I should probably come clean at the beginning and confess that I grew up in the Lower Hudson Valley (Monroe-Woodbury in Orange County to be exact), so I may be a bit biased in saying that this is the best of the East Coast (even though it is).  But, I’m happy to share with you the list of all of my favorite things that this incredible region has to offer!

1. West Point (aka United States Military Academy).  It may seem strange that my top spot in the Hudson Valley is a military base, but once you see it, you’ll understand why!

   

   Founded at the beginning of the 19th century, the USMA is one of the most historic institutions in the US.  Its history goes back to the Revolutionary War, where a great chain constructed in the picturesque bend of the river prevented British ships from sailing north into the rest of the colonies.  Now, West Point is one of the top universities in the country, training and educating future army officers in exchange for military service.  There is a visitor’s center outside the gates of West Point where you can learn about the academy, and a museum where you’ll find information about the base’s history.  Visitors can enter the base to visit the historic Thayer Hotel, which serves up an excellent Sunday brunch and has a great rooftop restaurant/bar, Zulu Time.  You may also take a bus tour of the base to learn about its incredibly interesting history, and to get an inside look of some of the incredible buildings. Alternatively, you can enter the base on your own to explore Trophy Point, the Cadet Chapel, and the West Point Cemetery where many famous Americans are interred.  In the summer, be sure to check out the outdoor concerts at Trophy Point, or the shows and events at Eisenhower Hall from September-April.

   

   The best time of year to visit West Point is most certainly the autumn when the leaves take on glowing red, yellow, and orange colors, there are Army football games to attend, and the mountains seem like something out of another world.  Restrictions on entering the base are being tightened, so be sure to plan ahead if you do not have a DoD ID card; more information for visitors to West Point can be found here.

2. Perkins Peak.This is a tough contender with West Point for my favorite spot in the Hudson Valley, but actually, the hiking trails at Perkins Peak butt up to West Point property, so we can almost consider it the same.  The Appalachian Trail runs right through Perkins Peak, but you don’t need to do any strenuous hiking to get there if you don’t want to.  This is a scenic overlook with incredible views of the Hudson River, and on a clear day, the Manhattan skyline.  A lot of people will drive up (via Perkins Memorial Drive) to Perkins Peak just to climb the lookout tower and have a picnic lunch on the beautiful, flat rocks overlooking the river.  If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can hike a short loop of the Appalachian Trail (definitely worth doing), or one of the other many trails that run through the area.  In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. *Keep in mind that Perkins Peak is open only April-November.*

   

3. Bear Mountain State Park. Located nearby to West Point, Bear Mountain is a gorgeous natural park with lots of activities to keep you entertained year round.  There is the Bear Mountain Inn with a restaurant to visit, but also a ton of outdoor activities.  Nearby to the Bear Mountain Inn is the Bear Mountain Ice Rink which is a beautiful place to skate outside in the winter.  In the summer, there are a ton of hiking trails and outdoor events to explore.  Sometimes you’ll also find Redhawk Native American pow-wows held in the park which are amazing events to attend- a good way to explore some of the native culture of New York!  And as with West Point, the most beautiful time to visit is in the autumn months when the foliage lights up in beautiful colors.  Be forewarned, this is also one of the most touristy parts of the year in the Hudson Valley, but seeing the beautiful mountain colors are more than worth a little extra road traffic!
4. Warwick, NY. Warwick is a small town about 45 minutes from Bear Mountain State Park that’s full of beautiful farms, quaint restaurants and shops, and a lot to see and do.  The main street in Warwick is full of cute shops and restaurants that make a great afternoon stroll, but there’s a lot happening outside the commercial center, too.  In fact, I have so many top spots in Warwick that it justifies its own list:
   • Masker’s Orchard. Found just outside the main streets of Warwick, this spot is a step outside the mountains I’ve been raving about.  Masker’s Orchard is a massive orchard with hundreds of pick-your-own apple trees of all different varieties.  My all-time favorite fall activity is visiting Masker’s with a picnic lunch and finding a spot to eat under an apple tree.  You can spend as much time in the orchard as you’d like, and you pay for any apples you bag by weight on your way out (after taste-testing one or two in the orchard, of course!).  Even after leaving the orchard, you’ll find a country store with local products (definitely try the apple butter), and a food stand selling all home-made apple products like apple cider, apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and apple donuts.
   • Bellvale Farms Creamery. Located on one of the highest hills in Warwick, the Bellvale Farms Creamery has arguably one of the most beautiful views in the area, served up with what is most certainly the best ice cream I’ve ever had.  Plus, you can go meet the dairy cows right at the bottom of the hill- it doesn’t get more fresh than that.  This spot is nothing more than a local ice cream shop with a view, but it is absolutely worth a stop for the view and dessert!
   • Warwick Valley Winery. There are many wineries in the Warwick area, but the Warwick Valley Winery tops my list because of its tasty wine, great scenery, and other amenities.  Not only does the WV Winery grow excellent, local wine, but they also have their own cider and distilleries that offer great alcohols from almost any fruit you can imagine.  In addition to their tasting room, they have a restaurant/cafe and outdoor patio where live music can be enjoyed in the summer months.  This is a great place to spend an afternoon trying some local products and enjoying the adult beverages of the area.
5. Walkway Over the Hudson. This a relatively new Hudson Valley attraction that has gained local interest very quickly.  Spanning the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and the New Paltz- area, it brings you a bit further north into the Hudson Valley, but well within the natural beauty of the region.  While not directly in New Paltz, the New Paltz side of the bridge is close enough to the town to include on your Walkway itinerary.  New Paltz, home to one of the State Universities of New York, is notoriously a “hippie town” with a beautiful and walkable main street, plus excellent shops and restaurants.  There are also many important historic landmarks in New Paltz, most notably the Historic Huguenot Street.  The Poughkeepsie side offers great restaurants and activities along the waterfront, making it a great end-point to your walk over the Hudson.  The Walkway itself provides you with beautiful views of the river and surrounding scenery- it’s definitely worth a visit!

Even after traveling through so much of the world and visiting so many beautiful places, I can genuinely say that the Hudson Valley is still one of my favorite places to be.  In my mind, nothing beats visiting Perkins Peak in autumn when the leaves are changing colors and looking out at the Manhattan skyline in the distance.  Likewise, there are few better ways to spend a day than sitting in an apple tree at Masker’s munching on a fresh Delicious Red.  I encourage anyone with a free weekend in NYC to make the trip up north to explore some of the great things that New York State has to offer; these are the things that make New York the Best of the East Coast.

