Touring Bosnia (Part 2): Driving to Mostar

2015-08-18 14.55.55Sarajevo set the bar high for what Bosnia had to offer. But what came next shocked the (excuse my french) shit out of me. I grew up in America, the great South to be specific, and we are anything but short of mountains in our gorgeous and patriotic terrain. But this… well, we will get there.

I arranged a rental car through rentarscars.com and ended up with a car from the Kapitals service–a local rental company in Bosnia. I paid $200.00 for five days of unlimited mileage, full coverage and the car itself. The man at the counter was even nice enough to give us a pass to go into Croatia if we decided to go, a 50 mark value! However, other  companies like Europcar, Hertz and Sixt can be found at the airport and in the old town as well. Tip: Rentalcars.com will offer you wifi service in the car; do not take this! Most rental companies do not offer this service.

2015-08-18 12.00.38With car in tow and no map, we ventured for Mostar. Luckily, we downloaded the app HERE before we left. HERE lets you upload road maps from any city that can be used for navigation without eating into your data. It wasn’t always perfect but it got us in the general vicinity of where we need to be. Instead of following the clearly marked highway signs for the second most popular city in Bosnia, we detoured through the mountains to find the old 1984 Olympic bobsled track. After 15 kilometers, a couple of “nature calls” and windy mountain climbs later, we gave up on the search due to renovations being made to the area.

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On the other side of the mountain, we reached our first and only toll road–a whopping 2.50 Bosnian marks. Again, make sure you have cash on you. They accept cards but it’s often that all of my credit cards are declined at these toll booths and you end up with a lot of pissed off people behind you. Just on the other side of the toll booth we drove past the most delightful looking restaurant ever.What actually caught my attention was the stand of homemade honey and rotating meat skewers over a hot fire sitting right next to it. They didn’t speak English, we didn’t Bosnian but we placed our taste buds in their hands.

2015-08-18 13.25.44In a spectacular conversation using smiles and nods, we were served what would be the best meal of our trip: smoked lamb, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as a traditional yogurt spread that complimented the homemade bread.

2015-08-18 16.54.25 HDR2015-08-18 16.53.30After we loaded up on delicious roadside grub (for 50 Marks) and honey, we continued our journey to Mostar. Any GPS will tell you that the route takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes; it took us around 6 hours because we kept stopping to take it all in! Turn after turn, tunnel after tunnel, we were blown away at the beauty before us.

2015-08-18 20.02.22We pulled into Mostar as the sun began to set. Our hotel, just 800 meters outside of the Old Town, was Villa Monera. This was another booking.com find and it was just super; however, keep in mind that most of these hotels only accept cash.

2015-08-18 20.38.05The city is centered around the Stari Most Bridge that connects Mostar together. The biggest difference I noticed compared to Sarajevo was the heavy focus on tourism. Every restaurant, shop and cafe displayed their acceptance of the Euro over their own Mark. But perhaps the biggest attraction are the activities on the bridge itself. For a collected 50 marks, a man belonging to the diving club will jump off the bridge into the water. For 25 euros, you can take the jump yourself! 2015-08-18 19.08.04 HDR
2015-08-18 18.55.25But before you can jump off the 24 meter high bridge you must practice your form by jumping off a slightly lower platform. After careful consideration and evaluation of assets, I decided to save the jump for another day.

2015-08-18 16.23.08If you go to Bosnia and only have a few days, here is a tip: Do not miss the drive from Sarajevo to Mostar.

 

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Konjic

Side note: There are a lot of little towns on the route to Mostar. If you have time to stop and have a drink, then I recommend Konjic. This town is known for its woodcarving industry which has been passed on from generation to generation for decades. In the middle of the town is a quaint little bridge that gives a lovely view of the entire town.

Touring Bosnia (Part 3): The Trebizat River

2015-08-20 22.08.12When we realized how full of lakes, rivers and just awesomeness was in Bosnia, we couldn’t wait to get off land and on the water. I just recently popped my canoe cherry during a trip home and was itching to get back on the water. We came across Canoe Safari on tripadvisor and tracked it down after reading the raving reviews. We showed up at 10:30AM without a reservation and was greeted by Ivan. Ivan is the second in command and just as precious as can be. He set us up with a private tour (2.5 hours), alongside himself as guide and packed a little cooler for us to enjoy on the river. Ivan also gave us the option of a homemade, authentic Bosnian lunch spread after the tour which we did not hesitate in accepting. Everything included, our price was 30 euros per person! And off we went…

2015-08-20 22.08.11Like I said, I had canoed once in my whole life before attempting this tour and this was my boyfriend’s first time testing his river legs; so, naturally in our minds we were pros. Ivan was so patient with us and taught us how to navigate the rapids so we didn’t turn over. He went first so we could mimic his movements and even played the part of photographer so we could look badass taking on the rapids. 2015-08-20 22.08.03-1

He really made an effort to make our time on the river last for the full allotted time and didn’t rush us in any way. We saw turtles, snakes and river birds native to that area as well as tasted the fresh blackberries from the bushes growing on the river bends. (Sorry for dropping them in the water!!!)

