Tromsø

A visit to the Arctic Circle, why not? Tromsø has become an increasingly popular tourist destination for its legendary northern lights. While it is not necessarily a playground for shoppers or foodies, it is definitely an amazing trip for those who want to explore all the Arctic Circle has to offer.  

The best time to see the northern lights is in winter between October and early April.

Tromsø is a two hour flight from Oslo and the local airport is about 7 kilometers from the city center. The Flybussen takes approximately 15 minutes to the city center. Alternatively, take a taxi given the short distance.

EAT

Emmas Drømmekjøkken Traditional, Norwegian cuisine

Rå Sushi & Bar Central location for fresh sushi.

DRINK

Huken Pub Cozy, Nordic bar with a vintage vibe. The perfect escape from chilly, Nordic temps. Also has delicious bar food!

Ølhallen Brewing at 69° North since 1877, the oldest pub in Tromsø is a chill, local spot. Over 70 beers on tap.

PLAY

Chasing Lights Northern Lights Tour Our experience with this company was excellent. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and made several stops for potential northern lights photo opps. The company provided the necessary winter gear, tips on camera settings and afterwards emailed photos taken with their professional cameras. We chose the mini-bus tour to be with a smaller group of people. Book in advance.

Fjellheisen Cable car which offers scenic views over the city. Also a local viewing spot for northern lights if the sky is clear.

The Polar Museum This museum showcases expeditions and snippets of daily life in the Arctic Circle. Not a must-do but something to fill time if you need a break between outdoor excursions.

Villmarkssenter Dog Sledding Highly recommended! The day-long dog sledding excursion allows for 1+ hour of self-drive on the dog sleds, winter gear, lunch and puppy play time. We enjoyed this and wished we had booked a longer excursion.  

STAY

Tromsø is very small and anything near the city center, Tromsoya, will be convenient. We enjoyed Scandic Ishavshotel, a nice hotel overlooking the harbor with an amazing breakfast.

Tromsø

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Vienna

Vienna has repeatedly captured the hearts of travelers with its rich history, food scene and amazing architecture (bonus points for also being an über clean city). 

Vienna is charming any time of year and always a good stop when in central Europe.  

Vienna’s Christmas markets are some of the most intriguing in Europe, and open from mid-November through Christmas. The local vendors and winter scene at the Rathaus is one of best markets in Europe and should be a top attraction on your list if visiting during the holidays.

The City Airport Train (CAT) connects the airport to Wien Mitte Station near the city center in 15 minutes. Alternatively, taxis are available and the trip to city center is 18 kilometers.

EAT

Cafe Sacher Wien While touristy, this cafe offers the classic Austrian experience with fine coffee and the local sacher-torte. We recommend going for the Apfel-Strudel instead! 

Eis Greisler Cute spot for ice cream.

Erich Awesome brunch menu. If nothing else, go for the terrace and enjoy a drink.

Neni Middle Eastern restaurant located inside Naschmarkt. Great lunch spot.

Skopik & Lohn Upscale Schnitzel restaurant.

Steirereck Reservations recommended.

Ulrich Great patio and brunch menu.

DRINK

Das Loft Skybar at the Sofitel hotel. Go for a sun-downer and enjoy the amazing views!

Naschmarkt Wide variety of food and drink vendors and the perfect spot to grab a quick bite and afternoon spritz when the sun is out. Closed on Sundays.

O`Boufes This is a bistro but go for a wine tasting. They specailize in natural, locally grown organic wines. Different tastes but we loved trying something new.

PLAY

Belvedere Museum beautiful gardens surround the Palace which is now home to an art museum that showcases Austrian artworks and various exhibitions in the Lower Belvedere.

Innere Stadt (First District) Wander through Vienna’s charming Old Town in the evening or, to beat the crowds, on Sunday morning.

Hofburg Palace Former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty and today the official residence of the President of Austria. Be sure to check out the Spanish Riding School, dating back to 1562.

Leopoldstadt Rent bikes to cruise around this area, and making a stop at Prater, Vienna’s playground and one of the world’s oldest amusement parks.

Museumsquartier This area is touristy, but it is a must to check out the Kunsthistorisches and Naturhistorisches Musuem, and take stroll through the nearby Volksgarten. This area is home to a variety of art musuems and the cultural centersansplatz. After taking in the sites, get lost in the small side streets.

Schloss Schoenbrunn Buy tickets in advance to avoid the queues, and don’t forget to check out the beautiful surrounding gardens. Combine this stop with the Naschmarkt for lunch.

Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera House) Go for a tour or purchase tickets for an evening show. Note that the main, classic Opera performances are traditionally closed in July and August

STAY

Choose a hotel or AirBnb in the Innere Stadt city center. We recommend the Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom.

Vienna

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Dubrovnik

Poised on the southern coast of Croatia, Dubrovnik boasts crystal clear waters, breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and surrounding islands, rich medieval history, delicious seafood, wine, and the loveliest weather. What more could you want? 

Use Uber! Taxis can be a overpriced and unpredictable. The airport is about a 30 minute drive from the Old City.

If it is your first time to the Balkans, check out Tea Obreht's beautiful novel, The Tiger's Wife, set it the former Yugoslavia.

EAT

Azure Asian Fusion in the Old City.

Lucin Kantun Tiny little place in the Old Town with amazing food. Book in advance.

Proto Delicious seafood in a romantic setting within the City walls. Book in advance and ask to sit on the rooftop veranda.

Takenoko Tasty sushi restaurant with a view of the southern City Walls entrance.

