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The Best Ever Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide

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I’ve compiled my The Best Ever Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide after our week spent tasting dozens of delicious meals, baked goodies, coffees, and more. Our recent trip to Paris was truly just five incredible days of eating, exploring, and eating some more. The restaurants and cafes listed below are the best of the best we tried during our trip.

Are all of these Paris restaurants really “healthy”?

Though almost none of these spots was traditional “health food” I was able to find divine cuisine that made my body feel great. I don’t know if it’s the ingredients, the energy, or just being on vacation, but I felt amazing after every meal. There were veggies to be found nearly everywhere! And yes, I truly believe that dessert and coffee and indulgent eats are certainly part of a healthy restaurant agenda. It is all about balance, baby.

Every single spot I will mention is affordable, delectable, and had some seriously memorable dishes. Not one of our meals was over $100 (for two people!) and we were able to avoid most of the tourist traps in favor of more locally loved spots. 

What else is on the The Best Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide?

I also share our hotels and one or two favorite activities, but mostly this blog will feature the food that made our stay in Paris so divine. There are dozens of blogs featuring the best sightseeing, museums, and countless things to do, so I’ll let those be your guide. 

OUR FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS

No Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide would be complete without some divine coffee shops. Surely there’s nothing more French than starting your day with a coffee and pastry (I’ll skip the cigarette). And while you can generally do no wrong when it comes to coffee in Paris, these coffee shops were unquestionably the best.

Motors Coffee

Motors Coffee was Evan’s favorite coffee shop during the trip. Their menu is super simple: straightforward coffee drinks and insanely indulgent banana bread. With flavors like Nutella, almond butter, chocolate chip and more, this signature banana bread was an especially unique way to enjoy your morning brew. There is ample outdoor seating to sip your drinks.

Partisan Cafe Artisanal

When you’re looking for the creme de la creme of roasting, look no further than Partisan Cafe. Known as an artisanal roasting workshop and cafe in the heart of Paris, this place was divine. The cafe is spacious with ample seating and some tasty looking pastry options.

BEST BAKERIES IN PARIS

As soon as we arrived in Paris, Evan was on the hunt for the best bakeries in town. We looked for artisanal, handmade, locally sourced ingredients and a strong local following. And boy, did we deliver. We revisited all of these bakeries multiple times, so you could say Evan was undeniably a fan.

I’ve also included a tasty gluten free bakery, with delicious but comparatively less outstanding treats as these traditional gluten-filled spots.

Ten Belles

Ten Belles really deserves to be on the coffee, bakery, and lunch lists. It was possibly my favorite of all the spots on my healthy Paris restaurant guide. This is a sustainable, socially responsible coffee roaster and bakery. Aromas of freshly baked bread and pastries deliver an overall sentiment of “holy shit I want to live here”. Visiting here is basically a religious experience.

I actually jumped for joy at the glorious salad options available between 11am-2pm. You’ll learn that salad can be hard to come by in Paris! Ten Belles menu features quiches, sandwiches, salads, and freshly baked pastries. The coffee is also particularly delicious.

With multiple locations in Paris, Ten Belles is not to be missed.

Mamiche

Mamiche is a neighborhood joint that’s female owned and operated. Serving up divine sourdough, light-as-air croissants, signature babka, beignets, and more, Mamiche is a gluten-eaters dream. There was a line out the door at nearly every hour of the day. The sandwiches are a local favorite for lunch.

Copains

Despite Paris being known for it’s gluten-filled deliciousness, there are a number of gluten free and celiac friendly restaurants and bakeries on the rise. During our previous trip to Paris in 2018 I struggled to find tasty gluten free breads and baked goods, but Copains was a welcome find during this visit.

While Evan can confirm these did not hold a candle to his traditional baked good favorites in Paris, Copains 100% gluten free bakery was nevertheless a fun treat for me. Copains offers both sweet and savory options.

La Pattisserie Cyril Lignac 

Last on our list is La Patisserie Cyril Lignanc for quintessential french fine baking. Cyril Lignac is a storied chef and restauranteur in Paris, with numerous locations of restaurant concepts and bakery locations. If you’re looking for high end and expertly crafted patisserie, look no further.

BREAKFAST IN PARIS

Traditional French cuisine feels markedly lacking in the breakfast department. Given Evan’s especially strong love of a hearty, savory breakfast, I love finding these non-traditional options. Most of the best breakfast spots you’ll discover are American or Australian restaurant concepts.

Immersion Paris

We discovered Immersion after a tough workout at R2 Training (which I share more about below!). This was the perfect healthy, hearty, breakfast spot following a killer workout. Immersion has a classic, chic brunch vibe and an array of delicious breakfast options. It’s definitely got an Aussie/California slant which you know I am living for. With three locations in Paris, you can’t go wrong!

Wild & The Moon

We discovered Wild & The Moon during our first trip to Paris in 2018 and loved it. All vegan, mostly gluten free, insanely healthy and decidedly delirious, this is the perfect antidote to all the rich, decadent classical Parisian food. Grab a superfood oatmeal, fresh pressed juice or smoothie, or pop in for a lunch bowl with veggies galore. I adore their desserts as well!

LouLou Paris

Another favorite Aussie inspired breakfast spot is LouLou. With many a gluten free option to be had, along with veggie forward breakfasts and some delicious looking treats, this is a lovely spot to start your day. Hot tip: there’s a few LouLou restaurants in town so make sure you’re checking that it’s the brunch spot.

LUNCH

Parisian lunches vary from quick takeaway to incredible three course meals. I’ve included some of our favorite lunch finds below to round out our Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide. I also recommend Ten Belles for salads and sandwiches (from the bakery section above!).

Miznon

Miznon is the Israeli street food of my dreams! With so many veggie options (the cauliflower! the ratatouille!) and heavenly pita sandwiches, you really can’t go wrong here. Just next door is the very famous, and very hyped, L’As Du Falafel, but I think Miznon is far superior in quality, taste, and price.

Recoin

We enjoyed a divine three course lunch at Recoin. Served in a quaint dining room with a neighborhood feel, the food is elevated French without being overly rich. The lunch menu rotates daily, but they are known for their blini dishes. I hear the dinner is delicious as well.

Paloma

Paloma is known for its inventive French take on Spanish Tapas and a killer lunch deal. Female owned and run, this spot may be a little off the beaten path but absolutely worth the extra few minutes on the metro. Open for both lunch and dinner.

Mokonuts

Mokonuts is an insanely popular lunch spot known for decadent pastries and light bites. While they were fully booked while we were there, I am absolutely putting this on our bucket list for our next Paris adventure. Pop by for a pastry even if they are booked up for lunch!

DINNER

Last on the list of epic restaurants is the penultimate meal of the day: dinner! First and foremost, I’m looking for delicious food. Next on the criteria list has to be top notch atmosphere. Whether it’s a cozy dining room, a bustling bar, or a perfect street side sunset spot, I want a beautfiul place to enjoy a divine meal.

