Autumn in New York
My husband and I visited New York for the second time this year in November. The first time we visited was in May and the mask mandate was just lifted. Things were just starting to get back to to normal in New York. This trip was the complete opposite. New York was bustling again and it was busier than I have ever seen it. Autumn in New York is my absolute favorite time of year, especially in November when it is at its peak. I decided to bring just my small Fujifilm camera for a different photography style this time which I ended up loving. We stayed at the Bryant Park Hotel in midtown. The hotel itself was nice and quiet but then you go outside and you are really in the thick of the city. The Christmas markets were going on in Bryant Park already so we were lucky enough to experience it this year.
The first day we ate breakfast at Angelina which is on the same block as the hotel. It is a but touristy but it was freezing and they had delicious hot chocolate. Afterwards we walked around the area through the park and the library. I did a little shopping and then just relaxed in the hotel. Later for happy hour we had drinks and a snack at The Skylark. It is probably one of the best rooftop bars in the city with almost 360 degrees views. After we went down to soho, and it was the first time I took the subway in years, It felt really exhilarating again. We had drinks at Temple Bar and then dinner we ate at Bowery Meat Company.
The next day I woke up early and grabbed a classic NYC bagel at Zucker’s. My husband had to work so I spent the day doing some of my favorite NYC activities. I was meeting my sister on the Upper East Side where I used to live so I decided to walk there and explore the city. Taking a long walk through Central Park is one of my favorite things to do in the city in Autumn. It is truly magical and there is just nothing else like it. I always like to hit my favorite spots in the park, but sometimes I even stumble upon new areas.
After the park I wanted to visit the Met but unfortunately did not have time before meeting my sister. I decided to check out Albertine Bookstore which I had never been to. Albertine is a French bookstore located in a beautiful building on 5th avenue. After the bookstore I walked all the way to York avenue and took in my old neighborhood. Kids were just getting out of school as I walked passed Madison and Park Avenue. Some Halloween decorations were even still up. It still felt like home but also not really. I met up with my sister and we got pastries at a bakery. Later that day I met back up with my husband and we ventured back downtown. We had dinner reservations at Scarpetta but they were so overwhelmed, we left and ended up at Upland which was great and had no wait.
Our last day in the city we decided to walk all the way downtown. We stumbled upon an amazing museum dedicated to photography called Fotografiska. Each floor had a different photography exhibit and you could also bring wine around the museum which we could not resist doing. After we had a very long French lunch at Boucherie nearby. Then went to a fun cocktail bar called Mister Paradise. We continued our journey downtown, did some shopping, and ended our final night at Pylos in the East Village, and old favorite of ours.
The Faena Miami
On our recent trip to Miami we stayed at the unbelievable Faena Hotel. The Faena is an Argentinian hotel located in Mid Beach. The creator of the hotel, Alan Faena wanted his hotel to feel like a movie come to life, which it actually does. (more like a crazy fever dream) The hotel is maximalism at it’s best. The people watching is incredible. When you enter the hotel you are immediately transported to another world. The “Cathedral” is the lobby entrance with beautiful murals and mosaic tiles filling the room. When you walk outside the star of the hotel, the Damien Hurst gold Woolly Mammoth is on display outside. Unfortunately they might be taking it away because it is not supposed to be in the sun, and when we were there the glass was cracking.
Back inside, check in is a very personal experience, nobody is standing up behind a desk. We were exhausted after a red eye flight and were able to upgrade to a room that was ready overlooking the pool and ocean. The original hotel was called the Saxony built in 1928. It underwent a massive renovation to become the Faena. You can tell the history still in this hotel by the elevators and the hallways. The room was pretty standard but still incredibly beautiful and upscale with great attention to detail. Honestly one of our our favorite parts was the high-tech toilet. The terrace and the view of the pool and beach of course was worth the pricey upgrade.
We decided to get the full Faena experience by pretty much doing everything at the hotel. The first day I checked out the spa.. The spa is beautiful of course with many amenities including a Hamam. In the morning we had a beautiful pool day and it was not crowded at all. At the pool we were greeted by a huge iguana that came by our chairs. I love the location of the hotel as well in Mid Beach. It is still very walkable but away from the craziness of South Beach.
We at at both restaurants on property, Pao and Los Fuegos. Pao is located up a beautiful spiral staircase. In the middle of the restaurant there is a Damien Hurst Statue of course. I highly recommend the fried chicken and the wagyu bao buns. Los Fuegos is Argentian food, and you can actually see them smoking everything outside of the restaurant. When we at there, Alan Faena was also there just a few tables away.
All in all it was a truly wonderful stay and probably the craziest hotel we have had the pleasure of staying in. I think for us this was a one time experience and not sure if we would stay here again because we definitely got the full experience.