I am going to skip the part where we got cocky and took the last rapid on ourselves (and flipped) and  go straight to lunch. (For the record, Ivan knew we were going to flip and made sure we did so safely.)

Ok. Lunch. If I hashtagged, I would hashtag #holydeliciousfoodinmymouth because that is what it was. I haven’t introduced Stanko, the owner of Canoe Safari and he is very important to this part of the post for one reason: his wife. His wife was creating our yummy yum yum meal when we paddled back to their dock but the smell reached us before we saw her.

2015-08-20 22.08.18A traditional method to prepare food is in cast iron pan, nestled in between wood that has been heated by fire. The creates a result where the food is half baked and half broiled for a taste and tenderness that can not be beat. Stanko’s wife had prepared chicken and potatoes for us using this method 2015-08-20 22.08.08as well as laid out a plate of fresh fruits and tomatoes that were grown right there on the property. And to top it off, we were offered liquors and wine that were produced right there in the area. They also have other non-alcoholic drinks like juice and water for those of you who do not or can not drink.
2015-08-20 22.08.11-1But the best part was not the chicken or the potatoes or the liquors or the fruits (especially the figs. Oh, the figs!) or the tomatoes. It was their little welcome wagon, Blondie. The. Most. Charming. Dog. Ever.

Kravice Falls

2015-08-19 14.19.49If you follow the Trebizat you eventually get to the Kravice Falls, a little oasis tucked deep away in the mountains. For four marks a person, you can witness the most beautiful waterfall in Bosnia. There were several brave souls swimming in the cold mountain water but we opted to stay on dry land and sought refuge under one of the many cafes surrounding the water. It is a bit tricky to find, especially if you don’t have a GPS system. The Kravice Falls are located near the village of Studenac, between Ljubuski and Capljina. That is all we had to go by and if we could find it, so can you! 2015-08-19 14.17.44 HDR-1

Touring Bosnia: Sarajevo

2015-08-17 13.05.59 When my boyfriend insisted we go to Bosnia for this year’s holiday, I had my doubts. I mean, what is there to do in Bosnia to fill up a week?? The only thing I knew about the country was its previous affiliation to Yugoslavia and that it most likely is hot af all the time. I only hoped there would be air conditioning and wifi in our hotels but I was not optimistic…

When we arrived to the Sarajevo airport, we hopped in a local cab and agreed on a rate of 30 Bosnian marks to our hotel in the old city. The currency has a fixed exchange with the euro of 2:1 so we believed a 15 euro asking price was fair. Tip: Do not do this. Later on, we realized that with the meter running, the price is around 15 Bosnian marks. Always ask the driver to turn on the meter or you will get charged double.

We planned to stay in Sarajevo for two days to allow my boyfriend the freedom to geek out over all of the alleged history there. Again, I feel like it’s safe to say I put on my “dumb American” hat by not knowing how much history there is in Sarajevo. That or I failed my high school history teacher who is most likely shaking her head while reading this…sorry.

2015-08-16 21.21.23 2015-08-16 22.08.10-1 2015-08-17 20.10.01 We booked our two night stay at the Guest House Ciro which can only be found on booking.com. This family run guest house has six rooms, coffee and most important, air conditioning! We instantly made friends with the son who was running the show, Armin. He welcomed us with open arms and GAVE us a couple of beers to unwind from our long flight. Later, he took us to the rooftop terrace for a gorgeous view of the Old Town.

There is a lot to do in Sarajevo, but here are my Top 10:

 2015-08-17 13.28.00-11. First stop on our history tour is the Latin Bridge, famous for one little historical moment: the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. For those of you who don’t know who he is, allow me to show off my (ahem) new found history knowledge. Ferdinand was the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and his assassination sparked the beginning of World War One. In the museum  building behind me, for four Marks you can see original artifacts from that day in 1914. It takes only a few minutes to go through everything and shares a lot of important details, as well as a timeline, of the assassination.

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2. Next stop on our tour is this memorial site dedicated to the men, women and children who lost their lives in the Siege of Sarajevo from 1992-1996. It sits up on a mountain side, overlooking the city. It was a very powerful place to visit as it was evident how much care was put into the site.

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3.As we walked through the memorial site, it led us up a hill to an old vantage point used by the city as a defense post. From this place was the most beautiful view of Sarajevo in the city! There
is a small cafe at the top where one can enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage and small snack.

4. One of the most important things I learned while in Sarajevo was just how much the Siege affected the city. Just walking the streets we could see evidence of the terror its people endured for those 44 months. We took a walk down “Sniper Alley” and every building was scarred with bullet holes. The city has done an excellent job recovering from that time while keeping the presence of everything prior to the siege.

