Because I am basically the luckiest person on the planet I am about to embark on a splendiferous (otherwise known as bloody awesome) European holiday.
We leave in 40 days (not that I am counting) for London, Bruges, Barcelona and Rome with a sneaky seven day Meditteranean cruise thrown into the mix.
I am so excited I could almost burst.
I have been furiously looking up points of interest and things to do when we are on dry land. Much to the amusement of my husband almost every thing that I have written down so far is food related. If it’s not the name of a restaurant then it’s some shop that sells a food ingredient (most likely chocolate based) that I really want to try or just some food. Period.
For instance my Rome list looks like this
- ice cream
- Gelateria del Teatro (an ice cream shop)
- pizza
- Il Gelato di Claudio Torce (an ice cream shop)
- ice cream
- Come il Latte (an ice cream shop)
- olives
- risotto
- Fatamorgana (an ice cream shop)
- ice cream
- gnochhi
- Palazzo del Freddo Giovanni Fassi (an ice cream shop)
- The Colloseum
- Fior di Luna (an ice cream shop)
- ice cream
- a peach (I once had a very memorable peach in Rome in 1999)
- pasta
- Giolitti (an ice cream shop)
- gelato
- more ice cream
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If you think that’s bad my Barcelona list would make you cringe and London is not far behind. Bruges is chocolate, waffles and chips. And a bell tower.
So clearly one of the things that I am looking forward to most is eating. I will probably come home looking like The Goodyear Blimp. But with pimples and wrinkles. But it’s not just about eating. I can’t wait to shop! Oh and absorb the culture (she says with a modest attempt to be taken seriously). I’m also absolutely positively looking forward to having my husband and son to myself far away from the stresses of home, family and work. And very close to some of the best food in the world.
But I think my lists may need some work so if you’ve been to London, Bruge, Rome or Barcelona tell me what I CANNOT miss. And of course I’m perfectly happy with it being the name of a place that you ate your best meal.
I hope that you bought your foreign currency before the dollar started going through the floor. The exchange rate is quite possibly the main reason why I’m not ready to consider O/S travel any time in the future.
I honestly hope that you are going to Europe simply to eat. Surely a few churches are on the itinerary ?
Foreign currency is not sorted – but we booked and paid about two days before the bottom fell out. As long as we have enough money to eat we’ll be cool!
Oh how wonderful!!! Yes, splendiferous indeed!! For a chocolate lover, Bruges will be heaven for you. It’s such a pretty city too – you will be surrounded by beauty. Like you, travel is mostly about food, and I reckon your menu looks pretty darn good. Enjoy!! xx
Thanks Michaela xx
I want to been in Europe, so how can I live there
This risky and dangerous apartment https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/500020 in Rome – fab spot near lots of food. This restaurant in Trastavere is a must-visit of deliciousness http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1095254-Reviews-Isole_di_Sicilia-Rome_Lazio.html.
Are you going on an MSC cruise? We did. The steps sparkled more than fake nails and velvet track pants and was awesome. Barcelona is just so fab it doesn’t matter where you go. Enjoy!
Thanks Alex!
We are going on a Norweigan Epic Cruise – I expect there will be much sparkle.
Looking up the restaurant in Trastvere now!
I’ve got pictures of me in front of every ice cream shop in Rome. Each shop has a different sign in the shape of an ice cream out the front. We bought gelato in each shop, with not one bad experience. Same for Venice as well. Don’t forget that if you stop for coffee, they charge extra when you sit down. All the locals stand up at the counter, scoff down their coffee and then head out to work.
Have a fabulous trip!
Thank you RES – so excited and I plan to emulate your ice cream shop photos
London! Avoid Madame Taussaud’s, over priced & massive queues. Go to see something at The Globe. Buy the cheap tickets where you stand in front of the stage. AMAZEOVARIES.
Tower of London because I missed it last time. Hyde Park, please feed a squirrel for me. THE WEST END HELLO. The British Museum. Oh god I wish I was going too…
I will feed ALL the squirrels for you!
Oh My God I just got a thrill of excitement at the fact that I am going to see squirrels!!