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Where to stay: Unfortunately, there aren’t any hostels in Visby, and being in Sweden, it’s a pretty expensive place to stay.  Given the budgets required for a hotel in the city, it’s likely that an Airbnb rental will be the only feasible option for budget travelers.  Visby is a really small city on a pretty small island, so staying within the general Visby area will likely be fine.  I found, though, that the money I spent on taxis getting to my apartment outside of the old town (about 30-40 minutes by walking) was just as pricey as it would have been to stay in the old part of the city, since that’s where I spent all of my time.

Because Visby is so small, the public transport is equally small, so keep that in mind when picking your spot!  That being said, if you’re visiting Visby more for its natural beauty, you might want to stay outside of the old city because it’s more likely you’ll be able to have a car out there, and some of the most beautiful places are within walking distance if you’re in the suburban area of the city.

Where to eat: My absolute favorite spot in Visby, particularly for lunch, is Eden.  This restaurant is located right on the main square near the St. Katarina Cathedral ruin, and is a tapas-style cafe.  They have lunch specials which work well if you’re on a budget, but also a ton of options for dinner.  If you’re looking for Swedish pub food (which you should), check out G:a Masters.  It’s located in an old building tucked away on a side street in the city (screen shot a map route to this one!), and you’ll find great traditional food, local beer (definitely try), and friendly service.  And lastly, I recommend Italienaren, a small and cosy Italian restaurant located near the tourist information office in the main part of the old city.  This spot has a mix of traditional Italian food, and some different, interesting menu items, making it a great spot to treat yourself to a nice dinner.  It is on the pricier end of the spectrum, but absolutely worth it!

What to do: For such a small town, Visby has an absolute wealth of interesting things to do.  For those of you who are largely unfamiliar with Gotland and Swedish history, I recommend visiting the Gotlands Museum.  It contains interesting artifacts from pre-history through more recent centuries, and gives you such a great insight into the city and island.  If you’re traveling with kids, it also has a ton of activities for them!

Beyond the Gotlands Museum, walking around the city is absolutely the best way to get to know it- no purchase required!  The old town in Visby is fairly small, and is easily walkable in a day (I spent at least 2 full days wandering, though!).  The architecture of the city, especially the cottages near the far city wall (opposite the water) is incredibly unique and beautiful.  There are several cathedral ruins spread throughout the city which are great places to explore.  The cathedrals are only open during the summer months, but you can still see them any time of year by simply walking around the exteriors.  St. Clemens is the exception, open all year long, this ruin also has a café attached- definitely a beautiful place for a picnic or a cup of coffee.  Along with the cathedral ruins, there is the Visby Botanical Garden, which is a beautiful park worth wandering around if you have sunny weather!

St. Clemens Ruin in Visby, with the attached café

If you’re in Visby for more than a couple of days, you have plenty of time for adventures outside of the town.  One of the most famous spots, Faro, is a small island on the northeast of Gotland famous for its rock formations.  Getting to Faro from Visby via public transportation is quite easy- there’s a bus that goes directly to the ferry port in Farosund.  I will warn, however, that getting around Faro itself is a bit challenging if you don’t have some form of transportation (bike, car, etc.).  The ferry from the main island to Faro is free and runs regularly, so renting a car for the day may be the best option if you don’t have a bike available to you.  The town of Farosund nearly shuts down outside the summer months, so don’t plan for food options or bathroom breaks unless you’re there in the summer!  All of that being said, the landscape on Faro is BEAUTIFUL, and I didn’t even make it to the rock formations:

The coast of Faro

Overall Opinion: I absolutely fell in love with Visby and Gotland in my few short days there.  This little city on this little island absolutely stole my heart with its beauty, history, inhabitants, and culture.  I visited in autumn when the island is largely hibernating, but I still found plenty to do and see for 4 days.  With that being said, Visby is quite cold and dark throughout the autumn and winter, so if you’re more interested in hiking and exploring the island at large, visiting in the summer might be your best bet.  I truly enjoyed the short days exploring the city and long evenings sitting in warm pubs and enjoying the cosy culture that Visby offers.  If you’re looking for a non-traditional destination in Sweden, I highly recommend Gotland and Visby!

Where to stay: Stockholm is a beautiful and vibrant city with a ton of different types of neighborhoods to choose from.  Gamla Stan, the Old Town, is one of the most prestigious places to live in the entire country, so naturally, staying there as a tourist will cost you a pretty penny.  I opted to stay in the neighborhood called Sodermalm, which is on the island south of Gamla Stan, but along the same metro line.  I found this area to be bustling with chic bars and great restaurants, as well as plenty of boutique shops that didn’t make you feel like you were walking and breathing tourism every minute of the day.  Add to the fact that some of the best views in the city are on this island, and I’d say this is the place to be if you really want to experience all that Stockholm has to offer, and not just the touristy old town.

Hostels have weird policies in much of Sweden, which often include a requirement to bring your own linens and towels.  It may not seem like such a big deal, but when you have to pay upwards of $30 or $40 USD per night for the privilege of staying in a shared room, I believe that you should have a sheet on your mattress that you didn’t have to bring with you.  Because of this, I opted to stay in an Airbnb since I was able to find one to split with my friend that worked out to roughly the same price as a dorm room in a hostel (here).

Where to eat: There are a ton of great restaurants of almost all cuisines in Stockholm, so the trick is just finding the ones that look most interesting!  Unfortunately, nothing in Stockholm is super cheap, but there are certainly options off the beaten tourist path that are less expensive than in the old town near the attractions.  For example, try visiting Lisa’s Cafe in Sodermalm.  It’s an adorable little café where it’s clear that the servers know everyone who walks through the door, or will by the time the customer leaves.  Eating breakfast at Lisa’s feels like eating in your grandmother’s kitchen- warm, cosy, and friendly; the perfect way to start the day!

I recommend visiting the Nya Carnegie Bryggeriet, a brewery in a suburb accessible by tram, bus, or ferry.  I especially recommend visiting for lunch, as they have excellent lunch specials (and beer) that aren’t too expensive.  The neighborhood where the brewery is is also really nice to walk around- it’s clearly in a more modern part of the city, so if you have some extra time, it’s worth a wander.  If you’re looking for something distinctly not Swedish, I have two recommendations that came on good authority from locals.  First, The Holy Cow, is a great Indian restaurant located in Sodermalm with relatively inexpensive food and a great atmosphere.  While it isn’t exactly local cuisine, it is clearly a local “spot”, which counts for something!  Secondly, I recommend a restaurant called Moso Jamrock.  Also located in Sodermalm, but slightly closer to Old Town, this is an excellent Caribbean-style restaurant with delicious food and staff that are incredibly friendly and welcoming.

There are also some cultural food traditions in Sweden, which I really think we should all respect.  My favorite of these traditions is something called “Fika”, which is essentially a mid-day break to have coffee and a pastry.  You’ll find Fika menus and special pricing all over the city, and when you can no longer feel your hands because of the cold, you’ll find that it will always be a good life choice.

