Dusty metal shop shutters down, a notice taped on the front, and my tortilla de patata cravings left satisfied.

And the paella restaurant that had literally thousands of five-star reviews? Served us moldy bread. Twice! And the paella was disappointingly below average.

Even though I plan my foodie trips like an overqualified and underpaid project manager on her fifteenth red bull—scouring the internet for the best eats, diving into Google reviews, and coming up with a plan A, B, and C—things don’t always go as planned.

Yep, it still shocks me every time. “The unexpected” seems to love upending the plans of Type A travelers like me.

But despite the foodie mishaps that plagued my trip to Valencia, I still enjoyed a few truly spectacular eats that I definitely recommend devouring when you visit this beautiful Spanish city.

(And, of course, I’ll tell you exactly which ultra-popular paella restaurant to avoid.)

Horchata: Valencia’s Creamy Summer Drink

Despite living in Spain for over almost 5 years now, I had never been to Valencia until now. I had heard only incredible things about this city: orange-tree lined streets, endless beaches, and incredible paella. And of course, the birthplace of Spain’s famous summer drink: horchata.

So after an insane morning at La Tomatina—a ginormous tomato food in the streets of a small town outside of Valencia—we spent the afternoon at a cafe by our airbnb, sipping on horchata.

Unlike Latin America’s cinnamon-y horchata, which has a rice base, Valencia’s horchata is made from chufa (tiger nuts). This delicious superfood from Africa was brought to Spain during Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Today, it’s grown all over the towns surrounding Valencia.

Valencia’s horchata is sweet, creamy, nutty, and has just a hint of cinnamon. It’s served cold and you can order it as a drink or in a slushie form. It’s traditionally served with fartones, sweet breadsticks that are light and airy, perfect for dipping in the horchata.

Where to try horchata in Valencia:

• Orxateria El Collado

• Orxateria Daniel

• Heladería Llinares

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Trying The World’s Best Burger at Hundred Burgers

My hot take: Spain does burgers better than the US. I’ve been saying it for years now, and especially after enjoying so many incredible burgers at The Champion’s Burger foodie event.

And, apparently the world’s top burger connoisseurs agree, because they ranked Hundred Burgers, a burger joint that started in Valencia, Spain, as #1 on their ‘The World’s Best Burgers’ ranking—for two years in a row.

The cool thing about Hundred Burgers is that it all started because two friends began traveling the world in search of the best burger. And after trying over 300 burgers in 22 countries, their taste buds were ready to take the reins and start cooking. Their goal? Make the best burger at the best price.

But did they achieve it? Well, not quite.

I ordered the Satisfaction Burger: a delicious combination of two flavorful, 110-gram patties, American cheese, bacon, and smokey mayo. Here’s what I thought:

✅ The pros:

• A LOT of meat—with two patties, this burger is a doozy. It’s 220 grams, which is about two serving sizes of meat, which means every bite is packed with the good stuff.

• Good price—The burgers cost between €12-15 each, which is a fine price, especially for how much meat they have.

• Awesome fries—Hundred Burgers has upleveled their fries to the max. They’re extra crispy, seasoned fries that are truly fantastic.

• Solid burger options—They’ve got the classics, and then they’ve got burgers with spicy Korean gochujang sauce and peanut butter and BBQ sauce. The base of the entire menu is the bacon cheeseburger, which I applaud.

❌ The cons:

• The patties could have been juicier. The meat was fine, but the burger ended up tasting mostly like meat. Nothing’s wrong with that, as long as it’s cooked perfectly, which unfortunately it wasn’t.

• I need more sauce. The smokey mayo sauce was fantastic, but I need more of it. Especially with two patties. What can I say? I’m a sauce girl.

• The bun to burger proportion was off. The bun has a tremendous influence on the burger’s taste—and this one was a little too bready and dry for me.

Hundred Burgers wasn’t the best burger I’ve tried (right now, that top spot belongs to a delicious burger I recently tried in Madrid). But, if you’re at Cabanyal beach and craving a burger, it’s a great option.

👀 Check out the menu here.

💸Price: €15-20 per person.

📍Location: Inside the Mercabañal food zone near Cabanyal beach. (You won’t see the restaurant name from the street, look for a sliding glass door with Mercabañal stickers on it, then go through the indoor seating area to the outdoor area, and up the stairs to the second floor.)

Fantastic Tapas At Pelayo Gastro Trinquet

Incredible tapas, a large menu selection, and the chic and unique ambiance (wander around a bit and you’ll discover you’re actually dining alongside a 195-foot-long Valencian Trinquet sports court) makes Pelayo Gastro Trinquet one of the best places for tapas in Valencia.

What we ordered:

• Las Bravas del Trinquet—These patatas bravas (chunky, crispy fried potatoes with garlic mayo and spicy red sauce) won Valencia’s patatas bravas food festival a few years ago. And it shows. Perfectly crispy potatoes, fantastically creamy alioli (garlic mayo), and an unforgettable chunky bravas sauce that was just so flavorful. 11/10

  

• Coca d’Oli Pont Sec—Olive oil flat bread topped with a light pesto sauce, Iberian pork loin carpaccio, and parmesan cheese. This is the sleeper menu item you must try. A fantastic flavor combo that’s filling and adds a nice contrast to the rest of the traditional tapas. 10/10

• Viera del Pacifico—Grilled scallops in a lime-chili emulsion. I’ve been obsessed with scallops lately so I had to give these a try. The fancy sauce stole the show and overpowered the delicious scallop flavor, but they were still good. 8/10.

• Bunyol de l’Albufera—A smoked eel fritter with a powerful, creamy sauce. This bite won the 2025 Best Valencian Tapa Award. It gave off fishy-curry vibes, and while interesting, was my least favorite of the four tapas we tried. 7/10.

I highly recommend coming here for tapas—or, if you’re really hungry, they also offer paellas (and you can eat them right out of the paellera, paella pan, which is apparently tradition in Valencia)! Make sure you try the Coca de Llanda de Naranja, an orange sponge cake that’s a traditional Valencian dessert.

👀 Check out the menu in Spanish or in English here.

💸Price: €20-25 per person.

📍Location: On Calle de Pelai, very close to the Plaza de Toros and the Valencia train station.

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The Paella Disappointment at La Pepica

Things started out well, but ended tragically. We ordered zamburiñas gallegas a la plancha (Galician seared scallops, I told you I was obsessed) to start, and they were divine. Perfectly juicy, tender, and flavorful.

Then, we decided on the Paella Pepica, supposedly the most seafood popular and best paella, which came with a total of FOUR sad, small shrimps. Despite cutting them into halves and fourths, my share of the shrimps disappeared quickly, and the remaining rice didn’t make up for the lack of actual seafood. The paella was fine, but not at all memorable or outstanding.

Unfortunately, after 125 years of making paella, La Pepica could only deliver a disappointing, below-average paella. Oh, and moldy bread.

That’s what really shocked me. When I asked for bread, I expected the traditional crispy baguettes we all love. Instead, I got a few thick, stale-looking sandwich slices—dotted with mold.

I politely requested different bread, pointing out the mold (and assuming it was just a fluke). But it wasn’t, because when the waitress returned, the “new” bread she brought had even more mold on it!

Now, my intention with Emily Eats Everywhere is NOT to tell you all the places you shouldn’t go—it’s to share the best recommendations for authentic eats abroad. But unfortunately, after this disappointing experience at La Pepica, for now I’m left without a quality paella spot to recommend.

A Viral Sweet Treat That Deserves a 10/10

When I saw foodies and influencers promoting 99 Cheesecake on social media, I was intrigued. Offer me quality food for less than a euro, and you can lure me just about anywhere. (Now I understand why my mom always told me not to get into a stranger’s car, and I quote: “even if he tells you he has ice cream.”) What can I say? I’m easily persuaded by great deals and snacks.

Now here’s the thing: not all the cheesecakes are 99 cents.

In fact, only one of the cheesecakes—the classic, plain cheesecake—is 99 cents. The rest (white chocolate, cookies and cream, lotus, flavor of the month, etc.) are €2.99. And, if you want a topping like fruity jam, caramel, melted chocolate, or cookie pieces, each one costs 80 cents. Still cheap, but not 99 cents.

That being said, the cheesecake was fantastic. I got the classic with a raspberry jam topping, and my husband got the cookies and cream flavor. Both were incredible. Creamy, sweet, perfect consistency.

Good thing I don’t live in Valencia, because I’d be tempted to get on every single day.

👀 Check out the options here.

💸Price: €1-5 per person.

📍Location: On Calle de Roger de Llòria, less than a 10 minute walk from Valencia’s train station, Estació del Nord.

Things to Do in Valencia

If you like artsy European beach towns, you are going to love Valencia! Make sure you add a few of these fun activities to your travel itinerary in between meals:

• A bike tour of Valencia’s city center! This is always my favorite thing to do when visiting a new city. Valencia is very bikeable—you can ride through Turia Garden (the biggest and most famous park in the city), through the historic city center, and along the beach! Rent a bike on your own here or go for a guided tour like this one.

• Visit Valencia’s famous Hemisfèric & Science Museum. Those cool, dome shaped buildings surrounded by water that you’ll see in all the Valencia photos? They’re actually museums! Get your tickets here.

• Take a day trip to Montanejos hot springs! About 1.5 hours outside of Valencia, you’ll find a stunning lagoon with waterfalls, turquoise water, and incredible landscapes. It’s called Fuente de los Baños, and it’s a must-see if you’re near Valencia. Rent a car and visit on your own or do a day-trip tour like this one.

• Take a day trip to Cala del Moraig! This adorable beach cove is the perfect spot to swim, snorkel, and hike through the sea caves. This tour from Valencia takes you on a stunning panoramic coastal hike over this picturesque beach.

If you’re on vacation, you should be having ice cream every day of your trip.

(Heck, even if you’re not on vacation, increasing your daily ice cream intake can dramatically improve your life.)

But, I’ll confess: I’m an ice cream snob. I don’t want just any ice cream. I want the best of the best.

That’s why I tried almost every single presentable heladería (ice cream shop) in Alicante, Spain searching for the city’s best ice cream. For you, dear foodie reader, I did it for you.

And, 17 ice creams later, these are my top five favorite heladerías in this beautiful city (plus a few honorable mentions):

#1 Livanti

With 32 different gelato flavors to choose from (one more than Baskin-Robbins), affordable prices, and gelato that’s always incredible, Livanti takes first place in my ranking of the best ice cream spots in Alicante. It’s my personal favorite, and I’ve been there too many times to count.

Every flavor I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a third of them by now), is absolutely fantastic. With each lick, you’ll experience the silky, soft texture of authentic Italian gelato. The gelato is dense, sweet, and the flavors always stand out.

It’s also the best value find. There are five size options, ranging from €1.50 to €6; making it more affordable than the other options on this list. (The ice cream cone pictured above is the small size, which cost €3.)

🍦Flavors to try: All of them are fantastic, you literally cannot go wrong. I almost always go fruity here—the pineapple, lemon, cherry, and strawberry flavors are unbeatable.

☝🏼Pro tip! You can also order Livanti’s gelato in large portions (eat the whole thing all by yourself or share with a friend, I don’t judge).

📍Location: Calle Muñoz 6. City center, next to the Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas.

💸Prices: (same prices for a cup and a cone)

• Gran Capriccio (Mini): €1.50

• Piacere (Small): €3.00

• Tentazione (Medium): €4.00

• Peccato (Large): €5.00

• Vizio (Extra Large): €5.00

#2 Fraganti

There are ice creams that taste like they’ll give you diabetes (Ben & Jerry’s, I’m looking at you—with heart-shaped eyes, of course). Then there are ice creams that taste European. They’re light, natural, and delicious in their own unique way.

That’s the type of ice cream you’ll find at Fraganti. They’ve got fresh flavors like lemon, basil, and coconut. They’ve got creamy flavors like cookies, Reus hazelnut, dulce de leche, and toasted pistachio.

Although there’s not a huge selection (there are usually 12-15 options), the ice cream here stands out. We’ve come back to Fraganti time and time again (and brought our friends here!) because they have the most delicious, natural-tasting ice creams.

🍦Flavors to try: I especially love the coconut—packed with actual shredded coconut and just sweet enough—and the cookies flavor, which tastes like oreo, but creamier and lighter.

🏆Best Waffle Cones! Fraganti is second place on the list, but in the waffle cone category, they’re #1. You definitely want to order a cone here, they’re soft, chewy, and delicious.

📍Location: Ctra. Benimagrell, 176. Near Muchavista Beach, about 25 minutes from Alicante’s city center. They also have a shop in Alicante’s city center, on C. Cándida Jimeno Gargallo, 6.

💸Prices: (same prices for a cup and a waffle cone)

• 1 scoop: €3.90

• 2 scoops: €4.90

• 3 scoops: €6.50

#3 Anomaly

Just like the name, this gelato is out of the ordinary. It’s not just another ice cream shop—Anomaly stands out. With exceptional customer service, soft, creamy, and potently flavorful gelato, this place is a must-visit.

Though they don’t have a lot of flavors to choose from, they’ve got the classics. And, each ice cream comes with a free topping: fruit jelly, caramel, chocolate, chocolate chips. It’s the cherry on top that really sets this place apart.

🍦Flavors to try: Salted caramel, fior di latte (a milky, creamy flavor that pairs well with everything), and white chocolate.

📍Location: C. San Ildefonso, 10. In the heart of Alicante’s city center, near Plaza Nueva.

💸Prices: (same prices for a cup and a cone)

• Small (two flavors): €3.80

• Medium (two flavors): €4.80

• Large (three flavors): €5.80

• Extra Large (four flavors): €6.80

#4 Holy Madre Heladería Argentina

This ice cream spot surprised me! They serve authentic Argentinian ice cream, and it’s the real deal. Each of their 20-ish flavors are all really high-quality, creamy and perfectly textured. For one euro more, you can get your ice cream cone dipped in chocolate too!

With baby blue, white, and gold colors that represent Argentina and other fun sweet treats like churros, alfajores from Argentina, and specialty coffee, at Holy Madre, there’s something for everyone.

🍦Flavors to try: Banana split. This one was a winner for sure. Super creamy, and just enough of a hint of banana—but without being overpowering. And, try the dulce de leche con alfajor, this caramely flavor is their best seller.

📍Location: C. San Francisco, 58. Right on Alicante’s famous mushroom street.

💸Prices: (same prices for a cup and a cone)

• Small (only one flavor): €3.80

• Medium (two flavors): €4.80

• Large (three flavors): €5.80

#5 Lucciano’s

After trying Lucciano’s for the first time in Barcelona, we were thrilled when they announced that they were coming to Alicante! They have beautifully-designed ice cream shops and lots of fun flavor options.

Their ice cream is high-quality and there are a lot of flavors to choose from, but it’s ranking last on this list because it is significantly more expensive than the other spots—and the portion sizes don’t make up for it.

🍦Flavors to try: Coco Rock (coconut with white chocolate), Avellana Blanca & Caramelo Salado (hazelnut and salted caramel), King Bueno (Spain’s famous Bueno candy bar).

📍Location: Passeig Esplanada d’Espanya, 7, C. San Fernando, 15. Right on Alicante’s famous Explanada (the main street with the cool wavy red and blue tile design).

