Alaska | Adventures in the Last Frontier

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

Alaska may be part of the United States but parts of it truly feel like another planet. It is one of the most beautiful and unique places I have ever been to, so I wanted to share with you all where specifically I went, and a few things to do in each location. If you have ever seen Alaska pinned up against a map of the United States, it is absolutely HUGE (Donald Trump voice). There are so many places to explore, so hopefully hearing about the places I went to will help you plan your trip if you are headed here anytime soon.

The first thing I will say before I go into the details, is that going via cruise ship is one of the fastest and easiest ways to see a larger portion of the State within a shorter period of time. There are parts of Alaska that are absolutely breathtaking and worth seeing (i.e. the Hubbard Glacier) that are actually only able to be accessed via cruise ship or boat, so I would definitely recommend this method of travel. You can also add on a land tour portion to your cruise ship afterwards to explore even more (i.e. we added on a tour of Denali to the end of our trip as a land portion). The cruise we chose was Celebrity Cruises and it was such a fun experience so I would recommend checking them out!

Here are the top 6 places I would recommend visiting, and some details on what we did there:

  1. Ketchikan

    Ketchikan is Alaska’s first city (hence the sign in the below picture – LOL). It is considered the Salmon capital of the world as well, and you better believe I had a taste and it was so fresh and absolutely delicious. The city itself is extremely small, only about 8,000 people live there! It is full of tourist shops which are great to wander around in and get souvenirs. However, my favorite part of our time in Ketchikan was our excursion which was a kayaking trip. We took a bus to a small boat out to some tiny islands outside the city where we kayaked around and were pleasantly surprised to see everything from colorful starfish to a momma Eagle and it’s babies in their nest. The air is so pure here that lichen plants grow, which are a sign of the air being pollution free and clean. I felt so rejuvenated after this adventure.

  2. Icy Strait Point/HoonahIcy Strait Point is a privately owned tourist destination just outside the small village of Hoonah, Alaska. Celebrity Cruises is one of the few cruise lines that can enter into this area, and I am honestly not sure how you would get to this location other than via cruise as it is very isolated. The village of Hoonah itself is so tiny, only about 800 people live here and it is the least populated area we visited on our trip. The purpose of this tourist spot is to share and preserve the culture of this tiny village and it offers multiple different excursion trips to choose from. We opted for the two-part bear search and whale-watching tour and it was an unbelievable experience. A wild, baby bear walked right in front of our tour bus! I also got the chance to see 9 whales feeding and one even breached which is a rare sight. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

  3. JuneauJuneau you may have heard of as it is the capital city of Alaska! Much larger than the tiny Ketchikan and Hoonah, it is a much more populated city (although still only about 31,000 people which would be considered small). There is a lot more to do here including restaurants, bars, shops, and more to explore. However, by far the most amazing thing we did here was our excursion where we took a helicopter to a glacier and went dog mushing! We also made a second stop on top of another glacier that looked like another planet – maybe Neptune (LOL). This was one of my favorite parts of our entire trip (although it was tough to choose!) as I absolutely love dogs and we even got to hold some cute puppies! I also had never ridden in a helicopter before and it was so breathtaking.
  4. SkagwaySkagway is another extremely tiny town of only about 800 people, but was made famous as this is where Sarah Palin grew up! The town reminded me of Ketchikan in the sense that it was a lot of shops, mainly aimed towards tourists that were fun to explore. We also had fun tasting a few beers at a local brewery. The color of the water here was the most beautiful light-green color that almost reminded me of someplace tropical. Our excursion here was a famous railway that weaves in and out of the mountains with breathtaking views and I would highly recommend doing this tour if you visit Skagway!
  5. Hubbard GlacierThe Hubbard Glacier is a Glacier located in eastern Alaska and part of Yukon, Canada and is only accessed via cruise ship or boat. Seeing this glacier was a true Titanic moment for me (and of course I had to take a Titanic-esc photo). I had only seen Glaciers like this in photos, so taking in its massive structure and power in real life was unforgettable. It was so neat seeing the different pieces crumbling off with a loud thunder sound.
  6. DenaliThe Denali National Park we added on after our cruise as a land-portion tour, and is a must-see in Alaska. It is 6 million acres of protected wilderness filled with nature and animals such as wolves, bears, moose, caribou, and more. It is also home to the tallest mountain in North America – Mt. Denali. We got lucky to see it’s peak, as it is only visible for short periods of time due to the unpredictable weather at the top of the mountain (it makes its own weather since it is so high). We also saw a wild moose run across the road which is something I will never forget! If you want to experience true nature, this is your spot. Our tour guide was also unbelievable and had so many stories and a vast amount of knowledge of the area.

  7. AnchorageYou may have also heard of Anchorage as it is the most populated Alaskan City. This is the only spot in Alaska that I could actually see myself living in – Haha! It is a fun city with everything from shops, restaurants, bars and more. We had a lot of fun trying a few of the different restaurants and enjoying the local cuisine (including trying Yak nachos and Reindeer sausage!).

    Hope this is helpful for any of you planning a trip to Alaska anytime soon! Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section!

Smile Brilliant cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush Review + GIVEAWAY & Discount!

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

Hi All,

When Smile Brilliant reached out to me to test out their cariPRO Ultrasonic Electic Toothbrush, I was very excited. Within this past year, I had already switched to a standard electric toothbrush from Oral B that I had gotten off Amazon. The reason being, I care a lot about the health of my teeth and gums, and ensuring they are white. I have a huge pet peeve with teeth, in both myself and others (i.e. a persons smile is the first thing I notice about them). However, at the end of the day after work, the gym, and cooking dinner when I am exhausted, I came to the realization I had been neglecting my teeth i.e. not always flossing or not brushing long enough. I switched to the electric toothbrush to ensure I was brushing my teeth more thoroughly and improve the overall health and look of my teeth. There was nothing wrong per-say with my current electric toothbrush, but it was the only one I had ever tried so was very excited to test out another for comparison, as I am always looking to try to products that will improve my health as well as the look and feel of my teeth.

