Category: Places I visited

Day trip to Tulum during pandemic

Hey there! I fell like it’s been awhile since I shared any itineraries here. However, even in the middle of pandemic, my husband and I couldn’t stay in one place for long and decided that it was time to do a little trip. Besides, both of us worked from home, so we thought it was a good idea to spend a week or two somewhere else. So, our new adventure began. We spent 10 days in Cancun and it was about time to visit Tulum. To be fair, I have never been to Tulum before. Every time we visit Cancun, we had a whole itinerary planned, so there was no time. However, this time Tulum was on the list.
A few things to consider: we had completely different itinerary planned, but we had to change it. The plan was to visit Cenotes (we only visited Cenotes “Dos Ojos” before, so we were curious about the rest), but when we arrived, we noticed that the people did next to nothing to prevent spread of Covid-19, so we changed our minds. Also, we wanted to have breakfast at “Raw Love Cafe” but the line to enter was way too long. So, it’s a good thing we had plan B.
Tulum and Covid-19: Tulum was full of people, it seemed like there was no pandemic going on in the world. That being said, it was full of tourists that did not wear masks. On the streets, restaurants and even beach, it seemed like Tulum was “mask-free zone”. I feel like it is definitely more regulated in Cancun. So, we decided to do just a few things to go back.

  • Breakfast at Del Cielo where we found the best açaí bowl I have ever tried! Fast service, delicious food and amazing atmosphere! Such a happy place to start the day off right!
  • Snorkeling at Yal-Ku Lagoon. We decided to go for one activity that day that turned out to best experiences of our lives! We made sure that Covid-19 precautions were taken before going any further. The Lagoon is accessible to everyone including children, and there are tours as well as life jackets available for rent. I would highly suggest bringing cash because there is almost no signal at Yal-Kul Lagoon for the terminals to work. However, we got lucky and were able to pay with a card. Keep in mind that Lagoon is located next to a popular Akumal beach, so it might be a good idea to visit it as well. Here is a little preview of what you might see while snorkeling:

There is nothing like a fresh delicious and filling food after a day of snorkeling! We absolutely loved this place and everything it has to offer.

  • … and we couldn’t leave without visiting Downtown, and saying good bye while watching sunsets and pelicans.

XX,
Gena

One day trip to San Miguel de Allende

Hello there! My new year started with an amazing trip to Mexico! It turned out to be one of the most relaxing but, at the same time, the busiest trips to this beautiful country. We started it off by visiting my in-laws in Mexico City, followed by a road trip to small towns of the state of Querétaro, and a yearly trip to Cancun. On top of that, we have finally made time to visit UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, San Miguel de Allende. So, today I will share our perfect one-day itinerary to this unique place.

First things first: we drove to San Miguel de Allende from another small town that was only 40 minutes away. However, there is a tollway you can take if you’re driving from Mexico City. 

 If you have enough time to explore, I would highly recommend flying to Del Bajio Airport (Leon/Guanajuato), spending at least a day there, and drive to San Miguel de Allende afterward. Ultimately, there is a town called “Tequisquiapan” famous for its vineyards and Hot Air Baloon rides. 

Accommodation: We haven’t stayed overnight in San Miguel de Allende, but from what I could see – there’re so many absolutely gorgeous little hotels, and even Airbnb apartments!

Language: it is expected of you to speak Spanish. At least this is what I thought, and was prepared to do so. However, San Miguel de Allende turned out to be so touristy that English was spoken left and right. The last time this happened was during our trip to Oaxaca de Juares.  However, if you’re hoping to get better deals, Spanish would be the language of your choice.

To make your trip more enjoyable:

  • Start your morning by… finding a perfect parking spot. You won’t need a car to explore the city, and there is plenty of free parking around that fills up quickly as more travelers arrive. 
  • Have a delicious brunch with an exceptional Lavanda latte at Lavanda Café (it’s impossible to miss, there is always a line of people waiting to come in).