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5. Other significant museums to visit include the Srebrenica Gallery and the Tunnel of Life. The Srebenica photo gallery is a must see if you do not have the time or means to visit Srebrenica. In 1995, 8,000 Muslim Bosnians (mainly men and boys) lost their lives in the massacre that occurred in only two days. It is the worst genocide in recent European history, second only to the Holocaust. The images and videos in this gallery are quite powerful as we listened to testimonies from women who lost everything in those two days.

6. The Tunnel of Life played a key part in the survival of Sarajevo’s citizens during the Siege. A man who lived near the airport agreed to digging a tunnel in order for supplies to make it into the city. Part of this tunnel can be toured to give an idea of the conditions and hazards the military endured to care for the people.

2015-08-17 16.01.22 7. Bosnia coffee is super grainy and strong! Served in these jars with a handle, it is poured into small cups to maximize the flavor in each cup. I made the mistake of stirring the whole pot together which only mixed the grainy bits throughout the entire pot. Tip: Let the coffee settle for a bit before pouring. You’ll get all of the flavor without the bits.

2015-08-17 13.04.49 8. City Ha2015-08-17 12.25.01ll is the most popular landmark in Sarajevo and comes with quite a story. The Austrian-Hungarian Empire wanted to build their City Hall on this location. However, the site was occupied by another building. The owner of the building would only give up the space if his building was rebuilt across the river in its exact form, brick by brick.Today, that building is known as the House of Spite and is the best restaurant in Sarajevo!

9. The Old Town of Sarajevo is where we stayed and is as charming as can be. It is quite small but has all shops and cafes dedicated to the spirit that is Sarajevo. My personal favorite after dinner treat was a scoop of ice cream for 1 Bosnian mark.

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10. Our favorite was owned by a man named, Hussein. His spot was on a side street near our hotel and he was the nicest man. The Bosnian people are so nice in general but Hussein gave us an added dose of warmth as we sat on his terrace drinking Turkish tea. He brought over a travel book about Bosnia (that we ended up buying) that actually helped us plan the rest of our week!

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In all, Sarajevo was a brilliant city that is full of culture, history and the most amazing people I have ever encountered. The biggest tip I can give you is this: Bring cash! Most places, including the hotels, only accepted cash.

Zermatt: The Matterhorn and Skiing the Swiss Alps!

2015-03-22 16.29.44 Switzerland is known for its chocolate, eidelweiss and most important, The Alps. For those looking for the ultimate ski experience, Zermatt is a lovely spot to cross off that bucket list item!

My colleague and I had a free weekend and decided to do something we had talked about since I moved to Europe. He goes skiing every year in Colorado and wanted to test his skills on the Alps; I am not a skiier but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be in the amazing Alps. For those who haven’t been to Switzerland, please be aware that it is not the cheapest place to go! Switzerland has its own currency, the Swiss Franc, and you should be aware of the current rate before you go.

Zermatt is close to the Italian border, thus giving a few options of airports to come into; but one is not closer than the other. We flew into Basel for no reason other than it worked with our itinerary and opted to rent a car. The Zermatt travel website and many other travel blogs will suggest to take the train from your starting airport to Zermatt; I disagree. The cost per person to take a train will run around 500 Swiss Francs round trip and while it is the hassle-free option, it is clearly the most expensive. However, if you book in advance you may get a lower rate. Our car for the weekend cost around 200 Swiss Francs and we had the flexibility and ease of arriving and departing at our leisure. Again, I use Kayak to choose the car for my specific trip.

2015-03-22 18.29.33Google Maps will tell you to plan for a four hour drive from airport to Zermatt; like I wrote before, one airport isn’t vastly closer than the other. About halfway into the drive, we came upon a toll station. As many highways in Europe are not free, we treated this toll like any other, until we realized the price- 30 Swiss Francs! Turned out that this fee was actually the price to take the Lotschberg car transportation and cut our trip by 45 minutes! Once we were on the other side of the mountain, it was only an hour until we reached the city, Tasch.

Zermatt is a car free zone; you must park your car in Tasch and either take a train or a taxi into Zermatt. When you drive into Tasch, all you see are car parks. If you plan ahead, most privately own car parks will also service as a taxi service and bring you to the outskirts of Zermatt. We did not plan ahead but had no problems parking at the main train station. The trains from Tasch to Zermatt run every 15 minutes and is eight Francs each way.

We arrived in Tasch very late and opted for the taxi choice as we were already very tired! The taxi took us to the outskirts of Zermatt (20 Francs) where we switched to what would be our transportation for the remainder of our trip: 2015-03-22 10.07.37 The cutest little battery operated shuttles ever.

Most hotels in Zermatt have their own shuttle cars that are offered free of charge to their guests. But like I wrote, Switzerland is not the cheapest country to visit and Zermatt is like its Disney World. For those who are like me and looking for cost savings where you can, consider booking on Air BnB. The concept behind this website is you rent out people’s homes, typically apartments, for your stay. You rent from specific people so there isn’t a breakfast, turn down service or daily cleaning but you do have a fully functiong kitchen, bathroom and as many beds as you need. In most cases, you will pay half the amount on this website as you would in a hotel. 2015-03-22 09.47.26 You can find great deals that put you right in the city center! This picture above was taken from my private balcony.

