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A Day in Milan, Italy

Published on March 12, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Over the weekend, I took a short train ride from Florence to Milan. I’ve been to Milan a few times, but since moving to Italy, I’ve wanted to visit again. From Florence, the train to Milan takes about an hour and a half so a quick day trip is possible. Milan is a diverse city that is home to many museums and galleries, which is why it is known as the design and fashion capital of the world. Although Milan may seem like a typical urban industrial place inside the center and the streets surrounding, there is a sweet and inspiring city waiting to be explored.

Milan Eats & Treats:

Coffee: Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Lunch: Obicà Mozzarella Bar

Treats: Marchesi 1824

Dinner: Piz Pizzeria

Milan Things to Do:

Climb to the top of the Milan Cathedral. This was the number one thing I wanted to do in Milan. The rooftop of the stunning Cathedral is an incredible experience. There are so many great angles to view Milan from above and the architecture up close is breathtaking and picture worthy as well.
Walk inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This shopping mall definitely belongs in the fashion capital of the world. Majority of the shops are luxury brands, but it’s still fun to window shop and spend time in the interior. This is another stunning piece of architecture in Milan.
Walk outside the city center. Milan is a huge city, which I tend to forget every time I visit. There are several areas surrounding the center that make for an enjoyable walk.
Enjoy Milan from a rooftop. There are many rooftop restaurants and bars surrounding the Cathedral. I enjoyed lunch at Obicà which was on a rooftop right next to the Cathedral.

Milan Tips:

If you take the train into Milan, I would suggest taking the metro into the city center. There are clearly marked signs on what metro to take (M3 takes you straight to the Duomo) and it’s only three stops away from the central train station. Otherwise, it is about a forty minute walk.
If interested in viewing “The Last Supper” by Leonardo Da Vinci, be sure to book tickets in advance. It is impossible to book tickets the day of at the ticket office.
Also book tickets in advance for the Cathedral rooftop. During high season, this books up fast and this is a must while in Milan.
If interested in viewing the inside of the Cathedral be sure to wear proper clothing in order to be respectful–covered knees and shoulders.

Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Published on February 20, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Before taking my weekend trip to Interlaken, I knew there were other Swiss towns nearby I wanted to be sure to see. I had read a lot about Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen and decided I would take a day trip to both. I’m so happy I included this in my weekend itinerary. Both towns were charming and covered with the snow. I felt like I was walking through a winter wonderland… Swiss alps addition. A lot of people visit these towns in the wintertime for skiing and snowboarding. I was more interested in the short hikes and taking in the incredible views. Grindelwald was a thirty minute train ride from Interlaken. After spending a few hours in Grindelwald, I took another train to Lauterbrunnen which took another thirty minutes. Lastly, the train from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken was the shortest, only fifteen minutes. Both of these towns were easy to see in one day from Interlaken.

Grindelwald Things to do:

Take the cable car to First and walk along the cliff walk once you make it to the top.
Hike from First to Lake Bachalpsee. Unfortunately since it was so snowy I wasn’t able to make this entire hike, but in the warmer weather it looks like a beautiful hike! Since I wasn’t able to take the hike, my friend and I just walked as far as we could and it was equally as beautiful to me.

Grindelwald Tips:

The cable car ride from town to First is 60 CHF and so worth it! The ride on the cable car is about twenty minutes and offers some incredible views all the way up. On the way up, it’s a bit crowded but on the way down, my friend and I had the cable car to ourselves!
I suggest bringing a packed lunch or snacks when visiting Grindelwald especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in the alps. While on First, there was two little food stations with mostly warm drinks. My friend and I brought along food we picked up at the grocery store before leaving Interlaken and ate at a picnic table outside one of the food stations.

Lauterbrunnen Things to Do:

Walk along the trials. There are several paths you can walk. My friend and I just kept walking on the road from the center of town and it took us pretty far on a path with gorgeous views.
Take pictures of the church. The town’s church is a popular photo because of the stunning view behind it. There are many different angles to get the perfect shot.

