Touristy Things to Do in London for Someone Who Hates Touristy Things

December 12, 2024

I’ll admit, I don’t love the tourist spots in most places. I generally don’t love crowds and really prefer to see more local versions of the places I travel to. However, sometimes there are things that are popular for a reason and London has a lot of those spots! So from someone who hates touristy things, here are the touristy things to do in London that I would still recommend!

London Eye

I’ll admit, I’ve been to London countless times and my most recent trip was the first time I’ve done the London Eye. I don’t love heights, but the line was short and honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. We did do this on a beautiful day so you could see everything – I wouldn’t do it in the wind and rain though.

Buckingham Palace

There is something so interesting about the British Royal Family to outsiders and a wander by the Palace is definitely something to do on your trip to London.

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Big Ben

Our last few trips Big Ben has been covered in scaffolding for repairs so seeing it this trip in its full glory for the first time in years was so lovely. This area is packed with tourists though so head to the other side of the Thames River to get some beautiful pictures of Big Ben and Parliament.

Tralfager Square

One of my favorite spots in London actually, while this place is a little touristy because of the views and the museums near by, it’s also a beautiful spot to just people watch and take London in around you. There is also a lovely little Christmas Market here in the Winter season.

Frameless Art Exhibit

My mom found this spot on Instagram and we went during our trip with my parents. Now keep in mind, we are not really museum people all that much so I was skeptical but wow, was this incredible. I love art but don’t love the crowds inside museums when traveling and often find it takes away the “awe” of a work of art, so seeing famous paintings come to life in 3D in smaller, more intimate spaces was truly stunning and I would go back!

What to Wear In Iceland in October

October 10, 2024

More What to Wear posts for more destinations here!

I’ve been to Iceland in every season and it’s one of the hardest places in the world to pack for! But if you know what to expect, it makes it a lot easier and knowing what to wear in Iceland in October will help you have an amazing trip. Iceland’s weather is notoriously unpredictable so a few things will help you tremendously to stay warm and be comfortable for your trip. I think one thing I notice a lot in Iceland, you don’t need to have “ski” clothes – a lot of people wear those because they think they need them, in reality, you can get along with much more normal clothes if you know what to pack. One rule of thumb in Iceland, it usually feels about 5-10 degrees colder than what the temperature says, so always dress warmer than you think. Here’s what I wore in Iceland in October that you can use for reference during this time of the year!

What to Pack:

A Faux Fur Lined Long Jacket – Some people prefer a puffer coat but I prefer a faux fur-lined long jacket and I have a couple that I rotate in for Iceland. For this trip, I wore a coat I bought years ago at Gap that is faux fur-lined and has insulation. My Winter coat for Iceland is down-lined so it’s warmer, but for October this coat was perfect. Also make sure it has a hood and is water proof and if it’s longer, it helps control the wind against your legs and keeps you warmer.
1 Pair of Corduroys and 1 Pair of Leggings – I switched in and out with these two pairs of pants – both navy to keep in my color schemes
1 Pair of Winter Boots and 1 Pair of Casual Boots – I brought my warmer faux fur lined winter boots for the days we were out exploring in the countryside and then a pair of regular boots to wear around Reykjavik or to dinners
2 Thick Scarfs – I brought 2 thick scarves to switch in and out. I use my scarves to pull up over my face when the wind is really strong to protect my face so make sure they are soft and thick.
2 Sweaters – I switched in and out with 2 sweaters on this trip.
Earmuffs – My secret weapon for Iceland, since it’s so windy, earmuffs keep you warm and hold your hair back.
Beanie – I wore my beanie when we went out at night to see the Northern Lights for more warmth.
Warm Socks – I always bring a couple pairs of thick wool socks for the days when it’s extra cold.

What I Wore:

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Headed to Iceland?

See more of our posts here on the country!

Tips to See the Northern Lights in Iceland on Your Own

October 6, 2024

We spent a few days in early October exploring one of our favorites places in the world, Iceland! And during the trip, we actually saw the Northern Lights twice – once in Reykjavik and once in the Vik area of South Eastern Iceland. In many different trips to Iceland, as well as doing a Northern Lights tour that wasn’t successful in February, here are my trips to see the Northern Lights in Iceland and how to explore by yourself and see this incredible phenomenon.