For breakfast, we went down the hill to one of the many hotels, where you can get buffet breakfast for 25 Swiss Francs-expensive so make it count! From there, we searched for a place to rent our ski equipment!

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There are many places to rent equipment but we absolutely fell in love with the staff at this place! Steve, an American, moved to Europe in his twenties and never left. Renting equipment is where you will find cost savings; helmet, skis, poles, goggles, jacket, pants, all of it for as low as 150 Swiss Francs. Steve was so much fun that he even threw in gloves for free! They also have a storage room where you can store your equipment free of charge.

2015-03-21 10.39.59With full gear in place, we went to purchase our ski lift tickets for the day. Zermatt is broken up into many different slopes, spread out over the Alps. You can even purchase multi country lift tickets and ski in Italy. The price for a single day, single country pass is 79 Swiss Francs; apparently this is a lot cheaper than skiing in Colorado!

Those who know me know that I am not sporty; so skiing was going to be a challenge. Surprisingly, I mastered the kiddy slopes after a few runs!  It was time to take on the next level!2015-03-21 19.58.15 2015-03-21 19.58.18

We went down Sunnega runs on the first day to get myself better acquainted with the runs and how you’re supposed to move your body;  I fell a lot. 2015-03-21 12.21.03 2015-03-21 19.58.17

We ski’d for close to four hours before my body finally gave out. Luckily, my colleague showed me mercy and we stopped at a cafe near the bottom of the mountain. It is tradition to stop for a Swiss beverage before you leave the slopes–my favorite kind! 2015-03-21 15.50.31

Once at the bottom, we walked to a nearby pub for a post ski snack and much needed Swiss beer to reward ourselves for a job well done. What started as a “reward” turned into dinner as we stayed longer than we anticipated 🙂 2015-03-21 17.55.16 HDR 2015-03-21 17.55.04 2015-03-21 16.48.18Food and drinks seems to be the biggest expense in Switzerland so be sure to plan for 8-10 Franc beers and 20 Franc cocktails.

On Day Two, I opted to take in the sights of Zermatt rather than hit the slopes again,- no big surprise coming from me! But the walk through town was actually quite charming. Zermatt is nestled in the Swiss Alps so you see mountains everywhere you look.

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In all, Zermatt is AMAZING. Even if you don’t like to ski, you should not pass up a chance to come to this delightful town. Simply plan your trip around the spring/summer time and enjoy the Alps while hiking 🙂

When Florence fails you…Pisa!

On our last day in Florence, my sister and I went to the Medici Chapels. The Medici family was a prominent family in Florence who began their rise to power in the late 14th century. Quite an interesting family as 4 popes came from the family, as well as the medici bank, the largest bank in Europe during the 15th century. So, we thought this family was legit enough for us to meander through their chapels.

SissyTrip 485 For seven euros, you can tour inside the chapels and take a step back into the times of this wealthy family. With this price, you can climb the tower and see yet another breathtaking view of the city.

SissyTrip 480 Hi, sissy!

Now, we are not one to discourage anyone from doing what you want while on travels; however, we were the least impressed with the chapels. Maybe we would have had a different opinion if we did the chapels first. We planned on spending half a day in the chapels and were very surprised when we had completed the tour and the tower climb in an hour.

We are not ones to waste time and quickly found a cafe to plan our next adventure. 232323232-fp53997-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;46388337nu0mrj

My sister had the bright idea to venture to neighboring cities for more Tuscan fun- hell yes! We pulled out a map and looked at the options; first one that came to mind was Pisa! Only an hour away on high speed train, we proceeded to make our way to the train station for tickets. Trenitalia is the local train service and offers direct routes to Pisa every (approx) thirty minutes. We each paid 16 euros for our roundtrip ticket and were off to see the leaning tower!

232323232-fp53984-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;5-655337nu0mrj Pisa is a cute city but there is absolutely nothing else to do here except see the tower. You don’t have to worry about finding where to go because EVERYONE is walking to the center where the tower is posted up. You start to see the top of the tower, and the frenzy begins.

What is perhaps the best part of the tower is watching everyone leaning sideways, posing with their arms stretched out or hunched over. It is quite hilarious seeing this because you don’t see the end result on the other end of the camera. We acted too cool for this for about five minutes, then…

232323232-fp53998-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;5-686337nu0mrj 232323232-fp539-4-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;5-49-337nu0mrj We joined right in!

We opted to not go to the top of the tower because to us, the thing to do was see the Leaning Tower from the ground.

232323232-fp539-6-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;5-4;5337nu0mrj 232323232-fp539---nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;5-484337nu0mrj We were in and out in under an hour to catch our return trip back to Florence.

Definitely worth the detour if you have the time to spare!

Firenze!

SissyTrip 042  Benvenuti a Firenze! Our second stop on the “Sissy Passes the Bar so let’s Travel Europe” was Florence for three days–not enough! You can easily spend a month here and experience something new every day. We will explore some of the world’s most important pieces of art, amazing architecture and some of the best wine…ever!

