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A Day in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Published on June 21, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Amsterdam has to be one of the greatest cities I’ve ever visited. It’s a city full of amazing energy, delicious food, and beautiful canals. While I was visiting Brussels I decided to take a three hour train ride up to Amsterdam for the day. There’s a lot to see and do in Amsterdam but if time is limited, a day trip is definitely possible.

Eats:

Brunch & Coffee: Pluk Amsterdam

Stroopwafel: Van Wonderen Stroopwafels

Dutch Pancake: Pancakes Amsterdam

To Do:

* Walk around the city and enjoy the canals. Personally, I think Amsterdam’s canals are prettier than Venice’s and it’s much less crowded. Walking along the canals is the best way to enjoy the incredible energy within the city.

* Take a canal tour! I did this on my first trip to Amsterdam a couple years ago and I still think it’s a great way to enjoy the canals from the water.

* Enjoy the wonderful food. You can’t go to Amsterdam without trying a stroopwafel or a traditional Dutch pancake!

* Visit one of the many museums. I love the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, but there are also a couple others such as the Anne Frank house, Rijksmuseum, and the Moco museum. Be sure to purchase tickets online in advance.

* Walk by the Floating Flower market, also called the Bloemenmarkt.

* Rent a bike. I didn’t have time to do this but it’s something I’d love to experience on my next visit.

Tips & Tricks:

* There are several cute cafes throughout the city, not to be confused with a “coffee shop” which sells legal marijuana. During my first visit to the city, I was worried I’d get these two different types confused. Rest assured, a “coffee shop” looks like a bar (also the smell is a big giveaway).

*Dutch pancakes are a bit different than traditional American pancakes. A traditional dutch pancake is big, flat, and thin. They can be made sweet or savory depending on what you’re in the mood for.

* Tickets for museums such as the Van Gogh and Anne Frank are required ahead of time with a specific time slot.

Brussels, Belgium

Published on June 11, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Belgium has always been a place in Europe I’ve wanted to visit but never seemed to make it a priority. I recently spent two days in Brussels and I can now say I wish I would’ve visited sooner! Brussels is a small city with stunning architecture, rich history, and amazing food…I could write a whole post based on the food alone. If Brussels has ever been in the back of your mind, I highly suggest visiting!

Eats:

* Waffles: Maison Dandoy

* Frites: Cafe Georgette

* Chocolate: Elisbeth, Le Comptoir de Mathilde

* Brunch/Lunch: Peck 47, The Sister Brussels Cafe

* Dinner: Cafe Georgette

Things to Do:

* Walk around the Grand Place. This square is full of stunning architecture and gold detailing. The Grand Place square is also a great place to sit and eat a waffle or frites and people watch.

* Eat, eat, eat. Brussels is home to the most amazing waffles, frites, and chocolate!

* Take a day trip. Brussels is located close to other parts of Belgium and close enough to Amsterdam for a convenient day trip.

Tips and Tricks

* There are two types of Waffles to pick from: Belgium and Leige. The Belgium waffle is long, fluffy, and crispy. The Leige waffle is thicker, a bit sweeter, and chewier.

* There are several waffle places around the city but after tasting a couple different places, Maison Dandoy was my favorite. There is also the option to add toppings such as whip cream, fruit, chocolate, but the traditional way to eat a waffle in Belgium is plain with just powdered sugar.

* There are a few different train stations in Brussels, so be sure to know where you are staying in relation to the station.

Paris, France

Published on June 7, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Oh Paris…the city of lights, warm croissants, addicting macarons, and a sparkling tower every night. I’ve been wanting to return to this enchanting city since my last visit a couple years ago and recently I was able to. I had four days filled with lots of food and lots of exploring and I loved every moment. Here’s a small guide of places to eat, see, and overall tips!