You Don’t Always have to Leave Reykjavik

A lot of Northern Lights tour companies tout that you have to leave the city to see the Northern Lights and that is partly true. You might see them brighter in other areas of the countryside, but they are possible to see right in Reykjavik. We’ve had luck right on the water down by the Harpa (near the Edition Hotel) as well as at the Grotta Lighthouse that’s a short drive from downtown Reykjavik. The biggest thing is that you can’t have cloud cover – even if there are some clouds and openings, that’s ok, but if it’s a cloudy evening, you won’t see them. So watch the weather forecast.

Use your Camera to Spot Them

Once you go out to spot the Northern Lights, you can use your phone camera to take pictures of the night sky and even if not visible to the naked eye, if they are there, the camera will spot them. We would take photos at different places in the night sky to see if we saw anything. This last time, we were actually about to get up and leave and Nick saw something through his camera so we stayed and we got a great lightshow.

Go and Wait.

We found in October that 10pm was the time we saw them both nights. It was dark enough to see them but honestly it’s a waiting game. We bundled up, went out and got a spot to sit, and waited. Pro tip – in the winter, take “hot hands” warming bags to keep warm while you wait.

Watch the KP Index and Interplanetary Magnetic Field Guides

There are a ton of Aurora Tracking websites but I found I preferred the Perlan one the best. The things you want to check are 1) cloud cover to make sure the weather forecast is good and there will be enough openings, 2) the KP Index usually needs to be over 5 for them to be visible and 3) the Interplanetary Magnetic Field usually need to be above 0 for them to be visible. Our second night in the Vik area, we waited inside until the magnetic field went over 0 and sure enough, as soon as it did, we went out and had quite a show.

Even if you can only see them in the camera, it’s still incredible.

Both nights that we saw them this trip, they went in and out of visibility so sometimes we could only tell it was the aurora through the camera. Sometimes it just looks like a cloud on the horizon and is more gray than green, but put your camera up and you’ll be blown away. So even if you just see them through the camera, it’s still pretty incredible!

Headed to Iceland?

See more of our posts here on the country!

What to Wear in Cool European Climates in the Summer

July 15, 2024

More What to Wear posts for more destinations here!

While much of Europe is quite hot in the Summer, there are some cooler climates in Europe where you’ll want to bring a slightly different wardrobe when traveling! For our trip through London, Switzerland, and Iceland in late June and early July, we encountered a lot of different types of weather and here’s all the tips for what to wear in cool European climates in the Summer!

What to Pack:

1 Light Jacket + 1 Jean Jacket – I wore both on several occasions during the trip and allowed me to have something for the cooler mornings and evenings, even on the days when it got warmer. The light jacket with a hood was super helpful on our last day in Switzerland in rain as well as the much cooler temps in Iceland.
1 Scarf – this was great on flights and in the cooler temperatures in Iceland.
3-4 T-shirts – I brought a variety of t-shirts that I could mix and match with the pants that I brought and that I could layer with a jacket.
2 Pairs of Wide Leg Pants – Instead of typical jeans, this trip I brought a pair of cream colored white leg denim and a pair of linen wide leg navy pants. These gave me variety with the different tops to dress them up or down depending on our schedule but I was super comfortable the whole time.
1 Pair of Lululemon Cargos – I bought these on the trip in London but ended up wearing them over and over during the trip as it was nice to have a casual pair of cargos on the trip.
1 Pair of Converse + 1 Pair of Dress Shoes – For shoes, I spent the majority of time in my Converse but I did bring a pair of dressier oxfords that I wore to dinners and a play in London.
1 Nice Linen Top – I brought one linen top to wear for dressier dinners and the play we went to in London.
1 Crossbody Purse – I always travel with a crossbody purse but this trip I brought a tiny one since we pay mostly with our phones in Europe so you don’t need to carry a lot with you.
1 Canvas Tote – I always pack a canvas tote in my suitcase to take with me as we explore and it comes in so helpful!