I decided to test out the new toothbrush for a full week to get a true picture of the differences between the two electric toothbrushes and see if there were any notable differences to my teeth and gums. My smile brilliant package came with the following:

After 7 full days of use, I came to the conclusion that I LOVED this toothbrush, and it was a definite improvement over my previous electric toothbrush, and here’s why:

  1. There are 5 different settings. The first thing I loved about this toothbrush is the fact that there are 5 different settings: Clean, White, Massage, Gum Care, and Sensitive. These different settings actually cause the bristles of the brush to move in different ways for a different effect, which was something my previous electric toothbrush was definitely lacking. In fact, in comparison with a lot of these settings, my previous electric toothbrush was definitely a bit rough, which actually may not be the best for your teeth. I noticed that I really liked the “sensitive” setting because it wasn’t as rough on my teeth but still made them feel extremely clean when I was done with it.
  2. It comes with a timer. This was so key for me. One of the biggest struggles for me when brushing my teeth is knowing how long you should actually spend brushing, and previously I definitely leaned toward the quick side. Unlike my previous electric toothbrush, the CariPRO has an automatic timer within each mode to ensure you are brushing your teeth for two minutes and 30 seconds exactly each time you use it, and that you cover each area of your mouth adequately. For each section of your mouth (there is a guidebook that will show the different quadrants to you), the bristles will vibrate for 30 seconds, and then will pause action for a moment so you know to move the brush to a different part of your mouth for an even clean. Now I know I am always brushing my teeth for the right amount of time!
  3. My teeth felt cleaner, without any irritation. Overall, after using the CariPRO for 5 days, my teeth felt clean, looked white, and my gums felt healthy. In comparison with my previous electric toothbrush, this one felt less harsh on my teeth and gums when brushing, was easier to use (i.e. ensuring I was brushing my teeth for the correct amount of time), but got the job done just as well if not better and I would 100% recommend anyone to make the switch!

For more detailed facts on Smile Brilliant’s toothbrush as well as other products, check out their FAQ page here.

Now for the fun part – if you want to try this toothbrush for yourself, you can get 20% the cariPRO Ultrasonic electric toothbrushes with my code: daytodaymae20!

You can also enter to win $119 Smile Brilliant Credit by entering here!

Happy brushing!
xo,
Anna

The Top 11 Most Instagrammable Places in Budapest

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

Out of all the places in Europe I wanted to visit, Budapest was far down on the list. Prior to going, I did not even know that Buda and Pest were separated by a river (the Danube River). However, this past Summer I wanted to go some place unique and less explored, and Budapest was the most highly recommended to me.

The city is beautiful and has a completely different vibe than anywhere else in Europe I have been to. Everything felt so ancient and rich with history. Looking around there were few office buildings and more castles and hidden restaurants and bars built literally into what looked like ruins. There would be a giant castle, and next store a Starbucks built in. It felt like a modern world was built inside an olden city. The entire place felt like what I would imagine Russia to feel like – and given it was Soviet controlled for some time, this made sense.

There are so many beautiful, hidden gems to explore in this city so I have compiled a list of some of the most fun, and Instagrammable places that I visited with my best friend. I hope this is helpful for anyone who may have an interest in visiting this less-explored eastern European gem!

  1. Szechenyi Baths

    The Szechenyi Baths in Budapest are a must-do. They are the largest medicinal baths in Europe, with water supplied by natural hot springs. Alongside the baths they have numerous spa services (I got a relaxing massage), and regular pools as well. The spas are not only gorgeous during the day, the bright blue water contrasting with the gorgeous, yellow architecture, but it is so much fun to visit at night if you are into the club scene. They have massive bath parties complete with a DJ, wild lights, and performers.

  2.  Ruin Bars (Szimpla Kert, Fogasház, and more)

    The ruin bars are exactly what you would imagine as the name says: bars built into ruins. They are the hub of the nightlife in Budapest and we had an absolute blast exploring a few different ones including Szimpla Kert and Fogasház. The decor is unlike anything I have ever seen. The place is spattered with lights, random knick-knacks (i.e. random TVs, an empty bathtub, and a bathroom door made out of an old house phone), and graffiti. Some may call it ugly, some may call it art. Fogasház had multiple floors and seven different rooms ranging from a dark room with strobe lights, a room with a live band, a room with free glitter to cover your face with, a pizza joint open until 5 AM and more. We had an absolute blast exploring the ruin bars, and there plenty of places for unique photo-ops with orderless decor.

  3. Fisherman’s Bastion

    Fisherman’s Bastion is a real-life fairytale castle built on the Buda side of the Danube River bank. It has panoramic views of the Danube River and the city backdrop, making it one of the most gorgeous places for a photo in the area. It was built during the 19th century for the Hungarian Millennium celebrations. If you want to feel like a true Disney princess or prince, it is definitely a stunning spot to visit.

  4. Zoo Cafe

    If you are an animal-lover like me, this is the perfect spot for you. As the name suggests, the Zoo Cafe is a combination of a Zoo and Cafe. You can go grab a coffee, tea, or a sandwich while a waiter brings various exotic and domestic animals to your table to hold and play with including a snake, guinea pig, chameleon, turtle, bunny, and more.

  5. New York Cafe

    The New York Cafe is located in the luxury New York Palace hotel in Budapest and is the most famous coffeehouse in Budapest. It boasts that it is the most beautiful Cafe in the world. The ceilings are draped with chandeliers, and the ambiance is a luxury, Italian-renaissance feel. It is also known as being a longtime spot for Hungarian literature and poetry. It is the perfect spot to stop for a coffee or food, with a gorgeous backdrop for photos.

  6. Mazel Tov

    Mazel Tov was my favorite spot to eat in Budapest. Later at night, it becomes a ruin bar and is hidden inside a not-so-pretty exterior. By day and evening, it is a delicious restaurant with Middle-Eastern cuisine. Once inside of the rough exterior, this beautiful place opens up into what feels like an indoor garden with a giant skylight, string lights and green plants hanging down from the ceiling. It was such a gorgeous spot to take photos while enjoying a tasty meal.

     

  7. Gelarto Rosa

    Gelarto Rosa is a Gelato spot that turns your typical Gelato on a cone into a work of art. You can pick multiple delicious flavors, and the crafty staff makes each Gelato into the shape of a beautiful rose. It is a wonderful spot to satisfy your sweet tooth, and take some fun photos with your flower-shaped Gelato.

  8. Heroes Square

    Heroes Square is one of the major squares of Budapest. It is a wide-open square featuring an iconic statue complex, which contains important Hungarian national leaders. It was even the set for a few movies due to its beauty including “A Good Day to Die Hard” with Bruce Willis. With the gorgeous statues as a backdrop, this is a really close place to visit and take some photos for the Gram!

  9. The View from the Citadella

    The view from the Citadella was one of my favorite views by far in Budapest. The Citadella itself is a fortress build by a commander of the Austrian Empire and is located upon the top of Gellért Hill. It has the most beautiful view of all of the city including the Danube River and Parliament building. I got some of my most stunning photos from the trip from up here.

  10. See St. Stephen’s Basilica and Explore the Square

    St Stephen’s Basilica is the largest Church in Budapest and is absolutely beautiful. I actually stumbled upon this Church and square with my friend after visiting Gelarto Rosa as it is right nearby. We did not go inside, however the view from outside is absolutely beautiful and a great photo-op in itself. Additionally, the area in which the church was located was one of our favorite spots to explore in Budapest as it was filled with fun restaurants, wine bars, shops and more.

  11. Dohány Street Synagogue

    The Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest Synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world. I did not get a chance to go inside as it does cost money to enter, but I heard that it is absolutely gorgeous inside. From the outside alone it is a gorgeous view and photo-op.