Lauterbrunnen Tips:

If you’re visiting Lauterbrunnen in the wintertime, we found that there were a lot of paths closed due to ice and falling rocks. I suggest walking along the main road, it takes you pretty far.
Try one of the many cafes in town. There were so many cozy coffee shops along the main road, all with a view of the Main Street and the mountains in the background.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Published on February 12, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Over the weekend, a friend and I took a magical trip to Interlaken, Switzerland! Interlaken has been high on my bucket list for quite some time. Not only is it close to many charming Swiss towns, it is home to some of the most adventurous activities (especially in the winter). I had such a memorable weekend and I’m already looking forward to returning.

Interlaken Eats & Treats:

Brunch & Coffee: Velo Cafe
Dinner: Hüsi Bierhaus
Dessert: Funky Chocolate Club Switzerland

Interlaken Things to Do:

Paraglide. If you enjoy an adrenaline rush and a view from above, I highly recommend paragliding. It was one of the best experiences and one of the most memorable parts of my weekend.
Walk to Lake Brienzersee. There are two lakes surrounding the city of Interlaken but lake Brienzersee is more popular and easier to find. It’s about a forty minute walk from the city center and a relaxing spot to view the beautiful mountains. Lake Brienzersee is a great spot for pictures too, the water is so blue, most people refer to it as “the blue gatorade water.”
Take Day Trips. The train system in Interlaken is so easy and cheap to take short rides to neighboring towns. A lot of tourists take the train to other towns for skiing or snowboarding. If you’re like me, and would prefer to just explore other towns, I highly recommend visiting Grindelwald and Lauterburren. Each town was about 20-30 away from Interlaken by train.

Interlaken Tips:

If you want to see Interlaken’s other major lake, Thunersee, I suggest taking a bus. My friend and I tried to walk there from the city center and it took hours to walk and although it was pretty, it took much longer than we anticipated.
You can also take a bus to view Interlaken from above. When I went paragliding, we took a twenty minute bus ride up above the city center and the neighborhood above was so beautiful as well as the view.
A popular view of Interlaken is from Harder Kulm. Unfortunately, the train that takes you to the top is closed during the winter months. A path leads to the top but it takes two hours and I’ve heard it’s a bit too icy in the winter. This was something I was interested in but hopefully I’ll be able to visit Interlaken again in the warmer months!

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Published on January 12, 2019January 25, 2019 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

A few days ago, my mom and I decided to take a short trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This small town is just above Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. I was immediately charmed by the shops, restaurants, and stunning views which were a close walk or drive away from NOTL’s historic district. This was considered Niagara-on-the-Lake’s low season so there were hardly any other tourists and our time there became a relaxing little getaway. Niagara Falls is a short thirty minute drive away from NOTL which we made sure to see on our way out of town.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Eats & Treats:

Coffee: Balzac’s Coffee
Breakfast: Sunset Grill
Lunch: The Epicurean
Dinner: Bistro six one
Ice Cream: Gelato di Carlotta and COWS

Niagara-on-the-Lake Things to Do:

Visit Queen’s Royal Park to view Lake Ontario. This is where I took most of my pictures of Lake Ontario. There’s a great sidewalk right along the lake that gives you the perfect view of the water. From the historic district, Queen Royal Park is only two blocks away!
Walk along Queen and King Street. These are the two main streets in the historic district of Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is also where you will find the cute stores and a few restaurants. Since this is low season, some stores opened later in the day or were completely closed on a break, but window shopping was still enjoyable!
Try ice wine at one of the many wineries in the area. I didn’t get a chance to visit a winery but my mom and I passed by countless wineries on the way into town and also on the out skirts of the historic district.
Drive or walk around the streets surrounding Queen and King street. The neighborhood surrounding the historic district is where most of the locals live and it’s also where the bed and breakfasts are. My mom and I loved driving through the streets to look at all the beautiful old cottage style houses. Every cute house made me want to move to Niagara-on-the-Lake!
Check out the Old Niagara Bookshop. This charming bookshop is right in town with several books to look through.
Drive to Niagara Falls. From Niagara-on-the-Lake, the falls are only thirty minutes away. We decided to stop at the falls on the way out of town but next time I’d love to visit the falls at night when they are lit up!

