Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Packing Wishlist
When I fly off to Europe I would like to have my luggage be the last thing slowing me down on budget airlines and slow trains...So, although I am going to be there for over a month I will be taking only one suitcase. Since I am physically a weakling I will further be attempting to keep that suitcase as light as possible. When you are limiting your choices everything must be selected with great care. I might do a more practical (realistic) post on packing tips later, for now I'm building my dream travel wardrobe from unnecessary (but fun) browsing on Beso. I am trying to stick to a basic color palette in my real packing list and in this imaginary one as well.P.S. More detailed travel break-down: I will be in London, then Cambridge, and then Paris. That will be followed by Venice, Florence, and Rome. And I welcome all suggestions on what to see, do, and eat in those spots! I haven't been to the United Kingdom since I was nine (I think) and I've never been to France or Italy. And we will not be deviating from these countries, so please no suggestions of other nations to visit because it will just make me bitter that I can not see and do more!
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84 comments:
Wow one suitcase for a MONTH! you certainly have more restraint than me! Good luck!
Sarah
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com
Oh I am in love with your imaginary list. A month on one suitcase is definitely do-able but I guess the problem is things you're going to buy along the way! Can't wait till you land in the UK!
Oh my, I couldn't pack a month's worth of clothes into one suitcase. This list looks great :)
INTOTHEFOLDFASHION.BLOGSPOT.COM
sorry about the sutecase i way could not do that i am trying to figger out how i am going to pack one sute case for 8 days not a mounth. ow and when in londen try fish and chips its lush
Beautiful picks! Love specially the marc jacobs bag!
GREAT wish list!
a few months ago i spent a month in india....one suitcase also. just make sure you either leave a LOT of space for gifts/purchases, or (as i did) bring an extra bag to fill. ;)
oh gosh this sounds like an incredible trip! but packing so lightly is such a challenge! best of luck, i always end up with way too much, but still missing that one thing i forget to pack..
slowly becoming more and more jealous now that i have browsed thru your itinerary!! aaahh!!!
Animated Confessions
A warning with Venice...if you want good food, make sure to save money for it. I was pretty broke by the time my month-long European trip made its way there, and even the more expensive meals I had were terrible. The worst tiramisu I've ever eaten was in Venice!
Also, the main island is Tourist City. It seems like every shop sells tacky Carnival masks or art glass. My favorite things to do were to walk toward the edges of the island through the narrow "roads," ride the vaporetti (water buses), and take the vaporetti to other islands. Venice has an island that's just a cemetery! It's beautiful! Probably the nicest tourist attraction is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which is a modern art museum located in her home which has a lovely garden.
All I really did in Paris was go to art museums, cemeteries, and walk around neighborhoods. The catacombs were amazing. If you don't speak French well, don't worry about it...French men just love giving cute girls directions. My boyfriend and I would stand around looking confused, and he actually spoke French pretty well, but our knight in shining armor would only talk to me. ^_^
Have fun! And it IS possible to pack for a month in one suitcase and look cute.
Paris is really fun.
Just beware of the vendors attempting to sell things around the Eiffel Tower. They can be rather pushy.
The Louvre is a def MUST. It can't be seen in one day, but it's one thing I remember most!! :)
In London you must go to Camden market, which is very easy to get to on the tube. While you are there sample the gorgeous Morrocan food from the Morrocan food stall near Camden lock, yum yum!
Cambridge is truly beautiful, but watch out for cyclists, they are crazy.
Florence is absolutely beautiful. You must visit the Ponte Vecchio which is just breathtaking, and it's well worth bringing back a leather handbag. They are great quality.
Paris is my favourite city in the world.
when in paris (in the summer), i like going to the open air cinema in parc de la villette. it's free (or it was free 8 yrs. ago) and they show GOOD movies, like billy wilder's 'one two three'. you can also bring a blanket and food and have yourself a little picnic! if you're interested in architecture i highly recommend a visit to carlo scarpa's fondazione querini stampalia in venice; the details are exquisite! have fun!! :)
that bathing suit would look so great on you! i hope you get it :D...when in florence you must go to any of the flea markets...they are all fantastic...OH that made me so jealous!!!
xo,
cb
www.thecitybirdsnest.blogspot.com
I can recommend the catacombs and fleamarkets of Paris, too. The view from Sacre Couer is almost more breathtaking than from the Eiffel Tour (because you can see the Eiffel Tour from there).
