MILANO: carpe noctem

As usual in most cities with great night life, I regrettably did not take many photos for fear of losing my precious camera. However, I did manage to capture some of the city's more famous monuments on film.

View from the train window en route from Nice to Milano

 

 

Duomo di Milano

 

Outside and inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Best statue I have ever seen

Enjoying cocktails at the San Lorenzo columns

Staying hydrated/nursing hangover while strolling the canals

 

As for evening antics, from my experience a night in Milan can easily escalade from aperitivos with your friend to bottle service and sipping champagne with random Italianos. The ideal evening is getting apperitvos (drinks and light snacks) around 8 followed by dinner around 9-10. After, it's best to head to the colonne di San Lorenzo and grab a drink from one of the many bars surrounding it which sell drinks for you to take away. Try to find a seat, and enjoy some great people watching, street style, and laughing at forward/creepy Italian men. Eventually put those dancing shoes to work some time after 2, as clubs are awkward and empty before this.

Tips for all of Italy:

• Shake hands with people you are first meeting, if you know them you will usually give a quick cheek kiss- right side first. It varies on the person wether to shake hands, kiss cheeks, or kiss twice so if you're unsure save yourself an awkward moment and just follow their lead. Facile!
• If you're hungry make sure to check the clock, as most restaurants will close after lunch (around 2) and won't open their doors again until dinner (8 at the earliest).
• Italians are extremely welcoming and from my experience will treat you like a principessa. Be prepared to eat and drink in copious amounts. I don't know how they do it. Seriously.
• You do not drink out of bottles, but poor into glasses. It's kind to poor drinks for others but from what I gathered men will generally refill the glass for the ladies and are very attentive about this. But i still always offered, and that was always appreciated. This actually goes for most of Europe.
• You don't have to tip for drinks but it is nice to tip a little if you have an excellent meal and experience. Often you will find "servizio incluso" written on the menu or your bill which means tip was included. If it was exceptional it is common to leave a few extra coins or a few euros.
• Italians really appreciate when you attempt to speak Italian. Learn the basics at least!
• Never eat at a restaurant on a main road or in close proximity to a main tourist area. Just don't. Also a good indicator of a restaurant to avoid is if the menu outside is in English. Family run and hole in the wall trattorias and ristorantes yield such a better experience and you can truly taste the difference. (for veggetarians and vegans this sounds daunting but when in doubt order penne al'arrabiata. Actually everyone should order this because it's amazing).

Salute!

 

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CÔTE D'AZUR

TOULON:

While techniclly not an official resident of la C'ote d'azure, if you're traveling le sud de france by train, Toulon is definitely worth a quick stop. Nestled between the gritty ville of Marseille and the Cristal sipping Cannes, it provides a bit of the best of both worlds.

Take a stroll by the by the sea and grab some wine. The harbor is beautiful and the old sailboats have a rustic charm found no where else in the power-yacht laden south of France.

 

CANNES: The streets are packed with tourists and it breaks my heart seeing all the amazing stores I can't afford, but you can't do the French Riviera and not see Cannes.

 

Our gracious couchsurfing host drove us around in a convertible and took us to a beautiful beach, plage de la Point de l'Aigulle. A few Fraçoise Hardy songs of a drive north of Cannes, this beach is absolutely gorgeous and there were just a few other sun bathers there. Go.

 

ANTIBES: Nestled between Cannes and Nice, Antibes is the perfect place to stay unless you have a yacht or funds for the Ritz. There are a lot more students here, the beaches are still beautiful, and you can take the train or a short drive to both Nice and Cannes.

 

NICE: Like all of the French Riviera, Nice's beaches are great. Throw on your nicest shoes in your bag and after the beach walk through the winding alleys to find a bar or restaurant that suits your taste and to aw the beautiful buildings.

 

Bisous.

 

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BARCELONA

With no camera and a limited memory, I can't provide much on Barcelona. My only suggestion is to buy a cold beer for one euro from one of the many street vendors offering and plop yourself down on the steps of any church. You're bound to meet tons of nice locals who will show you around (or take you on free bike tours if you're as lucky as we were) and you'll probably witness some authentic live music and dancing.

What I can provide more of is tips on what not to do:

• Don't sleep all day (unless at the beach)
• Don't be too hungover to admire the beautiful construction on La Sagrada Familia
• Don't drink too much sangria and have your iPhone stolen

However, I can suggest eating at Cat Bar, a vegan restaurant with the best patates braves imaginable. The rest of the menu is good as well but the patates are next level. They also have a great selection of local wine and beer. Bonus points for the staff being friendly and being a good place to spy on some Catalonian cuties. They have wifi and are right next to the Barcelona Cathedral. (pictured above)

 

Besos!

 

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IBIZA

Known for wild nights and party antics, Ibiza is surprisingly an Island with more than just fun seeking drunkards. 

Tip: If you're staying in San Antoni I would definitely recommend Hostel Montaña. It is a "hostel" but really you have a private room, balcony, and bathroom! A family run establishment, they will provide you with great suggestions and make you a damn good cafe in the morning to nurse your Ibiza hangover.

It is wise to pregame until about 1am, or when the sounds of drunken party-goers and obnoxious techno get too loud to ignore. 

When you awake from your passed out slumber, don't head straight to the main beaches, but instead take a little hike to the many private beaches that ensure crystal clear waters and well needed recovery.

(Above: view from flight, calimocho on San Antoni beach, getting weird at Hostel Montana, delicious local pickle/olives, views from walk to private beach) (Black dress from Nasty Gal, cheap vodka provided by Kalie)

MADRID

Be prepared to drink, eat, dance, drink more, and laugh a lot.. sleep is close to nonexistent in this wonderful city if you do it right. Viva la fiesta!

DÍA:

Instead of urine and creeps like most train stations, the Atocha station is filled with tropical plants and turtles. Walk through to forget that you're not in the tropics for a moment.

Parque del Buen Retiro is a wonderful place to stroll around and hide in the shade when summer's relentless heat becomes too much. Sadly sitting beneath a tree isn't the only thing shady at the park so be mindful of people trying to rip you off, especially around the main lake. 

Once the old post office, City Hall is a gorgeous building and conveniently right by Cibeles. From here you can easily walk to Puerto de Sol and Plaza Mayor. This is a great little route to pack in some amazing sights if like myself you find yourself short on time.

NOCHE:

 Good day or night, La Latina, is one of the liveliest districts in Madrid and full of young people enjoying drinks, food, and life. It is busy basically every night of the week and also during the day on Sundays. Dining and tapas options are endless and there are even a few health and vegetarian establishments as well. Grab some drinks in Plaza de la Paja and enjoy the people watching. 

For tasty tapas, groceries, and cocktails head to Mercado de San Miguel. This is a perfect place to start an evening with a Martini rosso, great bites, and even better people watching. Majority of the booths peddle cured ham legs and meats, but for vegetarians there are some great options of gourmet olives, pickles, and marinated vegetables (make sure to try pepinillos)!

Post tapas and pre clubbing, grab drinks at Penta and dance with some spaniards to an eclectic mix of new wave, British 80's hits, and spanish classics. 

Club options seem to be endless in Madrid but on my short stay there, I went to Pachá. Drink before as drinks are pricey and beware of creepy foreigners. Get drunk and get weird, this place is a pretty much guaranteed good time.

Besos,

Raye