💸Prices: (same prices for a cup and a cone)

• Small: €4.50

• Medium: €5.50

• Large: €6.50

Plus, One Extra: Amorino

If you’re a foodie, you’ve probably heard about Amorino’s famous gelato—and seen their colorful rose-shaped gelato cone creations! They have a ton of flavors to choose from—each delicately crafted so you can enjoy every bite.

Though very popular, Amorino’s ice cream is most definitely NOT overhyped. It’s creamy, richly flavorful, and made with quality ingredients that wow.

The only reason I didn’t include it in the top 5 is because you’ve probably already heard of it. And if you’ve already tried Amorino in a different country, I really hope you do give one of my top 5 a try. (But I won’t judge if you go to Amorino too, I do truly love their gelato.)

🍦Flavors to try: Literally all of them, they’re all 10/10.

📍Location: Rbla. de Méndez Núñez, 10. Right in the center of Alicante, near the Explanada.

💸 Prices: (same prices for cone and cup)

• Piccola (Small): €4

• Classic (Medium): €5.10

• Grande (Big): €6.10

• Grandissima (Really Big)—Cup Only: €8

• A Compartir (Sharing)—Cup Only: €11

Things to Do In and Near Alicante, Spain

Alicante is one of my all-time favorite cities in Spain. If you’re visiting for the first time, make sure you check out my complete one-week guide to Spain’s Costa Blanca. In between meals, these are some of my favorite things to do:

• Hike to the top of the Santa Barbara Castle for amazing views of the entire city and the mediterranean ocean.

• Explore Guadalest, Altea, and Algar Waterfalls on a day trip! This tour takes you to see one of my favorite spots: Guadalest, a picturesque castle atop a rocky mountain that oversees a beautiful turquoise lake with gray peaks decorating the backdrop. Plus, you’ll visit Altea (also known as the Greece of Spain) and a cool waterfall swimming spot!

• Go snorkeling around Tabarca Island! This little island off the coast of Alicante has it all: snorkeling, cliff jumping, beaches, and island vibes! It’s my favorite spot to snorkel and I try to visit as much as I can in the summers.

Eating in any big city is hard. One, because there are thousands of options—I mean, talk about choice overload. Two, in popular travel destination cities, not all of the options are worth a visit (many are expensive and just average—a terrifying combination).

And if you don’t plan where you’ll eat on your trip, it’s highly likely you’ll end up wasting your money for food that’s just “okay.” Or worse, you’ll end up surrounded by Americans at a tourist trap restaurant.

But that’s NOT going to happen to you, my fellow foodie. Not in Madrid.

Because after almost a dozen trips to Madrid, I’ve compiled a complete two-day foodie itinerary so you can make every bite 100% worth the trip. Each of these restaurants was carefully selected and taste-tested by yours truly.

In this guide, you’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• What to order at each restaurant—my recommendations, plus prices so you avoid awkward surprises.

• An organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (plus things to see and do in-between meals),

• Where to eat famous Spanish dishes like patatas bravas, churros con chocolate, and el bocadillo de calamares: the famous squid sandwich.

(If you want the nitty-gritty and are wondering how I plan my foodie trips, check out this post here.)

This post is for paid subscribers only. For just a few dollars a month, you can join the The Foodie Travel Club and get access to this foodie itinerary, plus the entire library of city foodie guides—and a new foodie itinerary + exclusive travel resources every single month.

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I’ll never forget the moment I walked out of the Pasaje de Peña tunnel and saw the white and tan European apartment buildings on Calle de Jesús del Monasterio in Santander’s city center.

Right then, I fell hopelessly in love with this moody, posh, green city on Spain’s Northern coast. For the following 6 months, Santander was home. And despite the rain and cloudy days, this unique place captured my heart again and again.

That was 8 years ago, and though I’ve moved to a sunnier side of Spain, Santander will always have a special place in my heart.

This past weekend, we were back in Santander for the second time this year—a surprise weekend trip that was filled with food, friends, and fun.

This time, we rented a car and drove to different beaches along Spain’s northern coast—which was incredible! More on that later…

This is everything I ate during a quick weekend trip to Santander, Spain (and my unfiltered opinion about all of it), so you can find the best, most authentic eats on your next trip to this magical city.

Cantabria’s Most Famous Dish: Cocido montañés

If you’re visiting Northern Spain for the first time, don’t expect paella. Sure, you can find a paella or two, but it’s just not the palace (this dish originated on the other side of the country, in Valencia).

Northern Spain’s cuisine is much richer and heartier. Here, you can enjoy a variety of quesos (cheeses), stews, pintxos (the Basque Country’s version of tapas), and must-try seafood dishes like rabas (fried squid) and pulpo a la gallega (Galician octopus).

The cocido montañés is Cantabria’s most famous stew. This hearty dish is made up of white beans, collard greens, tender pork, and two different types of sausage: morcilla, blood sausage and chorizo, pork sausage. It’s filling and warm—perfect for the typical chilly and raining days in Santander.

Even though I lived in Santander for six months and have been back to visit multiple times, I hadn’t tried this dish until last weekend.

And…I’ll be honest, I wasn’t super impressed. The beans were good and the pork was very tender and flavorful, but I just couldn’t get past the collard greens (which I’ve never been particularly fond of).

• Where to try it: Bodega Fuente De, this traditional Spanish bar is a local favorite with unbeatable prices. The cocido montañés costs just €12, making it one of the cheapest in the city (as of September 2026).

• Who it’s for: Bean fans and stew-lovers looking for an authentic Cantabrian dish.

• What to know: At Bodega Fuente De, the cocido montañés dish is served in a huge metal basin with a giant ladle. It’s big enough to feed two people; I simply couldn’t finish it all.

For Cheese Lovers: Queso Picón

For me, the dish that stole the show at Bodega Fuente De was actually the queso picón, an intensely-flavored blue cheese from Cantabria.

It’s meant to be spread on slices of crunchy, freshly-baked baguette bread, so that’s exactly what we did. And boy was it delicious. Salty, potent, and uniquely blue cheese. I definitely recommend you try this the next time you’re in Cantabria.

• Where to try it: Again, Bodega Fuente De, this is a great option for affordable and authentic Northern dishes. The half-portion picón costs just €4.50.

• Who it’s for: Blue cheese fans and people who like intensely-flavored cheeses.

• What to know: At Bodega Fuente De, the picón comes in two sizes, ½ portion and full portion. For 2-3 people, the ½ portion is plenty; my husband and I couldn’t finish it all.

The Famous Ice Cream Shop: Regma

Santander is home to many fantastic heladerías (ice cream shops), but this one is the most famous. This family run business has been delighting ice cream lovers with giant scoops of quality, affordable ice cream since 1933.

You can find Regma’s ice cream shops all over Cantabria. My favorite flavors here are strawberry, cheesecake, lemon, and hazelnut. This is such a nostalgic treat for me—many an afternoon during my time in Santander was spent walking around enjoying a delicious Regma ice cream cone.

• Where to try it: If you’re in the center of Santander, this location is always popular. If you’re by Sardinero beach, try this location.

• Price for a small cone: €3.50

• What to know: The portions are huge! The one pictured above is a small scoop with two flavors.

My Favorite Breakfast Stop: La Gallofa & Co

Another nostalgic favorite with a ton of great breakfast and brunch options, La Gallofa & Co is the perfect spot to start your day. This company has cute little cafes scattered all across the city, and it’s a popular spot to come enjoy a quick bite.

When in Spain, fresh-squeezed orange juice for breakfast is a MUST. Plus, the quality of this tortilla de patata was a delightful surprise—in fact, it might just be one of the best I’ve ever had.

• Where to find them: In the city center, this location and this location are my favorites.

• What to order: Jamón y Queso Tortilla de Patata—this Spanish omelet with ham and cheese is always so good. Orange juice, of course. The croissants, donuts, and filled donut holes are also fantastic. You really can’t go wrong.

• Average price: €5-10 per person

A Burger Stop: Carniball Smash Burger

I’m almost always in the mood for a burger, and this spot did not disappoint. Carniball has fantastic smashburger creations that will make you want to move to Santander and stay forever!

• Where to find it: They have two locations in Santander, one right next to the famous Plaza de Cañadío and another not too far away on Calle Alonso Ercilla.

• What we ordered: La Bastarda—a burger with BBQ brisket, Havarti cheese, and house sauce (the winner of the 2025 Champion’s Burger!)—and the Air Jordan—a smash burger with Monterrey Jack cheese, a fried egg, and truffle mayo.

• Total: €10-20

Festival de Las Naciones—Santander: An International Food Festival

Spain is home to more than 10 million migrants (one in five people who live in Spain were not born there)! This impressive diversity makes Spain one of the best places to try food from *literally* all over the world.

We were lucky to be in Santander during the one-month Festival de Las Naciones, a cultural festival with food, drinks, music, and dancing. We tried the Colombia and Costa Rica stands and they were both fantastic. The food is authentic and high-quality (though at some stands, a little overpriced).

• What is it: A month-long cultural festival with food, drinks, music, and cultural presentations. It usually begins mid-August and lasts into September.

• What to order: We tried empanadas, buñuelos, and agua panela from the Colombia stand. Plus, a new (to me!) dish from Costa Rica called Casado: flavorful chicken with rice and beans, sweet fried plantains, and a fresh salad. Paired with their traditional drink, agua de sapo (a sweet ginger lemonade), it was delicious!

• Average price: €15-20

Things to Do in (and Near) Santander, Spain

The north of Spain is breathtakingly beautiful and surprisingly underhyped. It gives off mini-Alps vibes, but without the price tag. Plus, there are a ton of fun things to do. During your time in Santander, make sure you:

• Explore the parks surrounding Palacio de la Magdalena. This area is a must-see if you’re in Santander. This islet is home to a beautiful palace (where Gran Hotel, a Spanish TV series, was filmed), a free outdoor aquarium, beaches, and vibrant green forests. It’s free to explore and a great activity for kids!

• Enjoy the incredible beaches! Here in the north of Spain the water is cold, but the beaches are truly incredible. Near the city center, make sure to visit El Sardinero, Playa del Camello, and Playa de La Magdalena. Not to far outside of the city center, Playa de Covachos and Playa Arnía are also fantastic beaches (though they both require a bit of walking).

• Visit Gaudi’s hidden work of art in Comillas. This day tour takes you to a few adorable villages in Cantabria, one of the few Gaudi works outside of Barcelona, and to a stunning redwood forest.

• Do a pintxo tour in Bilbao! Pintxos are Northern Spain’s version of tapas (but they’re 10x more elegant, tasty, and memorable, IMO). Get all the details for the best pintxos in Bilbao in my guide here.

• Hike San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (aka: Dragonstone) in Bilbao, Spain. This iconic hike is a must-do for Game of Thrones fans and nature-lovers alike. With incredible views of the beautiful Basque Country, a rugged rocky coastline, and the green forests of the north, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is a hike you won’t forget.

Planning a foodie trip is no simple task. I research more for one foodie vacation than I did for my entire senior thesis in college.

I’m borderline OCD, 100% type A, and the oldest daughter. That means I don’t just plan these vacations, I make sure they’re absolutely perfect.

And as a very demanding and budget-friendly foodie, my hyper-organization has reached new, unprecedented heights. I spend months scouring travel blogs, Reddit, local recommendations, and going through hundreds of restaurant reviews to find the best places to eat during my trips.

Because guess what? Finding affordable, quality places to eat in a different country is hard.

And I don’t want you to suffer like so many tourists do. Tourists who plan sightseeing, find the best hotels, and find all the most Instagrammable spots… but forget to plan the most important part: where to eat!

They inevitably end up at tourist traps eating mediocre food—or worse… at McDonald’s. *shudders*

That’s why I’m going to show you, step by step, how to plan a foodie trip to any city in the world. We’ll use a foodie weekend in Paris as an example (since anyone who’s planned a trip to Paris knows how chaotic that can be).

Here’s my exact strategy:

#1 Research Specific Dishes (By Country AND By City)

No matter where you’re traveling to, it’s essential to do a TON of research.

Your goal? Identify specific dishes you’d like to try that are unique to the country and the city or region you’re visiting. (Remember, the beautiful thing about gastronomy is that it’s deeply regional. To find the best eats, you have to eat like the locals.)

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, France, you probably know that:

• French fries are French (that’s an easy one, though the Belgians might disagree).

• Crepes are a popular dessert in France.

• They also eat snails in France (bonus points if you know the real name: escargot).

• Ratatouille isn’t just a movie—it’s also the name of a French veggie dish.

But there are so many more incredibly delicious dishes you’d miss out on if you stopped there. That’s why research is essential.

While planning a foodie trip, your research will include going through menus, pictures, YouTube videos, travel guides, restaurant recommendations, and social media (though I don’t recommend trusting every recommendation or viral foodie “must-try”).

For example, while planning my trip to Paris, France, and going through what felt like a gazillion menus, I learned that these dishes are also very popular and authentic:

• Steak Frites: A medium-rare entrecôte (rib-eye) steak with fries and a delicious house sauce.

• Confit de Canard: Slow-cooked, extra-tender duck served with roasted potatoes and a salad.

• Croque Monsieur: The elegant French version of a ham-and-cheese sandwich, but with a crispy toasted layer of cheese on the outside.

• Bœuf Bourguignon: Beef stew with tender, flavorful beef, potatoes, and veggies.

• Foie Gras: A spreadable cream made from the fattened liver of a duck or goose.

• Steak Tartare: A raw, seasoned ground-beef mixture typically served with a raw egg yolk on top.

Once you’ve immersed yourself in the cuisine of the country you’re going to visit, and know what the 5-10 most popular and iconic dishes are, you’re ready for step two.

#2 Choose Your Must-Try & The Wild Card

Not all of the authentic dishes you research will make you drool. You know your stomach best. If you have a phobia of slimy textures in your mouth, escargot probably isn’t for you.

Plus, you probably won’t have time to try them all, anyway. Choose 1-2 must-try dishes per day that you’ll be traveling.

Since I was only going to be in Paris for two days, I decided that my must-trys were:

1. Steak Frites

2. Bœuf Bourguignon

3. Croque Monsieur

4. Confit de Canard (but only if I had time—and stomach space)

I also recommend trying a wild card. This is a dish (or restaurant) that might be a little bit outside of your comfort zone, but piques your curiosity nonetheless. Who knows? Your wild card might end up being the dish you dream about for years to come.

#3 Research Restaurants By Dish

Now that you’ve identified the dishes you’re going to try, it’s time to find authentic restaurants that will do each dish justice.

Google searches like “where to eat bœuf bourguignon in the 11th arrondissement” or “best croque monsieur in Paris” will provide clues that will lead you to your final destination.

I use a combination of Google Maps, foodie blogs, and social media to go through restaurant menus and find the specific dishes I’m looking for—along with photos and prices. After going through a lot of photos, you’ll be able to tell which ones are authentic and high-quality (and fit within your budget).

For example, while searching for the perfect place to try steak frites, I came across the following restaurants:

• Relais de l’Entrecôte—With a 29€ double-service meal (meaning two rounds of steak and fries), this was the most popular option. But… after seeing a few more honest reviews (and seeing that it often has over 2-hour wait times) I decided it was overhyped and didn’t want to risk it.

• Le Relais de Venise—Very similar to the first option, it also had long lines and wait times for the same 30€ double-service meal. Deemed overhyped, didn’t make the cut.