Eats

* Coffee: Cafe de Flore, Angelina’s, Cafe Kitsune

* Breakfast: Any bakery with croissants

* Lunch: Ob-La-Di, Peonies

* Dinner: Pink Mama, Picnic under the Eiffel Tower

* Macarons: Laudrée, Pierre Hermé

Things to Do:

* Climb to the top of the Arc De Triomphe. In my opinion, this is the greatest view in Paris and well worth the stair climb to the top. Be sure to purchase the tickets online in advance to avoid long lines.

* Take the metro to Montmartre. It’s a charming part of Paris where all the artists and writers spent most of their time years ago. I suggest having drinks and snacks at La Maison Rose, it’s a picturesque place with a delicious menu.

* Visit one of Paris’s many museums. I had the chance this trip to visit the Musee l’Orangerie and saw Monet’s famous waterlilies. It was breathtaking in person!

* Eat lots of sweets: macarons, croissants, crepes! There are so many fresh bakeries with warm croissants and countless crepe stations throughout the city. Macarons are my personal favorite and the best in the city are from Laudrée and Pierre Hermé.

* Explore the various arrondissements of Paris. My favorite neighborhoods are 1,5,18. Each has so many different shops, cafes, sites, which gives a unique experience to each area.

* Have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. This was one of my favorite experiences. Go to a nearby grocery, stock up on brie, baguettes, fruits, and wine and find a spot to view the stunning tower Eiffel. Pro Tip: have a dinner picnic so you can enjoy the Eiffel Tower sparkle at dusk.

Tips & Tricks

* If you have a lot of sites you want to see and time is limited, invest in a metro day pass that includes all zones. This was a life saver for me, throughout the day I could hop on and off several different metros to take me where I needed to go without having to buy a new ticket each time. The metro also saves a lot of time since the major sites are spread out.

* The Eiffel Tower sparkles every night starting at dusk for the first five minutes of every hour until 1am. It’s pure magic, spend at least one night watching it light up.

* Purchase museum tickets in advance to skip the line it will save so much time.

* Another great view of the Eiffel Tower from a far is from Trocadero. It’s a beautiful platform that gives the perfect shot of the Eiffel Tower from a distance. There are also plenty of spots to sit along the edge for pictures or just to marvel at Eiffel’s beauty.

* Plan out specific sites and attractions you want to see but also leave time to wander and explore Paris without any plans.

Best Views in Florence, Italy

Published on June 4, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Florence, Italy is an incredible city that, in my opinion, has some of the most gorgeous views to enjoy. If you’re visiting Florence anytime soon, I highly recommend checking out some of these locations for the perfect view!

Piazzale Michelangelo

One of the best views in Florence! My favorite time to visit is early in the morning or at sunset. This is a beautiful view of Florence because you can see the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and the stunning hills of Tuscany. The greatest part about Piazzale Michelangelo is that every time you visit, the view appears brand new. There hasn’t been one time I’ve visited where I’ve experienced the same colors in the sky or atmosphere around the square. This is probably why locals and tourists go frequently!

View on Art

One of the many rooftop bars in the city that overlooks the stunning Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. I prefer View on Art because the outside terrace is quite small and usually not that crowded. I suggest going in the afternoon for a typical Italian aperitivo, there is no better way to enjoy this stunning view with drinks and snacks.

La Terrazza Sul Duomo

This incredible view is available to those who stay at the gorgeous La Terrazza Sul Duomo hotel. I highly recommended staying here while visiting Florence. It’s in the heart of the city and the hotel’s terrace on top is an escape from the crowds.

Bardini Gardens

There are a couple gardens around Florence but one of my favorites is the Bardini Gardens. Located in the heart of San Nicolo just across the river, these gardens give you a stunning view of the Duomo. The Bardini Gardens are huge and offer plenty of quiet spaces and hidden treasures. For 10 euros you can explore the entire garden and find a nice spot to sit and take in the views of beautiful Firenze.

