a visit to Boston.

Striking a pose like Mr. Adams.

Hey Boston, you're pretty.

Hanging with Paul.

Freedom Trail foot shot!

#RoosterLove - posing with my Chinese astrological sign.

All the love for Boston's Public Library.

At the same time I left for Italy last year, the vast majority of my friends migrated to Boston. Hence the start of my yearlong desire to go to the famed Massachusetts hotspot. This summer I finally made it over to one of the most history-packed cities in the U.S. I had an amazing long weekend of exploring, eating, and catching up with friends. Highlights included visiting the Boston Public Library, exploring the sights along the Freedom Trail, tasting the marvelous clam chowder at Faneuil Hall, drinking down some iced liquid chocolate at L.A. Burdick, and spending the entire day at a beach just outside of the city.

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better mini-vacation. Lots of love for Boston!

xoxo

Sabrina

day trip to lake maggiore.

Lake Maggiore glistening in the sunlight.

Beautiful lavender flowers on Isola Bella.

The wind didn't stop me from enjoying the day!

Such a moody and gorgeous landscape.

Ended the night with dinner at a gnoccheria!

While I'll always love the south, I'm currently falling more and more in love with all that northern Italy has to offer. Recently, I took a day trip to Lago Maggiore, one of the major lakes around Varese. The lake itself was stunning, especially when the sun shone down upon it. I took a quick boat ride out to Isola Bella, one of the three islands on the lake. After a relaxing stroll around the island (with a stop for a crepe, of course), I headed back to the mainland for a walk in town.

I ended the night at a gnoccheria, or a gnocchi restaurant, in the Varese area. The restaurant, aptly titled La Pancia Piena (The Full Stomach), served what was undoubtedly the most delicious gnocchi I've ever tasted. My friends and I savored flavors like classic pesto, squid ink and shrimp, and fig and fontina. We ended the night with happy stomachs and smiling faces.

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Have you read my last travel post yet? My vacation to Lyon was a foodie's heaven!

springtime in milan.

Navigli at the golden hour.

I had the best lunch at Panino Giusto.

Followed by dessert of course!

Macedonia is the way to go in spring!

Outside Teatro Nazionale.

Seeing Fame in Italian was such a cool experience.

After the show.

Strolling along the canal in search of aperitivo.

Best apericena ever!

I know it sounds cheesy, but Milan has carved out a special place in my heart. Not only is there an endless selection of things to do, but there is also an innate charm and beauty to the city itself. My friend and I took the train in on a beautiful spring day to see Fame at Teatro Nazionale. The performance was fun, and I enjoyed seeing the Italian twist on the classic story.

Before the show, we stopped by Panino Giusto, which is reputed to be one of the best gourmet panino restaurants in Milan, for a quick lunch. I can honestly say that the reviews were correct. I ordered the Orientale panino, a medley of eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and hummus atop a perfectly toasted ciabatta roll. It was especially delicious paired with the zenzero (ginger) juice. I couldn't get enough! My friend and I split two desserts - a chocolate and pear cake with whipped cream and a macedonia (fruit salad) bowl with strawberry syrup and ice cream. Both were wonderful, although I have to admit that the macedonia really hit the spot on such a lovely spring day.

After the show, we headed down to the canal zone in the Navigli neighborhood. Strolling along the water during the early evening hours is such a magical experience. The setting sun makes the water and all the buildings take on a golden hue. As the temperature got cooler, we settled into a table for aperitivo. Of course, with the amazing buffet selection offered, it ended up turning into apericena!

We left the city stuffed and satisfied. Just another stellar day in Milano!

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Want to know what Milan is like in fall? How about in winter?

adventures in lyon.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the metallic tower of Fourvière in the distance.

The view from the top of the Basilica steps.

What a gorgeous city!

The streets and shop displays were charming.

The street art on the way to the top of the Basilica was a fun surprise.

Lyon's praline pastry was almost too pretty to eat!

The Roman Amphitheater was a sight to behold. 

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this was the best pastry I've ever eaten.

After my magical two days in Paris, it was time to board the train to Lyon. I had heard of Lyon prior to my trip to France, but I didn't really know what to expect. As I quickly discovered during my two days in the city, Lyon is the food capital of France and a hub for French history. I got to experience both aspects during my time there!

In terms of sights, Lyon has some truly magnificent architecture. I loved visiting the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Roman Amphitheater, even though getting to the top of the hill to see both of them was quite an effort. There are so many stairs! I also fell for the open shopping streets and charming storefronts in the older zone of the city. I'll readily admit that I wandered into more than a few chocolate shops as I made my way around town.

Speaking of food, Lyon lived up to its foodie reputation. I made sure to try some of the local dishes, like a rose praline brioche and saucisson en brioche, which I can only describe as a larger, more delicious version of a pig in a blanket. I also need to mention the fact that I had the best pastry of my life in Lyon. I ordered a chocolate and almond brioche (pictured above) from the boulangerie near my apartment and proceeded to freak out over how amazing it was for the rest of the day. It was just that good!

While Paris fulfilled all of my first-time visitor to France dreams, Lyon surprised me with its charm and local flair. I'll definitely be returning!

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Check out my previous adventure to Munich!

two days in paris.

The Parisian skyline.

Don't mind if I do!

The first (but certainly not the last) creperie I visited.