• Le Bistrot Paul Bert—Recommended by Les Frenchies as one of the most flavorful steak frites dishes. However, after seeing reviews on Google and pictures of a very small steak dish for 48€, I decided it was too much for too little.

• Bistrot Victoires—At 13.90€, this was a very affordable option, but the pictures I saw in Google reviews didn’t have a sauce. No sauce, no go.

A few days later, I was able to narrow it down to a few final contenders:

• Black Angus—A more modern, hip version of the classic steak frites. With drool-worthy photos, great reviews, and at 29€ per plate, this was a very convincing option.

• Brasserie Des Prés—An affordable 20€ steak frites with the option of garlic parsley butter or bearnaise sauce.

• L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille—A 19.90€ lunch menu option of a single-pass steak frites, or a 29€ double-pass version with unlimited fries and the signature house sauce.

I ended up going to the L’Atelier Entrecôte & Volaille—and I’m so glad I did. I had the most incredible steak frites and enjoyed every bite.

Is this a lot of work? Heck yeah it’s a lot of work. I told you this takes weeks—if not months. But if you want to make every meal on your dream vacation count, research is essential.

And if you don’t have time to do all this intense research—there’s good news. I’ve created foodie itineraries with complete maps, every restaurant you must eat at during your trip, and even things to do in between meals for cities all over the world. These are just a few:

• Lima, Peru: Complete 4-Day Foodie Itinerary

• Paris, France: My Exact 2-Day Foodie Itinerary

• Santa Marta, Colombia: Complete 3-Day Foodie Itinerary

• Trujillo, Peru: The Ultimate 4-Day Foodie Itinerary

Paid subscribers have complete access to each of these foodie itineraries—and new ones that come out every month. For just $8 a month, you can save yourself from tourist traps and make every single bite on your trip 100% worth it.

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#4 Make a Map and Plan In Between Meals

Once you have a list of the restaurants you’d like to try during your trip, it’s time to put them on the map. I like to use Google’s My Maps, but you can use any map that works for you. Your goal is to:

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But in Valencia, there’s a foodie tradition that fixes the meal-time problem—in the most delicious way possible.

What is esmorzaret?

This tradition began years ago, when Spaniards who worked in the fields near Valencia—cultivating tiger nuts for horchata, rice for paella, oranges for fresh-squeezed zumo de naranja—got hungry.

Since they would start working at sunrise and have only a small breakfast before starting the work day, around 9 o’clock their stomachs would start growling. So they’d take a break, wander down to the local bar, and order an energizing “brunch” to hold them off until lunch.

That famous “brunch” is called esmorzaret, a word that comes from Valenciano (a regional variety of the Catalan language). Directly translated, it means breakfast. But it’s technically the meal in between breakfast and lunch.

The Four-Part Valencian Brunch

And this isn’t just any meal. It’s a hearty, filling, and very social experience. A typical Valencian esmorzaret has four components:

• The picoteo (pre-meal appetizers): Typically olives (of course!) and peanuts.

• The drink: Traditionally, it was a caña (beer) or vi amb llimonà (wine with soda). But today esmorzaret can be enjoyed with or without alcohol.

• El bocadillo (the sandwich): Spain knows how to do sandwiches. You’ll find delicious combinations like pork chops, bacon, and cheese, traditional tortilla de patata sandwiches, or seafood sandwiches.

• El café (the coffee): To finish this hearty meal and get ready to go back to work, a coffee.

Where to Experience Esmorzaret in Valencia

As I was planning my trip to Valencia, I was intrigued by this foodie tradition and knew I had to try it. There are a lot of spots in Valencia that offer esmorzaret, but after a bit of research, I found one of the best ones…

Bodega La Pascuala

At this traditional esmorzaret diner in Valencia’s El Cabanyal neighborhood, they don’t mess around. Here, you either end up full or really full (not my words, but theirs). And after experiencing it myself, it’s the truth.

We wandered into Bodega La Pascuala around 9:30 on a Thursday morning and it was already full—and there wasn’t a tourist in sight. This spot is filled with locals who still come during their work break to enjoy a filling bocadillo (sandwich).

Speaking of bocadillos, they have 32 sandwiches on the menu, and they are HUGE. They come in either half or whole portions—but trust me, you only need the half. The half sandwich is a foot long, and it’s packed to the brim. (Unfortunately, we didn’t see anyone order the whole sandwich, but I can only imagine it’s a beast.)

The “Pepe” Bocadillo

Flavorful marinated pork loin, bacon, a few slices of cheese, crispy french fries and mayonnaise inside a huge baguette. That was my choice, and it was fantastic.

Pork, bacon, and cheese is a classic Spanish bocadillo combo that I fell in love with years ago when I lived in Spain. And french fries inside a sandwich? YES, please. This bocadillo does not disappoint.

The “Elenca” Bocadillo

This one is a twist on the classic tortilla de patata sandwich. It’s got the traditional potato omelet, but with bacon, cheese, and garlic oil mixed in. It’s juicy and packed with flavor, and definitely filling.

My husband, who loves eggs and all things breakfast food, was in foodie heaven.

Other Sandwich Options You Might Like:

The menu can be a little overwhelming if you’re new to bocadillos. Here are a few that caught my eye that you might enjoy:

• El Bravero—Pork tenderloin, baked potatoes, poached onion, special “El Bravero” sauce. (You know I love house sauces, so this one was tempting).

• Calamares—Madrid’s famous squid sandwich, with alioli (garlic mayo) of course.

• David—Grilled sobrassada (soft, spreadable sausage meat), chicken breast, fried onions and honey.

➡️ Check out the full menu in English here.

A 9€ Foodie Experience You’ll Never Forget

Less than 10 euros? Yep. At Bodega La Pascuala, you’ll get the entire esmorzaret experience for just 9€ per person. Their esmorzaret menu deal comes with the olive and peanut appetizers, a drink, and a sandwich—all for just 9€ (if you want coffee, it’s 9.50€).

And if you get your sandwich to go, it’s even cheaper.

Really, does it get any better than that?

Things to Do in Valencia, Spain

• A bike tour of Valencia’s city center! One of the best things to do on your first day in a new city is a bike tour. Valencia is a very bikeable city—you’ll love riding through Turia Garden, the biggest and most famous park in the city! You can rent a bike on your own here or do a guided tour like this one.

• Take a day trip to Montanejos hot springs! Just about 1.5 hours outside of Valencia, there’s an absolutely amazing lagoon with waterfalls, turquoise water, and incredible landscapes. It’s called Fuente de los Baños, and it’s a must-see if you’re near Valencia. You can rent a car and visit on your own or do a day-trip tour like this one.

• Enjoy Valencia’s beaches! One of Valencia’s biggest beaches, Cabanyal Beach is just a 5-minute walk from Bodega La Pascuala. Grab your swimsuit and your sandwich leftovers and enjoy the sand, sun, and fun.

• Take a day trip to Cala del Moraig! This stunning beach cove is the perfect spot to swim, snorkel, and hike through the sea caves. This tour from Valencia takes you on a stunning panoramic coastal hike over this picturesque beach.

• Visit Valencia’s famous Hemisfèric & Science Museum. Those cool, dome shaped buildings surrounded by water that you’ll see in all the Valencia photos? They’re actually museums! Get your tickets here.

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My personal space bubble has been reduced to just 3 inches—and my internal alarms sound constantly as foreign objects—a pointy elbow, a stream of water from a neighbor’s hose above, a shoe that steps on mine—invade my ever-shrinking space.

And the Tomatina—Spain’s biggest tomato food fight—hasn’t even begun.

We wait, packed like sardines, as neighbors look out from their balconies above us. They kindly dump buckets of water over the crowd—yes, kindly because it’s 90°F (32°C) out and the 12 o’clock sun beats down on us.

Music plays in the background, the crowd hoots and hollers—occasionally breaking out into the Seven Nation Army rhythm or classic Spanish nursery rhymes a todo pulmón (at the top of their lungs). It’s impossible not to be swept up by the energy of the crowd—the excitement, the anticipation, la emoción.

A cheer breaks out and I see a giant tomato-filled dump truck in the distance making its way through the horde of people.

How in the world is a truck going to make it through this street? My first existential question that day.

Suddenly, blue-shirted workers yell and push the mob into the side of the wall. “Atrás! Atrás!” they yell to a crowd of mostly tourists, who pick up on the context clues, despite not knowing the language. I’m now sandwiched between a chubby British father, his skinny teenage son, my husband, and a Spanish dude with hair like Cucurella’s.

My personal space bubble is now long gone, and I have discovered a new level of smush—one that goes far beyond “like sardines” and more closely resembles being-a-marshmallow-inside-a-bag-of-marshmallows, melting on a hot day.

What have I gotten myself into? Was my second existential question.

I cannot move. Let alone catch, throw, or dodge the tomatoes that the workers inside of the dump trucks pelt at us as they inch by. I squeal as a firm tomato lands directly on my cheek/upper lip.

The truck passes. The crowd breathes a bit. And the tomato fight begins. We reach down to pick up small tomatoes off the floor and throw them into the crowd. There aren’t many tomatoes—yet.

Trucks continue to pass, and the insane ritual continues—squeezing towards the sides of the streets, tomatoes raining down from above, the dump truck lifts to unload tons of tomatoes, the truck inches away, we move into the street to grab tomatoes and throw them anywhere and everywhere.

The layer of tomato guts in the street builds.

After the first two trucks, you can still see the cobblestone beneath a layer of mostly-whole tomatoes. After the third truck, it’s become a layer of smashed tomatoes. It builds as the fourth, fifth, and sixth trucks pass. Soon, we’re sloshing around in six inches of gazpacho (Spanish tomato soup).

At one point, the guy next to me scoops up two handfuls of tomato guts from the floor and smashes them onto my head, rubs them around, and laughs in delight. I turn around, bewildered, to see my husband laughing as well. Suddenly—wham! a Spanish abuela (granny)—not two feet away from my husband—launches a tomato that lands directly on his head.

Everyone participates in the chaos. The people behind us sneak smashed tomatoes down the back of our shirts. Tomatoes fly at us from out of nowhere. I scoop tomato sludge off the ground and launch it into the air, at my husband, and at anyone around me.

The fight lasts from 12 to 1pm, and when the final horn sounds, I’m absolutely drenched in tomato. It feels like at least three tons of the 150 tons of tomatoes ended up inside my shoes. I wipe the tomato out of my stinging eyes to be able to see clearly and walk down the tomato-covered street without slipping.

I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s over.

Would I ever do it again?

My third existential question that day.

While the Tomatina was certainly a memorable, new, and completely insane experience unlike anything I have ever lived before… For me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. One I definitely don’t need to do again.

Funny enough, my husband—who was very wary about the whole thing (and even told me on the bus ride to Buñol that I wasn’t allowed to plan any more trips this year)—disagrees. He had a fantastic time and does want to come back. (So, I might be back after all.)

The Tomatina Logistics: What to Know Before You Go

If you read this far and thought, “now that’s what I call FUN!” Here’s what you need to know before you buy your Tomatina 2027 tickets:

• Wear old clothes you can throw away after. Find a white shirt you’re ready to retire and some comfortable old shorts. I wore an old swimsuit underneath my outfit, and all of it ended up in the trash.

• Bring a hat and goggles. When tomato guts get in your eyes, it stings. Bring some snorkeling goggles so you can protect your eyes. To protect my hair, I went for bun > swim cap > hat, and it worked fantastically.

• Buy a waterproof case for your phone. You can’t bring backpacks or anything into the tomato fight, so if you want to take pictures, you’ll need a reliable case.

• Wear shoes, not sandals. Again, old shoes, because you’ll be throwing them out after. But you definitely want shoes that protect your feet from people stepping on them.

• Wear a swimsuit underneath your clothes. After the food fight, you’ll wait in line for one of the showers on the street—either the public ones, or a friendly local who will hose you down for a few euros.

☝🏼Pro Tip: Where to Stay For Maximum Tomatina Pleasure

If I were to go to the Tomatina again, there’s one big thing I’d do differently to maximize the fun and minimize waiting in line with thousands of other human beings…

You see, we decided to stay in Valencia and buy Tomatina tickets that included a round-trip bus ride from Valencia to Buñol. (This is the most popular option, and there are many different companies that offer tickets like these.) This meant we had to:

• Meet at a parking lot in Valencia at 9am and wait in line for almost an hour to get on the bus.

• Wait in line in Buñol for 30 minutes to store our things in a locker, only to discover that we were in the wrong line…

• Wait in line for 40 minutes to be hosed down by some Spanish dude for 5€.

• Take a 40-minute bus ride back to Valencia smelling like tomato (even though we did rinse off).

Now, there’s a way to eliminate ALL of the inconveniences listed above. All you have to do is find an Airbnb or hotel in Buñol and stay in the town for two nights. You’ll have a place to store your things, a place to take a good shower, and you won’t have to wait in line at all (well, maybe for a few minutes to get into the actual event, but that line goes fast).

This is a fantastic option if you, like me, despise waiting. Plus, you’ll get to stay for the Tomatina after party and enjoy the paella and sangria that they sell in Buñol.

However, it can be pricey if you try to find accommodation last minute, so make sure you book your accommodation in Buñol well in advance if you’re going to do this.

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La Tomatina: An Unforgettable Bucket-List Experience

The smell, presence, and residue that smashed tomatoes leave behind is not one that’s easily erased. And neither is the Tomatina experience.

It’s the world’s biggest food fight, and it’s no surprise it belongs to Spain. This is a country that’s known for running with the bulls, parties that begin at 2am and last till sunrise, and unforgettable experiences.

And, while I might not participate in Spain’s Tomatina again, the experience is one that I will remember for the rest of my life. Not only because of the tomato residue in my ears. But because it was something that totally launched me outside of my comfort zone.

That’s the beauty of traveling—if you let it, travel won’t just change your perspective of the world, it’ll change you.

On your flight back home, you’ll smile as you remember launching tomatoes across the streets of Spain. You’ll close your eyes and hear the shouts of the crowd and feel the energy, the excitement, the pure emotion. It’ll feel like a dream, because it was—a dream come true.

So, when in Spain, let yourself try frightening new things, dare to do something crazy, and don’t be afraid of a little tomato gunk. Next year, the one writing a Tomatina story might just be you.

Walking the streets of Trujillo, Peru, I was in foodie heaven.

To my right, a pollería (Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant); to my left, a homemade stand next to someone’s front door with sweet treats like arroz con leche and mazamorra morada. The smell of grilled meat drifts through the air as I pass by a vendor on a street corner selling anticuchos (grilled beef heart).

Oh, and all for just a few dollars—or soles (Peru’s currency).

But here’s the thing about Peru: It’s HARD to find good restaurants using only Google Maps. A lot of really good restaurants (including the ones I recommend in this foodie guide) actually have horrendous photos on Google—nightmarish, even. The photos might deter you from trying these delicious, authentic, and affordable spots.

That’s why, to successfully eat in Peru, you need someone on the inside. Luckily, you found me! After living in Trujillo for almost 6 months, and coming back to visit two consecutive Christmases after moving away, I’m sharing my itinerary of the best restaurants, street food, and hole-in-the-wall spots for foodies.