What to do: Stockholm is a really incredible city to explore at any time of year.  Of course, visiting in the summer gives you certain advantages, as some sites and attractions are only open or have extended hours between May and August.  If there’s something specific you want to see in Stockholm outside of the summer months, you should definitely do some research to see if it’ll be open when you’re there, otherwise you might be sorely disappointed.  If you’re just visiting Stockholm to take in its history, beauty, and culture, you’ll have plenty to see all year round!

Start by taking a walk in Montelilsvagen, which is a path above the water across from Gamla Stan (old town).  This path will give you absolutely INCREDIBLE views of the city (above), and is a great way to take in the atmosphere and architecture before heading over to the tiny streets of the old city.  If you’re looking for the opposite view, head over to Riddarholmen, which is a small island connected to Gamla Stan.  You’ll find a gorgeous cathedral, interesting food trucks, and a beautiful waterfront on this island.  I found that sitting and looking at the brick facade of city hall from Riddarholmen was one of my favorite places to be in the city.

To orient yourself to the city, try a free walking tour of Gamla Stan with Stockholm Free Tour.  There is so much history packed into those little streets, and so many ways to get lost, it’s really nice to have a guide giving you some ideas and suggestions for what to visit later.  This company also offers tours of the more modern part of the city, so if you’re more interested in the current culture and architecture, you can check that out, too!

If you’re going to visit one museum in Stockholm, and there are many to choose from, I would definitely recommend visiting The Royal Palace.  This is the former residence of the Swedish royal family, but is still used for visitors, and is a central landmark in the middle of the city.  The great thing about a ticket to see the Royal Palace is that it will also give you access to the Treasury, where the crown jewels are now kept, which is a cool place to check out.  Keep in mind that if there are royal visitors in town, access to the inside of the palace will be limited, so if that’s important to you, be sure to check their website in advance.  If you have some time to get outside the city, you can also visit Drottningholm Palace, where the royal family currently resides.

And last but not least, if you’re looking to splurge and spoil yourself, you can have a Swedish spa experience!  The spa at the Grand Hotel (across the water from the Royal Palace) is absolutely incredible, and while it is a bit pricey, it’s worth every penny.

Overall Opinion: Stockholm is a truly incredible city with a rich history and beautiful culture.  Despite its notoriously chilly weather and dark winter days, you’ll likely find that the city is one of the warmest and coziest that you’ll visit.  Even though there is often more to do in the summer months when there’s plenty of daylight and warmth, there are also far more tourists during these months than there are between September and April.  Visiting Stockholm anytime through October will give you the opportunity to experience beautiful fall weather, empty streets, and an incredible atmosphere, so don’t be afraid of heading to Sweden after the summer ends!  I would absolutely visit Stockholm again, it’s really an amazing place to be.

Where to stay: There are a ton of inexpensive and highly rated hostels in Porto, so I really think that’s the way to go in this city.  Porto also really lends itself to social life, and staying in a hostel will make it easier for you to meet people to do things with during the day and at night!  Staying in the historic center is really important in Porto because it will give you the opportunity to walk almost anywhere you need to go (if you don’t mind walking up and down hill A LOT).  I think that anywhere in the center between the Clerigos Tower and the river would give you great access to anything you’d want to see or do, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

Where to eat: Cuisine in Porto is really more of an art form than it is a basic human necessity.  With that being said, it’s really easy to fall into the trap of eating at one of the outdoor cafés by the river and never actually experiencing good Portuguese food.  I recommend wandering around near the university (also near the Clerigos Tower) to find some more out-of-the-way spots for your meals.  You may also opt to get a bottle of wine and some snacks and sit under the olive trees next to the tower, it’s clearly a local hangout, and it’s completely beautiful.  I also recommend the restaurant RomeoGiulietta, which I stumbled upon while wandering around.  The food was delicious, as was the wine, and for what you get it wasn’t crazy expensive.  The service was excellent, and the atmosphere was great- a nice hidden treasure.  Fortunately, if you plan it right (read: stay away from tourist traps), none of the food in Porto is very expensive, so this is the city to treat yourself to a nice meal!

What to do: There is an absolute ton to see and do in Porto, aside from soaking up the sun in the summer!  I recommend checking out the Pancho Free Walking Tour on your first day, as the tour guides are truly incredible, and it will give you a great look into the city and an idea of where to go or what to see.  My tour guide was Graca, and I couldn’t possibly have better things to say about her, so if you have the chance, hop on her tour!  After you’ve had a good look at the city on the free walking tour, I’d recommend heading up to the Clerigos Tower for a beautiful view of the old town and gorgeous architecture and rooftops.

It’s likely that you’ll spend most of your time down by the river drinking wine and eating delicious tapas, but I strongly recommend heading across the river to try some port wines in the cellars.  Port wine is actually made in the valley east of Porto, but it’s aged in the cellars across the river from the old town.  I recommend heading to the Croft Port wine cellars, which is the oldest in Porto.  They given an excellent tour of a truly remarkable cellar space, and the tastings are much better than some of the other big names closer to the river.  I wouldn’t recommend going on a wine tour because you’ll have essentially the same experience just visiting Croft as you would if you were on a tour, but you’ll spend a lot less.  If you have your heart set on a tour, the Pancho Wine Tour is a good choice because it’ll bring you to Croft, and then to several wine shops where you’re served tapas, taught about other kinds of wine, and given the chance to chat with your tour-mates.  If you’re just looking for a good glass of wine or a cocktail outside, the Sandeman cellar has an outdoor bar which has great port wine cocktails.  The sangria, in particular, is incredible, so hop on over to drink some Sandeman port mixed with other delicious things.  There are some beaches close to Porto, although if you’re in the city for a few days, I recommend sticking by the river and soaking this gorgeous city’s atmosphere- it’s truly unique and incredible!

Overall Opinion: My visit to Porto was my first visit to Portugal, and I must say, Porto has stolen my heart.  The city is a beautiful mix of perfectly imperfect architecture and city-scape mixed with amazing wine and food, as well as just an incredible and artistic atmosphere.  The key with Porto is staying in the non-touristy neighborhoods, and you’ll easily be able to find a “local” experience.  I truly loved how this city seemed so perfect in its imperfections; it feels “lived in” and loved.  I highly recommend spending a few days in Porto, it’s hard not to love!

Where to stay: I visited Istanbul while traveling for a weekend with my students, and we stayed in the Zeynep Sultan Hotel, which was absolutely lush and beautiful.  I recognize that this wouldn’t exactly fit into my budget had I not been traveling for work, so I will instead recommend that you find a place to stay in the Sultanahmet neighborhood of Istanbul, which is the Old Town.  Staying in this neighborhood will put you within walking distance to essentially everything in the city, and it’s a great way to walk around at night and enjoy kebab shops and tea rooms, or beautiful and serene evenings gazing at the Blue Mosque.