The TWA Hotel
Our last night in New York we decided to stay at the TWA Hotel which is located in JFK Airport. TWA is an old terminal from the 1960’s that was renovated into a hotel. The minute you step inside you are transported to the 1960’s glamour era of travel. I love the 60’s so I am just a bit obsessed with this hotel as you can see by my retro outfits. The hotel is huge with over 500 rooms. We stayed in the Hughes wing, and our room was great. It was filled with Mid Century Modern decor, and I just loved the attention to detail. There was even an old rotary phone in the room.
After we got to our room we dressed up and checked out the hotel. Walking around the hotel felt like I was in Mad Men or Catch Me If You Can. Make sure you check out the whole property because there are many spots that are hidden. After our walk we got a drink at the bar downstairs and enjoyed listening to the wonderful retro music playlist that they play 24/7. Later we got dinner at the restaurant Paris Cafe by Jean Georges. The food was a little basic but really tasty nonetheless. I think that because so many people come and go from this hotel they need to make sure they cater to everyone. It is a beautiful restaurant, but is what I would call fancy/casual.
The next day we woke up and grabbed a bite to eat at the food hall downstairs. Then we put on our bathing suits and went to their epic rooftop pool which overlooks the tarmac. The pool is heated so no worries if it is cold outside. It is truly one of the coolest hotel pool experiences I have had. After that we explored some more and took pictures by Connie the Airplane. Our flight was not until 4:30 so we extended our stay that day. It was so easy to get to our terminal. It was only 1 stop on the air train and probably took us less than 10 minutes. I would definitely recommend coming to stay here especially since you do not need to rush from the city to JFK in traffic and risk being late for your flight. One night or even a day stay is enough staying here to do everything you want to do, because there is really nothing else around the hotel.
There were just a few of downsides to our stay. One, is that the room was a bit stuffy. It was very hot that day and there are no windows to open either. Two is that not everything was open due to the pandemic restrictions. We were really looking forward to the cocktail bar inside of Connie the airplane but it was closed (only to open a few days after we left). Regardless we had an incredible time and I cannot wait to come back and stay here again.
NYC is Back Baby!
*The Mandarin Oriental New York
It has been two years since I have been back to my hometown of New York City. We decided our first big trip since the pandemic would be to go back to New York. I missed both my city and my family so much. I was curious just how much New York changed or didn’t change. I went in with no expectations and I was blown away on our trip with how amazing it was to be back in the city. People said NYC is over but it is SO not over! It was probably our best trip to New York ever. We were even blessed with perfect spring weather too!
*Marea Restaurant
*Central Park
*The Ludlow
A Day in Coronado: After the 2nd vaccine dose.
My husband and I finally ventured out again after getting both of our 2nd dose vaccinations. We decided to celebrate by going to Coronado island finally. We have been in San Diego almost a year and had not yet checked it out. We were so excited to experience life again and it felt incredible. We stopped at the Hotel del Coronado and walked along the boardwalk for a bit then ate dinner at the restaurant Little Frenchie. We had a bit too much to drink and ended up taking our shoes off and frolicking on the beach. What an exhilarating feeling it was to feel normal again! It is a feeling I really cannot put into words. The little things were making me the most happy like seeing a cute dog on the boardwalk, or feeling the sand between my toes. After the beach we sat outside at a bar at the hotel and I was seated right next to a stranger at the bar and was not worried. It is still going to take some getting used to doing things the way we used to do them. Soon we will both eat inside of a restaurant finally and see our friends and family. We are so grateful to have been vaccinated and cannot wait for what the future holds.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is an enormous park right in the center of San Diego. Fun fact- it is actually larger than Central Park in NYC! It is probably one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen. There is just so much to see and do here and there is so much you might miss, make sure you have a full day to take it all in. I recommend taking a car to the main parking entrance to get started.
Places to check out:
The Spreckels Organ Pavillion
The Botanic Garden and Lily Pond ( the indoors is closed right now)
Japanese Garden
The Sculpture Garden
Spanish Village Arts Center
Palm Canyon
California Tower
Trees for Health Medicinal Plant Garden
The Cactus Garden
The Museums ( they are mostly closed right now but will open soon)
San Diego Zoo ( although I recommend making this a separate day trip since it is massive and will take up the entire day)
After you are done I recommend walking down the Cabrillo bridge where you can see views of San Diego. Then have lunch at one of the yummy restaurants in Bankers Hill.
Rancho Valencia
Hello readers! It has been quite a while since I posted on my blog. This year has obviously been crazy and I did take a long break from my photography and social media to focus on other things I felt were very important. There are so many changes that have happened this year. The best one is that we now have a home in San Diego!
For my birthday this year I did not want to get on a plane again so we decided to explore Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, only a 30 min drive outside of downtown San Diego. This resort was perfect for a private, and romantic getaway. I honestly felt like I was on the Bachelor but the only contestant!
This year has been crazy but it made me really realize what is most important in life. In the future even if things return back to normal, this has changed us all and I am definitely changed maybe for the better.
La Jolla San Diego
Every year we plan on spending the summer elsewhere besides Texas. Dallas is brutally hot in the summer where there is zero relief from the heat. My husband has summers off as well so we always look for a cooler climate to spend this time.
