A London To Do List: After you've done the tourist stuff.

When I think about London, this quote by Samuel Johnson pops into my head:

“…when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

I couldn’t agree more. Another London local, Paddington Bear also says: “In London, everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in.” Which is another favourite quality I feel about this city - just look around the tube and you’ll see all walks of life from the suit, backpacker, student or dame.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting London a few times and even had a working visa there in 2014, which allowed me to really immerse myself in the city and get a sense of life as a local. It’d been 5 years since I was there and I  couldn’t wait to get back to a city that feels like another home, embrace a no-plan plan and not be obligated to do all the tourist stuff (been there, done that). I mean, if Liz asked me to pop by for tea, I definitely would.

I know it’s cliche of all of my city guides but I have to start with the food. It’s one of my favourite things to check out in a new place and London has no shortage of restaurants to choose from. I also think that because London is a melting pot of all ethnicity the cuisine is a smorgasbord of different cultures and is always changing. I’ve also come to the conclusion that while in some cities to be a successful restaurant means you have one location tallied with reservations and line ups, in London, if you’re able to open a second or third or SEVENTH location, that means you’ve really made it.

The Food

Dishoom: Reading how Dishoom came to be in 7 locations, it was interesting to understand that it started with the idea of honouring the concept of Irani Cafes of Bombay. In the 1960s there were over 400 and less than 30 remain today. With a focus of bringing people together over food and drink regardless of their background is evident from its warm environment, delicious food meant to be shared and sampled, and authenticity. I’ll definitely need to go back to try more dishes but some favourites that stood out were: Black Daal, Chicken Tikka and Okra Fries.

Andina: Pervuian heaven! Another gem found in the Shoreditch hood that offered up an intimate space good for groups or sitting at the kitchen bar. You definitely need to try the signature pisco sour as well as the ceviche which I’d say it’s most known for. Other must orders were the chicken wings and corn bread. Expect a line up if you’re choosing to walk in, we waited about 45 minutes at 9pm, but worth it! You can grab a dirty martini at the Ace Hotel lobby bar while you wait.

Granger: When I lived in London I actually lived across the street from the Granger in Notting Hill and it was ALWAYS lined up. Didn’t matter if it was Tuesday at 2pm or peak Sunday brunch hour. I was curious to see if the hype had stood the test of time 5 years later and it did. Still lined up almost a block long for Saturday brunch, but the service is excellent and the Nottinghill people watching is enough to pass the time. The burger is epic and a must order, and their brunch has a great menu satisfying the lovers of porridge (me!) to a more traditional English breaky. GO HERE.

Blanchette: With locations found in Shoreditch and Soho, it makes for a perfect spot to indulge in fine French cuisine for brunch, a boozy lunch or before the theatre. When you walk in you’re immediately taken to a French countryside bistro of exposed brick, cozy booths, decades of random knick knacks on the walls and a dripping candle or two. The happy hour offered a great selection of french cheese (obviously) and the service was fantastic - she basically just told us what to order and recommended the monk fish which was a nice light contrast to all the meat and cheese. Adorable spot - will be coming back for brunch for sure!

The Bell & Crown: I’m not sure you can even say you’ve experienced London unless you’ve been to Sunday Roast…in my mind it’s an every Sunday sort of thing that you gather at your local pub (where everybody actually knows your name {insert Cheers line here}) and you be merry and boozy all afternoon. To contrary belief, I have it on accord from the Canadian locals living in London that it’s more of an occasional thing, catch up with old mates or show a visitor how yorkshire pudding is really made. This particular location was a bit of a haul outside the city (but was an invite from true Londoners so happy to make the trek!) - it was SO cute and had river front views. Perfect way to fill an afternoon and be in bed by 8pm.

Sketch: Oh man, anyone who played tea party growing up would fall in love with this place - even if you didn’t, the pink room sucks you in with its violins in the corner, petit fours, a caviar man in a top hat and a bathroom that is likely used more for photo ops than function. I’d heard of this place from a few bloggers I follow and knew I needed to experience this first hand. So naturally, I put on my best beret and had tea with my bestie. It doesn’t get more British than that! Granted it’s a bit of an indulgence, I’d say that the amount of food you got was worth it, not to mention the service and ambiance. Go for it, have your tea and drink it too. They also offer different rooms for dinner and drinks that look nothing short of a page out of Alice in Wonderland. I’d recommend making a reservation though as it’s quite busy!