Where to eat: Grabbing cheap food in Istanbul is actually the best way to get an authentic experience.  If you’re looking for decent food in the touristy old town of Istanbul, there are some great kebab shops on Caferiye Sokak, which is the road that runs parallel to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia.  You’ll be able to find different meat kebabs, like chicken, beef, and lamb, but also falafel and other various dishes that will be delicious and inexpensive!  Another must-try in Istanbul are Turkish Delights.  They’re indescribably wonderful treats that often have different fruit and nuts in them, and they’re small square pieces that are covered in white powder on the outside (otherwise impossible to describe).  The best ones that I was able to find (and I did a thorough taste-testing in the city) were again on Caferiye Sokak, and the shop is called Hafiz Mustafa.  You can buy pre-boxed ones or just fresh from the counter, and they’re great!  They also have a tea room and other traditional treats, so it’s worth a stop.  Going to a tea room is the way to spend an evening in Istanbul, rather than going out to bars (which you’ll have trouble finding in Sultanahmet).  There’s a great tea room just near the Blue Mosque (if you follow the signs for the Mosaic Museum to the left of the fountain between the Mosque and Hagia Sofia, facing the Mosque, then you’ll find it), and they offer dancing and music performances as well as authentic tea and shisha.  Definitely try the apple tea- it’s sweet, delicious, and inexpensive!

What to do: Istanbul is a city with thousands upon thousands of years of history, so it’s certainly challenging to know where to start!  I absolutely recommend buying a Muze Pass if you plan to go to the Hagia Sofia museum, the Topkapi Palace and Harem, and one or two other museums, as this will allow you to bypass ticket lines, and will cover all of those places for a certain number of days (one entry per site).  You can buy the Muze Pass at any ticket counter where they accept the passes, or at stands near the Hagia Sofia/Blue Mosque, and many hotel receptions will also sell them.  With that being said, I highly recommend a visit to the Hagia Sofia, as it’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the world with one of the most interesting histories.  The juxtaposition of Christian and Muslim decor, fixtures, and architecture absolutely blew my mind.  Directly facing the Hagia Sofia is the Blue Mosque, and again, I strongly recommend a visit.  The best part of this one is that the Blue Mosque is free to enter, but there are restrictions on when you can enter based on prayer times.  It’s best not to be there within a half hour to an hour in each direction of each prayer time.  Be especially cautious of Fridays, as the restrictions on entry for tourists will be stronger.  Also note that if it’s raining, the Mosque may be closed all day to avoid getting the carpets wet for those who will later be praying.  For women, remember to bring your own head scarf if you don’t want to borrow one of theirs, and for all, be sure to wear clothing that covers your legs and shoulders, as these things are required when entering the mosque.

The Topkapi Palace is an absolutely beautiful place which deserves at least a full afternoon.  The Muze Pass will give you entry to the Harem as well, which was honestly my favorite part of my visit to the palace, as it shows what the life of the Sultan was really like, and furthermore, it dispels myths about the Ottoman royalty which are often perpetrated by the “West”.  The architecture and tiling inside the Harem is absolutely breathtaking, and worth a visit on its own.  The Underground Basilica Cistern is a really neat place to check out, particularly if you have a rainy day.  Note that the Muze Pass does not cover this site, as it’s run by the municipality, rather than by the organization which runs the pass.  The other place that’s not to miss, particularly if you’re looking to bring home souvenirs, is the Grand Bazaar.  This is the main stage of the art of haggling in the city, so walk in expecting not to ever pay the first price offered, and it’s possible to get some great deals.  Just remember which entrance you walked into, because it’s quite easy to get lost inside the giant labyrinth of shops.

I certainly recommend a walk from Old Town over the Galata Bridge and up the hill to the Galata Tower.  Aside from this being a beautiful walk with amazing views, the neighborhood near the Galata Tower is really great.  There are much cheaper restaurants and shopping opportunities over there, and it’s a really nice place to spend an evening.  Similarly, for an off-the-beaten-track place to visit, hop a 20-minute ferry from the port near the Galata Bridge to Kadikoy, which is the Asian side of Istanbul.  Not only is the ferry ride absolutely stunning, visiting the Asian side of Istanbul is a really cool experience that many tourists either opt out or don’t even consider.  The ferry is also only 4 TRY round-trip making it a very cost-effective thing to do if you’re on a tight budget.  Be forewarned that this side of the city is much more chaotic and crowded than Sultanahmet, but it’s still a really great way to immerse yourself into the vibe of the city.  There are far less touristy shops, but you can certainly buy much cheaper clothing and food here, and it’s a nice place to spend an afternoon.

Overall Opinion: Traveling to Istanbul was an absolutely amazing experience, and I would go back in an instant.  The city offers so much in terms of variety of sites to see, things to do, and great shopping.  It’s also extremely unique culturally because it’s such an interesting mix of European, Middle Eastern, and Islamic styles and customs.  I found that visiting Istanbul gave me much more of a culture shock than most of the other places I’ve visited in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, as it’s so vastly different than almost any other country in Europe.  Certainly travel to Istanbul, and Turkey in general, with an open mind and willingness to go with the flow, and I’m sure that you will thoroughly enjoy your experience.

Where to stay: ​I wasn’t particularly thrilled with any of the hostel options in Milan, so I opted to go with Airbnb instead.  I found this apartment, which was a short walk away from the city center, and the hosts were really great!  The listed host wasn’t there when we were, but his roommate was still really cool to hang out with, and even invited us out with his friend one of the nights we were there.  Staying directly in the historic city center can be very pricey, and I truly didn’t think it was necessary since Milan is so walkable and well-connected with public transportation.  This Airbnb was located in the Chinatown area of Milan, which was actually a great neighborhood to explore as well.  There are many fantastic restaurants in this area that are cheaper and significantly less touristy than almost anything you’ll find in the historic center, so staying out a bit may actually work to your advantage.

Where to eat: I spent a lot of my time in Milan eating excellent food and drinking wine, and I can’t say that I was disappointed with my decision.  I found that it was difficult to run into bad cuisine, even in the touristy areas.  The only problem with those touristy restaurants is that they’re significantly more expensive for the same food, so it’s definitely best to stay away from them.  I found a restaurant called La Crota Pimunteisa which was AMAZING.  It was one of those meals that truly changes your life, and the atmosphere of the restaurant itself made me feel like I was truly eating somewhere special.  We entered the restaurant, and the waitress asked if we needed the menus in English, and when we said that we did, she said, “Well, I’m the English menu!” and then spent the next 10 minutes sitting with us and going through each and every dish to explain what they had.  It was such a warm and comfortable place, I would highly recommend a visit.  Beyond that, I just recommend that you start walking down side streets either in the historic center, or surrounding it, and you’re bound to run into something delicious!

