Relax In Nature At This Beautiful Upstate New York House

Have you been itching to get away from the bustling city and get in tune with nature? Are you ready to just slow down a little bit and take a deep breath of fresh air? If you answered yes, then I have the perfect place for you! About two hours away from NYC, rests the beautiful The River House. The River House is a 3 bedroom, 31/2 bath stone house located on the opposite bank of the Willowemoc River, accessible only by crossing a private bridge. 

The River House is an amazing weekend getaway as it contains the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation. Imagine taking a hike starting from the backyard and coming back home to cozy up by the fireplace. 

The River House was clean, cozy, and felt like a home away from home. Plus, they provide everything that you need for a short stay from towels, toiletries, and continental breakfast!

What To Do:

No matter what season you visit, there is always something to do around Livingston Manor. 

All Year Round Activities 

Yoga:

The River House has a go-to yoga instructor, Justine Sutherland. She gives 90 minutes classes at her barn/studio located on Somewhere in Time Farm or can arrange to come on-site. $20 per person, ($135 minimum). 

The Livingston Manor area also has some cool covered bridges in the area. I visited during late Winter but I can imagine they would be stunning during the Fall and Summer months! This is a great spot for photogenic moments. 

• The Willowemoc Covered Bridge/Bendo Covered Bridge, 68 Conklin Hill Road, Livingston Manor spans the Willowemoc

• The Vantran Covered Bridge/Motts Flats Bridge, Covered Bridge Road, Livingston Manor - spans the Willowemoc

• Beaverkill Covered Bridge/Conklin Covered Bridge, 3 Ragin Road, Roscoe

Spring/ Summer Activities: 

Hike: 

Several different trails start right from the back yard of The River House!

• The Loop: one-mile trail. 

• The River Walk Trail: two-mile walk to Beaver Lake Farm and then another 2 miles on the return.  

• The Old Orchard Trail: three-mile hike each way.

• The Mongaup State Park is also nearby and there are several trails to go on: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24484.html

• Somewhere in Time Farm is an active produce farm that provides herbs and vegetables to many local restaurants and sells its produce at the Catskill Food Hub. In the warmer months, they have a farm stand in front of Main Street Farm in Livingston Manor. The farm is quite impressive and worth a look.

Winter Activity: 

• Snowshoeing is a cool activity to try if you visit during the winter months. It’s something different than anything you will do in the city. Plus it’s a great workout! 

• Frick Pond is a great place to go snowshoeing and is also nearby: 

Places to eat and drink:

I’m not a chef by any means but I wanted to cook at The River House because the kitchen was exceptional! You can pick up organically grown groceries and prepare a nice dinner with access to a fully stocked kitchen with top-of-the-line products! 

Some local restaurants are: 

TIP: most places close early and do not deliver so check online or call ahead to book a table!

• Northern Farmhouse Pasta - Italian food

• Casa di Longobardi - Southern Italian food

• The Kaatskeller - brick oven pizza

• Yiasou - Greek food

• Piccolo Paese - Italian food

• The Arnold - continental food with an Eastern European twist

Some Local Breweries/Distilleries:

• Catskill Brewery 672 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor 

•  Upward Brewery is located on 171 Main Street in Livingson Manor

• Do Good Distillery/Prohibition Distillery, located at 145 Rockland Road

• Roscoe Beer Company, 145 Rockland Road

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity 

Photography by Ashley Gallerani
The stay at The River House was complimentary but my opinions are my own.

Iceland Diaries

Iceland had been on my bucket list of places to visit for years! I heard so many amazing things from friends, family, and blogs and the photos were always so unreal. I had to see it for myself. So in September, I bit the bullet and bought tickets to finally go to Iceland with my girlfriends. Best decision ever!

I spent 5 days and 4 nights in Iceland this December and brought in the New year in Reykjavik. Honestly, I wish I could’ve spent a full week there because there is so much to see! If you have the time, I recommend driving the whole Ring Road and spending at least a week there.

My few days in Iceland were jammed pack and so fun! See below on the areas I went to (Golden Circle and South Iceland) and tips I have.

Arriving in Iceland

Driving/ Renting vs. Tours

We opted to rent a car and drive ourselves which I think was the best decision at the end. I will say, it was NOT easy. We went in December and the weather was not great. Lots of snow, heavy winds, icy roads, and rain. The driving conditions were rough and at times we only drove 20 mph. Another thing to remember is that you will be driving a lot! I mean 5-10 hours a day depending what you want to accomplish. It is not an easy task but the scenery you see will make up for it. On the plus side, there are lot of signs and directions from Google maps are very easy to follow. The roads are also maintained very well- not as many pot holes as I was expecting. Renting a car cost us about $500 a day with insurance and gas (filled up two full tanks of gas). Overall, a car was the cheaper and more efficient thing to do. It was also nice to be able to create our own route and get out as we pleased. This allowed us to feed wild horses in the middle of the fields (I honestly don’t even know where we were ahah).

Tip: get insurance! Our car got damaged by a person’s door flying into our rear-view mirror due to the heavy winds. Do not risk it!

Tip: get gas when you see a gas station! You may not see another gas station for another 90 miles. Remember gas is also quite expensive in Iceland.

Tours are a great way to go if you have a really large party and do not want to take the chances of driving. However, they also take a lot more planning. The tours in Iceland are fairly reasonable ($50-$150). I recommend doing the tour in the day as you will see so much more. When it gets dark, you cannot see the beautiful mountains that you may see just driving on the highways.

Tip: Most tours leave from the city center so I highly recommend staying in Reykjavik.

Tip: Book at least a month in advance!

Day Trip 1: Southern Iceland

Stop 1: Vik

Stop 2: Reynisfjara Beach - black sand beaches

Stop 3: Dyrhólaey- my personal favorite

Stop 4: Solheimajokull- Glacier

Stop 5: Skógafoss- Waterfall

Stop 6: Seljalandsfoss- Waterfall (did not picture)

Iceland may look small on a map but there is so much to see and covering all that ground takes a long time. I knew I had to see southern Iceland before going while doing my research. It was STUNNING!! I highly recommend discovering this part of Iceland! I saw parts of nature that I didn’t even know existed (mind was blown)! The stops listed above is a great way to see parts of south Iceland if you are driving.

We started out driving out to the furthest point and working our way back to Reykjavik. A bonus of driving to the furthest point first is seeing signs for other points on this itinerary along the way and getting a sneak peak of what you will be seeing.

Vik

This is a charming little town in the southern part of Iceland. Being right by the coast, you see nothing but dark blue water for miles on end. It is also quite windy here so make sure you don’t get blown away. 

Reynisfjara Beach

Before visiting Iceland, I didn’t even know that black sand beaches existed. I’m used to the typical brown or white sand beaches. Well the sand along the southern coast of Iceland really is black! The beaches are beautiful and so unique! My favorite part of Reynisfjara Beach was the beautiful mountain with the rectangular jagged edge cliffs. It was so interesting to see a different kind of rock formation.

Tip: wear waterproof layers here

Tip: do not get too close to the water because the waves can get pretty crazy in a matter of seconds. There have been a few deaths here so be careful. Do not face away from the water when taking pictures-that’s how people have gotten swept away.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Dyrhólaey

This was my favorite stop of the first day trip! The view was so incredibly beautiful! My favorite part about this viewing point was that you can see the ocean, mountains, valleys, and little lakes at the top.

You do have to drive up a pretty steep curvy hill to get to see this view. It was a bit scary to get up and down the hill but it was worth it!

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Solheimajokull

Talk about seeing all kinds of natural forms right? In one day (following this itinerary) we saw a beach, mountains, glaciers, and a waterfall! Iceland probably has all 7 world wonders right in the southern part of Iceland! 

I honestly did not know what to expect when arriving at this location. As we walked along the trial, I began to see small forms of bright teal ice. All of a sudden around a corner, the massive glacier stunned us! It was amazing!! 

Tip: if you are interested, you can go glacier climbing! If I had more time, I would’ve totally tried this! 

Skógafoss

One of the famous waterfalls in Iceland is not to be missed! This waterfall is quite grand. Iceland is known for all of their amazing waterfalls so make sure to check out at least one or two. You will also see a ton of mini waterfalls along the drive to Vik. 

Tip: wear waterproof clothing. Chances of getting wet are quite high. 

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Day Trip 2: The Golden Circle

Stop 1: Kerid Crater

Stop 2: Gullfoss Falls- Waterfall

Stop 3: Haukadalur- Geysir

Stop 4: Bruarfoss- Waterfall (did not picture)

Stop 5: Thingvellir National Park

Kerid Crater

We were so lucky with the weather on day 2! We stopped at the Keri’s Crater around 11am and got so unbelievably lucky to be woken up to the most gorgeous sunrise. It was nothing but cotton candy pink and purple skies for miles on end. This crater is a very interesting landmark. It was my first time seeing anything like this too.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

Gullfoss Falls

Another famous waterfall in Iceland and this one I not to be missed! This waterfall was definitely the biggest one that we saw! You can go on a trail to the bottom as well but in December it was too icy and closed off.

This spot has a really nice cafe so it is a good stop to plan around lunch.

Haukadalur- Geysir

This was another natural landmark that I was seeing for the first time. The eruptions were so big which I was surprised by. The first time the geysir erupted, I actually got scared. The eruptions happen quite frequently so the chances of you seeing one is highly likely.

Note that the water smells like rotten eggs but it was still really cool to see this landmark!

Thingvellir National Park

We were so blessed to see an incredible sunset at the Natural Park. The colors of the sky were so beautiful next to the outlines of the mountains and trees. You can end up spending hours at this park going on different trails. We opted to go for a little bit and just take in the scenery instead. In December, the trails were pretty icy so be mindful of this.

Day Trip 3: Locations close to Keflavik Airport

Stop 1: Hafnarberg - Sea-cliffs

Stop 2: Valahnúkamöl- Sea cliffs

Stop 3: Blue Lagoon

For the last leg of the trip, we decided to stay by the airport since the blue lagoon is right by it. Iceland is filled with so many amazing natural areas that we found a few stops to checkout before heading back to the US. Right along the water, there were beautiful cliffs surrounded by gushing waves. The water along the coast were wild! There is a very high chance you will get wet. Still worth checking out the views though. This part of Iceland was also very quite and didn’t have any tourists.