What I Wore:

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Uniqlo White T-shirt (similar) | COS wide leg Linen Pants (similar) | Converse Platforms | Zara Crossbody Purse (similar) | Sunglasses

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Boden Jacket (similar) | Lululemon Cargos (similar) | Converse Platforms | Zara Crossbody Purse (similar) | Sunglasses

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Boden Jacket (similar) | Madewell Jeans | Converse Platforms | Zara Crossbody Purse (similar) | Madewell Yellow Scarf (similar)

Daytrip to Lausanne from Geneva by Train

July 11, 2024

On this trip to Switzerland I really wanted to see more of the country but we wanted to base ourselves in one place and explore utilizing day trips by train. We decided to base ourselves in Geneva after falling in love with the city on our first trip, so from there, we decided to stay four nights in the city and utilize the close proximity of the train station to explore more of Switzerland. One of the cities that kept coming up in my research as an easy day trip from Geneva was Lausanne so we spent one of our days exploring the town. Here’s all we did on our day trip to Lausanne from Geneva by train!

Buy Your Train Tickets on the Day of Your Journey

There is no need to buy tickets in advance and you can buy them at the station the day of your journey. On the Intercity trains, there is no designated seating so you can just buy a ticket for the train time that works for you and the trains run every 30 minutes or so, sometimes more often. The journey to Lausanne from Geneva will take between 35-45 minutes depending on the train you get on and how many stops are on the way.

Beware, Lausanne is very hilly!

Honestly I wasn’t really aware of how hilly Lausanne is and I was definitely sore the day after! You’ll be climbing up very steep hills to get to the top of Lausanne where there are spectacular views over the city and Lake Geneva. When you arrive at the train station, you can head directly into the Old Town part of Lausanne and climb the cobblestone hills to the main area of town. At the top of the city is the Cathedral de Lausanne and the Palais de Rumine, both stunning old buildings with views for days. We mostly just wandered for the time we were there and that’s the best way to see Lausanne. From cobblestone streets to amazing views, you’ll find it all here on foot just wandering!

Uniqlo White T-shirt (similar) | COS wide leg Linen Pants (similar) | Converse Platforms | Zara Crossbody Purse (similar) | Sunglasses

Headed to Switzerland?

See more of our posts on the country here!

The Best of Geneva

July 7, 2024

I fell in love with Geneva on my first trip and immediately upon return booked a return trip back a year later, so if you’re headed there, you’ll love it! Geneva is a beautiful vibrant city, with a calm sophistication and while Switzerland is definitely on the more expensive end of trips to Europe, this city is definitely worth a visit! So for all my tips and advice for traveling in Switzerland, here is the best of Geneva and how to have an amazing trip there.

Arrival into Geneva

You can arrive into Geneva by train, by car, or by plane – each with its perks and draw backs and we’ve done all three. By train is pretty easy as you’ll arrive right into the city center and it’s a quick walk to get to the main part of Geneva. We stayed in the Dorciere neighborhood right on Lake Geneva and it was a quick 5 minute walk to the Hotel Bristol from the central Gare Cornavin. By car, you can drive fairly easily into Geneva and we did it with a rental car on our first trip to Geneva. The roads are wide and easy to navigate – the hardest part of driving into Geneva is the parking situation so be sure you know where you’re headed and what the parking will be when you arrive. By plane, the airport is a very fast 7 minute train into the city, so once you land, follow the signs to the train, buy a ticket and head into the city – from there you can follow the same advice as above since you’ll be arriving into the city center by train.

Walk the City

I’ve previously shared all the see and do if you just have 1 day in Geneva but if you’re looking to spend more time there, you’ll want to wander the city on foot to see it best. From the Old Town to the Rue Basses, there are beautiful neighborhoods throughout the city. As the city mainly is centered around the Lake, you can’t really ever get lost so find an area each day to wander and you can see all of the city on foot.