Kubri

Kubri was so delicious we ended up eating here twice during our stay. Serving up inventive, perfectly seasoned Lebanese food with a French twist, Kubri is a revelation. Every item we ordered was incredible. We enjoyed sitting at the bar watching the kitchen prepare the gorgeous dishes as they went out. Our favorite dishes included the octopus hummus, beef kafta, burrata, chicken entree, and roasted cabbage.

CUISINE 

Cuisine came highly recommended by our French family (who happen to be in the restaurant industry) so I had high hopes. And our expectations were blown out of the water! The ingredients are locally sourced, from organic and sustainable farms, with every wine either biodynamic or organic.

Every course was truly so unique, perfectly seasoned, locally sourced and absolutely perfect. We sat outside watching the sunset and it was a magical, romantic evening. The menu is seasonal and rotating.

Chez Janou

Chez Janou is a quintessential French restaurant. The dining room is absolutely packed to the brim, with just inches between tables that just adds the charm of this restaurant. I highly recommend sitting in the bar area or outside just for some elbow room. We really enjoyed the tuna entree and of course the epic chocolate mousse that is served out of an enormous vat of chocolate goodness.

Le Coeur du Liban

If you’re in the market for a casual dinner, check out the unassuming Coeur de Liban. We loved classic take on Lebanese food at a killer price. You can dine in with an expanded menu, seated in the cozy upstairs dining area. Or grab your meal to go and sit along the Canal just around the corner and watch the sparkling lights on the river.

Cafe les deux gares 

This last restaurant was highly recommended to us as classic French spot with lovely ambiance. Serving up simple French fare that’s done very well.

DESSERT

Undoubtedly my favorite part of the day is finding my perfect treat. So, of course there is a dessert section of my Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide. There is no shortage of delicious sugary goodness to be found in Paris. All of the bakeries listed above have amazing dessert options, but if you’re looking for incredible gelato check out the two options below.

Folderol

Folderol is a neighborhood institution dishing up homemade artisanal ice cream and an extensive selection of natural wines. There is no shortage of amazing wine to be had, with friendly and knowledgable bartenders to guide you on your wine journey. And of course you can’t skip the amazing ice cream that’s beloved by the likes of Dua Lipa.

Glace Bachir

Last on our list is Glace Bachir. This is the perfect sweet treat after a dinner at CUISINE, serving up Lebanese ice cream. They are famous for pistachio crusted gelato that is creamy, sweet, salty, crunchy, perfection.

WHERE WE STAYED

While my Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide is of course focused on restaurants, I wanted to share our hotels because we loved both! We embraced credit card points so we could stay at no cost, hence the two hotels for a five night stay. But both were awesome options in great locations, so I’m not mad.

Maison Albar Hotels Pont Neuf

Our first hotel during our stay was Maison Albar Hotels Pont Neuf. Situated a 3-4 minute walk to both the Les Halles and Chatelet metro lines which made it super convenient for exploring the entire city as well. And it was even walkable to Notre Dame, Les Halles, and the Lourve, this was seriously a killer location.

The rooms were spacious and well appointed, which can be very hard to come by in France. Even just finding a king size bed can be a serious challenge. And very importantly, it had air conditioning during the heat wave of all heat waves!

By far my favorite amenity of this hotel was the indoor pool and spa. During our stay, we had scorching hot weather. Mid 90’s ever day and I was ROASTING. So we escaped the heat midday with 2-3 hours of lounge time by the pool with our books. It was truly divine!

I would absolutely stay here again.

Charles V

For the last two days of our stay, we checked into Charles V in the Marais. This was more of a boutique hotel feel, with smaller rooms, simpler amenities, but an amazing location. I would say this hotel was a bit more classic French, with tight quarters in the rooms (albeit very comfortable bed and linens). There was a petite gym with a treadmill and bike if you were dying to get your sweat on. But the real highlight was the hammam spa.

Charles V was right in the heart of the Marais, but still quiet and cozy at night as it’s situated on a side street. The staff was very friendly and accommodating as well.

If I had to choose between the two hotels, I’d definitely suggest staying at Maison Albar as it was a bit more modern, spacious, and the spa and pool were a divine perk.

Favorite Activities (aside from eating)

There are countless opportunities for sightseeing, museums to visit, tours, and activities. Instead of listing our favorite sights, I wanted to share two fun and unusual activities we really enjoyed.

R2 Training

Evan and I are those people on vacation who undoubtedly need to find a workout. It makes me feel so much butter to get some stretching, strength training, and cardio a few times a week. I swear it makes me more patient, laid back, and I can really enjoy a day of wandering the streets of a new city.

Even more so, a good workout enables me to better digest all the delicious, indulgent, food that our adventures have to offer.

We discovered R2 Training, a Crossfit gym that hosts nearly a dozen classes a day featuring Crossfit, HIIT workouts, yoga, and more. We did a drop in for a class, with Evan taking a Crossfit class and I took athe HIIT option. It absolutely kicked my ass in the best way!

Later in the trip we popped in for open gym hours, where you’re able to utilize the spacious gym for whatever workout your heart may desire.

While it’s certainly not cheap, for 30 euros each we had a dream gym for almost two hours of a nice slow warmup, getting our sweat on, and a leisurely stretch.

With two locations, you can find what works best for you. I personally preferred the R2 Bastille location, but the R2 Vendome is even bigger and hosts more equipment options.

Seine River Tour at Night 

Given the heat, we did a lot of our sightseeing early in the morning or in the evening. After a long day in the 90+ degree weather, hopping on a 9:30pm boat ride and cruising along the river was divine. We were able to get some good snippets of history and information along the tour. The boat projects a guided tour in four languages along the route. Though, I do wish we could have gotten some more in-depth information with an all English tour.

There are many a night boat tour option along the river. Some have full seated dinners, others are more of a club vibe, while some are smaller and more laid back. We went with Bateau Parisiens for around 30 euros each and really enjoyed it!

And that’s a wrap on my Healthy Paris Restaurant Guide!

I hope you enjoy all these delicious eats and have an amazing time on your next Paris adventure.

Check out some of my other favorite restaurant and travel guides:

Best Gluten Free Pizza San Diego 

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I am a gluten free girl who loves her pizza. Like, I really really love my cheese covered carbs. So I put together a list of the best gluten free pizza in San Diego. I’ll share pizza spots with gorgeous ambiance, pies for a crowd, the best artisanal toppings, as well as great takeout spots that will undoubtedly satisfy your pizza cravings. 

How I chose our winners

Before we begin, I figured I should share my criteria. When I’m evaluating the best gluten free pizza, I’m looking for a crust that is chewy but won’t break your jaw, flavorful, and never soggy. Some crusts lean more towards thin and crispy, some are thicker and chewier, but all are Belinda approved. Additionally, we’re looking for delicious toppings that range from classic to mind-blowing. 

Best of all, since my gluten-eating husband can test out the regular pies these are restaurants for everyone. So, you can certainly bring your gluten friendly friends to these spots and they will enjoy their dinners too!