See my Iceland Google maps with all the location pins HERE

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon was one thing that I just had to do when visiting Iceland! It looked exactly like it did in all the pictures I saw online too! The water was incredibly blue, it felt nice and warm, and the views from the lagoon were stunning! However, it was really cold getting in and out of the lagoon (I ran as fast as I could getting in and out). We got the basic package which included a drink and mud masks. I recommend this package because it gave the full blue lagoon experience without breaking the bank. You won’t want to spend more than 2 hours at the lagoon because your head/ top half will get cold and you’ll begin to prune. Another thing to remember is to heavily condition your hair before entering the lagoon- leave the conditioner in your hair too! Even though I conditioned my hair, it was still very dry/ straw like after the lagoon. It took about two washes to get it feeling back to normal.

Ending note- you have to visit the lagoon as it is definitely an experience you will never forget!

Things I Did Not Know But Wish I Had:

The water in Iceland does not smell the best. It smells like rotten eggs (not exaggerating). We stayed in an Air BnB and it was pretty gross. The water was perfectly clean, just did not smell the best. However, when we stayed at a hotel, it did not smell as bad. Not sure why, but just be prepared.

There are a lot of roundabouts! I guess it keeps drivers in check from not going too fast. Started to get a bit annoying but keep your eyes peeled. They also have a yellow light which comes on before the green light to get you prepared to go.

During the winter, there are only about 4-5 hours of daylight. This meant we had to get a very early start to each day! Photos were great to take during the daylight but as it got darker, photos were harder to take. I didn’t realize how dark it was going to be- even during the daylight hours, because it was cloudy, things seemed quite dark!

Food is quite expensive but relative to New York prices. Be prepared to spend an average of $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner.

Be prepared to experience all different kinds of weather and for the weather to change in a matter of minutes. The weather would change of heavy winds to rain to sleet in span of 5 minutes. Crazy!

Also, be prepared to get soaked! If it calls for rain and you are visiting waterfalls, wear all of your waterproof gear. My waterproof parka got soaked through (don’t know how) but be ready to get wet. It was worth it though.

Norway Diaries- Oslo, Bergen, and Tromso

I recently came back from one of my favorite trips I have ever taken- that was my holiday trip to the beautiful country of Norway. It is a country I highly recommend visiting (even in the winter) as you will truly be blown away by it’s naturally beauty and culture.

Today, I am sharing what I did, what I recommend doing, where I recommend eating, and sharing 10 things I wish I had known prior to visiting Norway. Hopefully my experiences and tips will help you plan your trip to Norway!

I went to Norway for 7.5 days/ 7 nights and visited a total of three cities- Oslo, Bergen, and Tromso. I felt like this amount of time was perfect for Norway- you can see the cities and get both nature and adventure in.

Oslo:

Places to eat in Oslo:

1.

You have to eat at Mathallen! It is a huge food market filled with fresh vegetables, cheese, meats/ fish, and desserts. Food here is served fresh and tastes amazing! The locals eat here regularly so you should definitely make a stop here.

2.

Believe it or not, the Asian food in Oslo was great! For a cheap, hot, and tasty meal, go to Lille Saigon! For $15, you’ll get a beer and big bowl of noodles! Can’t beat that

3.

Drink at a cozy bar called Torggata Botaniske! The whole ceiling was covered with green vines/ leaves and the lights were dim and mysterious. The drinks were also really good!

Things to Do in Oslo:

1.

Walk down the cute and colorful street called Damstredet. To be honest, I thought the street was gonna be much longer but it was quite short and it was a very steep hill. However, the street is perfect to capture the perfect shot for Instagram.

2.

Check out the Spikersuppa rink! During the holidays they turn this whole area into a magical holiday market. There are tons of unique street vendors selling art to homemade jams. There was also a ferris wheel and a merry- go-round. So go drink a cup of hot mulled wine and watch the lights.

3.

Visit the Royal Palace! This is a beautiful building and the view from the garden here of the city is beautiful!

4.

Make sure take a walk down by the water and check out the Oslo Opera House. The view is absolutely amazing (especially when the water reflects on the water)! Make sure to check out the inside as well because the inside is quite modern and majestic.

5.

Visit the Vigeland Park- a large sculpture park.

6.

If you have time, take a look at the Muchmuseet, Viking Ship Museum and the Kon- tiki museum. I heard amazing things about both of these places from tons of blogs I read! Just check the hours in advance as they were quite weird when we went and the hours listed online were not updated.

Visit my Oslo map HERE to get the exact location!

TIPS:

The Oslo airport was so clean and very easy to get around. We picked up our bags and headed to the train into Oslo City Center. We decided to take the train because the Uber ride was estimated to cost was $182! The trains were so easy to use, clean, and on time. You can purchase the tickets for the train at the airport kiosk by the trains. There were plenty of people there to help purchase tickets but the machine was self explanatory. The train ticket is valid for two hours and you can transfer to other train.

We stayed about 20 minutes bus ride away from the city center in an area called Sandakar we found this place through Air B and B. The location was great! It was very close to public transportation busses, quiet, safe, and inexpensive.

We took the bus back down to the city center. We had a hard time trying to figure out how to purchase tickets for the bus. There was nobody checking tickets on the buses and no scanning machine. Later, we purchased an unlimited 24 hour bus ticket at a deli de Luca counter for 35 nok.

Tip: You can also purchase these bus tickets at a 7/11. Note that the person behind the cash register is the person who issues you the ticket. We were looking for a kiosk. I found that the tickets weren’t really necessary because we were not checked at all the entire stay and several bus rides. However, I feel it’s better to have it instead of getting a penalty fee if you don’t.

Tip: Throughout the entire time in Oslo, we used credit cards the entire time without any issues. You can also easily get charged individually so no need to worry about splitting a bill. I used a visa credit card and my friend used a MasterCard- no issues. Another friend used an American Express Amex card and had some issues having the card accepted at certain places.

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BERGEN,

NORWAY

Bergen Train Station

Take the train to Bergen from Oslo. This is known to be one of the best train rides as the views are amazing! The train ride is about 8 hours and tickets are under $100.

Things to Do in Bergen:

1.

Take the Funicular to go to the top of Mount Floyen. The ride up is so fun- try sitting in the very front to get a great view going up. The funicular runs every 10-15 minutes till about 4-5pm depending on the day. So plan accordingly if you can’t walk back down. The view from the top of the mountain was beautiful!! The colors of the building against the water were stunning. After you take in the views, of you can, walk down and take the mini turns that take you to other areas of the mountain. The forests there are unreal- covered fulling in moss and they have the tallest pine trees!

2.

Walk around the city center and along the Bryggen- where the colorful house are located. Get “lost” by exploring the tiny cobblestone streets. The streets on Bergen were so cute and lead all different directions.

3.

Eat at the fresh fish market- we had the best fish and chips at one of the restaurants there named Fjellskaal Fisketorget.

Our Christmas dinner was at Kitchen & Table- restaurant by well renown chef Marcus Cooks. They had a huge Buffett set up for the Christmas dinner. Any other night, they have a great menus to order from. The Christmas dinner consisted of fresh breads, salads, fresh sashimi and smoked salmon, an array of traditional meat dishes from beef, ribs, lamb, finished with potatoes.

4.

Check out the Magic Ice Bar- you can literally have drinks in an ice igloo! The experience was unique(very touristy but hey, why not right).

TIPS:

TIP: Take a taxi to the airport. In December the roads were covered in snow and ice so taking public transportation with luggage is a little bit tough. Our taxi ride to the airport was about 335 NOK / $34 for a 7 mile ride. If you are staying in the city center, public transportation may be easy as the bus stops directly in the center. The bus ride costs about $3 and the ticket is valid for two hours. You can purchase the tickets on the app TFT Mobillettor at a ticket kiosk.

TIP: Check the times of opening for all the sights and restaurants you are hoping to visit. Note that many restaurants open around 6pm and museums/ stores close as early as 4pm.

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Arriving in Tromso

Things to do in Trømso:

1.

Walk around the city center. It is quite small so should be able to cover the ground in 2 hours. The building are very charming and storefronts are decorated really cute.

2.

Visit the Polaria (aquarium)- this aquarium is very small and doesn’t take more than 45 minutes to an hour to visit the entire location. The main attraction here are the cute seals. The seals were so adorable and very friendly! Make sure to catch the show/ feeding.

3.

Check out the Arctic Church- Ishavskatedralen. The architecture is very unique!

4.

Go chase the northern lights. I didn’t realize exactly how challenging this was going to be. If you have no experience in doing this, I recommend booking a tour. We took the Northern Lights Photography Tour and it was great! Some other people we talked to booked the northern lights tour several times to get a better chance of seeing the lights.

One of the main reasons I went to Trømso was to see the Aurora Northern Lights. After doing some research, people mentioned that Trømso was one of the best places to view the lights. So it great anticipation, I booked a tour. We departed the city center around 6pm and headed over to our first location Kvaløya. This was a beautiful area- a huge flat field with mountains in the distance. The tour guides were so great at helping each person get their cameras set up to get the best shot of the northern lights. We were there till about 8pm and left since the sky was too cloudy at that location. We sped off to the next location where the clouds were expected to clear up. In about 40 minutes drive, we arrived at Sommarøya- a gorgeous beach with mountains in the distance. The clouds were clearing up and the anticipation was building. We waited here for an hour and half and the skies did not clear up for us. Around midnight, we packed up and headed to the third location. In 30 minutes drive we arrived at our third and final destination, Fjordvegan. After waiting for another 30 minutes, our guide said the chances were quite low for the night and we packed back up to head back to Trømso city center. We didn’t see the northern lights in Trømso like we were expecting but I hope your chances are higher!

I went in thinking the chances of seeing the Aurora lights would be very high- almost like seeing the sunset. Well, I was quite wrong. The tour guides were really nice in telling us the updates on the weather and truly helped get us to all of the best possible locations to see the lights. The chances of seeing the northern lights depend on three factors- pure dark skies (this is why it is best to visit during the winter months when it is dark most of the time, clear skies, and high solar activity). It’s really unpredictable as the weather changes quite quickly.

5.

This was a fun filled day of adventures! We went on the Trømso Artic Reindeer sledding tour in the morning which I highly recommend doing! During the winter months (I went in December), the amount of daylight is very low so the earlier in the morning you head out, the better. You’ll have a better chance of seeing the amazing views and capture well-lit  pictures. As we were leaving the Sami Culture sight around 1:30pm, it was already getting dark outside.

