Hey there! Haven’t written in a while but have been meaning to write this post forever. My first solo trip was to the beautiful city of Chicago and it helped spark my love for travel. You hear so many horror stories of solo travel, especially female solo travel, but I put those fears aside and had an amazing time. Not only was this my first solo trip, it was my first time using Pack Up and Go to plan my vacation. This travel company specializes in creating surprise getaways for their customers. As an often spontaneous trip planner, their bespoke service piqued my interest and I knew I had to give it a try.
How Pack Up and Go Works:
Pack Up and Go has various budgets and types of trips to choose from. The prices are better for double occupancy so it definitely isn’t the least expensive option for solo travelers. So if you’re conscious of your budget, bring an adventurous friend or significant other along! They offer road trips (with fun stops along the way), outdoor road trips, staycations, and bus, train, and plane journeys. There’s different price points for each type of trip and a survey to fill out with interests, preferences, your past or planned trips.. basically any information that will help them plan the perfect trip for you.
And the best part is…
The trip is a surprise until the day of the trip! You’re given a sealed envelope with all the information you could possibly need on your destination. Don’t worry about packing because they’ll send you the weather for your planned locale and let you know if you need to bring anything special.
When the day of my trip finally came, I couldn’t wait to find out where I was going. I was full of jitters the whole ride to the airport.
I opened up my envelope to see I’d be flying to Chicago! I’d never been there so I was psyched to see what the city had to offer.
Pack Up and Go booked me at Palomar Chicago Hotel in the heart of Chicago. I loved how spacious my room was and how I could easily walk to all the sights. There was so much room that I probably could’ve shared it with 2 or 3 more people! It was a way nicer room than I’d ever get for myself so I was pleasantly surprised.
I couldn’t wait to explore Chicago so I ditched my bags at the hotel and headed out, after checking my packet of information from my envelope. I went to Millennium Park to see Cloud Gate, a public art piece commonly referred to as the Bean. Its reflective design shows the city landscape and sky. The reflective nature of it also attracts a big selfie crowd so I took some photos and moved along.
Next, I checked out Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s commercial district. This area has all types of shops and restaurants.
The next day, I went to Lincoln Park Zoo. Admission is donation-based, so it’s a great budget-friendly way to spend the afternoon. The grounds are really pretty too.
Some greenery at the Lincoln Park Zoo
After the zoo, I went up to the 360 Chicago observation deck. I’m not the biggest fan of heights but I wanted to be able to see the views from over a thousand feet up. If you’re braver than me, you can even get a ticket to get tilted toward the glass to see the view from up close.
For my evening plans, Pack Up and Go had extra funds in the budget and used the money to book tickets for a Second City Comedy Show. The show was sold out so I probably wouldn’t have been able to get tickets on my own with the trip’s short notice. I’d highly recommend catching a show when you’re in town. Zanie’s would also be a great option if you’re a fan of stand-up comedy or improv.
Second City’s Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno
Now for the best part.. the food! I knew that I had to try some deep dish pizza while in Chicago. I opted for Giordano’s because I could order a personal pie there. I kept it simple with just green peppers on top. The pizza was pretty good, but personally, I’d prefer a thin crust and not waiting so long for it to cook. Definitely worth sampling this style while in town.
It’s safe to say I loved Broken English Taco Pub! I returned there a second time in three days. The restaurants themselves have a super cool aesthetic and the food and drinks were delicious. I wish there was one near me.
When I heard about a cupcake ATM, you know I had to check it out. Sprinkles has the world’s first cupcake ATM that can supply your sweet craving 24/7. I chose a vanilla frosted and a salted caramel and they didn’t disappoint.
Getting the opportunity to see Chicago was a fantastic surprise! I really enjoyed all of the thought and personal touches that Pack Up and Go included to make my trip extra special. I can’t wait to return someday and see how the city’s changed.