The Bell & Crown

The Hoods

Shoreditch: Our Air BnB was in the heart of Shoreditch just a block down from the Ace Hotel. My friend actually worked at the Ace Hotel so we already had a baseline that this was an area we wanted to be in. I’d definitely recommend checking out the hotel if even for a coffee or drink in the lobby bar. To keep with all Ace Hotel themes, you’ll find an impressive collection of records and a photo booth to bring you back to your pre-teen days at the mall. The area is also crawling with the best vintage shopping around and the art of Banksy down random alleys and buildings. You could explore this neighbourhood on foot and find any vintage band shirt you’d want, an avacado smoothie or a spin class; something for everyone. It’s also a 10 minute walk to Liverpool street station and kind of follows the rule of 20 minutes to almost any neighbourhood you need to go to.

Notting Hill: I mean I won’t beat a dead horse on this one but it’s just so classic London to me. The architecture, the market, the colours, the fashion. It fills my cup of tea (see what I did there?). Not much had changed since we lived there and we actually were there on a Saturday to see Portobello Road in its prime form.

Hyde Park: I used to run in Hyde Park every day when I lived near there, I’m not even much of a runner but there was something that actually made me enjoy the exercise. The huge pathways made way for bikes, scooters, runners, families, random saxophone players and wildlife. With London being a metropolis of vast grand buildings, there’s something to be said about 350 acres of land in the heart of the city for people to enjoy. Take a book, bring a picnic, feed the ducks or take a paddle in the pond. One of my favourite places.

Kings Cross: This was one area that had really changed since I was last there. I mean, it still is home to the 9 and 3/4 platform to take you to Hogwarts, but its now gained a shopping area called Coal Drops Yard. It’s a perfect mix of food, coffee and shops in a spacious area that even has teeter totters in the middle! It was fun to wander through and be introduced to independent local shops like Bonds (another recommendation from a local!). The store made me almost want to purchase a checked bag to take home all the things but settled on the Earl of East candles that smell unbelievable.

The Shopping, The Culture and In Between

V&A Mueseum: I learnt there was a  Christian Dior exhibit on and was so excited to check it out but it was sold out. Sigh, will be back. Goes to show the no-plan plan doesn’t always work. We still checked out a Fashion exhibition that showcased the evolution from the 1800s. There were A LOT of corsets but still interesting to see how the classic pieces remain relevant and current today.

The National Portrait Gallery: My favourite! I’m sure for many. What can I say - I love a good story and every face paints its own. You will find everything from the Dames, Sirs, Jagger and Winehouse. A great pit stop before you catch a show or comedy act in the theatre district.

So now that you know where to eat, drink, and get some culture - there is the question of nightlife (after all the eating). I’m not cool enough to know the night scene, so we were grateful enough to be hanging with locals who suggested a place called ‘The Piano Works’. I knew this was the place for me when I heard Prince being tickled on the ivories.  The venue is all live music where the song choice is completely decided by its audience. So naturally you could have a mix of random garbage or everything from Spice Girls, Bowie, Tom Jones and Kendrick Lamar. Expect a line up if you don’t have a guest list, but I promise you won’t be disappointed.

As you can see, London will always be calling for me - would love to know your favourite places about this magical city!

xx

LC

A Weekend in the Windy City

There are a few cities that I keep in my travel roster and Chicago is definitely one of them. It’s a place that stays relevant with its architecture, food, museums, and sports teams. While it does remind me of New York in many ways, it has it’s own charm that makes it a destination you can visit year round.