Florence and it's surroundings are really nice, too. You shouldn't miss the Academica dell'arte and see David by Michelangelo.
In Rome I like best the Pantheon! It's simply perfect! Try to see and eat in Trastevere, it's a nice old quarter of Rome and very relaxed. I also like the Forum Romanum a lot, but I'm a bit of a nerd there. If you have the time a walk down the via appia outside the old city wall is a really nice change from bustling city life and like a time warp.
Your trip sounds so great! Enjoy it and take a lot of pictures!
Another good advice: make sure you have a 2010 version of Guide Books. Especially in Rome fares and opening houres change each year drastically!
Gosh, I was just looking at my Europe pics yesterday! I did a travel-study program at Cambridge for one summer when I was in college. Wow, I'm totally blanking on some of the places to hangout in Cambridge. There was this one club we went to that sorta had a Middle Eastern theme I think and then right next door was a cute little bar. And then after that, head outside and there should be this amazing late night food truck (gahh soo blanking out on names) and try fries with cheese and burger sauce! There was this really great museum there as well. Definitely take the back-sided tour of all the colleges while you're there; you'll be taking a lot of pictures during the walk. Sooo gorgeous! Stop by Fitzbillie's for their famous buns. Punt to Granchester for tea (it's where a bunch of famous writers like Virginia Woolf went to have tea)! And for cute clothes, check out Oasis and River Island (I hope that's what it's called?). I got these amazing black Mary Jane shoes at Oasis.
As for London, do head to all the touristy destinations. My fave tourist spot there probably had to be Westminster Abbey. Standing in front of Queen Elizabeth I's grave gave me goosebumps. She's someone I've always been inspired by.
For Paris--- visit Louis Vuitton's flagship on the Champs. My friend and I couldn't afford to buy anything, but we ended up going to the 2nd floor, and the sales peeople there were so nice. They told us about this exhibit that we could go into inside the store. I forget what it was on, but it felt so secretive because you had to go in an elevator to get there, and there was barely anyone looking at the exhibit. The best part of taking this tour was at the end- you could take pictures on LV's balconly. You'll get this amazing view of the the Champs from there!
And if you have time, go to Claude Monet's estate in Giverny. There's where he painted most of his work. His house is so cute and the gardens are spectacular!
Have an amazing time! So jealous! I miss Europe! I'll be living vicariously through you through your blog updates! hehe
NO, you HAVE to go to oxford!! (I'm fiercely pro-oxford and anti-cambridge :P). oxford is better anyway, it's larger and prettier and just better...
anyway. london is amazing. still my favourite city in the world. make sure to do all the touristy things such as trafalgar square etc, they sound overrated but if you've not seen them before they're not!! picnic in the parks, check out spitalfields/portobello for vintage. OH, and camden market. take a really long walk all along the river, and go to covent garden. basically, just walk around. the best thing about london is just strolling through the streets and discovering new things. xx
London: Portobello Road, Camden Market. And don't forget to go to Buckingham to witness the soldier-men who DO NOT MOVE. AT ALL. I kid you not. And Madame Tussauds! And the London Eye. And the Tate Modern, if you're into art and all that good stuff! The science museum is apparently really cool, you get to see pictures of how you'd look in the future. Or something...
:)
Have fun!!!
xoxo
Wow your trip sounds amazing. I live in London half the time and the rest of the time in a town near Cambridge so let me know if you need any tips.
You need to go to brick lane at liverpool st station, it's perfect for you. along with spitalfields and portobello market. Covent garden is a nice area as is southbank. Head down there and sit and enjoy the views then a walk along to the Tate Modern which is a free art gallery.
For Cambridge, you should go punting! And there's lots of nice pubs and shops there too. A lot have live music so check some of that out if you can!