Now that we’re finally starting to be able to get out and travel again or at least start thinking about it, I figured it was time to share my essentials for a European trip. I made the mistake of seriously overpacking for my first time traveling but luckily was able to keep some of the excess stuff at a friend’s place for the majority of my trip. Then I had to buy a suitcase to bring home all my extra things. Sidenote: it is now my favorite suitcase and I often use it for small trips. But, if you don’t want to be like me, juggling bags through the airport and paying extra fees, these are some things I’d suggest bringing and some things you probably won’t need or can always grab later on.
This is a must-have for hostels in order to keep your things safe. A lot of places have under-bed storage or cubbies where you can stow anything you need locked away. Only some hostels will provide a lock so it’s best to bring one along. It’s totally not worth paying to rent one. They take up so little space.
Headphones
Headphones are always an essential, but this is especially the case in a hostel. There will be all types of sounds you don’t want to hear (enough said) so you don’t want to be caught without them. I usually kept them under my pillow just in case someone stumbled in at three AM.
Carabiner
I had one of these attached to my water bottle and ended up using it to hold my keys to the hostels. Some use old-school keys instead of keycards like you see in hotels so it really came in handy. I didn’t lose one key the whole four months, which was shocking because I am rarely organized and my bags are usually black holes.
Flip flops
The hostels I stayed at were reasonably clean but I never loved the idea of showering where a ton of other people have recently showered. Flip flops will protect your feet from anything gross and you’ll also be grateful for them if you hit the beach or pool.
These are the best! They fold up small and they double as blankets if you’re napping in drafty airports. I’d say bring two if you have the room. That way, you have a backup for when you do laundry or have an extra for the beach or pool.
Small travel umbrella
I know umbrellas are super annoying to carry around but they are worth it when you really need them. They make smaller compact ones for travel now and they fit easily into your bags.
Umbrella privilege: If you hold it, you get to choose the height
Power Adaptor/ Power Bank
I have a super old adaptor that works fine and converts to all different areas but it only has one input. I’d recommend getting one of the newer ones with multiple inputs. Even if you don’t need to charge that many devices, you’ll definitely make friends and save time charging stuff, leading to more adventures.
While we’re on the subject of power, you will run out of battery navigating yourself around, running all your apps, and taking photos. It’s worth it to bring a power bank too. Anker makes great, affordable ones.
Sim Card and tool
I decided to try and get by without a European SIM card during my trip. It is possible since wifi is readily available in major European cities, but it was inconvenient not to be fully connected. I lasted about 3 months until I cracked and decided I was tired of forgetting to download my offline maps and inevitably getting lost in pursuit of everything.
If you fly into the UK, you can get good ones from Vodafone that will work all over Europe. You can also look into getting a sim card delivered before you take off. Simoptions has cards that you can use all over the world.
Carrying a paperclip can also come in handy when you need to switch cards.
I brought a compact razor along on my trip to save some room and have been using them for travel ever since. They take up such a small space and still work great.
Bike shorts / Chub Rub Stuff
Bike shorts are a godsend in the heat! If you have thick thighs and live in dresses and skirts, you need to bring some of these to prevent the dreaded chub rub, or thigh chafe, that you can get while walking miles in them.
And for the times you’re not wearing bike shorts, this balm works wonders.
Basic First Aid
Band-Aids should always be an essential. Bring a few different sizes along with some anti-bacterial cream. I personally always bring an anti-itch cream because I get a lot of bug bites, so if that happens to you too, pack it. Also, if you haven’t tried the bug bite thing yet, check it out.
Advil, or any pain-reliever is great for soreness from hikes you thought you were ready for but of course you weren’t. They’re also good to have on hand for hangovers.
If you’re prone to stomach issues when traveling, pack anything that can help.
Tweezer
Always bring some tweezers along. Apart from getting rid of stray hairs, they can remove splinters. I crossed paths with a few people who refused to wear shoes outside, despite broken glass being all over, so they definitely came in handy.
Tights (black opaque)
I didn’t think to bring these but picked them up in the spring to add a little warmth to my summery outfits. I wore them under shorts when it was cool at night.
Thinx Underwear
These are great underwear for travel. They’re perfect for lighter period days and as a backup for long travel days where you might not see a bathroom for a while. The only annoying thing is they have to air dry so you have to pay attention while doing laundry and find places to hang them dry.