This year things are obviously so much different. We had always planned to spend a Summer in San Diego where the weather is perfect all year round and we were lucky enough to find a sublet in beautiful Bankers Hill during the pandemic.
One of my favorite spots in San Diego is La Jolla. It is probably one of the most beautiful places in the United States with the bluest water. La Jolla cove is a great place to snorkel, swim, kayak, sight see, and of course watch the sea lions bathing in the sun. Last time we were here the sea lions were sleeping, but this time they were all out and about we got to be so close to them!
Around the beach there is a town with great shopping and restaurants. La Valencia is a must see, a gorgeous pink hotel with beautiful views and pool. On our recent trip here we tried George’s at The Cove for a late lunch, a San Diego staple restaurant. We had beautiful views of the ocean on their rooftop. They are also known to have the best fish tacos in San Diego. They were very good but honestly not my favorite, I am very picky. My favorite fish tacos in San Diego are actually in the Gaslamp at Serrano’s.
After eating at George’s we took a walk along the coastline. This coastal walk reminds me of Australia’s Bondi to Bronte walk. As we waited for sunset we grabbed a glass of wine and some food at We Olive, a cute wine bar overlooking the ocean. Afterward we walked all around until the sun set. La Jolla, we will be back again soon!
Maison de la Luz
New Orleans is definitely having a moment right now. Basically every single travel magazine is talking about this city. On the cover of this month’s Conde Nast Traveler is Maison de Luz, a guest house adjacent to the Ace Hotel. My husband and I decided to stay here actually before that cover was released and when I saw it I was even more excited to stay here. It is definitely the hot new hotel in New Orleans. Many celebrities stay here too because it is very private (I saw Kevin Jonas in the lobby) I would say the feel of the hotel actually reminds me in a good way of both American Horror Story Hotel and Coven.
The rooms are gorgeous and every last detail is impeccable. I personally love the snake shower handle and the bathroom tiles. They give you a tassel with a key fob attached to it instead of a plastic room key. The bed is incredibly comfortable, and the room service was great. I didn’t get a chance to eat in the restaurant but did go to Bar Marilou for a drink. This is probably one of the most beautiful and well decorated bars I have seen. It is located behind a bookcase and reminds me of a 1800’s courtisan’s apartment.
I cannot wait for our next trip to New Orleans because I want to definitely stay here again!
Vintage Vegas
Downtown Vegas is one of the most unique and “must see” spots in Vegas. If you are in Vegas I highly recommend leaving the strip and taking the short trip to downtown. There is so much to see here and will take you back in time to how Vegas used to be. Not many people know but Downtown Vegas was the real Vegas before the strip was created. The most popular spot is The Freemont Street Experience. If you have just a short time in Vegas I recommend taking a walk through this wild strip. Pass by the classic casinos like The Golden Nugget and Four Queens. The odds are also better in these casinos and everything is cheaper.
Besides Freemont, if you have more time in Vegas there are other parts to explore. As you exit Freemont street toward S Las Vegas Blvd you will hit the heart of Downtown Vegas with a ton of hipster bars and restaurants. Keep going and pass the El Cortez, with a few more vintage neon signs. Walk one more block and you will hit Container Park. a small area of shops and cafes that are housed in old shipping containers. After checking it out, keep walking and explore a more un touched area of downtown but worth a walk to. There are older motels and neon signs, but it does get a bit sketchy so I don’t recommend walking alone at night. If you are into taking pictures this is a place that not many tourists will go to, so it is a bit of a hidden gem!
Labor Day Weekend in Sonoma
This past Labor Day we stayed at one of our favorite places in the world- Sonoma. We always stay at the Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa. It is probably the most relaxing hotel ever. Sonoma as a whole is just so relaxing and chill, we do not even venture to Napa. During our stay we went to a few wineries, tasting rooms, and enjoyed the delicious farm to table food,.
The first day we started off at the spa inside of the Fairmont which is probably on of the best spas I have been to. All of the water on the property is derived from the Boyes Hot Springs so it is all natural mineral water. I felt rejuvenated already. We began the wine tastings at Chateau St. Jean which is probably one of the prettiest Vineyards in Sonoma. We did the special Reserve Tasting which is outside on the patio overlooking the vineyards. After that we enjoyed the tasting rooms nearby, Spann and VJB. Later in the day we walked all the way to downtown Sonoma during sunset and ate at Della Santina’s.
The next day we ate lunch at Tasca Tasca which is a delicious tapas place in downtown Sonoma. After that we explored some of the tasting rooms downtown then went to Jacuzzi Vineyards. Jacuzzi was beautiful and the actual Jacuzzi tub was named after the family who invented the Jacuzzi motor, but the wines were actually very good. Later that day we went to Michelin rated Glen Ellen Star which was probably my favorite restaurant of this trip.