Give me an email if you need more help at chloetrayner@hotmail.com
I'm so envious of your trip! I haven't been to Europe in 9 years (a secondary school trip all over for nearly a month, as well!) & am dying to return as a wiser (& more fashionable) person. One suitcase is doable, though I suggest a garment-style bag for dresses & items that wrinkle easily. I've recently become obsessed w/ finding a pair of vintage Ferragamo Vara or Varina flats in my size for a fraction of the cost new, they are timeless. As for things to see, my favourite memories of Europe were just the non-touristy bits when I struck out with a couple a close friends, wandering around the quieter neighbourhoods of outer London & Paris & Florence (& Switzerland particularly, but you aren't going there!) As for museums, I really enjoy Tate Modern & Natural History, & the catacombs in Paris are worth a trip.
-Hannah
http://quickentheheart.wordpress.com/
Come take a look at my blog... all this week I sharing my first collection with bloggers!
Carissa
http://copiouscouture.blogspot.com
Brick Lane for London definitely. As well as all the vintage shops you'll ever need it's got some amazing galleries and the famous 24 hour bagel shop xx
Wow sounds like you're going to have an amazing time no matter what you do! My suggestion for you is based on my time spent in London and Rome. I suggest you see the sights, then one day just get lost. Ride the train to a neighborhood off the beaten path, get off and walk around to whatever looks interesting. Stop using your map for a few hours while you walk around and enjoy how the locals live. Those are always my favorite days when I'm traveling and I have more memories in unexpected, lost moments than I do from standing in line waiting to get into a museum or tourist area.
Don't fill up your suitcase, because you'll need space to pack all the extras you pick up on your travels! Unless you post things home.
Since you're gonna be in London, if you get a chance to go see the Westend play "Billy Elliot," do it! It's a fantastic time and I promise you'll leave smiling and feeling enlightened!
http://her-clothes.blogspot.com
wow! i am so envious of your traveling opportunity! i cant wait to read all about your european adventures!
Venice is beautiful, but like another commenter said, very touristy. You'll find the most beauty in the winding side streets and tiny islands via vaporetto. Also, beware of the flower vendors in Rome and men that try to braid your hair- they'll unexpectedly push merchandise into your hands that you don't want! Most importantly, have a great trip! :)
ohh man i need to be this practical about my packing too. i'm going to be studying abroad for four months in Spain and we're only allowed one suitcase also! eekkk and i'm sure clothes will be my packing weakness.
i'm looking forward to your European posts!! hopefully i'll be doing some as well :]
i know others have said this but definitely make a trip to camden market! i know i will be making as many trips there as i can.
there's a -great- vintage store or two hidden in there, near(ish) the hookah bar
also expect everything to seems stupidly expensive, and don't translate it into dollars, however big the urge is, because it feels horrid.
i've found that the actual number on the prices are generally the same, so i try and not think that it's actually however many more dollars...
may i ask who you will be meeting? (only out of interest, and to snoop around their blogs)
Haha this is SO WEIRD, I seriously did a post just like this only yesterday! I'm going to europe for over a month this fall and will be hitting up many of the same places you are going to! Great minds think alike!
Truly yours,
Rachel
I wish you luck with one suitcase!
When you're in the UK, feel free to drop me an email and we can go on adventures!
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x
What an absolutely incredible holiday you have planned! I'm dying to go to Europe, my travels all end up circling around North America and Asia, and while it's nice to go to my "motherland" Europe is so full of beautiful history! So jealous of your trip :)
PLASTIC LETTERS
I'm with Anahita, Oxford is the way to go, and I could give you loads of recommendations for that! But London, the Tate Gallery (the Tate modern is cool, but the regular Gallery has the pre-raphaelites). The National Portrait gallery . . . take the train out to Greenwich palace . . . Covent Garden is always worth a look, and La Punjab has delicious Indian food. And have tea somewhere that looks legit . . . Harrods is pricey and not really true tea, unfortunately, in my opinion. There's this awesome pub called the Marlborough Head that's gothic themed, and in the basement there are drinks after the 7 deadly sins. And don't miss out on the Tower of London either!
Don't forget to go to Shakespeare and Co in Paris, get ice cream at Berthillon (seriously, do it, you won't regret it).
In Italy, I liked just wandering around, personally. It's so beautiful, and anywhere you stop, the food is delicious! Just a word of warning: DON'T let any vendors grab you or even make you hold something/loop something around your finger/wrist. They will try, and if they manage, you WILL have to buy it. I'm sure you're used to street crafty people because I know how well traveled you are, but I thought I was, too and, well . . . I have an embroidery floss bracelet that cost me 5 euro (after bargaining down from 20).
