european summer: let’s do this
In a decidedly un-lazylike fashion, we’ve been busy planning out the details for our grand summer Euro Tour. With our Seasonal Affective Disorders all sorts of flared up, we need a serious distraction! What better way than to focus all of our time on four months from now when we’ll be holding hands and skipping through Europe?!
After much deliberation, we’ve hammered down our basic itinerary: five countries in fourteen days. So many questions are running through our heads. Can we do it? Will one of us get left behind? And just how much wine shall we consume?
Days 1 & 2
Budapest, Hungary
Photo Credit: Wimdu
As you may recall, Budapest is officially our first stop in Eastern Europe, where apparently the wine is sweet, the castles are old, and baths are communal. Will the romantic convince the wino that the thermal baths are, in fact, completely sanitary and worth a visit? Or will we catch a glimpse of hairy European men swimming unabashedly and be scarred for life? Only time shall tell.
Day 3
Bratislava, Slovakia
Photo Credit: The Art of Slow Travel
From Budapest, we move on to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. We don’t know much about this city, but we do know that we’re staying at the Radisson Blu Carlton, which just seems tops. Old Town and Devin Castle are both on our itinerary, but chances are, we’ll spend most of our time hanging out the windows of our hotel with wine glasses in hand, pretending we’re countesses or duchesses or whatever Slovakian royalty calls themselves these days.
The good news? Our next destination is easily reachable by catamaran! It’s all so exciting.
Days 4 – 10
Vienna, Austria
Photo Credit: Urban Travel Blog
Ahh, yes. The reason for this whole plan. Thanks to Go With Oh, Vienna will be our homebase for the trip. Here, we’ll camp out for a full week in one of the Go With Oh apartments in Vienna’s Inner Stadt. We have a few ideas on what we want to do and see while in Austria, and thus, we’re also currently in the process of drafting our highly-anticipated “Go with Oh” Bucket List. More on this to come, but get your ideas in order, kids. We’re going to need help. Definite daytrips include: castles, wine country, and anywhere Captain von Trapp once set his manly boots.
As always, there is the very real chance that all plans will be scratched in favor of drinking with locals and engaging in shenanigans, like so many other Lazy Travelers trips before this. But you know, the best laid plans and all that.
Days 11 & 12
Prague, Czech Republic
Photo Credit: Four Seasons Prague
Another city that has long been at the top of our list, there was no way we were going anywhere near Eastern Europe and not making it to Prague. Though we’re already assuming that two days won’t be nearly enough, we can’t wait to get a taste of what this city has to offer. And, with one night at the Four Seasons Prague and one night at Hotel Fusion, we’re going to see it from two very different sides.
Days 13 & 14
Goerlitz, Germany
Photo Credit: German Tourism Board
Goerlitz was the last addition to our little trip, but the more we read about the charming German city, the more we’re dying to go. Since it’s super accessible from Prague–only two hours by train–we’re excited to wind down our grand tour in a sleepy little German town right on the border of Poland. In fact, half of Goerlitz is now Zgorzelec…which is just over the bridge in Poland. Meaning we totally lied: we’re doing SIX countries in 14 days.
If we’re not careful, we’re really going to undo all the time we’ve spent convincing you we’re the laid back, go-with-the-flow travelers we always fancied ourselves to be…
Wish us luck. Only four months to go.
xo!
the romantic & the wino
no travel required
We’ve both unofficially given up drinking wine during the week, which means Tuesday is feeling a little bit more like a Friday. Hoping NTR has some curative powers:
Good news, bad news. Unfortunately, our wallets aren’t getting the good news. 2013 Travel Trends: How to Find a Deal Amid Rising Prices
It is never too early to start thinking about retirement! …Right? 10 best international retirement havens
Estonia is on every list, all the time, always. It’s like the world is trying to tell us something. Estonia 2013, maybe? Where to Go in 2013: Editors’ Edition
We’ve been really into castles since our trip to Chillon. Plus, this one has a cool name. Castle Frankenstein in the German Rhineland
We saved the best news for last: we have another travel announcement coming up. And its international! Where do you think The Lazy Travelers are off to next? Tweet us your guess with the hashtag #LTGoesTo… and stay tuned for our big reveal!
