L'amour et la Ville: Geneva

When thinking about what to write about on here next, I realized it's been a while since I've done a city guide. And I instantly knew which city I wanted to feature next: Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva was seriously so heavenly and peaceful for me... I loved it! Here are the things/places to check out while there...

 1. The Lake: I think this pretty much goes without saying, the lake is more or less the "main attraction", and it's SO gorgeous and hard to miss! All along the lake you can find little places to have anything from coffee, ice cream, or lunch. We bought iced lattes and crepes from a cute little stand and had it while looking out onto the sparkling blue water. Perfection! For those who want to spend even more time at the water, you can take a cruise on the lake or even go for a swim!

2. Old Town: Stroll through Geneva's Old Town, characterized by small, quaint cobble stone streets and beautiful old buildings. Here you'll find shops and boutiques, and the beautiful St. Peter's Cathedral. Do some exploring! You just might end up at the Maison Travel, which is the oldest house-turned-museum in Geneva. Walk a bit more and you'll end up in the shopping district with larger and more well known stores.

3. The United Nations Building: Possibly the most notable building in all of Geneva, Europe's UN headquarters. I've heard that tours are offered there for those interested, though sadly we didn't have enough time to actually go inside so I don't really have much more information about it. 

And that's just based on my personal experience... I'm sure there are lots of hidden gems that I may have missed, and I do wish I had spent more time in this beautiful city. While it may seem like there's not a whole lot to see or do in Geneva, it's honestly one of the best places to just get away and relax without a care in the world... absolutely one of my favorite cities!

Has anyone else been? What are your thoughts? xo

L'amour et la Ville: Santa Monica

Sorry for the lack of updates these past couple of days -- I've had family visiting from Australia so I've pretty much been spending all my time with them. I have family all over the world and I absolutely love when they come and visit, not only because I love spending time with them but also because I kind of get to see SoCal through their eyes, if only for a little bit, which is always fun. Cities and attractions that feel so familiar to me are so interesting to tourists. Every time I go to a foreign country, I marvel at the fact that the locals seem almost immune to the beauty around them; some look out to a view of the Eiffel Tower every morning, while others pass by the Colosseum daily on their way to school. It never occurred to me that the same may be said about Californians with certain famous landmarks and cities. It may not be nearly as beautiful or interesting (in my opinion) as other parts of the world, but it is definitely worth a visit. So while shopping in Santa Monica over the weekend, I decided it would be perfect for me to feature a local city for my next guide on here. Because, even if it's not really new to me, it's a fun place to visit for locals AND for tourists.

1. Third Street Promenade: Much, much better than being stuck in an indoors mall. Small shops, cafes and restaurants line the strip, where you'll find something for everyone -- Victoria's Secret, Urban Outfitters, surf shops... you get the picture. As you walk along the street, you'll hear live music, watch quirky street performances, and see so many different kinds of people. For lunch (or dinner) there's such a wide variety... everything from loud bars to nice sit down restaurants, and even a food court full of fast food options for those on the go. It's definitely a fun and lively place to be, and it definitely doesn't hurt that the shopping is good too!

2. The Pier: Possibly the most famous part of Santa Monica, with its beautiful big ferris wheel that lights up every night. Grab ice cream from the old fashioned Soda Fountain and feel like a kid again... play the arcade games, ride the rollercoaster or the historic carousel, visit the aquarium, all with a perfect view of the ocean. Everything you might picture when you think of a typical California beach is right here on the pier. If you're looking for something even more adventurous, take lessons at the trapeze school.

3. The beach: And of course, there's the beach. Lay out with a good book or magazine and tan, go surfing or swimming in the ocean, or play some beach volleyball. Visit the famous muscle beach, where you can work out with the ocean in the backdrop, or go biking along the South Bay bicycle trail. No matter where you're coming from, California beaches are a must... they may not be the most beautiful in the world by any means, but they are definitely part of that SoCal vibe that you can really only experience here.

There you have it, lovelies. Hopefully now you'll add Santa Monica to your list of things to do on your next trip to California! Local readers, feel free to leave comments with more suggestions that I may have forgotten!

Don't forget to follow me on TWITTER & BLOGLOVIN ♥

image via amoeba.com

L'amour et la Ville: Venice

As I've said in my very first post, I am a girl who loves, loves, loves to travel. I have an ever growing list of countries I want to visit, and literally any chance I get to hop on a plane and fly far from LA, I take. So once in a while, I'll put up posts about some of my favorite cities, with my own personal photos and experiences. For today, I wanted to do a little bit of a city guide to a stunning city: Venice, Italy. Use this guide to take on all the must-sees and must-dos of Venice, even if you have as little as a day to spend there! Click below to read more...

The Places You'll Go...

For those of you who are unable to get away this summer due to financial reasons, or because you’re stuck working or in a classroom… I present to you the next best thing. Grab a copy of Alice Steinbach’s Without Reservations, as well as your drink of choice (whether it be a decadent cappuccino or something fruity with an umbrella in it), throw on some sunglasses and/or a cute floppy hat, and lounge out for what will undoubtedly be a truly enjoyable and thoroughly indulgent read. With a writing style that is effortlessly breezy and familiar, Steinbach pulls you into her story like a girlfriend you’ve known for years, intimately reminiscing about the discoveries she made during her travels. Reflecting on the moments of clarity, the memorable encounters, and the unforgettable sights that can only be found abroad, Steinbach pulls you deeper and deeper into her journey to some of Europe’s most glamorous and intriguing cities. She shares funny anecdotes, sweet rendezvous with eccentric strangers, and her innermost desires: from wanting to get in touch with her inner daredevil, who craves spur of the moment adventures and explorations, to her interest in picking up ballroom dancing. Immerse yourself shamelessly in this brilliant little memoir, starting out in France and making your way to England before wrapping your European adventure up in Italy. Allow yourself to get lost in each city, with Steinbach acting as both your tour guide and trusty companion. An easy read, I am positive you will soon be turning to this book every time you crave that escape from reality. And, in addition to providing you with that beautiful escape, this book will inspire you and prompt you to open up your own mind and heart to the endless possibilities that are out there, if only we are willing and able to take a moment out of our hectic schedules and just… breathe. And observe. And listen. And play. And learn. And laugh.

So, open up to the first page and let your mind wander to Europe… no packing, no pricey (and unbearably long) flights, no jetlag. Just you and Alice Steinbach, discovering the gems and wonders each stunning city has to offer. And be sure to come back here and let me know what you think once you’ve finished reading! Also do not hesitate to leave me your favorite travel memoirs… I love adding book recommendations to my ever growing to-read list.

image via amazon.com