Welcome to Trujillo, Peru: foodie heaven. This is the 4-day foodie itinerary you need so your trip can be filled with the best bites and only the most authentic and fantastic Peruvian dishes.

In this guide, you’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• What I ordered at each restaurant—plus prices and honest reviews,

• An organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (plus things to see and do in-between meals),

• Where to eat famous Peruvian dishes like seco de cabrito, ceviche, pollo a la brasa, anticuchos and more!

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From rainbow mountains and a desert oasis to hidden waterfalls and ancient cloud cities, there is just so much to see in this beautiful country.

After living in and traveling all over Peru for 6 incredible months (and coming back multiple times to visit), here are my 10 other must-see destinations in Peru:

#1 Huacachina: A Desert Oasis

We weren’t planning to visit Huacachina twice in one trip, but we loved it so much we couldn’t help ourselves. Huacachina is a huge, sandy desert with a little palm-tree and turquoise lake oasis right in the middle. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

If you’re the adventurous type, you’ll love this fun part of Peru. In Huacachina, you can go sandboarding, go on a crazy dune buggy ride at sunset, and even go paragliding over the desert.

No matter what adrenaline rush you choose—and even if you just sit on the sand dunes and enjoy the view—this spectacular part of Peru might just become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.

📍 Where is it? Huacachina is located in Ica, a city about 4-5 hours south of Lima, Peru’s capital city.

🚗 How do you get there? You can take a day trip to Huacachina from Lima, rent a car, or take a bus to Huacachina and visit on your own.

🗓️ How many days to stay: If you only have time for a day trip, that’s great. However, if you have more time, I recommend staying in Ica for 2 days to do all the adventure activities your heart desires.

#2 The Gocta Waterfall

One of the tallest waterfalls in the world, the Gocta Waterfall is 2,530 feet (771 meters) tall. And boy, is it a sight to behold.

I’ll never forget spotting the waterfall from the tuk-tuk on my way to the little town of Cocachimba. We whipped around a corner, and there it was: a gushing white paintbrush swipe in between towering green mountains. White clouds crowned the natural beauty, and even from a distance, the sheer size of the waterfall was jaw-dropping.

Though locals have known about this beautiful waterfall for centuries, it was only recently “discovered” by a German researcher in 2002. So, unlike almost all of the other destinations on this list, the Gocta Waterfall is still very much a hidden treasure. (I went in March 2022, and during the 7-mile out-and-back hike to the falls, I saw only a handful of people on the trail.)

📍 Where is it? The Gocta Waterfall is located in the small town of Cocachimba in Peru’s Amazonas district.

✈️ How do you get there? It’s a trek. And I’m not just talking about the hike to the waterfall. First, you’ll need to arrive in the city of Chachapoyas (there are very few flights from Lima to Chachapoyas, so you’ll need to be a little flexible—or you can take a very long bus ride). Then, you’ll take a bus and then a tuk-tuk to the town of Cocachimaba, where the trailhead is.

🗓️ How many days to stay: I recommend staying in Chachapoyas for 1-2 days and in Cocachimba for 1-2 days.

Get the full guide to visiting the Gocta Waterfall here. It’s got places to stay, other fun things to do, and exactly how to arrive at this beautiful destination.

#3 The Famous Rainbow Mountain

Ever since I first saw pictures of Vinicunca, Peru’s incredible rainbow mountain, I knew I would go someday. On my first trip to Cusco, I bought a beautiful painting of the rainbow mountain—and then my tour to actually hike it the next day was cancelled.

The second time I went to Cusco, my dreams came true. Yes, I almost died hiking up the mountain (vomiting and nearly passing out during the final stretch), but it was worth it. The snow-capped mountain’s vivid colors were unlike anything I’d ever seen before.

Plus, the entire hike leading up to the rainbow mountain is stunning. When we went in January, a foggy morning dissipated and revealed the ginormous Andes mountains spotted with llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. The hike itself is not too steep, until the final stretch. But, because of the extreme altitude—Vinicunca is 17,060 feet (5,200 meters) above sea level—it is challenging.

📍 Where is it? Vinicunca, La Montaña de Siete Colores, is located about 85 miles (140 km) from Cusco, Peru.

✈️ How do you get there? You’ll definitely want to fly into Cusco, wait a few days to get acclimatized, then take a bus to the rainbow mountain. I recommend a full-day tour like this one from Cusco.

🗓️ How many days to stay: To enjoyably experience all that Cusco has to offer, I recommend staying at least 5 days in this magical city. There’s just so much to explore.

#4 The Mysterious Nazca Lines

The Nazca lines are giant, incredibly precise, and continuous linear drawings that can only be seen from the sky. There are over a thousand of these ancient geoglyphs, but the most famous ones include the monkey, the spider, the hummingbird, and the condor.

They’re thousands of years old, and no one knows for sure how they got there. Some say it’s the work of the ancient Nazca people. Others claim it had to be done with extraterrestrial help.

Regardless of who did it, the Nazca lines are incredibly unique works of art. Spotting them from the window of a small plane is an unforgettable experience that few people have the privilege of experiencing.

📍 Where is it? The city of Nazca is in southern Peru; it’s about a 7-8 hour drive from Lima.

🚗 How do you get there? While there is an airport in Nazca, it’s only for tourism flights to see the Nazca lines. You can’t actually fly into Nazca. You can only get there by bus or car—and it’s about a 7-8 hour drive from Lima.

🗓️ How many days to stay: Besides the Nazca lines, there isn’t a lot to do in Nazca. One day is enough to explore this city.

#5 Paracas Nature Reserve

This coastal nature reserve is home to Humboldt penguins, sea lions, and tons of seabirds. It’s been called the “Galápagos of South America” for its diverse marine ecosystem and stunning views of coastal cliffs.

When you visit, make sure to take a boat ride to the famous Ballestas Islands, where you can watch penguins dive into the water and sea lions sunbathe on the rocks. You’ll also pass by the mysterious “Candelabra” geoglyph, carved into a dusty orange mountain—like the Nazca lines, no one knows how it got there.

If you have time and like hiking, make sure you do the Caminata de las Sombras Doradas (Golden Shadows Hike) for incredible views of this beautiful coastal region of Peru. You might even spot a few flamingos as you summit the rocky coastal cliffs.

📍 Where is it? The town of Paracas is located on Peru’s southern coast, about 155 miles (250 km), south of Lima.

🚗 How do you get there? You can take a bus or car from Lima to Paracas and arrive in about 3.5 hours.

🗓️ How many days to stay: You can spend a half day or a full day in Paracas—it’s a small town and the nature reserve is the most popular attraction.

#6 Chan Chan: A Giant Adobe City

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chan Chan is the largest adobe city in the world.

It was the capital city of the Chimu people: an advanced pre-Inca civilization that lasted from 900-1470 AD.

They built their city one mud brick at a time, but with style. Since their ancient civilization was very connected to the ocean, many of the details you’ll see in Chan Chan are very marine-centric: wall designs that look like fishing nets, carvings of fish, lines of waves, and even a marine calendar.

It’s well worth a visit, and if you love ancient history, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of this unique, lesser-known site. In this full-day tour, you can see Chan Chan, plus the Huacas del Sol y de la Luna, another impressive archaeological site in Trujillo, Peru, made by the ancient Moche people. Today, both sites are still being excavated, and archaeologists are discovering more and more about these incredible ancient civilizations.

📍 Where is it? The Chan Chan archeological site is located right outside of the city of Trujillo, on Peru’s northern coast.

✈️ How do you get there? I recommend flying into the Trujillo airport (a 1-hour and 15-minute trip from Lima), then taking a bus or taxi to the archeological site. By bus or car, Trujillo is about 9 hours from Lima.

🗓️ How many days to stay: I recommend spending 2-3 days in Trujillo. There are so many fantastic places to eat and rustic beaches (like Huanchaco) near the city as well.

#7 Kuélap: Ancient Cloud City

One of the largest stone ruins in Latin America, Kuelap is an impressive ancient walled city atop a mountain. Also known as “the city in the clouds,” Kuelap was built by the Chachapoya civilization (long before the Inca were around).

To get to the Kuelap fortress, you’ll take a 20-minute cable car ride over the Utcubamba River Valley to the 9,842-foot-tall mountain where the archaeological site is located.

During your tour, you’ll see their unique architectural style, circular stone dwellings, and anti-seismic creations (and maybe even a few llamas). Plus, you’ll get breathtaking views from a city that really does feel like it’s in the clouds.

📍 Where is it? The ancient city of Kuélap is about 2 hours by bus from Chachapoyas.

✈️ How do you get there? First, you’ll need to get to Chachapoyas, preferably by plane if you’re starting in Lima. You’ll need to be flexible with your dates because there are very few flights that connect these two cities.

🗓️ How many days to stay: I recommend staying in Chachapoyas for 1-2 days. During your visit, you can also see the Gocta Waterfall, which is nearby!

Unlike the destinations above, which I have visited and experienced myself, these last three destinations are still on my Peru travel bucket list. I hope to visit them sometime soon!

#8 Laguna 69: A Turquoise Lake in the Mountains

The Huascarán National Park is a stunning part of Peru with more than 400 lakes nestled in between ginormous snow-capped mountains. Laguna 69, with its impressive turquoise water, is one of the most popular lakes.

The hike to Laguna 69 is at a very high altitude, and it’s about 9 miles (14 km) long. This full-day trek is challenging, but the spectacular view of Laguna 69 is well worth the effort.

📍 Where is it? This lake is located near the city of Huaraz, in Peru’s Áncash region.

✈️ How do you get there? Your best option is to fly from Lima to Huaraz; the flight is only an hour, and it’s much easier than going by land (though there are also buses from Lima to Huaraz that take 7-8 hours).

🗓️ How many days to stay: Since Huaraz is a high-altitude city, you’ll need at least 2 days to become acclimatized. If you enjoy hiking, I recommend staying for 3-5 days. (While in Huaraz, you might also like to see the Paron Lagoon or the Pastoruri Glacier).

#9 Colca Canyon: Where Condors Soar Overhead

One of the deepest canyons in the world, Peru’s Colca Canyon is a stunning natural wonder located near Arequipa. Here, you can bathe in natural hot springs, enjoy nature, and maybe even see a few condors flying overhead.

To see the Colca Canyon, enjoy the thermal baths in Chacapi, and visit the town of Chivay in two days, check out this super affordable 2-day tour that takes you through Arequipa to Puno.

📍 Where is it? The Colca Canyon is located in southern Peru, about 3-4 hours by bus from the city of Arequipa.

✈️ How do you get there? It’s about a 1.5-hour flight from Lima to Arequipa. Once you get to Arequipa, it’s about 3-4 hours by car or bus to the Colca Canyon.

🗓️ How many days to stay: I would probably plan to stay in Arequipa and the nearby cities for 2-3 days.

#10 Puerto Maldonado: The Peruvian Amazon Rainforest

Puerto Maldonado is known as the gateway to the southern Amazon rainforest. Here, in a little city wedged in between a curve of the Madre de Dios River, you can begin your journey into the Amazon rainforest.

Kayak in the river, visit an island filled with monkeys, and zipline through the rainforest on a day-trip. Or, enjoy a longer 4-day Amazon jungle adventure complete with a nocturnal hike and lots of wildlife sightseeing—you’ll be venturing into the jungle home of white alligators, giant river otters, colorful parrots, and even river wolves!

📍 Where is it? Puerto Maldonado is in southern Peru, close to the Peru-Bolivia border.

✈️ How do you get there? From Lima, you can take a 1-hour flight to the city of Puerto Maldonado. From Cusco, you could also opt for an affordable 10-hour bus ride.

🗓️ How many days to stay: 2-4 days; there are options for both a shorter trip and a more in-depth adventure.

Peru: The Ultimate Adventure Destination

Looking for breath-taking hikes to rainbow mountains and turquoise lagoons? Come to Peru.

Want mysterious ancient geoglyphs and ruins of ancient cities? Come to Peru.

Craving an immersive adventure into the Amazon rainforest? You guessed it: come to Peru.

(What about the best cuisine on the face of the planet? Oh yeah. Peru’s got that too.)

You could spend a lifetime exploring Peru and still not see it all. But these 10 must-see destinations are a great place to start.

With absolutely incredible sights, adventures to be had, and incredible flavors and dishes that will capture your heart (and stomach) again and again, Peru simply has it all.

Come to Peru. Bring your highest expectations. You will not be disappointed.

The moment you see the Gocta waterfall for the first time is unlike any other.

From the back of a tuktuk—or, mototaxi as they call them in Peru—dashing uphill on a dirt road, you’ll whip around a corner and there it is: an incredible, 2,530-foot-tall double-drop waterfall wedged between green mountains.

Even from a distance, the Gocta waterfall is huge. But as you get closer, first arriving in Cocachimba, then hiking towards the base of the waterfall, it only gets more impressive.

But there is a cost. It’s a long (15-hour) overnight bus ride, a shorter bus ride, and an exciting tuktuk ride—just to get to Cocachimba, Peru, the little pueblo (small town) that’s home to this gorgeous waterfall. From then, it’s a multi-hour out-and-back hike to the waterfall.

That’s why the Gocta waterfall is what I call one of Peru’s best-kept secrets. Very few tourists venture this deep into Peru. And though it’s a little tricky to get to, it’s well worth it.

In fact, my trip to see the Gocta Waterfall was one of my most memorable solo travel adventures.

The Gocta Waterfall: One of the Most Impressive Waterfalls in Peru, and in the World

The Gocta Waterfall is one of the tallest in the world. Located in the Amazon region of Peru near the city of Chachapoyas, this amazing waterfall is:

• 2,530 feet tall—that’s the height of two empire state buildings stacked on top of each other!

• A perennial waterfall, meaning it stays full and flows throughout the entire year (that means no matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy its beauty).

• A two-tier waterfall—it has two drops, and it’s so tall that often the upper falls are completely covered by clouds. From the town of Cocachimba, you can often only see the lower falls after the second drop. And even then, it’s an incredible sight.

Gocta’s Mysterious Legends

For years and years, only locals knew about this gigantic waterfall; for them, it’s a sacred place home to Kusi Kamayu, a mythical protector and guardian spirit. In search of blessings and good fortune, locals would hike to the top of the upper falls where Kusi Kamayu was said to reside.

But they never ventured too close to the bottom pool of the waterfall. Stories of a beautiful blond mermaid (who curses anyone who comes too close) and a giant snake guarding a pot of gold float around this little Amazonian town.

But in 2002, when a German researcher named Stefan Ziemendorff visited the waterfall, he was so impressed he convinced the government to measure it. That brought the waterfall some international fame and sparked tourism in this area.

How to Get To The Gocta Waterfall

If you look at the Gocta Waterfall on a map, you’ll quickly realize that it’s really in the middle of the Peruvian mountains bordering the country’s Amazon region. The nearest “city” is the town of Chachapoyas (larger cities like Jaen and Tarapoto are 3-7 hours away by car).

I took a bus from Trujillo to Chachapoyas, which was quite a long trip. The bus left at 4pm and arrived at 7am the next day—15 hours in total. It cost 132 soles ($36 USD). I slept most of the way, but it wasn’t the most comfortable journey and I don’t know if I’d do it again.