A Sunscreen you’ll actually want to wear
Find a sunscreen you like and bring some. I brought the solid Neutrogena stick for my face and bought some spray when I was over there due to the liquid restrictions on planes.
Leggings
Leggings are great for long travel days. I prefer ones with side pockets so I can keep my passport and phone on my person when on planes, buses, and trains. If you’re near a TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, the 90 Degree brand are great quality for the price and machine dry pretty well. After my trip, I finally snagged some Hereafter Earth leggings, which have some antimicrobial tech so they can be worn a few times without being washed. I’d definitely bring them on my next trip.
Good sports bras
These are great for if you don’t want to deal with underwire bras while traveling. They’re good to sleep in and great for hiking and other outdoor adventuring. Plus, they double as a swim top if you’re not up to date on laundry. I love the ones from Aerie.
Pimple Patches
Nothing’s cuter in your travel photos than the open wound you caused from picking at a pimple,right? Wrong. Even if you’ve never met a pimple you wouldn’t pop (guilty), these pimple patches by COSRX do a great job at shrinking blemishes overnight so you’re not tempted to pick.
Ziploc bags
You can never have enough Ziploc bags. They’re good for separating out your toiletries and preventing them from leaking all over your bags.
Curology
I’ve been using Curology for years now and it’s an easy and portable way to keep your skin clear on a trip. It’s one-step so you just have to apply at night and you’re set. I stockpiled a few shipments and put it in a more portable container for my long trip.
Anti-theft Crossbody Bag
A friend got me one of the Travelon anti-theft bags to use while in Europe. I highly recommend these bags. They have RFID-blocking technology along with locking zippers which minimize any risk of pickpocketing. There are lots of cute options. Link to Travelon crossbody bags
Light Sweatshirt/Hoodie
So I made the dumb choice of not packing a sweatshirt since I was traveling in Spring/Summer. I quickly learned the error of my ways, shivering in Scotland, and hit up Primark, always a good shop for cheap basics. I grabbed a pull-over for a few pounds and still wear it.
Definitely needed a sweatshirt for the ice bar
Hand Sanitizer/Wipes
Self-explanatory in these times. When I was traveling, I mostly brought wipes to clean the tray tables that I’ve always heard were super unsanitary.
Snacks!
Another self-explanatory one. You don’t ever want to be stuck alone and hangry on public transport, or worse, a layover or delay. You might end up on the news. Just pack some extra cookies. You’ll never regret it.
What Not to Pack:
Too Much Medicine
For my trip, I spent at least $100 at CVS grabbing anything I thought I might end up needing and I let most of it expire. Leave your medicine cabinet at home, at least when it comes to Europe. Their pharmacies are great and their pharmacists are super helpful so unless it’s something super specific, you can get it if you truly need it.
Shampoo/Conditioner Bars
I know these work for some people but I have long, thick hair and all they did was add build-up. I never felt like my hair or scalp was cleaned in the process of using the bars from Lush. If you want to go this route, I’d encourage you to try some different ones before committing. If you’ve had any luck with any of these, let me know! I’d love to find some great ones to use in the future to be able to pack and waste less.
Too Many Clothes
It’s important to pick what is comfortable. Remember you can always buy new stuff at your destination if you’re lacking something. Prioritize items that can be put in the dryer as sometimes it can be hard to find places to air dry stuff at hostels or the hostel staff does your laundry and you can’t specify what can or can’t be put in the dryer. You’ll always want to bring more clothes than you need but, speaking from experience, you won’t even wear them all.
Heels/wedges
At 5’1″, I really wanted to bring some heels for nights out. They just take up too much darn room unfortunately. I would’ve loved to dress up my outfits but if you’re traveling in summer, just bring cute sandals and in colder months, boots will be more comfortable.
Packing Cubes
I wanted so badly to be organized enough to use packing cubes effectively but they didn’t work for me. I think I’d like them for a shorter trip to organize outfits but for a long journey, there’s nothing that could’ve controlled the chaos that was my bags.