Our final day in Sonoma we had a nice lunch at Oso downtown and then did the Barrel Tour at Buena Vista Winery. Buena Vista is the oldest winery in Sonoma and they definitely stick to that theme. The tour guide showed us around the beautiful wine cave that looked like it was out of Game of Thrones. Our last dinner was spent at one of our favorite restaurants located inside of the Fairmont, Sante. Can we just move here please?
Sadelle's at The Bellagio
On a recent trip to Vegas we decided to try out the new restaurant inside the Bellagio, Sadelle’s. I honestly had no idea I was walking into a pink and blue pastel filled paradise when we decided to eat here! The new restaurant is right behind the Bellagio Conservatory. It is fitting that the theme of the Conservatory right now is Japanese Cherry Blossoms. We sat down on the chic blue chairs and ordered a couple of cocktails. The food is pretty basic but exactly what you need to cure a hangover!
Waldorf Astoria Boca Raton
After Miami, we took an Uber to Boca Raton to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Boca Beach Club. This hotel is split up into two properties which you can get to via a shuttle or water taxi. My husband had a conference here, and what a beautiful place to be for work! We stayed at the beach club side which is more modern and is directly on the beach. The other part of the hotel where the conference was is an old pink Venetian style building. The best part was the enormous spa which is both indoor and outdoor (pictured below) .
The Confidante Miami Beach
On our recent trip to Miami, we stayed for the first time at The Confidante Hotel which may be one of my favorite hotels ever. The Confidante is located a little further up from Ocean Drive in a much quieter area but still around some of the best hotels in the city. It is the most picture perfect Miami hotel and takes you back to the era of art deco. Every little detail here has a vintage and candy colored vibe. It is low season here, so we got a great deal on the room which was on the top floor with a wrap around balcony. Months after staying here I randomly watched Dua Lipa’s music video “New Rules” and realized that it was filmed here!
Here are a few places we went in Miami:
The Broken Shaker- A beautiful mostly outdoor bar and restaurant. We ate at their restaurant late night for dinner. I like the Mediterranean spin they put on their dishes. I am obsessed with their crispy chickpeas.
MiniBar- A tiny adorable bar that is known for giving you the small minibar bottles inside of your drink.
The Bazaar by Jose Andres- We have always wanted to try Bazaar in Vegas but never got around to going all the way to SLS. The Bazaar was delicious and exceeded our expectations. One of my favorite drinks of all time is their salt air margarita. It tastes like the ocean.
Lagniappe- A cozy wine bar with live music and you can hand pick your meats and cheese.
The Fountainebleu- Scarpetta- We have been to the one in Vegas, but we tried the one here just for a pasta appetizer and it did not disappoint! The pasta is some of the best I have ever had here.
Casa Faena Cafe- We stumbled upon this cute boutique hotel looking for a place around us for lunch. I think it is just a smaller version of the huge Faena resort but I like this better. The cafe was beautiful and felt like you were transported to Havana.
Cecconi’s- A beautiful outdoor restaurant inside the Soho House. I had possibly the best eggplant parmesan ever here!
PS- My husband was such a good sport to take photos of me- I just had to ask him and he willingly (sort of) accepted.
Dior in Dallas
It is not often that I see such a fantastic exhibit here in Texas such as Dior: From Paris to the World at the DMA. This exhibit reminds me of being back at the Costume Institute at The Met in New York, it was that well done. It was also not as crowded as the Met gets. They do timed tickets so that it is not overcrowded which is great. The exhibit runs until September 1st, so be sure to see it while you can!
Le Dokhan Paris
Le Dokhan is a beautiful boutique hotel in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, and one of the most unique hotels in the city. This was the second time we stayed here but the first time staying in their Eiffel Suite. On entering the suite you are greeted with a small staircase that leads your upstairs to the room. In the room there is a quaint living room, 2 bathrooms, two bedrooms, full walk in closet, and two balconies with sweeping views. The best view is of course of the Eiffel Tower. Another favorite detail in the room is the skylight in the bathroom. I felt like I had my own little attic apartment in La Belle Epoque.
During our stay we spent a lot of time in the hotel and the surrounding area. The area is actually not touristy at all despite being very close to the Eiffel Tower. The lobby is very relaxing with a cozy fireplace and work by Picasso. The elevator is an actual vintage Louis Vuitton Trunk. Even though it says max 4 people, I would say just stick with two, it is tiny! The champagne bar is the oldest in Paris, and we ate there for breakfast every morning and sat for champagne and gougeres every evening. The gougeres (cheese puffs) are addicting!
Spring at The Eiffel Tower
One of the top items on my travel to do list is to photograph Paris in the Spring, notably the blossoms. Every time the seasons are changing it is always a mad dash to get the perfect photo of the season in bloom. Blossoms do not last long at all, maybe a week or two. I am so happy I got to check this box off my list by getting lucky and having some blossoms pop up in Paris on a cloudless day. It was a little early for them being that it was end of March, but there was so much rain in Paris the past few months. These beauties are all over the Champs de Mars. I saw a beautiful Magnolia tree about to blossoms, unfortunately it was a little too early. I still was able to get some amazing photos of these so I am very grateful!
