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Washington, DC is more than politics and parties - it is a unique city with plenty to offer for any traveler (and it happens to be one of my favorite cities in the entire world!).
Marvel at the monuments and Smithsonian museums along the National Mall, hit up bars & restaurants for happy hour drinks with locals after work, and don't forget to do brunch on the weekends.
With plenty to do in DC, it's tough to get bored.
Here's your travel guide to Washington, DC!
DC is one of the best US cities for finding top-notch cuisine from around the world, which makes total sense since it is such an international city.
So it's only natural that when I was in DC for a work + travel trip last week, my friend and I snuck out of the hotel for dinner during training to hit up Dupont Circle for some good food!
At first we were going to grab a quick kabob and walk around after seeing great Yelp reviews for a kabob shop on P Street.
Well, along the way we walked past a pizza restaurant and empanada shop and found ourselves at a crossroads: multiple good choices all in the same area, that all looked (and smelled!) delicious.
So where did we end up going?
To all three places! Haha.
We decided to get smaller bites to share at each location so we'd have room for all three.
This turned our quick dinner stop in Dupont into a makeshift mini food tour!
Florence is one of the most popular cities in Italy to visit. The small city provides a beautiful and fun way to experience Tuscan city life, as well as being a good base for travels around the country.
To take a break from Florence, explore some areas nearby - there is so much to see in Italy! Here are four amazing day trips from Florence:
Translated in English to "five towns," Cinque Terre is that photo you see all over Pinterest of the colorful Italian buildings built into the seaside cliffs. While here, you'll want to devote time to take the trail through all the towns, though if you're more limited on time, head to Monterosso to spend time on the beach.
Need more inspiration? Read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, one of my favorite books of all time, which is set in this part of Italy.
Travel duration from Florence: about 2.5-3 hours by train
Another Tuscan town just south of Florence, Siena will have you seeing another piece of this gorgeous region. Head to Siena on July 2 or August 16 to catch the famous yearly horse race Il Palio, or go any time of year for winding streets, fresh food, and rolling hills in the distance.
Travel duration from Florence: about 1-1.5 hours
Perugia, Italy
This town in Umbria, a neighboring region to Florence's Tuscany, provides a fresh perspective to experiencing Italy. For those with a sweet tooth, go to Perugia during October for the annual chocolate festival.
Umbria: Tuscany's Lesser-Known Neighbor
Travel duration from Florence: about 1-1.5 hours
Take the fast train from Florence down to the Lazio region for grand, spectacular Rome. No trip to Italy is complete without seeing this historical city firsthand. While you can spend a day in Rome hitting the hotspots, you may want to extend your time into a few days or long weekend. There is so much to see and do!
9 Reasons to go to Rome During Your Trip To Italy
Travel duration from Florence: 1.5 hours (fast train) or 3 hours (regular train)
Traveling to Italy soon? Be sure to check out my Italy Travel Guide!
More helpful resources for planning your Italy trip:
Washington, DC is one of my favorite cities in the world. Beyond the politics and power is a charming city with plenty of things to do and see. There is such an energy in DC. If you get the chance to spend a day here, here's what I'd recommend:
(Yes, some of these are "touristy." But there's a reason why they're touristy - they're worth it! Please add any additional items to this list in the comments below.)
DC is known for having fabulous brunches all across town. Get your seafood fix with the Chesapeake Bay Crab Omelette from Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, or Eggs Benedict with with thick cut ham from Graffiato. You're bound to find great options anywhere you go. Don't forget the mimosa!
Take a free tour of the nation's most iconic building, where the President and his family live. Note: you need a reservation at least three weeks in advance to take a tour.
The National Mall (not a shopping mall) is lined with Smithsonian museums across many different subjects. Marvel at the Hope Diamond in the Natural History Museum, see the First Ladys' gowns from Inaugural Balls in the American History Museum, or learn about journalism at Newseum.
You will also find the Capitol Building, Washington Monument, and plenty of memorials, such as the World War II Memorial or the Lincoln Memorial.
M Street is known for its adorable charm and abundance of shops and restaurants. Try Clyde's for a traditional DC staple, Bodega for Spanish tapas and wine, or The Tombs for a Georgetown college bar classic. Have a Georgetown Cupcake for dessert!
