Let’s start with the first four:

1. Sintra is a small town that you can easily reach by car from Lisbon. I did the four towns as a one day trip outside the capital, and so can you.

It is a lot of fun walking around the super narrow streets, looking at local shops and smelling flowers.

After the round, a good walk will wait for you because seeing the Castle of the Moors is a must do. Castelo dos Mouros was constructed during the 9th century and reconstructed during the 19th century.

The ruinous castle is located above the town, you will be able to enjoy this view after 3.5 km walk, so be ready with sneakers. The entrance is about 7 euro, if you have a restricted budget, you can walk for free along the castle’s wall, you will get a good idea of the castle without the view though.

This is not the only attraction of Sintra, another is in fact the Pena National Palace, located on the top of another hill.
The colorful palace dates back the 19th century and shows a Romanticism style thanks to the work of the Portuguese architect, Possidónio da Silva.

After these visits, you might be ready for lunch and I am not kidding, if I say that I still dream about going back to the restaurant I will share with you in a moment.

- Azenhas do Mar , located on Piscina Azenhas do Mar, Azenhas do Mar 2705-104, Colares – Sintra, is magic. Absolutely call +351 219 280 739 to reserve a table near the window to enjoy the direct view of the ocean. Everything tastes delicious, but I suggest you eating seafood such as the typical bacalao. For appetizer be sure not to skip Barnacle, which looks like this:

Never seen something like this? No worries I was skeptic too, but if you are open minded to try, you will love it. Barnacle wildly grow on the Portuguese’s rocky coast and are caught directly from the owner’s hands.

2. After having had the best lunch ever, you will be ready to keep on with your adventure toward Cabo da Roca, which is the westernmost extent of continental Europe. If you are lucky with the weather, you will get an amazing view. We weren’t so lucky, as you can see from the picture below, but hopefully you will be.

3. After chilling a bit here, you will jump on your car again and go southern to Cascais, 30 km from Lisbon. Remember that Europe’s distances are pretty close to one another.

The cosmopolitan suburb is considered to be one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The town is lovely with its bright colored houses, as you can see below. I suggest you having a round all over, going toward the famous harbor and checking some shops. I got a beautiful neckless for only 15 euro, I am sure you will find a souvenir too.

4. Depending what time is it, and if you are a gambler, you might want to have an extra stop in Estoril. (The direction is the same as going back to Lisbon.) The reason why you would stop here is to go to one of the largest and first opened Casino in Europe.

5. In Setúbal I suggest you staying for one night and go to Praia Comporta.

Coming back from a relaxing day on the beach, you might be thirsty. When you are in Setúbal, I suggest you going to Pousada de Setubal to enjoy a glass of wine, or dinner (if you have the right budget) with a beautiful view.

6. Guess what? It is time to move again. We are now going in the middle of a rural Portugal and I so much recommend you saving a little money in the prior hotels to afford to go here:

Herdade da Matinha is a beautiful b&b run by a lovely family near Odemira, but in the middle of no where, as the road view shows you.

Talk to the owner of this fantastic b&b to get some suggestions on what to do and where to go. As we went during summer, we were really into beaches and he lead us here.

Amazing right? I loved that beach, just keep an eye on the tide because after a big wave, most of our belongings got wet

6. Aljezur is going to be our final stop before going back to Lisbon and fly back home. This is another little town, at the beginning of Algarve, where you can overnight for couple of days to go enjoy the multiple fabulous beaches around.
We stayed at Amazig Hostel, which is central, clean and cheap.

-Praia Arrifana is absolutely a must as you can see. Before entering the beach there is a nice little restaurant where to have lunch while looking at surfers in the Ocean.

-Praia do Amado is another great colorful beach.

There are many others, ask at your hotel the top list and plan your visits depending on the time you have. Remember that Algarve is a surf paradise.

After an entire day getting tanned or surfing, you will want to have a nice dinner.

- Pont’a Pé, on Largo da Liberdade 12, Aljezur, is a simple and nice restaurant where to eat good seafood. Call at +351 282 998 104. $/$$

- But one time you HAVE TO go to Carrapateira and have dinner at O Sitio do Rio, on Praia Bordeira. Call +351 282 973 119 and reserve a table near the window because once again you will have a beautiful sunset view while eating super fresh and tasty seafood. $$/$$$

Fellow travelers, our Portuguese road trip is now over. But remember, there is never an end to a trip, just another destination, so keep connected and have a wonderful week!