Mini Guide to Paris
PARIS GUIDE
Paris is a place I always find myself going back to every year. I have always been a huge francophile, I minored in French in college and regret not studying abroad. I finally visited back in 2012 and it definitely surpassed my expectations. Since then I have been back to Paris almost every year. I know the city pretty well, but I am no expert. I do a lot of research though and I try to really immerse myself in trying to pretend I am a Parisian. Here are just few tips I have learned after visiting Paris whether it is your first time or 10th time.
Know before you go:
Learn how to speak a little french! Parisians are actually very polite people (even though it is not their reputation.) They are always saying Bonjour, Merci, Bonne Journee, etc. Be warned though they might start speaking to you in full French and then you will be lost. Just apologize “ Je Suis Desole, Je ne parle pas Francaise. ( I am sorry, I do not speak French). Most of the time though, the minute you say Bonjour they will know you are not French and begin in English. You will encounter most likely some not so friendly people, but it is a big city and that is bound to happen. The French are not as “perky” as Americans are.
Try to walk everywhere: Paris is a place that is best seen on foot. The metro can be a little confusing, but if you need to get somewhere there are stops virtually everywhere. I do not recommend Taxis, the drivers have a reputation of being rude and I have experienced that. Uber is actually amazing here. Try to get some WiFi near a hotel to catch one.
There is no tipping in Paris. The servers get paid salaries so no need to tip! If service is above and beyond it is a nice gesture to sometimes leave a euro or two.
Even though I love Paris, it is not like it is in the movies, although no place really is. Sometimes tourists have an idea in their mind about somewhere and all of these expectations and they don’t line up with reality. Paris is a big city like anywhere else and there can be times of chaos and craziness. In order to really get to know the city you have to let go of expectation, then you will be wowed.
When to visit
Rain or shine, hot or cold, Paris is beautiful year round. Here are a few tips for each season.
Winter: If you go in winter try and go during the holidays, it is beautiful and festive. It is also not as cold as January or February, try and avoid that time. If you do go in late winter, hope that it snows one day. You get to see Paris that many people do not get to see I have not been during a snow storm but I have seen the incredible photos and I hope to be lucky one day to see it.
Spring: Spring is just lovely in Paris. The weather is usually very nice, still a bit cold in early March but more sunny days. In late March -May is the time to see the cherry blossoms. The best places to see them are by Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower and near Notre Dame.
Fall: This is my FAVORITE time to be in Paris. I also just think that every city is perfect in the fall, but especially Paris. The weather is perfect, The leaves are changing but there are also flowers and greenery everywhere. The city is bustling but not super busy, it is great!
Summer- Summer is hit or miss in paris. You might catch it on a very nice week, but this is my least favorite time to come here. In late summer everything closes down as the Parisians go on vacation. It is also just SO hot and they do not have good air conditioning. If you go try and go in early June or July, avoid August.
All in all, anytime is a great time to come!
What to Wear
It took me doing a lot of research to really understand how Parisians dress. The first time i came to Paris I wore a beret ( this is a no-no if you don’t want to look like a tourist). Parisians just have this effortless chic style that is actually pretty simple. They keep things minimal most of the time and invest in quality items of clothing.
For Fall/Winter dressing: Layering is very important so it is helpful to keep things simple. Keep colors pretty neutral as well like black, white, grey and beige. I recommend a nice oversized coat, turtlenecks, jeans, a pair of black slacks, a scarf, and shoes you can of course walk in- booties or sneakers.
For Spring/Summer Dressing- Jeans and a T-shirt, white blouse, and ballet flats are a classic. Throw on a short jacket or trench coat on. Pair a cute dress with some strappy sandals or sneakers. It is okay to add a bit of bright color to Spring and Summer outfits.
As always, throw on a scarf and some cute sunglasses and you are good to go!
View from Trocadero
The Big Attractions
The Eiffel Tower is of course a must see while in Paris. The first thing I did during my very first trip to Paris was see the Eiffel Tower. I was in awe of how big it actually is. I am still in awe every time I see it. I still can’t decide if I like it better during the day or at night.
The first time I was here I went up the tower to the half way point (not the top because I am a chicken) I also think there are better views from further down. I think if it is your first time here, why not check it off the list? I would not do it again, there are much better views in Paris (especially views with no lines and are free)
Speaking of Eiffel Tower Views, here are my favorites:
Trocadero: This view is a classic. You can see the tower head on in all of it’s glory. I recommend coming during sunrise ( not sunset it is too crowded). It is also beautiful when it is raining because you get that reflection on the floor.
Arc Du Triomphe: This is probably the best vantage point in Paris. You have to walk up the spiral staircase but it is really fun, and once you get to the top you get sweeping views of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in sight.