My first crepe in Paris! This buckwheat flour crepe with a perfectly over easy egg was the ideal start to my day.

Sacre Coeur looking majestic.

Crepe #2 was a lovely lemon, butter, and sugar number.

The Montmartre neighborhood stole my heart.

Notre Dame looks magnifique!

The perfect afternoon snack - a cool glass of milk and the cutest raspberry tart.

I made it to the Love Wall!

I didn't go into the Louvre, but I enjoyed walking around the park outside.

The highlight of my trip! Standing in front of the Eiffel Tower was surreal.

I had to go with a chocolate lava cake for dessert on night 1.

One of the most charming locations in Paris!

Instead of relaxing on a beach or living it up in some tropical destination, I decided to book a ticket to France for spring break. I spent two days in Paris before taking the train to Lyon for another two days. It was, without a doubt, one of the most magical trips I've ever taken. I saw some amazing places, ate wonderful food, and experienced the beauty of French culture.

My first two days in Paris were incredible. I sat inside Sacre Coeur and gazed in awe at the majestic architecture and designs. I wandered through the streets of Montmartre and discovered the coolest pop-up shops and boutiques (and yes, I did some shopping). I stood in front of the Eiffel Tower and lived out all my Monte Carlo and French Kiss inspired dreams. In short, I had a memorable time wherever I went.

As for food, I unleashed my inner foodie and sampled the best that Paris had to offer. In addition to downing my fair share of freshly baked baguettes, I savored everything from a raspberry tart and a traditional lemon and sugar crepe to a specialty buckwheat flour crepe and a perfectly roasted chicken dinner. Paris definitely spoiled me with delicious food.

I can now understand why so many people are enamored by the City of Lights. With its glowing ambiance and natural charm, it truly is one of the star cities of Europe. Che magnifique!

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Stay tuned for Part 2 of my trip to France. You'll never believe the adventures I had in Lyon!

things to do before going on vacation.

Who.A.U. bikini top, Gilly Hicks bottoms, Pac Sun sunglasses

Vacation season is upon us! I don't know about you, but the beautiful spring weather has me itching to head somewhere new. Fortunately, I have a few trips planned for spring and summer that will satisfy my wanderlust. Stay tuned to see what adventures I get up to!

As far as prepping for a vacation goes, I have a few essential to-do items that help me feel calm, cool, and collected before I head out the door. Whether you're planning  a beach getaway, a city exploration, or some combination of the two, here are a few tips that will get you set for your travels.

Do a suitcase edit.
By suitcase, I mean whatever bag you plan to bring with you. For most of my trips, I rely exclusively upon my trusty Jansport and a small purse. Regardless of the bag I take, I always try to lay out everything I want to bring at least two days before my trip. That way I have some time to figure out what I actually need and delete anything that isn't essential. I'm all about packing as light as possible. This is particularly important when you're traveling carry-on only and you plan to buy things on your trip. You need all the space you can get.

Download or print out a map of your destination.
Going to a new place can be disorienting at first. I try to ease this discomfort a bit by feeling as prepared and knowledgeable as possible. For me, this means knowing how to get to basic destinations, like the airport, the train station, and my hostel. I like to either print out Google directions or download a map of the area to my phone. Then I don't have to worry about getting lost at the beginning of my trip.

Charge your tech.
The thing about traveling is you're always on the move. Because of this, the opportunity to juice up your electronics may not come up as frequently as you think. I save myself this stress by charging all my technology, whether that means my phone, my Ipod, or my camera, before I leave. That way I know I'll be good to go once I reach my destination.

Have a pamper session.
Traveling on the cheap often means minimalist packing and inexpensive accommodations. I prefer to focus more upon fully experiencing my trip location than spending time on unnecessary luxuries like spa treatments and fancy hotel rooms. Instead, I'll give myself a mini spa night before I leave. A fresh mani/pedi and a good exfoliation and skin moisture session always help me to feel my best before I depart.

What's on your pre-trip to-do list? I'd love to hear from you in the comments or on Twitter!

xoxo

Sabrina

P.S. Check out my articles on The Holiday Girl for even more travel tips and recommendations.

weekend in the dolomites.

My first day in the mountains!

Snack break at a cute restaurant. Needed some warm tea and sweet cake!

The scenery was unreal.

From where I stand - cross country skiing for the first time!

Look at those mountains! On the way down from the ski lift.

The view from my hotel window. Gorgeous!

I might not be a 5 star skier, but I had a blast skiing in the Dolomites.

Recently I had the opportunity to spend a winter weekend in the Dolomites. In case you don't know, the Dolomite Mountains are a stunning mountain range located in the very north of Italy. Not only are they a prime ski destination, but they are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting them, I one hundred percent agree with that title. The location is magnificent!

I spent my time in the small town of Campestrin, which is everything you imagine when you think of a European ski town. The buildings were wooden and candy-colored. There were ski rental shops and cute cafes on every corner. People strolled the streets in snow gear, with skis or snowboards in hand. In short, it was the stuff that winter vacation dreams are made of.

I went skiing, ice skating, and cross country skiing during my time in the mountains. I also feasted on rich Italian hot chocolate, delicious cakes, and soul-warming pasta dishes. Driving back home at the end of the weekend was tough, but I'll never forget my magical experience in the Dolomites!

xoxo

Sabrina