Ponte Santa Trinita

From the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge, the Ponte Vecchio is perfectly visual. The Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous bridge’s in Italy. It’s a stunning bridge that hosts dozens of jewelry shops. I prefer to enjoy the view of the Ponte Vecchio from the Santa Trinita bridge. This view is enjoyable anytime of the day but my advice would be to sit along the Santa Trinita with a pizza at sunset and watch the colors on the Ponte Vecchio change with the sun.

Also be sure to visit Sister MAG and check out my feature article on things to do in Florence, Italy.

A Guide to Reykjavik, Iceland

Published on May 15, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

My last blog post dedicated to Iceland is a small guide to Reykjavik. While I was visiting Iceland, I was able to see several different parts of the country and I used Reykjavik as my base. From Reykjavik, the South and West coasts and the Golden Circle are about a two hour drive away. It’s a convenient location if interested in seeing more of the country. Before traveling to Iceland, I didn’t have many expectations for Reykjavik but I was pleasantly surprised! Reykjavik is an amazing city full of friendly people, amazing food, and beautiful art. Even if you intend to use Reykjavik as a base for sleeping, definitely take some time to experience the city.

Coffee & Sweets

Te and Kaffi
Reykjavik Roasters
Sandholt Bakery
Emilie and the Cool Kids

Good Eats

Fiskmarkaðurinn. A beautiful atmosphere for dinner with delicious food. This restaurant is known for their fish dishes but there are plenty of other options on the menu.
Grillmarkaðurinn. A sister restaurant to Fiskmarkaðurinn but this branch is known for meat dishes specific to Iceland. There are also different options available, as a vegetarian, I had several dishes to chose from.
Snaps Bistro. A French restaurant with a cozy interior. I had a delicious dinner here, Snaps is mostly known for their weekend brunch.
Tapas Barinn. A fun restaurant with several dishes to chose from. This was my first dinner I had in Iceland and it was the perfect way to be introduced to the country’s delicious foods.

Things to Do

Walk around! Reykjavik is full of stunning street art and inviting shops. It’s a small city so everything is centrally located.
Climb the Hallgrimskirkja church tower. This is something I wasn’t able to do because the tower was having renovations done but I wish I could’ve. The view over the city from the top of the tower looks incredible!
Go on a helicopter ride. This is something I did have time to do and it was an amazing way to see more of Iceland! The company is based in Reykjavik and there are several different tours to choose from. My helicopter tour went over some craters close by to Reykjavik. The best part about the ride was half way through the helicopter landed on a crater and we had the chance to walk around, it was such an unique experience.
Take day trips! Like I mentioned, I used Reykjavik as my base when I took day trips throughout the week. There are so many day trip options that leave from Reykjavik so it’s extremely easy to see the country. I recommended going to the South and West Coasts, Blue Lagoon, and the Golden Circle.

Photos That Will Inspire You to Travel to Iceland

Published on May 7, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Iceland has always been at the top of my bucket list. I recently had the chance to visit and now I know there truly isn’t another place like Iceland. The entire week I felt like I was dreaming. With stunning volcanos, glaciers, and waterfalls I was tempted to take photos of everything I encountered. I ended up taking more mental photos than real ones simply because capturing the true magic on camera was almost impossible. Looking back on the photos I did take, these are some of my favorites and the ones that remind me how enchanting Iceland is. I’m already looking forward to visiting again!

Favorite Day Trips in Iceland

Published on May 1, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Oh Iceland, the land of fire and ice, the most magical place I’ve ever been. The land of unpredictable weather, countless rainbows, magical horses, and thousands of waterfalls. Iceland truly felt different than any other country I’ve been to. There were several times I felt like I was on a different planet or walking on mars. With only a week in Iceland I packed my days full of different trips and adventures. Everyday was special and memorable. I highly recommended either renting a car, hiring a driver, or booking a day trip tour to truly see the most of Iceland.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a must when visiting Iceland. Although it’s a big tourist stop, it still feels magical and gives all visitors an Icelandic experience. I suggest going to the Blue Lagoon as soon as arriving to Iceland. The Blue Lagoon has a shuttle service that picks up at the airport and afterwards drops off in Reykjavik. Spending the day at the Blue Lagoon after traveling on a plane was the perfect cure to jet lag and the best way to be introduced to all the magic Iceland has to offer!