  12. Boating Down the Danube River

    Boating down the Danube River is one of the best ways to view the city, especially the Parliament building. We got some of our best photos from the boat at sunset. Our boat in particular was a wine-tasting, which of course added to the fun. If you get a chance to explore the city by boat, I would definitely suggest taking up on this opportunity!

I hope this blog was helpful for anyone planning a trip to Budapest anytime soon and looking to make all of their friends and family jealous with some dreamy Instagram posts! I would love to hear from any of you who have visited Budapest if you have any other suggestions.

Traveling to Tulum | Top 8 Things To Do

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

It seems like every blogger on the planet has been traveling to Tulum, Mexico lately, and after going there, I understand why. It is absolutely beautiful from it’s white sandy beaches and ancient Mayan ruins to the beautiful, eco-friendly resorts, restaurants, and boutiques. Before the trip, a lot of people warned us to be careful about drinking the water, and staying safe as there is actually a travel warning to Mexico right now. However, I never once felt unsafe on my trip and all of the locals were so nice and friendly to us. Additionally, every place we went had filtered water so we did not have a problem or have to worry about getting sick during our trip.

For anyone looking to travel to this relaxing retreat, perfect for yoga-lovers, vegans, or those that just want a trip of pure relaxation, the vibe in Tulum is perfect. Here are my top 8 recommendations of what to do/where to stay in Tulum.

  1. Stay at the Kore Resort and Spa

    One of the challenges for me about finding a good hotel in Tulum was that although the idea of an eco-friendly hotel sounds nice, I wanted to make sure we had enough power to blow dry our hair, charge our phones, ect. and I wasn’t quite sure how it worked at the eco-friendly resorts so opted out of that option. We also wanted an all-inclusive resort so we wouldn’t have to worry as much about eating out when we got there. Additionally, we wanted to be close to the main Tulum beach and ruins. The Kore resort satisfied all of these requirements and more. The service was fantastic, it was absolutely beautiful, clean, and a short 10 minute bike away from the main beach (they provided free bikes). All of the water was filtered even in the shower and sink so we didn’t have to worry about any Montezuma’s Revenge. Additionally, although it wasn’t on the main beach it had a beautiful view right on the water, and a massive pool, as well as a spa. It was honestly a dream and I would recommend anyone to stay here and 100% would stay here again if I was coming back.
  2. Swim in the Cenotes 

    Swimming in at least one of the many Cenotes, or gorgeous natural sinkholes, is an absolute must-do in Tulum. There is truly nothing I have seen that is more beautiful than these water caves and there is no place like them on earth. We visited Casa Tortuga which had four different Cenotes, three underwater and one above water and came with a full tour. Our tour guide took us through each one and explained the different formations and history behind the Cenotes, and it ended with a jump off a small cliff into the above-water Cenote. The crystal-clear color of the water was breathtaking and it was amazing to use our goggles and see the depths of the caves (which seemed to go on forever) and all of the beautiful fish.

     3. Explore the Mayan Ruins

    Right along the Tulum Beach there are beautiful Mayan Ruins that you can explore. It is wild to see that these structures are still standing after so long. Something else to note is that if you are not an Iguana fan – watch out because they are everywhere – Haha!

    4. Swim with Stingrays and Turtles

    Right at the entrance to the Mayan Ruins, as well as on the Tulum Beach, you can buy tickets to take a quick boat tour out to the coral reef to swim with giant stingrays, turtles, and fish. This was one of the absolute coolest experiences on our trip. The turtles were so adorable, and not going to the lie – the stringrays were massive and I was a bit nervous but was so happy that I got the chance to swim with them. I would recommend bringing either a GoPro or getting an underwater iPhone case so you can snap some pictures!

    5. Visit Pablo Escobar’s Mansion

    For any Narcos fans (I absolutely LOVED this show!), or anyone familiar with Pablo’s story, visiting Pablo Escobar’s former mansion, which is now a hotel, is a really cool site to see. He was an awful person, but the hotel is absolutely beautiful and on one of the more secluded beach fronts in Tulum. We splurged on a $50 cabana for the day and laid on the white sandy beach drinking Pina Coladas and all of the delicious cocktail options. The waiter even came around with a cold towel and the manager checked in on us after we paid our bill – SUCH great service. One thing to note is when biking by the hotel, it is extremely hidden (we actually passed it and had to go back), which made it feel extremely authentic, as if they left it just how it was when Pablo was hiding there. In the picture below, those are wedding dresses!

     

    6. Eat at Matcha Mama and/or Raw Love

    You may have seen pictures of the adorable Matcha Mama shack or Raw Love on Instagram as the decor at both places is so adorable and they have the most delicious Acai and smoothie bowls. Everything tastes so delicious and fresh and it is the perfect place for a photo-op!

    7. Visit Azulik

    Azulik is by far one of the most unique and beautiful hotels I have ever visited and is a must-see in Tulum. We went for dinner and to watch the sunset as it has one of the most perfect locations for it. I haven’t heard the best things about staying there, but to visit it is a one-of-kind experience. Basically, it looks like a giant tree house in the jungle complete with nets you can lay in, a rope bridge, and branch-like design. There are a few restaurants, and also an art museum which we did not visit but I will have to check out next time I am there.

     

    8. Bike to Tulum Beach

    Tulum is one of the most relaxing places on the planet – so honestly simply biking to the Tulum beach, grabbing a beach chair and a cocktail and laying out all day is the best! Our hotel provided free bikes to head over the beach with, and we had a blast biking around.

 

Hope these suggestions were helpful for anyone headed to Tulum! I would love to hear from you in the comments if you have ever been and any suggestions I missed. It is definitely on my list of places to head back to again in the future!

Spring + Summer Shopping | My Zaful Wishlist

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

With the weather FINALLY warming up in Boston I have been on an absolute spree for spring and summer pieces. Zaful has some of the most adorable and affordable items, and I was lucky enough to be asked by them to create my wishlist!

I am going to Tulum, Mexico in a few weeks, so was on the hunt for some fun and colorful pieces and they had such a wide selection it was hard to choose! I was most focused on rompers and dresses, in particular floral and gingham patterned outfits (Floral for Spring/Summer – revolutionary I know!). For some reason I have been drawn to yellow/mustard colors lately, and bright red tones as well. The winter has felt so long in Boston I am trying to move as far away for black and dark colors as possible.

Check out my top picks for spring/summer here:

Self Tie Striped Cami Shift Dress

This dress is absolutely perfect for summer and beach weather. Blue and white stripes just scream beach-ready to me. The dress also has such a cute tie in the back to add a little flare. It seems so easy to just slip on and I will definitely be getting this to bring with me to Mexico!

