom | Go see a concert here!  It is such an amazing venue.  We saw Wolf Parade there and it was a blast.

 

With your parent

To Stay

The Benson | Great location and the perfect setting for you and your family!

To Eat 

Voodoo donuts | Obvious must! Go get everyone some of those donuts in the pretty pink boxes!

Oven and Shaker | One of my favorite pizza places in the city. Can’t say enough good things about this spot!

To Do

Powell’s Books | Get lost in this gigantic and world’s largest independent bookstore. It is so famous! If you are a book lover, this is your jam!

Portland Japanese Gardens | It was SUCH a lovely trip there with my mother. We ended our visit by having tea and Japanese pastries at Umami Cafe, in the middle of the gardens under the trees! It was so memorable! For the gardens, $15.00 per person to get in and lunch/tea not included. Get one of their tea sets if you are unsure what to try at the cafe.

 

With your bestie

To Stay

The Nines |  It is very girly and different. It definitely has a unique feel and is broken up into floors, if that makes any sense. There is also an incredible rooftop at the top waiting for you to enjoy.

To Eat

Portland City Grill | This is somewhere so fun to go with for cocktails! It has extreme views up there. Grab a seat by the window and you’re good for the night. They have a great happy hour and it is on a first come first serve seating by the window. You get panoramic views of Oregon, which is quite breathtaking. Take the Elevator to the 30th floor. Cheers!

Oven and Shaker | You can never go wrong with wood fired pizzas. Can you?? I ❤ this place!

Brunch at Tasty and Alder | The hype is all real and true. You will not be disappointed with this breakfast! Order the lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry jam and northwest migas. My mouth is watering just thinking of this place. It’s really that good and worth the wait. That reminds me, there is ALWAYS a wait to get into this place. No matter if you show up within the first half hour of opening, it doesn’t matter. Go walk around the city and wait to be called. Keep in mind that they serve smaller portions. Order a bunch and share! Also, the brunch scene in Portland is BUSY. Happy brunchin!

To Do 

Walk the city | This is such a fun city to hang out with the girls in because everything is so walkable and there is plenty to do and see!

Pearl District | Shop till you drop with your bestie over in the Pearl District. It really is so much fun shopping around this area. They have a lot of well known stores like Anthropologie, Free People, and more.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters | No visit to Portland is complete without a visit to a coffee shop! Why not make it the best one? This is my all time fav one to go to. I usually get a latte here and some kind of amazing treat from a local bakery.

Keep Portland Weird People! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Napa, California

Napa is…GLORIOUS. There’s no other way to put it. I am slightly bias because my husband works for a wine company, but still. Even when he didn’t, I thought Napa was IT. Napa is a place for wine, food, views, and fun. If you haven’t been, start making your plans yesterday.

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Vineyards | Napa

If you are a wine drinker, this is where you need to be. Heck, even if you are not and you love to eat good food, this is where you need to be. But really, most people go to Napa to go wine tasting and soak up the good ole California sun. There’s nothing like hanging out in the vineyards for the day. Nothing.

I can not count anymore how many times I have been to Napa because we used to live in Northern California and would visit quite often. I was recently there with my friends from high school a couple months ago and it was a perfect weekend. No one ever says no to Napa, or at least not me :).

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Wine not?

RIDGE WINERY

We made a quick stop up to Healdsburg first thing in the morning to hang out at the picturesque, Ridge Vineyards. I honestly could have stayed there all day, but we had places to go and people to see. Not really actually, just a lot of wine to drink, but you get the point. I loved this winery and bought a bottle of their chardonnay. It was the best tasting white wine I have ever had if that gives you a good idea of their wines.

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Ridge Vineyards | Healdsburg, CA

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Sonoma Selfie

SILVER OAK

We headed back down to Napa and toured and tasted at Silver Oak. Their wine is so juicy and yummy it’s ridiculous. The reds are all delish. They also have a great tour if you are interested in touring around the winery too.

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Silver Oak Winery | Napa, CA

 

 

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Wine needs food and food needs wine. Do you agree? They are the perfect pair. We usually stop at Gott’s Roadside, Oakville, or V. Sattui, but we decided to stop in at Dean and Deluca, which is another amazing lunch spot. I always get a few things to share and nibble on while soaking up the views. Napa Valley=views all day long.