Have you ever been to these places? Would you like to go?

The post Portugal Finale appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

The city is considered to be the westernmost capital of Europe and one of the oldest cities in the world. Lisbon is fascinating with its narrow up and down streets, astonishing views and history.

Lisbon has about eight different barrios, or neighborhoods.

Alfama is the oldest district. I recommend jumping on the streetcar 28 from Barrio Alto and go up till the São Jorge Castle.
Walk around without any specific agenda and create your own adventure and memory by walking down toward the center.

Belém is my favorite, as it celebrates the Portuguese early discoveries of the 15th and 16th century by Vasco da Gama and others. Padrão dos Descobrimentos’ statue with its 151x66x171 feet, is located in Marina Belém and represents the point where ships departed to explore and trade with India and Orient.
Behind the statue, there is a bridge that looks very similar, if not the same, to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Pretty similar, right?
I was curious about it and researched to discover that the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon, was built by the American Bridge Company that constructed the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, not the Golden Gate. Although, this can be confusing because of the unmistakable red/orange color.

Before leaving the neighborhood, I suggest you going to Café Pastéis de Belém, on Rua Belém 84. The place is open since 1837 and offers the local creamy Portuguese pastries. I am sure you don’t want to miss the experience, check the website and make reservation.

Baixa together with Barrio Alto are the heart of the city. In Barrio, you can find Ingreja de São Roque, on Largo Trindade Coelho, if you want to immerse yourself in a bit of history. At night the area is crowded with all different kind of restaurants, bars and pubs.

If you go to Portugal, you have to listen to fado, the national music. I suggest you going to Sr. Fado on Rua dos Remédios 176, which is less touristic. Check the website and make a reservation to eat while listening to the music considered as Intangible Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO in 2011.

Miradouro São Pedro de Alcantara is another must in Lisbon with its romantic scene.

Now is time again to share some restaurants .

- Kaffeehaus on Rua Anchieta 3, +351 210 956 828, is perfect for lunch. $$/$$$

- Rubro Avenida, Rudrigues Sampaio 35, +351 213 144 656, Portuguese/Spanish. $$

- Casa da Comida, Travessa das Amoreiras 1, +351 213 860 889, seafood. $$$$

- O Cantinho do Bem Estar, Rua Do Norte 46, +351 213 464 265, portuguese. $$

- Os Tibetanos, Rua do Salitre 117, +351 213 142 038, vegetarian. $$

What are your favorite attractions and restaurants in Lisbon?

The post Portugal part two – Lisbon appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

Our first stop was Porto, a beautiful city in the north just three hours from the Portuguese’s capital, Lisboa.

The city probably better known as Oporto, has one of the oldest European center. UNESCO registered it as a World Heritage Site. In addition to the history that you can feel around the streets, Porto offers architectural highlights such as San Francis and St. Clair churches, Oporto Cathedral and Church of Cedofeita.

I was impressed by the beauty of churches, with their blu and white azulejos on the outside. Curious to see it? Here you go.

Amazing right? But the effect is even stronger if you look at it closer.

This is not the only place with azulejos. In fact in Portugal you can find the typical paintings in the inside or outside of palaces, houses, railway and subway stations, churches, shops… azulejos can be on walls, ceiling and floors.

This for example is the inside of Porto’s railway station.

Scavenging azulejos is not the only thing to do in Porto, as the city is also famous for wine.

Port wine is exclusively produced in the Duro Valley (in the north). The flavors are typically sweet, dry and semi-dry and the best combination is with appetizers and desserts. I suggest you booking a visit to one of the oldest cellars. I went to Cálem which is open since 1859. Another good one to visit is the Sandeman with its 200 years of experience. Click on the websites’ link to book your visit and tasting. It will be a fun experience.

What else to do in Porto? Depending on the season you go, you might want to check the long and sandy beaches. We went to Matasinhos which is famous also because of the hundreds of restaurants that offer fresh seafood often cooked on the street for affordable prizes. Sardinha assada restaurant has been our choice, but I suggest you having a look to all of them and choose your favorite one. Here you can find a list with all different beaches.