 

Tier Bowknot Cut Out Mini Dress

I have been super drawn to mustard and yellow shades lately and this cute little number immediately caught my eye. This would be super cute not only for a vacation, but even a spring or summer day shopping around the city with friends, or even a date-night. I love the wrap style as well, it adds a cute touch.

 

Striped Floral Ruffles Strapless Romper

I love the striped and floral mix of this romper it adds such a unique touch to it. I also love the little flare on the shorts. Rompers are so easy to put on and look like you have a really complete outfit and are well-put together, yet so cozy! This is perfect for a vacation or casual summer day.

Leaves Print Buttoned Cami Set

I absolutely fell in love with this set. The mustardy-yellow floral pattern with the buttons gives me such beach vibes and would be perfect for my trip to Mexico! I also love that it is two pieces because you could mix and match the top or bottom with other pieces to make multiple outfits.

 

Knotted Gingham Tank Top

As you can see I am on quite the yellow kick, and absolutely love gingham. I have been seeing yellow gingham everywhere and I have absolutely fallen in love. This cute little top is adorable and would be great paired with denim shorts or a skirt for a beach day. I love the ties in the front as well to add a fun touch.

 

I hope this helps you all get ideas for shopping at Zaful! It’s amazing how many cute items you can get at such a good price. Let me know what you all find! Xo

Top 10 Must-Dos in Mykonos, Greece

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

Mykonos was my favorite island from my trip to Greece (Santorini being the second, as well as the only other island I visited on my trip). Both islands were breathtaking between the crystal, clear blue waters and the white on white architecture. They were both absolutely magical. However, for me, because I was visiting with a friend and not on a honeymoon, Mykonos was a lot more lively and fun, being the one known as the “party” island.

The party island definitely lived up to it’s name to say the least. We asked our waitress one night where to go out, and she said, and I quote, “After 1 A.M., everything becomes a club.” Needless to say, we ended up staying up until 5 A.M. one night and having an absolute blast.

There are also so many beautiful beaches to relax at during the day, places to eat, and experiences to have in this paradise. Below are 10 of my top recommendations.

  1. Eat or Have a Drink at Kastro’s

I spotted Kastro’s on Pinterest before my trip, and thought it was one of the most beautiful restaurants I had ever seen. It is in a tiny corridor surrounded by white, that opens up to the crystal, clear Mediterranean waters. I went on a hunt to find this place through the streets of Mykonos, and was pleasantly surprised once we got there that not only was this place straight out of my Instagram dreams, but the drinks were amazing as well. I recommend trying anything with Passionfruit in it as it is some of the freshest I have ever tasted!

2. Go Shopping All Night!

One of my absolute favorite parts of the Island was the amazing shopping selection. You can wander the Mykonos walking town endlessly and find every store imaginable from designers, to little Mykonos boutiques. On top of the amazing selection, the stores are open past midnight, which makes it oh-so-dangerous and easy to shop all night!

3. Party at Paradise Beach Club

The famous Paradise Beach Club was definitely one of the most recommended clubs on the island, so of course one night we ended up there (and into the early morning). This place is a club right on the well-known and popular Paradise beach, and is absolutely massive. There was an amazing DJ, who kept screaming “Mykonos!!” every hour on the hour, and we ended up getting stuck screaming it ourselves for months after. If you are into the club and party scene, or even if you are not, it is definitely an experience!

4. Check out the Windmills

Right on the end of one side of the Mykonos walking town are the famous windmills (you have probably seen them on postcards). They are one of the most iconic landmarks on the island. It is super easy to walk from one side of the town to other, especially because cars are not allowed through, so even if you are on the opposite side, it is easy to get there and definitely worth checking out as it is world-famous and a beautiful site!

5. Explore the Beautiful Walking Town

The Mykonos town is filled with shops, places to eat, and winding white paths. The actual town is only able to be walked through (cars are not allowed), and it is super easy to get from one end to the other. After just a day or so, my friend and I felt as though we already knew our way around fairly well. It is honestly so much fun to just explore the area and walk in and out of the white pathways covered in pink and purple flowers.

6. Eat at Little Venice

Little Venice is one of the most famous areas of Mykonos. It is a collection of restaurants (all of which we tried were delicious as well) lining the edge of the water with a perfect view of the ocean and the famous windmills. It is such a charming little spot, and perfect for dining and watching the sunset. I definitely highly recommend reserving at least one night to have dinner here!

7. Lay All Day on Pragana Beach

During the day in Mykonos our favorite activity aside from shopping or eating was definitely getting some good R&R on the beach. Pragana beach was one of our favorites, as it was less crowded than the more well-known paradise and super-paradise beach, which made it more relaxing. They have beach beds lining the water that you can rent for the day for a small amount. There is also a waiter that comes around so you can sip on some delicious cocktails, or have some coffee or snacks to enjoy while you soak in the sun and the perfect views.

8. Dance The Night Away at Scandinavian Bar (But Don’t Order a Moscow Mule)

Scandinavian Bar or “Scandy’s” as they call it, is one of the other more well-known clubs in Mykonos. It has two floors, as well as outdoor seating in the front. Upon entering the bottom floor, it looks innocent enough, but moving up to the second floor is a DJ and a full-blown club with strobe lights, drunk party-goers, and girls spilling their cocktails. We had an absolute blast here! The only disappointment was the Moscow Mule I ordered, which I learned not to order in Greece as they do not have Ginger Beer, and instead mashed up actual Ginger (Yuck). Lesson learned.

9. Get a Massage on Ornos Beach

Ornos beach was another beach we visited that I would recommend. It was absolutely beautiful, and also had beach beds to rent for the day for a small amount (some of the beaches in Mykonos are not as reasonable). They also had a masseuse walking around, so you can purchase a nice 30 minute massage with oil to soothe your senses. However, make sure not to make my mistake and leave the oil on, and forget to re-apply sunblock as I ended up with a nasty burn (another lesson learned).

10. Try the Crepes at Bougazi Cafe

I don’t know why I didn’t think of Greece before as a place I would expect would have amazing Crepes, but it makes sense being in Europe and just short plane ride away from cities like Paris. We ended up getting Crepes for breakfast every single day that we were in Mykonos as they were delicious and addicting! Our favorite place was Bougazi Cafe, which has every type of Crepe you could imagine (sweet or savory). Just make sure not to get eggs in your Crepe as I learned they put a cut up hard-boiled egg in your crepe instead of scrambled (yikes).

 

I hope this post was helpful for anyone looking to travel to Mykonos! I absolutely loved it there and would recommend it to anyone. For those of you who have been there already, be sure to leave any more recommendations in the comments section.

Santorini Dreaming | Where to Stay + 9 Must-Do’s

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

Greece is a place I have dreamed of going to since I was young (I feel like I say this about every place I go). Between the beautiful, white cave-like buildings and shops, beautiful purple and pink flowers, and breath-taking Mediterranean views, it was like the islands were made for postcards. Every single picture I took looked like a magazine cover without even trying. It truly was paradise.