I'm sure you're going to have an amazing time!!! (super jealous)
ooh! victoria and albert museum!
sign me up for everything in this collage, please ;)
I have loads of suggestions (London esp.) But I have to collect my thoughts first! plus there are some good suggestions above already! I've been to all of the places you are going except Venice - it will be such a great trip!
hi
i live in paris. i recommend you the exhibition in the "petit palais" about Y.S.Laurent, there lots of amazing clothes designes by him. and if you want to see something special, very french, not only for the tourist thing (like eiffel tower) you should go to the quartier de Buttes aux Cailles. You can go there with the metro line 7, station Place d Italie. Very charming place. There you can find a super, not too expensive restaurant, which is my favourite because of his ambiance. It is called Chez gladine.
Enjoy your wonderful holiday in Europe. By the way if you arrive till 3 august, you can profite of the "soldes" which means every shops sell their collections with a cut off 70%.
i am sorry for my english, i am hungarian, and i am a little bit confused about languages since i have been living here in Paris.
Im jealous of your trip! Color scheming for travel is one of my favorite things to do. When I went to Southeast Asia last summer I packed red, black, white as my go to for simplicity. Make sure to bring super lightweight clothes that will dry overnight if you need to wash them out in the sink. As for shoes, make sure you rotate them everyday otherwise your feet will start to hurt.
I always bring way too much when I travel, and then I end up using only a few items! Oops! I am so jealous; I would love to go to Europe :)!
-Rio (http://showersofsunflowers.blogspot.com/)
i have forgotten 2 important things :) pay attention. french guys love american girls...
and the other thing is that, if you want to go out, if you like dancing, i recommend you the so called:"penich", you can find many of them on the Seine, they are midle sized ships where there are parties. i know one of them very well: peniche concorde atlantique. but if you prefere something else, every tourist and lots of french go to the quartier Bastille (metro line 1). there are lots of bars where you can just drink something or dance etc.
And dont eat in the quartier latin, that is only for the tourists who dont know what is really french. there are especially greek restaurants, for lots of money...
i hope i could give you some useful advices.
wow! that awesome and i'm jealous =] have fun
Going to Europe... Wow so lucky. I wish u good luck and enjoy...
Your trip sounds perfect, I would love to go to all of those places. Sounds like your going to be busy and using your remixing skills to there greatest. I'll look forward to hearing about it.
Just watched your video, it was delightful as always and you're rather charming! Thanks for finally sharing!
In Cambridge there's this adorable little sandwich shop called Cafe Bennet (by Corpus Christi and King's College), its run by a cute little couple and their mochas and sandwiches are fantastic! Also Kings College Cathedral is one of the prettiest cathedrals I've ever seen! stop in!
One of the biggest things I found helpful with a limited wardrobe when traveling overseas was accessories, accessories, accessories!! They are light, small and easy stuff away.
So go nuts ~ earrings, scarves, rings, necklaces, hats {if you can} what ever you can think of ~ bring. Layering is great too, vests, tights, light cardigans help too.
All of those things help change the look of your outifts so you don't feel like you are wearing the same thing over and over again.
xox,
b. of Depict This!
Packing is awful. I just left for art camp in pittsburgh and I squeezed all of my clothes for five weeks, plus sheets and a fan and all my art supplies into my backpack and carry on.
Sounds like you are in for an adventure! Can't wait to visit all these cities through your posts!
-indigo
BASK IN THE GLORY THAT IS GRANCHESTER (MEADOWS)/ THE ORCHARD, The idyllic retreat of the Bloomsbury group and countless other great minds. You won't regret it.
And if you have the opportunity to go to Evensong at King's, btw, go! The chapel is gorgeous and there's something so magical about listening to a boy's choir while admiring the fan vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.
That's all I should say for now. I'm afraid this comment is already too long. Anyway, most of these suggestions are spot-on. Rome and Venice are incredibly touristic, but make sure to visit the fish market in Venice. They have more than fish! I still dream of the strawberries... Paris is Paris. So much to do,try to plan ahead!