To see the best of San Miguel de Allende, all you have to do is wander around the city and everything I mention here will be on your way:

  1. Jardín Principal is a local meet-and-greet place. It is located across the street from the number one attraction, the Parroquia (parish church), that is a must-visit. 
  2. Mercado de Artesanias is quite a famous market where you can find almost everything from handicrafts to snacks and local produce! 
  3. Parque Benito Juares is not only a beautiful park, it’s also an amazing place to spot local artists and get away from the crowds. You will also appreciate so many beautiful streets as you walk towards it.
  4. San Agustin Chocolate&Churros. To speak my truth, we haven’t made it there even though everyone I know highly recommends this place (just check the reviews yourself). We had churros at “El Moro” in Mexico City just a couple of days before this trip, and were still full. Besides, the line was really long. 
  5. Calle Aldama is easily the most photographic street in San Miguel de Allende.
  6. Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and fun decor at La Sirena Gorda. 
  7. Get the best view of the city at El Mirador: it will require some serious walk up, but I promise it’s worth it!
  8. End the day by grabbing a drink at Luna Tapas Bar and enjoy the lights of the city!

Thank you for stopping by! I hope this post was useful and you’ll have the best time exploring one of the most underrated cities in Mexico – San Miguel de Allende!

P.S. Use this link to get $55 off your first booking with Airbnb. In my experience, Mexico offers one of the most unique places to stay for a very reasonable price, so I would highly recommend to give it a try.

XX,
Gena 

Weekend In Chicago In Winter: How To Make The Most Out Of Your Gateway

Hello there! I hope everyone had a great holiday season. My husband and I have just come back from an amazing 3 days weekend in Chicago, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. Truth be told, the idea of going to a windy city occurred when we realized that our yearly Christmas trip to Denver, CO was not going to happen. 
We have been to Chicago 3 years ago in September, but have never experienced it during winter. We were warned about the cold and snow, but that’s what the holiday season is about for us. (Especially because we live in Austin, TX). Long story short, it took me about 15 minutes to find flights and accommodation and another 5 minutes to convince my husband that it’d be a great idea because Chicago, IL is still among the best cities for a weekend gateway in the USA. We desperately needed to get out of Texas and experience something different. 
Now, if you’re planning a relaxing weekend gateway to this amazing one of a kind city in winter, maybe our input would help you. 

THE WEATHER:
Winter in Chicago is far from mild, and it is nothing like snowy Colorado. But they’re so many things to do and see, and so many places where you can treat yourself to a cup of hot chocolate or tea, that it doesn’t seem to be an issue. In the end, you’re always on the go. 

ACCOMMODATION: HOTEL OR AIRBNB?
The last time we came, we went for a hotel that was farther from downtown, so we could save some $$. However, this time I wanted “home away from home” with a walking distance to most places. Airbnb seemed like a great option, and I would highly recommend finding the apartment that would be in a great neighborhood. For instance, we stayed next to Dave&Busters, just next to Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.

TRANSPORTATION
The public transportation system in Chicago (CTA) is something I wish for here in Austin. You can easily avoid traffic by taking train and/or bus to a destination. It would take you about 45 minutes to get from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Downtown by train. I would highly recommend purchasing Unlimited-ride passes from any Ventra Vending Machine. They can be used on both buses and trains and will save you a lot of money on transportation. Unlike in Europe, where your day pass would be valid until midnight of the same day. 

ACTIVITIES
If you’re hoping to have a relaxing weekend in Chicago rather than a busy expedition, I would suggest spending more time wandering around beautiful neighborhoods of the city. In the end, that’s what it is famous for. We also:

  • spent a day at The Art Institute of Chicago. I consider it to be the best museum in town, so it’s worth time and money. Even if you have only a few hours to spare, this museum is a must.
  • went ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. Located at Millenium Park, this is a perfect place to enjoy this winter activity. We both like ice skating but it’s hard to find an outdoor ice rink of that size in Texas. You can stay for as long as you wish and the only charge is skate rentals. Also, the good news is the rink is scheduled to remain open through March 8. 
  • Recorded our version of “Smellly cat” at Friends Central Perk Pop Up at AT&T store at Michigan Ave. If you love “Friends” TV Show as much as we do, this place will bring you so much joy!
  • Spent so much time exploring Christkindlmarket Chicago. If you have never been to Christmas Markets in Germany, but would love to get a sneak peek, that’s the place to be. It is truly one of a kind experience. You can find anything from German mulled wine and pretzels to traditional toys and decorations. 
  • we did some shopping as well. Because how can you not shop when in Chicago? 😉 

FOOD

XX,
Gena.