Natural history museum in London (may be too soon for night time ice skating) take a day trip to Windsor Castle (amazing and also lovely village), climb the stairs at St Paul’s Cathedral and even if not religious stay for at least part of a service. Take one of those London hop on hop off bus tickets – great value. Def do the Tower of London. Have a picnic in Green or Hyde park. Avoid Harrods. In Rome eat ALL the pizza and ice cream but do not attempt to buy condoms in Vatican City (long story)
I was reading so seriously and then I just burst out laughing at your last line! Thanks so much for your great tips Meggsie
Hi Lana
I just did same as you and the Mediterranean cruise. I have so many tips – too long to list here. Can I send you email? You have my email address above.
Dot
Thank you so much – just emailed you xx
Sounds like a wonderful trip indeed! And people travel for reasons other than food! Who knew?!! Anyway, in between all the eating (you need to have at least five meals a day in Rome and Barcelona, okay?) here’s some things I’d recommend –
London – a big YES to the Natural History Museum, so great!
Rome – all the big things of course (the Forum is my favourite; followed closely by the ridiculously overwhelming Vatican Museum). It’s not quite the peak of summer holidays but there may still be queues for everything, go early and/or book on line for stuff.
Barcelona – all the Gaudi! You absolutely have to visit Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell – magical! And don’t expect to eat dinner until 9pm (and you’ll still be the first family in the restaurant!); the Spaniards eat absurdly late.
My husband swears by the red Michelin guides for restaurant recommendations, and I have to say they have never steered us wrong (and have steered us to some really magical meals too). As an added bonus we buy them in the language of the country we’re in which makes for HOURS of entertainment as we read them aloud, torturing the local language and guessing the words! They are kind of weighty but I think they do a ‘major cities of Europe’ one – might be worth investigating if food is your thing?
I will try to restrict myself to five meals – who am I kidding, I will eat all day!
I am so excited to see all the Gaudi in Barcelona – food in hand of course!
Going to look into the red Michelin guides – thanks a million
Ah! You will have an amazing time! I just returned from 2 weeks in Amsterdam visiting friends & family. On this trip we stayed 2 nights in Brugge! It is so beautiful! Make sure you buy your waffles from waffle stores not cafes or restaurants. They are cheaper & so much yummier!
Don’t bother with the Dali or Picasso museums in Brugge. They’re pretty terrible. Picasso museum in Barcelona is fantastic though.
My only visit to Barcelona was about 7 years ago so I don’t really remember restaurants. The food there is amazing though. I loved walking through the city & seeing all of the Gaudi architecture. La Sagrada Familia is pretty cool to look at. There wasn’t much going on inside at the time though but there’s probably more in there now.
Rome is a tie with Amsterdam for my favourite city. Trastevere is a great area for restaurants. I could sit in front of Fontana di Trevi & stare at it all day. The best thing about Rome is to walk & get lost in the city. There are so many things to see it would take you years to see it all. The Villa Borgese park is beautiful if the weather is good. At St Peters, climb to the top of the church for an amazing view of the city.
London is awesome too! My favourite eat here was Jamie’s Italian. But last time I went was before there was one in Sydney so maybe it won’t be high on your priority list.
You will love the food hall in Harrods! Buckingham Palace is pretty underwhelming but I think it’s just one of those things you want to see. Pre-purchase tickets if you want to go on the London Eye. The cues can get ridiculously long.
I’m excited for you! I always get excited when I hear people are heading to Europe, I love it so much. There’s so much history, culture & food! Enjoy x
If you go to Harrods, then you must do Harvey Nichols, which is actually right near by.
And it may not be your thing, but in London, I always visit the Victoria & Albert Museum to gaze upon the costume collection – amazing frocks and things from the 1500s, 1600s, 1700s etc.
And do try to get out of London if you can. A day trip to the wonderful Georgian city of Bath (where they filmed the odd Jane Austen flick, and where I used to live some years back) would show you England at its best, and you would see Stonehenge and Avebury as well, as they’re kind of on the way to Bath.