Best Date Night Spots 

First on our list, we have the best gluten free pizza in San Diego for a date night. Above all, think mood lighting, lively atmosphere, and some tasty appetizers and drinks to go with your pies. 

Tribute Pizza 

Located in the hip neighborhood of North Park, Tribute Pizza is without a doubt one of my all time favorite date night spots. It’s a bustling restaurant for a fun night on the town. Their crust is salty, chewy, and has perfectly crisp edges. I love the creative toppings as well! Even better, the salads and appetizers are incredible. And to round it all up, they have inventive cocktails and ample beer and wine options.

Buona Forchetta

With five locations in San Diego, Buona Forchetta is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in town. This gluten free pizza is the closest texture to the real thing, with a thick and chewy crust that you’ll love even if you’re not gluten free. I am a huge fan of the cozy Italian feel of this restaurant. You’ll find nearly every waiter has an Italian accent and all the wines are imported Italian.

URBN Pizza

Featuring a new-haven style thin crust pizza as well as craft wine, beers, and cocktails, URBN is another fun option for your next date night. With six locations in San Diego, they’ve got their vibe dialed.

I’m partial to the North Park and One Paseo locations, and enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the pies being made. Hot tip: the coal fired wings are delicious as an appetizer. Lastly, this gluten free pizza doesn’t reheat well, so eating at the restaurant when it’s hot out the oven is the best option.

Casual pizza joints

Next on our list are great casual spots when you’re sandy from a beach day or rolling up after a sweaty workout. Think quick, easy, and delicious!

Best Pizza and Brew

Boasting a plethora of locations, Best Pizza is a perfect quick bite on a hot summer day. They have regular pizza by the slice (perfect for a big group!) and a nice 12 inch gluten free crust option that’s thin with good chew. I love the buffalo chicken and pesto ricotta pepperoni pies.

Corner Pizza

I recently discovered Corner Pizza and was immediately a big fan. With creative, artisanal toppings and fun appetizers like oysters and delicious salads, this is basically everything I want in a pizza joint. I dig the outdoor picnic tables and laidback atmosphere that makes it an overall easy and approachable vibe. Corner pizza has locations in Oceanside and Leucadia.

Best takeout

Next on our list are great takeout spots for a beach picnic or lazy night at home. While they may be low in ambiance, the pies are nevertheless pretty dang great.

East Coast Pizza

East Coast Pizza is a community staple in Cardiff. Friday nights are particularly lively in the outdoor courtyard at the Seaside shopping center. This is another spot known for their pies by the slice, but you’ll need to order a whole gluten free pizza. I love the large 14″ gluten free pies and straightforward menu. Don’t sleep on the $2 soft serve that will bring you immediately back to childhood.

Leucadia Pizza

Leucadia Pizza is another San Diego staple that my family has been ordering from for 20+ years. Featuring a delicious 14″ gluten free thin crust, this is a great spot when you’re ordering for a crowd. We love the Thai chicken pizza (so unique!) as well as the five cheese. It’s the down home, get your grub on type of pizza you’d want for a tailgate.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a round up on the best gluten free pizza in San Diego. Am I missing any of your favorites? Comment them below!

Check out some of my other favorite restaurant and travel guides:

Best Ever Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide

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Evan and I love traveling to Santa Barbara. After a few trips, I’ve compiled an epic list of all the best coffee shops, restaurants, dessert spots, and more! So as my gift to you, I present The Best Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide!

COFFEE

First up to start any Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide (and day) is COFFEE. Evan is an avid coffee drinker and I am an avid lover of good coffee shop ambiance, so we make a good team.

Dart Coffee

This is Evan’s favorite coffee shop in my Best Ever Santa Barbara Guide. We love the artisanal roastery, with adorable indoor ambiance and a lovely outdoor courtyard seating. The vibes are right. Located in the Funk Zone, this is perfect for a cup of joe before Helena Ave Bakery (in the breakfast section). Or you can peruse Mollusk Surf Shop afterwards, which is our favorite shopping in town and right next door.

Dune Coffee Roasters

Dune Coffee boasts four locations in Santa Barbara and some glorious home roasted beans. This hip coffee shop certainly smells amazing and has some serious baked goods. While I couldn’t partake, the croissants looked insanely flakey and decadent. Their gluten free chocolate chip cookies are supposedly pretty dope too.

Caje

Last up on the coffee tour is Caje coffee Roasters. With bright and colorful, plant-filled interiors, this is above all a perfectly instagrammable spot (a necessity for any Best Ever Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide). We dug the vibes and decadently good coffee as well. The homemade almond milk is stuff of legends!

BREAKFAST AND BAKERTIES

Vacation Evan LIVES for breakfast out on the town. It’s truly a delight to watch this man’s joy finding the most delicious food in the perfect ambiance. So, you can all thank Evan for this glorious chapter of The Best Ever Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide.

Helena Ave Bakery

This has become our go to breakfast spot whenever we’re in town. The garden courtyard feel gives this place the perfect Santa Barbara ambiance. It’s also attached to the Santa Barbara Wine Collective. So you can swing by in the early afternoon for lunch and maybe a little wine tasting if you’re feeling wild. 

If you need some ideas of what to order, we love the Santa Barbara Farmers’ Market Bowl, Breakfast Sandwich, gluten free brownie, and Evan loves the scones. To sum it up, everything is incredible.

Jeannine’s

Another Santa Barbara staple, Jeannine’s has really taken over town with four locations and some seriously good eats. I love the ambiance of the Uptown location, but I’m sure you can’t go wrong with any of them. Jeannine’s is known for their griddle eats, equally decadent pancakes and french toast galore, as well as the benedicts, but I’m partial to the omelets. 

Lark

Last on the breakfast list is Lark, a farm to table restaurant. Lark serves up locally sourced brunch on the weekends and incredible dinner too. If you’re looking for a late brunch with the gang with seriously flavorful cuisine, check out Lark for Saturday & Sunday brunch. After you fall in love with brunch, come back for dinner and enjoy.

Lilac Patisserie

Lilac Patisserie is an all gluten free shop specializing in artisanal cakes and french cafe feels. Whether you’re swinging in for a cappuccino and sweet treat, or enjoying an artisanal breakfast or lunch, this place is chic as can be. A word to the wise: it is a bit pricey for simple breakfast, so don’t be shocked at a $17 egg plate. 

Oat Bakery

I stopped in at Oat Bakery to pick up some bread for a home cooked brunch. Imagine my surprise when they also had gluten free loaves! We picked up a regular jalapeno corn loaf for the gluten eaters, and a gluten free sage garlic for me. The bread was delicious toasted, though it only lasted about a day and a half, so eat it fast babes.

LUNCH

Following a glorious breakfast and maybe a walk on the beach, what else is there to do but tuck in to a delicious casual lunch?

Panino

Serving up some seriously delicious sandwiches on bread that had Evan raving, Panino is my favorite lunch spot. I am obsessed with their California Cobb salad and went three times in one week to get it. So, don’t sleep on this spot. Panino has six locations across southern California.