The tour begins in the city center and the bus takes us on a 30 minute ride to the Sami Culture sight in the Tønsvik area in Trømso. We were welcomed by the Sami people with the biggest welcoming smiles. I automatically spotted a reindeer and my excitement level shot up! We started out by feeding breakfast to the reindeer and boy were they excited to eat! Multiple reindeer came trotting over at the sight and smell of food. The reindeer are not shy at all but very friendly. I could not get over how cute the reindeer were- I was literally the happiest girl feeding them.

I got pretty cold after 30 minutes of being outside so we went inside to warm up by the fresh wood burning fire and have a hot drink.

Trømso Arctic Reindeer tour has two options for the reindeer sledding, one is 30 minute ride and the other is a 15 minute ride. We opted for the longer ride but both times will give you the full experience. The ride was absolutely beautiful! The scenery was so gorgeous everywhere you looked. Keep in mind that the reindeer are naturally trained to carry a lot of weight and the Sami people take very good care of them.

After the sleigh ride, we had an amazing traditional Sami lunch. There are two options, a reindeer stew or vegetable stew- both were very good options. Then the Sami people told us a little about their history and traditions.

All in all, I highly recommend this tour! It was definitely an experience that I will never forget. This tour also helps the Sami people keep their traditions alive and prevents the Norwegian government from taking the land for oil mining. The tour cost 1580 NOK/ $183 and you can book the tour HERE.

TIP It was quite cold in Trømso in December, about 0 degrees Celsius/ 32 degrees Fahrenheit). I highly recommend wearing multiple layers and even carry hand and feet warmers. You should definitely wear snow boots with good grip as well.

Stop in a local pub and drink the locally brewed beer from Mask. There are several types so I am sure you’ll find something love. If you have time, just go to the brewery itself. Unfortunately, the hours did not fit my schedule so I didn’t get a chance to visit.

Check out my Tromso map HERE for all the details and locations

Where to eat in :

I found that Trømso food scene was actually better than both Oslo and Bergen, which I was very surprised by.

I highly recommend trying the following places

1. Huken Pub- this is a small yet cozy feeling restaurant and bar. The vibe is very chill and you order food and drinks at the bar. People raves about the burgers at this place so I had to try it out myself. Let me just say, they were not lying. The meat was so fresh and juicy, the toppings were perfect, and that fried cheese was heaven. They also have really interesting potato dishes that were really good too.

2.

Bardus Bistro- this restaurant was a bit fancier but the food was too. The plates were garnished so beautifully that you had to take a moment to admire it before taking a bite. I ordered the lab rib and it was delicious! The meat was cooked perfect and the flavors were amazing. This dish was quite big so be hungry if you are ordering it. The restaurant was so kind to substitute and ingredients and prepare vegetarian options as well.

3.

Bar- right under the Huken Pub was a really cool bar. The place was dark and mysterious with red walls and old school posters. Order a craft cocktail here. I recommend the piper if you like tequila

4.

Solid- a bar and coffee joint in one. This was a great spot to pop in for a quick drink before some restaurants opened up.

5.

Asian healthy cuisine- this was a random fast food joint that is connected to a store. Surprisingly, the food was quite good. If you are looking for something fast and cheap, this is your spot. The bonus was that it was open when many other restaurants were not open yet.

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TIPS

1.

I highly recommend booking tours in advance (at least a month ahead) to guarantee spots. unfortunately, the weather is not predictable so you cannot wait to see how the weather is to plan ahead.

2.

Pack lots of layers for Tromso! It is much colder than Oslo or Bergen. Handwarmers and feet warmers I purchased HERE and HERE were life savers!

Cold Spring

Are you dying to just getaway? Truly relax? While not having to do to much planning? Or spend too much money? Well that's exactly how I was feeling when I decided to take a quick escape to Cold Springs. Living in New York City is amazing but can get quite overwhelming at times. The last time I went on vacation was over six months ago and a truly relaxing weekend away was exactly what the doctor recommended. Just 48 hours in Cold Springs at the Hudson House Inn had me feeling like I had gone on a full week long vacation. I soaked up so much fresh air and let all my muscles finally relax. It was definitely one of the best quick getaways I have ever taken!!

Cold Spring is located in upstate New York, just a quick hour and half train ride away from the city. After work, I hopped on the train at Grand Central and was off to start the weekend. The train ride was so smooth and had the best views. The sun was setting and looked so gorgeous reflected on the Hudson River. 

Where to Stay:

When I got off the train, I felt like I had entered a whole new state. There was not a soul in site and so quite compared to the city. It honestly felt a little weird, but in the best way. It was a short five minute walk to Main Street where the cute hotel on the corner was waiting for me. Hudson House Inn can not be missed in the city of Cold Spring! The minute I walked into the hotel, I felt that warm gushy feeling like I was home. Imagine this- on a cold night, you open the wooden door to walk into a cozy room. The space is lit with a warm light with the addition of candles that fill the area with a relaxing aroma. You're greeted with a big smile waiting for you to check in.

Walking into the room was such a pleasant surprise. It looked exactly like my old bedroom from my hometown of Michigan. It was simple chic with a country style vibe. The pale yellow walls made me feel so calm. Hudson House Inn was built in 1832 and sits beautifully a hundred feet away from the Hudson River. It is truly a part of the interesting history of the Hudson River. While staying at the Hudson House Inn, you'll get gorgeous views of West Point and Storm King Mountain. 

Where to Eat:

Breakfast 

Hudson House Inn is one of the highly rated restaurants in Cold Spring so having a meal here is a must! If you are staying at the hotel, a complimentary breakfast is included. It isn't one of those boring breakfasts you get at other hotels either. Breakfast both days was absolutely amazing!! Hudson House Inn has a great breakfast menu to choose from which includes waffles with fresh strawberries, spinach omelet with homestyle potatoes (which were my favorite), blueberry pancakes, and the big one (eggs, sausage, potatoes, and bread). The bloody Mary and mimosas were the perfect finishing touches to go along with the yummy breakfast. It was the perfect way to start out the day before going for a hike. 

Dinner

If you're looking for a great meal (one of those where you go "omg, this is so good" with every bite), have dinner at the Hudson House Inn!! In between every bite, I was complimenting how good the food was. 

Dinner started off with fresh bread with a tomato and bean topping. The menu is filled with so many delicious options. I wanted to try everything! For appetizers, I tried the homemade Maryland crabcakes made with fresh jumbo lump crabmeat with a side of dijon sauce. The outside was nice and crispy and the inside was filled with fresh crabmeat flavor! I also tried the arugula salad with tossed radicchio, caramelized pecans, cranberries, balsamic vinaigrette, topped with blue cheese. It was the perfect salad- light and flavorful. For the main dishes I went all out. I got the Surf and Turf- a plump broiled lobster tail on an eight ounce dry aged sirloin served with roasted peppercorn brandy sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and carrots. Yummmm! I also got the Hudson House Ribeye marinated in fresh rosemary and extra virgin olive oil topped with caramelized onions and blue cheese. This was one of the best ribeyes I have ever had! The meat was tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked! Hungry yet?

Drinks

Make sure you also try some of the amazing crafted cocktails at the Hudson House Inn or even wine from their large selection. You can curl up on the comfy leather couches by the fire and read some of their amazing coffee table books over drinks.

Things To Do:

While you are in Cold Spring, New York there are a few things you must do!

1. Walk along the Hudson River and gaze out into the mountains. Just listen to the water crash and take a deep breath. I promise it is so relaxing! After all, this is what you came here to do. Read the history of West Point and make sure to take some great pictures!

2. Take a walk through the quaint little town of Cold Spring. Coming up from NYC, I was in the mindset to walk around for several hours but It won’t take you that long. Make sure to check out the cute antiques shops. They have some really amazing hidden gems. There is everything from furniture, clothing, jewelry, dolls, toy cars, and records just to mention a few items. Along the way, step into one of the restaurants and grab a cup of coffee or even an ice cream cone. 

3. Hike! One of the reasons I came up to Cold Spring was to hike. I had heard amazing things about the many trails and the pictures looked beautiful. It was so worth it! I took a 4 hour hike on the Breakneck Trail. The name reflects the mountain pretty well. One step the wrong way and there was a good possibility of actually breaking my neck. However, don’t let that scare you! The hike was absolutely amazing! The hardest part was getting up the mountain and climbing over large rocks. There are different points along the trail so you can choose how far you want to go. The walk down is nice and easy so go for it!

Additional Things To Do:

Take the Metro North (or a cab/ Uber) up to the next city of Beacon, New York. The Dia Beacon Museum is a must see while upstate. It a HUGE modern art museum in a revamped old warehouse. The art here is really interesting and quite different than many other modern art museums I have been to. There are several floors so be ready to walk around. 

3 Beekman St, Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 440-0100

$15   General
$12   Students and seniors
Free for Dia members and children under 12

January–March
Friday–Monday 11 am–4 pm
April–October
Thursday–Monday 11 am–6 pm
November–December
Thursday–Monday 11 am–4 pm

Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Krity

*This was a sponsored post for Hudson House Inn. However, all opinions are my own.*

Dallas

Do you love to eat? Do you like to drink? Do you like to shop?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then Dallas, Texas is the perfect city for you to visit. Dallas, Texas had incredible food, amazing drinks, and a store on every corner! The sizes are definitely bigger- from the size of houses to the size of a drink. I was pleasantly surprised by the bigger drink sizes. I also loved the affordable prices! There is a lot of unique history in Dallas from Kennedy to oil. I learned about this unique city. I think an extended weekend to Dallas is a great idea and anywhere from 2-4 days is a good amount of time to visit. 

Things to do:

When in Dallas, you must go to the Bishop Arts District! It's a cute little area filled with beautiful street art, unique boutiques, great food, and bars. The Bishop Arts district has a great laid back vibe. It's the perfect place to get a picture for the gram too! It doesn't take that long to cover this area- probably about 2 hours total. But I recommend going during the day so you have good lighting for the pictures. 

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I highly recommend going to visit downtown Dallas. The architecture is beautiful and there's some fun things to do there. 

While in downtown Dallas, check out the Reunion Tower. I got the combination ticket ($31) for the Reunion Tower and the Trolley Tour of Dallas. The view from the top of the tower was stunning. You can see all the way to the city of Forth Worth, Texas! The trolley tour was so much fun! The guide shared so many interesting stories about Dallas and it's history. The tour was about an hour and half. It was a great way to see the full city. Dallas isn't like New York City where there is something on every block so it's not easily walkable if you want to see everything. 