Boden Jacket (similar) | Lululemon Cargos (similar) | Converse Platforms | Zara Crossbody Purse (similar) | Sunglasses

Where to Eat

Food is always the best part of travel in my opinion and Geneva has a wealth of amazing places. For where to eat, here are some of my favorites:

White Rabbit Brunch & Co. – This spot is amazing for breakfast and honestly if we had had more days in town in the morning, we would have gone again. It has gluten and dairy free options and everything was delicious!

Molino Ristorante and Pizzeria – For Italian, this is one of my favorites in Geneva. Conveniently located in the main square near the shopping area, grab a table outside here in nice weather, enjoy a glass of wine and some pasta or pizza and you won’t be disappointed.

Globus Food Hall – This is a great food hall in the Globus Shopping Center and it has a ton of options to choose from!

Cafe de Centre – This bistro style spot in the main square near the shopping center has lots of outdoor seating in the warm months and delicious food and wine. It’s also open on Sundays when many of the other restaurants are not!

Where to Stay

We’ve stayed at the Hotel Bristol twice now and both stays were excellent. The location can’t be beat and the staff are lovely, plus the rooms are large by European standards!

Tips for Geneva

This tip goes for Switzerland in general, but expect everything to be expensive. We found the smaller items like bottles of water and souvenirs to be the most expensive, while meals were slightly more than we are used to. Your time in Switzerland will cost more than neighboring countries like Italy and France so just be prepared!

Headed to Switzerland?

See more of our posts on the country here!

How to Spend 3 Hours in Zürich

July 4, 2024

After falling in love with Switzerland last year in Geneva, we decided to spend our holiday this Summer exploring more of Switzerland. One of the places we were most excited to explore was Zürich. I had heard how different it is than Geneva and I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect – overall though, we loved it! Safe to say Switzerland is one of our favorite spots in Europe after these subsequent trips and I can’t wait to go back in the future.

We did a day trip to Zürich from Geneva so we just had a few hours to explore but it’s entirely possible to get a great overview of the city in a few hours. Here’s how to spend 3 hours in Zürich and all the places I would suggest you see and all the places to eat to fully enjoy a first time to the city!

Arrive by Train

We arrived by train from Geneva and it was an easy ride and super easy once we got off the train in Zürich. The train station is very centrally located and we walked off the train and right into town. As you depart the station, you’ll arrive into Old Town where you can follow Bahnofstrasse, a main street down the center of the city. This long stretch has shopping and restaurants if you want to stop before continuing on.

Lindenhof

As you head South on Bahnofstrasse, you’ll eventually hit the Lindenhof area of Zürich. This beautiful old area of the city has beautiful old buildings lining cobblestone streets, flying Swiss flags for as far as you can see. As you curve around the tiny streets and up the hill, you’ll arrive to the viewing area at Lindenhof. From here, you can views over the entire city of Zürich and on a beautiful day, I will say the views were pretty spectacular. A heads up for here though, lots of tour groups end up here and when we arrived mid-day, it was pretty packed so you might have to move yourself through the crowds to get to the views. I can imagine this spot in the early morning would be pretty spectacular though.

Striped T-shirt | Jean Jacket | Sunglasses

Niederdorf

As you come down the hill from the Lindenhof area, you’ll find several bridges to walk across the Limmat River to head toward the Niederdorf area. This neighborhood was my favorite and it’s an Old Town area that you could wander for hours! From shops to restaurants, this area was charming and quaint and such a beautiful part of the city. Stop for lunch at the Swiss Chuchi Restaurant and enjoy weinerschnitzel and spaetzle. Truly this was one of the best meals of our entire trip so don’t miss it! And then after lunch, wander to 1842 Café & Conditorei for Apple Strudel and Swiss treats. I promise, you won’t be disappointed!

Back to the Train Station

After your few hours in Zürich, it’s time to head back to wherever you’re staying if you’re doing a day trip. We found about 3 hours was plenty to wander and see most of the old town of Zürich, enough for us to get the vibe of the city and want to come back to explore more in depth!

Headed to Switzerland?

See more of our posts on the country here!