I’ve had the opportunity of doing some travel for work as of late and I’m one of those people that usually likes to tack on some pleasure with business and find ways to extend a trip if I can. I found myself in Lafayette, Indiana and when I realized Chicago was a short 2 hour drive I felt I had to celebrate my birthday in the windy city. DISCLAIMER: the drive was NOT 2 hours and for a person who does love driving, big city traffic is enough to make anyone mad. Tack on navigating an O’Hare Airport pick up may be so frustrating to end a relationship or just leave the person there all together - luckily my friend is one of the most patient souls and waited for a very delayed pick up. Uber or the L train is the way to go.

Having been to Chicago once before and it being the first time for my friend, we checked out a few staples but managed to get in lots of new spots.

Where we Stayed

We opted for an Air BnB in Uptown, home to the famous jazz club ‘The Green Mile’ where you’ll find the drinks to be strong and the jazz to continue to 4am. The Air BnB was in an iconic building that had a coffee shop and bar in the lobby, a gym with a full boxing ring and a roof top lounge. With the city filled with so many pocket neighborhoods I was excited to see what Uptown could offer, and we were only about 25 minutes from city center.

Where we ate

Avec: Where birthday celebrations started. A spot I found doing some blog research and it didn’t disappoint - the place was packed on a Thursday (always a good first sign) and boasted everyone from the suits to young families and a bachelor party. Our waiter was quick to offer suggestions and the highlights were definitely the chorizo medjool stuffed dates.

The Girl and the Goat: As soon as I found out I’d be in Chicago I tried to get a reservation here without any luck - this place has been on my radar since my last Chicago trip 3 years agao. It has earned a reputation with the chef, Stephanie Izard, earning the title of Top Chef in 2008. Found on the infamous Randolph Street, home to every cuisine to man kind, we lucked out and got a seat at the bar and had a great time. The ambiance was incredible: dim lighting and big windows with a huge open kitchen, the drinks were strong and delicious and the food didn’t disappoint: we loved the empanadas and kohlrabi salad. There was also a wedding proposal in our presence so love was really in the air.

Lula Cafe: Cutest brunch spot found in Logan Square - it’s not new and had a local feel as you walked in, even better you weren’t greeted with a block long wait for a table (I hate being hangry anytime but especially at brunch). With the menu constantly changing depending on the season, it will keep you coming back to see what new items has been cooked up. I opted for the Tofu Veg Scramble and it was perfect fuel for exploring the murals and boutique shops in the area.

Other notable mentions:

Lou Malnatis for deep dish (not my favourite but you know, when in Chicago) - plan for a 30 minute line up.

The Hampton Social for eggs benny and an instgram moment.

The Publican for brunch, not to be confused with the Publican Market across the street.

What we saw

The Chicago White Sox: Naturally, my usual MO is going to a sporting event whenever in a new city - I was disappointed to not visit the infamous Wrigley Field but had a great time watching the White Sox dominate the Cubs, even Kanye and Saint showed up! I’ll meet the Green Monster one day…

Architectural Boat Tour: This was my second time doing this tour and I’d do it a third time. It was a beautiful day (opposite to my December sailing last time) and the guides truly make it so engaging - you always leave learning something new about the city. The attention to detail on these builidings is incredible; the marble from the finishing on the old post office mirrors the new build across the river which captures the reflection perfectly complimented with the colour of the water and sky (or something like that). You won’t regret it!

Second CIty: Home to where oh so many SNL stars made their big break, it’s definitely worth checking out. It’s the perfect size to feel like you’re part of the show but can sit far enough back that you won’t get picked on (for some reason - always a fear at improv!). They offer early bird and late night shows to appease all people; we ended up at an 11pm show that I actually stayed awake for which is a feat in itself and clearly entertaining.

Chicago Murals: Can be found all over the city and we ended up on an impromptu walking tour of some famous ones in the Logan Square area. It’s evident the city takes so much pride in its art - just another element of character to the city.

Union Station: What can I say - I come from an era of Gossip Girl and I’ve got a thing for airports and train stations; perhaps just always keen for an adventure. Union Station is beautiful, found in the heart of downtown with all the pillars, windows and vaulted ceilings. Take a stroll through… XOXO GG

What to leave with

Garrett’s Popcorn: Didn’t know about this til a co-worker told me about it. Garrett’s is the OG Chicago mix. And if you’re lucky to find someone in your life that likes the sweet as much as you like the salty then you’re set - the caramel and cheddar mix. This place has numerous locations and usually always a line up. Plane friendly - grab some at the airport and make someone’s day.