South Coast Deli

Before you dismiss the lack of ambiance at most South Coast Deli locations, give this spot a chance. We love picking up salads here and heading down to Butterfly Beach for a dog friendly picnic. The sandwiches and salads here are HUGE. You can enjoy a massive salad for a great price, or split it between two people.

Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach

After a stroll along this dog friendly beach, pop into Boathouse at Hendry’s for lunch with a view. Boathouse specializes in coastal California vibes, with great salads and seemingly unlimited fresh seafood options. They’re also open for breakfast, dinner, and happy hour, so your options are endless.

DINNER

Please don’t forget to save room for dinner! There are some absolutely glorious dinner spots in Santa Barbara. From casual BBQ to garden Mediterranean, I have some delicious options for you to round out The Best Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide.

Bettina

After seeing What’s Gaby Cooking stop in here during her Santa Barbara trip, you could say I was officially influenced. The vibe: light and bright, styled in chic pinks and earthy greens, artisanal California Italian fusion with bomb cocktails and an impressive wine list. The gluten free pizza was so insanely good, I’m actually drooling just thinking about it now. 

Shalhoob’s Meat Market

Next on our list is a casual spot that’s perfect for a hungry crowd looking for serious eats without the frills. Shalhoob’s has been a neighborhood meat market and supplier in the area for over 40 years, and serves up epic BBQ. I was pleasantly surprised by the tasty salad and veggie sides as well. The cocktail, wine, and beer list were also very impressive.

Bibi Ji

While Bibi Ji may not look particularly eye-catching from the streetfront facade on State Street, don’t let looks deceive you. Once you step inside, you’re met with dark woods, an impressive wall of wine, and gloriously good Indian food. It is a bit pricey, but the quality is fantastic. I would love to go again with a group so I could order an ever wider array of the menu.

Zaytoon

If you’re looking for a gorgeous outdoor dining experience with hearty Labenese eats and fresh ingredients, look no further than Zaytoon. Ivy and bougainvillea coat the walls of this fountain-filled courtyard, with lots of cozy sections that make this spacious restaurant feel cozy and intimate.

Zaytoon is another spot that would be great for a group so you can sample more of the divine options. Bonus: the wine pours are generous.

Jane

Jane came highly recommended, dishing out artisanal fare in a laid back, chic atmosphere. Family owned and operated, this is a cute spot for a date night with real California vibes. 

Loquita

The last dinner spot on our Best Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide is Loquita. I haven’t actually eaten here but I received probably 100 messages saying people loved this spot. It definitely has a gorgeous atmosphere and is crowded every single time we walk by, so they must be doing something right.

Well my friends, that is a wrap on The Best Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide!

Before you go, make sure to check out my other travel guides featuring delicious eats around the globe:

Oahu Travel Guide

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Evan and I love traveling together, and Oahu has to be one of our most visited locales. Oahu is Hawaii’s most populous island, and indeed, is a pretty perfect representation of paradise. Oahu is home to the state capital of Honolulu, the famous Waikiki beach, and Pearl Harbor.

With insanely beautiful beaches, incredible hiking, out of this world food, and some gorgeous hotels and AirBnB’s, you certainly can’t go wrong on this gorgeous island. I finally made this Oahu Travel Guide to share my favorite restaurants, hotels, hikes, beaches, and tips for an incredible stay on Oahu, Hawaii.

Where to stay in Oahu

I love to stay off the beaten path and avoid downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. During my tropical vacations, I prefer to steer clear of anything too crowded, bustling, or noisy. I especially enjoy long hikes, keep my feet in the sand, and discover beaches in the middle of nowhere. That means I definitely don’t want the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. But if it’s your thing, you do you, boo boo!

We’ve stayed in a few different areas of this beautiful island. Here’s a breakdown of each:

The North Shore

The North Shore of Oahu is known for legendary surf (Bonzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach have long been home to big wave surfing), incredible hiking, and down to earth vibes. First and foremost, I love the food on this side of the island. With an abundance of health-food spots, farm to table eats, and some epic food truck options, you really can’t go wrong on the culinary front. The main “downtown” area is known as Haleiwa and has a lovely country-style feel.

Where to Stay on the North Shore

Turtle Bay Resort is an absolutely gorgeous resort, the only one of its kind on the North Shore. Certainly off the beaten path, this luxury spot avoids the madness of the crowds in Waikiki. Newly remodeled, this resort is truly amazing, adding modern luxury, incredible views, and more pool space for the perfect relaxing vacation.

Although certainly a bit of a splurge, this resort does feel worth every penny. The food, service, amenities, and experience all live up to the hype. Plus, it is close to Kahuku which is a great local area for delicious organic food grown right on the island. Basically, this is my dream hotel and I could stay here forever.

Ko Olina

Ko Olina encompasses 642 acres with sweeping ocean and mountain views and a string of jewel-like lagoons connected by more than a mile and a half of seaside pathways. It’s on the west side of the island about 45 minutes north of Waikiki. The resort area borders the north with the pristine nature preserve of Lanikuhonua and to the south by four lovely beach coves. This space is certainly geared towards resort-life. Yet the developers did a nice job of keeping the hotels spacious and the lagoons expansive so you generally don’t feel too crowded.

Where to Stay in Ko Olina

Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina is the ultimate luxury experience. The adult pool is accordingly the epitome of upscale resort relaxation. Equally incredible, the food options are plentiful. Despite a big price tag, we have enjoyed every meal we’ve indulged in at the Four Seasons. Additionally, our friends that have stayed here raved about the experience.

Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club is a great balance of relaxed luxury and family friendly, especially if you’re traveling with family or kids. We love doing lagoon walks every day, and enjoy how many great restaurants are within 1 mile of walking. After staying in a few different spots, I’d conclude that this has more of a family resort feel. We have the joy of staying here with my husband’s family who are members.

Where to Eat in Oahu

You can bet your cute behinds that we are always eating good wherever we go! Finally, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of my favorite restaurants on the island.

The best food in Haleiwa

Sunrise Shack

Before you scoff at the idea of a shack in the middle on a field having the best coffee in town, check this out. A quintessential north shore coffee and smoothie spot, Sunrise Shack features ingredients grown on the farm attached to their original location.

The atmosphere is perfection – in the middle of a plumeria field, across the street from one of the most famous surf breaks in the world, really feels like a shack but make the best coffee and smoothies They have multiple locations throughout Oahu.

Beet Box Cafe

Beet Box Cafe is another healthy option for breakfast and lunch. Indeed, this vegetarian cafe is one of our go-to spots for getting our veggies on. Save room for their vegan and gluten free daily baked goods!

Favorite orders: healthy plate of food, any of the burritos, green smoothie bowl, breakfast sandwich 

Farm to Barn

Nestled in an open farm, Farm to Barn is a farm to table restaurant that serves up hearty fare that’s heavy on the locally sourced ingredients. I love the big portions and ample options for every dietary preference. After this meal, everyone leaves with a happy belly.

What to order: breakfast burrito, harvest bowl, nourish bowl

Waialua Bakery & Juice Bar

This may arguably be my favorite lunch spot in all of Hawaii. It is a family owned, cash only bakery that serves up some fo the most incredible sandwiches and salads you’ll have. Surprisingly, it is also very affordable!