What to do: ​There aren’t a ton of “sites” to see in Milan, although there are a couple that you won’t want to miss.  The first that I definitely recommend is the Terrace of the Duomo.  You can buy tickets in advance, which I highly recommend, in order to skip the typically long line.  Being on top of that cathedral on a nice day is unlike anything else, it’s absolutely gorgeous and the views are wonderful!  If you want to visit the inside of the cathedral, be sure that you’re dressed appropriately; sleeveless shirts and non-floor length skirts/dresses (even when you’re wearing tights) are not allowed, and you will not be granted access- so choose something a bit more conservative that day.  If you want to visit Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, make a reservation for tickets as far in advance as possible.  You have to purchase tickets to see the refectory where the fresco is along with tickets to an art museum, it’s not possible to just visit the fresco, and the tickets are on the pricey side.  These reservations all book up very quickly, so if you don’t book ahead it’s likely that you won’t be able to go.  Aside from that, I highly recommend walking through the streets with the designer fashion labels just to see how beautiful the stores are!  There are also beautiful historic side-streets in Milan just waiting to be discovered, and there surprisingly aren’t a ton of tourists because they’re not super centrally located.  Walk around the small streets that surround the historic center, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Overall Opinion: I was honestly not expecting a whole lot from Milan, but I was very pleasantly surprised.  I guess it isn’t fair to say that I wasn’t expecting anything, but it certainly wasn’t high on my Italy list- and I am SO glad that I spent a weekend there.  Milan is a great city to visit for a spring weekend when you just want to have delicious pasta and wine, and relax surrounded by beautiful architecture.  I had always heard that Milan was such an industrial city that it isn’t very pretty, but this is so far from the truth!  The historic center is gorgeous, and just as you would expect from many other Italian historic centers, but even outside of the center the city is beautiful with lush parks and landscapes.  The shopping in the city is also on point if you’re into that sort of thing.  I found that even the chain fashion stores like Zara and H&M had better stock than they do in other European cities, and it’s obviously more feasible to shop there than at Versace. No one needs to know where in Milan you got that outfit!  I would definitely recommend giving Milan it’s fair chance over a weekend, it was just a lovely place to be.

Where to stay: ​New Orleans is a great city to meet new people- so many of the locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming that you can’t help but feel at home in this gorgeous city.  For that reason, I would definitely recommend staying in a hostel here, especially if you’re looking to enjoy the nightlife just as much as the daytime exploring.  There are some insanely inexpensive hostels in decent areas of the city with excellent ratings on Hostelworld.  You’ll want to try to stay in the general area of the French Quarter, although the city is so small and accessible that you really don’t need to be in the French Quarter proper to enjoy all of its charms.  Many of the hostels listed are in and near the warehouse district of the city, which is also a great spot to be within easy walking distance of all of the famous spots.

Where to eat: Going to New Orleans means going to one of the culinary capitals of America (if it isn’t already, I just deemed it to be), so you really need to allow yourself to enjoy all of the types of cuisine that New Orleans is world-famous for.  I spent that large majority of my time in New Orleans eating (no shame), so I have a running list of some excellent options:

First, you’ll definitely want to go to Willie Mae’s Scotch House for some of the best fried chicken you’ll ever have in your life.  There will probably be a line outside of the restaurant, and it definitely won’t look worth it from the outside, but it really is!  They batter the chicken fresh to order, so the food takes about 30 minutes to come out, but you can truly taste the difference.

If you’re looking for some fancier fare, try Nola, a true piece of culinary art.  You’ll pay for what you get at this restaurant, but for a nice night out it’s a great spot to be, and in my opinion, better than Commander’s Palace in terms of quality of food and experience.

If you want a fancy Creole dining experience without the fancy restaurant price, I’ll let you in on a New Orleans secret.  The famous restaurant Antoine’s (the oldest Creole restaurant in New Orleans), where you could feasibly spend upwards of $100 per person at dinner, has a $20 lunch menu.  For $20 you get three courses (appetizer, entree, and dessert), and they also have 25¢ cocktails as a part of this special lunch menu (limited to three per person).  The cool thing about Antoine’s is that they have 14 beautifully decorated and historic dining rooms that you can tour after you finish your lunch, and the food was really quite good!

If you want to eat in a historic building within the French quarter, but don’t want to spend a ton of money, I would definitely recommend Napoleon House.  This building was once designed to be Napoleon’s home in exile after he escaped, but he died before he was able to escape and make it over to New Orleans.  The building is now a somewhat eery but really interesting restaurant with paint-chipped walls and excellent po’ boy sandwiches.  Pretty much everything on the menu is under $10, so you can’t go too wrong.

There is also a street-food market called the French Market where you can get all sorts of produce and craft products, but there are also some highly-rated restaurant counters as well.  If you have a nice day and want to try a bunch of different things, I highly recommend checking this area out.

And last but not least, a trip to New Orleans would not be complete without a stop a Café du Monde.  This is a cafe in the heart of the French Quarter that serves almost exclusively beignets and coffee with chicory (a traditional New Orleans take on coffee).  You’ll notice that the line for the cafe will be insanely long, so if you want a table without waiting at least an hour, go inside!  All you have to do is stand in the doorway of the inside room of the cafe under the awning, wait for a table to open up, and grab it even before its bused.  People move in and out of the restaurant very quickly, so you’ll probably be able to get a table within 10 minutes this way if there isn’t already one available.

What to do: ​The very first thing I recommend you do in New Orleans is take a free walking tour.  It’s the best way to learn the layout, history, and culture of the city before you dive in to do your own exploring.  I took the French Quarter Food and History tour by Free Tours by Foot, and it was likely one of the best free walking tours I’ve ever had.  The guide, David, was absolutely fantastic and explained the historical and culinary intricacies of New Orleans in a fun and easy-to-understand way.  He also made a ton of great restaurant and food recommendations, making it a great way to start your trip so that you know where to eat during the rest of your stay!  Just be sure to make a reservation for the tour online as far in advance as possible, as there are a limited number of spaces that do fill up.  I also highly recommend taking a day or afternoon outside of the city and visiting the Oak Alley Plantation.  If you don’t have access to a car while you’re in New Orleans, you’ll probably need to take a tour out there, but it’s well worth the trip.  I took the Gray Line tour, and generally had a great experience.  My only issue was that they didn’t leave a ton of time for us to explore the plantation on our own after a walking tour of the plantation house, so if you want to spend the day or afternoon there enjoying the grounds, you’ll probably want to go with a longer tour and more independent tour company.  This tour is also not the most economically feasible, although the price does include access to the plantation which you’d have to pay for anyway, but it would certainly be less expensive if you were able to get yourself to the plantation.  I highly recommend spending a day walking around the French Quarter and Garden District, as these are probably the two most beautiful neighborhoods of New Orleans, and there are small streets and beautiful spots just waiting to be discovered!  In terms of nightlife, of course there is a lot happening on Bourbon Street, but I actually found this area to be quite touristy and overpriced.  Although I didn’t have the opportunity to go, I’ve heard on good word that the better place to be is Frenchmen Street where there is a ton of jazz and other great live music to check out.