5 Years Dairy Free and All my Tips for Making Being Dairy Free Easier

May 28, 2024

I’ve been dairy free for 5 years this year and honestly it’s been a journey! You can read more about the reasons behind my decision to cut dairy out of my diet here but in general, I was having some major health issues 5 years ago and decided to try cutting dairy from my diet and it took away nearly all of the symptoms I was experiencing. In the last 5 years, I’ve learned so many ways to make it easier to be dairy free, especially while traveling, and after years of figuring out how to stay healthy, here today are all my tips for making being dairy free easier and the products that I swear by.

Milk for My Coffee

One of the things I knew early on in my dairy-free journey that I couldn’t give up was my morning latte. I don’t usually have multiple cups of coffee but I need my latte in the morning to get my day started. After years of using milk in my latte, when I went dairy free, I tried multiple options for plant-based milks and Oat Milk is definitely my favorite. I use a couple different kinds of oat milk at home and while traveling (see below) and most of the world now offers Oat Milk as an option at restaurants and coffee shops (except for places like Italy) but when in doubt, just ask!

My favorite Oat Milk Brand that I Use At Home

In Europe, This Brand is Often Easier to Find

When In a Pinch, I Use this Powdered Version of Oat Milk

Cooking With Vegan Butter or Olive Oil

When I am able to cook my own food or have access to a grocery store when traveling, I immediately stock up on this vegan butter and a good quality olive oil. Between those options, you can pretty much cook whatever you need totally dairy-free. I even bake with this vegan butter and you’d never know it’s dairy-free!

Know Which Chain Restaurants and Coffee Shops can accommodate Dairy Free

I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing which places to eat at or which coffee shops can accommodate being dairy free over the years. Starbucks is a good option anywhere in the world because they’ll always have plant based milks available. I have also found most coffee chains in the UK and throughout Europe have great dairy free options. This also goes for chain restaurants – it’s good to know which spots you can go to and always know that it’s dairy free. In the US, Chipotle is a good example of this where it’s easy to eat dairy free. Whether at home or while traveling, figure out the places that you’ll have locally that will have good options.

When in Doubt, Just ask.

I have found that most places, especially restaurants, will make an effort to accommodate your dietary needs if you just ask. Let them know what you need nicely and more than likely, they’ll work with you!

A Local’s Guide to Portland

May 9, 2024

I’ve lived in Portland for almost 20 years and in that time, I’ve seen this city change… a lot. When I first moved to Portland for college, the city was small in comparison to other major cities up and down the West Coast, but over the yeas, Portland has grown and evolved. Now a large city in its own right, there is so much to know if you’re visiting Portland, so as a Portland local, here is a local’s guide to Portland – everything you need to do, see, eat, and know!

The Layout

Portland if broken up into quadrants and then neighborhoods. The Willamette River runs through Portland, breaking it up into the East Side (East of the river) and the West Side (West of the river). Then cutting through the city, East to West, is a long street called Burnside. That breaks up the city further into North and South, so South of Burnside but West of the River is SW where East of the River and South of Burnside is SE. You’ll see SE, NE, NW, and SW everywhere you go through the city or when reading about locations, but that’s the general way we look at the layout of Portland as locals.

My Favorite Areas of Portland

After almost 20 years in Portland, I’ve lived and explored in a lot of areas around the city. Here are my favorite areas of my home city and all the things to do, see, and eat in each area!

NW 21st + 23rd

One of my all time favorite areas, this old part of Portland is gorgeous. Tree lined streets, old Victorian homes, and shops and restaurants galore. Both of these roads run North and South starting at Burnside and there is so much to see here, but above all, this is where some of my favorite restaurants are in Portland!

Eat at:

St. Jack – This is my favorite French spot in Portland with a truly French feel. Sit at the Chef’s counter, sip Rosé and try their Steak Frites.

Matador – For an easy Mexican lunch, Matador can’t be beat. The restaurant is a vibe in itself and everything is delicious.

Mama Bird – This restaurant by Top Chef contestant Gabriel Pascuzzi is one of my all time faves in Portland. Wood fire grilled whole chicken with delicious sides and sauces. In the Summer, their patio is the perfect spot for a warm evening.