I'm so excited for you. And I must add that I admire that you're only taking one suitcase. That's the way to do it! Experiences > Things.Pack light! (Budget airlines will not hesitate to charge you if you're even slightly over the limit). Have fun. I can't wait to hear about your adventures.
Good luck in Europe! London's porbably the most beautiful city I've ever been to. Hope you can spend many days there.
As for Paris, the only thing I've noticed is that they really don't like English speakers. So, if you don't speak French, try using a different language, hehe. It's a beautiful city as well.
Best luck in Europe! I wanna see pictures already! :)
Hug,
Miki.
Good luck in Europe! London's porbably the most beautiful city I've ever been to. Hope you can spend many days there.
As for Paris, the only thing I've noticed is that they really don't like English speakers. So, if you don't speak French, try using a different language, hehe. It's a beautiful city as well.
Best luck in Europe! I wanna see pictures already! :)
Hug,
Miki.
Space saver bags will be a life saver.
I wore a Calvin Klein khaki trench coat all around Europe - it adds instant class/intrigue to any outfit.
In England you must visit Primark- its like forever 21 on crack.
Venice- Murano Island to see glass blowing
Florence-leather market - and plenty of consignment/thrift stores filled with designer goodies.
Paris -Rue de Rivoli between the bastille and the louvre is the aisle du falafel. best falafel ever and a wonderful vintage store right up the road.
xx,
Lexi
I have that MJ bag on my wish list as well! Packing light is the way to go- I'm sure you'll have lots of things to bring back as well. Have a great trip!
i would love to have that marc jacobs bag!
Your trip sounds amazing!
The back foot streets of Venice in the San Paulo district are lovely to wander through, and quieter. One can catch a ferry over to Murano, the traditional glass blowing district as well. Food in Venice is pricey, but we thought the calzones from the street vendors were yummy.
In Paris, a hidden treasure is the Rodin museum, situated in his house, and the Picasso museum. Obviously Versailles. Paris is very pedestrian friendly but the underground is a fun and very efficient way to get around.
In Rome, eating icecream at the Trevi Fountain is touristy but fun, sitting on the Spanish Steps, walking along Via Condotti. Rome has many many beautiful fountains, huge ones such as on the Piazza della Republica and well as multitude tiny ones tucked away to be discovered... Have lots of fun!
When you are in London, def. go to Camdentown!!!
It is a huge market where you will find all sorts of cute Asian dresses, vintage stores and stands with handmade jewelry there! Plus, the food is amazing. You can buy anything from Russian pierogi, to pastries stuffed with spinach and cheese and authentic Mexican food there. Camdentown is also the name of the tube exit, so you can't miss it.
Oh, one of my favorite stores was an army store that sold the coolest bags ever!
If you have the time, you should also try to make it to the worldfamous hummingbird bakery to eat a cupcake or some other pastry there :)
Climb to the top of the Sacre Coeur! When you do go to the Artist's square and watch all the artists painting. It's really quite lovely. (: There is also a jewelry shop somewhere within the jewelry square that had some lovely pieces. (or there was a few years ago..) It's quite interesting. There is also a restaurant with dark brown wood exterior almost immediately to the left before you get to anything. I'm sorry I do not know the name but they had delicious escargot. When you are done traveling around the top, climb back down and ride the carousel at the bottom of Sacre Coeur.
When I went to Paris and Rome I pretty much just stuffed my face with crepes and paninis and every kind of pizza and gelato flavor imaginable. Haha. The Louvre is definitely a must. (:
Good luck packing!
florence is where you should do your shopping.
i found the softest leather bag possible in one of their shops.
also the best gelato is found by the trevvie fountain.
ROME: visit GIOLATTI'S. it's really big! and delicious (this is for gelato it is the best and i had a lot of gelato.. lol oh and don't sit down inside because the food is a lot more expensive. if you get it to go it is super, super cheap).. it is right down an alley from Pantheon. Also, go see the trevi fountain (of course), St. Peter's basilica and although tourist spots are packed they are really awesome! The shopping is great too just expensive. P.S. do not take any flowers from people, especially at the spanish steps. they will make you pay them money after! and the pizza and bruschetta is amazing! just walk around and you will stumble across cool shops, great restaurants and ruins are everywhere!