Food

The restaurants in Trinity Grove are known to be really good! I didn't get a chance to try them but I heard each restaurant was amazing. They have a huge outdoor seating area too which gave it a really cool vibe, However, I did try out Cake Bar and I have to say you MUST try the cake there. I'm more of a pie gal so when I like a cake, it's on another level good. I tried the strawberry and key lime, both tasted like heaven! It was the perfect amount of sugar, moist, and the frosting was creamy. 

There is also a lot of great food in downtown Dallas. The Omni Hotel has multiple restaurants inside that are yummy! There's also the well known restaurant that started 'Tex-Mex'. The food trucks by Klyde Warren park are also good so if you're in that area, make sure to try it out. Dallas is known for its steak, so if you're a meat lover like me, grab a tasty bite at a steakhouse. 

For brunch, make sure to try Mash'd! This restaurant is decorated in true Texan style- the space is huge, wooden seating, tall bar stools, and even bigger booths. They have $2 mimosas!! No that was not a typo! Make sure to try out the French toast! It was some of the yummiest French toast I've ever had. 

If you're in the mood for Mexican food, try Gloria's. There are tons of great Mexican restaurants in Dallas that I'm sure are excellent. Gloria's black bean dip was to die for! Super simple but I could not stop eating it! Try the steak for a yummy filling dinner. Oh, and don't forget the margarita! 

For drinks, try Happiest Hour! It's a super cool two story bar with an amazing rooftop area. I loved the vibe of this place and the drinks were really good. You can play games, watch sports, or just soak up the Dallas sun at the patio. 

Thank you for reading!

XOXO,

Krity 

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

Best of Barcelona

The beautiful city of Barcelona had been on my list of places to visit for years and it did not disappoint! It was was favorite city I visited on my trip to Spain (also went to Madrid, Segovia, and Valencia). Barcelona is filled with stunning architecture, amazing food, gorgeous fashion, modern transportation, friendly people, romance, and incredible art! I spent 3 nights and four days here and only got a glimpse of what Barcelona has to offer but I got a great sense of the culture. 

Every travel guide will have some of the same places you must visit and I completely agree! There's a reason why those sights are a must see so here are my favorites:

1. Sagrada Família- WOW just wow! You know when you are researching places, there are always reviews/ pictures where you go “wow that's pretty” and when you actually go to visit the place, the images do it justice? Well this Sagrada Família is beyond just pretty. My breath was literally taken away. Pictures can't show it's true beauty. I didn't know where to look first, every inch of this Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece is stunning! I recommend you go visit first thing in the morning, 9am, to beat the crowds. That's what I did and there was already a line. It costs €15 for general admission. Make sure to get your ticks in advance online here!

2. Parc Güell- I highly recommend you go at 8am before the crowds come or even worse the tourist groups! It cost €8 and make sure to grab tickets online before hand here. I just got the general admission and felt that was enough. Definitely go! Its worth spending some time there. It's kind of a steep walk but you get great views and there are so many mosaics!! There are also 2 small Gaudí buildings there that are so different! Make sure your camera is charged because you will want to take a hundred pictures. 

3. Museo Picasso de Barcelonage- A whole museum devoted to the famous artist Picasso is a must. The tickets are roughly €14 and are easily accessible on site. Make sure to ask for a discount if you are under 25 years old. The museum was filled with his first original works. It was a side of Picasso I had not seen before. 

4. Mercat de la Boqueria- The famous fresh market place is a must go to! Buy some fresh pastries, jamon (ham), and tapas. It is a bit overpriced but definitely worth experiencing! The colors are rich and the selection is rare.

5. Las Rambla - Walk down the famous street. It is definitely a tourist trap but you have to experience it. I loved looking at the beautiful architecture on this street. 

6. Make sure you go see a flamenco show! The traditional dance of Spain is one of a kind and is so beautiful. I went to a place called Tarantos in Plaza Real. Advance ticket purchase wasn't necessary. The show was about 45 minutes and cost roughly 15 euros. The plaza itself is beautiful, filled with great restaurants and nightlife so make sure you spend a little time there. 

7. Go see all the beautiful Gaudi work! Caso Balto, Casa Calvet, and Casa Mila. All of the architecture work is gorgeous and like no other in the world. This is one of the reasons I went to visit Barcelona and each building was more beautiful than the next. All works are easy accessible and are not necessary to go into. It is solely up to you. 

8. Check out the Cathedral in Barcelona. Wow! It’s beautiful and huge! The cravings and intricate designs are stunning. I didn't go in but I'm sure it's even more beautiful inside. 

9. Eat at some of my favorite places. Tapas 24- great fresh meats and seafood for small bites tapa style. This is a faster pace restaurant with a cool young vibe.  Bod de B is a great fast food sandwich shop that is cheap! It was a great quick bite that I highly recommend. Cal Pep is just omg good! We waited over and hour and it was worth every bite! This place doesn’t have a menu so you just tell the waiter what you like and they bring out a few dishes tapas style. My favorite was the sausage and beans but everything was great!

10. Shop! Walk down Passage de Gracia where you will find all the high end designers. The street itself is beautiful, wide, and clean. You will also find a million Zara, Berskha, and Mango stores. 

Park Güell

XOXO!

Madrid

1. Visit the bustling area of Plaza de la Puerta del Sol. This is equivalent to Times Square of New York City. This city center is bustling with people, music, art, shopping, transportation, and lights!

2. Start in Plaza Mayor and walk down to Calle Mayor passing Plaza de la Villa. Head over to Palacio Real (a sight you do not want to miss). 

3. Eat! Make sure you have jamon (ham) everyday along with tapas! They had amazing seafood and every restaurant I visited and the flavors were amazing. A few tapas you have to try are shrimp in garlic sauce, fried peppers, and croquettes. We were walking on Gran Via (shopping street) we stopped into eat at a local restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised with a 3 course meal (and only had to pay for one!). The food was amazing and very well priced. Also, many locals were eating here so that's a good sign. 

4. Visit the Parque del buen Retiro (Park)! The flowers are absolutely stunning! The garden goes on for miles and miles- great for a perfect peaceful walk. There is also a gorgeous pond where you can rent a boat and paddle around. The views are just amazing. 

5. Go view at the amazing historic art at Prado Museum. This museum is huge and there is a lot to see! If you are into art- this is a must see. If you arrive at the end of the day (an hour before closing) they let you in for free! This was a nice surprise I learned there. Obviously, I couldn't tour the whole museum but I got a good chunk done. Museum is open 10am-8pm; €14- free on Monday- Saturday between 6-8pm

6. Take a break and have a coffee at Plaza de Oriente. It's a great place to people watch and take in the beautiful architecture. 

7. Shop on Gran Via. It is the fifth avenue of Spain and is by far the best affordable shopping I did in all of Spain. Make sure to stop in at Zara, Primark, Mango, and Bershka for all the hottest trends.

8. Make sure to stop in Mercado de San Miguel. It's a huge food market where you can buy a little something each vendor and sit to have a quick bite. There are endless amounts of fresh olives, homemade desserts, rich wines, and savory jamon.

9. Take a day trip to Segovia! It is absolutely stunning! The city is filled with castles, cathedrals, little alley ways, and rich history!

10. Take public transportation! It is very simple and cheap! Depending on where you go, it cost about 2 euros. I recommend getting a map and having a data plan on your cellphone to track your location. 

CUBA

How do I enter Cuba if I am an United States Citizen?

To travel to Cuba, a US citizen, one must select a reason from the twelve options below:

1. Family visits

2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations

3. Journalistic activity

4. Professional research and professional meetings

5. Educational activities

6. Religious activities

7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions

8. Support for the Cuban people

9. Humanitarian projects

10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes

11. Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials

12. Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing regulations and guidelines.

I traveled to Cuba through JetBlue on a direct flight from JFK Airport in NYC to Havana, Cuba. While purchasing my ticket through JetBlue, one of the steps were to fill out an affidavit selecting my reason to travel to Cuba.  I chose journalism as my reason for blogging purposes. I was very nervous and skeptical about getting a visa by choosing journalism but it worked out. We arrived at JFK three hours before our flight (I think 2-3 hours is a decent amount of time). JetBlue has a check-in area just for flights to Cuba at JFK. We approached the kiosk where a JetBlue representative took my passport and checked me into my flight. I got my visa ($50 through JetBlue at the counter) and got it notarized at the same time. No questions were asked and it only took 10-15 minutes! I was incredibly surprised by how easy the whole process was. With JetBlue, you cannot purchase your Cuban visa ahead of time, only at the airport. I have heard of being able to purchase the visa ahead of time with other flight carriers. JetBlue made the trip very simple and I recommend flying through them (this is not a sponsored post, I just had a great experience with them).

When is the best time to travel to Cuba?

I cannot guarantee when the best time to travel to Cuba is, but I can speck from my experiences. I traveled to Cuba during the second week of May (seven days). I thought traveling to Cuba in May was great because the weather was nice, it wasn't over crowded with tourists, and the flights were on the cheaper side. The weather was perfect, high eighties and nineties fahrenheit, and it only rained one day. It was a little humid, but not to the point where it felt uncomfortable (my hair was manageable). My non-stop flight roundtrip from JFK to HAV was only $285! In all three cities I went to (Havana, Bay of Pigs area, and Trinidad), the streets were calm and I had no trouble getting into museums, restaurants, etc. 

Where should I go in Cuba? What should I do in Cuba?

We went to Cuba for seven days in the following order: Havana (2 nights)-> Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron (1 night)-> Trinidad (3 nights)->Havana (1 night)

Havana

While visiting Cuba, you must spend a couple of days in the city of Havana! The city is filled with color, culture, history, and bustling nightlife. We spent two and a half days and felt that it was enough to see all the main sights. There are tons of things to do in Havana! You can spend the whole day just roaming the streets and getting lost in the colorful architecture. That’s exactly what we did! I recommend the following:

1. Visit Museo de La Revolution. Learn about the history and culture of Cuba for only 8 CUC

2. Be amazed by the beauty of the Capital building and walk along Paseo del Prado where you can find an array of colorful vintage cars!

3. Ride in a vintage car- for 25-40 CUC (depending on your bargaining skills) you can ride in a vintage car of your choice/ color and get an hour long tour in Havana. It was worth every penny and the photos are priceless! I only had 15 CUC by the end of my trip so hustled my way to getting a tour with the money I had left. The Cuban people are incredibly sweet and just want to give tourists the best experience. Tip- bat your eyelashes and smile :)

4. Take a pit stop at the Jose Marti Memorial and learn about Cuban history.

5. Walk along the Malecon! The sights are absolutely stunning and so peaceful! Admire the views of the blue waters and Morro castle. Make sure to catch the sunset!