Fifty Licks Ice Cream – My favorite ice cream shop in Portland, Fifty Licks has a few locations but I tend to go to this one the most. With both vegan and non-vegan ice cream, this spot is, in my opinion, THE BEST ice cream in Portland. (Insider local tip – skip Salt and Straw. There is always a line and Fifty Licks is better!)

Siri Indian Food – Even though we don’t live in this area anymore, we still drive across town for Siri Indian Food. It’s homey Indian food and whether you get take out or dine in, it’s delicious.

Kung Pow – One of our favorite spots for Chinese food, Kung Pow on NW 21st is a great spot for delicious modern Chinese food.

What to See and Do:

The main attractions in NW are just what you’ll see wandering on foot. The streets are filled with cute shops – think of this as Portland’s Georgetown. One of my favorite spots though in NW, is where you’ll get a gorgeous view of the city. You’ll want to head to this spot on NW Westover Road just above Nob Hill right near the Cambridge Condos, where the views stretch for miles and you’ll get a gorgeous city view (after climbing some stairs).

As you wander the neighborhood, you’ll find ivy covered townhouse, old Victorian homes and quiet tree lined streets. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Portland, NW is one of my faves.

The East Side

Portland’s East Side encompasses many different neighborhoods and areas, but for our purposes, I’ll combine some of them together. The East Side is known to be a little quirkier than the West Side and definitely has a different feel than Downtown and NW Portland. One thing that the East Side is known for though is the amazing assortment of restaurants. While still walkable, it’s best to drive or use bus transportation around the East Side of Portland as it’s spread out more. When exploring the East Side, there is still so much to do and see, but first, where to eat is always the most important topic.

Eat at:

Kann – This award-winning restaurant by Top Chef contestant Gregory Gourdet is outstanding and easily one of the best restaurants in the city. You’ll need a reservation though and they book out a month ahead so make sure and get one to enjoy this incredible Haitian inspired restaurant.

Horse Brass Pub – Right around the corner from my house, this British Pub is well known among Portland locals. You won’t find the tourists here and it feels like you’re walking right into a pub in London.

Tusk – This high end Mediterranean / Middle Eastern restaurant is one of Portland’s best. You’ll need a reservation for this one but it’s worth it from the food to the interior – everything is incredible.

Laurelhurst Market – One of our go-to spots, this is best for dinner. Everything on the menu is delicious but my favorite is their ribeye steak with a glass of wine.

Bollywood Theater – For a cool vibe and updated Indian food, Bollywood Theater on Division is a must try while in Portland.

Cibo – Our go-to Italian spot in SE Portland, Cibo serves up incredible food. The design and vibe of the restaurant is beautiful too and it’s the perfect spot for a slow dinner.

What to See and Do:

SE Portland is pretty spread out so you’ll want to plan your time here with an itinerary. The Goat Blocks (near SE 12th and Belmont) have lots going on as well as the Central Eastside (near the area where Kann is). Laurelhurst Park is also a great spot for some nature and downtown Hawthorne and Belmont are both great to wander.

Downtown

Portland’s downtown goes from Burnside to the South Waterfront area and spans a decently large area. Most people stay in the Pioneer Courthouse Square are of downtown, but there is so much to see and do in Downtown Portland.

Eat at:

Fogo de Chao – While this is a chain, it’s one of our favorite spots. This Brazilian steakhouse is a fun treat!

Farmer’s Market – We religiously attend the Farmer’s Market on the Park Blocks each Saturday morning to buy food for the week but the main attraction is Enchanted Sun. This Farmer’s Market staple serves the best breakfast burritos in town. Trust me, there will be a line and it’s worth it.

Din Tai Fung – This dumpling chain is one of our favorites and their new location in Pioneer Place mall is a must-stop if you’re in that area!

Cheryl’s on 12th – One of my favorite breakfast spots and their breakfast sandwich here is to die for.

Mother’s – Another of our regular breakfast spots, Mother’s is a Portland institution. Go right when they open – it get’s crowded!