Tackling Greece is a feat, however, as it is not the easiest to get to out of all the European countries, and there are so many islands to visit it’s hard to choose. For our Summer trip, my friend and I decided on Santorini and Mykonos, two of the most famous islands. Santorini is known more as the “honeymoon” island, as it is beautiful, relaxing, and romantic. Mykonos is the “party island” and was not only beautiful, but absolutely wild and so much fun (the parties go until 6 AM kind of fun).

For anyone planning a trip, I thought it would be helpful to write a few different posts about where we stayed, and what we enjoyed most on our trip. Starting with Santorini, here are some details that I hope will help anyone reading if they are going to adventure here anytime soon!

Where to stay

Hotel Atlantis: Staying at Hotel Atlantis was by far one of the best decisions we made on our trip – 5 stars in my book! First of all, it is in the best location right in Fira, which is the more lively of the towns in Santorini. We wanted to be in a location where we could easily walk to stores and restaurants, so this was the most ideal location. The room had the most fantastic view of the water, the hotel was clean and the room was spacious, and they had fantastic service. My favorite part was the complimentary breakfast every morning, including delicious real Greek yogurt with honey, fruit, bread and jams, eggs, bacon, fresh orange juice, and more on their beautiful terrace with gorgeous ocean views. I still miss those breakfasts!

 

What To Do (and Wear While Doing It!)

  1. Watch the Sunset in Oia at The Castle

If you have done your research about Santorini, you have already heard about the world-famous Oia sunset. You can watch a Grecian sunset really from almost anywhere in Greece and it is breath-taking, but the famous Oia “Castle” is known for having the best view, and it did not disappoint. Be sure to get there early as it does get extremely populated with tourists and you want to make sure you get a good spot. I also recommend bringing a snack and some wine, to sit back and relax and watch the most beautiful sunset of your life!

What we wore:

Romper: White Fox Boutique (sold out but put a similar one here)

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Dress: Saved by the Dress

Sunglasses: Primark

2. Wine Tasting at Santowines

If you love wine, Santowines will make all of your dreams come true. You can taste every type of wine imaginable (we got 12 wine ‘samples’ each – no joke) with some snacks, and the most stunning view. It is very easy to get to via cab, and is definitely something I would not miss if you are a wine-o. I mean, wine-not? 🙂

What we wore:

My Maxi Dress: From a Local Boutique in Greece 🙂

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Dress: Saved by the Dress

Sunglasses: Primark

3. Boat Cruise through Caldera Yachting

The beauty of Santorini is not just found on the island, but of course is discovered floating through the Mediterranean Sea. Through the Caldera Yachting company, we were able to take a catamaran boat with a small group, and see the beautiful red beach, black and white beaches, dreamy Amoudi Bay, and take a dip in the crystal blueish green waters, all by boat. It is something not to miss!

What we wore:

My Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Hat: Local Greece Store 🙂

My Bathing Suit: Triangl

Both our Kimonos: Amazon

4. PK Cocktail Bar

I discovered PK Cocktail Bar on Instagram and absolutely HAD to go there. Funny enough, it ended up being right near our hotel – 1 minute walk! I no joke booked this a month in advance online so we could have the best seat in the house for the sunset. The views are absolutely insane, and I would recommend anyone to watch the sunset from here. Not to mention, the cocktails were some of the best I have ever tasted, with fresh fruit. Make sure to try anything with passionfruit in it. 🙂

What we wore:

My Earrings: Baublebar

My Romper: White Fox Boutique

Sunglasses: Primark

Erin’s Maxi: Saved by The Dress

5. Get a Fish Pedicure at KissingFish Santorini

My friend Erin convinced me to try a fish pedicure as it was something she had always wanted to do. Not to mention the Kardashians went to this exact location on an episode of their show, so we thought it must be good! I was definitely nervous and a little squeemish (not sure if that’s a real word, but I felt it), thinking of little tiny fish having a feast on my feet. They require you to wash your feet first, and start by sticking your heels in the water. Immediately, the fish swarm your feet, as you dip the rest of your feet in the water. We went for about 20 minutes, and it was definitely ticklish, but does not hurt at all! I do have to say, my feet felt so soft after, and this is something I would recommend for those that are adventurous enough!

6. Shop the Amazing Boutiques

The worst thing that happened to me on the trip was that the airline lost my luggage for 24 hrs when we first arrived to Santorini. However, my anger at British Airways quickly diminished when I discovered how AMAZING the shopping is in Santorini. There is no shortage of gorgeous boutiques with hand-made Greek clothing, jewelry, and my absolute favorite, Greek Sandals. Needless to say, I ended up leaving the island with an entire new Greek wardrobe!

7. Taste the Local Cuisine 

I have always loved Greek food, so was unbelievably excited to try true Greek food, in actual Greece. We went of our way to try all the local cuisines, including Gyros, grape leaves, souvlaki, seafood, gelato, and more. The gelato we got in Oia was one of the most amazing I have ever tasted! I also know for fact I will never have another Gyro that tastes as good as Lucky Gyro in Fira. Be sure to feast away, as the food is absolutely amazing!

8. Eat at Blue Volcano and Try the Octopus

Our favorite restaurant that we tried in Santorini was the Blue Volcano in Fira. We went at night, but it does have a waterfront view which I am sure would be gorgeous in the daytime. The souvlaki and the octopus were absolutely delicious, and I will still have food dreams about eating here. Octopus in particular is something I have tried before and did not like, but Blue Volcano quickly changed my mind. They cooked it in a vinegar sauce for a good flavor, and it wasn’t too chewy either. Definitely don’t miss this place!

9. Pet the Local Donkeys (But Don’t Ride Them)

Santorini is famous for their cute, fuzzy locals in the form of Donkeys. We made the bad decision of riding them up the Santorini cliffs, and I have to say it was terrifying! I saw my life flash before my eyes as my donkey proceeded to go as close as humanly possible to the edge of every cliff as we snaked our way up the mountain in Fira. They also did not have anyone leading the donkeys up, they kind of pluck you on one and send you on your way, which led to a cluster of donkeys bumping into each other as we made the trek up. Definitely not something I would recommend, however, make sure you do get a chance to see the donkeys while you are out there – they are super cute and friendly 🙂

I hope this blog gave you all some ideas if you are headed to magical Santorini anytime soon! Stay tuned for my next blog about Mykonos. 🙂

Adventuring in Amalfi | Top 12 Things To Do in The Amalfi Coast

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

The Amalfi Coast is hands down one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I know I say that a lot on this blog, but it is definitely up there in the top five most breathtaking places I have ever been, at least. Five years ago I studied abroad in Rome for six weeks, and wanted to book a couple weekend excursions when I was there, since it is so easy to get around Europe once you are abroad. The number one most recommended spot I was given was the Amalfi Coast, so I had to book a trip. I booked mine through Bus2Alps , a local company, which made it so easy to get to and from Amalfi via bus for the weekend, and experience all that this beautiful area on the South of Italy had to offer.