Have a look also at Casa da Musica, Libreria Lello, Mercado do Bolhao and most of all walk all around the narrow historical streets near the Douro River.

Do you want to have local restaurants suggestions? Here a list of places absolutely worthy to check.

- Taberna do Bonjardim, Rua do Bonjardim 450, +351 222 013 560. $$

- Canelas de Coelho, Rua Elísio de Melo 29/33, +351 222 015 824. $/$$

- Pimms, Rua Infante Dom Henrique 95, +351 222 015 172. $

- Clube 3C, Rua Cândido dos Reis 118, +351 222 018 247. $$

- Terra, Rua do Padrao 103, +351 226 177 339. $/$$

- Shis, Rua Coronel Raul Peres, +351 226 189 593. $$/$$$

After dinner, if you are near the Don Luís Bridge, I suggest you walking alongside the river and enjoy the view under moonlight.

and….. if you are in a mood of chilling by smoking hookah, walk on Rua do Ouro toward Rua Sobreiras and you will find this lovely place.

Next couple of weeks I will keep on with our adventure. Curious to know more? Well, for now I am telling you we did other eight stops. We started from Porto and went south by train and a rental Panda Fiat car. Where did we end up? Aljezur, which is three hours southern Lisboa.

to be continued….

Have you ever been to Porto? What did you like the most?

The post Portugal part one – Porto appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

This time I will reveal the best places where to eat.

Let’s start with Mexican food, as this is absolutely the perfect area to taste Mexican flavors.

- El Farolito, on 2779 Mission St, is a little spot just next to the 24th and Mission Bart station.
This is considered to be the best burrito in town. Grab a super burrito and you won’t taste anything better. $

- Regalito, 3481 18th St @ Valencia, 415-503-0650, is a Mexican Rosticeria. As you can see from the picture on the top, the atmosphere is modern. The restaurant also has a garden where you can enjoy the meal. $$

- Gracias Madre, 2211 Mission St. between 18th and 19th is the paradise for vegans. Reservation is recommended as the restaurant is often crowded. Call at 415-683-1346 for parties of 5 and more. Their motto is local, organic, vegan! $$.

Now is time for me to share with you my favorite Italian restaurants. I am Italian, so you can be sure taste is good.

- Farina Pizzeria on Valencia & 18th, is my favorite place to eat Pizza. Pizza maker is from Napoli and most of the stuff is Italian. I absolutely recommend to try it, if you want to eat real Italian pizza. $$$

- Delfina on 18th Street between Valencia and Guerrero, is my second favorite pizza place in town. I always order Prosciutto Pie, OMG so good, but all of them are. Be prepared to wait a little to have a table. $$$

- Beretta on 1199 Valencia St., is the third place where I go to eat Pizza. The restaurant is stylish and always full of people. They also have tables outside, if you want to enjoy your meal under the Californian sun. $$

- Specchio on 2331 Mission St, is a good restaurant to eat Italian pasta. My favorites are Rigatoni alla boscaiola, Tagliolini salmone, Gnocchi and Ravioli. Appetizers are really good too like Crostini Salmone, Carpaccio and Polenta. The restaurant offers a selection of Italian wines and Italian famous Spritz, if you want to experience the typical Italian happy hour. Call 415-956-5528 to reserve. The restaurant has also a private area for private parties. Closed Sundays. $$

Are you in a mood of eating meat?

- Lolinda on 2518 Mission St. offers amazing Argentinian steak. I always have delicious dinner here always combined with with Malbec wine. Call at 415-550-6970. $$$.

- Limon on 1001 South Van Ness Ave is a small rotisserie that offers Peruvian cuisine all made with local products. I recommend taking roasted chicken and as dessert chocolate cake with ice cream. Delicious!!!! $$

Do you believe having enough info? Absolutely not, between Mission and Valencia there are so many restaurants that we are only half way. Think that almost every week there is a new place that pops out.

Everyone eats Chinese. As San Francisco has a large number of Chinese people, there are good restaurant all over the town. But having the angle of the Mission district, the best are:

- Yamo, 3406 is a tiny place where to grab the popular Tea Salad, Mango Chicken and Spring Rolls. Check the Menu to decide what to have. I recommend going for lunch. $
LOCAL TIP: Since Yamo is really small, the best is order to go. Do you wanna play to be San Franciscan? Then follow 18th Street toward Dolores Park. At Dolores Park go as high as you can and enjoy the astonishing view of the city. Here a preview.