I hope this is helpful for travelers, new and old. Let me know if I forgot any essentials! Get out there and adventure safely!
Ciao means hello and goodbye in Italian. It seems to be a fitting title for my two days in Venice that conclude these travels.
Wow, this has been such a long time coming! Finally, Venice, my last new destination during my four month journey. As the start of my goodbye train, it was finally sinking in that this was the end of my adventure, at least for now. I’d have to leave my travel buddies to the rest of their voyages and return home. Looking back at my admittedly sparse journal, I can’t help but wax nostalgic for this unique time in my life where my only responsibility was to discover and live each day to the fullest. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
Anyways, enough about my dumb journey..
In Venice, we stayed at a hostel called Wombats City Hostel Venice Mestre. It was a short train ride away from the city. I enjoyed my stay here. It had the feel of a hotel room but with a few more beds. The bar downstairs was great too. Upon looking them up, I see they’ve closed permanently due to Covid which is such a shame. Check out their hostels in Vienna, Munich and London- I’m sure they’d have the same vibe and uphold the same standards to be a safe bet for a great stay in those cities.
My first impression of the city was that I’ve never seen a place like it. I loved exploring the canals, bridges, and tiny alleyways. While in Venice, we mostly wandered around aimlessly getting lost amongst the canals between swigs of shared bottles of wine. We saw the Piazza San Marco, home to the Basilica di San Marco. I didn’t get to see the inside of the Basilica since I was dressed for the hot weather. It was gorgeous from the outside though.
Me, a heathen, unfit to enter churches
Basilica di San Marco
Mostly, while in Venice, we drank, scarfed down pizza and gelato, and enjoyed every second of the time we still shared together, at least for this trip.
It was surreal to think of how I embarked on this trip alone and then happened upon such an amazing group to share this experience with. Goodbyes are the hardest but they’re especially tough when you don’t know if or when you’ll see those friends again.
I’m grateful to everyone I crossed paths with throughout my travels. Whether you gave me a ride to the airport, directions somewhere, a place to stay- you are a part of my story and I wouldn’t be the same if I hadn’t met you 🙂
So, if you’re still reading, thanks for taking this journey with me! And Europe, thanks for the memories- hopefully I’ll see you again soon!
Campanille di San Barnaba
Statue of Niccolò Tommaseo, comically known to locals as “Booksh*tter”
After Croatia, I headed to Ljubljana, Slovenia on a recommendation from friends. I didn’t know much about the country, but they insisted we needed to see Lake Bled. Now I’m here to tell you that you need to see it too! On the other hand, if you just can’t stand natural beauty and delicious desserts, you can go ahead and skip this destination.
My friends and I stayed at Hostel Vrba. This area has limited hostels so it might be one you’d want to book in advance. The rooms were comfortable and the owner was very friendly. It was also in a very nice area. Lake Bled has hostels too that might be worth checking out if you’ll be spending a majority of your time there.
Start off your visit by exploring the city. The city center is full of cute cafes and shops to check out. Ljubljana has several beautiful bridges to see, most notably the dragon bridge.
Views from Ljubljana Castle
Take the funicular or the walk up to Ljubljana Castle to get great views of the city. You can get the best photos from up here, especially if you have a really tall friend to get those good angles. Thanks again, Lawrence!
While at the Castle, be sure to take a look at the art exhibitions there. I saw this beautiful textile exhibit when I was there, amongst others.
We were most excited to see Lake Bled in Slovenia and it truly didn’t disappoint. We took a day trip there but if I had a do-over, I would’ve stayed in that area itself so we could’ve spent more time there. It was just so gorgeous.
Paddleboarding in Lake Bled
We rented some paddleboards by the lake and had a great time learning that we were not as balanced as we thought we were. You can walk up to the castle or take boats across the lake too.
I still can’t believe this place is real
If you have the time, take the trip to the Postojna Caves, a system of four interconnecting caves formed by the Pivka River over millions of years.