Tauris Kinoba Incredible restaurant serving very fresh fish on Lupanska Sipan island in the Elafitis. Try the sea bass and bream!

DRINK

Buza Bar There are two and both are casual beach bars built into the sea-facing cliffs and walls of the Old City. Cliff-jumping and cocktails, anyone?

Banje Beach Bar Sleek cocktail bar and lounge on the beachfront, just outside the Old City Walls.

Coco Beach Bar A cute shack bar serving up drinks on Plat’s local beach.

Culture Club Revelin Set inside the cavernous walls of the Old City, this club’s party doesn’t start until after midnight.

Pelješac peninsula wineries One hour north of Dubrovnik, this peninsula is dotted with boutique wineries and oyster farms. Book a tour or drive on your own. We loved the plavac at Milos Vineyards.

PLAY

Cavtat This adorable town south of Dubrovnik has a lovely harbor, medieval streets and is a great spot for lunch and a swim.

Dubrovnik Boats The best thing to do as a couple or with a group of friends. Dubrovnik Boats is professional group that rents yachts and catamarans for daylong excursions. We particularly enjoyed our cruise around the Elafiti Islands.

Life according to Kawa Contemporary store selling local Croatian products, food, and drink. A must!

Lokrum Island A great day trip. Hike, hang-out, eat, sun-bath, Game of Throne (GOT) tours. Lokrum can be reached by ferry from the Old Town port (no need to buy tickets in advance) .

Mount Srd Hike or take the cable car up to Mount Srd, a low mountain behind Old Town Dubrovnik. 

Old City Walls Walk the rampart walls during non-peak hours. The path can by extremely busy during high-season.

Ston A town at the Pelješac peninsula’s entrance that is famous for its stone walls, salt and oysters!

STAY

You have options depending on what you prefer. Either stay in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, just outside, or a few miles outside in a coastal village. We recommend staying right outside of Old Town to enjoy the view and avoid crowds. While in Croatia, we have always used AirBnb and really enjoyed the local experience.

If you want to rent a house with friends outside of the action, we recommend Plat. It is 15 minutes by car from the Old Town and 10 minutes to the airport. Cavtat is another great option, which is 25 minutes from Old Town and five minutes from the airport.

Dubrovnik

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Bath

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bath has been celebrated for its natural hot springs for nearly two millennium. The Romans called it Aquae Sulis, the waters of Sulis, during their occupation of Britain and left behind the ruins of a massive bathhouse complex. This historically fashionable town was frequently recommended as a place for R&R for the British upper class. It was also home to Jane Austen in the 19th century.

From London take a one and a half hour train direct to the Bath Spa Station.

EAT

Blue Quails Deli A charming spot for breakfast, coffee or lunch near the Pulteney Bridge.

Chez Dominique Romantic and cozy French restaurant with a good wine list.

Sally Lunns House Good luck getting a seat. Try the Lunn bun. Recommended by a friend.

DRINK

Roots & Shoots Friendly, vegan cafe near the train station.

The Bell Inn Not for the faint (or sober) of heart, but a fun dive with live music.

PLAY

Artisan Market A Saturday market at Queen Square.

Bath Abbey Medieval splendor.

The Circus and The Royal Crescent The terraced houses of both areas are some of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in England.

Pulteney Bridge

The Roman Baths Visit the museum and ruins of a nearly two thousand year old bathhouse.

Thermae Spa The verdict is still out on this three-level spa. It is one of the only places today to bath in hot spring pools and has a stunning view from the roof-top pool. But, we felt the water temperature was too low and the £40 weekend entrance fee too high.

STAY

Bath is small and busy on the weekends, so stay within walking distance of the Baths and Abbey. We loved No. 15 Great Pulteney, a charming, boutique hotel on a beautiful street.

Bath

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Galway

Galway is pure, old world magic. A harbor city on Ireland’s west coast, its Latin Quarter holds art shops, Claddagh jewellry stores and medieval pubs pouring tourists and traditional music into the streets.

Shannon is the nearest airport and a one hour drive by car. Buses and trains also run regularly from Dublin to Galway.

While Galway deserves a few days itself, it is also an excellent jumping off point for day trips to the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands and Connemara.

EAT

Busker Browne’s Start your holiday in Galway with a pub lunch.

Cactus Jack’s Decent Mexican food.

Xi’an Street Food Casual restaurant with delicious hand-pulled Chinese noodles.

DRINK

Tig Coili Small, friendly bar with outdoor standing space for watching street artists.

Taafes Pub Super fun pub with traditional, live music.

Pádraicíns Seafood Bar & Restaurant Grab a Guinness at this R336 seaside pub while heading back to Galway after a day in Connemara.

The Quays Bar and Restaurant 400-year-old watering hole with an upstairs music hall featuring live music and DJs.

PLAY

Aran Islands and Cliffs of Mohrer The Aran Islands, known for their ancient villages and stone walls, are a short ferry ride (30-90 minutes) from the village of Doolin. The Cliffs are 15-20 minutes south of Doolin. Book entrance to the Cliffs in advance online.

Salthill Promemade Walk along the ocean and breathe in the fresh, Irish sea air.

Connemara Home to Ireland’s fairy folk. While there stop by the romantic Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian estate, and take an afternoon hike through Connemara’s National Park.

STAY

Any AirBnB within walking distance of the Latin Quarter will be conveniently placed.

Looking for something more authentic and away from the crowds? Salthill is a cute, quiet neighborhood with bed and breakfasts on the water and just a 10-15 minute bus ride from the Latin Quarter.

Galway

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