- Mission Chinese Food on 2334 Mission St. Always with a line, this place offers good food, according to my Chinese housemate. For each entree the restaurant donates to the San Francisco and Marin food bank. If you want to eat tasty food and support the cause, this is a good place where to go. $$

After talking about Chinese, I always think of Japanese.

- We Be Sushi on 1071 Valencia St. (between 22nd and Hill Street) is a small local place with a cozy atmosphere. Check the place out if you want to have something fast, good and cheap. $/$$.

Are you perhaps in a Spanish mood? Not a problem, Mission offers also tapas and sangria. Where?

- Esperpento on 22nd Street (between Bartlett and Valencia Street) specializes in Paellas & Tapas. I have been here many times and I absolutely love everything. Seafood paella is a must accompanied with a refreshing Sangria. $$

What about Indian? Do you like it?
- Dosa on 995 Valencia St. offers a South Indian, Gluten-Free Cuisine. Dosa, as the name implies is their speciality. It is since 2009 that the restaurants receives positive reviews from Sf Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Michelin guide and others. Curious to check? Call 415-642-3672. $$

We aren’t done yet. Now is time for Thai food, always on Valencia Street.

- Osha on 819 Valencia St., serves a good quality of Thai. In addition, the atmosphere is original, especially because of the white BUTT chairs that shape perfectly with your body. Call 415-826-7738. $$

What about contemporary American cuisine?

- Bigmouth Burger on 3392 24th Street, is just my favorite burger in town. Check the place out and let me know if you agree.

- Foreign Cinema on 2534 Mission St. is a MUST. If you are looking for a romantic restaurant this is perfect. I recommend reserving a table in the garden. On the wall at the end of the space a movie is always projected. The atmosphere is super. You will fell in love here and create together with your partner an unforgettable dinner. Call (415) 648-7600. $$$

- Central Kitchen 300 20th Street, is a lovely restaurant. Check the restaurant website by clicking on the name for menu and gallery. $$$.

- Flour+Water is an affiliated restaurant on 2401 Harrison Street.  A local restaurant, with highly trained chefs and stuff, wants to recreate the variety of Italian regional pasta. Be prepared for pretty small portion and high prizes. $$$

Almost done, but before I just want to tell you that Mission street offers a variety of Street food. If you are walking around and are little hungry, I suggest you to try it. It is very local.

As the mural shows, street food cookers walk around with their cart serving corns, hot dogs and ice cream. $

Enjoy your meals and give me feedbacks if you try some.

What are your favorite restaurants in the Mission? Did I miss any good one?

The post Mission neighborhood, San Francisco appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

This week we have traveled 15 hours from Europe to arrive to the American West Coast.
San Francisco is one hour souther from California’s capital, Sacramento, and five hours norther from Los Angeles (by car).

I landed in the city for the first time January 2012 and although I planned to stay here for five months, I am still living here. Why? Well, it is easy… San Francisco captured my soul. But I can tell you that most of the people who live here, came here once and never left.

In mandarine the city is called  Jiu Jin Shan, which means old gold mountain. Pretty logic, since San Francisco is kind of a roller coster. Streets go up and down allowing you to see astonishing views either of the city, or the bay.

But this is not the reason why I am still here.

San Francisco is alternative. Everyone knows that, also because of the impact hippies had during the ’6o in the Haight-Asbury neighborhood. The fact is that still in 2013 the city is showing an unconventional style.

Musicians, writers, muralists and just everyone shows their creativity, style without  judging, or at least this is my feeling. This is a place of freedom.

In San Francisco you can discover who you really are and show it proudly to everyone. Naked people, transgenders, gays and lesbians. Chinese, Mexicans, Europeans, Mongolian, Australians, Arabs. Everyone is here and we all share an area of about 46.9 squares (121 km2.)

This is a place to learn about respect and diversity.

By living in San Francisco you get to travel everywhere by connecting with all different people and cultures. The experience increases also by the numerous restaurants that offer food of all different corners of the world. For a travel writer this city is perfect and this might be the reason why there are so many here.