Another shot from our weekend beer tour with Urban Oyster: Barcade
If you’re feeling slightly more stalker-ish, check out our Instagrams. We won’t judge. @_theromantic & @_thewino
xo!
the romantic & the wino
no travel required
The first page alone had us booking a one-way ticket. Live the good life on the Amalfi Coast
We can’t explain it, but these photos make us want a beer stein and a soft pretzel. Wandering Freiburg
Speaking of beer… 10 Best Beer Festivals in The World
Hmm. The hubs recently came back from a business trip to Raleigh and was singing its praises. We were doubtful at first, by maybe? Looking for Leisure in High-Tech Raleigh
WE NEED TO GO HERE AND WE NEED TO DO IT NOW. The Viceroy Maldives: The New Kid on the Block of Luxury Resorts
Carrying on with the romantic’s recent foray into places in New York she never knew existed, she can now strongly recommend a visit to the Angel Orensanz Foundation, where she worked an event last night:
xo!
the romantic & the wino
wanderlust cure: new york edition
Though we can’t complain that we’re finally reunited in New York City, there is one minor downside: our wanderlust is bordering on out of control. We can’t help it! It seems like every time we’re together we end up pining over the countless cities where we’d rather be drinking wine and catching bits and pieces of a foreign tongue. Though the majority of New York speaks English (albeit with some interesting accents), we’re lucky that when our desire for cultural submersion reaches its boiling point, we can escape to one of the many multicultural spots right here in our hometown.
The romantic has already explored Paris in New York, but France isn’t the only country nestled inside the island of Manhattan….
Italy = Eataly
To be fair, this place can make a girl want to THROW DOWN–especially right after work or during lunch hours. Be prepared for crowds and certainly no shortage of tourists, and yet we still insist it’s worth the wait for seriously authentic pizza, pasta, and focaccia. We also hear the gelato is pretty stellar, and are promising you here & now that it’s next on our list to try when we’re craving a touch of Roma in our lives.
Runner up: Little Italy. The Feast of San Gennaro just wrapped, and we’ll tell you this much… our one attempt at visiting the feast was NOT a success. Picture this: two college freshman with two Spring Break-style plastic cups full of rum (which, we might add, tasted like gasoline) and zero patience for anyone involved. We would do anything for good pasta, though, so maybe next year?
The Dingle Peninsula with Ryan’s Daughter
When we were leaving Dingle, our B&B host recommended we check out a movie called Ryan’s Daughter that was filmed on the peninsula. Though we have yet to sit down and watch, the romantic & the hubs found a Ryan’s Daughter guaranteed to be up our alley… because they serve beer and free chips. The bartenders all sport Irish accents (even if they’re actually from Kalamazoo, Michigan, true story), and they make an insane version of Baby Guinness shots that involves shaved Kit Kat. Pair that with a big wooden bar and lots of Irish mementos splashed across the walls and we’ve got our second home on the UES.
Ok, so the beer menu might snap you back into America… but it’s all about the ambiance, we swear.
Runner up: Biddy’s Pub. More Irish love, though this time the focus is on Galway. This was more convenient when we lived in the high 80s/low 90s, but it’s still in our hearts as a perfect little Irish escape.
Chinatown
We were recently alerted to Chengdu Pambassador’s 2012 PandaQuest. Though we have yet to visit China, reading all about the opportunity to cuddle up with some of Chengdu’s finest kind of bummed us out. We want to panda snuggle! For now, we’ll settle for dumplings in one of New York’s most flustering neighborhoods. We’ll skip the faux bag selection, though.
Old Bavaria at Heidelberg
Our current hood on the Upper East Side used to be home to a significant German population during the turn of the century. And thus, Heidelberg was born. Bartenders in lederhausen and beer served in boots. There’s schnitzel and schnaps and we’re assuming a sausage or two. This is THE spot if you’re feeling a little wistful for Bavaria.