6. Walk around old Havana from Museo de Revolucion, to the Plaza de Armas, then Plaza de la Catedral, next Plaza de la San Francisco, and end in Plaza Vieja for a nice cold beer from La Factoria.

7. Take a pit stop at the Jose Marti Memorial and learn about Cuban history.

8. EAT!!! Cuban food was delicious! Scroll down for all my favorite places.

In Havana, we arranged a taxi to take us to Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron for 70 CUC. Next stop...Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron

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Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro

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Havana, Cuba

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Palacio del Segundo Cabo

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Plaza 13 de Marzo- Havana, Cuba

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Plazuela de Santo Ángel

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Plazuela de Santo Ángel

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The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de la Habanal

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El Patio En La Habana Vieja

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Casa de Lombillo

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Statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes

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Plaza San Francisco de Asís

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Plaza San Francisco de Asís

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Architecture in Old Havana

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Plaza Vieja- Havana, Cuba

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El Capitolio- Havana, Cuba

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Hotel Inglaterra- Havana, Cuba

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Cuba- Havana- Sunset along the Malecon

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Casa de Lombillo

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Museo De La Revolución, La Habana, Cuba- Havana

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Riding in a n old classic pink Ford convertible along the Malecon in Havana, Cuba 

Cuba- Havana- Vintage Chevy Lime Green Convertible

Cuba- Havana- Colorful vintage cars in the streets

Cuba- Havana- Ride in a vintage convertible

Bay of Pigs- Playa Giron

We went to Bay of Pigs for one reason- scuba diving! It was worth the trip and I will never forget the time in this little city!

We arrived in the late afternoon and it was too late to go scuba diving. Instead  we went over to Coco beach. It was walking distance from the house we stayed at. Coco beach is very secluded and private. The beach is a bit more rocky but the sunset was gorgeous! We swam, drank rum on the beach, watched the sunset, and made friends with locals 

The next day, the bus picked us up to head over to scuba dive. It costs 35 CUC for beginner diving which consists of a 15 minute lesson and hour long dive in the Caribbean sea. It took roughly an hour to get gear and sign waiver. There was someone who spoke English pretty fluently to help me with my lesson. I was surprised about how easy it actually was. We went about 20- 30 feet under. The reefs and wildlife were incredible. One of the coolest things I have ever done!! This area is known for some of the best diving and is why we chose to go. 

We took a Viazul bus from Playa Giron to Trinidad for 14 CUC a person. The trip was about 3 hours long and the bus was really comfortable! I tried to buy tickets online but the website did not work. It was very easy to purchase tickets on the spot!

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The best rum!

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Sunsets on Coco Beach

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Coco Beach

Trinidad

The colorful city was absolutely beautiful!! Everywhere you look, there was color!! The streets were like rainbows.

1. Take a walking tour through the city to see all the main sights and see where the locals live. We took the tour recommended by Lonely Planet

2. Have a drink while sitting on the steps by the plaza and people watch

3. Rent bikes for 5 CUC from the casa. We rode bikes for about 10 miles to Playa Ancon. I do not recommend doing this if you are traveling to Cuba in May or if it is above  90 degrees Fahrenheit. I definitely learned the hard way. I felt like I just rode a marathon by the time I got to the beach. Another option is taking a classic taxi car for 8 CUC. 

Playa Ancon was absolutely beautiful and everything I had hoped for. White sand beaches with clear blue water. The beach went on for miles and we hung out all day till right before sunset. We drank from the bar, had lunch at the Ancon Grill, and drank fresh coconut water out of ginormous coconuts. I couldn't have asked for more. We decided to ride our bikes back and were dead by the time we got back to our casa. 

After Trinidad, we had to go back to Havana because our flight was departing from there. We originally planned to take a bus but we got a persoanl taxi for the same amount so we went with the taxi. Our host helped us arrange the taxi. The cost was 25 CUC per person and the car ride was roughly 4 hours.

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Cuba- Trinidad- Colorful streets of Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad- Plaza de Armas

Cuba- Trinidad- Park -------------

Cuba- Trinidad

Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Cuba

Cuba- Trinidad

Cuba- Trinidad- Local streets

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon- Fresh coconuts for 3 CUC

Cuba- Trinidad- Playa Ancon

Where should I stay in Cuba? 

Most of the time when I travel, I stay at hotels. I did a lot of research before I went to Cuba and after reading a ton of articles, the overall consensus was to stay in an Air BnB. I loved my experiences at the three places I stayed in during my trip to Cuba. The local hosts were absolutely amazing and so willing to help with everything from arranging taxis, preparing food, and giving us tips on where to go. For seven nights, the total came out to $260! 

In Havana I stayed with Elizabeth. The views from her rooftop were great! This apartment was very close to the capital and walking distance to old Havana. If you are looking to be closer to most of the sights, stay in old Havana. I walked past several hotels in Havana and they all looked stunning and incredibly luxurious. 

In Bay of Pigs/ Playa Giron, I stayed at Tony's. I had the best experience here as the hosts helped arrange everything from our scuba diving excursion, taxi, and bus to Trinidad. Tony's wife, Mary, was an amazing cook!! I had some of the best lobster, shrimp, and chicken here!!

In Trinidad, I stayed at Felix's. This was the perfect location! It was very close to the bus stop and main plaza. There was a great restaurant right across the street too! Felix and his wife were absolutely amazing hosts and cannot thank them enough for all their help!  

Cuba- Havana- Balcony view from Air BnB

Cuba- Air BnB- Play Giron

Where should I eat in Cuba/ How is the food?

Food in Havana

The food in Cuba was amazing!! Before I went to Cuba, I heard/ read that the food wasn't that good. But after experiencing it for myself, I have to completely disagree with that!

We went to a famous place, La Guaridia, one night for dinner. We made reservations a week in advance which I highly recommend doing- expect a response within 48-72 hours. This restaurant is located in a residential neighborhood. On the way to the place, we thought we were going the wrong way because it was dark and quiet. The restaurants was super cool! The building is worn down and several levels. I will be honest and say the food was not as good as I was expecting. We had the lobster and chicken. But I will say, it is still worth going for the ambiance and experience. For four drinks, one appetizer, two main courses, the bill came out to about 75 CUC. Tip- request to sit on the roof. The views were cool!

Have a mojito, or two, at El Patio En La Habana Vieja while people watching. The food here is not known to be great but the drinks were great!! It was about 2 CUC per drink.

Try a real Cuban sandwich from Sandwicheria La Bien Paga. The sandwich is only 2 CUC!!! Yup, you read that right. It was delicious!!!!!

In between exploring, try the ropa vieja and a couple drinks at Mama Ines. It was the best ropa vieja I had, ever! The drinks were strong and made perfectly!! This hidden gem is tucked away in a little street and is perfect to try out before heading over to Plaza de San Francisco. 

The beast meal I had in Havana was at Los Nardos. This restaurant had a line every time I walked by. We waited about 30 minutes and it was totally worth it! It was and amazing meal with a romantic ambiance. A really cute man was also playing the piano. I felt like I was Belle from Beauty and the Beast- then the theme song started playing. Try their famous soup, fresh fish of the day, and lobster!

Make sure you head over to Chinatown while you're in Havana! Yup, that's right. We at an amazing Chinese Cuban lunch at Tein Tan. We had beers, beef on hot iron plate and friend rice. YUM!! 

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El Patio En La Habana Vieja

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Sandwicheria La Bien Paga

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Mama Ines- Daiquiri and Ron Collins

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La Floridita

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Los Nardos

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Los Nardos- Full Fish

Food in Trinidad, Cuba

The food in Trinidad was amazing!!! I ate for dirt cheap and the portions were huge!!

We had breakfast at our casa every morning for 5 CUC which consisted of fresh pressed juices, coffee, bread, eggs, and fresh fruits.

One night, we had dinner at La Ceiba which was amazing! It was right across the casa we were staying at. Ceiba means big tree. The restaurant was built up in several levels around this gorgeous tree. I highly recommend trying this place out for dinner one night. We tried the lamb rope vieja and roasted honey chicken. It was served with a fresh fruit salad as well as a vegetable salad. Both dishes were delicious and the portions were very large! The bill came out to about 34 CUC for three cocktails, and two dinner entrees. 

Other nights, we walked down Calle Gutiérrez, which is a main street filled with restaurants. Most of the places on this strip looked amazing and plates never went over 25 CUC. We had dinner at Restaurante Punta Brava that was mind blowing! The portions were big enough to feed an army (image below) and the whole meal came out to roughly 18 CUC. We had lamb special, pork chops, and traditional rice and beans (two different ways). We also wrote our names on the wall with crayons!

 At Playa Ancon, there are bars on the beach where drinks are roughly 4 CUC. There are also fresh coconuts for 3 CUC!! They were huge and so refreshing! There is also a restaurant, Ancon Grill, where they serve hot food and cold beverages. The food was not the best but plate were roughly 5-12 CUC.

What should I pack to go to Cuba?

As far as packing goes, I recommend taking tropical prints, flowy dresses and skirts, shorts, cotton/ linen shirts, and tons of bathing suits (so many great unlined bikinis here)! Stay tuned for all my vacation looks!

Shop this two-piece bikini that is only $12 HERE

Shop this gorgeous palm leaf printed one-piece for $15 HERE

Pink Hat from Zara

Pink Dress from Aidan Mattox- shop the look HERE

Do American/ US credit/ debit cards work in Cuba?

If you use Chase Bank, your cards will not work in Cuba. The atms will not give cash and cards are not accepted in any hotels or restaurants. I recommend taking US dollars and converting cash in Cuba. The currency exchange rate is the same throughout the whole country- it is about 10% conversion fee.

Cuc vs. Cup- almost everything we paid for was in CUC. The locals automatically converted CUP for us. You shouldn't worry about getting ripped off as the Cuban people were some of the nicest and honest people. 

1 Cuc= $1

What do I do if I run out of money in Cuba?

If you run into this problem of running our of money in Cuba, don't worry, there is a solution. One way to get cash is through Western Union. Someone in the US needs to directly transfer money to a local Cuban citizen. You could ask your host family to help you by being the middle man. You will need the local Cuban citizens full name and possibly ID number. Your family/ friend in the US needs to go to the local Western Union and transfer money to their account. Western Union will provide a ten digit code for the transaction. This number is needed to be given when picking up the money at the Western Union in Cuba. This process could take up to a few hours.

TIPS!