Between the dramatic cliffs and the sparkling Mediterranean sea, the entire area is a dream land, and is a common honeymoon spot or hub for tourists. It is a place to relax and enjoy the warm weather, delicious cuisine, and scenery, and there is also so much to do and explore.

From my experience through Bus2Alps, I included my top 12 favorite things to do below, so I hope this helps you out if you are planning a trip to Amalfi anytime soon!

  1. Drink Fresh Limoncello

The Amalfi coast is famous for their fresh limoncello, a bright-yellow dessert drink that tastes surprisingly sweet, rather than the expected sour lemon taste. Even if you don’t typically like limoncello, I would suggest at least trying a sip as this is where you will find some of the best limoncello in the world! I also brought a few cute shaped bottles per the picture below home with me. You can find limoncello in many of the little shops in the Amalfi coast. However, I particularly enjoyed a little shop attached to Carlo’s Sandal shop in Anacapri (which is mentioned further below), at the top of the island and would strongly suggest checking it out!

2. Get Handmade Sandals at Carlo’s Sandal Shop in Anacapri 

Right next to the limoncello shop I mentioned above in Anacapri, is Carlo’s Sandal shop. This little gem makes some of the most adorable hand-made sandals. You can pick one of the pre-made pairs, or you can pick out exactly which style and gems/decorations you want on your sandals, and they will make them right in front of you! They are definitely on the pricier side, but so worth it. Where else in the world can you hand-pick exactly what you want your sandals to look like; style, gems and all and watch a local hand-craft them in front of you?

3. Take a Boat Trip

One of the most amazing parts of exploring the Amalfi Coast was taking a boat trip. What better way to venture along the coast than floating through crystal-clear, blue and green Mediterranean waters? The views were absolutely breathtaking and it is an experience I will certainly never forget.

The boat left from the Island of Capri, and our tour guides were sure to point out all the pretty sites along the way. It also included the option to take a small row boat through the Blue Grotto, cliff jump, and swim in caves along the way, each of which I will discuss further below.

4. Go Cliff Jumping

The option to go cliff jumping was included on our boat trip. We stopped by a mini beach where you could climb up the rocks and jump into the gorgeous, sparkling water below. This is not for those afraid of heights, but if you are an adventure-seeker and like a good thrill this is perfect for you!

Sorry for the poor quality of the picture below, it is the best picture I could get of me jumping!

5. Row Boat Into the Blue Grotto

Boating into the Blue Grotto is such a cool experience. If you have not heard of the Blue Grotto, it is a world-famous sea cave on the coast of the Island of Capri, known for the bright blue, glowing water inside. The way the sunlight hits the water makes for the unique, bright blue water illuminating the dark cave.

Heading into the Blue Grotto does cost a little extra money (but is very worth it). You also have to pay a little extra to swim in the water, which I opted out of. To get into the cave, I was very surprised at just how small the opening was! You are helped into a small row-boat, and have to actually lie down in the boat to squeeze into the small gap that enters the cave. Once inside, your mini boat captain also sings in Italian as you float through the blue, glowing water. It was so much fun, and I would strongly recommend seeing it for yourself!

6. Go Swimming in Caves

This was another option that you could do on our boat trip. As we floated along the coast, we passed many beautiful caves. They stopped at one point so we can get out and swim through them. You do have to be careful not to cut yourself on any rocks as the water can be a bit wavy, but I had so much fun swimming and exploring these gorgeous caves!

7. Ride the Chairlift to the top of Mt. Solaro

If you are not afraid of heights, this is hands down one of the best things I experienced in Amalfi! For the best view on the entire island of Capri, with 360 degree views, you can take a small ski life to the top of Mt. Solaro. I have to admit that even though I am not afraid of heights, my hands got a bit sweaty as you are on a tiny ski lift by yourself, and it gets extremely steep at some points going up. However, the view is absolutely unbeatable, especially once you get to the top.

At the top of the mountain, there is an adorable bar where you can enjoy a few drinks like Bacardi Breezers (which became my favorite), while enjoying the remarkable view.

8. Go Shopping at the Boutiques/Walk Around and Just Enjoy the Beautiful Scenery!

The town of Capri has some of the most adorable boutiques, and I was sure to explore them and buy myself a few items. Additionally, simply walking around the island, everything is so bright and beautiful. There are pretty flowers growing, rolling cliffs, and views of the Mediterranean, so make sure to take some time to just explore and walk around to take it all in!

9. Taste the Italian Cuisine

Now, this is a given. Italy has some of the best food in the world, including the most delicious pasta and sauce, pizza, and sandwiches I have ever had. Everything tastes so much more fresh than it does in the U.S. (Sorry, America). Be sure to check out the delicious restaurants, you won’t have one bad meal! When we were in Positano, Bus2Alps recommended the Vini e Panini for sandwiches, and I swear I could eat those things everyday for the rest of my life – delicious!

10. Relax on the Positano Beach

Along with Capri and Anacapri, on our Bus2Alps trip we visited Positano. The positano beach was gorgeous and they gave us a good chunk of time to just relax on the beach, get super bronzed, swim in the glittery water, and sip on some Bacardi Breezers! Be sure to wear a serious amount of sunblock if you are here in the Summer – it gets HOT!

12. Enjoy the Nightlife

While Amalfi Coast is a very relaxing, romantic place, there are a few bars to check out and a minimal amount of nightlife. We did not get to visit this on our trip, but heard that there is a really fun cave bar in Positano! We did have fun at the bar we went to in Positano (pictures below). If you are a lady – just be warned that Italian men can be super aggressive, so be sure to go with a group!

12. Visit Pompeii

If you have time, visiting Pompeii is an amazing (and slightly creepy) experience when heading home from Amalfi. If you are not familiar with Pompeii, it is an archaeological site that used to be a full-blown Roman City, but was destroyed by the eruption of a volcano. Due to the lack of moisture and air underneath of the volcanic ash, much of the city was preserved, including actual human bodies, frozen in time.

You can pay to have an official tour here, but we opted to do a self-guided tour – completely up to you. It is definitely eerie, but something really cool to see, especially if you have an interest in Roman history.

I hope these suggestions were helpful if you have a trip planned to go to the Amalfi Coast anytime soon! Leave any other suggestions or questions/comments in the comment box below!

Costa Rica | Top 10 Things To Do For An Adventurous Trip

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

Costa Rica has always been on my bucket list of places to travel. I had never been to South America, and considering I can’t survive a full winter in Boston without at least a quick trip someplace warm, my friend, Erin Silva, and I decided it would be the perfect January trip. Although it is quite touristy, there are so many adventurous activities to do, and endless amounts of beautiful scenery. From breathtaking beaches, to luscious jungles, and cute, fuzzy animals (my favorite), you really can’t go wrong.