Rue de l’Universite- A nice vantage point, very popular spot on Instagram to take a photo.
Printemps Rooftop- A favorite spot of mine, go all the way to the top floor and you will get a beautiful view on the terrace for free. It is usually not busy at all and Printemps is such a fun store.
Avoid Montparnasse Tower, the views are great but it is tourist central! For sunset I went up there and could barely see through all the selfie sticks.
Avenue de Camoens: It is a bit out of the way, but located in the very quiet 16th arrondissement. You get the beautiful tower surrounded by gorgeous buildings and a cobblestone street.
On Rue St. Dominique: This whole street has a beautiful view of the tower in between buildings, and also restaurants around it. It has a more bustling kind of feel.
In a hotel room: This one obviously costs the most money but it is worth it spending the extra money to wake up and go to sleep to the views. You feel as if the tower if yours alone.
Musee Rodin
The small ones ( you can hit a few of these in a day)
Musee Rodin: I would categorize this museum as being medium in size, but it is gorgeous. It is housed in a huge mansion with beautiful surrounding gardens. His work is not only inside but of course outside. His famous statue “The Thinker” is in a rose garden. I would leave more time for this museum as it is bigger than the ones below.
Musee Jaquement Andre: Another gorgeous small museum with another beautiful staircase. They also have great small collections there as well.
Musee Gustav Moreau: A boutique museum located near Pigalle. You probably recognize the famous staircase on Instagram. The staircase is actually quite small but beautiful. It leads up to a room full of paintings.
Musee Yves Saint Laurent: If you are a fan of designer fashion then I high recommend this small museum.
Musee de Vin- Yes a wine museum! We stumbled upon this hidden gem on our last trip to Paris. It is located in such a beautiful area and one of Paris’s best kept secrets I think. For about $13 Euro you get entrance into the museum and an amazing glass of wine. The people are also SO nice there.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Where to Stay
There are really endless amount of awesome places to stay in Paris. I have stayed in 6 very different kinds of establishments here so I can at least say that I can speak for every budget. The first time I came to Paris was on a Contiki Tour( I was only 23 and on a budget). I stayed at the Ibis hotel very far away from the city. Let’s just say it was not good. After the tour ended I decided to stay in Paris a few more days by myself in a hostel near Canal Saint Martin. While the area was really cool, the hostel was pretty terrible. It smelled like sewer and there was a person crying the whole night on my bottom bunk. Yet these experiences still did not ruin my time here in Paris.
The next time I came to Paris I decided to do an AirBnB. It was cheaper than a hotel especially because I stayed there for an entire week. This AirBnB was located right next to Montmarte in Pigalle. I actually really had a great time staying here. I shared an apartment with the owners who gave me their bedroom. They were incredibly nice and hospitable, and the location was great. That being said I am not a huge fan of Air BnB’s and would not do one again, I just love hotels!
The next few times in Paris I stayed at 3 gorgeous luxury boutique hotels. My favorite was this past trip I took in December at Le Dokhan. My husband and I had the Eiffel Suite, and it was unforgettable.
All in all if you can, definitely stay in a nice hotel here, it is worth the splurge!
View from Printemps
The Museums
Paris has some of the best museums in the world that house the greatest works of art. From big to small, they are all fantastic. Here are my favorites.
The big ones: ( you probably want to just do one in a day)
The Louvre: This is the most famous museum in the world, and for good reason! When you arrive, in order to not wait in line forever there is an underpass near the arc where you can enter from. You will actually get to see the underside of the pyramid from here. If you want to see the Mona Lisa, do it but be aware that you and about 1,000 other tourists with selfie sticks will be as there as well. The first time I saw it, I went, ok cool and then walked away. There is so much more to this museum. I recommend checking out the Napoleon rooms and the Greek/Roman atrium.
Musee D’Orsay- This is probably the best museum in Paris ( IMO) It is not as big as the Louvre, but has just the right amount of artwork. The building itself is also housed in an old train station so it is just breathtaking. Be sure to check out the famous clock while you are there.
The Grand Palais- The Grand Palais showcases many different artists and always has new exhibitions going on. They also have an ice skating rink in the winter.
Musee Gustav Moreau
Things to do
Besides the famous Eiffel Tower and museums there is so much to do in Paris. Here is a short list of the best things to do.
Eat outside at a Brasserie
Stroll on the Seine ( The River) and if you have time visit a market and pick up some items for a picnic on the water!
Drink Wine, and a lot of it!
Admire Notre Dame Cathedral
Visit the Opera Garnier, this is a must do!
Stroll through the many parks and courtyards
Visit a book store or book stand on the river.
Go up to Montmartre- The old Bohemian village near Pigalle. It sits on top of Paris and at the very top is the famous Sacre Couer Basillica with sweeping views of Paris.
Stop into a local pharmacy or grocery store, you will find such interesting things!
Try Mcdonald’s or fast food in Paris- No really! I honestly really wanted to try it and it was actually really good!
