Posts in Top Three
Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Copenhagen is home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Since we were celebrating our one-year anniversary, we splurged for dinner at Relae. This is still to date one of the best tasting menu/wine pairing experiences of my life.

  • The best way to see this canal city is by water. Rent a Go Boat! These solar powered boats are simple to operate and can be rented from one - six hours. They also see wine and snacks at the marina shop. What is better than rose and the open water?

  • Visit the Little Mermaid statue, a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen and walk back through the Kastellet, a 17th Century military fortress. You will also walk by the beautiful St. Alban's Church and Churchillparken. The scenery is picturesque and there are local coffee shops and eateries on your way back into the city to stop at.

*Travel Tip: We stayed at the Scandic Palace which I highly recommend. It is in the center of the city near the main shopping street (longest shopping street ever) and Trivoli Gardens. The hotel is an old castle with beautiful modern rooms. Breakfast is also included every morning.

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Vienna, Austria
  • I recommend taking this trip in December. While the weather may not be ideal the Christmas Markets are worth the trip. Markets are set up all over the city and include unique gifts and crafts, food, any my personal favorite thing about December, mulled wine.

  • Have a drink at the Das Loft bar in the Vienna Sofitel. This rooftop bar/restaurant offers sweeping views of the city and is an art installation itself. The ceiling was designed by multimedia artist, Pipilotti Rist.

  • Now, I did not get to do this activity myself, but I regret not doing it and wanted to pass on the wisdom. Viennese opera is world renowned and there are three main theaters in Vienna. You can go early the night of a show and pick up standing room tickets cheap. I linked to a helpful article here.

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Salzberg, Austria
  • Have afternoon beers and brats at The Augustiner-Bräu Brewery. You can walk from the center of town along the Salchz to take in all the beauty of the city.

  • If you are a Sound of Music fan, many of the scenes were shot in Salzberg. Visit Mirabell Gardens where the "Do Re Me" song was filmed. The gardens are stunning and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in this storybook city.

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Quito, Ecuador
  • If you are feeling adventurous, hike the Quilotoa Loop

  • Eat at Urko

  • Carve out at least an entire day to experience the historic city center. It is a UNESCO site and described as "the best preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America

*Travel tip: Bring a neck purse and be careful taking out your phone for pictures. Theft is high in the city center. 

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Seattle, Washington
  • Pike's Place Market is world famous for a reason. You can grab a coffee from the original Starbucks (or walk around the corner to one of the many Starbucks locations and beat the line). Stop by Uli's Sausage for lunch and don't forget to stop by the Pike's Place Fish Market to watch the flying fishmongers.

  • Every picture you have ever seen of the Seattle skyline is taken from Kerry Park. Nestled in the beautiful Queen Anne neighborhood. Parking can be a bit of a problem but it is a fun place to walk around and look at the million plus dollar homes in the area. While you are in the neighborhood stop by The Five Spot, one of the best breakfast paces in the city.

  • Outside of the downtown area is the Fremont neighborhood known as the more artsy side of the city which is filled with funky shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and home to the famous Troll Under the Bridge. The Fremont Troll is an art installation under the Aurora Bridge made from steel, wires, two tons of concrete and complete with a full size VW bug.

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Charleston, South Carolina

We ATE our way through Charleston. The food, people, and hospitality will make you never want to leave this Southern haven.

  • HUSK. If you can only eat in one place in Charleston, make sure it is Husk. We went here for brunch and everything from the coffee to the entree was melt in your mouth Southern perfection. The menu changes daily and is driven by locally sourced ingredients.

  • You will find Prohibition on top of every must visit bar list in Charleston. This low light craft cocktail bar has delicious southern fare and top shelf drinks.

  • End your night at Cocktail Club. This speakeasy bar is a favorite with locals and has bacon fat popcorn that I still dream about.

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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
  • Philadelphia has an amazing food scene. One of our favorite spots is Indeblue an upscale Indian restaurant in the heart of downtown that has a great tasting menu with wine pairings.

  • Since Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. it is filled with historic charm. McGillin's Old Ale House is one of the oldest bars in the city with taps that have been serving ale since 1860.

  • Yes, be touristy and visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. If the line for the Liberty Bell is too long, you can see if from the lawn if reading all the history and getting up close is not on your wish list.

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Ashville, North Carolina
  • Ashville is the land of craft beer. My personal favorite was Wicked Weed Brewery. Be prepared for a wait. If you only want to drink, there is an outdoor bar on the bottom floor of the restaurant.

  • If you love historic houses (or a Downton Abbey fan) visit the Biltmore Estate. This former Vanderbilt Estate is lavish and has all the trappings of the great houses of Europe. Carve out time for this gem, the house is the main event but there are gardens, walking trails, a restaurant and a winery. The price to visit is a little steep, but if you love architecture and history it is worth it.

  • Ashville offers beautiful walks and hikes. Bring your walking shoes and make sure to get outdoors.

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Las Vegas, Nevada
  • There are a million nightclubs in Vegas but my personal favorite is Tryst nightclub (which I found out is now closed). What is your favorite Las Vegas Nightclub? Send me an email.

  • Have you ever wanted to be sipping a martini surrounded by faux diamonds? Visit The Chandelier Bar inside the Cosmopolitan hotel.

  • Vegas has thousands of shows but one of the BEST is Cirque de Soleil, Beatles LOVE. You will be mesmerized from start to finish by the movement, music, set, and costumes. There is not a bad seat in the house so don't worry about getting cheap seats.

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New York, New York

Manhattan, bar none, is one of my favorite cities in the world. I dreamed about it as a little girl and when I finally visited for the first time in 2006, it felt like coming home. While I still have never called NYC home, it has and will remain to be one of my favorite spots to visit.

  • The bar at Novotel has amazing views of Times Square and the perfect spot to head before a Broadway show.

  • Pasta is my favorite food group and finding the perfect perfect pasta carbonara is a sport. Crispo NYC located in the Meatpacking District ranks #1 on my list. Handmade pastas coupled with a warm Italian wine cellar motif makes for a perfect night out. Don't make plans after, you will be in a food coma.

  • The NYC Highline, also located in Meatpacking is a park created on top of an old elevated railway lined with areas to lounge and relax along with water and art installations. I recommend visiting at sunset

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