We chose to get the true backpackers, “Pura Vida” experience, and stayed in two different hostels in the two different areas of Costa Rica we went to: Manuel Antonio and Arenal. The hostels were conveniently called Backpackers Manuel Antonio and Arenal Backpackers. I would recommend staying here if you want a cheap option. However, neither of the hostels had hot water (luke warm at most) in the shower, and Manuel Antonio had communal showers/bathroom, so keep this in mind if you go this route! We definitely preferred the Arenal Backpackers hostel as it was slightly nicer, with a bigger and more beautiful pool, and a cute bar area in the front where you could eat traditional food and drink delicious Pina Coladas (or whatever you fancy).

During our four days there, we jam-packed a lot of activities for an adventurous vacation. The great thing about Costa Rica is that you can relax at the beautiful beaches, go surfing, and eat coconuts, if you want a relaxing vacation. On the other hand, if you want more action and adventure, there is so much to do, from boating, horseback riding, zip-lining, hiking and more. For us, we opted for the more adventurous route, so if that is the type of vacation you are looking for, I have included some of our top 10 favorite experiences below!

 

 

  1. Go on a Jungle Tour | Manuel Antonio National Park

    I am a HUGE animal person, so was most excited to see adorable sloths, little monkeys, and other more exotic animals in their national habitat. The great thing about staying at the backpackers hostels, was we could organize all of our activities through the hostel, which was so convenient. We scheduled an early morning tour, and our tour guide picked us up in van at the hostel, and took us both to and from the Manuel Antonio National Park.

    Our tour guide was absolutely amazing. I wouldn’t recommend going to the park without a tour guide. Some of the animals are unbelievably hard to spot unless you have a trained professional to find them (whether its way high up in the tree, or blending in with the ground). Our guide not only spotted many animals for us, he used his mega microscope with zoom to ensure we could see them and take zoomed-in pictures with our iPhones, along with providing detailed descriptions about each one. We got extremely lucky, and got to see a rare anteater in the day, cute monkeys playing, a sloth and its mama, and many more amazing animals. It is an experience not to miss!

      

 

2. Go on a Boat Tour

Going on a boat tour is something I absolutely would add to your list if you are in Costa Rica. It is a relaxing way to spend the day or night, and see the beautiful Costa Rican waters while you are at it. We had an absolutely amazing time, and it is very are easy to book through the hostel or online.

We chose the afternoon to sunset tour. Our boat tour provided snorkel gear so we could swim in the beautiful water and spot fish, as well as a delicious dinner and drinks. It was also a great way to meet some other tourists and have fun socializing. We watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen (Titanic theme-song playing in the background, for all those romantic couples – haha). The absolute best part was spotting dolphins that swam right in the wake of our boat! It was an experience I will never forget.

3. Climb the Arenal Volcano

I have never in my life had the experience to climb a volcano (an active one – mind you), so it was something fun to check off my bucket list. It is great way to get moving and get some exercise while on your trip, and you get to see the most breathtaking views while you are at it.

In all honesty – you cannot actually climb to the top of the Volcano (considering it is still active, this would be a suicide mission). However, you can definitely get a good work out in climbing very close around the bottom of it, and it makes for some amazing photo-ops!

4. Go horseback riding

Horseback riding was one of my favorite activities at camp as a kid, but I hadn’t gotten the chance to go in years and years, so was very excited to get out my riding boots again (or sneakers – Haha). We booked our horseback riding trip through a local company in downtown Arenal. There are tons lining the main street and it is extremely easy to schedule. We combined this with zip-lining, and swimming in hot springs, all in one day (I will talk about each below), so it was quite the activity-filled day!

However, the day that we went it happened to be absolutely pouring rain, which made for an interesting experience. When you go horseback riding, you have a guide with you, who leads you through the jungle and to the hot springs, and sets the pace for the ride. Between the pouring run and mud, along with trotting through the bumpy jungle with a rocky terrain, it was an extremely fun experience, but not one for those who are timid about horseback riding with some speed (and bumps)!

5. Go Zip-lining Through the Jungle

Zip-lining was one of the most exciting (and scary) experiences of our trip. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, considering we were extremely high-up skyrocketing through the jungle. Additionally, it was pouring rain the day we went which made the zip-line go faster. However, our guides were amazing, making us smile the whole time and ensuring we weren’t too scared, and that we had a blast.

Additionally, all of the other tourists cancelled their zip-lining trip that day due to rain, so Erin and I were the only ones with the team on the zip-line. Due to this, they let us try so new zip-lining techniques including the super-man, and zip-lining upside down! I felt like I accomplished a lot to say the least after this excursion.

6. Swim in the Hot Springs

Swimming in the hot springs was another part of our zip-lining/horseback riding excursion, and as mentioned it was pouring rain, which made it a bit chilly. Since the hot springs were warm, it was a nice temporary relief from the cold rain, and since we were already soaking wet anyways, we opted to take a dip!

It was also beautiful as we were in the middle of the jungle. I would definitely recommend this if you have the chance!

7. Swim in the La Fortuna Waterfall

Costa Rica is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls. Erin and I would have loved to go to them all, but we chose the La Fortuna, and we were happy we did!

It does take a lot of hiking to get to, but it is well worth the trek! It was absolutely breathtaking and so much fun to swim in (although it was freezing). It also makes for some beautiful photos.

8. Experience the Local Cuisine

One of my favorite things to do whenever I travel anywhere, is to eat. Of course Costa Rica is known for it’s delicious rice and beans, and ceviche. I had actually never had ceviche in my life prior to the trip, and by the end I was a huge fan!

The food was all so fresh and delicious, and I was glad we got the chance to taste local cuisines outside of just our hostel. Definitely set aside some time to try new foods and enjoy what they make locally, you will not be disappointed!

9. Drink Fresh Coconut

One of the best coconuts and coconut milk I have ever had in my life was at the beach in Costa Rica. It is easy to get a coconut from locals that sell them on the beach, and it was the most fresh, delicious coconut I’ve ever put my lips on! Do not miss the chance to get one if you find yourself on the beach and see a local selling them. Additionally, all of the fruit in Costa Rica is so fresh and juicy, I would recommend trying as many types as possible!

10. Relax at the Beautiful Beaches/Surfing

Costa Rica is known for having some absolutely beautiful beaches, so we were sure to cut out some time to relax and check out the scenery at the beach. It is of course known for surfing, but Erin and I had never surfed and unfortunately didn’t have time to include this in our schedule with all of our other activities. However, of course this is something I have heard great things about and would recommend doing if you are a surfer or want to learn to surf.

Erin and I chose the relax and tan on the beach, drink a coconut route. 🙂

I hope this post was helpful for anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica! Be sure to leave any questions in the comments box!