The best way to get to Gocta is flying into Chachapoyas—There are flights from Lima, but they are not at all frequent (there might be just 3-4 options a week). You could also fly into Jaen and then take a 3-4 hour bus to Chachapoyas (compared to a 15 hour bus ride, that sounds pretty good).

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To sum it up, these are your three options for getting to Chachapoyas:

• From Trujillo by bus: 15 hours, $35-$50 USD

• From Lima by plane: 1.5 hours, $150-$300 USD

• From Lima by plane then bus: 4.5 hours, $120-$150 USD

Once you get to Chachapoyas, you’ll have to take a bus to Cocachimba—the little town where the trailhead to the Gocta Waterfall is located. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Chachapoyas bus station.

2. Find a bus heading to Pedro Ruiz. (The bus ride costs 10-15 soles ($3-$4 USD) and takes about an hour.)

3. Tell them to drop you off in Cocahuayco.

4. On the side of the road in Cocahuayco, you’ll take a mototaxi to Cocachimba (for about 10 soles).

This is a beautiful mototaxi adventure—you’ll be driven through a small, windy road up the mountain. Everything around you is lush and green.

After a few minutes, you’ll go around a corner and see the huge mountains in the distance. Then, you’ll see it for the first time—the Gocta Waterfall. It’s a memorable moment, because it really is such a spectacular sight. Even from a distance you’ll be amazed at how tall and beautiful this wonder of nature is.

Where to Stay in Cocachimba

Cocachimba is a super small town made up of just a few hotels for the tourists who venture into this region of Peru.

• Gocta Miradors—I stayed here and had an incredible view of the waterfall for just $45 USD per night. (Can you believe this was one of the most expensive places I stayed during the entire time I lived in Peru?)

• Gocta Andes Lodge—For an even better view, and a pool! Around $150-200 USD per night. Alternatively, you can eat lunch here and get the view for free (well, for the price of a fancy lunch).

• GoctaLab Nature Lodge—A more luxurious option. Their beautiful rooms and stunning lodge will make you feel like you’re in a nature retreat, with incredible views of the waterfall.

How to Hike to the Gocta Waterfall

The hike to the Gocta Waterfall is a well-marked, easy-to-follow path that can be hiked without a tour guide. The hike is:

• 6.4 miles (10.2 km) round-trip

• About 5 hours total. Depending on how fast you walk, it’ll take you from 2-3 hours to get to the base of the waterfall and about the same to get back.

• Entrance fee: 20 soles ($6 USD). Pay at the beginning of the hike at a little wooden stand.

It’s a gorgeous hike through a lush green forest. You’ll cross a wooden bridge, listen to chirping birds and water running through the river down below you, and enjoy the fresh air in the mountains. Parts of the path are paved with a cement / rock mixture, and others are just dirt, but the path is wide and well-marked.

I went in the middle of March and was very happy I brought a raincoat—it sprinkled most of the way but wasn’t cold. Listening to raindrops fall on the big, green rainforest leaves along the trail was enjoyable and relaxing.

Since this is a 5-6 hour adventure, I recommend starting in the morning so you have time to enjoy the hike and get back to your hotel or the city of Chachapoyas without any problems.

There’s also another hike that takes you to a view of the upper falls and then down to the lower falls. That one is longer and a great option for experienced hikers. The Gocta Waterfalls aren’t a popular tourist attraction, so whichever hike you choose, you’ll likely be one of just a handful of people on the trail that day.

Other Things To See Around Chachapoyas

Chachapoyas is a small city you can walk around in a single afternoon. There’s a lot of cute places to stay, I stayed at Casona del Rosario, for 50-60 soles per night ($14-$15 USD) and it was fantastic—the great location close to the Plaza de Armas in the center of Chachapoyas and the kind people who work there make it a fantastic opinion.

Chachapoyas is filled with white colonial-style buildings with brown wooden balconies and features. There’s not much to see in the town; Calle Amazonas is the most popular street with a few stores and things to look at, and the market is a great place to get snacks.

The exciting stuff is outside of the city of Chachapoyas. Make sure you do these two awesome day trips after you see the incredible Gocta Waterfall:

Day Trip #1: Kuelap

Kuelap is an impressive ancient walled city on the top of a mountain—basically in the sky. Sometimes called the “Machu Picchu of the North,” Kuelap is one of the largest stone ruins in Latin America.

It has also been known as “the city in the clouds” and the Chachapoya civilization that built it (before the Inca were around) are called the “Warriors of the Clouds.” They built their city on the top of one of the highest mountains in the area not just as a power-move, but also to be closer to their gods.

The ancient civilization lived in circular stone dwellings—during your visit you’ll see their unique architectural style and anti-seismic creations. The unique building style and geometric designs are impressive—and the views from Kuelap are breathtaking as well.

The fortress they built out of rock around the 6th century AD has been well preserved and is worth a visit.

To get to the Kuelap fortress, you’ll take a 20-minute cable car ride over the Utcubamba River Valley to the 9,842 foot-tall mountain where the archaeological site is located.

You’ll definitely want a tour guide for this one so you can learn about the impressive Chachapoyas culture and explore this fantastic archeological site with an expert guide. This Chachapoyas Kuelap Fortress Full Day Tour is a great option.

Day Trip #2: Karajía Sarcophagi and Quiocta Caves

Another impressive day trip option is a visit to the Karajía Sarcophagi and Quiocta Caves.

The Karajía Sarcophagi are unique human-shaped tombs located along the cliffside of a high mountain near the town of Chachapoyas. Archeologists and historians think that this exclusive burial place is where the highest members of the Chachapoyas society (who lived in the fortress of Kuelap) were buried.

It’s an impressive site and one of the many archeological and historical wonders of Peru.

You’ll also visit the Quiocta caves—where you’ll find a fascinating mix of pre-Inca cave paintings, stalagmites and stalactites, and even human bones and skulls. Bring a headlamp so you can explore the many different surprises in these unique caves.

This full day tour takes you to see both the Quiocta caves and the Karajía Sarcophagi.

Explore a Different Side of Peru

Peru has much more to offer than Machu Picchu, rainbow mountains, and desert oases. Don’t get me wrong—those are beautiful attractions and definitely worth a visit.

But there’s so much more.

Visiting Chachapoyas and the Gocta Waterfall is a great first trip to venture deeper into this beautiful country. There’s so many more natural and architectural wonders to see off the beaten path.

After enjoying this trip with minimal crowds, time and space to enjoy at your own pace, and absolutely jaw-dropping sights, don’t be surprised if you’re drawn to visit more of Peru’s hidden treasures—like Chan Chan, the largest adobe-built city in the world, or the turquoise waters of Laguna 69, a beautiful lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains in Huaraz.

Peru truly has something for everyone.

Traveling to Peru soon? Get the complete 4-day foodie itinerary for Lima, Peru. Inside, you’ll find:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• An organized and easy-to-use Google Map with all the restaurant mentioned here (plus a few more I recommend if you have more time),

• And, exactly what to order at each spot so you can enjoy the classics of world-famous Peruvian gastronomy.

Get the Lima Foodie Guide

After hiking the four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru and all over the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii, I thought I was prepared for the beauty of the Alps.

I was wrong.

The Alps aren’t just iconic—they’re one of the world’s most dramatic mountain ranges. What you’ll see on these hikes is simply jaw-dropping. Everything looks like it’s straight out of a postcard. It’s so beautiful, your friends will think your photos are fake.

But since these majestic mountains stretch over 750 miles (1,200 km) through 8 different countries, planning a hiking trip in the Alps is NOT easy.

There are just too many fantastic hikes to choose from. And designing the perfect route to get to all the different hikes you choose? Well, that’s even more complicated.

Luckily, you don’t have to plan it alone. This guide is your ultimate Alps Hiking Trip Itinerary, complete with:

• The ultimate 8-day trip itinerary, starting in Munich, Germany and taking you through 6 countries. You’ll end the trip in Geneva, Switzerland, where you’ll hop on a flight home.

• The 7 best hikes I recommend in the Alps for intermediate to advanced hikers—complete with links to the trail info on AllTrails.

• My 12 foodie recommendations (please note this is NOT a complete foodie itinerary, but it does have a few restaurants and things you MUST try).

• Tips and tricks for making the most out of every hike and each day.

• The exact 5 hotels we stayed in—Day 4’s hotel will steal your heart (and you’ll never want to leave).

• A Google Map with the exact driving route you’ll take, along with all the stops—so you know exactly where to go, where to park, and what to do.

Now, I can’t take credit for planning this Alps Hiking Trip Itinerary. The credit goes to my incredible uncles, who spent almost an entire year planning this amazing trip to celebrate my uncle’s 50th birthday. They’re both experienced travelers, and this itinerary is, in my humble opinion, a true work of art.

This Guide is NOT for Everyone.

That being said, this multi-country hiking trip guide is not for everyone. Here’s what you need to know right now, before you read any further:

• This itinerary requires an open-jaw flight: meaning, you’ll fly into one city and out of another. (For more information about how to book open-jaw flights, click here.)

• You will need to rent a car for this itinerary to work (you’ll also be taking trains and gondolas, but rental cars will be your main form of transportation).

• The hikes in this itinerary are for intermediate to advanced hikers. You will need to have a strong fitness level to do these 5+ hour, 7+ mile hikes.

• The hotels suggested in this guide are NOT budget hotels. They are stunning, beautiful hotels that will receive you like a warm hug after a long day of trekking (comfy bed, hot shower, warm breakfast, and all).

• This is not slow travel. If you want to spend a week in the beautiful mountain town of Chamonix, taking it all in, exploring every alleyway, and eating at ten different restaurants, that’s fantastic, but this guide is not for you.

But, if you want to see multiple incredible countries… Do the most spectacular, unforgettable, and fun hikes in a ton of different countries… And experience the best of the Alps in just 8 busy, exciting, and adventure-filled days…

This is the Alps hiking guide you’ve been waiting for.

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Something’s missing. Dare I say, the best part of it all, is missing.

I flag the waiter down and ask for “the cranberry-like sweet jam that goes with this.” I don’t know what it’s called, but he looks at me, smiles, and nods—as if he were thinking “Oh, this one knows.”

And I’ve just won dinner—before even taking a bite.

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Austria’s Most Famous Dish: Wiener Schnitzel

If you, like me, thought wiener schnitzel had something to do with hot dogs or sausages, you’re not wrong, you’ve just been Americanized. In the great US of A, Wienerschnitzel is the world’s largest hot dog chain. But don’t let that dissuade you from trying Austria’s most famous dish—which, thankfully, is nothing like those soggy hot dogs.

Austria’s wiener schnitzel is a thin slice of tender veal, breaded and pan-fried, served with potatoes and a lemon slice. And, of course, the most stunning sauce—lingonberry jam: bright, sweet, and similar-but-not-exactly-like cranberry sauce.

Though it’s traditionally made from veal (baby cow, I know, it’s sad but it’s delicious), wiener schnitzel can also be made with pork or chicken. I loved this dish and every crispy, crunchy bite of it. If you come to Austria, you must try it.

• Where to try it: Restaurant Stiegl-Keller, not only do they serve a fantastic wiener schnitzel, they also have perhaps one of the most stunning views of Salzburg!

• What it looks like on the menu: Original Wiener Schnitzel vom Milchkalb mit Petersilienkartoffeln & Preiselbeeren

• Average price per dish: €20-35

The Sleeper Dish: Beef Goulash

We traveled to Salzburg with my uncle, who lived in Austria for two years and has been back to visit often. He toured us around, showed us all the most popular spots in the city, took us to the best restaurants, and recommended we try beef goulash.

This unassuming dish blew my mind. It was my favorite thing I ate during the entire 8-day hiking trip in the Alps, and I can still taste the flavorful beef stew on my tongue. (Brb, I just drooled on my keyboard.)

Beef goulash is a powerfully flavored beef stew with tender beef chunks, a hearty sauce, and a big old bread dumpling in the middle. The bread dumpling is moist, but not at all soggy, filling, but not overpowering, and striking without taking away from the beef, which is the star of the show. Yet, having said all that, it is still hard to describe. You just have to try it.

• Where to try it: Andreas Hofer Weinstube, this candlelit restaurant is homey, cosy, and has all the traditional Austrian favorites on the menu.

• What it looks like on the menu: Rindersaftgulasch vom Weiderind mit Serviettenknödel

• Average price per dish: €15-25

The Famous Soda: Almdudler

Nothing pairs better with these traditional Austrian dishes than the country’s most famous soda: Almdudler.

You’ll see some people describe it as lemonade, but in my opinion, it’s not lemonade-like at all. Made with Alpine herbs like lemon balm, sage, and elderflowers, this drink is a bit citrusy, tart, and truly unique.

• Where to try it: At any of the restaurants mentioned in this guide!

• Average price: €4-6

A Delightful Dessert: Kaiserschmarrn

This traditional Austrian dessert is another must-try. It’s chopped-up pancakes topped with raisins, powdered sugar, and a sweet, non-artificial applesauce. It’s warm, fluffy, buttery, and sweet. After a long day hiking in the Alps or exploring the Austrian cities, this dessert hits the spot.

• Where to try it: At almost any of the restaurants mentioned in this guide!

• What it looks like on the menu: Kaiserschmarrn

• Average price: €10-20

The Best Gelato in Salzburg: Gelateria La Romana dal 1947

The line for this place was out the door—but it was well worth the wait. At Gelateria La Romana dal 1947, you’ll find unique flavors, beautifully textured gelato, and other sweet treats like waffles and crepes.

I loved their tangy lemon gelato—it had gummy bits of lemon candy in it and a sweet lemon jelly woven throughout. Paired with classic strawberry gelato, it was super refreshing on a warm summer night.

The Pastries: Experts in Apple Delights

Of course, I had to find an authentic bakery in Salzburg to try a few pastries. Bakery Pföß did not disappoint. A young girl who worked there spoke excellent English and recommended her favorite savory and sweet pastries.

The apple strudel here is dense and divine. Their cinnamon-roll like pastry is airy and flavorful and great for a light breakfast. We also liked the savory cheese bread roll and the half-moon shaped sweet pastries, too.

• Where to try it: Bakery Pföß

• What to order: Apfelstrudel, and unfortunately I didn’t write down the names of the other pastries we ordered… so you’ll have to just point and smile.

• Average price: €10-20

My Overall Review of Austrian Food

Austrian food surprised me in the best way. The beef goulash, with its savory and punchy flavors… The kaiserschmarrn, with its sweet appley flavor… The crispy, fried crunch of wiener schnitzel… Each dish opened my eyes to a new side of Europe, and a new culinary world previously hidden from me.

Of course, having my uncle there to show us what to order and which restaurants were the best was what made all the difference. With an expert local guide to guide you to the best bites, you’re sure to enjoy every meal.

That’s what my goal is with Emily Eats Everywhere—I do the research, taste-test the restaurants, and give you all the information you need to make every meal count on your trips. Because eating on vacation shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be one of the highlights of your trip.

Join the Foodie Travel Club as a paid subscriber and get access to the entire foodie itinerary library—plus, new detailed city foodie itineraries (with restaurant recommendations and what to order for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) every month.

Other Restaurant Recommendations:

My uncle lived in Austria for two years and has been back frequently to visit. He also suggested these restaurants as well. Though we didn’t have time to try them on this trip, I’ll be back soon to eat here:

• Zwettler’s Wirtshaus—A great spot in the city center for local favorites like the ones mentioned in this guide.