It was freezing in the caves but to me it felt like good ‘ol American air conditioning. I’d recommend dressing warm though as the underground train ride gets especially chilly.
We were budgeting pretty hard by this part of the trip, so we mostly ate homemade sandwiches and McDonald’s. However, you’d be missing out if you didn’t savor some of the baked goods Ljubljana has to offer. Štruklji is a pastry-like dish with meat and other fillings and was delicious. You should also try any type of pain au chocolat/ chocolate croissant-like pastries you can get your hands on. I don’t have any pictures of them because I ate them too fast.
I had an amazing time in Ljubljana and I can’t wait to visit again someday and maybe then I can finally learn how to spell it without spell check. Catch me in Venice, Italy soon!
Budapest seemed like the logical next destination after leaving Prague. Most of the travelers I met in Prague were headed there too. A friend and I took the eight hour bus ride and arrived at Bazar Hostel, waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. The location was awesome and the staff was super chatty and helpful. The Danube River separates the city into two areas: Buda and Pest. I’d highly recommend staying here on the Pest side, the more lively of the two areas. You’ll find cheaper food, clubs and ruin bars in this area. It’s worth crossing the Széchenyi Chain Bridge to check out Buda Castle and get a good look at the massive Hungarian Parliament.
Hungarian ParliamentMatthias Church
During the day in Budapest, there is plenty to see. Check out the Fisherman’s Bastion, the view along both banks of the Danube, and the Hungarian Parliament. You can also take a day trip to Margaret Island which is full of parks and recreational facilities. We got some day passes to swim there. Visiting the Széchenyi Thermal Baths is a must during the summer. There’s pools of all temperatures, saunas, and spa treatments. At night, they even have spa parties you can attend.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
The night life in Budapest is some of the best in Europe. Even if you’re not that into going out and drinking, the ruin bars are worth experiencing. While unassuming on the outside, these bars are unique and a ton of fun once you’re inside. Szimpla Kert was the first to pop up in Budapest so it’s an obvious first choice. It has themed rooms and eclectic decor and everyone will be jealous of how cool the photos are from a night out there. I’m full of regret that I didn’t get a snap of me in one of the many bathtubs on the ground floor.
Szimpla Kert
Hanging at Ellátó Kert & Taqueria
My friends also loved Ellátó Kert & Taqueria, a ruin bar with cheap drinks and food. We went back multiple times. If you’re more into clubs, Instant may be up your alley. We only visited briefly but this club is a former apartment building that now has DJs and dancefloors as well as some spaces that have more laid back vibes. It’s worth paying a cover if you enjoy the club atmosphere. I realized it wasn’t really my scene when I witnessed a girl fight in the bathroom after I had just paid to use the toilet and was handed a napkin in exchange because toilet paper apparently wasn’t free. Definitely not something I expected or want to revisit.
Retox Beard Wall
Retox Party Hostel has a nice bar area and is a good place to meet fellow backpackers. It also has a huge wall of bearded men above the bar, leading me to believe they were reading my diary. For a more chill night outdoors, head to Erzsébet Square where you can grab drinks and sit in the grass playing music and chatting for hours.
Erzsébet Square
Budapest is yet another one of those places where I did more drinking than eating. A good friend of mine suggested trying Karavan Street Food. It’s a bunch of food trucks located in the Jewish Quarter, a quick walk from Bazar hostel. You can get traditional Hungarian foods like goulash as well as pizza and burritos. There’s lots of options and it’s affordable. If you’re traveling in a big group, there will surely be something for everyone.
Goulash from Karavan
I really fell in love with this city and I can’t wait to return one day and see more of it. It truly exceeded my expectations.
Wow, it’s been forever since I’ve posted any content! Honestly, it just felt weird to post anything during the pandemic. Even the thought of travel, particularly international travel, seems like the biggest tease at the moment. But even if I can’t go anywhere, I’ve found I can at least start using this time to catch up so I will be updating more often. Hopefully soon we will be able to get out there and go on some new adventures!