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Lunch | Dean & Deluca | Napa

 

Later that day we went to Girard’s, which is a fun place to go later on in the day because they are open pretty late. There isn’t any views and it is a smaller tasting room, but their wines never disappoint. It’s one of our go-to last wine stops of the day.

TREFETHEN

The next day we started at Trefethen. I was hesitant because I have only been there one other time and they were under a huge renovation due to the earthquake, but honestly, their wines are fantastic and pretty unforgettable. They have such a beautiful facility and if you have not been here yet, please stop by and try their wines.

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Trefethen | Napa

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BERINGER

Okay so, for anyone that thinks they know Beringer wines, they truly don’t. When you think of Beringer, you think of not high quality, cheap stuff. TOTALLY not true and couldn’t be father from the truth. Head right to the reserve tasting room and try their wines. They will literally blow you away. TOTALLY divine wine. You will never think anything other once you try their wines. Beringer has some of the best wines out there.

 

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Blind tasting | Beringer Winery
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Wine Notes | Beringer Winery

 

DARIOUSH

Our tasting at Beringer might have been one of my favorites ever because our host made it extra special for us. There will always be a special place in my heart for this winery in Napa. We had quite a good amount at this point, but had one more tasting to go to which was at Darioush. We have been going to Darioush for yearrrrssss so it’s always a classic to visit. If you want a modern, sleek and sexy vibe, go here. I would honestly go here just for their lemon salted pistachios that they give you during your tasting. Truth. The good news is that you may purchase them to take with you so there’s that at least. Besides from that, their wines are beautiful, which means they are TASTY.

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Darioush | Napa, CA

That’s about most of my recent trip to Napa. I didn’t add the parts about staying up until 3 am. doing blind tastings of delicious bottles of wine, but that also happened. I am getting too old for that nonsense, but when in Napa right?? YOLO.

See you again Napa Valley ❤

Tara Tips*

Napa and Sonoma both have some amazing wineries. If you could only go to one specific area, I would visit Napa first. We sometimes visit a winery or 2 in Sonoma and head back to Napa for the rest of the day. It’s doable! It just depends how much you want to do in 1 day. I would not recommend that for your first time visit to wine country though!

Some of my personal favorite wineries

Far Niente | Trefethen | Domaine Carneros | Duckhorn | Paraduxx | Joseph Phelps | Mumm | Beringer | Robert Mondavi | Darioush | Orwin Swift | Girard | Raymond | Silver Oak

To Stay

AirBNB | Andaz Napa | Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley | The Meritage Resort and Spa | River Terrace Inn.

AirBNB will probably be your best bet for the price! You can find some amazing homes to stay in. Check google maps to see how far the wineries are from where you are staying and where you want to be. If money isn’t an option, stay at Andaz Napa. I stayed there for a weekend, and it was incredible. Right in downtown Napa, next to all the restaurants and bars too.

To Eat

You will NOT be disappointed! 🙂 Keep in mind that any of these places would be more than fine for lunch or dinner. It all depends on your daily plans.

Lunch

You must have a picnic type of experience in Napa. You can buy your own wine at the lunch spot OR bring your own bottle there for cheaper or from one of the wineries you visited. You can open up your bottle and enjoy with your favorite foods and cheeses, etc etc!

V. Sattui | This is a larger spot and they have everything you could possibly want to eat! My suggestion is to buy a bunch of things and share. They have picnic tables but bring a blanket if you can to this one because it gets busy FAST. They all do really.

Oakville Grocery Co | This is a similar type of place but a smaller setting. It is very peaceful in the back where you can sit and enjoy. Grab a bottle of wine while you’re there or pop your own and viola. Salud!  It is literally a minute away from Robert Mondavi Winery (A must go).

Gott’s Roadside | This place has awesome burgers, tuna burgers, fish tacos, etc etc. It is alllllwayyys packed and it’s awesome food. This is closer to Beringer Winery (which is another great winery option).

Dean and Deluca | They have delicious pre-made foods and food to order. There are not many places to sit, but they have amazing high quality items.