• Die Weisse—Another traditional Austrian restaurant, a little outside of the hustle and bustle of the center, with generous portion sizes.

• Restaurant Herzl—Traditional Austrian cuisine inside the Goldener Hirsch Hotel.

• Ristorante Pizzeria Beccofino—Because every good vacation includes pizza, especially if you’re in Europe and can get authentic Italian pizza!

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We continued hiking uphill through green pastures with sharp grey mountains surrounding us, and then we saw them: three massive cows alongside the trail. Two with a brown and white pattern, one a lighter tan color, all with yellow tags in their oval-shaped ears.

We continued walking, and saw several more, who, like us, were following the leader through a magically beautiful Alpine trail. This was their home, this incredible green mountainside, with a little village down below and enormous mountains all around.

It was an unforgettable start to a 8-day hiking trip through the Alps with some of my favorite people in the whole world—my uncles and cousins—to celebrate my Uncle Matt’s 50th birthday.

That specific hike was stunning, but—shockingly—it wasn’t even the most impressive one we did that trip.

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These are the 7 hikes I enjoyed during 8 days in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland. I’ve ranked them in order of my personal favorites, starting with my all-time favorite hike that you must do:

#1 Oeshinensee Lake in Switzerland

I loved this route because during almost the entire hike, you can see stunning views of the lake and the snow-topped mountains in the background. It’s not too challenging, yet has some steeper (optional) places where you can climb up a grassy peak and get incredible (and less crowded) views of it all.

You’ll need to take a gondola up to the start of the hike—and get your tickets early, because they sell out weeks in advance! This hike takes you on an enjoyable loop in the mountains around the lake and then down to the lake. There are many great photo spots as well!

With distant waterfalls that cascade into the bright blue lake, and mountains surrounding it, this is a 11/10 swimming spot! It’s chilly but I recommend you bring a swimsuit—you’ll definitely want to take a relaxing dip in this beautiful lake!

• Experience Level Required: Beginner

• Distance: 6 miles

• Time: 3.5-4 hours

• Pro tip: Bring allergy medicine just in case. I discovered that I’m allergic to Swiss grass (or flowers, or something!)—I was sniffling and crying (it was just so beautiful!) almost the entire route.

• Stops along the way? There are two huts along the way that sell food and water. There are also bathrooms near the gondola and at the lake.

#2 Gosausee Lake in Austria

This was the first hike I did in the Alps (mentioned above) and it’s everything you’d hope a hike in the Alps would be. With a truly stunning 360° view at the top, huge tan and white cows grazing along the way, and sharp grey mountains that shoot into the sky above, this one has it all.

We followed this route, but in reverse: starting off walking down the street from the parking lot, up through a wider trail that was part of the ski resort, up to the cross at the highest point, then down through the trees on a narrower, rockier trail to the lake. We also just did a portion of the walk around the lake as well.

• Experience level required: Intermediate

• Distance: 7 miles

• Time: 3-4 hours

• Pro Tip: Do this route reversed. The uphill climb through the ski resort area is much more manageable than the other way around. Plus, finishing off at the lake makes the end of this hike much more rewarding.

• Stops along the way? Yes, there are 3 huts/refuges along this route, all with options for food and bathrooms. One around halfway up to the highest point, one at the top near the ski lift, and one at Gosausee in front of the lake.

#3 Salet Landing to St. Bartholomew Landing (Around Königssee Lake) in Germany

You’ll start with a leisurely boat ride through Königssee lake, a beautiful, narrow, and deep lake that winds between towering mountains. Exit at the second (and last) stop. Then you’ll follow a super easy, flat, and short trail to Obersee, a hidden lake in the mountains—and a great picture spot!

After, you’ll head back out to the main trail and start hiking uphill on this route through a pasture with cows, goats, and lambs, through a little hut/refuge, and up the hill.

Then, a truly grueling uphill begins. We spent about 2.5 hours climbing up through a rocky forest terrain with wooden stairs, rocks cut into stair shapes, and iron steps that took you straight up. Realizing we had only gone one mile after all that was disheartening, but we kept trudging along. The incredible views of the two lakes on the way up were some consolation, but it was one of the most challenging hikes I’ve ever done. The uphill is finally (mostly over) when you arrive at a smaller lake hidden in the mountains.

After a brief respite, you’ll descend through gravel-covered switchbacks in between a stunning mountain gorge. You’ll see the Schrainbach Wasserfall, a small waterfall on your right and then, you’ll arrive at the lake—where you MUST swim (this was one of the most incredible swims of my life)!

After a quick walk you’ll end up at the St. Bartholomew dock where you can take the boat back to where you started.

• Experience level required: Very advanced.

• Distance: 11 miles

• Time: 6-7 hours

• Pro tip: Make sure you bring lots of water, there are NOT places to fill up your water bottle along the way.

• Stops along the way? This route takes you up to a hut around the halfway mark where there is a place to refill water. But, you can skip that part (like we did) to shorten the distance.

#4 Grindelwald Loop in Switzerland

Take the gondola from the town of Grindelwald up to the mountain. There, you’ll find a short, enjoyable hike around the top of Grindelwald that takes you out to a small lake and then back through a slightly rocky but mostly green route where cows graze.

The day we hiked, the morning was cloudy—and the viewpoint at the top of the gondola was completely white!—but by the time we finished the loop, the clouds had cleared to reveal the stunning view.

From the top, you’ll see three ginormous peaks—Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau—burst out from behind the clouds. There’s a green, cabin-dotted village below, and if you look closely, you’ll see glaciers far above and waterfalls that trickle down the mountainsides.

Here, there are also a bunch of fun activities to try: mountain biking, zip lining, carting, and even paragliding!

• Experience level required: Beginner

• Distance: 4 miles

• Time: 2.5-3 hours

• Pro Tip: Do try the delicious apple pastries at the Grindelwald Bakery before or after your hike. They were incredible.

#5 Matterhorn in Switzerland

If you’re traveling to the Alps, you probably want to see one of the most photographed and famous mountains in the world: the Matterhorn. At 14,692 feet (4,478 meters), this uniquiely-shaped peak is memorable and worth a visit. I don’t reccommend summitting it, but you can do this easy hike to get some truly impressive views.

First, you’ll take a tram up the mountain and see incredible views of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains along the way. Then, after enoying the views from the top station: Gornergrat, this route is a simple downhill that takes you to a lake in front of the Matterhorn. You’ll end up right next to the tram stop, Rotenboden, where you can ride back to the mountain village of Zermatt.

• Experience level required: Beginner

• Distance: 3 miles

• Time: 1-2 hours

#6 Tour de Mont Blanc in France

This beautiful section of the TMB trail has incredible views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains. You’ll start in Chamonix, then walk up to the gondola where the TMB trail begins. Some parts are a gravely fire road and others are more forested, narrow, dusty trails.

The route takes you uphill by a few small lakes and a few huts, then down a technical and very steep section with ladders you’ll have to carefully climb down to continue hiking. We also spotted quite a few mountain goats along the way.

• Experience level required: Advanced

• Distance: 9 miles

• Time: 6-7 hours

• Pro tip: Don’t do this hike on a rainy day, the technical areas will become very slippery and dangerous and it will not be enjoyable.

• Stops along the way? There are two huts along the way where you can stop and stay overnight or grab some food.

#7 Tour de Mont Blanc in Italy

This challenging route is right on the other side of the Mont Blanc mountain range. It’s a difficult uphill climb (about 2-3 hours) before you get to the ridge and the viewpoints.

Most of the uphill is through a rocky, dusty forest trail. The summit is covered in yellowy grass (with a lot of bugs!).

This route takes you to a different ending spot, but for the sake of time (and ending up at the same parking lot) we did it as an out-and-back and just turned around when we got to the summit, which worked out great.

• Experience level required: Intermediate

• Distance: 8.5 miles

• Time: 4-5 hours

• Stops along the way? There is one hut along the way, but we couldn’t find a bathroom there.

A Hiking Trip You’ll Never Forget

Hiking in the Alps is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you want to really take the time to plan out which hikes will be most rewarding and fun for you. I would 100% recommend the 7 hikes I’ve shared here; each was filled with incredible views and just enough of a challenge to make it worthwhile.

That being said, there are so many hiking options in each of the beautiful countries we visited—Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy. Someday, I hope to explore the lakes in the Dolomites, hike to see the famous Saxer Lücke viewpoint, and spend a summer enjoying Lake Annecy (both for the swimming and the gelato!).

Until then, I’ll keep reminiscing about this incredible week in the Alps—wishing I was back among the soaring mountains, breathing in the crisp mountain air, floating in the crystal-clear Königssee Lake, and trekking along a trail somewhere in the Alpine backcountry.

Of course, if you come to Lima, you need to try ceviche—Peru’s most famous dish.

Ceviche is typically white fish (like sea bass) that’s “cooked” with acidic lime juice and accompanied with thinly-sliced red onions, cilantro, choclo (Peruvian corn), and sweet potato. And, it’s deliciously spicy—the traditional Peruvian peppers give it a real kick.

Lima has so many incredible restaurants—in fact, it’s the city with the most restaurants on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list. But you don’t have to go to an expensive, world-famous, Michelin-star restaurant like Maido, Kjolle, or Central to find incredible ceviche.

In fact, my favorite places are the hole-in-the-wall, local haunts with Michelin-star level food, but in bigger portions and without the hefty price tag.

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Though it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few, these are my top five ceviche spots in Lima:

#5 Señor Limón

I saw this place on Instagram before my third trip to Peru and knew I had to try it. They serve large portion sizes, have a ton of ceviche options (and a variety of other seafood dishes), and is a popular, upscale, hole-in-the-wall kind of place. This place is pricier than others, but it’s worth every cent (or sol, since we’re in Peru).

Here, you can try all different types of ceviche:

• Conchas negras—black clam ceviche with an earthy, slightly-metallic taste. Served in a black leche de tigre sauce with diced red onion, ají limo (spicy Peruvian pepper), and cilantro.

• Matrimonio—traditional ceviche with a crab-filled causa.

• Ceviche de lenguado—freshly caught flounder, or sole fish, is the star of this type of ceviche. With a firm, sweet, and delicate meat, lenguado fish is a prized ingredient in the ceviche world.

• Plus, the classics—of course, Señor Limón also has classic ceviche, ceviche mixto, and combinados as well.

After a juicy, tender, grilled octopus covered in chimichurri sauce atop a bed of russet-style potatoes and cherry tomatoes… I literally struggled to walk after leaving the restaurant.

💸 Price: 50-75 soles per ceviche plate ($15-22 USD)

📍 Location: San Isidro, La Molina, San Miguel

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#4 La Choza Nautica

La Choza Nautica is a popular franchise restaurant in Peru. It’s name is actually a self-deprecating jab at the Rosa Nautica: Lima’s famous, elegant fine dining restaurant on the pier. Choza means shack in Peru—and while La Choza Nautica might not be the most elegant restaurant… with affordable prices and way bigger portion sizes than its luxurious counterpart, it’s a very popular local spot in Lima.

One of my English-class alumni took me here during my first trip to Lima, and I was floored by the portion sizes. Here, you get a LOT of ceviche at a very affordable price. They also have a ton of both seafood and non-seafood options on the menu. Not to mention the great music—there are great live performances on the weekends.

💸 Price: 30-45 soles per ceviche plate ($9-13 USD)

📍 Location: Breña, Pueblo Libre, San Borja, Chorrillos, Rimac, and more

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#3 Al Toke Pez

This little ceviche place in Miraflores gained international fame after appearing on Netflix’s Street Food Latin America. And it definitely lives up to the hype. You can watch Toshi Matsufuji, head chef and owner, work the wok over a huge flame and prepare a fantastic arroz de mariscos and 10/10 ceviche.

I recommend the combinado. For about 30 soles ($9 USD), you get:

• Ceviche mixto—A portion of mixed seafood ceviche with a masterfully crafted leche de tigre (the lime and fish juice the ceviche sits in). In my humble opinion, this is the best place on this list to try ceviche mixto.

• Arroz con mariscos—A portion of ultra-flavorful seafood rice made over the wok with an impressive giant flame.

• Chicharrón de pescado—A portion of crispy, breaded fried slices of jumbo squid.

Come early, and be prepared to eat your ceviche standing up or take it to go. There are only a few seats and it’s always packed. People usually start lining up before it even opens.

💸 Price: 35 soles for ceviche de pescado or ceviche mixto ($10 USD)

📍 Location: Miraflores

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#2 The Magdalena del Mar Market

When I took my husband here, he thought we were taking a shortcut through the market to get to the restaurant. Nope. I took a left turn and sat right down at my favorite spot, in the middle of the Magdalena market.

This ceviche bar is called Barra Cevichera “MISAEL - YULY.” It’s—literally—a tiny hole in the wall that has a blue banner at the top, across from a yellow “ferreteria” sign.

I’ve been here three times, and I always order the trio marino. It’s a classic dish—it comes with ceviche, arroz con mariscos (seafood rice), and chicharron de pescado. And here in the heart of the Magdalena del Mar Market, they make it perfectly. (And, it’s very, very cheap.)

Every time I come back, this hidden treasure of a spot never disappoints. There’s only room for 5-6 people at the ceviche bar, so only bring your favorite person. Say yes if they offer chilcano, a fish soup, to start, and eat it with the canchita (fried corn) and spicy sauce.

💸 Price: 20-35 soles for ceviche or a combo plate like the trio marino ($6-10 USD)

📍 Location: Magdalena del Mar

🐟 Ceviche Menu

#1 Mi Barrunto

And now, my favorite ceviche in Lima—and of all time (so far).... Mi Barrunto!

This ceviche surprised me. I knew it was highly rated (a 4.4 star rating with over 15,000 reviews) but I didn’t expect it to be that good. But it was. It was the best ceviche I’ve ever had.

I got the Barrunto ceviche with chicharron de pescado, super tender breaded and fried fish. The fish was tender, flavorful, and perfect, but the star of the show was the leche de tigre (the sauce / juice the ceviche is served in). It was ultra-flavorful and almost… creamy. It was unlike any ceviche I had tried before and I am obsessed.

It was a fantastic combination, and when I go back I want to try the Barrunto Premium so I can enjoy more ceviche and also try their arroz con mariscos, which looks absolutely stunning.

This place is right next to the Alianza Lima soccer stadium in La Victoria, and it’s filled with signed soccer jerseys, photos, and memorabilia. It’s always packed, so come early and with an empty stomach—they serve generous portion sizes. It’s a little more expensive than the last option, but it’s well worth it.

💸 Price: 25-75 soles per ceviche plate ($7.50-22 USD)

📍 Location: La Victoria

🐟 Ceviche Menu

If you love to eat, you’ll love Lima.

Honestly, this is only a small peek into the endless foodie possibilities that await you in this delicious city. There’s just so much more to try.

From fish sandwiches like pan con pejerrey to classic favorites like lomo saltado and papa la huancaina, there’s so much foodie goodness to explore in Lima, and throughout all of beautiful Peru.

These five ceviche spots are my favorites, and they’re a great place to start. I can promise you, you definitely won’t be disappointed. When I visit Lima, these are the places I come back to again and again.