To sum up, Chicago will keep me coming back for a 3rd and 4th time. It’s a great spot to go and for a weekend whether it’s a birthday, stag or mid November. Keep in mind, it is WINDY - that’s not just a saying. If you and your friend get really frustrated with your long hair blowing madly in the wind every time you step outside and decide on an impromptu haircut at Floyd’s “we sometimes do girls’ hair” Barber Shop - take a walk around the block and think it through again. It’s ok - it evened out.

Where’s your repeat travel spot?

xx

LC

Charcuterie, Cheese Curds & Churches: A Guide to Montreal

This past long weekend my girlfriends and I decided to get away, contribute to the Canadian economy and venture to Montreal! This year also marks Montreal's 375th Birthday so we thought best to see what the festivities were all about. The weather forecast was looking good and the Airbnb was booked, but, besides that, we really showed up with no plans and decided to fly by the seat of our pants. And by that I mean wherever there was a patio, wine and poutine to be consumed.

Our Airbnb was perfect! Nestled in the Plateau neighbourhood, we easily agreed we could live there; I kept getting confused what city I was in as it had somewhat of a Brooklyn feel to it. A mix of young families, Nonas who've lived there all their lives and a few musicians serenading you from across the balcony (for real). Unlike some cities, the character of every building was intact, right down to the spiralling staircases, exposed brick and glass door knobs - I love those. In the movie Clueless, the Dad says, "Everywhere in LA takes 20 minutes, Cher!", and this was also true for our location. Typically all of our destinations were a 20 minute walk or a short Uber away. Noteworthy streets & spots to check out: Mont Royal Street, Parc La Fontaine, St. Laurent Blvd and the Gay Village. 

Montreal, like a New York, does not have a shortage of places to eat or drink - I had scanned some blogs and the New Yorks Times '36 Hour Book' briefly before coming, but my list quickly became 25 places long and, with 3 days to tackle it all, I didn't know where to start. We were lucky enough to have some locals to turn to for some recommendations which are always the best: be a tourist but don't eat like one is always the goal.  The food and drink that earned our top billing are below:

Grenade:  We weren't completely sure we were in the right spot when we walked up to this place, but as we stepped inside we noticed that half the place was a classic dark bar you might expect, but the back opened up to this beautiful patio with colourful seating, industrial string bulb lighting and a disco ball to boot. We ate the salmon tartare and the steamed buns (pork and tofu) - both were delicious! We washed it all down with a pitcher of Sangria. 

Mimi La Nuit: You'll find this restaurant in the heart of Old Montreal which, when we were there, was a sea of tourists taking part in Montreal's birthday celebrations. We almost couldn't find this dimly lit, unsuspecting restaurant between the sea of line ups for The Keg and Old Spaghetti Factory - but this place is legit. The charcuterie here was incredible and so much value for the price. The crostinis were the highlight (salmon, chicken liver and mushroom); I could have just had that as my main meal. I'm glad it didn't end there though, because we would have missed out on the beef tartare and the duck confit. Other noteworthy options: the Tuna Tataki, Fried Cauliflower and Beet Salad.

Epicerie Hao: I was so excited to visit this Philippine inspired restaurant as the owners are cousins of a colleague. Not only are the owners as lovely as my colleague but their steamed buns were out of this world. You could tell they use only fresh ingredients and made to order. The pork was mouthwateringly good and the cucumber salad was refreshing. Seriously the best steamed buns I've ever had! And so photogenic!

Le Cartet: You'll find this unsuspecting brunch spot in the concrete jungle of the financial district. We went here on the holiday Monday and we were worried it was closed because the streets were a ghost town. We opened the door to find this is the hottest spot for brunch with rows of long tables completely filled. A 20 minute wait was definitely worth it though. Famous for their maple lattes, it was the perfect start to the day and the eggs cured the hang over. Other noteworthy orders: Salmon and Lox Bagel, Avo Toast, and the lattes that are served in a bowl.