P.P.S. be wary on the buses and subway. it is the fastest way to go but protect your bags and lean your back against walls, chairs or near women. MEN are very touchy and there are really good theives. I stuck to that plan and i wasnt bothered or stolen from although my sister wasn't so lucky on the former. CHEERS! :)
I heard a great tip for packing light for a 7-day trip: buy a week's worth of cheap underwear and throw them out each day. Saves having to do laundry in a hotel sink, as outer clothes can be worn for more than one day. On a month-long trip, the underwear thing might not be as practical, but you could modify the idea so that you only wash once a week and then toss the skivvies during the final week.
I am a Londoner living in a little rainy village in Western Norway, so I'll be living a little vicariously through your posts from London, green with envy:)
I'd recommend that you visit Oxford street, particurlarly the shops Dorothy Perkins and River Island. The street also has a brilliant Topshop, but the best part of Oxford sreet is all the immaculately and eccentrically dressed people going about their daily business. Makes for excellent people-watching. And since you seem to enjoy art as much I do, the Tate Gallery and the Tate Modern are two places I'd definitely recommend. And the Victoria and Albert museum is also worth a visit . They have some awesome exhibitions, including one on Grace Kelly. Oh and at Portobello Road Market you'll find a ton a unique stuff and it's another great place for people-watching.
Enjoy your trip :)
I studied abroad in Florence....it's a bit of a dirty city and Italians dislike Americans immensely (way more than Parisians do, which is contrary to popular belief), but you'll have a fantastic time regardless. Rome and Venice are incredible....and Florence does have the best studio art museums but beyond that it will be ridiculously crowed with hordes of tourists. Might I recommend a day trip to Sienna from Florence? It's a cheap bus ride and it's such a lovely little bohemian town...very medieval/etruscan.
My fave bar in Florence: J.J. Cathedral in the square where the Duomo is. Very easy to find, and it has an enchanting little balcony.
Don't forget to buy some leather shoes/sandals! Best leather (and gold) in the world! Here are my little babies:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tA7RckcXvL4/TCpF0TCRfAI/AAAAAAAABJM/Z9YhNMpeD6M/s400/071.JPG
Yay for Europe trips! Good luck with packing.
If you pass in Turin (north-west Italy)e-mail me!That's where I live and I'll be very happy to show you the best things of my town!:)
Tuzi
P.s. Here in Italy is very very hot!So take the most fresh clothes you have in your wardrobe and lots of sandals!!
ARGH! I wish I could go to all those places you're gonna visit!! Not only england,but also italy too!! I'm jealous,in a good way of course!! :P
And your wishlist is super! ;)
That's cool, I'm from Cambridge so perhaps underestimate its interestingness. The colleges are definitely worth walking round and there are some nice charity shops (english equivalent to thrift stores perhaps?) on Burleigh Street. The Fitzwilliam museum is nice.
Hey Rebecca,
in Paris there is this great Basque restaurant, called "Chez Gladines".
It is very original and not at all expensive! I went there with my 2 cousins and i payed 60 euros for eveyone including myself- and we all had appetizers and desserts and wine. it was fun!
L'adresse:
# 30 Rue des Cinq Diamants, 13th arrondissement
# Tel.: 33 (0)1 45 80 70 10
# Metro: Place d'Italie or Corvisart
# Bus: Line 62
# Hours: Mon-Tues, 12 pm-3 pm and 7 pm-12 am; Wed-Sat 12 pm-3 pm and 7 pm-1 am; Sat. 12 pm-4 pm and 7 pm-1 am; Sun. 12 pm-4 pm
Go and check the place out, it is really worth one's while!
luv,
Bar
In Paris, visit the Marais District for the best vintage shops and amazing falafel! So jealous of your trip - have an incredible time!
LONDON:
I won't mention the obvious tourist attractions (and actually I would not recommend many popular suggestions such as Camden and Oxford St...), as you'll know of them already. Although, having said that please do visit lots of museums and galleries; there are some amazing attractions and most operate a free entry scheme. Oh, and check listings for the dates you're here; there are lots of amazing summer events like the open air theatre and free film screenings.
A couple of my favourite things to do in London:
Primrose Hill has a lovely view across London and is wonderful for an evening/weekend stroll. It's situated just above Regent's Park, so you could also have a gorgeous day lazing about in the park (also one of my favourites; all the royal parks are great).