The city divides itself in neighborhoods. Some popular ones are Mission, Powell, Embarcadero, Sunset, China Town, Castro, Height-Asbury, Marina, North Beach, Civic Center, but there are even more…

Mission

Powell

Embarcadero

Guess the neighborhood? Sunset, of course.

Chinatown

Castro

These were only some pictures to show you some part of the city and getting a little familiar with it.

I would like to add that by walking around, it is possible to capture great thoughts and philosophies.

And to conclude….

San Francisco teaches and inspires you in many different ways, these are only some examples.. But since I am here now and one of the goals of my blog is to share with you local things of the city… I will write some posts focusing on a specific neighborhood suggesting you what to do and where to eat.

Wish you all a wonderful week, come back on Tuesday and thanks for reading!

The post San Francisco appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

My boyfriend and I happen to go there for many years and last time was for New Year in Monaco. The most famous spots of the city are two: the harbor with luxury yachts and the Casinó, located on the main plaza. It is always charming, but especially this time of the year, where trees were adorned with changing lights color. I felt like in a fairy tale.
But who wouldn’t?

Monaco is also well know for Formula 1 Grand Prix, where the fast cars drive around the city leaving some tracks on main curves. This year the race will start May 23. If you are a fun and would like to go to the French Rivera, it is definitely an experience.

My favorite restaurant Quai des Artistes, is located on the right side of the harbor. The style is Parisian. I suggest you trying escargot and foie gras as appetizer and follow with filet. Prize is expensive, but if you are looking for a restaurant this is Montecarlo’s rate.

To have a drink after dinner I would recommend Buddha Bar located on Place du Casino.

As the sign says, we are now moving to Nice, whose area is believed to be among the oldest human settlements in Europe.
The fifth most populous city in France after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse offers the perfect balance between city and sea.
Weather, also during winter, seems to be very nice in fact people enjoy to relax on the promenade or beach, as if it were spring.

I want to show you one more picture of people enjoying the Niçoise morning. You would want to be there.

Moving toward the inside of the city, you will find the old town. Try to enter close to the end of the promenade, near the hill.
First thing you will run into is the market, surrounded by a variety of restaurants. If you are hungry, I suggest you trying Socca, a niçoise specialty that is always served on the market.
It may be very possible that you would be attracted by a variety of stands serving olives, oils, salt, herbs, soaps and much more. Be ready with your wallet to buy a souvenir. Here a small preview.

Now it is time to really get into the old town with all the narrow streets filled with shops of any kind and restaurants of course. All you need to do from the market is turn left.

After contemplating and enjoying the center, you might want to have lunch. Here are two places:

- L’Escalinada, on 22 rue pairolière, specializes on niçoises specialities.

- Cafe du Turin located on 5 Place Garibaldi. The restaurant is open since 1908 and offers a great choice of fresh oysters and sea food in general.

Now is time to move again. We are going to Roquebrune-Cap-Martine.
But this time, I don’t want to write about that. In fact, I would like to tell you a story through pictures I have taken while walking on Le Corbusier promenade.

The beginning…

and you walk…

on..

and on…

still walking…

almost arrived to the end…

Let’s rest… Le Corbusier starts in Roquebrune’s station and ends in Menton.

Time to go back and enjoy….

the sun…

that slowly hides behind the mountain…

and leaves traces on the blue-peach sky…

The end.

Have you enjoyed the walk?

If you are interested on doing it, it takes around two hours, depending on how long you want to stare at the beautiful view. During the trade, you will also spot the wood-cabin of the best-known architect of the 20th century Charles-Eduard Jeannerete, or Le Corbusier.

Now let’s talk about food.
- Les Deux Frères is located on 1 Place des Frères. Reservation is highly recommended, call +33 (0) 4 93 28 99 00
This is one of my favorite restaurants of all time.
I strongly suggest you going. The atmosphere is romantic because of the amazing view you get of the French Rivera directly from your dining table (ask specifically for one near the window). Curious to see it?
Check my homepage sidebar pictures.

Last place I want to recommend you going is Èze. A small medieval village on the top of a hill where you can have an amazing view of the sea. It is really nice also walking around the narrow streets of this fairy tale place.