What to See and Do:

Downtown Portland is like any other city – wander around and take it in! Some areas to take note of are the South Park Blocks for tree lined park-filled streets, the Portland Art Museum, and shopping at Pioneer Square Mall.

The Riverfront

Portland’s Riverfront Park is one of the most beautiful parts of the city and well worth a stroll along this area. Just East of Downtown, along the Willamette River, several miles of park and pathways stretch along the River. Rent a bike or just walk along the paths and enjoy this scenic part of the city. This is also where the famous Cherry Blossom trees are in the Springtime, but all year long, this is a beautiful area of the city.

Eat at:

Dough Zone – This dumpling spot at the Riverfront is one of my favorites, both for the food and the river views!

The Pearl District

Once a warehouse district, Portland’s Pearl District is now one of my most expensive neighborhoods in the city. Stretching North of Burnside and East of the 405 freeway, the Pearl District is full of loft-style high rise condo buildings and high end shops. It’s the perfect spot to wander around for a few hours and explore, as well as trying some of the best restaurants in the city.

Eat at:

Cafe Umbria – This coffee shop is my go-to spot in the Pearl. It’s cute and Italian and just all around a great spot for coffee and pastries.

Oven and Shaker – This updated pizza restaurant is a fantastic spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Try their salami pizza with honey!

Piazza Italia – If you want to feel like you’ve been transported to Rome, head to Piazza Italia. This spot is straight out of Italy and delicious.

Shake Shack – While not technically in the Pearl (it’s across the street on Burnside), it’s proximity makes it a great stop for a quick lunch while in the area.

Screen Door – There are two location of this famous Portland spot, but I prefer the Pearl District one. For Southern comfort food, this is your spot.

Andina – One of my favorite restaurants in Portland, this Peruvian restaurant is delicious every time. For a fun treat, try the Inca Cola – a Peruvian soda we lived on while in Peru a few years back.

Lovejoy Bakers – For a casual lunch or afternoon coffee, Lovejoy Bakers is a great spot with delicious food.

What to See and Do:

There is so much to wander and see in the Pearl District, but the best part is the shopping in my opinion. Madewell, Anthropologie, and Reformation all have a home here as well as fun little one off boutiques and places to wander through.

Goose Hollow

As one of the older areas of the city, Goose Hollow sits on hills above Portland and is filled with old homes and tree lined streets. It’s also home to Portland’s famous Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Garden. It’s a great old neighborhood to explore, but if on foot, it’s hilly!

Eat at:

Blue Star – One of Portland’s more famous donut spots (local tip: skip the line at Voodoo Donuts and come here instead!), they have a larger location in Goose Hollow that’s worth stopping by. They also have Vegan donuts that are incredible, so as someone who is dairy free, I always appreciate that!

Mazatlan – A spot that you probably won’t see in any other Portland guide, this old school Mexican restaurant sits across from the Timbers Stadium and is a favorite of ours. It’s not fancy and the food is pretty standard Mexican, but we’ve been going here for 20 years and it’s solid every time.

What to See and Do:

Goose Hollow has a lot to do! From going to a soccer game with the Timbers or the Thorns, to exploring the Rose Test Garden and the Japanese Gardens, this area is full of experiences to see and do!

Outside of Portland

Escape the City

If you want to escape the city and see the surrounding areas, Portland is in a prime location to explore a ton of natural areas nearby. Within an hour of the city, you have access to the coast, the mountains and the Gorge. If you want to head to the Oregon Coast, spend some time in Astoria or Cannon Beach. For the mountains, Mt. Hood is a ski resort just an hour or so outside of the city. For water sports or beautiful scenic views like waterfalls and hiking, head out into the Columbia River Gorge to the East of Portland. You really can’t go wrong no matter which direction you go!

Explore the Small Towns

Portland as a city is beautiful, but we’ve also got some incredibly beautiful small towns surrounding the city as well. 2020 has made many of us want a slower pace of life and has pushed us to explore a few more off the beaten path locations and you can do that on a trip to Portland as well. My favorite little towns to explore near Portland are: Silverton, Mt. Angel, Camas and Cannon Beach.