Our favorite orders: Pesto chicken sandwich, roasted veggie salad, veggie burger salad, gluten free monster cookie

Kaimana Shave Ice

Whenever we are in Hawaii, we have to indulge in some classic island shave ice. However, organic shave ice is decidedly hard to come by. Most are chock full of high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. This spot is organic, homemade, and insanely tasty.

My favorite flavors are mango, guava, and pineapple. Evan loves to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on his shave ice.

My favorite eats in Kahuku

Kahuku is is a small island town found on Oahu’s northeastern coast (right along the northern tip). Nestled between Laie and Turtle Bay, there are gorgeous beaches, spots for hiking and fishing, art galleries, and shrimp trucks.

Raised by the waves

During our stay at Turtle Bay, we hit up Raised By The Waves nearly every day. This woman-owned, vegan spot has incredible smoothies, salads, bowls, and sandwiches. Every item will have you feeling even more like an island goddess than you already do!

My favorite items: Ragamuffin smoothie, Aloha Bowl, Avocado Toast

Seven Brothers

Seven Brothers is a family owned and run burger joint that serves up some seriously delicious grub. Before you write off this place for being too simple, they also serve vegan burgers, ahi, shrimp, and salads. There is truly something for everyone. With Multiple locations throughout Oahu, you must try this delicious spot!

Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp

Shrimp trucks are a North Shore specialty, and definitely worth a visit during your visit. There are dozens of great options all over the North Shore. A little secret: you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

Featuring simple plate lunch style fare, you’ll get a healthy serving of shrimp, a scoop of white rice, and a slice of pineapple. After a long hike, it really can’t be beat as your meal of choice. Although there is zero ambiance, the food is hearty and delicious.

Tasty options include spicy garlic shrimp, lemon pepper shrimp

The Country Eatery & Juicery

Another delicious option is The Country Eatery. Enjoy a variety of house made and delicious options from this Kahuku Mill staple. Sample organic cold pressed juices, blended beverages, parfaits, and treats. Or, order up a wrap, salads, simple breakfast sandwiches and burrito options. Their coffee is delicious too!

My favorite food in Ko Olina and Kapolei

Island Vintage Coffee

This coffee spot has surprisingly good food and very solid coffee. They have multiple locations all over Oahu, you have more than enough opportunity to try this spot during your stay.

Delicious options include the breakfast plate, iced latte, and poke bowl

Longhi’s

While many resort restaurants aren’t worth the price tag, I’d argue that Longhi’s is worth a visit. Definitely a splurge option, but I’ve never been disappointed with the meals here.

Great orders: egg white omelette, any fish special, seared ahi, Mac nut island style fish 

Roy’s

Roy’s is arguably one of the most famous Hawaiian restaurant chains. Started by Roy Yamaguchi, this island fresh concept has delicious food with correspondingly divine ambiance. There are multiple locations across the Hawaiian islands and even in the continental United States. I have been consistently impressed with the quality of the servers and staff as well. We really can never go wrong here.

 House favorites: Butter fish, seared ahi, ribs

Sakura Sushi

Before you write this place off for the odd location in a shopping center, give Sakura Sushi a shot. Enjoy divine sashimi and creative rolls at a reasonable price. This is surprisingly great option if you’re tired of dropping serious dime at resort restaurants.

Typical orders: Bluefin and salmon sashimi, sakura 3 in 1 roll, ninja roll

Workout ideas while on Oahu

I am definitely someone who loves to stay active on vacation. And there is surely no easier place to enjoy some gorgeous views than Oahu.

Hiking in Oahu

  • Pink pillbox hike
  • Waimano falls trail
  • Manana ridge trail
  • Pupukea-Paumalu trail
  • Kammieland trail
  • Kokohead

Other exercise options

Walking or running trails – Ko Olina lagoon trail, north shore bike trail

Swim in the ocean while you’re in Hawaii. Though, you should be warned that when the swell is pumping, or the riptides are strong you should be careful if you’re not comfortable in the water.

CorePower Yoga serves up consistently great classes in a hot atmosphere that always puts me in a good headspace. Classes are pricey at around $30 per visit, so I’d suggest using ClassPass. Using ClassPass allows you to flow for about half the price.  There are multiple locations across Oahu. 

Last tips for this Oahu Travel Guide

  • Respect the land, the people, and be kind.
  • Tip well, shop local, support small local restaurants
  • Be patient – we’re on Island time here so nothing is a rush 
  • Always pick up your trash
  • Use reef safe sunscreen
  • Only park where it’s legally allowed
  • Remember you are visiting a beautiful native land to millions, not your personal waterpark 
  • Don’t instagram pictures at locations where there are signs asking you not to. We’ve been to multiple beaches and hikes that ask visitors to kindly keep the locations off social media, so respect the local wishes 

If you want to check out more of my travel guides, click the links below!

14 Day Italy Honeymoon Itinerary

Our California Roadtrip Honeymoon

Edna Valley Getaway Guide

Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary

Absolutely Epic 14 Day Italy Honeymoon Itinerary

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In this list you’ll find my favorite cities, hotels, restaurants, and activities to make your trip to Italy absolutely divine. From Lake Como to Lake Lugano and finally Positano, I have an Absolutely Epic 14 Day Italy honeymoon itinerary for you all. 

If any of you followed along on my Instagram stories, you know we had the time of our lives on our honeymoon. After waiting an extra year to celebrate our wedding like we always dreamed (thanks covid), we finally had our dream wedding and dream honeymoon. 

Since I love you all so much, I’m detailing every stop, our favorite locations, incredible restaurants, and more. Best of all, I’ll share some hot tips to avoid some of the travel headaches that none of us want. So follow along on my absolutely Epic 14 Day Italy Honeymoon Itinerary and enjoy!

How to read my Italy Honeymoon Itinerary

First, I’ll share our itinerary and how we traveled from place to place. Evan and I are not big resort people, and wanted to explore every nook and cranny of our cities, so there are lots of great stops for you in every location. 

Second, I will break down each stop: Lake Como, Lake Lugano, and Positano. From the gorgeous hotels we stayed in (plus some other great ones in similar locations), to our favorite restaurants, fun activities, and the best ways to get around towns, I got you covered babes. 

Next, I share our experience traveling during covid. Now, I’m writing this in October of 2021, and travel restrictions vary by country constantly. So please, do your research! Every country has different regulations and restrictions and you had best know them like the back of your hand before traveling. 

Last but not least, I’ll sum it all up with the hot tips for making your Italy trip the best vacation you could possibly imagine. 

A little note

We booked this Italy vacation to truly indulge in epic hotels, fantastic food, and ease-filled traveling. You can definitely find more affordable hotels, simpler restaurants, and cheaper modes of getting between towns – all of which I will share! 