First time in Munich and why I’ll be back

Let me start by telling you that I didn’t really want to go to Munich. I have never been to Germany and after visiting Berlin I felt like it was not my kind of place. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind visiting and I understand that Germany is much more than Berlin but there were other countries I’d much rather explore. Our anniversary trip was coming, and Italy was a country of my choice while my husband picked Germany. A week in Munich, to be exact. So, here I was – vegetarian who doesn’t drink beer and is completely in love with Italy on a 6-hour train to Munich. Long story short, at the end of the trip I didn’t really want to leave: it turned out, there was much more to Munich than beer and schnitzel. So, today I am sharing my favorite things about the city that make me want to come back:

  • The parks to balance city life

The first thing that caught me by surprise about Munich was its absolutely beautiful clean parks. I could never have thought that the city would be so green! For instance, English Garden is one of the world’s biggest urban parks, and it’s even bigger than beloved New York’sCentral Park.
The weather was perfect, so we took advantage and spent as much time as we could exploring the parks and even having picnics there during our one week in Munich. We were able to escape big-city life anytime we felt like there were too many people around. 

  • Pedestrian-friendly and accessible

I simply loved exploring Munich thanks to its very well-establish transportation system and pedestrian-friendly streets. For the group of 2 people or more, you can always buy a 24-hour metro pass. The ability to spend a day walking around gives you the feeling of freedom you miss at home when you spend shocking amount of time in traffic. On top of that, walking to grocery stores and bakeries in the morning was very convenient.

  • Sundays

A close friend of mine who lives in Munich warned me that many stores and restaurants would be closed on Sundays. At first, it was very weird to realize that Sunday brunch wasn’t happening. When you live in the USA, Sunday is your favorite day – that’s when get-together for a meal and shopping happen. But, if you think about it, what a great way to allow people in Germany to have a day off to spend time with families. So, we did the best thing we could do – made breakfast at home and visited museums. 

  • Museums, castles, and churches

Munich has so much to offer when it comes to museums, churches, castles, etc. I would highly recommend visiting as many museums as possible if you happen to be in the city on Sunday: the entrance is only €1. Also, do yourself a favor and try to climb 300 steps of St.Peter’s Church to enjoy the best view in Munich. 

  • Marienplatz

Marienplatz is another reason to fall in love with the city: not only Glockenspiel gathers people of all ages from all over the world at 12 p.m. to enjoy Schäfflertanz, but it also shows a different side of Munich – less crowded and calm at night. And if you feel like it becomes too crowded – there’re always parks to visit!

  • The city of good food, holy carbs and…. good coffee!

Ok, where do I begin? I could never have thought that Munich would have such a great selection of food no matter what your diet and lifestyle are. I was also surprised by good coffee served even in Biergartens. We came from Italy, where we would start and end the day with some kind of pastries or bread, so I expected nothing more than pretzels in Munich. Well, I came home a couple of lbs heavier, because I couldn’t stop eating their delicious freshly baked bread, cakes, and all kinds of pastries. 

  • The food markets

To sum up my previous thoughts about all the good food in Munich, I must mention its food markets. Victuals Market was our favorite one: it reminded me of a really big Biergarten that had so many things to offer that the only problem you had was to decide what you wanted to eat/drink. Well, another issue we had was cash – just like many places in Munich, vendors at this market accept cash only. So, be aware of that if you want to try the best food Munich has to offer. 

  •  Clean and safe

Munich is one of the safest cities…. in the world! Since day one you can see that it takes their security very seriously, so both locals and tourists feel very comfortable and safe. 
It’s really crowded in Munich but, no matter where you are, on the train to Germering, in the park, in the restaurant or on the street the name you can’t possibly remember, you won’t see garbage (at least, we didn’t). 

  • Biergartens

The culture of having a meal together, sharing the stories, talking, enjoying good music with no pressure to pay and leave (in the way that you may need to chase a waiter to get your check) is something amazing. It’s like a stress-free zone with happy thoughts and happy people. Even if you’re not meat and beer kind of person!

These were just a few reasons to visit (and come back) to Munich! Have you been to this beautiful city? And, if you have, what’s your favorite thing about Munich? 