 

Dinner

 Oenotri | Downtown Napa | Italian | You can order delicious wood fire pizza. MUST make reservations for dinner daily. Things get crazy busy in Napa so plan ahead of time.

Eiko’s | Downtown Napa| Sushi restaurant |Some of the best sushi! Ambiance is lovely.

Angele | Downtown Napa | French-American | Such a special spot and in a beautiful area of downtown. It has a very romantic outside area. Also has an excellent brunch.

Bounty Hunter | Downtown Napa | Barbecue | Has amazing meat dishes and is more of bar-ish feel.

Bistro Don Giovanni | Napa | Italian | One of my favorite restaurants of all time!

 

Winery Plans!

To visit | For first timers/bach party – Must go to Robert Mondavi. It is a classic and the views/ambiance are perfect. Grab a bottle after you do a tasting and sit outside and enjoy the view. They also do group tours and if you are going to do one, this place would probably be the one to do it at. If you don’t want to spend a lot, I would suggest splitting tastings/buy a bottle and share that way.

For fun and bubbles (champs) | Must go to Mumm. They are one of the few wineries open till 6:00 I believe. Most close between 3:30-5 (last tastings you can schedule). If you want champs this is the place to go and the view is spectacular. you will all love it and its fun because it’s champs! Another one for bubbles and brunch/breakfast (a little pricey but not terrible) is Domaine Carneros. A little further away from the hustle and bustle. Great choice as well.

For Bachelorette fun | Must go to Raymond’s. This winery is very…how do I say it, unique, sexy, girly, fun. It’s pretty awesome. You just need to go here if you want that whole bach vibe. Let me know if you have more questions. They have GREAT red wines too.

For relaxation | Go to Paraduxx. They have comfortable chairs outside and it is in a very calm setting. Order the red tasting and they pair it with a bunch of delicious cheeses. Tip-make sure you call ahead and see if there are any perks for larger parties/maybe they can give you platters of some apps etc for free.

Tasting fees

$15-$35 a tasting (some may be more, depending where you go). Call and double check if you are concerned with tasting info. Again, you can always buy a bottle at these places and enjoy the wine that way as well!

I do not claim to be an expert on this area, but I definitely know a lot about Napa. Ask away and I would be glad to help out 🙂

Now, go get your wine on.

 

Dublin, Ireland

Hello Dublin Layover! When I saw that we could have a 22+ hour layover in Dublin, Ireland, I was all for it. The crazy part is that we had to fly back to Paris from Prague and then the following day we would arrive in Ireland. I was very excited to check out another incredible place! I have heard so many different thing about Dublin. Turns out, everything I have heard was all good and true. Dublin is something that has to be experienced at some point. Isn’t every place though??

We landed and immediately got a ride to our hotel, The Morgan. The Morgan was something super special. It was right on the main street with all of the popular bars and restaurants and a 20 minute walk or so to the Guinness factory. Done and done. I would highly recommend staying here if you plan to visit!

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The Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland

Bye Dublin! I hope to see you again.

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Tara Tips*

To Stay

The Morgan | Right in downtown Dublin! It is a beautiful hotel located right next to all of the action. This hotel is just perfect.

To Do

Bar Hop | Plan to stay out late too. The bars close around 3 am and you need to experience Dublin Bar life for just a night 🙂 or 2, or 3, whatever is your thing!

Walk Downtown |Walk along the famous Temple Bar street and bar hop around! There are cute shops along the way, but mostly bars and restaurants. You will hear live music everywhere and see people everywhere as well. So much energy in this one little area!

Tour the Guinness Factory | Make sure to purchase tickets ahead of time. We did the self guided walking tour, which seemed like a great choice. Our tickets came with a bunch of cool perks too like free pints and how to pour your own glass of Guinness. There is live music and so many different areas to check out and explore. I have been to a lot of tastings and tours throughout the years and this was very impressive. Bring money for souvenirs because there are plenty of things to purchase too.

The Temple Bar | This is a MUST do! You will hang out with some awesome people, while sipping your pint of beer. This place is incredibly magical. It feels like it is your home away from home. The live musicians are spot on and you will just have the perfect night out!