SissyTrip 451 232323232-fp5399;-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;5-637337nu0mrj We checked into our lovely hotel as another recommendation from Mr Rick Steves, Hotel Morandi alla Crocetta. Luckily, we were upgraded to a deluxe double room equipped with our own private terrace. Naturally, we ordered our first glass of wine and toasted the town! The staff of this charming hotel was super helpful and I recommend it to anyone looking for a charming boutique in the city center.

Our first stop was to track down the historically significant Duomo (fun fact: Duomo is the Italian word for the main cathedral for the city. Every city has its own Duomo).

SissyTrip 455 For ten euros, you can climb to the top of the Duomo for a breathtaking view of the city. But, make sure to wear comfortable shoes because it is 463 steps to the top! If you are tall and normal, like myself, you may find some problems navigating the tiny stairs and narrow pathways.

SissyTrip 013You can also be like my teeny sister and not have any issues at all…she basically did back flips up and down the stone steps.

From the top of the Duomo, you have a unique view of Florence and start to appreciate where Michelangelo received so much inspiration for multiple pieces of art.

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My favorite spot from the top of the Duomo is the Basilica of Sante Croce, where Michelangelo is buried. But we will get to that later 🙂

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Walking up and down over 900 stairs will make anyone hungry…or thirsty. We ventured out for those delicious Italian delicacies that would satisfy our pallets. In this instance, it was wine and gelato.

SissyTrip 324 Any travel website will recommend this gelato stand or that, but to be honest, they are all legit. Take my advice and taste every flavor possible! My favorite is pistachio but I’ll get excited about any one of them.

We did have one stand that we kept going back to, the gelateria carraia, right beside the River Arno. 232323232-fp539-4-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;5-442337nu0mrj  It’s right off the Ponte alla Carraia (second bridge west of Ponte Vecchio, on the Oltrarno side. Take away cones are two euros per scoop or you can take a seat next to the river for some delightful people watching for fifty cents more. Best pistachio in town! If you ask my sister, she will recommend one of the other classics like stracciatella or strawberry.

After you’ve had your gelato, be sure to make your way to the super close Ponte Vecchio for some ideal Italian shopping. During World War II, the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge not destroyed by the Germans and is now home to many small shops, mainly jewelry.

 

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As our day began its descent into night, we made our way to Piazza Michelangelo for the show of the year! You can get to this famous square by bus or by foot; since traveling with my sister, we opted for the foot route. Below is a map of possible routes you can take on foot- we went up from Piazza Poggi and it took us around thirty minutes to complete the trek.

Capture

If you are lucky enough to get to the top before the rush, you’ll have a prime spot in the only cafe in the piazza. We decided to have a small snack before our mouth watering dinner that would take place much later in the evening.

232323232-fp53998-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;53593337nu0mrj 232323232-fp53997-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;53598337nu0mrj You will pay prime price for the wine, maybe 5 euros per glass, but it’s worth to take your time and enjoy the scenery. Before the sun begin to set, we were already amazed at the site of the Duomo from our little spot and couldn’t wait for the finale…

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…and we we were not disappointed. Sadly, a picture doesn’t do the site justice but it was truly one of God’s miracles. The most beautiful thing I have seen to date.

We made our trek back down the hill to get ready for dinner! My sister read about a restaurant that received amazing reviews from all of the top travel and food sites, La Giostra. We took a risk and went without making a reservation, which was a big mistake; walked in around 8pm and were told they were booked until 10pm. We made the reservation and set out to find a place to grab something light to eat and, of course, some vino.

SissyTrip 046  Success at the cutest bistro in Florence, Natalino! We ordered bruschetta and wine as an aperitif and were immediately in heaven. The olive oil served with the bruschetta was the best oil I have ever tasted. So good, in fact, that I bought two bottles for ten euros a piece! The staff was just delightful and packed the bottles up for me in a bag to take away once we finished the delicious chianti.

SissyTrip 05710pm finally came, and while we were sad not to dive further into the Natalino menu, we were so excited to taste the rave review food at La Giostra. Upon arrival, the waiter set us at a table for 6 and brought over a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine as an apology for the delay…not a bad start!

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For starters, we ordered a specialty mix of the house filled with italian hams, cheese and dried fruits that were so fresh and savory! We forgot to take a picture of the before because were so hungry and it smelled soooo good.

For our main course, we took the suggestions of the house and ordered two types of pasta: tagliattelle bolognaise and canneroni bolognaise. I didn’t speak to my sister while demolishing this amazing dish. 232323232-fp53997-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;597-4337nu0mrj  232323232-fp539-2-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;548;-337nu0mrj

During our feast, the patrons started to leave the restaurant as it was getting quite late. However, the stragglers still wanting to indulge made their way to our table for some extra time to drink and enjoy their evening. Carpe diem, right??? One couple who joined us was a power couple from California, a plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist on holiday. As we finished our dinner, this fascinating couple asked to join us to finish their wine and limoncello; thankfully, they shared!