XX,
Gena

3 Biergartens for the best Munich experience

Why would a girl that doesn’t drink beer (or eat meat) recommend beer gardens in Germany? Well, let me tell you one thing: my husband spends a good deal of time visiting breweries when we travel, so this post will be “beer lover approved”. He is also a picky eater, so the Biergartens mentioned here also offer a great selection of food. On top of that, I am vegetarian, so you won’t have to wonder whether your vegetarian friend or family member would have something to enjoy as well. Shall we begin?

Augustiner Keller Biergarten
If you have time to visit only one Biergarten, it should be this one. Besides the amazing atmosphere and kind people working there, it also offers a wide selection of drinks and eats. We’ve been there twice: for dinner, and also for coffee and Apple Strudel. It gets pretty crowded in the evening, so keep in mind when planning a visit.
If you are vegetarian, you’ll have no problem finding something delicious to eat as well as a few cocktails and delicious desserts.

Hofbräuhaus München
This is one of the oldest and most iconic Biergartens, so this is a must-visit when in Munich. The location is quite convenient since it’s right next to Marienplatz. I would highly recommend spending the first half of your day exploring Old Town Hall, New Town Hall, the Column of St. Mary or climb St Peter’s Church Tower for the breathtaking view of Munich. Then, you can enjoy the performance of Glockenspiel at Marienplatz at12 and head over to Hofbräuhaus for delicious lunch.
P.S. they also serve delicious coffee and a few some vegetarian options.

Paulaner Bräuhaus
Since Paulaner beer is my husband’s favorite, the trip to this Bräuhaus was planned a long time ago. It is located a little off the touristy area, so it’s a great change after the day of exploring the city. The interior is really beautiful, and the menu offers a variety of classic Bavarian dishes, as well as modern and vegetarian items. The quality of food is excellent, so is the beer and even wine! My family tried Schnitzel, Bavarian Sausages, and traditional German Goulash and were more than happy about what they got. On the vegetarian side, my salad with fried mushrooms and watermelon was outstanding!

These were 3 Biergartens approved by a picky vegetarian who favors desserts, knowledgable beer lover, a man who has been eating meat all his life and a woman who knows a lot about the quality of food. So, next time you’re in Munich – do yourself a favor, give it a try and don’t forget to tell me what is your favorite Biergarten in Bavaria’s capital!

XX,
Gena.

To fall in love with Bologna

Did you know there are two leaning towers in Bologna and you won’t find Spaghetti Bolognese in Bologna? Well, I didn’t. Today I will give you more than enough reasons to plan a trip to Bologna by sharing my experience. It is important to know that Bologna is the largest city and the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Our itinerary in Italy included many touristy places, so I decided to go to Bologna as the last stop to have some rest before heading to Munich, Germany. 

FIRST IMPRESSION:
Bologna turned out to be very different from all the places we visited in Italy, and that’s exactly what I liked about it: a splash of color, different architecture, waterways that make you think you’re in Venice… What an adventure! 
We spent 3 days in Bologna, and, since most places were closed in August, we were able to experience the city without the crowds. We were surrounded mostly by locals that would come to Pizza Maggiore in the evening to enjoy the world of cinema. 

TO EXPERIENCE MORE OF BOLOGNA, YOU MUST SEE:
Asinelli Tower (leaning towers of Bologna) 
Portico
Piazza Maggiore 
Canale di Reno
Basilica of San Petronio  
666 Portici in Bologna 
Archiginnasio 
Monte Della Guardia
Torre Prendiparte
St Stephen Basilica 
Fountain of Neptune 
Podestá 
and…
at least a few parks

MUST EAT IN BOLOGNA:
Mortadella (Italian sausage), Salame Rosa, Tortellini in the broth, piscinas, sorta di Roso (sweet rice cake), Lambrusco (sparkling red wine) and gelato at Cremeria “Santo Stefano”.
If you like food markets, you may as well pay a visit to Mercato di Mezzo (oldest but quite touristy market), Mercato Della Terra, and Mercato Delle Erbe. They are not as exciting as Mercato Centrale in Florence, but the food was delicious! 
I would highly recommend having dinner at Osteria dell’ Orsa where locals and tourists come together to enjoy traditional and modern dishes of Bologna. There are many delicious food options availible even for vegetarians! We ate there two nights in a row, so we got a chance to try different things, and the wait was always worth it. Make sure you find a hostess so she can add your name to the waiting list because it gets really crowded. 