Our Italy Honeymoon Itinerary 

  • Day 1: Fly to Italy, arrive on Day 2
  • Day 2 – 6: Lake Como 
  • Travel day 6: take taxi to Lake Lugano 
  • Day 6 – 9: Lake Lugano (staying on the Italian side of the lake)
  • Travel day 9: take bus to Lugano, then train to Milan 
  • Day 9: Milan 
  • Travel day 10: plane from Milan to Rome, train from Rome to Naples, private car from Naples to Positano
  • Day 10 – 14: Positano 
  • Travel day 14: private car from Positano to Naples, train from Naples to Rome 
  • Day 14: Rome 
  • Day 15: fly home 

Some travel tips getting around in each town 

We had quite a few travel days between locations, some quicker than others. One thing I wish we had done was more research on public transport between locations. After we arrived at the hotel, we learned there was a bus directly to our second hotel, and could have saved $100 on a taxi. The bus system in Italy and Switzerland is pretty incredible, and easily searchable on the google maps app on your phone. 

Lake Como:

The boat and ferry systems are definitely the fastest way to get around town, especially while crossing the lake. Tickets vary from about $6 to $26 each way, depending on how far along the lake you are traveling. There is also a bus system, which takes just slightly longer than most of the boats but is quite affordable. 

Luxury Holiday Guide to Lake Como 2021/2022 , Italy | Black Tomato

Lake Lugano:

We stayed on the Italian side of the lake in a small town called Cima. There was not a lot happening around our location outside of our gorgeous resort, but there was a bus that can take you along the lake all the way into Switzerland in just about 25 minutes, for about $3 each. If you do make it into Switzerland, there is a fantastic bus and train system throughout the region that is dramatically cheaper than taxis. 

Positano:

As Positano is a very small town, we walked everywhere. Prepare yourself to do some serious climbing if you’ll be walking around, though. We averaged 100 flights of stairs a day in vertical gains. Get between towns on the Amalfi coast, there are both ferries and a bus system connecting the towns. I highly suggest taking the public transport rather than renting a car. The roads are insanely narrow and windy and would have given me a heart attack to drive along. Additionally, there is virtually no parking available in Positano. 

Heygo - Amalfi Coast - Morning relaxing walk in Positano
Scenic Positano

Traveling from North to South Italy: 

We had quite a hellish day with a flight cancellation from Milan to Rome. Looking back, I wish we had instead taken the train from Milan (or Lugano) to Naples. It is a bit pricey and does take longer than a flight. But, you will not have the uncertainty of flight delays and cancellations, along with a scenic ride along the way and an easier mode of travel. 

Another thought, traveling across Italy does take time. If you instead focus your itinerary on closer towns, you won’t lose a day traveling like we did. All told, I’m so glad we did do both Northern and Southern Italy though. 

Final thought on our Itinerary

Last thought for you: I did not love Milan as a city. If I were to do it again, I’d skip it all together and instead go straight from Lake Lugano to Positano, and give myself two whole days in Rome on the back end of the trip.

Next up, I’ll break down each town, hotels, restaurants, and activity ideas. 

10 Best Things To See and Do In Milan (Italy)

Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como is a gorgeous lake in the mountains of northern Italy, just about an hour north of Milan (depending on where on the lake you are staying). 

How to get to Lake Como from Milan

We took a black car booked though Blacklane to get to our hotel in Menaggio. If you are staying in the town of Como or somewhere south on the lake, the train from the Milan airport will definitely be your most affordable option. From Como, you can take the ferry to any of the towns along the lake. 

Our hotel in Lake Como 

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Victoria in the town of Menaggio. This was hands down my favorite hotel of our whole trip. Built right on the lake, the Grand Hotel Victoria has both old world detail and modern building with every creature comfort you could imagine. Our room was modern and spacious while still being cozy, with a gorgeous view of both the lake and city. 

The Grand Hotel Victoria boasted the most incredible spa with two saunas, two steam rooms, and jacuzzi, enormous heated pool, multiple aromatherapy showers, and multiple lounge areas. We spent at least two hours here each day (partly because of the rainy weather we got!) and it felt so luxurious. I also loved that you did not need a spa treatment to get access to the spa area. 

Favorite Amenities of our hotel

I’m definitely someone who likes working out on vacation (gasp! I know). The gym at Grand Hotel Victoria really saved the day helping me get over jet lag with a good sweat sesh each morning. With our rainy weather, it was also nice since hiking in the mountains was not a safe option. If you also like a good vacation workout, this was a hard to find amenity that we adored. 

Another favorite part of this hotel: the breakfast buffet. All of our hotels provided complimentary breakfast, but the breakfast at Grand Hotel Victoria was unbeatable. In a glassed in dining room overlooking the water, you could have everything from eggs cooked any way you want, fresh pressed juices, gluten free goodies galore, seasonal fruit, and a display of baked goods that put the biggest smile on Evan’s face.

Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa - Lago di Como - Luxury Hotel in Lake Como, Italy | Small Luxury Hotels of the World
The view from breakfast! How insanely gorgeous is this

Last thoughts on Grand Hotel Victoria

I would stay at this hotel again in an absolute heartbeat. It was truly the best service, perfect amenities, and delicious restaurant for breakfast, cocktails, or dinner. The only downside was that Menaggio did not have a great deal of nightlife and ferries stopped running at 8pm during the October schedule, so having dinner in other towns was not an option.

The Grand Hotel Victoria Opens in Menaggio Following a Complete Renovation
And one last shot of this beautiful hotel lobby at Grand Hotel Victoria

Other hotels in Lake Como to check out 

Hotel Belvedere Bellagio

Grand Hotel Tremezzo 

What town to stay in while on Lake Como 

We chose Menaggio because it was relatively central on the lake, had a great ferry stop, and had some highly rated restaurants. Menaggio is a smaller town, with not much of a nightlife outside of the hotels. So, if you want a bustling nightlife, I would suggest looking at Bellagio or Como as your home base. 

Also, many of the restuarants and hotels in smaller towns close for the winter, so depending on when you’re planning your trip, you may want to stay in Como which is the biggest town on the lake.

Where to eat in Lake Como 

Breakfast at Grand Hotel Victoria

Enoteca Cava Turacciolo 

Wine and cheese and chartceuterie: say no more. Hidden in a little side street in Bellagio, this wine bar really does feel like a wine cave with stone walls and a wine cellar surrounding the dining area. We popped in for a cheese and charcuterie plate and a glass of wine, and it was absolutely perfect. 

Enoteca Cava Turacciolo - 1st course wine pairing - Picture of Enoteca CavaTuracciolo, Bellagio - Tripadvisor
The stone ceilings give Enoteca Cava Tuacciolo a cozy cellar feel

Lago Restaurant at Grand Hotel Victoria 

If you want a deluxe dining experience, I’d definitely check out this restaurant. Serving interesting and high end eats, it’s a splurge in a gorgeous location. We loved the prosciutto, mozzarella and melon appetizer, along with a surprisingly delicious side salad for me. 

Discover the Lago Restaurant of Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio
The dining room at Lago is divine!