The homes are adorable and have that east coast charm. The Georgetown campus is beautiful, too.
Like brunch, you'll find happy hours all over. Check out this article and this article for more in-depth info on the nightlife scene.
There is so much more to do in DC - if you have time, head to Dupont Circle, take a boat out on the Potomac, visit King Street in Old Town Alexandria, or go up to Annapolis. This list just scratches the surface of the many things to do in the nation's capital!
go seek explore ponte vecchio florence italy
One of the more popular European tourist destinations, Italy holds its own due to its romantic, enchanting culture and delicious food and wine. From Florence to Rome, Milan to Venice, Capri to Sicily and everywhere in between, there is something about Italy for any traveler to take delight in.
The capital of Tuscany, Florence (Firenze) is home to 370,000 people. Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance, as still seen today by the stunning architecture and art throughout the city created by the likes of Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and others. Florence made the Forbes most beautiful cities in the world list in 2010.
Getting there: Fly into the small airport or take a bus or train into the Santa Maria Novella station. To get from the airport to SMN (downtown) take the blue SITA bus (6 euros, 10 round-trip) or a taxi (flat rate 20 euros one-way).
Where to stay: Florence is a bustling city, but it is small. You can walk end to end of the city center in less than 30 minutes. Wherever you stay will more than likely be a great location with short walking distance to all the main attractions. Hotels near the Duomo and along the river will be the most expensive, but you can find cheaper rates a little farther out. (And it will still be a short walking distance to pretty much anywhere).
-Start at Santa Maria Novella. Walk down Via Nazionale and go through the San Lorenzo Market.
-Head down the Via Cavour for the best first impression of the famous Duomo. Stop and take photos here and look at the Bapistery with the "Gates of Paradise" doors.
-Head south on Via Roma and you'll come across Piazza della Repubblica. You'll see the carousel and the large arch. Turn left on Via de Corso and follow it along (it turns into Borgo degli Albizi) and turn right on Via Giuseppi Verdi to get to Piazza Santa Croce. This church is also the burial place for famous Italians such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. There is also a big statue of Dante to the left of the steps.
-From Piazza Santa Croce, head down Via de Benci and walk across the Ponte alle Grazie bridge. As you walk across the bridge, look to your right and you will find yourself looking at the picturesque view of the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge.
-Once you're across the river, turn left on Via de San Niccolo and follow that up the hill and the steps to Piazzale Michelangelo. After this great leg/calf workout you'll be rewarded one of the best views of Florence. It is definitely worth the walk up the hill! Walk even further up to the San Miniato church for an even more elevated view of the city.
-After you've had your fill of fantastic sweeping views, head back down the way you came and walk along the river towards the Ponte Vecchio. Stop at some of the jewelry shops along the Ponte Vecchio or continue along to the Ponte alla Carraria bridge. Before crossing make sure to stop at Gelateria La Carraria for the best gelato in Florence (in my opinion). At 1.50 euro for a small size, it is also among the best priced gelato.
-This concludes the tour! Head back along the Ponte alla Carraria towards where you started at Santa Maria Novella, or take some time for some pizza or pasta at one of the many restaurants nearby.
DSC_0466
Attractions: Duomo, Bapistery, Santa Croce, Boboli Gardens, Gelato Festival (June)
Museums: Accademia (where the authentic David is), Uffizi, Bargello, Pitti Palace, Vasari Corridor
Fashion Museums: Gucci Museo, Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, Galleria del Costume
Shopping: Department stores La Rinascente and Coin are near Piazza della Repubblica, as well as some boutiques, premier designer stores (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, etc.), and an H&M and Zara. Jewelry shops/stands line the Ponte Vecchio. You'll also find many other shops scattered around the city.
Markets: San Lorenzo Market, Mercato Nuovo, Santo Spirito
Great Views: Climbing the Duomo or the Bell Tower, Piazzale Michelangelo, taking a bus up to Fiesole
Bellagio Lake Como
Day Trips: Venice, Milan, Sienna, Bologna, Cinque Terre
Quick Trips: Rome/Villa Borghese, Lake Como
Weekend Trips: Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Sardinia