I like to take visitors for a walk from London Bridge all the way down the Southbank. It takes in lots of tourist attractions, such as the Tate Modern, St Pauls and the Globe, and you can finish in Westminster (although it's a bit scummy past the Eye haha). The Southbank generally has some good events going on too, so that's worth a stop. It's a particularly pleasant walk on weekday evenings/nights, after all the workers have dispersed.
To be honest, just walk around and live! The best trips I've taken are when I've just eaten and drunk and relaxed with friends. I imagine that you'll enjoy London more if you don't focus too much on tourist locations and give yourself a chance to explore.
CAMBRIDGE:
Not going to recommend anything in particular, as I've generally spent my time there doing nothing with my friends (the best!). Or going to student events, but I suppose that's not an option. However, if you do want to visit some of the colleges say that you're a prospective student interested in applying and most will let you in for free.
ALSO: remember to get an oyster card; it costs £3 but you can return the card when you leave London. Public transport is much cheaper (but still expensive) when using your oyster.
PARIS:
Just eat a lot!
Hmm, I meant to mention the oyster card for London and not Cambridge, not sure how that migrated down. The oyster card only works in London.
You can totally do one bag for a month...make sure to bring febreze...it will make things go a little further. Also, try All Bar One for a drink...great cocktails and a really nice selection of beers. Have fun!
There's this wonderful bar/restaurant down on the Champs Elysees in Paris. I believe the bar was called unisex, but the restaurant had a different name? Although it was rather expensive (9 euros for a cup of coffee!), it was delicious, and a great spot to people watch!
I'm definitely going to do a post like this soon as well, because on August 25 I'm off to Denmark then London on September 8 for 4 months! Your upcoming Europe trip sounds like a dream and I can't wait to see photos and the outfits you will come up with with your limited luggage space! I will also have the problem of not being able to bring much but it will be for 5 months! Oh dear. I will need all the tips I can get.
Bon voyage!
I like everyones suggestions so far! I hope I will be around when you are in London Rebecca, let me know :)
frills.spills@gmail.com
Hey, I love your blog. At the moment I'm living near London but in the past have lived in Cambridge and have been to the other European destinations you're visiting, but let me just offer a few recommendations regarding London and Cambridge as I know them best ;) Oh, and if you have time, you could get the train from London to Brighton. Takes about an hour and Brighton is looovely, lots of independent shops, little cute boutique-y places, well worth a trip. Claire, UK.
Spitalfields Market (nearest Tube stations: Moorgate or Liverpool Street. There are signs showing you the way to the Market). Open every day except Saturday. My fave day is Friday as it's the 'fashion and art' day. A few good vintage shops to rummage around too near there (Beyond Retro, for instance). Camden Market is a bit too..touristy and 'young' (i.e. teen) for me (I'm 27); I think knowing your blog you might prefer Spitalfields ;)
Borough Market: (nearest Tube: London Bridge. About 3 mins walk from there.) Safe to say, London's busiest and best food market. Thurs, Fri and Sat. It's v busy so have patience and just enjoy the sights and smells ;) Lots of things to taste for free too!
National Portrait Gallery. Nearest tube: Covent Garden or Leicester Square. All London's major galleries are free, and this one focuses on photography. It's my fave gallery of them all. The national portrait prize is on til September there too.
Wandering around the Angel area. Nearest Tube: Angel. Lots of mainstream shops but also lots of kooky little shops around the backstreets. A great place for food is The Breakfast Club.
Stroll along the South Bank too, e.g. from London Bridge to Waterloo. A great view of both sides of the river Thames.
If it's a nice day, sit in one of the parks - London has many. Regent's Park has some lovely architecture around it.
If you have the time, take the bus. Any bus! Just hop on and go up to the top deck; it's a great way to see London and you can just hop on and off when you fancy it. Cheaper than the touristy buses!
Cambridge: lovely, lovely place. Take a punt (i.e. rowing) but if you like, you can pay less buy sharing a canoe with a couple of other people. Get a punter to row FOR you; it's hard otherwise! They can give you a running commentary of the history of where you are.