Italy was always at the top of my list of must-visit countries. My love for pizza led me to the city of Naples. I’d always heard it was a little dangerous there but it turned out to be less sketchy than Paris, as in zero attempted muggings rather than the two I’d witnessed or been told about during my stay in Paris. I was thrilled to get to Naples to be able to enjoy some beach days for the first time during my trip.
I took an eighteen hour bus ride from Lyon to Naples. I would strongly recommend against this. It was late June during a heatwave and I might’ve been the only one wearing deodorant on this packed vehicle. Also, my lovely neighbor woke up from a deep slumber and full-on sneezed on me. I bathed in Purell. Looking back on that during the time of coronavirus, I’m even more horrified but I have never had much faith in people’s public behavior. This experience was no exception.
When I arrived in Naples, I made my way to meet my friend at Six Small Rooms Hostel. Once I found it nestled in an alleyway off a piazza, with the help of a nice local, I loved it there. The owner and staff were wonderful. The rooms were big with no bunk beds so they weren’t as cramped and overcrowded as some hostel rooms can be. They also have free breakfast every day, which is such a help when you’re trying to stick to your budget. It also encouraged me to try and wake up at a reasonable hour (emphasis on the word try). More than anything else, there was just a sense of community at this place. We left our doors unlocked a lot of the time, took day trips with our new friends, and enjoyed some drinks on the piazza nightly. Get acquainted with Mario at the liquor store- he’s an actual angel and will brighten your day. If you’re looking for a hostel in Naples, this is the place you want to be.
(heavy breathing)
I usually save the food for the end of the post but this is Naples we’re talking about. I’ve gotta get straight to the important stuff: the pizza. I ate a shameful amount of pizza during my week-long stay in Naples. My friend’s recommendation was Pizzeria & Trattoria al 22, which was dangerously close to the hostel. We had a pizza party one night and I’ll never forget the group of us bringing back about fifteen pizzas to the hostel. You also can’t miss out on the fried pizza at Sorbillo. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. It’s more calzone-adjacent than pizza-like but I’ve never been one to shy away from cheese so I’m a big fan.
I mostly ate obscene amounts of pizza during my stay but the pasta I had was also incredible. My friend and I went to La Taverna Del Buongustaio Napoli my first night for some pasta and the food and service were amazing. Another obvious recommendation is gelato. It’s as delicious as you think it’s gonna be.
So, if you’ve been reading or know me personally, you won’t be shocked at my last food recommendation. There’s a place called Taco’s in Naples that makes some great burritos. I stumbled upon it very hungover and was enticed by their inclusion of fried chicken in their burritos. I know I’m kind of an embarrassment getting Mexican food in Italy, but I didn’t regret my choice.
Naples is an awesome home base for day trips all over southern Italy. You can easily see the Amalfi coast, Pompeii, Capri, Vesuvius, and Sorrento. Myself, I only visited Sorrento. Blame it on the heat or the carbs, I was feeling pretty slow. It only takes a little over an hour to get to Sorrento from Naples. It was a little touristy and crowded but the coastline was beautiful. If I could do it over, I’d definitely check out some other areas before Sorrento. As the self- proclaimed sweatiest person in Italy (brag) though, I was just always happy to be by a body of water.
Sorrento
If you want to see Naples from high up, you can take a funicular to see some panoramic views of the city.
I don’t know what I’m doing either
When I wasn’t eating, I just wandered the city in pursuit of cool street art and, you guessed it, more food.
I had a really hard time leaving this place (and not just because I’m a massive procrastinator) and I know I will return someday and see more! Thanks for reading!
Paris! The city of love! In a super fun turn of events, Paris was my first stop after a breakup. What could go wrong, right?
This was not my first time in Paris. I had visited for a few days once before and it coincided with a terrible loss in my life. Feeling like I missed out on experiencing the beauty of this city previously, I was determined to redeem this place in my mind. Thanks to the amazing people I met while visiting Paris, I ended up having the best time.