- Anjuna on 28 avenue de la liberte, Èze bord de mer.
This is my other favorite restaurant in Côte D’Azur. You will dine on the beach in candlelight.
Absolutely call to reserve at +33 (0) 4 93 28 99 00

Next week we will change continent. Curious to know where we will land? Come back on Tuesday.
Enjoy the rest of the week.

The post French Riviera appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

I made a meticulous research, contacting friends of mine, who know the city well, and looked up on local blogs, to come out with a top selection. Just for you my dear readers.

My boyfriend and I tried each of these places because WorldTwirlingItaliana wants to be authentic. No second hand information in here.

Let’s get started with breakfast.

- If you are in a “to go” breakfast mood and want to have it cheap… All you need to do is entering a boulangerie and grab some fresh pain au chocolate.
OMG, delicious. Bad news is you won’t taste something like this anywhere else in the world. So enjoy and make it a precious and unforgettable moment.

- Do you want to sit and experience the Parisian morning routine?
No problem, just be ready to pay more because this is one of the oldest and the most prestigious coffeehouses in Paris.
Cafe de Flore is located on 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain.

- Are you vegetarian or love to have a healthy breakfast?
Rose Bakery on 30 rue de Debelleyme is the perfect place for you. It is a lot of fun also to get there because the area, le Marais, is just enchanting.

Let’s follow up with brunch…

- I have just one place and this is all you need to know.
Eggs&Co on 11 rue Bernard Palissy is just lovely. Reservation is highly recommended, call at +33 (0) 1 45-44-02-52.
There are different menus that include: coffee/tea, fresh orange juice, eggs on muffin (as you please), potatoes and to conclude pancakes with fruit salad for 25 Euro.

Now let’s talk about lunch…

- One word: Oysters.
Bar Brasserie AUX P.T.T on 54 rue Cler offers a great selection of fresh oysters. Available also cheap menus for 14 euro. The perfect place to stop before admiring the beauty of Tour Eiffel.

- Another great Parisian spot is certainly Cafe St.Regis on 6 rue Jean Du Bellay. Here you can come not only to have lunch, but also breakfast, happy hour, dinner and after dinner. Always open, always full this is a great place to relax and look at people. Here we spotted the French actor Daniel Auteuil. Who knows what you could experience!

- Are you in a simple, cheap and tasty mood? Perhaps you feel also to visit the European’s most important Contemporary Art Museum in Center Pompidou…
Bistrot Beaubourg on 25 rue Quincampoix is a good place to go.

Afternoon snacks…

- Mariage Freres is a well-known tea house open since 1854. There are different locations so click on the link and find the closest to you. Most popular tea is Marco Polo, although there is a book with a great selection. So read, explore and taste.

- Ladurée is the home of Macaroons. Price is expensive, but to check the place and try at least one, is absolutely worthy.

- Berthillon on 29 rue Saint-Louis is another good spot where to enjoy a cup of tea with some desserts.

Happy hour…

This time I am not suggesting you to go somewhere, instead my advice is to enter a Fromagerie (La Ferme Saint Aubin on 76 rue Saint-Louis is a great one) and choose your personalized assiette aux fromages. In addition buy a fois gras, honey, grapes, fresh baguette, wine and go to your place, hopefully a studiò, as I suggested on my previous post.
Turn on a candle, put some music and not only you will feel in France, but also in heaven. Yes, life is good!

To conclude: dinner…

These three places are just super.

- Chez Julien on 1 rue du Pont Louis Philippe is a maison open since 1780. The atmosphere is elegant and local. You will feel yourself projected into the past. Make a reservation calling 01-42-78-31-64.

- Derrière on 69 rue des Gravilles is truly stylish. The place has a bike, a ping pong table, a library, a refrigerator and much more in the middle of the dining room. Call 01-44-61-91-95 to discover this super local and cool spot.

- La Grange on 72 rue Mouffetard specializes on Fondues and Raclettes. The atmosphere is rustic and homey.
Call 01-43-36-19-74. Here a small preview, enjoy!

What are you favorite restaurants in Paris?

The post Paris: Bon Appétit! appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

Have you ever seen Woody Allen’s movie Midnight In Paris? I really enjoyed it because it captures the main essences of the city: art, love and food.