Bank- take cash, even some extra cash just in case. Cuba was incredibly safe. I took by passport and cash everywhere I went. I wore by crossbody bag and never felt unsafe the whole time. I honestly felt safer in Cuba than I did in Paris

Save some money at the end of your trip to buy rum at the duty free shops to take home with you!

Medication- take allergy medication- the dust made me quite sensitive. 

Water and fruits and vegetables- we drank out of bottled water and all restaurants and casa. I brushed my teeth with tap water and had no issues. I even drank tap water and had no difficulties. Cuban food always consisted of a vegetable salad- cucumber, tomato, and cabbage. I ate everything (even with the skin) and my stomach was fine. 

Average Cost of Things:

Taxi to and from the airport in Havana= $30 total for car- not per person

Bus prices=$14-25 per person

Taxi from Trinidad to Havana =$25 per person. Same price as vizual bus but you get the whole car to yourself. The taxi should also pick you up and drop you off from your hostal. Door to door service

Average cocktail price= $3

Average beer = $2

Average water price =$1-3 depending on size

Average food cost = sandwiches $2-$7, full plates $6-25

Casa breakfast =$5

Casa dinner/lunch= $9-12

XOXO!

Till the next adventure....

Peru: How to Travel, What to Pack, Where to Stay, & What to do

Over the last few weeks, I have been sharing my trip to Peru city by city. Here is a full recap on Peru!

Our Route:

Lima -> Cusco then directly to Ollantaytambo -> Machu Picchu -> Ollayntaytambo then directly to Cusco -> Puno -> Arequipa -> Lima

Lima- 348 feet

Ollantaytambo- 9,160 feet

Machu Picchu- 7,972 feet

Cusco- 11,152 feet

Puno- 12,500 feet

Arequipa- 7,710 feet

1. I flew into Lima International airport

Sleep: Stay in Miraflores area. We stayed at Pucllana Lodge. It was a good hotel, not the best one we stayed at but good enough to sleep and shower. Breakfast was included and WiFi service was good. 

Eat: Tanta by Larcomar, coffee at News Cafe Coffee Shop located on the main street Avenue Larco, and drink at Nuevo Mundo Draft Bar. This bar is known for their locally crafted Peruvian brews.

Pack: A light jacket, jeans and comfortable clothes, walking shoes/ sneakers, sunglasses, sun block, and a camera.

Things to do: Walk down to the main triangle and go to alley named Calle Manuel Bonilla. It's filled with great restaurants and bars! Go to Larcomar which is a big shopping/ dining outdoor area right by the beach. Walk along the beach and go visit Park of Love. 

TIP: Schedule a taxi for pickup at the airport with your hotel. It will be cheaper and easier. 

TIP: You can see the best parts of Lima in 1-2 days. You don't need to spend more time then that.

TIP: Apply sunscreen even if it cloudy! I got burned my last day in Peru. 

Read more about Lima HERE

2. Flew from LIM to Cusco. Then took a taxi straight to Ollantaytambo

Sleep: Sleep at Hotel Samanapaq. The hotel was beautiful and the service was outstanding! The breakfast buffet is included and the WiFi worked great! The views from the hotel of the old Incan ruins were great. Our stay here was incredibly relaxing!

Eat: At the local Plaza de Armas. There are a lot of restaurants here but it is hard to find traditional Peruvian food. 

Pack: Hiking boots, comfortable clothes, sunblock, sunglasses, camera, and medication. 

Things to do: Go to the Las as Salineras in Maras, walk down old Incan streets/ alleys in Ollantaytambo,  and visit the Incan ruins.

TIP: Work your way up to high altitude to prevent getting altitude sickness and get medication to help you adjust in advance. I was prescribed Acetazolamide by my doctor and it really helped me! I didn't have any trouble adjusting to the high altitude. Since my friend and I were jumping to such a high altitude, from Lima to Cusco, we decided to travel straight to Ollantaytambo. 

TIP: Take the Peru Rail to Machu Picchu station in Aguas Calientes. Make sure you buy the ticket before hand online. You need to pick up tickets before entering the train. Only 1 carry on size luggage allowed per passenger. No big luggages!! However, they will store luggage for you free of charge. 

TIP: Drink cocoa tea!

Read more about Ollantaytambo HERE

3. Took the Peru Rail from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu/ Aguas Calientes 

Sleep: There are a lot of hotels in Machu Picchu. It is a very touristy place. We stayed at Gringo Bills. Hotel was pretty good and WiFi was okay. 

Eat: I definitely recommend trying the alpaca burger at Treehouse. Also go have a 3-course meal at El Indio Feliz. Both restaurants were AMAZING!!

Pack: Bug repellent (there are a LOT of mosquitos here), hiking boots, camera, lots of water, cocoa tea, granola bar, suncreen, sunglasses, tickets printed, passport, and wear layers. It is chilly in the morning but warms up by midday. 

Things to do: Climb Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu!!!

TIP: Buy your tickets to Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu a couple months in advance to secure a spot.

TIP: Buy your bus ticket to take you up to Machu Picchu a day in advance to save a lot of time and hassle!! If you don't, you will have to wait in an incredibly long line the next day for buses. Place to buy tickets is right by the water by the bus station. It is a little wooden booth. Cost about $25 roundtrip.

TIP: Drink cocoa tea!

Read more about Machu Picchu HERE

4. Took the Peru Rail Back to Ollantaytambo then a taxi to Cusco

Sleep: We stayed at a hotel in Cusco called Rumi Punku. It was located just 5 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. This hotel was gorgeous!! Breakfast was included!

Eat: We had dinner at Morena Peruvian Kitchen. OMG!! One of the most delicious meals I have ever had! Also try burgers at Papacho's right by the Plaza de Armas.

Pack: Walking shoes, comfortable clothes, camera, sunblock, sunglasses. If you are planning on climbing Rainbow Mountain: warm clothes, layers because it is very cold, hat, gloves, hiking boots, and medication. Cusco's elevation is very high!

Things to do: Visit the Plaza de Armas and walk around the city. Take a tour to Pisac Market to go shopping. Stop along the way to see alpacas and learn how Peruvian blankets/ yarns are made. Climb Rainbow Mountain!!

TIP: I recommend going around the Sacred Valley with a taxi driver so you can make as many stops as you would like and not be on a time schedule. 

TIP: Carry bottles of water with you because the restaurants in Cusco are on the pricier side. Or buy it from the side street where the waters only cost $1.

TIP: Drink cocoa tea! Elevation is very high here in Cusco!

TIP: When traveling from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, it is much easier to share a taxi and the cost is much lower. Sharing a taxi cost about $7 each.

TIP: Don't miss the sunset and the view of the valleys from Plaza De Armas at night! 

Read more about Cusco & Rainbow Mountain HERE

5. Took an overnight bus (Transzela) from Cusco to Puno. Then took a boat in Puno to island Isla Suasi

Sleep: On the bus. It was nice to save money on the hotel. If you are a light sleeper, I don't recommend this. It only costs $16. In Puno we stayed at the most beautiful hotel ever Isla Suasi!!! They stay at this hotel has been one of the best in my entire life! Highly recommend it. 

Eat: At the Hotel Isla Suasi. They serve a great buffet breakfast. Then for lunch and dinner, you get 3-course meals! All of it is included in the stay at the hotel. 

Pack: Warmer clothes because it is cold in Puno, heavy jacket and lots of layers!

Things to do: Take a tour of the floating islands! Our hotel provided a tour which was included in the package. 

TIP: Dress warm because the temperatures in Puno are much colder! It was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of October.

TIP: Take sunscreen if you have sensitive skin. The sun on the island is very powerful! It gets really warm during the day.

TIP: Take your passport so you can get it stamped at Taquille Island for 1 sol! 

TIP: If you are prone to sea sickness, take motion sickness medication. The waves got pretty choppy a few times.

Read more about Puno HERE

6. Took an overnight bus from Puno to Arequipa

Sleep: We stayed at an amazing hotel right by the Plaza de Armas called La Plaza Arequipa Hotel Boutique. I highly recommend staying right in the center because you get a great view at night time.

Eat: There are tons of great little restaurants off of the little streets by Plaza de Armas.

Pack: Light clothes/ spring clothing and Light jacket for the night.

Things to do: Walk around the city and Plaza de Armas. I heard the Colca canyons were amazing but we didn't have enough time to visit

TIP: Arequipa was the warmest city we visited so take lighter weight clothes!

7. Flew from Arequipa to back Lima

8. Flew from Lima to NYC

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

XOXO!

Cusco & Rainbow Mountain

Cusco was one of my favorite cities that I visited in Peru! I got a chance to do so many great things, one of them being climbing Rainbow Mountain. I wanted to share my journey and tips if you are planning a trip to Cusco.

Day 7 October 7

I took the Peru Rail back from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, my friend and I shared a taxi to Cusco with a great French couple we met on the train. The cost was 20 Sols each (about $7). TIP: It is much easier to share a taxi and the cost is much lower. On our journey from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, we spent about $28 each. That's a difference of $21!!

After a 2.5 hour drive through the Sacred Valley, we arrived at our cute hotel in Cusco called Rumi Punku. It was located just 5 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. This hotel was gorgeous!! It had an outer court area, a huge lobby, great wifi service, large rooms, clean bathrooms, and a buffet breakfast that was included with the stay. I definitely recommend staying at this hotel!

Later that day, went outside and walked around the city. We went to the Plaza de Armas and caught the gorgeous sunset! TIP: Don't miss the sunset and the view of the valleys from Plaza De Armas at night! We had dinner at Morena Peruvian Kitchen. OMG!! One of the most delicious meals I have ever had! I had Aurepuerto ( Peruvian influenced fried rice with chicken) and Ashley had wings with plantains. The sauce on the wings were to die for! Both dishes were filled with such amazing flavors! 

Day 8 October 8

The next day, after an amazing night of sleep, we woke up feeling refreshed and were ready to discover the city. Our taxi driver, Fausto, from Ollantaytambo was so nice that we booked him the next day to take us to Pisac Market (a huge market in the Sacred Valley). The drive to Pisac from Cusco is about 1.5 hours. 

I told Fausto that I really wanted to take a picture with alpacas at some point during my time in Peru and he made it happen! TIP: If you want to see or do something, ask the taxi drivers. They are so helpful and don't mind making stops. Total opposite of NYC taxi drivers. We stopped for the views, to see llamas, alpacas, vincuñas at a local farm, and textile making process. I fell in love with the alpacas and llamas in Peru! I wish I could've brought one home with me.  