Niagara-on-the-Lake Tips:

If you’re visiting from the USA, use your credit cards instead of cash. All restaurants and shops take credit cards and it will give you a better exchange rate. Most shops and restaurants except US cash, however, they will give you Canadian money in return as change.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is strict about street parking, if it would have been warmer my mom and I probably would’ve walked instead of driving into the historic district from our bed and breakfast.
All the bed and breakfasts in the town are adorable, I don’t think you could go wrong with any. We stayed at the Kia-Ora, which was wonderful! It was also only four blocks away from Queen and King street.

Historic District along Queen & King street

Salzburg, Austria

Published on December 13, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Although I was only in Salzburg for about four hours, I had such a memorable time. I loved everything about Salzburg and all of the history and culture it had to offer. With only a few hours, I had time to walk around Salzburg and participate in The Sound of Music tour. The Sound of Music is one of the main things Salzburg is known for, as most of the movie was filmed in Salzburg. Even if you aren’t a huge Sound of Music movie fan, if you’re visiting Salzburg, this tour is a must! I learned so much about the real story of the Von Trapp family, the filming of the movie, and throughout the tour I saw more parts of Austria, which to me was one of the best parts!

Austria is a beautiful country I hope to visit again sometime soon. Here are some of my favorite photos from Salzburg, Austria.

24 Hours in Budapest, Hungary

Published on December 6, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Last weekend I went on a whirlwind adventure traveling to Hungary and Austria. I was able to spend about 24 hours in Budapest so I took advantage of every moment. Budapest was one of the most magical cities I’ve been to. I was in awe of the stunning architecture throughout the city, especially the Fisherman’s Bastion. A day wasn’t nearly enough time, but since Budapest is easily walkable, I was able to pack a lot into one day.

A few things I suggest seeing in Budapest:

Fisherman’s Bastion, I recommend walking to the top. The view of Budapest along the walk is incredible!
Walk across the Chain Bridge.
Grab a cup of coffee at Espresso Embassy.
See the interior of the New York Cafe.

Vienna, Austria

Published on November 29, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

On my weekend adventure through Hungary and Austria, I was able to make a quick stop in Vienna for one day. I already knew Vienna would be a magical place but spending time in Vienna, even for the day, during the Christmas season made my experience doubly magical. There were Christmas markets on every corner throughout the city spreading the Christmas spirit. I was constantly wondering through a new market, with a mulled wine in hand, desperately trying to find Christmas gifts for my family members. Overall, it was a perfect day full of lots of walking and lots of eating. For food, my friend and I found traditional apple strudel at a Christmas market and tried the traditional Sachertorte, both were incredible. I also recommend trying the double espresso with whip cream on top at one of the many cafes. Within 24 hours, my heart and stomach were very happy with Vienna.

Thankful for Traveling

Published on November 22, 2018November 22, 2018 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. I love the food that’s served, the company of my family, and the reminder to be thankful.

This year, I’m especially thankful for travel. The feelings traveling has brought me. The experiences I’ve had. The places I’ve seen. The opportunities I’ve been presented with. Traveling does so much more than I ever imagined. I have learned so much about the world, different people and cultures, but most importantly, I’ve learned so much about myself.

I’m thankful for the places I’ve been…and have yet to go. I know being in Italy is only the beginning of my adventures. To me traveling is stepping into a completely different area of comfort. Traveling takes me beyond what I’m familiar with, which encourages and challenges me all at the same time.