Overall Opinion: I truly enjoyed my stay in New Orleans!  The city and culture are a great blend of Southern American, French, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures, meaning that the food and music are absolutely out of this world.  It’s truly amazing to be able to visit a city that’s been thriving since before the United States existed, and despite much adversity, continues to thrive.  I loved when my tour guide said that the people of New Orleans eat what they do, drink what they do, and live like they do because they are in a unique position to be able to truly appreciate that the next day isn’t a guarantee, so if a storm surge gets over the flood walls again, at least they can say that they had an amazing day.  As morbid as that can potentially sound, it’s a truly refreshing notion of living that I personally feel I forget sometimes when I get into the grind of every day life.  The energy, happiness, and passion of New Orleans is truly contagious, and you can’t help but feel reinvigorated after you leave.

Where to stay: ​There’s no getting around the fact that staying in New York City is expensive, but there are ways to avoid paying hefty price tags for sketchy hotel rooms.  Airbnb has recently sprung up in New York, and is offering budget travelers some great alternatives to the lack-luster hostel options and over-priced hotels.  Staying in New York isn’t so much about what type of accommodation you’re in, but where in the city it’s located.  New York is absolutely massive, and each neighborhood has its own unique personality, so knowing a bit about the neighborhood you’re staying in is key!  If you have your heart set on staying in Manhattan, I would recommend finding a place north of Little Italy and south of Harlem, as you’re likely to be in a fairly safe neighborhood within that area.  Make sure that you’re within a couple blocks of a subway stop, and you’ll be able to get pretty much anywhere you want to go.  If you’re okay with staying outside of Manhattan, you might want to look just over the river in Brooklyn (not too far inland, stay close to the water) or on the other side of Manhattan in New Jersey.  Hoboken is a great little city that’s sprung up across the river, and has some great bars and such in its own right, but the PATH train connects right to Midtown, so you’ll have no problems getting in to the city.

Where to eat: It’s so hard to create an exhaustive list of the all of the “good places to eat” in New York City, so I’ll list 10 of my favorites (in no particular order):

1. The Harlem Public is an awesome bar in an up-and-coming area that has a killer menu and beer selection.  They have a bunch of craft brews on tap, and this is also where you’ll find the famous peanut butter burger- definitely worth a stop if you’re looking to hit up a non-touristy watering hole.
2. ​Schmackary’s is a cookie bakery on 45th and 9th that’s known for being a favorite spot for Broadway’s actors to grab an intermission or rehearsal snack.  The cookies are seriously incredible, so if you’re looking for a snack near the theatre district, this is the place to go!
3. ​Ruchi is an Indian restaurant located very close to the World Trade Center.  It isn’t crazy expensive, which is a nice break from the norm in NYC, so if you like Indian food, definitely check it out!
4. ​Kilo is an American-style tapas bar with locally sourced food, interesting menu items, and a killer wine list.  It’s a great place to grab a bite to eat before a show since it’s fairly close to the theatre district.  It isn’t the cheapest restaurant, but the dishes are meant to be shared so for a small dinner it definitely isn’t too bad!
5. Grom is an Italian gelato shop located at Columbus Circle, and it’s seriously incredible.  They have an amazing selection of delicious ice cream, as well as homemade hot chocolate that will blow your mind!
6. ​Gotham West Market is a vendor-based gourmet dining space, and it’s really amazing.  There are different vendors that each have different food options, but these are definitely up-scale culinary experiences presented in a fun way!  This is a great spot to try something new (they have everything from a tapas bar to a ramen shop to a burger place), but will work especially well if you and your friends can’t decide on what you want to eat- there will be something for everyone!
7. ​Juniors is a famous New York-style diner that has world-famous cheesecake.  I mention it mostly because it’s a good spot to go if you’re looking for something remotely similar to “traditional” New York food, and there’s a location just off of Times Square.  It may be a bit touristy, but it has pretty good food and it’s a way better option than Olive Garden or Hard Rock.
8. Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is a great local ice cream shop with delicious homemade ice cream.  The best part about this place is definitely the location- the original shop is located on a pier just under the Brooklyn Bridge with awesome views of Manhattan on the other side of the river.  There’s also a boat dock right off the pier, so after your ice cream you can take a ferry boat back across the river for an extra mini-tour!
9. Grimaldi’s is a famous coal-oven pizza restaurant with excellent pizza.  There’s a location right under the Brooklyn Bridge, making it a great spot to escape to if you want to get out of Manhattan.  Be prepared for a bit of a line to get in, but it’s so worth it and the line moves super quick as they work pretty hard to get people in and out quickly.  It’s quite the experience!
10. ​Cafe Grumpy is an excellent coffee shop with several locations throughout the city.  In a city with a Starbucks on every corner, I find it super refreshing to grab a good cup of coffee from an independent business, and this is a great place for it- they even roast their own beans in Brooklyn!  Plus, their coffee cups have grumpy faces on them, which really just makes me happy.

​Honorable Mention: Café Edison is an amazing diner located in the Hotel Edison just off of Times Square.  The restaurant is set to close at the end of 2014, as the hotel wouldn’t renew the café’s lease in favor of establishing a fancier restaurant in the hotel.  The Café Edison has long been a staple of the NYC Theatre scene, with plays being written both within and about it.  There have been petitions to keep it open, so fingers crossed it’ll stay the classic, locally-owned diner that it always has been!

​The following is a list of restaurants, cafés, clubs and bars that have been suggested to me by friends, but that I haven’t personally tried.  All of these suggestions have come from people who’ve lived in or spent significant amounts of time in the city, so I trust that they’re amazing!