We went shopping in Pisac market and bargained our way till we dropped! I picked up a ton of cute souvenirs. They have everything from art, scarves, jewelry, pillow covers, statues, pens, and so much more! TIP: Bargain as much as you can and shop the next stall if a vendor doesn't work with you. 

On the way back from the market to Cusco, we stopped at Cristo Blanco (Jesus statue). The view of Cusco from this point was amazing! I didn't realize how big the city actually was. This half day tour cost us about $25 each. Not bad for a personal tour. TIP: I recommend going around the Sacred Valley with a taxi driver so you can make as many stops as you would like and not be on a time schedule. 

For a late lunch/ dinner, we at Papacho's right by the Plaza de Armas. They had a great selection of burgers! Portions were huge! Prices were mid range for Peru. Note that a bottle of water was 7 sols ($2.50)! Pretty steep for just water. TIP: Carry bottles of water with you because the restaurants in Cusco are on the pricier side. Or buy it from the side street where the waters only cost $1.

Day 9 October 9

Vinicunca mountain! Rainbow mountain! We booked this tour through Flash Packer Connect a month in advance. The bus picked us up right at our hotel at 2:15AM. We then drove another 3 hours to get to the starting point. They served us a cute little breakfast then started the trek. Our tour guide Miak was great! He was filled with energy and had a lot of knowledge about the people and the mountains. He was also very honest about the difficulties of the trek and prepared us in advanced.

Off we went! The start of the trek was a 45 degree climb (of course we start out tough right!?). All three of us were out of breathe 15 minutes in. It was only about 4 NYC blocks, but due to the elevation (14,266 feet), it is really hard to breathe. We all decided to get a horse to help us walk part of the journey ($40 round trip). This saved my life!!!! No way was I going to make the 6 hour trek without my main man of the day Roberto (the nice horse) and Jose the horse guide. SO thankful for them! We rode the horses and walked part of the way. The horses cannot climb the steep parts of the mountain so we had to climb those parts. A couple hours later we arrived at rainbow mountain. Wow, what a beautiful landscapes!!! We had to climb a pretty steep hill to get to the top, then another steep hill to get a better view of the mountain. Boy, was I out of breathe by that point! But I felt SO accomplished and the view was to die for!! I've never seen anything like that in my entire life! We were literally in the clouds 16,455 feet up in the mountains. That is the highest point I have ever been standing on my own two feet. It was such an incredible feeling! The high you feel when you're up there surrounded by the earths natural beauty is something I can't even explain in words. You have to experience it yourself!! This climb was much tougher than Machu Picchu. I highly recommend climbing rainbow mountain! It was one of my parts parts of my whole Peru trip. 

TIP: It gets windy and pretty cold up at the top of Rainbow Mountain so make sure you have on layers. I recommend a warm coat/ fleece, gloves, hat, and scarf. I didn't have some of the items I listed but I wish I did at the top. Flash Packer sends a list of items they recommend bringing. Follow the list because they know what they are talking about. 

TIP: Please note that there are no real toilets in the mountains. So be mentally prepared and bring tissue paper. It was so worth every hard moment!!! 

TIP: I highly recommend doing this climb early in the morning (yes I mean get up at 2 AM). We were one of the only people in the mountains and were able to capture great pictures. As we were on our way back (around 10:30AM), there were a lot of people going up the mountain. 

We ended the great hike with an amazing lunch provided my Flash Packer.

After the amazing hike on Rainbow Mountain, we were SO exhausted! We chilled at hotel and caught overnight bus to Puno. Stay tuned for the next post!! 

Read more about other cities I visited in Peru like Lima, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu!

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

XOXO!

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was an incredible experience that I will NEVER forget!! I wanted to share my experience and share a ton of tips for anyone who is interested in going themselves one day!

Day 5 October 5

We arrived in the city of Machu Picchu/ Aguas Calientes after a wonderful ride on the Peru Rail. The views of the train ride were spectacular and ride was only a quick 2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu. We got roundtrip tickets from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu that cost $135. When we got off the train it we went straight to our hotel- Gringo Bills. It was walkable distance and pretty easy to find since all of the hotels are in the same area. The local Peruvian people were very helpful as well and most seemed to know the hotel. The town is very small and is made for tourists- filled with restaurants that served American food and souvenir shops. 

After settling into the hotel, we decided to walk around the town and have dinner. We had an AMAZING dinner at Treehouse Cafe. I had the alpaca burger which was so good! It tasted like beef and turkey mix. The burger was layered with cheese, bacon, fried egg, arugula, and had the most delicious herb/ olive oil mixture to add for extra flavor!! My friend had ribs with a tangy orange flavored glaze which was equally delicious! 

TIP: Buy your bus ticket to take you up to Machu Picchu a day in advance to save a lot of time and hassle!! If you don't, you will have to wait in an incredibly long line the next day for buses. Place to buy tickets is right by the water by the bus station. It is a little wooden booth. Cost about $25 roundtrip.

We went to sleep quite early as we had to get up at 3:30am to get ready for Machu Picchu and the climb next day. 

Day 6 October 6 

Wake up call 3:30 AM. We got ready and packed our bags for Machu Picchu and Waynapicchu hike! I recommend packing the following items:

1. Granola Bar/ snacks

2. Water- at least 32-48 oz. I also recommend putting Cocoa leaves in the water to help with altitude sickness.

3. Cocoa leaves/ cocoa candy

4. Sunscreen- the sun can get very hot and powerful midday

5. Bug spray!

6. Sunglasses

7. Camera

8. Sweatshirt- I wore mine in the morning and by midday I was only wearing a tank top. The temperatures change so wear layers

9. TICKETS & Passport! This is your entry in so don't forget it!! Also, when you leave Machu Picchu, you can get your passport stamped!  

We arrived at the bus station (bus that takes us up to the entrance of Machu Picchu) around 4:30 AM. There was already a LONG line! About 150-200 people long. The ticket was actually for the 5:30AM bus (which is the first bus up). Close to departing time about 10 buses pulled up- we were able easily get in the first group up the mountain. It was a windy rocky road up but the view were amazing! 

We arrived at the entrance of Machu Picchu in about 30 minutes and went straight to use the bathroom. TIP: use the bathroom before entering because there is no bathroom inside! It costs 1 sol. 

We got tickets to climb mountain Waynapicchu (also spelled Huaynapicchu on the website) 7-8am entrance. TIP: Get tickets a couple months in advance as they only allow 400 people up Waynapicchu a day and tickets sell out fast! Also, have someone who speaks/ reads Spanish fluently with you when purchasing tickets online because the site runs much better in Spanish from my experience. Waynapicchu overlooks Machu Picchu (it is the very large mountain in the back in the picture below). It is a 1 hour climb up old Incan stone steps almost 1000 feet up. It sounds really tough but surprisingly is quite manageable. There were people of all ages doing this climb so don't feel defeated by reading the description. We were blown away by the natural beauty of Machu Picchu the minute we entered in. Everything is so green and fresh!! It felt so peaceful there in the morning when the mist was just lifting up and the sun was rising!

We followed the signs for Waynapicchu and also listened to other tourists going the same way.

Major Tips: I recommend doing the climb up Waynapicchu first before discovering the rest of Machu Picchu for several reasons: 

1: Save the energy you have to climb up Waynapicchu because you are climbing hundreds of rocky stairs 1000ft up!

2. The weather is much cooler in the morning so it will feel better. Trust me! We were making our down around 10am and we could already feel the change of heat, especially during the parts of the trek that weren't shaded by trees. 

3. It's not as busy in the morning and you won't have people climbing down the mountain while you are on your way up! 

4. Put on tons of bug spray before you start the climb

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We started at 7969.13 feet and climbed the mountain Waynapicchu up to the highest peak at 8788.16 feet! We made in up to the top in under an hour (54 minutes to be exact after a lot of heavy breathing and multiple stops along the way LOL). The feeling of accomplishment was unbelievable! I am not a big hiker but after this experience, I can totally understand why people love hiking!! We stayed up at the top for amount an hour just admiring the view, soaking it all up! I've never seen anything like this ever before and the pictures don't do this landmark justice. 

We went back down Waynapicchu (which only took us about 35 minutes) and went to the popular spot to look at the Machu Picchu ruins. Note that you need to fully exit the site and re-enter because of the way they have it set up. Don't forget to get your passport stamped!!

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After a day of climbing, we had great 3 course dinner at El Indio Feliz. I got  onion soup, fettuccine with mushrooms, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and other sauce Peruvian sauces. Last but not least, apple pie and ice cream for dessert. 

We were beat from the climb so we went back to the hotel and lights were out by 4pm.

Day 7 October 7

I woke up tired and sore but ready to take the day on!

We went to Aguas Calientes (hot springs) in the morning. TIP: go in the morning when there is fresh water. We arrived there around 5AM. Cost is about $5-6. Once we got over the greenish tinted mineral water, we really enjoyed soaking in the hot water. It's a great way to relax the sore muscles. 

We then went to the train station to exchange our tickets for an earlier train back to Ollantaytambo. We left Machu Picchu/ Aguas Calientes at 11AM. The city itself does not have much to do and the mosquitos ate me alive so I was ready to move on to the next city. I think 2 days in Machu Picchu is a good amount.

Off to explore Cusco! Stay tuned for the next post!

Read more about other cities I visited in Peru: Lima and Ollantaytambo

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

XOXO!

Adventures in Ollantaytambo

Day 3 October 3

After a couple days in Lima, I flew to Cusco making my way to Machu Picchu. I flew out from Lima International Airport in the early morning. I arrived to the airport about 1 hour in advance (recommended by the concierge at the hotel) since it was only a domestic flight. When I arrived the airport, it was a chaotic mess! The line to check in was at least 2 hours long. There were many flights leaving in the morning and the airport was really busy. Luckily, I let the airlines know my flight was leaving soon and was able to skip a majority of the line. I ran to the gate and somehow made the flight! TIP: From experience, I recommend getting to the airport at least 2 hours in advance so you won't be a complete mess like I was. 

One thing to be careful when traveling to Peru are the high altitudes. TIP: Work your way up to high altitude to prevent getting altitude sickness and get medication to help you adjust in advance. I was prescribed Acetazolamide by my doctor and it really helped me! I didn't have any trouble adjusting to the high altitude. Since my friend and I were jumping to such a high altitude, from Lima to Cusco, we decided to travel straight to Ollantaytambo. 