Traveling has shown me who I once was, who I am, and who I want to be. It’s allowed me to appreciate my home and the places and people I’ve taken for granted at times. Traveling has given me a sense of joy that will live on within my heart and mind for the rest of my life.

This year I’m thankful for travel.

My Guide to Florence

Published on November 15, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

After spending the last few months in Florence, I thought it was time to share my favorite places to eat, drink, and explore. My only hope is that this list will continue to expand the more I settle in to this amazing city! Here’s the beginnings of my guide to Florence:

Where to Dine:

Gusta Pizza

Out of all the places to get pizza in Florence, this has to be one of my absolute favorites. Not only is the pizza extremely cheap, the quality is incredible! Gusta Pizza is a small little hole in the wall place that seems to always be crowded, for good reason. My advice is to order a pizza to go and walk to one of the near by gardens to enjoy your tasting pie!

Obicà Mozzarella Bar

In terms of a nice sit down restaurant, Obicà is my favorite. The interior of the restaurant itself is worth going for. They offer a large selection of typical Italian dishes but be sure to try their homemade pasta and stay for dessert.

Carduccio

If you want a place that doesn’t offer the typical Italian dishes and is more on the healthy side, definitely visit Carduccio! I love going for their fresh juices and smoothie bowls. It’s the perfect way to start the morning before a walk around Florence.

La Ménagère

Now for my favorite spot to get breakfast and coffee…La Ménagère! This restaurant is stunning inside that not only has a restaurant but a small decor and flower shop as well. To me, they serve the best breakfast, I’m always torn between which dish to order because everything is so tempting.

Mama’s Bakery

I recently found this bakery which is located near the Pitti Palace. Mama’s is known for serving more typical American style dishes like grilled cheese, bagels, and whoopie pies. I love coming here when I’d prefer to indulge in a treat that reminds me of home.

Gelato:

Gelateria La Carraia

My favorite gelato in the entire city! This is the creamiest gelato and they have such an amazing selection of gelato flavors to choose from. My favorite is the salted peanut, it tastes just like peanut butter.

Gelateria De ‘Medici

This gelato place is a bit of a walk from the city of Florence but well worth it! They have several fruit flavors that taste so refreshing and almost like a sorbet.

What to Do:

Visit The David

Visiting Michelangelo’s masterpiece is still one of my favorite things to do on a rainy day. David is the “man of Florence” for a reason and he’s a must see while visiting Florence. Or if you’ve already seen him, I’d recommend going again. To me, his beauty gives me a different experience every time I visit.

Boboli & Bardini Gardens

The two major gardens in Florence cannot be missed! There is so much to see within the gardens and on a nice day, I never want to leave. I love bringing a small picnic to either to relax and marvel at the incredible views of Florence. Tip: although you are allowed to bring food into the Bardini Gardens, you can’t sit on the grass. There are several benches and tables around but if you’re looking for a traditional picnic experience, bring food to the Boboli Gardens instead.

Gucci Museum

I wrote a post about the Gucci museum a little while ago but I think it’s one of the more unique museums in the city. There are so many wonderful museums surrounding Florence but I think the Gucci museum is special since the Gucci brand originated in Florence. Plus it’s hardly ever crowded which gives a nice break from the crowds.

Walk to the Ponte Vecchio

The most beautiful bridge in Florence is definitely a highlight. I love the Ponte Vecchio’s architecture, I still stop and stare whenever I’m near by. Tip: take pictures on the side near the Uffizi. Most people take photos from the Santa Trinta bridge but this gets extremely crowded with people and cars driving by.

Piazzale Michelangelo

One of the best ways to view Florence is from Piazzale Michelangelo! The hike up to this piazzale is an uphill one but very enjoyable. There are also several busses that will take you straight up as well. This is also a nice spot to bring a picnic along and appreciate the views of Florence.

Take Day Trips

Florence is surrounded by so many amazing towns that are easy to get to by car or train. I wrote about some of my favorite day trips here. Florence is a great base for overnight if you want to explore more of Tuscany by day.