You can rent a bike too; just look out for the tourist office near King's College. There's a small cafe opposite there too; great view. Market at weekends. The thing with Cambridge is, it's such a walkable place you can cover it in no time. Take your time, watch out for cyclists and just have a wander. You'll stumble upon the street you started on within an hour or less!
A great, inexpensive hotel in a perfect location in Venice is Locanda San Barnaba:
http://www.locanda-sanbarnaba.com/default.htm
wow, that marc jacobs bag is soooooooooooooo cute. those varina flats look so good on people.
in london, hit up the tate modern. you will love it!
ROMA <3
-Go to GIOLITTI for the BEST gelato (by the Trevi Fountain). I recommend the pistachio. Un piccolo pistachio coni con panna! (with whipped cream) It is to die for!
Lots of shopping nearby too!! Zara <3
-Cafe from anywhere really... It is all good. Cappuccino or Cafe Macchiato. (Only get cappuccino for breakfast, it is a tell-tale sign you are a tourist otherwise).
-Must see:
---Sistine Chapel ceiling
---Piazza Navona <3
---St. Peter's
---Pantheon
---Trevi Fountain
Also, a wonderful bakery called Il Forno.
*Correction:
Bakery's name is Il Fornaio, off on side street by Campo de Fiori. (not to be confused with Il Forno IN Campo).
Ricotta Raviolo. <3
My apologies.
You should get a scone from Auntie's Tea Shop and visit the Newnham College gardens when you're in Cambridge if you have time. :)
OH MY GOSH YOU'RE COMING TO CAMBRIDGE!
Teehee, I live there.
You are absolutely going to love it, it's so beautiful in the city centre with all the colleges and pretty old buildings. If you need any suggestions, I'm here to help!
A couple more recommendations to add to your probably long list:
London: Punjab Restaurant near Covent Garden is the BEST Indian food I've ever had, and I've had a lot. The whole Covent Garden area is really nice and full of cute shops.
Florence: The Boboli Gardens are a great place to walk around and have a picnic, it's a huge garden and it's not hard to find a quiet spot.
Oh, and when you're in Paris you must have a macaron! Not only are they lovely, they are delicious.
Have a wonderful time!
Paris - Rue l'Oberkampf is a small street lined with a ton of cool boutiques. Most of them open at 11. I stayed at a hotel nearby; for the metro get off at the Oberkampf stop on lines 5 or 9.
Florence - do NOT go to the club YAB no matter how many people tell you to.. it's a gross skeezy American bar with gross skeezy Italians that grope American girls. Take my word.
Rome - Orto Botanico is a cool botanical garden that used to be part of the Vatican. Tons of palm trees & the bamboo forest is cool. :)
Enjoy! I just got back from my own Euro-trip. Your blog's cool. :)
My favorite vintage shop in paris is Mamz' Elle swing, 35 bis rue du Roi de Sicile, Metro Saint Paul. It is a little shop in le Marais, i think you'd like it!
The Port de Vanves Flea Market in Paris is lovely and the best sushi (and cheapest!) in London can be found at the Japan Centre near Picadilly Circus. The V&A museum in London is great as well for fashion as well as textiles. Brick Lane is full of vintage shops and little clothes stalls on the weekend. Have an amazing trip!
I just returned from Europe! I was there for a month and only brought one suitcase. It was a big one, but it worked. It is definitely hot now, especially in Italy, so I brought a lot of light, silk dresses. However, if you want to go inside any churches in Rome or Florence (as in the Vatican, or other), bring a sweater to cover your shoulders. Your knees may also have to be covered. Its a modesty thing. In Florence, I suggest you go to the "other" side of the Ponte Vecchio (not the side the Duomo is on), and go to the Piazza Michaelangelo and watch the sunset. It is on top of a beautiful, flower covered hill and all of Florence is visible from up there. Lots of people bring food and a bottle of wine and sit around. It was one of my favorite memories from Italy. Also, go to the leather market! lots of very cute purses, wallets, and jackets for super cheap! Word to the wise, try not to eat at the restaurants on main streets that look packed. This goes for cafes too if you want espresso or gelato. They are usually expensive and the food is not good. Try to find smaller places, and the farther away you get from the main piazzas, usually the better and cheaper the food. And don't forget to hit up Zara! There are at least two in both Florence and Rome
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