Tips: you have to reserve tickets online ahead of time with a specific time of arrival.

The Blue Lagoon is high in silica, which is great for skin but not so great for hair! I learned the hard way how hard the water can be on hair. If you’re going to get your hair wet be sure to condition hair before entering and after! Also use a clarifying shampoo afterwards to ensure soft hair again.

South Coast

The South Coast was the region of Iceland I was most looking forward to seeing. There is so much to see and do in the South Coast and luckily, there are several day trip tours that leave from Reykjavik. On the South Coast I suggest seeing: the black sand beach, DC3 plane wreck, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. These sights are easy to get to if you’re planning to drive yourself, but if booking a tour, most all stop at these sights.

Tips: I was really interested in seeing the DC3 plane wreck on the black sand beach. Not many tours stop here because it’s a forty minute walk (one way) from the parking area. However, I was able to find a tour which included riding ATV’s along the black sand beach all the way up to the plane. I highly recommended this! It was such a memorable experience riding an ATV on the black sand beach and throughout other stunning landscapes of Iceland.

West Coast

The West Coast of Iceland was so unique and different than any other part of the country I saw. I suggest seeing: Snæfellsnes National Park, Saxhóll Crater, Black Lava Pearl Beach, Gerduberg Basalt Columns, and the town Arnarstapi. The drive along the West Coast was so beautiful and there were many moments where I felt like I was on a different planet. I constantly wanted to take pictures of everything I passed by. There are also several day trip tours from Reykjavik available that go to the West Coast.

Tips: There weren’t many stops for food along the route to the West Coast so be prepared with snacks and even a packed lunch.

Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is supposedly the most popular tour for tourists in Iceland. This is a shorter day trip from Reykjavik compared to traveling to one of the coasts. Traveling around the Golden Circle with stops takes only about six hours so it’s a possible half day trip. Along the Golden Circle I suggest seeing: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Field, and the Gullfoss Waterfall. These three stops along the Golden Circle route were so incredible. There are a couple paths surrounding the waterfall so catching the perfect angle of this massive waterfall is possible.

Tips: At the Geysir field, there was one geysir that erupts every five to ten minutes. I ended up watching it erupt countless times! It was so fun to watch the water boil and see the water explode up into the sky. Have your video camera ready!

Florence, Italy Weekend Guide

Published on April 4, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Florence has become one of my favorite cities. I’ve had the opportunity to live here for several months and each day I discover something new and memorable. Most of my exploring happens during my weekends, and I thought I’d share a weekend guide for those traveling to Florence for only a few days.

To Do’s in Florence

Wander around the stunning Santa Maria del Fiore Catherdral, aka, the Duomo! It’s one of the most beautiful Cathedrals you’ll ever see. There are so many details in the architecture that still shock me every time I walk by. If you have some extra time, I suggest either climbing to the top of the Bell Tower or climbing to the top of the Duomo, both are great experiences.

Catch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. This piazzale is popular for good reason, it’s one of the best spots to view Florence. Although it’s always crowded with people, it’s the best spot to watch a stunning sunset. I suggest bringing along some wine and snacks too!

Walk along the Arno River. No trip to Florence is complete without a visit to the Ponte Vecchio. Personally, I love to view the Ponte Vecchio from a distance. It’s so beautiful and makes for the perfect postcard picture.

Where to Eat

Osteria All’antico Vinaio

Neri Gelato

Osteria All’antico Vinaio. One of the best sandwiches I’ve ever tasted and well worth the wait in the long line! Bonus: only 5 euros!

Gusta Pizza. My favorite pizza in Florence!

Gelato Di Neri. One of the best spots to grab a cone of gelato. There are several amazing flavors to pick from, my favorite is the ricotta and pear.