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On our second day, we took it a bit slow to really enjoy the city! Our first stop was the lovely Santa Croce Basilica where Michelangelo is buried, as I mentioned before.

232323232-fp53999-nu=32-9-7;5-3-;-WSNRCG=36--;54858337nu0mrj Michelangelo is not the only recognizable name to be buried in Santa Croce. Galileo, Dante and Machiavelli are a few to be named whose tombstones can be found inside this cathedral.

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Among the cathedrals and basilicas in Florence, it is a must to walk through some art exhibitions as Florence is home to many key historical pieces of art. For your first time, I suggest the Accademia, where you’ll see Michelangelo’s David sculpture and the Uffizi, home to art from Boticelli, Della Francesca and Raphael. Pictures are not permitted in the Ufizzi nor the Accademia, but I was able to snap a quick picture of The David…and it is magnificent!     SissyTrip 041  The price for the Accademia is 18 euros and the Ufizzi is 9 euros–very steep but worth it!

Sadly, my sister and I weren’t prepared for the amount of leather shopping in Florence. We stumbled upon an outdoor market that was full of leather bags, jackets, wallets, belts and all sorts of jewelry! It was good for our wallets that we didn’t prepare for this shopping excursion but it is on our to do list when we go back! This outdoor market was around the San Lorenzo church–bargainers get ready because a good deal is waiting to be made!

Enjoy Firenze and let me know if you have any questions or would like more suggestions on what to do! Ciao!

Copenhagen: Delightfully Danish

2014-08-31 09.27.41 My short stay in Copenhagen was full of everything that could potentially ruin a trip. It rained, and by rain I mean nasty, windy rain that just wouldn’t let up. I only had one day to explore this little city and the sun in this picture was the only sun I had for the whole day.

Denmark has their own currency, the danish krone, which has a nice exchange rate of $1 = ~6 kroner. But dont let that fool you; this is an expensive city. I stayed at The Park Inn by Radisson near the airport and found it to be very convenient. The train station to go into the city center is just a few meters outside the hotel and is 6 stops (ish) from the main sites in Copenhagen. The price isn’t too high, however make sure you request a room on the opposite side of the tracks. If not, you will hear the train running through the night.

My first stop on my day of Danish fun was to Christiana. A friend of mine lived in Copenhagen for close to a year and made me promise I would not miss this experience. And am I happy I did not!! The area of Christiana was claimed as a free city by hippies in 1971. They live outside the laws of Copenhagen, govern themselves, trade with each other, basically everything any other city. Currently, around 1000 people are living inside Christiana and tourists are welcome to enjoy the ambiance in one of their cafe’s or restaurants.

2014-08-31 09.53.32 2014-08-31 09.48.48 2014-08-31 09.47.13 2014-08-31 09.43.42 HDR 2014-08-31 09.46.42 When you come to this free city, be sure to get a postcard and stamp to send to your friends and family! Quite the interesting souvenir and cheap!

2014-08-31 10.05.57 After Christiana, I noticed the clouds rolling in and decided to take a boat ride to stay dry and to discover what I wanted to visit next. Canal Tours is the official sight-seeing boat tour of the city and will run you a little over $10 for an hour tour. From the tour you’ll see popular attractions like the little mermaid statue, The Copenhagen Opera house as well as The Church of our Savior. 2014-08-31 11.11.52 2014-08-31 11.20.01 2014-08-31 10.02.07

What is the best about this company is they dock right in front of the famous Nyhaven street; an easy transition to your next tourist attraction and drink on this beautiful street.

2014-09-02 20.23.34 Most people think of Nyhavn when they think of Copenhagen. It is widely popular for being home to restaurants, pubs and shops but once served as the main port for ships to dock to trade goods. Also, Hans Christian Andersen was a tenant in three buildings on this street, with number 9 being the best known for this. Here, he wrote many fairy tales including, “The Princess and the Pea.”

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I only had a short while left before the downpour would begin so I trekked across town to see the Little Mermaid up close and personal. She is not easy to find. As I breached the edge of the water, the rains came and the winds joined with a mighty force. My little 10 danish krone umbrella flipped inside out and I was left to find the statue without any protection from the forces of nature.

2014-08-31 12.45.42  Even though I battled pneuomina, spent a total of one hour trying to find this broad and only 2 minutes looking at her, it was worth it!

So, the rains were upon me and they showed no sign of leaving for the rest of the day. I was on the verge of cutting my losses, finding the nearest metro station to go back to my hotel when the most glorious sign appeared.

2014-08-31 12.52.17 I somehow found myself at the annual Nordic wine festival! Despite the terrible weather, local residents came out to taste new food, drink local wine and find a dry spot where they could!

 2014-08-31 12.54.30 2014-08-31 12.59.47 (For you wine lovers, Danish wine is a very similar taste to German wines; sweet when they should be dry and extremely sweet when they should be just sweet.) These gentlemen allowed me to hang out under their tent as I tasted a few of their selection and of course, made a few purchases!