 Chez Simone: This spot was recommended by the '36 Hour Book' and was fantastic! Found in our Plateau neighbourhood it offered the best charcuterie of the trip and I'd definitely recommend the roast chicken. Family style and shared seating promoted a good atmosphere.

La Salle á Manger: Brunch in the Plateau hood! Fuel before spending all our money at Rudsack, we enjoyed mimosas and eggs at this cute airy spot. I tried my first 'Scotch Egg' which was a delicious and new way to enjoy grade A goodness. 

Schwartz Deli: The infamous sandwich shop that has a round the clock line up. This has been a food staple in Montreal for the last 80 years; the charm of the oldest deli in the city did not disappoint. You're hit with the aroma of meat when you walk in the door and your mouth is immediately watering. Schwartz's knows it's clientel and offers a way to take the smoked meat home with you on the plan in vaccum sealed packages! Served on rye with a dollop of mustard and you're golden. Oh, and pickles. Always with a pickle.

Between the eating and drinking we were able to squeeze in some culture in the form of churches. The architecture in Montreal is truly incredible and so well maintained, you can see how much they value original buildings. One of their most iconic tourist attractions is the Notre-Dame Basilica. It was originally built in 1642 and over a few centuries of additions, the architect pulled inspiration from the Saint Chapelle in Paris which you can see through its gothic style and blue and gold colours. Several famous religious events have happened at this church, including Pierre Elliot Trudeau's funeral, a visit from Pope John Paul II and Celine Dion's wedding. This building also hosts concerts with its incredible acoustics, and in the summer you can see the Symphony Orchestra perform there! We also stopped off for Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal that offered a beautiful view of the skyline, which, I'll note, is very flat. 

A few other customs we loved about Montreal is the fact their happy hour is called 'cinq á sept' (5 to 7), the fact you can buy booze at gas stations and convenience stores and the access to cheese curds. One might argue that the taste isn't super strong and the cheese kind of "squeaks" when you eat it but they are the ultimate choice for mindless snacking. And yes, we took some on the plane: our carry-on bags were filled with smoked meat, mustard and cheese curds. We don't mess around.

Montreal is a vibrant city that you could visit over and over; there seems to always be something going on in this city. I'll definitely be back for the Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs comedy festival that plays in the summer. 

I'm inspired to do more exploring and weekending in Canada - what are your favourite Canadian cities?! 

xx

LC

Christmas Vacation: European Edition

 Christmas has never been my favourite holiday - I'm just going to put it right out there. So when we were planning a trip to Europe for Christmas I was fully aware that this time of year in Europe escalates to a whole other level, usually in the form of a plethora of Christmas Markets and bottomless Glühwein (mulled wine). I was excited to soak up all of the season. Like how Paris is always a good idea, Europe is always a good place for the soul. I was craving some culture and new experiences in new cities so I swallowed a dose of Christmas cheer, put on some red lipstick and headed across the pond! We went to 4 cities in 2 weeks and each city offered their own unique qualities and charm. We ate and drank our way through Prague, Amsterdam, Cologne and Copenhagen while fitting in what we counted as daily doses of culture in the forms of museums, walking tours, trips to church and climbing towers.

Keeping align with the world of highlight reels, I've got you covered on must see and eats of these beautiful countries.

PRAGUE

Oh Prague! You can see why is called a romantic city. Having been one of the few places that was not bombed in WW2, the city had such an old historic feel and the buildings were so well preserved. Give me some bridges and some water and you've won me over. We climbed the Petrin Tower, it's the little sister to Paris' Eiffel Tower and gives you an incredible view to take in the city. What you'll see from this view is the Charles Bridge, famous for the gargoyles that apparently ensure a safe return to Prague if you give the statue a rub. This bridge is also the only bridge not made of wood and the secret ingredient to the mortar used is egg whites! The tower views also give you a great look at the King's Castle that stands out among the red roofs, important to note this castle lights up the skyline at night thanks to the Rolling Stones (the band). That's right! When the Stones were performing in Prague they concluded the castle should be lit at night and when the King said there was no budget for the lights the band generously donated them.  Another visual to note with the castle is the flag, it is used as an indicator for the people of the city to know when the king is in residence, if it's down they know he is out of the country and more likely than not embarrassing the country due to his fondness of the sauce. Prague is also home to the National Opera Theatre, how could we not go? I wanted my "Pretty Woman" after all. The theatre did not disappoint, but in true LC fashion I managed to fall asleep ... I blame the jet lag? Other city highlights to note is the Astronomical Clock which is manually run (except for the moon) and follows biblical number system, you'll also find the Lennon Wall under the Charles Bridge. My favourite part of Prague was the Christmas tree in the middle of the market, I think the tree was so magical it would turn the most scrooge of people onto Christmas.  