To Eat

Leo Burdock’s | Famous for its fish and chips (which happens to be one of my favorite foods) So many celebrities and well known musicians have eaten here! The list is unbelievable! A little fun fact…we ran out of time and carried our fish and chips all the way to the Guinness Factory. We ended up eating on the sidewalk in front of the building before going in! Hey, when in Dublin I guess. I will do anything for a good fish and chips.

Side note! | Ireland people are the kindest people around! I felt very at home here in a sense. You will not be disappointed with making a trip over to Dublin! I want to go back and visit the countryside and tour the castles at some point 🙂 If you can do it all, I say go for it! If you have just one day or very little time, make your way over to Dublin and experience the downtown! You’ll love it.

SLÁINTE!

Rome, Italy

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The Colosseum | Rome | Italy

Roma! Roma! Roma! Rome is such an unbelievable place and totally stole my heart. I loved EVERY minute in this spectacular city.  We were only there for one full day and a half, so it was a short trip. We made the most of every second, and even had a little time to relax and have a beautiful rooftop dinner. If you only have a short amount of time here, don’t worry because it is totally doable to see all the major sights. You just have to plan accordingly. I knew there were certain landmarks and places I just had to see, so I made them all my top priority. I know I have to make a trip back to Rome at some point because I need to experience even more of this spectacular city. It is like stepping into a Roman movie. It is just an unbelievable place!

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Hotel Selfie
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Rome | Italy

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Me | Colosseum

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The Trevi Fountain was pretty spectacular to see, but then again, isn’t everything in Rome?? I loved how we got a little clip of us throwing some change in the fountain!

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Trevi Fountain | Rome

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Me | Trevi Fountain
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Make a wish!
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The Pantheon | Rome |Italy
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Piazza Del Nova | Rome

After seeing all the sights we wanted to see, we walked to the Piazza Navona area. This area was spectacular and I definitely could have stayed a bit longer. Isn’t that always the case?? We had dinner reservations at the most magnificent rooftop and I was looking forward to relaxing and seeing the sunset. It was seriously something I will never forget and may be one of the most memorable parts of my trip. If you can make a reservation, please go! This rooftop was like no other. You can see almost all of Rome and it was honestly the most magnificent skyline. I really couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s one of those things where you just feel so at peace and in awe. The rooftop is at the top of a five star hotel called, Hotel Raphaël. Go here NOW. Just book it and make your trip plans later.

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Hotel Raphael | Rome | Italy

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XoXo Roma ❤

Again, our time was so so short in this magnificent city, so we were very limited, but we most certainly made the most of it. Read below for some sites you must see 🙂

To stay

Hotel Raphaël | 5 Star Hotel | 2 minute walk from the Piazza Navona | Hotel Raffaello | Central location close to the Colosseum and train station | best budget friendly hotel

To Do

The Colosseum | I could tour around here all day! There’s so much to see.

Walk Rome | Walk as much as you can! Go to the Altar of the Fatherland and prepare to be AMAZED. I was fascinated with this building and I know you would be too. Grab a gelato after the Altar of the Fatherland and keep on walking! Head over to the Trevi Fountain next.

Trevi Fountain | Throw a coin in the water. Total. classic. moment.

The Pantheon | Walk around and tour inside of it. It is open to the public and free!

Piazza Navona | This was one of my favorite areas  It is such a great place to walk around, grab a drink or some food, and relax.

To Eat

Hotel Raphaël | Rooftop dinner This is a pricier option for dinner but regardless if you want to eat there, you just have to experience the rooftop at least! Absolute GAME CHANGER. Experience sunset and get ready to be blown away. The Vatican in the distance (among many other sites) is not too shabby either. *Also a 2 minute walk from the Piazza Navona.

I ❤ ROMA!

 

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is SO unique and stunning! It is like no other place in Europe that I have traveled to so far. The buildings and cities have such a medieval elegance feel to them. I loved it here so much. What was really special about this place is that my friend I was traveling with lived here for a few years, so I kind of got to see the ins and outs of Prague. It has such a special place in my heart <3.

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Prague | Czech Republic

Sarah and Jans Airbnb was in the most perfect location! If you want to be close to the center, this is the place for you. The flat is actually much larger in person than in pictures and has ample amount of space. The hosts are terrific and you really get a sense of what having your own flat in Prague is like!