2014-08-31 16.57.50 2014-08-31 17.00.57 HDR As my day came to a close, I wanted to see the man himself: Hans Christian Andersen. His statue as well as statues of excerpts from his fairy tales can all be found in the Rosenberg Castle Gardens. It is said the statue is positioned so he is looking to Tivoli Park, a favorite of Andersen.

Now, while I didn’t get to Tivoli Park, it doesn’t mean it won’t be mentioned in this post. Tivoli Park was opened in 1843 is the second oldest amusement parks that is still operating. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open when I was there-added to the list for my next visit!

2014-08-31 18.20.27 Oh, did you think I didn’t eat a thousand of these? The ultimate sweet of Denmark, the Danish fulfilled every expectation I ever had. The challenge? Finding the best one.

i went in supermarkets, bakeries, street vendors to find the perfect danish. What did I find? They were all pretty delicious. However, if a winner must be chosen, then let it be Lagkagehuset. It is a popular chain in Copenhagen but I quickly understood why. A fresh danish out of the oven at this bakery gave me the same feeling as fresh cinnamon rolls out of the oven on Christmas morning. I’m pretty sure I ate 3 here.

The rest of my day I walked the streets of Copenhagen because everything else I could visit was flooded due to the amount of rain. I definitely recommend spending two to three days in Copenhagen to see and do everything but I was quite pleased with my very full but very fun day!

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Venice: My introduction to Italy

SissyTrip 292 232323232-fp73465-nu=5-92-2---258-WSNRCG=346439-462349nu0mrjWhen my sister took the Bar, she couldn’t wait to get out of town for a couple of weeks to celebrate! We decided on an excursion through Italy to Venice, Florence and Rome.

The city is a pedestrian only zone with the only form of public transportation being water taxis. When you arrive at the airport, you can take a couple of different options to get into the city: water taxi or combination of shuttle bus and water taxi. Both options can be arranged online or at the airport. Estimate around one hour travel time to the city center, depending on where your hotel is booked.

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Piazza San Marco was our first stop in Venice to indulge in some fine Italian wine and ambiance. Venice is not a cheap city to visit so expect to either spend a lot of money or to do the city on a very tight budget. We decided to spend one night, two full days in this lovely city so we could spend a lot of money without breaking the bank for our trip.

  SissyTrip 309 SissyTrip 310 My sister used Rick Steves guide to choose our hotel in Venice and he did not disappoint! This quaint little B&B in the heart of the city had everything we needed and for a reasonable price. However, the one fault we could find was the shower was a community one shared by everyone on the floor. I do believe you can request rooms with a private bathroom so do not let that sway you from staying here!

With our hotel only seconds from the most famous bridge in Italy, we set off to admire the Rialto and all its splendors.

SissyTrip 350 SissyTrip 315  SissyTrip 360This bridge might be a favorite place to people watch as there are so many different kinds of people who take to the steps every day. You see singles, lovers, families, friends, all who want to appreciate the structurally beautiful bridge and the breathtaking view that stands before them.

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This one of those times where pictures do not do a place justice. It truly is one of the most magical places in the world and a must see if you travel in Italy. The bustling water taxis going from A to B in the first picture to the quieter, calmer Adriatic as the day ends in the second, leaves no surprise that it was home to a long list of artists and architects!

As the sun died down, we did what I aim to do in each city I visit: sit alongside the river, (because most all European cities have a river running through or around them!) indulge in a beverage of my choice, people watch and be thankful for where I am at that exact moment. These moments are always among my favorite on trips because it is my time to be still, not worry about where I need to be and just enjoy the people I am with and the city I am in.

SissyTrip 356 SissyTrip 357 Having a glass of Prosecco with my sister, watching the sunset over the Adriatic is still, to this day, one of my favorite memories together.

My sister at Harry's Bar My sister at Harry’s Bar .

Remember when I said Venice is expensive and you can either do the budget way or splurge on a good time? Keep that in mind as I go into detail on THE most amazing meal I have ever had. Harry’s Bar is located directly on the Adriatic and is host to some of the happiest people in the world; you’ll understand why when you indulge in their cuisine. With this being our first night in Italy, our first Italian meal, we had no idea we were setting the bar so high for the rest of the trip. Tired and jetlag, we venture to Harry’s in hopes of snagging a table without reservation. (Tip: We were extremely lucky in most restaurants, but do reserve a table when traveling in Europe. After later travel experiences, I learned it is extremely rude to venture in without one) We were received with open arms and a table; however, even with our “let’s splurge” attitude, we were not prepared for the many splendors and euros this place had to offer. Bucket list for my sister and me is going back to Harry’s for a proper dining experience with all the trimmings because trust me when I say, it is worth it!

SissyTrip 369 SissyTrip 370 I had the seafood risotto pictured left and my sister had the tagliatelle bolognese as suggested by the waiter. I think our utensils were just as much in each other’s plates as they were in our own and there wasn’t a clear winner as to whose was the best. Not only was the food amazing, but the staff was just as incredible.