Il Ristorante do Paolo 

Romantic vibes, fantastic service, insane wine list, and really good food, this place was a favorite. Dishes we loved: whipped burrata amuse bouche, seared scallop appetizer, roasted pike perch wrapped in prosciutto and basil 

Ristorante inTeatro 

Gluten free pizza! I can’t even tell you how excited I was to find this gluten free pizza. I dragged Evan to three different restaurants around Como that yelp said might have gluten free pizza until we found this spot. Thin and crispy gluten free crust, I could have eaten lunch here every single day. The regular gluten-filled pizzas also looked incredible. 

RISTORANTE CAFFE' TEATRO, Como - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor
Ristorante in Teatro is a must-visit for pizza in Como

The Brothers Cafe 

A coffee shop meets cocktail bar, this spot was super cool. We popped in for an early afternoon coffee, but wish we could have stayed all day and enjoyed some of their interesting and unique cocktails. The decor and vibe inside is all kinds of cool. 

The cocktail bar at Brothers Cafe pumped out some seriously gorgeous drinks

Martinez Cocktail and Food

Stopped in here for appertivo on a rainy afternoon and it was perfect! Appertivo is essentially a pre-meal drink (aka cocktail hour for us Americans), and in Italy that often means you get free snacks with your drink. We didn’t have any food here, but the ambiance was romantic and the drinks were delicious and cheap! 

Gelato at La Fabrica del Gelato 

My favorite gelato on our whole Italy Honeymoon Itinerary. The flavors were so rich and creamy, that perfect balance of sweet but not overpowering, and so many options! Pistachio, vanilla, and chocolate were our favorites.  

My favorite gelato in all of our 14 day Italy Honeymoon Itinerary!

Gelateria del Borgo 

Truthfully, there will be a lot of gelato on this list. But this spot was so good! Located in Bellagio, they had so many cool flavors along with the classics. The chocolate was that incredibly rich and decadent dark chocolate I’m always searching for. 

Gelateria al Borgo is another epic gelato option in Lake Como

Activities in Lake Como 

Our favorite thing to do while on Lake Como was exploring the towns along the water! We loved walking around the gardens of Varenna, strolling the streets of Bellagio, marveling at the town of Como and the hundreds of restaurant options. 

Explore Bellagio’s picturesque streets

Some other towns/sights to see include:

  • Explore the gardens at Villa d’Este (I so wish we had done this!!)
  • Enjoy a spa day at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo (we tried to do this but they were too full booked to allow outside spa bookings)
  • Hiking – check out these trails. Unfortunately, we had too much rain during our stay, causing most trails to either too dangerous in the mud or deemed unenjoyable without heavy gear.
  • Last but certainly not least would be a boat tour. My one regret of Lake Como was the weather wasn’t clear for the iconic boat tours.
Lake Como boat tours
Above all else, the boat tour is the epitome of Lake Como leisure
Hotel, spa and wellness center with pool at Lake Como in Bellagio - Grand Hotel Tremezzo
The spa at Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Lake Lugano 

The stunning Lake Lugano is a lake just to the north and east of Lake Como. Lake Lugano sits in both Italy and Switzerland, with the large Swiss town of Lugano sitting right at the middle of the lake. We stayed on the Italian side of the lake in a small town called Cima. While I loved our hotel, finding a hotel on Lugano in the town of Lugano or in one of the larger Swiss towns would have enabled some more daily explorations on foot. 

Lake Lugano - Life in Italy
Lake Lugano is truly breathtaking!

Our hotel on Lake Lugano 

We stayed at the brand new ARIA Wellbeing Resort and Spa, in the small town of Cima. When I say brand new, I mean this hotel just had their soft the month before our arrival! This is a luxury boutique hotel with just 15 suites with sweeping views of the lake. With ultra modern rooms, palatial decks, and huge bedroom suites, it was quite the experience to stay here. 

32-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels, TV
The rooms were incredibly modern and spacious

What we loved: the spa! Because of the rainy weather, we became quite the spa people after this trip. Hosting two saunas, a steam room, ice room, indoor pool, vanishing edge outdoor jacuzzi, and lounges overlooking the lake, this was another incredible spa experience.

Featured Image
The pool and spa at ARIA Wellbeing Resort & Spa

Another favorite feature was the cocktail bar! The bartender Lucca became our best friend and crafted unique new cocktails for us throughout our stay.

The ARIA also has access to its sister hotel just down the slope, Parco San Marco, which hosts five deluxe restaurants, another two pools, tennis courts, and a beach club with water sports center. Having access to these restaurants made it feel like we had a lot more options than a boutique hotel typically would. 

ARIA WELLBEING RETREAT & SPA - Hotel Reviews (Porlezza, Italy) - Tripadvisor

Other hotels to check out 

Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola 

THE VIEW Lugano

What to do in Cima

The main downsides of this resort was that it felt a bit isolated. If we had better days, it would not have mattered as much since there was paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming in the lake, plus the beach club to spend the day reading in the sun. Because we got a bit of rain and cold weather, it did feel like there were fewer activities around our hotel without some traveling. 

I had hoped to do a long bike ride along the lake, but most of the ride is on a very narrow winding road shared by two way traffic, which would not have been ideal. All that being noted, I still loved this hotel as a beautiful place to relax and recharge and enjoy some luxurious accommodations. 

Lugano Stand UP Paddle (Agno) - 2021 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Restaurants we loved on Lake Lugano 

The lake itself is a huge and has dozens of cool towns along it, so this is by no means an extensive list of the best restaurants along the water!

La Masseria

First stop on our Lugano food tour, this restaurant set the bar high. It’s a cozy little spot with gorgeous lake views, celiac certified meaning almost the entire menu was gluten-free friendly, plus incredible service. We loved the pesto pasta, filet mignon, and bittersweet chocolate mousse (I dream of this). 

La Veranda

Also located on the Parco San Marco resort, this spot was lively with a great dinner selection and wine list. We loved the roast chicken from the grill menu and the fluffy gluten free bread as a starter.

Dessert is always a good idea

Activities in Lugano 

Most of our activities were at the resort, but we did do a day trip to Lugano that we loved which you can read about below!

Parco San Marco 

ARIA Wellbeing Retreat & Spa shares facilities with their sister resort, Parco San Marco. Parco San Marco is a much bigger resort (115 rooms vs. 15), so having multiple restaurants, pools, a second spa, and a huge beach club felt like a great addition. 

We loved spending time down at the Parco San Marco Beach Club that overlooks the lake. There are beach chairs, a full service cocktail bar with gelato, and a boathouse with rentals for everything you’d need to explore the lake.

Private beach, beach bar
Before winding down for the night, make sure you soak up some sun at the beach club

Stand up paddle board on Lake Lugano 

We rented stand up paddle boards at Parco San Marco beach club (about $22/hour each) and paddled along the glassy lake. It was something I will never forget and highly recommend!

Day trip to Lugano, Switzerland 

I think I need to plan a vacation just to Switzerland after this glorious day! We took the bus from our hotel (there’s a stop literally at the bottom of the hotel!) to Lugano. It was only about $3 each and takes just 20 minutes. 