Visit a food hall- All around Paris you will stumble upon big indoor markets that have a ton of kiosks with all sorts of food and gifts.
Go Shopping- Paris has the best shopping of course. Try to visit local boutiques instead of big chains.
Get lost in an indoor arcade- No not for games! They are covered passageways that have such interesting little shops and cafes.
Le Dokhan’s Eiffel Suite
A Brasserie
Where to Eat
There are way too many amazing places to eat in Paris, I could barely list them. Knowing where to go is actually very difficult, and best finding out by locals or wandering around, not YELP.
Another wonderful thing is that no matter the weather, you will ALWAYS see Parisians eating outside. Don’t feel weird about eating outside in the winter. Many restaurants have heat lamps too.
Here is a quick guide of where and what to eat in Paris:
Where to Eat:
Brasserie: A classic Parisian place to eat. You will most likely see one of these or a few on every single corner of Paris. They are basically the Starbucks of Paris. That being that they are what makes Paris what it is. I recommend looking up the best ones that are near your hotel.
L’Atelier Joel Robuchon- Every time we are in Paris we come here. It is some of the best food in the world and always worth the price. They also have the best mashed potatoes in the world!
Escargot
What to Eat
There are a number of dishes you must have when you are in Paris. Whenever we come we always want to check all of these off but sometimes we just do not have the time or the room in our stomachs.
Macarons- The quintessential French sandwich cookie!
Croissant- The most famous French breakfast pastry.
Baguette- The best on the go food usually served with butter, ham, and cheese.
Fromage- Cheese, literally eat all the cheese you can! A lot of it is actually against the law to be served in the US because of pasteurization codes but it is perfectly safe to eat.
Crepe- A thin french pancake with a sweet or savory filling.
Frites- French fries ( do not ask for ketchup they are usually served with mayonnaise here)
Croque Madam or Monsieur- Basically bread with melted ham and cheese usually served with fries.
Escargot- Snails are a delicacy here and they are amazing, you won’t even know you are eating them.
My Top 10 Travel Destinations
Since I was in my early twenties I caught the travel bug and this bug has never left. I really started heavily traveling the past 7 years with my husband and every year we try and up the ante. Here is a list of my top ten favorite travel destinations so far, not in any particular order.
Greece- I know that Greece is still fresh on my mind because we got back 2 weeks ago, but it now has a very special place in my heart. The day after we got back from Santorini, I thought “ so when are we going back?” Greece is a place that definitely lives up to the hype. There are many other islands I want to check out here, and we were supposed to go to Athens but had to come back early so still a lot more to see! Everything about Greece I loved. From the food and wine, to the culture, to the beautiful views. It was hard to find something I didn’t fall in love with.
Australia- My husband and I took our first trip to Australia last December. We really had no expectations about going and it was on my list although not very high on it just because it was so far away, He ended up having a conference here so we got to stay for free and his flight was paid for which was amazing. I was super nervous about the 17 hour flight because I have a fear of flying, but it really was not bad at all and actually went by fast, I would definitely do it again. After visiting Bondi we honestly thought about actually moving here, we loved it that much! Bondi is one of the most relaxing places I have ever been to, people don’t even walk around with shoes on! I realized that as I get older i love just chill places with delicious fresh food! Our dream is to one day leave the United States and escape to Australia.
Las Vegas- It is hard to imagine life without Las Vegas in it. In fact, I should probably do a special Las Vegas travel guide because I have been about 50 times in 10 years ( really I lost count). Milan and I met in Vegas in 2014 and got engaged and married here. No matter what, Vegas will always be our home away from home. As we have gotten older we appreciate the finer Vegas experiences, such as dining, shopping and going to the spa. We will still throw in a club or show once in a while. What we love about Vegas is that it is always changing and there is something for everybody. Every time we go, we get to check out something brand new and exciting or go back to the places we love.
Belgrade- Belgrade is the capital city of Serbia and a place I can honestly say I would have never seen myself visiting if not for my husband. He was born in Belgrade and moved to Canada when he was little but still has family there. Since we have been together, I have been four different times. Sure, it is not the most beautiful or charming city, in fact many people would consider it ugly or dreary especially with such Communist era architecture. I just love it there, and it is probably one of the only cities in Europe that has no been taken over my Instagram Tourists. People still smoke everywhere, including in restaurants and hotels, and I mean A LOT. Even though I do not like cigarette smoke, for some reason I enjoy this. This city has it’s own unique feel that is just so special I cannot describe it in words.
The French Riviera- Although we only went here once a while ago, some of the best memories I have are from here. It was our first Euro Trip together, where we did London, Paris, Nice, and Monaco. When we got off the train from Nice, we walked to our hotel, and just in time for the Bastille Day Fireworks. We actually had no idea there was a famous fireworks show on Bastille Day. When we arrived to our hotel we were told we had a balcony and view of the fireworks show to our surprise. Just in time for the show we went upstairs and got to see the show high above the crowd. After a day in Nice, we went to Monaco. We stayed at the Fairmont Monte Carlo. It was really fun to go to such a small country/ principality. The casino was definitely a huge highlight, it felt straight out of a James Bond Movie.