I stayed at St. Christopher’s Paris Canal Hostel. It wasn’t exactly central, but the location near the canal was really nice. It had a bar and club, along with different events each night so it had a very social feel to it. There was a mojito making class and a big beer pong competition while I was staying there. Those are the only ones I remember because I’m pretty sure I left quite a few critical brain cells in Paris. One tip that I learned is to book directly through their website, rather than through the HostelWorld app, to receive free breakfasts during your stay. That’s something that can be good to check up on no matter where you’re planning to stay.
Arc de Triomphe
Paris seemed like it would be the perfect place to be boujee and book a photo shoot with AirBnb Experiences. I was nervous but Julia, the photographer, put me completely at ease and got some great shots while showing me some parts of Paris I might not have seen on my own. A majority of my sightseeing was while taking these photos so the experience was very quick but we covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
While in town, I saw the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, and the Trocadero (an excellent spot to get photos in front of the Eiffel Tower.) I found Paris to be very walkable but a lot of points of interest are a bit of a hike away from each other. The metro was pretty easy to navigate. Just don’t make my mistake and buy a metro pass that works for all the zones when you only need the central ones. I was rushing because I didn’t want to look like a clueless tourist and ended up overspending (like a clueless, albeit polite tourist). Before you buy the pass, do some research on where you plan to go and that will help you choose the right one for you.
Very on brand poseLe Louvre
During this trip, I was able to see the Eiffel Tour during the day for the first time. I’d recommend seeing it during day and night. The tower has a light show every hour from sunset until two in the morning during summer. Bring some wine and a blanket and watch the show. If you forget drinks, there will be people selling them (rather aggressively at times), so make sure you have some cash. One of my favorite memories in Paris is sitting with all my new friends mesmerized by the lights and haggling with wine vendors.
Everyone always says my mind’s in the gutter
Paris was exactly what I needed and while it’s not on the top of my list of favorite places, I would definitely return there. If and when I go back, I promise to be a better food blogger and eat something besides drunken kebab meals in the early hours of the morning. As you can see, there is photographic evidence of me eating a croissant. Very French. I tried.
I was very glad I chose Lyon as my next destination. I arrived there on an insanely delayed bus and, thanks to the kindness of a fellow traveler, was able to get to my hostel without much hassle despite getting to town around three in the morning. It was chill enough in Lyon that in just a couple days, I was able to recuperate from my partying in Paris. I can’t say I accomplished very much but the food was delicious. The burritos at So Food were fantastic- they had melted cheese on top and fries inside. What more could you ask for?
La Tour Métallique de FourvièreFries in the burrito and on the side? Sold.Poutine
I’d love to return to Lyon one day and see more of what this beautiful city has in store when it isn’t just a quick stop. Next up will be Naples, Italy! I have a feeling the pizza will be worth the eighteen-hour bus journey.
I knew only seeing Lisbon would not be nearly enough Portugal for me, so I headed to Porto. I didn’t know it at the time but there was a big football game during my stay. It made for a loud couple of nights near the hostel. Luckily the fans weren’t getting as crazy as the ones I encountered in Madrid.
One of my first stops was Manteigaria for pasteis de nata since I’d exhausted my supply on the three hour journey over. They were just as delicious as in Lisbon.
I set out kind of aimlessly to check out the sights in Porto and was fortunate to stumble upon the Miradouro da Vitória. This was a nice viewpoint that overlooks the Dom Luís I Bridge. It was a little hidden but there’s a small sign. The best part: it’s free unlike other viewpoints in the city!
You’ll find beautiful blue and white tile work on the Igreja de Carmo and lots of other buildings you’ll encounter in Porto.
I’d recommend checking out the baroque architecture of Clérigos Church and really paying attention to the amazing amount of detail that went into this structure.
Visiting the Jardins do Palacio de Cristal was easily one of my favorite parts of my trip. The reason for that is almost entirely peacock-related. While the gardens were very nice, I really just followed peacocks around for a couple hours (which will now be made very obvious since they’re basically in all the following photos). No regrets.
So majestic.
Those plumes though. Okay. Now he’s just showing off.
Seeing the gardens was well worth the very long walk from the center of town.