Walking down the streets you will find all different kind of bookstores, libraries, art galleries and more. Because Paris is art.

Shakespeare and Co. is an independent bookstore that turned out to be a literary meeting point for many generations.

To make a long story short: Originally, the bookstore was of Sylvia Beach, an American living in Paris. During the Twenties she was friend with Ernst Hemingway, knew ET Eliot and published James Joyce masterpiece Ulysses. The Second World War took place and after an internment of six months by the Nazis, she closed and never re-opened. 1964 is the year when George Withman stepped in. He re-name his bookstore, Le Mistral, after Shakespeare and Company, as a tribute to the terrific store Beach started.

Tip: If you enjoy writing, I suggest you going there with your notebook, look for the room with Notre-Dame’s view and get inspired from the situation. If you don’t write, go there and just breath the past.

Everyone knows Paris has a great variety of Musée. I am not going to write about that, but I only wanted to show you this:

Beautiful, right? This is one of the amazing Louvre’s ceilings. Even if I tried to avoid as much as I could the touristic spots of Paris, I couldn’t skip this. However, I tried to look at what not so many people were paying attention at. I greatly admired the ceilings.

Atelier Portes Ouvertes is another artistic spot in rue de Rivoli. In the building each floor gives the chance to different artists to share their passion and talent with a curious public. The atmosphere is very alternative and underground, reminds of Berlin’s style.

Viottolini, as I like to call narrow streets, have been the aspect I felt much in love with. I absolutely recommend to literally lose yourself in Paris. Try to avoid as much as you can the main streets, follow the narrow one. You won’t regret it.

Here a list of some I appreciated:
- Rue Rollin
- Rue Mouffetard
- Rue des Rosiers
- Rue des Francs-Bourgeois
- Rue Ville du Temple
- Rue Debelleyme
- Rue de Saintonge
- Rue Tiquetonne
- Passage Verdeau
- Rue Bourdaloue
- Rue Pigalle
- Rue Galande

As much as the signs and the comfort could be appealing, try to avoid La Metropilitain. The more you walk, the better you will see the city.

“…focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it…” Greg Anderson.

In order to make that happen, you should really have an hotel in downtown. But I want to suggest you something better. To have a more local experience and play to be a Parisian for some days, find yourself a Studiò. I know a person who rents a small one in Ile Saint-Louise. Me and my boyfriend stayed there and it was absolutely perfect. If you are interested, feel free to contact me.

And last, but not least admire each building and the many chimneys of Paris.

Au revoir. To come up the food local section of Paris.

What did you fall in love with in the French city?

The post Paris in wonder appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

I am 24 now and it was 4 years since the last time I came in this area. I am here.

I spent my 4 days with my parents in a beautiful wellness hotel. Peternhof, on the top of a mountain between Reit im Winkle and Kössen. Two little villages just one hour from Munich where you can feel the German, non-touristic atmosphere.

I remind my self as a little girl, walking on the fresh snow falling down the green grass, now of a golf field.

It is a beautiful feeling to be back between these bushes and mountains, especially after one non-stop year in the U.S. where landscapes and feelings are completely different.

But most of all, it is the feeling of growing. Time goes by, too fast.

But then, you come back in a place, which reminds yourself of your childhood. If you are lucky, with your parents and everything goes away.

Do you have a place that makes you feel like that?

Food

I recommend to try those typical Bavarian and Tyrolese dishes:

Main dishes:
- Weiß, Frankfurter, or Wiener Würstel with Sauerkraut and mustard
- Leberkäse with Egg
- Schweinebraten with Knödeln
- Schweinshaxe

Dessert:
- Kaiserschmarrn, which is an egg dessert with raisin accompanied with a blueberry or apple compote
(I really suggest you eating this as your main dish, as a dessert is too much)

Drink
- As everyone knows, Germany is the “home of beer”. Don’t absolutely miss it.
Most famous are the Paulaner and Löwenbräu.

If you love beer, I suggest you planning right away to experience the original Bavarian Octoberfest.
- As a soda try Spezi. A mix of Orange soda and Coke. Lovely.

What are your favorite dishes or drinks of this area?

The post My Germany appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.

The post Welcome! appeared first on Lavinia Pisani | Portfolio.