• Where we ate & drank:
  • Divinis:  We have a knack of eating at the best restaurants first, the steak tartar and the truffle pasta could be anyone's last meal. 
  • Naše Maso:  We concluded this may be the best burger we've ever eaten, a small butcher shop that you can take out or eat in with a glass of vino. The staff was so cute and helpful, likely if you lived in Prague this would be a regular stop to make your day better. I'll be back for the meat loaf. 
  • Bugsy Bar: Delicious drinks in a dark and sultry cocktail bar, perfect for a fedora and people watching.
  • Cafe Savoy: So good we went TWICE! Freshly made everything, special note to the french toast that was light and heavenly as well as the perfect marriage of eggs and truffles. Go here. 
  • Pastar: Amazingly fresh Italian food, the foie gras was delicious and the wild boar pasta was incredible. Just get the special, even if you're not sure what's in it - you will not be disappointed.

AMSTERDAM

I could walk the streets of Amsterdam for days, in fact we did. We logged some serious kilometers exploring Amsterdam but the distinctive architecture of the city provided a great distraction to take in all of the cities charm. Walking the canals you simply get immersed in the different colours, bikes, door ways, design details and quite possibly the family cat in the window.  

• There is no shortage of museums to visit in this city, we visited 3 that offered a wide array of pieces and artists: 
  • FOAM Museum: A photography museum that features a mix of young talent from around the world and provides them with a platform to share their work and world famous artists.
  • Van Gogh Museum: This museum hosts the largest collection of work from Vincent Van Gogh, it's incredible how many pieces he actually created and how it was so reflective of what was going on in his life. This exhibit also features his friends Monet and Daugbigny, artists really do feed off each others creativity and methods.
  • Moco Museum: With a focus on more modern and contemporary art, this exhibition features the works of Banksy and Warhol - they had their famous pieces 'Girl with the Red Balloon' and the Soup Cans but by far the coolest thing was the truck on display with Bansky's work - you literally felt like you were on the streets of London and you could feel both the political and hopeful impact his work has had on people.
• Amsterdam Light Festival: We were lucky enough to experience the water colour canal tour that took you through the entire city viewing different artists work from the water. 
• De Pipjt: South of Amsterdam this district is known as "the melting pot of cultures and nationalities" where you'll find an a variety of restaurants and coffee shops. 
• Where we ate:
  • Baker's & Roasters: Epic brunch work the wait, I'm currently recreating their turmeric, ginger almond milk latte at home.
  • Omelegg: Nutella filled croissants and any of the omelettes will not disappoint. Also! First omelette in the Netherlands, it must be good! 
  • Restaurant Red: Steak & Lobster. Enough said. 
• Red Light District: An eye opening walk... 

HAARLEM

I may move to Haarlem. We probably wouldn't have explored this city if it wasn't where our Air BnB was. It's about a 20 minute drive from Amsterdam and is this quiet place with cute little houses and store fronts with almost a Medieval look and no shortage of bikes. You literally felt right at home in this neighbourhood and like you could envision people's lives in this place, largely because when you walked by you could basically see into their entire home but still. Neighbourhood coffee shops, delicious restaurants, great boutique shopping - all these side streets led you to a giant square called Grote Markt, which nicely housed a giant Christmas tree which complimented the 14th century St.Bravo's church well. 