La Menagere. An incredible place worth stopping by for coffee, a meal, drinks, or just to see the beautiful interior. On the weekend, I recommend going to one of their jazz nights. Every Friday and Saturday, a live Jazz band plays, it’s such a great way to enjoy some music and drinks with friends.

Things you Cannot Miss

Wine Tour through Tuscany. A wine tour is one of the most unique and special
experiences to have while visiting Florence. Spend the day visiting Tuscan towns, tasting delicious wine and cheese, and stepping into an Italian lifestyle. Most tours do take all day but it’s an experience you will not regret!

Visit one of Florence’s many museums. Of course The Birth of Venus at the Uffizi and the David at the Galleria dell’Academia are the two top attractions to see. But if you’re looking for a slightly less crowded museum experience or have extra time, I suggest visiting the San Lorenzo church and Medici Chapels or Museum of Opera of Saint Maria of Fiore. Both are special museums that illustrate the rich history of Florence. Of course during high season they will be crowded too but nowhere near the crowds at the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Academia.

A Guide to Cinque Terre, Italy

Published on March 26, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Cinque Terre has to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. I wrote a blog post about my first time visiting Cinque Terre, and being back for a second time was just as magical. This time, I only had a day to explore the five towns, which surprisingly, can be done. However, I suggest spending a couple days if you’ve never been before.

Cinque Terre can easily be reached from Florence by train and takes about three hours. No matter where you are traveling from in Italy, most trains all stop at La Spezia. From here you can buy an all day train pass for the five towns. The pass is 16 euros and I highly recommended. Otherwise, each train ride between the towns (including from La Spezia) is 4 euros each. The towns are only a couple minutes a part so going between all the towns takes almost no time at all!

Cinque Terre Towns:

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore is the first town from La Spezia. My favorite thing to do in this town is view the colorful homes and buildings from lookout near the water.

For the best photo: Go to the pier for the best view of the town. Although it’s often crowded, this would also be a great spot to bring a pizza, sit and watch the sunset from the rocks.

Manarola

Manarola is typically the town most people think of when referring to Cinque Terre. Views of Manarola are as perfect as a postcard and definitely worth spending some time admiring.

For Food + a View: The only restaurant I suggest is Nessun Dorma. This fabulous restaurant overlooks the postcard view of Manarola. The restaurant itself is worth going to just for the view of Manarola but it’s even better because the food is delicious! They unfortunately do not take reservations, so be sure to arrive right when they open for lunch or be prepared to wait in the long line that always forms! I’ve gone for lunch and dinner, both experiences were very memorable.

Corniglia

A small and quiet town that’s up on a hilltop. From the train station, the walk is about 365 steps to the town or there’s a bus that takes you all the way up. It’s a unique town where you can see the vineyards and get an authentic taste of how the locals live in this part of Italy.

For the experience: take the bus from the train station up to town but than walk all the way back down. The steps are much nicer on the way down!

Vernazza

Vernazza is full of beautiful pastel buildings that instantly took me back to the summertime. The town is lively and full of great places to grab street food, sit near the bright blue water and enjoy the sunshine.

For the best view: head towards the hiking path to Monterroso. It’s one of the only hiking paths still open and in the off season doesn’t cost anything to walk the path. I was more interested in this path for a specific viewpoint over Vernazza. There’s a perfect spot about five minutes into the path. I packed a small picnic and enjoyed the view, it made for the perfect afternoon! This seems to be more of a secret experience as there were no other tourists, I had the entire spot to myself.

Monterroso Al Mare

Commonly known as the beach town and the largest out of the towns. In the summertime the beach is lined with bright colorful umbrellas and crowds of people. Be sure to check out the gelato place Gelateria Golosone Monterroso Al Mare, it was one of my favorite spots to have a sweet treat.

To Do: Monterroso has the most shops that sell fun souvenirs, beautiful clothes, and unique foods and wines known to Cinque Terre. Take time to wander the many streets full of inviting shops.