European Trip Itineraries
Bordeaux, France Sans Booze
Here's a long weekend guide to visiting Bordeaux, France when you want to have a great time but aren't there for the wine. Bordeaux is boasting with food, architecture, and so much more, don't shy away just because it is known for the wine! I will come here time and time again.
One of my favorite dinner spots in Bordeaux! This is an amazing and affordable representation of French fine dining. Three courses is plenty to walk away feeling full and blown away. Michelin recommended.
This Airbnb pick is walkable and also offers a parking space for $10 per day. It’s a 2 bed 1 bath, has a washer, kitchen, WiFi, tv, living area, dining/workspace, and is very quiet. safe for solo travelers too!
Discover the world of flavors at Restaurant Racines Bordeaux, where Chef and owner Daniel Gallacher invites you to a gastronomic parenthesis from Tuesday to Saturday. I came to this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant for lunch and had an incredible 3 course meal. From the service to the plating, the ambiance to the tastes, I loved my experience here and it'll be at the top of my list next time I'm in Bordeaux.
Discover the charm of this rustic Bordeaux bakery, offering a variety of delightful pastries, bread, and more! I love that they offer mini versions of many items, this way I try multiple pastries per visit.
Some of the most delicious pastries in town! Grab an espresso and a pastry, sit outside the shop, and enjoy a slow moment taking in the surroundings.
Experience traditional French baking at its finest in Bordeaux. From fresh bread to sweet pastries, everything is made in-house with quality, seasonal ingredients and a focus on sustainability. Delicious baguettes and don't skip on the Cube Tigre!
Solo travelers, rejoice! Northern Spain is a great region to explore. Fly into one location and travel by train between the cities.
A 2 bed 2 bath apartment in an excellent location of San Sebastian’s old town. Parking is approx 30€ /day and is a 5 minute walk to the airbnb. the airbnb is on a pedestrian street and is very walkable. wonderful hosts.
Take a guided tour of this palace that sits on the peninsula of Santander, Spain. The tour sells out, so book in advance. The duration is 45 minutes. Explore the peninsula after your tour- I’d say a total of 2h
San Sebastian's amusement park was built in 1912, and has some really eclectic attractions, making this a must see stop for all ages. Take the funicular to the top, and get an amazing view! No reservations, pay per ride
Visit Santander's newest arts center, designed by architect Renzo Piano. This arts, museum, activity, cultural center has exhibitions, performances, activities, and more!
Visit one of Earth's 4 Guggenheim Museums, in Bilbao Spain. This museum is famous for its contemporary architecture, you can not miss this when you are in town.
An exciting adventure at Spain's first national park, Picos De Europa! Hop on the Cable car to be taken up to 1,823 meters in just 4 minutes.
Visit Madrid, Spain
This stack will help you plan an unforgettable trip to Madrid, Spain and surrounding areas- things to do, places to eat, free activities, and more.
Plaza Mayor is all about gathering with the community. There is dining, shopping, and almost always something different happening in the center. On my last visit, there was a tennis tournament and live music going on!
While spending a day in the heart of Madrid, Ramses is a great option to sit outside on the patio and enjoy some amazing food. Don't ship the pulpo!
What I love about doing a bus tour in Madrid is there are two! One is the historical route, the other is the modern route. My suggestion is do one in the morning, go have lunch, then hop on the second after lunch.
This is a really great guide tour! Book earlier in the day for smaller crowds. Tip: Don't forget to stop by the royal armory after the tour ends!
Spend half a day taking a Paella and gazpacho cooking class with Cooking Point Madrid. You'll start by going on a market tour to buy the ingredients, then head back to the kitchen to cook and eat.
These world famous mushrooms are an experience of their own! Grab a plate as tapas before you have a dinner reservation, or include it in your visit to Mercado De San Miguel as they are close by.
2 weeks in Sicily
This guide will help you plan the perfect two week road trip to Sicily, Italy. Starting in Palermo and traveling counter clockwise, you'll hit all the popular destinations plus explore some hidden gems.
This walking food tour booked through With Locals is the perfect introduction to not only Palermo, but Sicilian cuisine as a whole! Book with guide Dario, he is amazing and also gives you lots of Palermo history!
If you're headed counter clockwise around Sicily, use the day you are traveling from Palermo to Trapani to see Temple De Segesta followed by Zingaro Natural Reserve.
After you finish your time in Palermo, grab a rental car and head west to Trapani, stopping at this incredible natural reserve along the way. It's one of the most beautiful north coast views in all of Sicily!
A meal to remember in Trapani's historical center, this is a Sicilian pasta lovers dream! We had a reservation for lunch, but not sure we needed it.
Egadi Boating offers an incredible day on their private boat tour to the Egadi Islands. You'll snorkel, see caves, take a lunch break on Favignana, and enjoy your time on the water. Tip: Hunt for sea glass on favignana!
On the northwest coast of Sicily, staying in Trapani for 4-5 days is a perfect hub to visit Trapani, Erice, the Egadi Islands, and Temple De Segesta.
How to see Rome in 4 days
A guide to experiencing Rome in 4 days- what to do, where to stay, and how to plan ahead.
From the Rome airport, you can take a train to Roma Termini Station. There are 2 options, I prefer the Frecciarossa (high speed). Book either through ItaliaRail.
This skip the line ticket booked through GetYourGuide is the perfect way to make sure you don't spend your vacation waiting for hours. This can be booked pretty last minute, no need to book far in advance.
This booking through GetYourGuide give you entry to Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum with arena floor access. Note that the pickup location for this booking is about 20 minute walk from the activity.
Add this to your list of free places to visit on a walking sightseeing tour
This timed entry ticket to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel is the easiest way to beat the extremely long lines (hours). Be ready for your entry window!
This Skip the line entry ticket to Castel Sant'Angelo is well worth it! There is also a booking that includes an audio guide. Make sure you go to the very top for an incredible view of Rome!