Mayakoba- Mayakoba is an area in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. We went there for the first time two years ago, and cannot wait to go back. Imagine a Venice in Mexico, with beautiful canals and boats. It is a very relaxing and unique place. Mayakoba encapsulates 4 different hotels and you take a cute little boat in between the hotels (or you can hop on a gold cart but the boat is way more fun). Our favorite hotel was the Banyan Tree. Another sort of James Bond esq experience was rolling up to the Banyan tree hotel in a boat.
Venice- Speaking of Venice…When we went to Venice, I really thought it would end up being in a sort of Italian Disney World- being heavily warned about all the tourists. I was completely wrong and absolutely loved it. We also went in low season which was perfect. We had St. Marks Square basically all to ourselves. It is such a fun city to wander and eat Cicchetti ( Apertivo in Venice). We drank a ton of wine and stumbled around enjoying the sites and sounds of Venice. We did do a Gondola ride to check that off the list, and honestly it was the only real let down of Venice. It was 30 minutes but felt like 5 minutes and we paid like 90 Euros- we got super ripped off. Next time I would love to rent a boat. We took a boat to the airport at 5am and it was one of the most fun experiences ever- the boat literally docked at the airport entrance!
Paris- Paris is one of those places we always find ourselves going back to, even though sometimes it isn’t all that perfect but maybe that is what we enjoy about it. Paris in my opinion is not like in the movies or how you see it on Instagram with heavy filters. It can be dirty, people can be rude, cabbies can be assholes. It reminds me of a french version of New York City. Yet, there is nowhere else in the world like Paris, it just has that Je ne sais Quoi! I have so far been to Paris 5 different times- going on 6 this year. After only about 2 months of us dating, Milan flew to Paris from Dallas to visit me for 4 days while I was alone in an AirBnB shooting fashion week in Paris. It was the most romantic thing anybody has ever done for me.
New Orleans- Nola is unlike any other place in the US, or really the world. Even though we love it here, we have not been in a while and are definitely due for a trip back since it is only an hour flight from us. The only problem with Nola is that it is too much fun, too much eating and drinking. It is such a charming city, and the best parts are away from Bourbon Street including Frenchman Street, The Warehouse District, and The Garden District. Our favorite thing to do in Nola is to have brunch at Commander’s Palace and drink their 25 cent martinis. Yes you heard me right, 25 cent martinis. They are incredible and you can only have I think 3 but 3 is more than enough.
Sonoma Valley- Sonoma is the less touristy and more rustic neighbor of Napa Valley. We always joke that we are one day going to buy a little house, retire here, and grow a garden. Sonoma is probably the most relaxing place on this list, and I don’t even know why ( maybe all the wine?!). We always stay at the Fairmont which has the best spa and one of our favorite restaurants in the world, Sante. Each trip we visit probably about 2-3 wineries, and a few tasting rooms downtown.
Places still on my list to get to maybe in the next couple years!
Tokyo- Scheduled to go in October!!!!
Italian Coast- Positano, Capri, Ischia, Cinque Terre, Procida, all of the above if possible!
Banff- A beautiful place in Canada with Moraine Lake and Lake Louise .
Barcelona/Madrid- I have never been to Spain yet, so a definite must someday!
And Many More!
Oia
After Fira we spent 2 amazing days in Oia. I am so happy that we got to stay in both Fira and Oia as they are two very different towns. Fira was definitely bigger and had more of a lively atmosphere. Oia was smaller, quiet, relaxing, and of course has the famous sunset.
The first day we walked into town to check out the streets and famous sunset. Yes it was crowded, (and I don’t even want to know what the crowds are like in the Summer) but we made a fantastic decision to not go right as the sun goes down, but afterwards. We didn’t know but literally right after the sun sets, everyone leaves the castle spot. There were hundreds of people leaving the castle and we were basically the only ones heading towards the castle. When we ended up there, it was almost empty and we were able to snag some beautiful photos. (which I think was perfect lighting and even better than the sun setting!) After the sunset, the hoards of tourists were cleared out and we were able to stroll around the streets at night. We grabbed a drink at a chic bar called Maryan’s and then some delicious food at Naoss Restaurant which was more high end- Greek dining. We walked back to our hotel and on the way we saw the famous Easter Good Friday celebration which consisted of the parade of the Epitaph and burning of the canisters.
The next day we went into town a bit earlier because we saw the sunset already and wanted to avoid the crowds. I still went back to the castle to snag a few more shots because it is just that beautiful I had to see the view again. Afterwards we stumbled on the back streets on Oia ( which is great to know if you are walking to the sunset, take the back way just one street over and you avoid the crowds!) We found a cute little wine bar called Wine Vineyart which had some of the best traditional Greek food I have ever had, including the best cheese I have ever eaten in my life!