Traveling to Lima soon? Get my complete 4-day foodie itinerary for Lima, Peru. Inside, you’ll find:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• An organized and easy-to-use Google Map with all the restaurant mentioned here (plus a few more I recommend if you have more time),

• And, exactly what to order at each spot so you can enjoy the classics of world-famous Peruvian gastronomy.

Get the Lima Foodie Itinerary

When I arrived home after 20 days of traveling down the California coast, sleeping in a 2007 Toyota RAV4, learning how to surf, and eating at fun spots along the way, my family asked me if I would do it again.

And yes, I would (duh!)... But not alone.

Not because I don’t enjoy solo travel—I do, and I think everyone who’s itching to explore the world most definitely should travel alone at least once in their life.

But after surfing alongside grey dolphins and playful seals, after walking along the beach in Malibu, after eating a take-out dinner on a lookout point over the ocean, after exploring the Channel Islands… After discovering the ins and outs of California, I want to share it with everyone.

I want to spend summer weeks at my newly-discovered favorite surf spot with my family. I want to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and wander around San Francisco with my husband. I want to show the people I love Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, and McWay Falls.

So they can see how incredible this beautiful state is. And so you can too.

I want to share my California with you. That’s why I’ve created this California Coast Road Trip Guide. This is Part 2. If you missed Part 1, check it out here. In this guide, you’ll get:

• My 11 favorite foodie stops along the California coast—and what to order at each one,

• The 12 best surf spots for beginners along the California coast (I’ve successfully wiped out at each of these), and

• An interactive Google Map with recommended restaurants, must-see attractions, and all the best surf spots.

My 11 Favorite Foodie Stops Along the California Coast

I ate at quite a few subpar restaurants on my road trip down the California Coast. At the time, I was 23 and still learning how to find good eats that fit my budget. I hadn’t yet been to Peru, so I tried four different Peruvian restaurants that were just mid, because I didn’t know any better.

Thankfully, along the way I did stumble upon some really great spots. These are my 11 favorites, in order from north to south:

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You wouldn’t expect to find the world’s best sushi in the Sacramento Valley in California. But after hearing Taro Arai, Chief Dreaming Officer at Mikuni, share his family’s story of sweat, setback, and sushi… you might just call it destiny.

From Rural Japan to 90-Million-Dollar Sushi Empire

The road to success for Taro and his family was never easy. His father was a Christian pastor in rural Japan, and his mother cooked for the church-goers who came on Sundays. When he was just a kid, Taro worked a newspaper route. After almost 5 years, he had saved enough money to buy one-way tickets for his whole family to come to America.

In California, they moved from place to place, constantly seeking cheaper rent. But the miracles were always abundant. When a church in South Sacramento needed a Japanese-speaking pastor, it opened the way for the entire family to get green cards in record time.

One morning, Taro’s dad woke up and told them he had a dream. “God is telling me to open a restaurant,” he said. Taro laughs as he tells the story, “My dad had never cooked in his life—he didn’t even know how to use a microwave!”

But the miracles continued. “The first thing we did was pray as a family,” Taro says. Soon after, they met a generous Japanese businessman who gave them $300,000 to fund their restaurant.

“I can’t explain why this happened… All of these things just kept happening,” Taro recalls.

Becoming Sushi Chefs

With the funding, it was now time to learn how to make sushi. “When we built the sushi bar, we had no idea how to make sushi. I had to buy a book: Sushi for Dummies!” he shares.

The whole family was working from 7 o’clock to midnight, but they weren’t making any money. They didn’t even have enough money to buy fish—so they got creative and made vegetarian rolls, hot dog rolls, and rolls from whatever was in the kitchen.

But all too soon, the $300,000 was gone. Within six months, they had run out of money. They got two calls. One from the bank, informing them of a fine for writing bad checks. And the other from the Japanese businessman, letting them know that more money was on the way.

With his parents’ approval, Taro quit school and devoted himself full-time to running the family business. He started talking to every customer who came in—in broken English, but with a beaming personality.

Rebellious Rolls With Personality You Can Taste

From the beginning, Taro has always wanted to make his customers happy. He didn’t bring sushi to America. He did something even better: he created his own, unique, entirely new style of sushi.

“With sushi, they have so many rules. You can’t do this. You can’t do that. I break every rule—because I wanted to make sure the customer would be happy,” Taro says.

“I kept creating a new roll for every customer. We had 300 rolls at one point!” When a woman named Marilyn came in for her birthday, the Marilyn Monroll was born. (The next time she came back with all her friends and they ordered it again.)

That’s why you’ll see so many fun and creative sushi roll names on the Mikuni menu: from name rolls like the Annie Roll and the Bob Roll, to creative titles like the BMW Roll and the Iron Chef Roll, there is truly something for everyone.

This deeply personalized approach took the restaurant from 30 customers a day to one thousand customers every weekend. Fast forward to 2026, and Mikuni Restaurants use 52 tons of seafood a month to fill the bellies of hundreds of thousands of customers.

Little by little, the Arai family expanded the original Hazel Avenue location in Fair Oaks to 10 different restaurants in the Sacramento area. Their motto? “Do your best, and let God do the rest.”

Today, both Taro—with his brightly-dyed hair, colorful outfits, and beaming positivity—and his personality-packed rolls are loved by millions.

20 Years Of Unbeatable Sushi

Just this month, the Elk Grove Mikuni location celebrated its 20-year anniversary. That’s 20 years of the highest-quality sushi rolls, incredible service, and true dedication to the craft of restaurant ownership.

I met Taro when he came to my elementary school class in 5th grade and taught us how to make sushi. We arranged the cucumber, avocado, and crab on sticky rice to make a classic California roll. That day, I wanted to become a sushi chef. I was so inspired I even put a sushi making kit on my birthday list.

But that’s about as far as my dream got—because when you’ve got sushi as good as Mikuni’s right in your hometown… Why try and make it on your own?

For a while, that picture of my fifth grade class alongside Taro Arai hung across from the pick-up counter at the Mikuni’s location in Elk Grove. For years and years, we walked by it as we came to Mikuni to celebrate birthdays and graduations, and to just enjoy good food.

Now, that photo is long gone, but I still come to Mikuni every time I’m back home in California. Because I’ve never had sushi as good as Mikuni’s anywhere else.

If you’re in the Sacramento area, there is one thing (and really one thing only) you must visit, and it’s Mikuni.

Here’s a quick guide to navigating the extensive menu at this one-of-a-kind sushi restaurant:

What to Order

When we eat sushi, we go all out. This is one restaurant where, in my humble opinion, starters are NOT optional. Do yourself a favor and try these stand-out appetizers:

• Freaky Edamame—These “seriously seasoned soybeans” have just enough spice to keep things interesting. (Pictured above, right.)

• BBQ White Tuna Appetizer—Perfectly grilled white tuna with a seared exterior and a rare, tender inside. But what really makes this dish stand out is the sauce—the soothing, cream-colored mayo-based sauce combines fantastically with the punchy and spicy sriracha sauce. Green onions top it all off. (Pictured above, left.)

• Tuna Sliders 2 (My all-time favorite appetizer!)—Spicy crab mix wrapped in thinly sliced tuna with avocado, panko scallops, sesame seeds, and sriracha sauce. This heavenly mix of crunchy and tender is bursting with flavor. (Pictured above, center.)

• Illegal Asparagus—Another great starter opinion, this hot oil-blanched asparagus is seasoned with sansho pepper and yuzu salt. Served with mind-blowing Zig Zag sauce (like that dreamy mayo sauce from the BBQ tuna appetizer, above). You’ll never look at asparagus the same way again.

Now, for the rolls. I suggest you invite 3-4 of your favorite people, then order all of these (yes, all of them), then a few more that catch your eye. These are my favorites that never disappoint:

• Japanese Mafia—Creamy. Saucy. Dreamy. This roll has it all. Scallop, shrimp, salmon, and crab mix combine with cream cheese, avocado, and flavorful sauce. Topped with masago (tiny orange fish eggs) and green onion.

• Peter Two—The Spicy Dream sauces are the star of this fantastic roll. They’re ultra-flavorful and combine magically with the tuna, eel, avocado, crab mix, and panko shrimp.

• Train Wreck—A true monster of a roll, you might have to unhinge your jaw to fit this one in. It’s packed with chopped eel, seared tuna, avocado, crab mix, panko shrimp, spicy sauce, sesame seeds, and green onion.

• Incredible—This one’s got spicy tuna, panko shrimp, more tuna, and avocado. With sauce, masago (tiny orange fish eggs), and green onion on top, it’s a crispy combo you will not forget.

• DMC—If you like lobster, this one’s for you: tempura lobster combined with avocado, crab mix, and white tuna. It’s rolled into a soy wrap, torched, then topped with sauce and tempura bits.

You’ll also see on the menu next to certain rolls, a little drawing with Taro’s face. These menu items are Taro’s favorites, so make sure you try one of those as well.

💸 Price Range: Appetizers are in the $10-$20 range and individual rolls are between $15-$30. Yes, it’s on the more expensive side of things. But when you enjoy every single bite (and want to lick the dream sauces off the sushi plates), it’s well worth it.

👉🏼 See the full menu here. We LOVE a menu with real-life photos for each item.

📍 Locations: Mikuni has 10 different locations all over the Sacramento area. Check their website to find the restaurant nearest you.

That day, for the first time, I drove across the famous Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. I finally saw McWay Falls, an 80-foot beachside waterfall that cascades from a seaside cliff into the turquoise ocean. And I ended the day surfing in stunning Morro Bay—and eating seafood at a fantastic spot on the embarcadero.

Day eight was one of many memorable days during that coming-of-age trip. I had dreamt of this trip since the beginning of high school—and meticulously planned a route from my hometown of Sacramento to Crescent City at California’s northern border, then all the way down to San Diego at California’s Southern frontier. A route filled with breathtaking sights, surf spots, great eats, and enjoyable hikes.

This trip was the most memorable and breathtaking road trip I’ve ever done.

If you want to truly experience California—whether it’s your first time or fifteenth—a coastal road trip is the best way to see it all.

The guide I’m sharing with you today is NOT for luxury travelers—for this budget trip, I slept in the back of my car, packed a cooler full of non-perishable food, and did mostly free activities.

This travel guide is for adventure travelers who want to see the California Coast on their own terms—spending slow, foggy mornings driving down the one, exploring hidden beaches and forest hikes, and surfing in the state’s best beaches.

But…there was just too much to include in one article, so I’ve broken it up. This is Part 1, and in this guide, you’ll get:

• My 20 must-see destinations along the California Coast,

• The places I recommend skipping (they might surprise you, but I have good reasons)...

• My top hikes along the California Coast—and one I’m still dying to try,

• An interactive Google Map with notes and recommendations from my trip.

Then, next week I’ll share Part 2: The Best Spots to Eat and Surf Along the California Coast…

Driving Along California’s HWY 1

Windy forest roads that take you underneath towering, 300-foot-tall ancient redwoods.

Magical coastal waterfalls that empty into turquoise ocean bays below.

Sea lions, seabirds, and ocean critters that play and fight on the shores.

Palm-tree-lined avenues home to the rich and famous.

California has it all.

And despite having grown up in California, there was still so much of this beautiful state that I hadn’t ever seen. And I wanted to see it all before I moved out of the country and across the world.

This guide will show you all the best stops along the California coast so you can explore this beautiful state and have the most memorable road trip of your life.

Where to Start: North or South?

I recommend you start your road trip in Northern California, then travel down the HWY 1 all the way to San Diego.

Why? Well, frankly, because you want to save the best for last. Southern California has much more swimmable and enjoyable beaches than Northern California, so you’ll want to spend more time there—espeically in the summer!

I started in Sacramento and drove north to Crescent City to begin my trip. If you’re flying into California, you can fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and rent a car nearby to begin your road trip.

⚠️ A Few Road Trip Essentials ⚠️

A road trip isn’t a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. I spent months planning and weeks preparing for this adventure. From buying magnetic window shades to stocking up on non-perishable food items to finding cafes with free wifi to work at along the way, there were a lot of things to prep.

When the big day came, I loaded an air mattress, a cooler, my brand-new surfboard, my guitar, a few changes of clothes, and a notebook into the back of the RAV4 and set out to see the most incredible places along the California coast.

A few road trip essentials to remember before we get to the good stuff:

• Never text and drive. Never drink and drive. You are about to drive along HWY 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the country’s most stunning routes. Take lots of pictures—just not while you’re driving. Distracted driving kills.

• Be aware of road closures on HWY 1. They’re often doing construction to keep this road safe for travelers and locals alike. Stay up to date on the latest road closures using this website.

• Get a California Explorer Annual Pass. This $195 pass will get you into almost all of the California State Parks and also popular Southern California beaches like Huntington Beach and Doheny State Beach. If you plan on visiting multiple state parks on a multi-week road trip, it might be worth purchasing.

• Find a safe place to park and sleep in your car. Since rules for this are constantly changing, make sure you do a bit of research. I parked in mostly parking lots, but also a few residential areas, and didn’t have a problem.

• Download your playlist ahead of time. You won’t have coverage during parts of this route (Northern California redwoods area, I’m looking at you). Make sure you download your playlist so you can keep jamming all the way down the coast.

The California Coast Road Trip Budget

The first night, I was so scared I couldn’t sleep. I laid awake in the back of the RAV4, my heart pounding in my chest. Every brustle of tree branches, snapped twig, and thump sounded like an intruder coming to murder me.

But after looking at hotel prices and realizing that even the cheapest hotel would cost me anywhere from $80 to $150 a night, I summoned some bravery and decided I would stick it out.

California is notoriously one of the most expensive states to live in and travel to. However, road tripping and sleeping in your car is probably the most budget-friendly way to see the coast and enjoy California.

If you sleep in your car, eat a cheap breakfast and lunch (either packed ahead of time in a cooler or purchased at a nearby grocery story), splurge on dinner at restaurants along the way, and stick to mostly cheap activities (like the ones I’ll share with you in this guide), you’ll be able to experience the California coast for less than $75 a day (per person), plus gas*.

Here’s the daily breakdown:

• Grocery store / packed-ahead breakfast and lunch: $15-20

• Dinner: $30

• Excursions / State Park Entrance Fees: $10-20

* The route from Crescent City to San Diego along HWY 1 is about 1,000 miles long. In July 2026, it cost me 70$ to fill up an entire tank of gas in a Toyota RAV4. I can usually drive about 240 miles on a full tank of gas, so right now it would cost me around $400 to drive down the entire coast of California.

Of course, gas prices are crazy right now, and every car gets different gas mileage, so you’ll have to do a little math to figure out your gas budget for this road trip.

20 Must-See Destinations Along the California Coast

You could spend a lifetime exploring California—and still not see it all (just ask John Steinbeck). There are so many hidden beaches, local favorites, and touristy gems. You just can’t see everything. But you can see all these incredible destinations in just one trip!

In Northern California:

Northern California is towering Coastal Redwoods, foggy grey beaches with frigid water and jagged rocks, and iconic cities like San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Make sure you stop to see:

• Burney Falls—President Roosevelt called this 129-foot waterfall “the 8th wonder of the world.” Tucked inside a forest in Shasta County, this wide, powerful waterfall flows year-round, with a daily flow of 100 million gallons of water. You can walk around the nearby trails as the mist from Burney Falls keeps you cool—even on the hottest summer days.