3 Days in Nice, France | My Top 10 Things to Do

Posted on by annamae161@gmail.com

I fell in love with France ever since my first time visiting Paris in the 6th grade. The delicious cuisine, beautiful views, the history and culture, and getting a chance to practice my otherwise rarely used French skills from high school made it one of my favorite places in the world. Fast-forward to my mid-Twenties and I am now lucky enough to work at a company headquartered in Paris, France and get to travel there once a year for our yearly summit. Every year, me and a couple friends plan a Europe trip beforehand. Last Summer, we chose to go the beautiful south of France, specifically Nice, for the first time in my life. We had the most amazing, magical, fun-filled time and I can honestly say it is now in the top 3 of favorite places I have ever visited.

Nice, France is known as a place of relaxation and a vacation spot for not only the French, but tourists from around the globe. It is a picturesque beach town in the French Riveria, not too far from the famous Cannes (where the world famous Cannes film festival is located), and luxurious Monoco and Monte Carlo Casino, where the Formula 1 Race occurs every year. However, the French Riveria is not just a place for the rich and famous – we lived like queens in the most amazing Airbnb with a view of the port and all of the boats, ate the most delicious food, drank rose, and had the time of our lives when we visited (saving a lot of money by choosing Airbnb).

I compiled a list of the top 10 things I recommend doing while there. There are a million more things to enjoy in this paradise, but I wanted to highlight some of our experiences for any of you looking to travel there soon and need some suggestions!

  1. Walk the Promenade des Anglais

The heart of Nice is the Promenade des Anglais, a long pedestrian walk way on the beautiful crystal waters of the Mediterranean. Lining the walk and along the waters and beautiful pebble stone beaches are beach clubs, shops, and hotels. I highly recommend taking a stroll down this street to get a beautiful glimpse of the heart of Nice and enjoy the Mediterranean breeze at your leisure.

2. Go To a Beach Club

Lining the Promenade, there are tons of beach clubs that you can enjoy day or night. Our favorite was called Castel, and we had an amazing time drinking wine and/or Mojitos by the beautiful water and tanning by day, or there is dancing by night. We were joking that the white wine they gave us was happy juice, because we were so happy just relaxing with the beautiful views and enjoying a drink. You do have to pay for a chair to lay on at the clubs typically and you can get food and/or drink – and it is worth every penny. The beaches are known for being pebble-filled, so definitely not the most comfortable to lay on – much better to have a cozy chair with drink in hand!

3. Eat Macarons

The first day we were in Nice, we had to get Macarons as of course they are famous in France. In the Old Town we found a tiny Macaron place called L’Angea – and from the second we tried them, we were in love. The lady that worked there became basically our new best friend, as we returned every single day to get more because they were by far the most delicious Macarons we had ever had. I brought home packages of these little guys with me and have been going through withdrawals ever since. I HIGHLY recommend this place, or bare minimum – getting Macarons while you are in the home of the best pastries on earth!

4. Enjoy the French Cuisine

There are tons of delicious restaurants to enjoy both along the Port where our Airbnb was, as well as in the Old Town. My favorite things to eat aside from heaps of Macarons and Gelato – would have to be the crepes as well as the Italian food they had there. There was a delicious crepe place right outside our Airbnb called “Le Pass’Port” by the Port, right on the water, where we fell in love with the breakfast crepes. They also had delicious lunch crepes or Nutella crepes, alongside the most beautiful view. Additionally, Nice culture is influenced a lot by Italy – in fact, it reminded me quite a bit of the Amalfi Coast. You can find delicious Italian food here – one of our favorites being La Pizza Cresci, which had absolutely amazing pizza and was highly recommended to us beforehand.

  

5. Go to a Rooftop Bar

We were able to see the most AMAZING views from a rooftop bar we stumbled upon that overlooked the beach, while enjoying a nice glass of wine (having a glass of wine in hand was definitely a staple for the trip – Haha). Not only could we see the most amazing views of the crystal clear waters – but we actually saw a rainbow! I would highly recommend visiting La Terrase, Nice restaurant on the top of the Meridien Hotel for the best views of Nice.

6. Go on a Boat Tour:

We had planned to go on a boat tour in Nice – with snorkel gear, lunch, drinks, and our own skipper included – but unfortunately due to wind and the fact that we were going to be taking a small boat, it had to be cancelled. However, I have heard amazing things about taking a boat trip. There are options you can find to boat to Cannes, Saint Tropez, and more – either half-day or full-day excursions. Although we missed this, it is definitely something I would highly recommend looking into if you are headed to Nice. What is better than floating along crystal-clear blue waters in the Mediterranean along the coast of France? I can’t think of much!

7. Visit Monoco

If you are going to be in Nice – you definitely have to take the trip over to see the luxurious Monoco, and the world famous Monte Carlo Casino. It is unlike any place I have ever seen, and we had the experience of a lifetime. Long story short – we got to explore where the Formula 1 Race had just taken place, go to clubs where celebrities go, and we ended up on a luxury yacht, and stayed up until 4 am (WELL past my usual bedtime). This definitely won’t happen to everyone, but visiting this luxurious spot is one for the books and I would not miss it. I do have to say that the Monte Carlo Casino itself was a bit of a let-down and nothing too exciting to see- and we did not pay to gamble there (yes, you have to pay to get in). However, I would recommend going just to see the luxury cars, yachts, as well as checking out the clubs at night if you are into the night-life! Additionally – we actually took an Uber there so it was super easy to get to. You can typically take a train, but Uber was so much easier!

8. Walk Through the Old Town

The Old Town is right in the heart of Nice and is one of the main attractions to visit while there. It is known for its history, it’s beautiful, narrow streets – as well as being a place full of activity, day and night. It is a place perfect for photos due to the unique and colorful architecture. It is also full of fun shops, restaurants, and more – and is the perfect place to explore for hours and get lost in. We visited many of the shops here throughout the day, as well as enjoyed delicious drinks and dinner here at night. They have so many cute stores and a market where you can find food, drink, souvenirs, artwork, jewelry, and more. I got a mini water-colored painting of Nice here I still cherish to this day. Alongside the beach clubs, this is where we spent most of our time!

9. Hike Castle Hill

We had planned on hiking Castle Hill but unfortunately did not end up having the time to do so. However, if you have the time I would definitely try to squeeze this into your schedule. You can either hike up the 300 feet of stairs, or take a lift to the top – where you will find some of the best views in all of Nice. There are walking tours additionally that you can take if you want to go with a group!

10. Walk Down the Pebble Stoned Beach

Nice is known for its beautiful pebble-stoned beaches – very different from a typical sandy beach. While you’re there – you should definitely take a stroll down these beautiful beaches, and take a dip in the crystal-clear blue water, as there truly is nothing else like it in the world!

I hope these suggestions were helpful! Would love to hear if any of you have been to Nice and what you’re experiences were 🙂