• ​The Meatball Shop
• Pommes Frites NYC
• Spot Dessert Bar
• Think Coffee
• Lure Fish Bar
• Tao Downtown
• Buddakan
• PhD Rooftop Lounge
• Avenue
• Lavo
• Risottoria
• The Rocking Horse Cafe
• Ample Hills Creamery
• Four & Twenty Blackbirds
• Joe’s Shanghai
• Bagel Bob’s

What to do: ​New York is kind of a black hole of things to do, and it’s really almost impossible to see and do everything unless you’re there for weeks.  Below is a list of some of my favorite things:

• ​Brooklyn Bridge. This spot tops my list because it’s one of the most iconic and beautiful things to see and do in New York City, and it’s totally free!  I usually walk from the Manhattan side to the Brooklyn side, and then there are some great cafés, restaurants, and bars once you’ve crossed over to check out.  If you want to continue your journey for beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline, check out the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or take a ferry boat ride back across the river.  The ferry leaves from the pier under the bridge, and you’ll get to see a cheap river view of the city!
• Times Square. If you’ve not been to New York City before, you definitely need to see Times Square.  It’s probably what most people think of when they think of New York City, and again, it’s (mostly) free!  There are now a huge set of bleachers (for lack of a better word) above the TKTS stand, which is a great place to sit and people watch.  There’s also some decent shopping in this area as many of the major stores have started to grab space.  Try not to find a place to eat too close to here, though, as you’ll pay triple the price for lack-luster food!  Check out the list above for some decent options, some of which aren’t too far of a walk.
• Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island is a really interesting piece of American history, and it’s a very cool place to visit.  The building and island have been turned into a museum that takes you through the history of immigration through Ellis Island.  If you have some spare time and are a bit of a history buff, it’s definitely worth checking out!  The ferry that goes to Ellis Island also goes to Liberty Island (the Statue of Liberty), and the ticket price for the ferry includes admission to both attractions- this is probably the best deal you’ll get in NYC.
• ​Rockafeller Center. Especially around Christmas time, this is one of the most beautiful places to be in New York.  It’s also probably one of the most crowded, but what else can you expect? Ice skating at Rockafeller Center is an amazing experience, but it can also leave you waiting on line for hours as you can’t reserve a general admission spot to the rink.  There are three ways to bypass these lines by making advanced reservations: signing up for the First Skate session at 7 am ($45 per person), purchasing a VIP Skating Package ($60-$120 depending on the dates), or booking an ice skating lesson ($35).  The skating lessons aren’t very well promoted, but they’re certainly the cheapest way to get on the ice without waiting on a ridiculous line.  Plus, you’ll then have an instructor to help you from falling in front of the hundreds of people standing above the rink.
• Broadway. Going to see a Broadway show is one of the best things to do in New York City.  Theatre has long been a staple of New York City culture, and you’ll have the opportunity to see some truly amazing pieces of theatre that you likely won’t be able to see anywhere else.  Check out Student Rush tickets to get a good deal just for students.  Some of these shows will allow you to simply buy cheaper tickets at the box office before the show, while others will require you to line up before the box office opens to purchase one of the limited student tickets they have available.  Some shows also sell discounted tickets by lottery, so you just show up (usually) 2 hours prior to curtain to put your name in.  Check on the previously linked site to check the policies of the show that you want to see.  Try to be flexible about what you want to see and you’ll likely have better luck getting cheap seats!  Also be sure to bring your student ID with you, otherwise you won’t be able to buy student tickets- the box offices are pretty strict about this policy.
• Central Park. Relaxing in Central Park in the afternoon is one of the greatest joys if you’ve just spent a whole day walking around Manhattan.  Being in New York City is a very exhausting experience, and spending some down time exploring Central Park is really amazing.  Check out the Central Park Zoo if you want to see an attraction, or otherwise just find a bench or rock to sit on and enjoy the people watching and beautiful scenery.  Please do not take one of the horse-drawn carriage  rides- the horses are grossly mistreated, and tourists taking these rides only perpetuates the problems associated with this “attraction”.
• World Trade Center. Ground Zero and the new World Trade Center is a truly incredible place to visit.  The memorial above Ground Zero is spectacular, and is definitely worth a visit.  If you’re interested in learning more about 9/11, check out the brand-new September 11 Memorial Museum, which is underneath the memorial.  You can book a guided tour of the museum, which is great to do if you’d like additional information about the artifacts shown, or you can go through the museum on your own.  Either way, plan to book tickets in advance just to be sure that you can get them.  Also plan some extra time to go through the security checkpoint at the entrance to the museum.  One World Trade, or the Freedom Tower, will soon open an observation deck, and I imagine that this will be well worth going to as well!  Check their website for updates on the upcoming opening date.
• Yankee Stadium.  Whether or not you’re a baseball or a Yankee fan, seeing a Yankee game while you’re in New York is a must-do.  The stadium is basically a museum to baseball history, so be sure to arrive early for your game!  The food and drinks are pricey, but you can get cheap bleacher seats if you look around for them (I’ve paid $25 for a popular Yankees/Red Socks game before).  If you’re not familiar with baseball, it’s very easy to follow, and it’s truly an “American” experience!

Additional information: 

• ​​Understandably, many tourists are keen to use the NYC Subway system; it’s convenient, and it’s an iconic piece of New York City, just like the yellow cabs.  The MTA has devised ways to get you to pay more than you’ll ever spend on your metro card, so when you leave you’re left with a balance that you’ll never actually use.  The first thing you should know is that you’re charged $1 for every Metro Card you buy, so save your card!  If you finish one, refill it instead of buying new ones each time.  Additionally, follow the advice of this website, which details how much you need to load onto your card to ensure you won’t be left with any unused funds when you leave.
• My last piece of advice is in regards to safety- many cities around the world have problems with crime, but for some reason, there seems to be more fear of New York City than of most other cities.  NYC is a city just like any other, with great neighborhoods and questionable ones.  You simply need to be aware of your surroundings while you wander around the city, and you’ll be okay!  Be sure to try and blend in as much as you can, and try not to look too much like a tourist.  Don’t carry a map of New York City around with you, look up things on your smartphone (or take screenshots of directions before you leave a wifi spot if you won’t have cell service).  If you do need to look at a map, pop into one of the millions of Starbucks or McDonalds to do so, this way you’re not leaving yourself out in the open.

Overall Opinion: New York City is one of my favorite cities in the world, as it’s one that I’ve grown up right up the river from and one that I’ve visited countless times throughout my life.  Obviously there are many things to see and do that I haven’t listed above, but the list I’ve shown explains some of my favorite things to do.  Many of the ones described won’t cost you an arm and a leg, especially compared to the other attractions the city offers.  Things like the Empire State Building are great to see from the outside, but in my opinion they’re overpriced to actually go inside.  In the future, I think the Freedom Tower Observation Deck will far surpass the Empire State Building.  If you’re visiting New York City and you have some extra time, I also highly recommend that you head north a bit to visit the Hudson Valley.  Many NYC tourists don’t realize how beautiful some of the nature outside the city truly is- check out the guide on the Hudson Valley for more info on things to do in the region!  If you’re planning on visiting New York City, please feel free to contact me to ask questions.  The lists above are nowhere near exhaustive, and I’d be glad to help you plan your own visit to my home city!

Where to stay: ​Tenby is a really small seaside town in a really small country, so finding an inexpensive place to stay is a challenge.  There aren’t any hostels listed in Tenby on Hostelworld, and there is only one Airbnb rental listed (which, for $79 per night, actually looks great).  Tenby is the town of bed and breakfasts, which is definitely a more expensive route to go.  Because of all of this, you might want to consider a day trip to Tenby from another Welsh city like Swansea or Cardiff, as you’ll definitely be able to find cheaper accommodation and simply book a train or coach to Tenby.