The London Candy Company
They sell Cadbury everything and dark chocolate version of all your favorites (the hubs is partial to the dark chocolate Kit Kat and I’m feeling like some sort of weirdo for mentioning Kit Kats twice in one post). The employees wear cute little bowler caps and there’s union jack printed on anything that’s not already branded. It’s bright and colorful and the perfect place to find all the airport candy you binged out on at Heathrow before your flight home. …Just us?
Do you SEE the bucket full of mini Cadbury eggs?!
Though nothing really cures your travel lust like hopping on a plane, we can at least look on the bright side and admit that New York has more than a few options when you just need to get away.
You know, without actually getting away.
xo!
the romantic & the wino
no travel required
Well isn’t this just right in our wheelhouse. 10 Places to Have a Tipsy Vacation
We’re making a promise right here and now to try this very soon. Stop Being a Travel Leech! The Benefits of Volunteering Abroad
The wino is dying to go back to Bavaria, especially if it means visiting Neuschwanstein Castle. Germany: The Best of Europe Without the Crowds
I mean…what we can we really say about this except be careful when eating sandwiches? Air Canada Passenger Finds Needle in Sandwich on Flight
Annnnd in honor of this week’s #frifotos theme, #treats, we give you one of the wino’s favorite treats from her weekend in New York:
sunday funday mimosas
xo!
the romantic & the wino
no travel required
We’re assuming we’ll never actually use these tips, but perhaps they will help you? Either way, we strongly recommend reading. Things to know before climbing Kilimanjaro.
This list is also known as: shit we’ve never thought of before. Tips for keeping your suitcase safe
Ahhh, we heard about Dennis Sever’s house but didn’t have time while we were in London! Next time, fo sho. Hidden London: 10 of the city’s lesser known delights
Ugh, ew. McDonald’s Unleashes 45% Bigger Big Macs on Germany
4th Most Peaceful Country: Austria
xo!
the romantic & the wino
no travel required
We have a feeling that when we finally make it to Scandinavia, we’re going to fall in love. Stockholm For Everyone: Four Attractions For All Sorts in Scandinavia’s Capital City
We probably would have enjoyed our 47 field trips to the battlefields in middle & high school a lot more on horseback. Gettysburg on horseback takes riders back in time
CANNOT GET OVER THESE PHOTOS. Postcards from Turkey
Our tip: buy a bottle of wine, find a spot outside with a view, and get drunk instead. Rick Steves: How to avoid long lines in Europe
Our hometown has painted donkeys hiding all over the place! Photo Essay: The Bears of Berlin
xo!
the romantic & the wino
no travel required
Let’s just file this under “things we’d much rather be doing right now.” Frolicking through Barcelona
SOLD. We’ll be packing our things and moving to Bavaria, then. Living In Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Our Impressions
“A husband and wife team quit their jobs in Philadelphia and sold virtually everything they owned to open a tropical bar and guesthouse in Puerto Rico.” Oh, ok. Give us your lives. Five don’t-miss Caribbean beach bars
Truths all around. 7 Common Travel Guide Euphemisms and How To Read Between the Lines
We hope everyone is safe and sound! Vendome On Fire: Paris’ Famous Ritz Hotel Ablaze
xo!
the romantic & the wino
no travel required
Love this video: Germany by Rail Timelapse
The amount of times we’ve wanted to run off and start a B&B is getting embarrassing. I have a lot of questions for Ms. Shelley-Grielen, though. For one: had she never worked in customer service before? Living the Dream of Owning a B&B
UGUGUUGH hot air ballooning over Cappadocia is just my top dream of the moment. 10 of the most beautiful countries in Eastern Europe
Surprise, surprise: our Friday photo of the day comes from the aforementioned post on Eastern Europe. Our wanderlust comes in waves, and lately it’s been seriously focused on Eastern Europe. Can you blame us?:
Enjoy your weekends, loves! We’ll be kicking off Thanksgiving a little early with an Upper East Side celebration tomorrow. If you’re curious how to cook a 20 pound turkey in a Manhattan apartment, so are we. We’ll hopefully have a good experience to report back next week.
WISH US LUCK!
xo!
the romantic & the wino