How to Get Around

We have great public transport in Portland but it’s also very easy to walk around the city. As far as public transport goes, our bus system is great and we also have light-rail (MAX) and a streetcar that will pretty much get you anywhere you need in the Downtown/NW/Pearl areas. We also have Nike Biketown bike shares that you can rent and ride around the city.

From the airport, you can take the MAX light rail into the city center and then go on foot from there which makes it easy to access most of the city.

Where to Stay

Hoxton Portland: I love Hoxton hotels and we are lucky to have one in Portland! It’s a little off the beaten track but super close and easy to get wherever you need to go in Portland. Plus you can’t beat the vibes at Hoxton’s.

Moxy Portland Downtown: If you want to be super centrally located, the Moxy Portland Downtown is your spot. With views for days, this hotel is one of my favorites. It’s right in the center of everything and fairly priced.

Headed to my home city of Portland?

See all of my posts here!

5 Amazing Restaurants to Eat at in London

April 30, 2024

Nick and I go to London regularly and over our many trips to this amazing city, we’ve found some pretty amazing spots to eat. After all, what’s a trip without great food? We’ve found these spots in different ways over the years but they all have become favorites of ours and our go-to spots when in the UK. So if you’re looking for food recs and only want to have amazing food, here are 5 amazing restaurants to eat at in London!

Lima Cantina

We found this beautiful little spot in Covent Garden just by looking on Apple Maps one day. We usually stay about a 10 minute walk from Covent Garden and when looking for dinner, we came across this gem and it will definitely become a go-to for us! This Peruvian restaurant had a beautiful interior, amazing service, and even more importantly, delicious food! We grabbed a last minute reservation from their website but if you go early, you shouldn’t have an issue getting a table.

Dishoom

One of London’s more famous spot, Dishoom is popular for a reason. We love their Covent Garden location but just know, there will be a line. The restaurant doesn’t taken reservations but the line does move fast because the restaurant is huge! The food is incredible but some of our favorites are the Okra, Ruby Chicken, and don’t miss the rice pudding for dessert.

Barrafina

This Spanish spot is lovely and so genuinely Spanish. We’ve eaten at the Covent Garden location but there are a couple throughout London. I’d recommend a reservation here as it gets busy! Every bite was delicious and felt like we had been transported to Spain.

34 Mayfair

For a little fancier dinner, this is your spot! Get a reservation at this gorgeous restaurant near Grosvenor Square and enjoy a dinner date. I especially love their roasted chicken here and it’s a beautiful interior, but during the holidays it becomes super festive too which adds another layer to the experience!

Brindisa

This little spot in Borough Market is a perfect one for an amazing lunch. They also have a real location as well but their market counter is fun while shopping around at Borough Market. Their steak bocadillo was perhaps one of the best things I’ve ever eaten alongside their churros for dessert!

If you’re headed to London, see all my posts on the city and where to stay!

London Eye

Buckingham Palace

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Big Ben

Tralfager Square

Frameless Art Exhibit

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You Don’t Always have to Leave Reykjavik

Use your Camera to Spot Them

Go and Wait.

Watch the KP Index and Interplanetary Magnetic Field Guides

Even if you can only see them in the camera, it’s still incredible.

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Buy Your Train Tickets on the Day of Your Journey

Beware, Lausanne is very hilly!

Arrival into Geneva

Walk the City

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Tips for Geneva

Arrive by Train

Lindenhof

Niederdorf

Back to the Train Station

Milk for My Coffee

Cooking With Vegan Butter or Olive Oil

Know Which Chain Restaurants and Coffee Shops can accommodate Dairy Free

When in Doubt, Just ask.

The Layout

My Favorite Areas of Portland

NW 21st + 23rd

The East Side

Downtown

The Riverfront

The Pearl District

Goose Hollow

Outside of Portland

How to Get Around

Where to Stay

Headed to my home city of Portland?

Lima Cantina

Dishoom

Barrafina

34 Mayfair

Brindisa

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