BARCELONA

WHERE TO STAY

Barcelona is a very special city. The people of this city love a few things: art, food and family. I visited Barcelona with my sister when she was studying abroad. Her friends and I stayed at Hotel Arts Barcelona in a large suite with panoramic views of the city. This hotel is aimed toward a younger crowd which made our stay much more enjoyable. Located within walking distance to the city’s center filled with bars, restaurants and clubs, you cannot find a better hotel to fit all your needs for a trip to Barcelona.

Hotel Arts Barcelona

c/ de la Marina, 19

+34 932 211 000

www.hotelartsbarcelona.com

WHERE TO EAT

The best part about Barcelona is the amazing nightlife. This city is known for partying until the sun rises. Therefore, dinner in Barcelona is usually late and one of my favorite restaurants for late night food is Flash Flash. The kitchen doesn’t close until 1 am and is perfect for an enjoyable dinner before hitting all the bars. I would suggest ordering the tortillas varias con salsa or the platos de carne. It’s the perfect meal before a night of heavy drinking and dancing.

Flash Flash

c/ La Granada del Penedes, 25

+34 932 370 990

www.flashflashtortilleria.com

WHERE TO DRINK

Source: nytimes.com

This bar has been open since 1820 and has seen many famous people through its lifetime. Picasso, Gaudi, Hemingway and Dali all frequented Bar Marsella for its’ alternative atmosphere and cocktails. For an authentic experience at Bar Marsella, you should order absinthe and enjoy the “green fairy”.

Bar Marsella

c/ Sant Pau, 65

+34 934 427 2639

For a more low-key night out, minus the “green fairy”, go to Mamaine in the Born area, which is filled with bars. Locals argue that Mamaine has the best mojitos in all of Barcelona. If mojitos aren’t your poison, I would suggest ordering wine from their extensive wine list or a margarita.

Mamaine

c/ Rec 59

+34 934 427 2639

BERMUDA

WHERE TO STAY

 

Every year my mom’s side of the family rents a house in Bermuda for the summer. Some of my fondest memories are from times in playing in the pink sand beaches in Bermuda with my cousins. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know the island pretty well. Many travel agents and other travel blogs would tell travelers to stay in town or in some of the big name hotels. I however, completely disagree. When traveling to Bermuda, Tucker’s Town is the only area I would suggest staying in because it has the most exquisite beaches on the entire island. The main road in the town is nicknamed Billionaire’s row because moguls such as, Ross Perot, Michael Bloomberg and Silvio Berlusconi own many of the private homes. If you are able to afford it, I would suggest renting a home in Tucker’s Town, but if that isn’t in your budget I would stay at the Tuckers Point Hotel. The hotel is situated on the peninsula with a private beach and golf course. The views from Tuckers Point are breath taking and cannot be compared to any other hotel on the island.

Tuckers Point Hotel

St.George’s Bermuda

+1 441 298 6970

www.tuckerspoint.com

WHERE TO EAT

Since Bermuda is a very special place to my family, a few of my cousins decided to host their weddings in Bermuda at the Fourways Inn. Bermuda is very casual island and Fourways is one of the few fine dining restaurants on the island. I would recommend going to Fourways for an intimate dinner to celebrate a special occasion. The chef, Tommy Poh, won best chef in 2012 in Bermuda for his Maine lobster salad and veal tenderloin.

Fourways Inn

1 Middle Road

+1 441 236 6571

www.fourwaysinn.com

WHERE TO DRINK

Besides the beautiful pink beaches, I love to travel to Bermuda every year for a cocktail called the “Swizzle” and a musician named Ray. Ray is a fifty something old musician who performs nightly a small hole in the wall bar called the Swizzle Inn. This bar is famous for two things, 1. A Swizzle, a cocktail combined of Goslings dark rum and peach juice and 2. Ray, the local talent who can perform any song just as well or sometimes even better than the artist who made that song famous. Every night, Ray sings and plays piano from about ten o’clock to close. I would suggest going on a Wednesday or Thursday night when the bar is filled with locals from Tuckers Town and Blue Hill. Ray loves to play by request so don’t be shy and ask him to sing your favorite song by Billy Joel or the Eagles.

Swizzle Inn

3 Blue Hotel Hill

Baileys Bay CR 04

+1 441 293 4422

www.swizzleinn.com

MONACO

WHERE TO STAY

I fell in love with Monaco the moment I stepped off the plane. I’ve been lucky enough to travel back there many times and have stayed in many different hotels. The Fairmont is by far my favorite because of its location in the heart of the city. The hotel is located next to the famous Monte Carlo Casino and hangs off a cliff that over looks the Mediterranean Sea. The rooftop sundeck and restaurant sets this hotel apart from the many other hotels in the area.  Many hotels in this area do not have pools with ocean views or restaurants located right on the water. This hotel is often underrated compared to the Hotel de Paris and the Metropol that are often referred to as the “best” hotels in Monaco. Instead, I find those hotels to be stuffy and overpriced. For my graduation present, I am traveling back to Monaco this August and I am looking forward to staying at the Fairmont.

Fairmont Monte Carlo

12 Avenue des Spelugues

+377 93 50 65 00

www.fairmont.com/monte-carlo/

WHERE TO EAT

Dining at Le Café de Paris, located in the Hotel de Paris, is an experience you will remember forever. This fine dining restaurant is for celebrating a birthday, anniversary or big accomplishment because it is pricey. For girls, this is an opportunity to wear your cocktail dress that sits in the back of your closet and men are required to wear jackets and ties. Le Café de Paris has panoramic views and retractable roof so guests can dine under the stars. Every time I travel back to Monaco, I cannot leave without having their chocolate soufflé.

Le Café de Paris

Place du Casino

+377 98 06 30 00

www.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com/-Monaco

WHERE TO DRINK

Whether you enjoy to gamble or not, everyone should gamble once in the Casino de Monte-Carlo. This Casino is often shown in movies and is always swarming with celebrities and royalty. So enjoy yourself, order a glass of champagne and pick your game of choice. I guarantee it will be one of your favorite memories from your trip.    

The Casino de Monte-Carlo

Place du Casino

www.casinomontecarlo.com/