DON’T FORGET:

  • The mains roads are closed during the weekends which makes the time spent in Bologna even more relaxed. But, if you stay outside of the city center, the bus schedules also change. 
  • If you’re planning on using public transport a lot, it would make sense to purchase a City Pass ticket that allows you to take 10 trips and save some $$. It can also be used for several people but must be validated every time and for each and every person using it. City Pass ticket can be purchased at Tabacchi shops or Newspaper Stands. 
  • Talk to locals, eat where locals eat. We had a few hours to spare before the train to Germany and were getting hungry. Now, even if you travel with a carry-on, it’s still uncomfortable to walk far to find a spot to eat and then come back (and make it on time). We remembered the grocery store that had a food court not far from the railway station where we saw locals dining. Visitors were avoiding it since it didn’t look fancy or attractive…and that’s where we had one of the best meals! Made by locals for locals 🙂 Lasagna Bolognese and my tortellini with ricotta cheese were top notch! 

I hope the trip to Bologna will be your next adventure!

XX,
Gena

First time in Florence: must try&do

You guys know how much I love traveling, especially when it’s our yearly anniversary trip. Florence was one of the reasons the country of my choice was Italy. Again 🙂 Ever since we went to Rome and Naples last year, I knew I wanted to come back. Florence was something magical and easily became our “must visit” destination. We stayed here for 3 days and made a quick one day trip to see the leaning tower of Pisa. Despite the fact that we didn’t spend much time in Florence, and it is one of the most crowded cities in Italy, it was almost too easy to fall in love with this unique charming place. So, today I’ll talk details!

ACCOMMODATION
I always try to be honest and avoid sugarcoating my posts. I started writing the blog to share with the travelers like you the truth behind the perfect adventures. So, here is what you have to remember about Florence in summer: it’s really hot. Even for somebody who comes from Austin, TX. That being said, you have to make sure there is A/C no matter where yo stay. We booked a place through Airbnb with no A/C but a good working fan, and were forced to leave it and look for a hotel room because it was way too hot to stay there. We ended up in B&B Hotel Firenze City Center with a gorgeous view and good A/C.


THINGS TO REMEMBER:
– A/C is a must in the room;
– comfortable shoes will make your daily 15 miles walks more enjoyable;
– you will need a scarf to cover your head/shoulders/legs if you’re hoping to visit basilicas.

WHERE TO EAT?

  • If I had to pick one place to eat in Florence, it would be a food market. Mercato Centrale Firenze is our absolute favorite spot to find the best produce (speaking from both vegetarian and meat-eater points of view). There are so many delicious Italian dishes to try there – from famous Panino con Lampredotto to variety of pasta in the small pasta shop o the first floor, Caprese salad, Italian wines, gelatos and even cannoli from a tiny cannoli stand. The market is the ultimate destination for foodies. I would highly recommend it for lunch and even dinner. Just remember to always bring cash.
    Other than that, Florence is a gem when it comes to coffee shops and bars for Aperitivo.

    BREAKFAST
    Here are a few of my favorite places to have traditional Italian breakfast (pastries + coffee):Mo’Si caffeteria alla vecchia maniera (absolute winner for cornetti con crema)
  • Ghibellina Forno Pasticceria Bakery (in Florence since 1890)
  • Bar Pasticceria Piccioli
  • La Loggia degli Albizi

    APERITIVO
    We haven’t made it to many places since we really liked Mercato Centrale Firenze but here a few good options for you:
  • Il Rifrullo
  • Cabiria
  • Kitsch

THINGS TO DO:

  • Piazza Della Signoria
  • Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
  • Piazzale Michelangelo
  • Galleria Degli Uffizi
  • Mercato Centrale Firenze
  • Galleria dell’Accademia
  • Giardina di Boboli (it will require some serious hiking, so don’t forget about comfortable shoes and a lot of water)
  • Palazzo Pitti
  • The Ponte Vecchio (grab some produce and a bottle of wine and treat yourself to dinner while watching the sunset)
  • The Bargello
  • Palazzo Vecchio
  • Medici Chapel
  • San Marco Museum
  • Giotto’s Bell Tower

I hope you’ll fall in love with Florence the way we did! And, don’t forget: explore more! It will fascinate you how much more you can see only if you allow yourself to wander around Firenze.

XX,
Gena.