Where to eat: Going to Tenby is quite similar to visiting some seaside towns on the East Coast of the US.  It has a bunch of small take-away type places where you can get fish and chips and burgers right on the beach, and that’s the way to go if you’re looking for cheap food!  There are also a couple small cafés and restaurants in the town centre where you’ll find cheap seafood options  if you’re looking for something better than a chip shop.

What to do: ​Tenby is a fabulous place to visit during the summer because it’s the quintessential British beach town with a ton of great summertime activities to do.  Definitely plan some time to explore the beach areas, there are some interesting castle-like buildings to walk around, plus a couple of nice beaches to relax on if the weather is nice.  I also highly recommend taking a “Seal Safari“.  I realize that this sounds unbelievably lame, but it was actually a really incredible boat tour of the islands off the coast of Tenby, and they’re able to get you extremely close to seals playing and sunbathing around those islands.  Definitely worthwhile!  There are also some great hiking trails near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, so if you’re interested in seeing some beautiful natural scenery, you might want to check some of those out.

Overall Opinion: Tenby is a great little town to visit on a day trip in Wales.  It truly showcases some of the beauty that Wales, particularly the Welsh coast, has to offer.  On a sunny day, almost nothing is better than enjoying an afternoon strolling along the colorful buildings at the coast in Tenby, truly a slice of British heaven!

Where to stay: ​Cardiff is a great city because it isn’t very touristy, but that also brings about its own challenges, as there aren’t a ton of hostels in the city.  There are, however, a few decently priced Airbnb options in the city center, so you might be better of sticking to that.  If you do choose to go the hostel route, I’ve had friends have good experiences at the Bunkhouse, and this one is in a really great location.  No matter which option you choose, be sure to stay in the center of the city near Queen St.  If you’re in this area, you won’t ever need to take the bus or a taxi anywhere, as almost everything you’ll ever want to see or do will be walkable.

Where to eat: There are so many great food options in Cardiff, despite the UK reputation for awful food.  If you’re looking to have a traditional tea experience, you will definitely need to head to Pettigrew Tea Rooms located at the entrance to Bute Park near the Castle.  It’s a seriously perfect little tea room with outdoor space in nice weather, amazing loose leaf teas, and fabulous homemade cakes, scones, sandwiches, and soups.  Perfect for afternoon tea or lunch!  If you’re more into the café experience, head over to the Castle Arcade for a trip to the Coffee Barker.  They have awesome coffee beverages, but also good soups/sandwiches for lunch as well as non-traditional breakfasts.  They have a sister shop called the Barker Tea House which is good (especially if Pettigrew’s is full!).  If you’re interested in a nicer meal, check out The Potted Pig (be sure to make reservations!).  This is a bit of a nicer restaurant that can be pricey for dinner (on a student budget), but has a good lunch menu which will give you a great taste of traditional Welsh and British food.  They also have a delicious Sunday Roast, which is a must-try if you’re going for traditional (and this isn’t terribly pricey, especially considering how much food you’ll get).  My last city center recommendation is Café Citta– an excellent Italian restaurant in the heart of the city.  Café Citta is a very tiny restaurant, though, so be sure to book as far in advance as you can if you want a table!  In the UK, food can get a bit pricey, so if you’re looking for just a sandwich shop that’s cheap and easy, take a 5 minute walk from Queen St. to go to Dough.  It’s a little local sandwich shop with excellent breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and it’s totally worth the walk over.  There’s a café across the street from Dough called Tucker Lounge, which is a great alternative if you don’t want to be in a busy café in the city center.  They have great breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, but they also have alcoholic beverages, so it’s a good spot for a chill day or evening!  And finally, what would a British city be without a good pub?  The Pen and Wig is definitely the place to be!  It has good food options which lean towards the fancier gastro-pub route, but it has a great selection of beers and ciders on tap, and a cozy atmosphere with a big outdoor patio for when it’s nice out! Cardiff Bay also has a good selection of restaurants, although many are chains that can be found all over the UK.  If you’re already at the bay, though, there are some good spots with great views over the water (try Pizza Express for good and fairly cheap pizza, or Nando’s for an interesting British chain restaurant experience)!

What to do: ​Cardiff is a really interesting city because it’s both historic and modern-feeling at the same time.  To understand the history of Cardiff, you should start by visiting Cardiff Castle.  It’s in the middle of the city center, and provides you with a great history of the city, as well as good views over the city.  Your entry to the castle comes with a free audioguide, and you also have the option of purchasing a guided tour of the Bute Mansion.  I think the tour is worth taking, as it isn’t very expensive, and it brings you into rooms of the house that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.  Be sure to climb to the very top of the castle in the center of the complex, as that’s where you’ll get those great views of Cardiff!  If you’re interested in sports, particularly in rugby, you should also book a tour of Millennium Stadium.  It’s the home of the Welsh Rugby Union, and the tour brings you into the press room, the locker rooms, to field level, the Royal Family’s seats, as well as some other spots in the stadium- it’s super impressive.  While you’re in the area, I’d recommend taking a walk through Bute Park, especially if you have a nice day.  You can even take a boat ride down the River Taff to Cardiff Bay, which will give you a good look at the park and the waterfront.  Another park to check out is Roath Park- it’s a super beautiful garden and park that has a café and boat rentals, a great way to spend a sunny day!  Cardiff Bay is great to check out, especially if you’re a Doctor Who fan, as this is where the Doctor Who Experience is located.  The Millennium Center is down at the Bay as well, so if you’re seeing a show, that’s where you’ll find it!  There’s some good restaurants and cafés down there, so it’s a great spot to grab a glass of wine or an ice cream on a nice day.  Any trip to Cardiff wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down the city center streets to do some window shopping.  Try wandering through the arcades spread throughout the city center, they each have special little shops or cafés, and are super charming.  I don’t think it’s necessary to take a tour of Cardiff because it’s fairly small and easy to do on your own.  There also aren’t any free tours of this city, so there especially isn’t a reason for you to purchase a walking tour ticket or the bus tour- enjoy walking this charming little city!

Overall Opinion: I truly love Cardiff, even though I never really thought that I’d fall in love with it.  I spent a year living there while doing my Master’s degree, and had the best time.  It has a great nightlife, good shopping, surprisingly great restaurant options, and the vibe of the city is just so special.  The people in Cardiff are also incredibly friendly, especially considering that Cardiff is a capital city.  Take some time to meet some local Welsh folks, and you won’t regret it.  Cardiff is only a few hours from London by bus or train, and you can usually get a round-trip bus ticket for around £10, so if you have the time it is absolutely worth the trip for a weekend!