• Where we ate & drank: 
  • De Jopenkerk: this former church is now a place of warship Haarlem's infamous Jopen beer!
  • Rataouille: A michelin star restaurant that was recommended to us, quite the experience and the staff was phenomenal. From the wine pairings to the wide spectrum of dishes - our table left the meal impressed and with aspirations to become a sommelier. 
  • Thrill Grill: Burgers and Truffle fries. Delicious.
  • Anne & Max: Great spot for breakfast! Fantastic bowl of porridge. 
• Where we shopped:
  • Sissy Boy: I wanted all of the things in this store, from home to clothes, this place had unique pieces.
  • Number Nine: Great boutique spot with local designers which guaranteed we'd be coming home with some updated European style. 

COLOGNE

• Christmas Markets: I'd definitely say Cologne had the strongest Christmas market game. The city transforms into this enchanted Christmas land with each market offering a unique take on the holidays spirits. There were no shortages of food or drink to indulge in and your nose was pulled in every way from currywurst to bratwurst to freshly made crêpes, waffles and strudels all to be accompanied with a mug of glühwein in adorable Christmas mugs. The Heimat der Heinzel and Markt der Engel were our favourites and even included a skating rink in the middle, magical star lit streets, and a ferris wheel!

• Cologne Cathedral: The shining star of this city has to be it's Cathedral, spanning over 8,000 square feet, the gothic architecture commands the attention of the city and was even home to the three wise men and 20,000 other guests for that matter. You could stare at the details all day. 

• Museum Ludwig: The exhibition that was on was celebrating it's 40 year anniversary. It had a mix of 25 different artists and a wide array of art forms including videos, sculptures, and contemporary and traditional spices. 

COPENHAGEN

Christmas in Denmark! We were so excited to conclude our trip in this beautiful country, I'd only heard good things. Our pre-planning clearly lacked on this leg of the trip as we learned that in Copenhagen you celebrate Christmas on the 24th and most of the city shuts down from the 24th-26th or even til the New Year! We figured it out and made the most of the city, including a Christmas dinner feast from the epic corner store and a breakfast spread from 7-11. Other highlights (I know, there is more...) included:

• Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park: Fun fact, Disneyland was actually modelled after this place! Found in the heart of Copenhagen this amusement park is the second oldest in the world and offers a market feel with danish culture and some epic rides, noteworthy: 'The Demon', a rollercoaster peaking out at 28 meters high and 'The Golden Tower' which drops you from 63 meters high above the city. 

• Mad Kaffee: This brunch place is a must visit! Instead of a traditional menu you're given a pencil and an order form where you write your name at the top and pick your items, it's a dream of this indecisive soul who typically wants a bite of everything and not a lot of anything. This place delivered with everything from fresh pressed juices, in house baking of traditional danish pastry and croissants and an americano that will make anyone's day better. 

• Walking Tour:
  • While all the locals celebrated Christmas, the tourists were left to explore the city with the help of a walking tour! We learned about some key players to the country like Bishop Absalon who founded Copenhagen and Christian IV. Christian IV was the King of Denmark for 59 years - during that time he had highs and lows including the Thirty Years' War and his ambition to focus on economic development for Denmark. His legacy lives on with his initials C4 branded on the buildings he was involved in building.
  • Christiania aka Freetown Christiana was founded in 1971 as a "social experiment" by squatters and artists, the "free town" refers to the fact this area is not policed by Copenhagen law enforcement and is protected by Christiania Law of 1989. In the Christiania community you'll find no shortages of murals, cafes, museums, cultural centres, music venues as well as 30-40 different types of cannabis for sale. Christiania has it's own flag and currency and it's understood that when you enter Christiania town you are leaving the EU. It's hard to describe what it was like to walk through this community but it is definitely sometimes to experience first hand, photography is forbidden but our tour guide encouraged us speak to members of the community to hear how they came to be apart of Christiania. 

I couldn't think of a better way to end 2016. Naturally, we were planning the next trip on the layover home because there is a lot of this world to see and, as the saying goes, "travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." Oh, and 'Memories are Souvenirs too', a sign in Amsterdam told me so. 

Where's your next trip?! 

Happy New Year!

xx

LC