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Sarah and Jan’s AirBNB | Prague

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Drinks | Lokal

Our second and third day in Prague was jammed packed. I felt so comfortable everywhere I went in Prague. It is such a livable city and incredibly unique with all of the medieval and gothic vibes. It is also pretty inexpensive if you go to the right places.  We grabbed a quick bite for breakfast and ate on the go while walking to Wenceslas Square.

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Wenceslas Square | Praha 1
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Capital Building | Prague

We ate lunch at this very hip new lunch spot called, Manifesto – pretty new in Prague and so many delicious food options to choose from. We liked it so much that we went back there before we headed out to the airport on our last day too.

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Manifesto | Prague

After lunch, we walked and walked and explored the city a bunch. It’s all so charming and unique. I really do not know how else to explain it!

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Me | Charles Bridge | Arch Bridge in Prague | Czech Republic

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We walked to see the famous castle. Be prepared for a lot of stairs on your way up there! 🙂

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Our Walk to Prague Castle
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Prague Castle
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Me | Prague Castle

After our walk through the castle grounds, we headed over to Malá Strana and took a picture at the famous John Lennon wall.

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Mala Strana

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Malá Strana was just as charming as all the other spots in Prague ❤ Can’t you tell??

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“I Love Praha |  Wall Art | John Lennon Wall

We walked and walked and walked to try and find this Biergarten my friend said was awesome. We never ended up finding the exact one, but we came across so many other cool experiences along the way. We found a concert at the top of a hill overlooking the entire city, and I got to try my first raclette cheese! Our walk back to our flat was pretty magical too.

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Concert in the park
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Drink line | The concert on a hill

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Raclette!

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Our last full day in Prague started with walking to the metro to explore another area in Prague.

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Metro | Prague

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We had MAJOR photo op at this green wall in Praha 2 after a delicious brunch. If you have time for breakfast, go to Cafefin and order the avocado toast. You can thank me later. Also, I apologize in advance for all of the green wall pics, haha. Couldn’t resist.

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Avocado Toast | Cafefin
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Praha 2 | Czech Republic

After a long day of walking, brunching, and exploring, we met up with some old friends of my travel buddy and had an authentic Czech experience meal of fried cheese, bread, and cranberries.

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Authentic Czech Restaurant
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Czech Meal

Somehow we still walked forever and ever to a park called, Vyšehrad, that my friend said was breathtaking for sunset. I am so glad she took me there and I got to see this part of Prague. I highly recommend you go there for sunset. It was an incredibly peaceful and perfect ending to all of our sightseeing that day. Afterwards, we walked to an area called Naplavka, where you can find numerous boats on the water that are actually bars. SO SO COOL. IMG_1244IMG_1245IMG_1248

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View | Vysharad Park
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Sunset | Vysherad Park

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Naplavka | On the banks of the Vltava River

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Prague in general just gives off this very cool, medieval vibe. You must go see! Dobrou noc, Prague! I love your everything ❤

Tara Tips*

To Stay

Airbnb! |  I linked the one we stayed in here for you. I think you get the best feel for this incredible city by staying in a flat. See below for link.

Sarah’s calm and Cozy Flat:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2306570?check_in=2018-08-14&check_out=2018-08-17&guests=1&adults=2

To Do

Visit Old Town | See the famous astronomical clock in Old Town Square.

Beers @Lokál. You can drink on the street outside of the bar or sit inside and order some food.

Walk around Wenceslas Square and do a little shopping.

Visit Vyšherad Park for sunset. Take a bottle of wine with you or just relax and enjoy the view. It is a beautiful park just to walk around in too.

Walk across the Charles Bridge

Go to the castle! It is incredible!

See Mala Strana and take a pic at the John Lennon Wall if you have time.

To Eat

Have lunch @Manifesto. There are SO MANY options, from ice cream to poke bowls to Bao buns. YUM and done.

Dinner @Maitrea for my vegetarian friends. Get the split pea soup!

Nightime

Have a fun night out on the boats in Náplavka! This area is SO incredible. You will all love it here and have the best night!

 

Prague is the perfect place and I hope you guys like it as much as I do! ❤