  • Entry fee: $11 per vehicle.

  • Reservation needed? Yes, if you’re going on a holiday or weekend in May through September. Make a reservation here.

• Avenue of the Giants—This scenic highway winds underneath towering 300-foot-tall ancient Redwoods. It’s a must-see in Northern California. (Although, in my opinion, the entrance to the two hikes I did in this area—Fern Canyon Loop Trail and Boy Scout Tree Trail—were even more beautiful than this stretch.)

  • Entry fee: FREE! But if you’d like to drive through the Shrine Drive Thru Tree, it’s $10 per vehicle.

• San Fransicso—I highly recommend spending a day in SF. I loved renting a bike (or you can do a bike tour like this one) and riding around the (steep!) city streets and across the Golden Gate Bridge. Make sure you check out the Palace of Fine Art, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39 where all the seal lions hang out. (I’d skip Lombard Street, the view is best from the sky and it’s crowded and crazy if you’re driving.) If you have time, do a tour of Alcatraz too—an island prison that once held Al Capone!

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If there was such a thing as “The Foodie Olympics”, France would take the gold in the pastries category—every single year. With eclairs, croissants, pain au chocolat, macaroons (and more!), France is known for its pastries.

And they’re not just incredibly delicious, they’re also stunning. To walk into a pâtisserie (pastry shop) in Paris is to walk into a pastry art gallery. The colorful sweet treat creations are delightfully decorated and beg to be photographed.

In the US, we’ve tried to copy and mass produce a few French classics like palmiers and madeleines—with varying degrees of success.

But there’s nothing as delicious as trying food directly from the source—right in its country, city, and (if you’re really lucky) kitchen of origin. So, during your trip to Paris, France, try all the pastries you can—and then try a few more.

I was only in Paris for a few days and couldn’t try all the pastries and bready treats my heart desired. But the ones I did try were fantastic. Here’s a list of my favorites:

#1 Vanilla Eclair

This soft, creamy, ultra-vanillay eclair erased from my memory all the sad American eclairs I’d had previously. Every bite was delightful and bursting with vanilla flavor. It had the perfect proportion of filling to pastry—and the creamy filling inside was divine.

#2 Pain au Chocolat (Chocolate Pastry)

This is a must-try pastry if you’re in Paris. It’s super popular, and everyone loves it—and it’s really no surprise. What could go wrong when you take flaky croissant like dough and fill it with a rich, thick, French chocolate paste? If you’re a chocoholic, you’ll love pain au chocolat.

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#3 Macaroons

You’ll see these colorful bite-sized pastries decorating pâtisserie (pastry shop) windows all over the city. You’ll want to try them all (and, you should). Macaroons are surprisingly fantastic. I tried a few different flavors from the famous Pierre Hermé macaroon shop, and it was almost as if they had a delayed flavor effect—it was a bright pop of flavor, then a slow release of the underlying flavors for a terrific taste transformation.

#4 Lemon Madeleines

If you’re into supermarket tourism, you’ve got to check out La Grande Épicerie de Paris, it’s a giant supermarket with all the staples, plus freshly prepared foods and fantastic foodie souvenirs. It’s where I got these 10/10 lemon madeleines that I fell in love with. They’re spongy, buttery, moist, and infused with lemon goodness.

#5 Pain au Chocolat Banane (Chocolate Pastry With Banana)

I love all things banana—but this pain au chocolat banane was a thing of dreams. It had actual, lengthwise-sliced bananas inside, along with that delicious chocolate. Wrapped in flaky, crispy croissant-y goodness, it was delicious.

#6 Croissant

I was only able to try croissants from two different boulangeries (bakeries) in Paris—since I was too busy stuffing my face with steak frites and crepes. But, the croissants I tried were nothing like those sad Costco copycats. They were buttery, actually crispy on the outside, and soft inside. (And dare I say, even better after being squished in my backpack all day?)

#7 Brioche

This simple snack was doughy and sugary sweet on top. If you like brioche bread, you’ll love this brioche pastry—because of course, it’s better in Paris!

There’s So Much More!

I know this is just the tip of the iceberg—there are so many more pastries I’m dying to try. Next time I visit Paris, I definitely want to enjoy:

• Chou à la crème—French cream puffs filled with thick, creamy custard.

• Profiteroles—A French ice cream sandwich? Yes please. This sweet treat is a puff pastry filled with vanilla ice cream.

• Beignet—Yep, just like the Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog, but from their place of origin, France.

Plus, whatever pastry beauties I lay my eyes on that my stomach can’t resist. There’s just so much to see, eat, and enjoy in the beautiful city of Paris.

Planning a trip to Paris? I know how exhausting that can be. I spent weeks that turned into months finding exactly which restaurants were worth it—specifically for trying French classics like beef bourguignon, crepes, steak frites, and croque monsieur.

And after a ton of research, I curated a fantastic two-day foodie itinerary. You’ll get:

• A day-by-day eating plan (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert),

• What I ordered at each restaurant—plus prices and honest reviews,

• And an organized and easy-to-follow Google Map with all the recommended restaurants (plus things to see and do in-between meals)...

Get The Paris Foodie Itinerary

But we parked right in front of Infraganti Pizza—and as soon as I stepped out of the car, the alluring aroma of freshly baked pizza invaded my body.

I resisted the first temptation. But a longful: “Oh my gosh that smells incredible,” escaped my mouth and reached my husband’s ears.

I couldn’t resist the second. Walking back to the car after enjoying a delicious helado (ice cream), that overwhelmingly delicious smell beckoned us. It was pizza night.

We walked in—just in time to snag one of the last 2-top tables that didn’t have a reservation. And that’s how I ended up trying Ingraganti’s incredible pizza for the very first time.

We were lucky to walk in and find a table at 8pm on a holiday AND a Friday night. The place was packed, and almost everyone else who came in had a reservation.

The Infraganti restaurant we visited is located just 200 yards from Muchavista Beach in Alicante’s El Campello. It’s a popular location for both locals and tourists. Make sure you grab a reservation here to make sure your table is saved when you’re craving pizza.

Make a Reservation

There are a few street parking spots nearby, and we usually don’t have any problems finding parking in this area in the evenings (though from 10am-4pm during high tourist season, it can be tricky).

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza in Alicante

I went to Naples, Italy—the birthplace of pizza—just to try authentic neapolitan pizza. So, I had high expectations going into Infraganti.

Thankfully, Infraganti’s doughy, flavorful, thin-crust pizza met every expectation. And the dough? 10/10.

Infraganti’s pizza dough isn’t just the base of their pizza, it’s the perfect foundation for their culinary creations. You’ll love how chewy and flavorful, yet light and airy, this pizza dough is. Pre-fermented for 24 hours, then kneaded and matured for 48 more hours, the dough is a delicious work of art.

Their pizzas are cooked in a large pizza oven for just a few minutes (just like the pizzas they make in Naples, Italy). This gives each pizza a delicious smoky flavor that’s just incredible.

What I Ordered: Quattro Formaggi

I’m a sucker for blue cheese, so when I saw that the Quattro Formaggi had gorgonzola (Italian blue cheese), I knew that’s what I would be getting.

It also has fior di latte (fresh, semi-soft Italian cheese), smoky scamorza cheese (yes, the same fat-pear-shaped cheese you see hanging in the stores in Naples), and parmesan (cause duh, every cheese pizza needs parmesan).

With a smoky, flavorful crust, four different cheeses—including the gorgonzola blue cheese that really stood out, this pizza was a 10/10. The Quattro Formaggi is your quintessential cheese pizza—and Infraganti makes it delightfully.

Final price tag: €18.90

Most of Infraganti’s pizzas cost between €10-15 euros (La Guasa, the winner of the Spanish Gourmet Pizza Challenge, is more expensive, with a price tag of €22.50).

Their pizzas are large enough for two people to share (if you had ice cream before dinner), but I recommend ordering one pizza per person so you can try more flavors. If you have leftovers, you can always take them with you.

This is a high-quality, authentic Neapolitan pizza at a very reasonable price.

The Million-Dollar Question: Would you come back?

Most definitely. Infraganti has locations in three different locations in Alicante (one in the center, one in San Juan, and this location we visited in Muchavista). We will definitely be back to try more delicious pizza flavors.

And when I come again, I have my eye on these delicious pizza creations:

• Infraganti—A unique combo with Spanish sausage, Italian cheese, and sweet honey and thyme.

• Cabronara—A carbonara-style pizza with goat cheese that looks incredible.

• Pim Pam Pum—This curious creation has cherry tomatoes, anchovies, basil, and rosemary (I’m curious, and I’m on a rosemary kick, so…)

• Diavola—Because you know I’m a sucker for pepperoni; this one is calling my name.

Infraganti Muchavista Restaurant Information*

Address: Ctra. Benimagrell, 7, 03560 El Campello, Alicante

Website: https://infragantipizza.com/

Menu: https://infragantipizza.com/carta

Operating Hours: 1–4 pm, 7–11:30 pm

Average Cost Per Person: € 10–20

*This information is accurate as of July 2026. Make sure to double-check the website to find the latest details and possible changes.

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In fact, it’s worth coming to Rome just to eat gelato here. Forget about the Colosseum. Who cares about the Pantheon? This is the real reason to come to Rome. (Okay, the other stuff is cool, too but this gelato is every foodie’s dream.)

Reasons Why You Absolutely MUST Try The Gelato at Giolitti

• So many flavors to choose from! This place is what all ice cream shops should aspire to… 30+ flavors, and not one disappoints (okay, I haven’t tried all of them—but I hope to.)

• Ideal location. Giolitti is located right in the heart of Rome, less than a 10 minute walk from must-see historical sights like the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

• Authentic Italian gelato. This stuff is the real deal. Giolitti has been around since 1890, and for over 130 years, this family-run ice cream shop has preserved authentic gelato recipes made using traditional methods.

• Ice cream, any time of the day. Literally. Giolitti opens at 7:30am (and yes, you can order gelato at that time—ask me how I know) and closes at midnight.

• Hands down, the BEST gelato in Rome. Warning: After trying this gelato, all other ice cream will disappoint you. It’s just that good. The only gelato we had in Italy that even came close to being as good as this one was the lemon gelato (served inside a real lemon) we had in the Amalfi coast.

Rome is an elegant, fancy place. So here’s what you need to know to pretend to be elegant and fancy (and not embarrass yourself) at Giolitti.

Pay First (Near the Door)

Before you pick your gelato, first, order and pay at the little cash register kiosk that’s right by the middle door. Use your best Italian (the next section will help). You don’t have to order the flavors you want, just the size of the ice cream cone or cup.

Then, take your ticket to the line by the ice cream counter and wait for your turn to point to the flavors you want.

How to Order Gelato in Italian Like a Pro

Alright, here’s your mini Italian lesson of the day:

You probably already know please is “per favore” and thank you is “grazie,” so let’s jump into the gelato-specific terms. After you greet the cashier with your best buongiorno (good morning) or buon pomeriggio (good afternoon), tell them what size ice cream you want:

• Piccoli - small

• Medi - medium

• Grandi - large

(There’s a large sign right behind the cashier if you forget how to say the sizes.) Then make sure to tell them if you want it in a cone or a cup:

• Cono - cone

• Coppetta - cup

Then, if you want to eat inside, make sure you say: “Da mangiare qui” and pay the extra cost for dining inside.

Finally—if asked—tell them how you’ll pay (with cash or card):

• Contante - cash

• Carta - card

Finish it off with a smile and a well-rehearsed “grazie.”

They only let you taste-test one flavor.

I know, I wanted to try them all, too. Unfortunately, they only let you try one, then you have to just go for it. Luckily, all the favors are truly incredible, so you really can’t go wrong. But, choose wisely. And come back often to try different flavors.

Sitting Inside Costs Extra

If you’d like to enjoy your gelato inside this adorable Italian ice cream parlour in their picturesque seating, make sure you say “per qui” (for here) when asked, “Mangia qui o porta via?” (for here, or to go?). You’ll have to pay a few more euros, but you’ll be able to sit inside or outside on the windowside seating.

If you don’t pay the extra euros, you’ll have to enjoy your gelato standing up outside, or while you walk around the beautiful city.

Pro Tip: Come Your First Day in Rome

And your second. And your third. And your fourth. Then dream about Giolitti gelato for the rest of your life. My mouth waters just writing this.

Yes, it’s really that good.

We discovered Giolitti’s grandeur on our second day in Rome, but that didn’t stop me from coming back the morning our flight left (yes, at 7:30am, right when it opened) for one last gelato before leaving Italy. And it was well worth it.

The Flavors I Tried

The first night we came to Giolitti, I got a medium cup with three flavors: coconut, strawberry, and lemon. Pedro, my husband, got limoncello and coconut.

They were all absolutely incredible. Pedro loved the coconut because it had little pieces of shredded coconut and a very natural, creamy flavor. Strawberry was everything you’d dream it should be: fresh, fruity, and flavorful.

Both of the lemon flavors were fantastic—the one I got (lemon) was a whiter, almost transparent color with a more sorbet-like texture. The limoncello (by the way, it doesn’t have alcohol) had a more dairy-based texture and a yellower color—and, in my opinion, was even more delicious.

When I came back the morning we left, I got strawberry again, mint, and arancia (orange). This dreamy combination was absolutely divine. The mint flavor is super natural and not creamy like U.S. mint flavors—but a sorbet style that just melts in your mouth—with actual little mint leaves. The orange flavor was tart and combined magically with both the strawberry and mint. It also had little orange square gummy pieces in it.

Each flavor is absolutely unforgettable. Oh, how I long to try them all! I need to plan a day trip to Rome asap.

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Try the Pastries, too!

Giolitti also has a ton of traditional Italian pastries. We tried the basic croissant and it was surprisingly delicious. There are all sorts of cute treats to try.

If you’re not going to Naples on your trip to Italy, make sure you try the “Sfogliatella napoletana” from Giolitti. This was my all time favorite treat from Naples—and it’s worth every cent. It’s a thinly layered pastry with a thick, creamy, citrusy filling made with ricotta cheese. So good.

One More Thing: Be Patient

This is a very popular spot. We came around 7pm in mid-October and there were still quite a few people. But, I have seen pictures on Reddit of this place being packed. So, come early, be patient, and remember, it’s worth it.

Things to Do In Between Meals in Rome

• Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour. Of course, you have to see Rome’s world wonder: the Colosseum. We loved exploring these breathtaking historical sites on our own, but if I were to do it again, I’d do a guided tour like this one to be able to learn from a Roman History expert.

• See the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome is packed with vibrant religious history, and the Vatican is a must-see, whether you’re religious or not. Enjoy the art, take in the views, and don’t miss this essential stop in Rome.

• An early-morning jog to see the sights without the crowds. If the weather collaborates and you enjoy running, I recommend waking up early (like 6am early) to jog around Rome and see the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Altar of the Fatherland (or Vittoriano) at dawn. It’s crazy how few people go sightseeing this early (mmm, wonder why?)! You can hit all the major attractions in 30-45 minutes in a quick 5k.

Giolitti Information*

Address: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, Rome, Italy

Website: https://www.giolitti.it/

Operating Hours: 7:30am - midnight

Average Cost Per Person: € 5 – 10

*This information is accurate as of July 2026. Make sure to double check Giolitti’s website for the latest, most up-to-date information.