One place I didn’t get the chance to see was the Livraria Lello, a bookstore that was inspiration for J.K. Rowling. So if you’re a Potter fan, definitely reserve a spot early if that’s on your list!
I really enjoyed seeing what Porto had to offer, and feeling ten pounds heavier from the delicious desserts, I continued on and caught my flight to Paris!
I made it to Lisbon, Portugal very early on a Spring morning after taking an overnight bus from Madrid. Portugal has become a super popular destination in recent years and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see it for myself. I checked into Goodnight Lisbon but couldn’t get into my room yet as it was 8 am. Exhausted but also ready to explore, I decided to take a tour around the city offered by the hostel. I’m glad I did as it helped me acclimate and get used to the hilly terrain (as much as one can get used to it). I was also lucky enough to meet a few awesome fellow solo travelers that I spent the majority of my time with whilst in Lisbon. I highly recommend this hostel and its staff, and I’ve heard great things about Good Morning Lisbon too. Both offered free breakfast every morning which is such a great perk when you’re trying to stick to a budget.
Once I laid eyes on the Praça do Comércio I was in love with the beauty of this city. All the climbing during the tour was worth the inevitable soreness- a small price to pay for these gorgeous views.
Praça do Comércio
During my first tour, I learned that the Portuguese weren’t fond of dancing but they loved sad music. These must be my people. If I were to visit again, I would make sure to see a traditional Fado show. Fado shows are unique to Portugal and are characterized by their mournful, sad lyrics.
Pink Street
The Pink Street area of Lisbon is the hipstery part of the city, with lots of trendy bars. The street itself is a great photo opportunity for travelers.
Spend the day with yourself. Let nothing distract you. A poem emerges so young and so old. You can’t know how long it has lived in you.
I can’t offer a lot of recommendations for food in Portugal because of my seafood aversion. If you’re a seafood lover, you will have so many options in Lisbon. I had some great falafel at a vegetarian place in town called Juicy. Their smoothies were tasty as well.
Falafel at Juicy
My favorite thing to eat in Lisbon was undoubtedly the pasteis de nata. These custard tarts were delicious and addictive. The local tour guide swore by the ones at Manteigaria and they did not disappoint. You can also find gelato in the flavor of these treats.
Pasteis de Nata (aka the only dessert you could ever need)Pasteis de nata gelato: worthy of portrait-mode status
I took a tram to Belem and spent the afternoon there. I checked out Belem Tower and the nearby Discoveries Monument. It was nice to walk along the water there, hearing live music being played from musicians on the grass. I was too lazy to brave the lines, but if you want to compare the Lisbon pasteis de nata to those in Belem, definitely head to Fábrica Pastéis de Belém. A day trip to Belem would be the ideal amount of time to appreciate this area.
Sintra is absolutely beautiful. My first tip is don’t do what I did. I didn’t commit enough time to explore this town. Wake up early and make your way over there to get the most of its beauty, or better yet, book accommodation there. I arrived kind of late and felt like I had to rush around to see just a fraction of the sights Sintra has to offer. The easiest way around seemed to be the buses that went to each popular location. There are several so figure out which one fits your needs and time constraints. Strapped for time, I chose the one that brought me to the Castle of the Moors and the Palacio de Pena.
Views from the Castle of the Moors
Be prepared for lots of walking in Sintra- sneakers are a must. I got lost on the trails and never actually made it to the Palace (just one of several reasons I should’ve planned a longer day here) but managed to get some pictures from a distance. The grounds were also really nice to explore in general so I didn’t feel like I was missing out on too much. Also, one thing to note if you’re solo traveling: the tuk tuk drivers wouldn’t take me anywhere since I was by myself. I was told by friends that these were a cool way to get around but I guess it’s not worth it for the drivers to just bring one person to the sights. Slightly disappointing but the bus was convenient and not too pricey.
Palacio de Pena
Overall, Sintra is a great option for a break from the city. I’d love to go back one day and explore it more thoroughly.
My next stop is Porto! Portugal was far too beautiful for just one post. Hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen so far!
Bri Right Back 