Lima- 348 feet

Cusco- 11,152 feet

Ollantaytambo- 9,160 feet

Machu Picchu- 7,972 feet

We took 2.5/3 hours taxi to Ollantaytambo from Cusco airport (cost $28 each). We took a taxi instead of a collectivo or bus because we had large suitcases. Even though it cost a little bit more than we had expected, the taxi ride was so amazing! Our driver gave us a tour through the Sacred Valley. First we stopped to look at two large mountains: Chicon and Mount Victoria. Then we drove a little more to Chinchero and went to Ticka Huerta to learn how the Peruvian people make textiles from alpacas and llamas! It was so fascinating to see how the yarn was spun and dyed all by natural elements like salt, lemon, and parasites on the cactus plant. I definitely recommend doing this if you are in Peru!! 

We arrived at Hotel Samanapaq around midday. The minute we entered the hotel, our jaws dropped! It was GORGEOUS! We stayed in a double standard room. The hotel room was clean, well lit, set to a comfortable temperature, and ready for us right when we checked in. The bathroom was a great size and taking a shower after traveling for hours felt amazing! 

There are several different hotel options, but this was one of the best hotels I stayed in Peru during my whole trip. Hotel Samanapaq was a resort in itself and felt like a getaway! It is also really close to the center area of Ollantaytambo where there are many restaurants, bars, and shops. 

Day 4 October 4

We had a big breakfast at hotel (all included) that was sooo good! The buffet was filled with eggs, potatoes with vegetables, croissants and other fresh bakes breads. homemade jam, ham and cheese, fresh fruit, and cereal. We also had cocoa tea which helped prevent altitude sickness. We took a tour around the hotel admiring all the beautiful plants and the green house. We relaxed on the hammocks just listening to the birds and looking at all the beautiful butterflies that were hovering over the flowers. That easily became my spot! I felt so relaxed and right at home.

Later in the day we took taxi to salt plains (Las Salineras) in Maras (cost $15 total). It was so amazing to see how salt is naturally made. The landscape of the salt plains were beautiful! The salt looked like little crystals when the sun was shining on it. This is a MUST SEE in Peru!

To get back to our hotel we took a public bus (cost 75 cents) and collectivo (mini bus- cost $1). Whenever I travel, I love to ride the country/ city's public transportation. 

One of the unique things about Ollantaytambo is that the streets and alleys that exist today were made from the Incan people in 15th Century!! They are not the easiest streets to walk on since they are made of stones and a little uneven but it was still really cool!!

After a long day of exploring the city, we decided to head over to the Plaza de Armas and have a cold Peruvian Cusquena beer with papas fritas (fries) while looking at the view of the mountains and Inca ruins. For dinner, we ended up eating pizza since it was one of the most popular items in every restaurant.

Day 5 October 5

We had an amazing breakfast at the hotel and hung out in hammocks before we had to leave our paradise hotel.

Later that afternoon we took the Peru Rail to Machu Picchu station in Aguas Calientes. TIP: Make sure you buy the ticket before hand online. You need to pick up tickets before entering the train. Only 1 carry on size luggage allowed per passenger. No big luggages!! However, they will store luggage for you free of charge. 

Off to Machu Picchu!!

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

XOXO!

All Things Lima, Peru

I recently came back from an amazing 2 week vacation from Peru and I wanted to personally share my journey with you! In the next couple of weeks, I'm going to share with you what cities I visited in Peru and everything you need to know about the city. First stop: LIMA!

I started my vacation in the capital of Peru: Lima. I landed in Lima International airport around 4pm. Flying into Lima is a very popular choice among people who travel to Peru. It is the main airport and the easiest way to begin the journey. At the airport, my friend Ashley and I were greeted by a nice gentleman holding up a sign with our name. We emailed our hotel in advance to schedule a taxi. I highly recommend doing this because getting a taxi at the airport is much more expensive and not always reliable. 

We stayed in Miraflores, which is a very cute district in Lima that has great food, shopping, and sights to see. It is the best area to stay in while visiting Lima because it is very safe and lively. The area was also really great because the best spots to visit are all in walking distance.

Day 1, we had an amazing breakfast at our hotel, Pucllana Lodge, and headed out to start our first day of vacation! We walked down to Parque Kennedy which is a hot central spot. There was a great pop up street market filled with local art, food, and rollerblading classes going on. It was great to see the local Peruvian life and feel the laid back hustle of the city. 

Casually walking, we ran into the CUTEST little alley named Calle Manuel Bonilla filled with great restaurants and bars. The street was filled with colorful buildings and street art (which you know I love)! 

Exploring the city more, we decide to sit and have a mid-day coffee. Yup we actually sat down to have coffee! That's something that is very rare in my everyday NYC life. We had a delicious cappuccino and latte at the News Cafe Coffee Shop located on the main street Avenue Larco. It was the perfect sunny day to people watch and the view from the patio was perfect for just that.

My favorite thing about vacations are the unexpected plans I make as I'm exploring a new place, this coffee stop was just that. It was great to sit and literally do nothing, something we all don't do enough of. 

After a relaxing drink, which perked us right up, we walked down to Larcomar which is a big outdoor shopping center right by the water. The view of the water is stunning from here! The shopping center is filled with great stores and restaurants. Then we walked down to the beach to feel the Pacific Ocean on our toes and listened to the soft ocean waves. I highly recommend talking a stroll down to the water and Larcomar because the scenery is beautiful. We even walked/climbed on the rocks by the water (very hard but the locals made it look like a piece of cake). Thanks to these amazing CAT booties with the best grip, I didn't slip! 

After climbing back up a million stairs, we went to the Park of Love right by the water. The walls were made of tile artwork that had romantic phrases. The view of the sunset was amazing from this park!

After walking all day long, we were starving! We went back to Larcomar and had amazing dinner at Tanta. I had the Lomo Saltado which a a famous Peruvian dish- marinated steak, vegetables and fried potatoes served over rice. YUMMY!!

The very end of our trip, we spent another day in Lima before heading back to the states. This day we explored another district in Lima called Barranco. It is known to be the "Soho" of Lima. After visiting, I don't know if I fully agree with that statement, but it was a cute colorful area. Barranco was more residential but again the views were gorgeous. I loved all the colorful houses which had such character!

To end a long day of walking, we headed back to our favorite area in Miraflores (Parque Kennedy) and went to a bar called Nuevo Mundo Draft Bar. This bar is known for their locally crafted Peruvian brews. We tried 6 different beers and learned how they were made. The bartenders were extremely nice and answered all our our 100 questions. It was an amazing way to spend the last night of my vacation.

Sweater: H&M

Jeans: Calvin Klein. Similar here

Leather Jacket: H&M

Scarf: H&M. Similar here

Boots: CAT Footwear

Photography by Ashley Gallerani

XOXO!

All Things Miami

I just came back from an amazing trip to Miami, Florida! 

Miami is known for its big party scene and it definitely delivers! 

Sleep:

The best place to stay is off of Collins Avenue in Miami beach. The beach is literally your back yard. Collins avenue is filled with hotels, stores, and restaurants so you don't need to go too far to get food or shop. 

See:

Wynwood Art district. It's gorgeous and filled with so much color. This area is perfect for taking pictures. It's a bloggers dream! It's also totally free! There are tons of good restaurants too. Perfect day to grab a bite to eat and see art. 

South Beach Miami. The party goes on all day here.  

Eat: 

Seafood! Every place I went to eat had a great selection of seafood. Cuban food is very popular in Miami. I went to Sazon Cuban Cuisine. I ordered palomilla steak stuffed with cassava pork rinds it was amazing!! The portions are huge here and 

Gianni's at the Versace mansion was incredible as well. Make sure you make a reservation in advance. My friends and I were treated like VIP the whole night which was amazing!! We were seated in a separate room that was super cozy with beautiful curtains and pillows. I ordered an amazing cocktail- perfect amount of liquor. For the main course I ordered POLLO ALLA PIASTRA 

Pack: 

Take sunscreen and tanning lotion. Miami is perfect for laying out all day! Plus tons of bathing suits! 

Party outfits! The night life fashion there is crazy. Less is more and a little goes a long way. Show off that gorgeous tan you got! 

Bathing suit from GoJane. Similar here

Hong Kong

Last November I traveled to the beautiful city of Hong Kong. This was my first time visiting Hong Kong and it was absolutely amazing!! Planning a trip to a foreign country can be very hard (especially if you don't speak the language) so heres a list of tips, places to visit and food to eat in Hong Kong:

Morning: 

Victoria Peak: take the tram or the bus to the highest point of Hong Kong and see the full view. It's best to go in the morning before the lines get really long and it gets too crowded. 

Hong Kong Times Square- Causeway Bay-Bright lights and lots of stores! the streets are really cool to walk through. There are many high end stores and the largest mall in Hong Kong.

The Star Ferry- Hong Kong consists of a few islands so taking the Ferry is a must to getting from one island to another. It's a short but enjoyable ride. 

Evening to Night:

Tsim Sha Tsui- The promenade at night is gorgeous! I've never seen a more colorful skyline. The view is amazing and the architecture is really unique. No two buildings look alike. There is also a light show every night. The light show was okay, didn't really live up to the hype, but the skyline is definitely worth checking out

There is a main street off of the Tsim Sha Tsui station, Nathan Road, where there are tons of high-end stores. Everything from diamonds to souvenirs! There are also lots of great places to eat.

Soho District: It's the more trendy and young area. Lots of nice bars and full of life in this area.

Ladies Market- on Tung Choi Street this market has tons of little stores where everything from bags, sunglasses, socks, are sold. Lots of people, hectic, but a fun experience

Eat:

Dim sum- Hong Kong is known for amazing dim sum. I went to Serenade Chinese Restaurant and they had a huge selection to choose from. This is located right on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade so there's a gorgeous view to look at while enjoying good food. Pork buns were my favorite!

Chinese Barbecue- perfect for meat lovers! Definitely have to have this while in Hong Kong. Barbecue pork is a popular favorite.

Ramen- another must eat is a big bowl of delicious ramen. There are many variations that you can choose from. 

Here are a few tips I learned:

1. Have the hotel you are staying in write the address of the hotel in Chinese so you can give the taxi driver this. I didn't do this and was dropped off at another hotel...oops 

2. The public transportation system is amazing! It's unbelievably efficient and clean! There is an all day unlimited pass that is great if you will be doing a lot of traveling. However, this is only valid for the trains. Also, if buying a single way or roundtrip ticket, you buy the ticket by what stop you are traveling to.

3. Carry a handkerchief because it can get really hot and you will be sweaty!

4. Tea is water there. It naturally comes with your meal. But if you want water, make sure to get bottled water.