Sadly we don’t have much time to get out of London although we are taking my son to Liverpool to watch a game at Anfield Stadium. He is literally beside himself with delirium
Gails Bakery in London, gorgeous breads, cakes, snacks etc. think there are a couple dotted around. Harrods food hall is a must. The River Cafe is superb. West End Theatre! Worth going just to see the theatres! Oh, and shopping – Oxford St is great but busy – the Westfield at Shephards Bush has fantastic shops (and is undercover). Greenwich is a great day out – get on the river ferry outside embankment station, get off at Greenwich, gaze in awe at the navel buildings, walk up the hill to the GMT museum (our kids loved this).. Use the Top Table app – we had some great meals out at 50% off in popular restaurants. Spitalfields fields markets is also great. Go for a long walk through Hyde Park, come out near Marble Arch and grab some lunch in Selfridges. We went with our three boys last year (they were 13, 11 and 9) and their favourite activity was just sitting upstairs on a double decker bus – no destination, we would just get on random buses – great way to see the city!
Brilliant brilliant suggestions – right up my alley. Thank you!
Lana… Boroughs Market so divine! Can’t stop thinking about your trip xx
Thanks Jen – Boroughs Market on my list xx
I am not commenting on this post because I am too jealous
I am even a bit jealous of myself xxxx
Because I know you – check out B@1 just off The Strand in London. One of my old favourite haunts for amaze-balls cocktails.
If you’re going to eat, do it on the river at Butler’s Wharf. Number of different restaurants there and the setting is glorious in amongst the warehouses by Tower Bridge
Tip: If you want to do Tower of London for free, go on a Sunday and say you’re going to the chapel:)
Because I know YOU – I will take your suggestions on board 😉 xx
Hi Lana,
I just came back from 4 weeks in the UK and recommend some things so you get a good dose of kultcha!
1. See a play at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on London’s south bank. For 5 pounds you can stand amongst the groundlings, it’s incredible
2. Anything on London’s south bank is good actually – great food, places to sit in the sun, the Tate Modern, Tower Bridge
3. Tower of London is sick! Lots of rad history, lots for kids to do, super interactive, and also beautiful, beautiful views of the Thames.
4. Notting Hill: get off the tube at Notting Hill Gate, walk to portobello road, pass colourful houses, eat at a delicious cafe, lots of cute shops. Spot where Hugh grant and Julia Roberts fell in love etc
And just walking through London itself is beautiful. I would get off the tube at Tower Hill and just stroll to Westminister and up to Trafalgar Square.
Absorb the atmosphere! 🙂
Oh my God I just got double excited when you mentioned Hugh Grant! Have also heard other rave reviews of the Globe theatre so adding it to my list (along with all your other suggestions). Thank you xx
Lana, you lucky duck! We were in Bruges last year and the ONE thing you MUST do is take a hot air balloon flight there. It was the standout highlight of our trip (and we did some pretty awesome stuff while in Europe). Don’t even think that being afraid of heights is an issue, because I am deadly fearsome of heights and it is completely irrelevant when you’re up there. Just do it! xx
My husband is so scared of heights he will pale just looking at this suggestion but I’m going to try persuade him… wish me luck
In Barcelona, go to the markets off Las Ramblas and buy a selection of chocolates Mmmmm. I simply loved Barcelona and her buildings, Gaudi was a remarkable man. I wonder if he was inspired by the modernista buildings or they were inspired by him…?
Cannot wait to see the Gauid buildings. I have not heard from a single person who has not loved Barcelona
Bierbrasserie Cambrinus in Brugges. It’s not in the main square but it’s fab! 400 beers! Do the canal boat ride, it’s touristy but there’s bits of Brugges you can’t see from the road. Hire bikes and cycle around the perimeter or to the nearest town, stopping at a pub for lunch. We didn’t go to any museums as they were closed on the only full day we were there, but there’s still loads to do. Frites avec mayo! Waffles, Chocolate!
Thank you – written that down. My husband has become obsessed with bike riding since he made us trek around Byron on bikes. I remain obsessed about frites avec mayo xx
Lots of what I would have suggested has already been said but I’ll add the Victoria & Albert Museum in London – I loved it when I was there!
Definitely go to the Gaudi park in Barcelona and La Sagrada Familia as well – amazing.
Have fun!
I’m so glad that you had Giolitti’s on that list !!!!!! And boo-hoo…..I will miss you with all my heart…..xxxxx
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