When asked if we wanted dessert, we looked at our money situation and with heavy hearts declined. To our sheer delight, he returned with a piece of chocolate cream pie and two forks for us to share, free of charge!

We devoured it before taking a picture We devoured it before taking a picture

SissyTrip 380 Day two in Venice was spent in Doge’s Palace right off Piazza San Marco. You can book tickets in advance through the website and I strongly suggest you do. My sister booked our tickets before we came and it saved us quite a long queue to enter the palace. Once inside the palace, you can opt to take one of several special tours such as the Secret Doge’s Palace tour for a few extra euro–this is definitely worth it as you get to go inside rooms you would not see with the general admission ticket.

SissyTrip 407 SissyTrip 381 SissyTrip 387 Once inside, you will be subject to beautiful artwork, intricate and elaborate interior as well as a historical insight to life in Venice through the years.

My favorite spot was the Bridge of Sighs SissyTrip 416  SissyTrip 420 named from the sound heard when prisoners walked to their cells. This view is the last glimpse of the outside world they saw before spending life in prison.

After Doge’s Palace, we found ourselves left with only a few hours until we needed to catch our train to Firenze. We ventured out for our last tourist attraction before our time in Venice came to an end.

When you think of Venice, a few key words come to mind. For me, it is gellato, water and gondollas! We agreed we couldn’t leave Venice without having experienced all three!

SissyTrip 326 For the record, my sister’s favorite is stragiatella and mine is pistachio! Now, on to the gondola!

Our gondolier was too much fun. He took us on a wonderful tour of the city where we saw Casanova’s apartment, Doge’s Palace and so many cute water canals! SissyTrip 425 SissyTrip 435 SissyTrip 436 SissyTrip 439

The ride was 50 euros for the two of us and it lasted around 45 minutes; again, a bit pricey but a wonderful experience! You can not purchase tickets online anywhere, simply pay the gondolier for the ride, sit back and enjoy!

SissyTrip 441 Our time in Venice came to a quick end but we absolutely loved our time there! To get to our next destination, we used the high speed rail system for quick, cheap transportation.

Travelling In Europe

I am constantly asked how I travel in and around Europe. Here are some links to websites I use for travel and hotel bookings.

Hotels:

Booking.com

I use this website to browse for hotels because you can put in a price, location and any other requirements you would like for your hotel. Once I find the hotel, I go directly to the website and book it there. You will get the same price and usually a much better room than if you book it with booking.com

Air travel and Car Bookings:

kayak.com

This is the best website to browse every main and cheap airline used in Europe. This will also take into account major train lines to let you compare a flight versus taking a train. What is great about this website is it takes you directly to the airline website once you make your selection.

Thomas Cook

For those special holiday getaways 🙂

Jetair 

You can find some nice prices to sunny, southern destinations such as Spain, Greece and Italy.

Trains:

Eurostar

UK

Belgium

France

Thalys

France

Belgium

Some Germany

Some Holland

ICE

Austria

Denmark

Germany

Switzerland

RailEurope

And of course, Rail Europe can search all of these sites for you. But look out because the price on this website can be much higher than booking directly on the individual websites.

Prague: Czech it out!

Surface_Bastogne_Prague 001 Prague is a place I have come to know quite well as my travels to this enchanting city began in 2010. I always find something new to enjoy and experience when I visit Prague that each time I go feels like my first.

2013-05-04 19.22.15 The great thing about Prague is you can do and see as little as you want without losing a moment of the charm and ambiance it has to offer. But, if you see anything, if you experience anything, if you DO ANYTHING in this city, may it be the Charles Bridge. Situated in the heart of Prague, The Charles Bridge hosts a plethora of street performers, little shops and gorgeous Gothic statues to admire.

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Across the bridge, you’ll find the Prague Castle at the top of the hill. Going to the top of the tower in the castle will reward you with a majestic view over the city.

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And when you come back down, you are rewarded with memorable gold coin 🙂 Not worth anything but it’s a nice momento nonetheless.

Walking into the city offers its own splendid sites such as my favorite, the Astronomical Clock. This clock tells time based on many elements such as zodiac signs, the sun and the moon. You can go to the top but I recommend having a nice Czech beer and admiring it from the square.

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People from Czech are very proud of their beer. Which is a hot topic of debate now that I call myself 40% Belgian. They do have some nice beers and if you are interested in trying new beers, then I recommend the darker ones.

Tucked away from the city’s historical center is a tribute to the great John Lennon. I won’t bore you with a history lesson but on his death, the youths of Prague decided they wanted to pay tribute to the legend by creating a wall that symbolized freedom. At that time, it was a sign of rebellion and anyone would face prison if caught leaving messages on the wall. Today, anyone can leave graffiti or notes to express whatever it is you may be feeling on that day. 2013-05-04 18.03.35 2013-05-04 18.03.41