Activities in Lugano 

Lakeshore trail 

There is a fantastic lakeside walking path that stretches for almost 2 miles along the lake in Lugano. If you want a scenic stroll to see mountains, city, and lake, it’s definitely the place to do it. 

Lugano Walk Trail - Ticino, Switzerland | Pacer

Monte San Salvadore

This Mountain rises about 2,700ft above Lugano, right from the edge of town. Either hike up the mountain or opt to take the Funcolare (like a vertical trolley) to the top – it’s about $30 each way per person. The views from the top are insane! Soak in 360 degree views over the lake, town, and mountains. 

A 360° panorama from the Top of Monte San Salvatore
Arrive at the peak of this mountain for incredible 360 degree views

Hiking around Monte San Salvadore

There are a half dozen hikes along the ridge of Monte San Salvadore. Evan and I did the ridge hike from San Salvadore to Carona. It took a little less than an hour each way through forest and overlooking farmland and lakes. You’ll climb down on the way there, and get a nice climb on the way up. 

Well earned views after our hike

Parco Ciani

Parco Ciani is a huge city park in the middle of town, filled with museums, ice cream stands, and lakeside greenery to fill a whole day. We strolled through the park in the late afternoon (to work off all the ice cream), and fell in love with the ease filled energy and scenic views. 

Ciani Park | Switzerland Tourism

Where we ate in Lugano, Switzerland

Gabbani 

After this meal, pasta will never be the same. The vibe of this restaurant was equal parts old world charm, cozy bistro, and chic bakery slash pasta shop of my dreams. The Swiss have a cool concept called the “working lunch” which typically is a salad, entree, and coffee for just a few euros extra than a typical entrée. I ordered a gluten free pasta with bacon, salted brown butter, cheese, and fresh pepper that was amazing, and Evan had the most decadent white truffle pasta ever. 10/10 would recommend!

Evan’s $50 truffle pasta that was worth every penny

Grand Cafe Al Porto 

Another spot that came highly recommended was this hotel restaurant! We peeked in and it looked perfect for a mid-morning pastry and coffee or long lunch. Definitely check it out if you’re in town!

Historic Grand Café Al Porto | Lugano, Switzerland | Life Out of Bounds

–9 Gelato 

After lunch we just *had* to get a gelato and this place did not disappoint! Super creamy, rich texture, plus tons of flavor options, I would for sure come back here. Make sure to save some room for a scoop or two.

Milan 

We spent a quick day in Milan – we had some great finds for food and exploration, and also struck out on some. Didn’t love our hotel, so instead I’ll share the highlights below. 

First stop: Sbunda Panini

This place came highly recommended as some of the best paninis in town. Now, in Italy “panini” really just means sandwich, unlike our American version where it’s always a hotel grilled sando. There are dozens of combinations here with meat, cheese, spreads, and veggies. Evan got the Number One with prosciutto, asiago, spicy sauteed greens and chili oil. Unfortunately, there were no gluten free options.

Next stop: Da Zero 

Italy had lots of gluten free pasta options, but it was much harder to find gluten free pizza options. Da Zero was my second pizza jackpot of the trip. With a thin crispy crust and seriously seasonal and local toppings, I was stoked on this place. If you’re traveling with gluten eaters, they will be equally in heaven as the legit pizzas looked incredible. 

Milano. Menu e prezzi di Da Zero che apre una nuova pizzeria in Brera

Positano 

Second to last on our 14 Day Italy Honeymoon Itinerary was Positano. A small town tucked into the cliff along the Amalfi coast. There are a number of gorgeous towns along the Amalfi coast to visit, so you could definitely spend at least a week here adventuring to each of them.

Where to Stay in Positano 

After a long travel day, arriving at our hotel felt like a little oasis. We stayed at Hotel Buca di Bacco, which is right in the heart of town down near the beach. Most of the hotels in Positano are quite pricey, and even the 4 and 5 star hotels have an old world charm to them. We loved the incredibly expansive deck that overlooks 180 degree ocean views, complete with a full table and two lounge chairs. 

The rooms have a lot of character – colorful tile floors, intricately patterned headboards, rainbow chandeliers and bright fuscia couches adorned our room. Sleek and modern were not exactly the buzz words I’d use to describe this place, but it felt just right in the energy of Positano. 

Buca di Bacco offers a free breakfast buffet overlooking the water, which was good! But to be honest, after the incredible food options at Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como, it did pale a bit in comparison. 

Best attributes of this hotel: walkability, unbelievable views, expansive deck, convenient location, very nice staff. 

Other spots to stay in Positano 

Le Sirenuse – fancy as can be but looked unbelievable 

Covo de Saraceni – if we had come here in the summer we would have stayed here for the pool

Hotel Villa Franca – at the very top of Positano, this seems like one of the newest hotels in town, and most modern feel from the photos 

Favorite restaurants in Positano 

We found some serious eats here in Positano, and the food here was by far the best on the trip. That being said, it was also the most expensive! We splurged for some fine dining and I am so glad we did, but be prepared for some pricier restaurants in this part of Italy. 

Ristorante Max 

This first restaurant in Positano really set the bar high. Evan swooned over the homemade pasta (they make almost ten different types each day!). I had a gluten free pasta that was delicious – though I did have to ask for it cooked longer. Personally, I find the Italian take on “al dente” with gluten free pasta can end up a bit too crunchy, so I always ask for the pasta well done. 

The highlight of this meal was undoubtedly the seafood soup. It was HUGE and easily could have split just that between us two. The sauce was flavorful, the seafood was perfectly cooked, my mouth is drooling just thinking about it. 

Il Ritrovo Positano 

After a lovely hike up thousands of stairs through the city to Montepertuso, we happened upon this restaurant that may have been manifested in my dreams. Bright white walls, dramatic ocean views, and a bakery section to blow your mind, this place was divine. The food was incredible! Try the seafood or locally made pastas here. Lastly, don’t forget to leave room for Torta Caprese, a flourless almond chocolate cake that is famous in this part of Italy. 

Il Ritrovo Restaurant | Il Ritrovo Restaurant

Ohima Restaurant 

We loved this spot so much we came back for lunch AND dinner. The indoor seating is the coolest vibe, with wine fridges lining two walls, mood lighting up the yin yang, plus impeccable service. The servers here were equal parts attentive, intuitive, and freaking hilarious. And the food! THE FOOD! We loved the grilled octopus, pumpkin soup, and BBQ pork ribs. 

Ohima Brasserie in Positano is rated so highly and the food looks amazing- can't wait to have a primo, secondo, and more at this hot spot th… | Food, Positano, Menu

Casa E Bottega Positano 

Following a few days of eating all the rich decadent meals, discovering this little healthy hideaway was a godsend. Casa E Bottega is a restaurant and cafe, along with a shop that sells ceramics, linens, art, and fresh produce. We popped in for breakfast and both got the poached eggs in stewed tomatoes. This spot is definitely worth a visit!

Le Tre Sorelle Wine Bar 

Wine is always a good idea, especially in Italy. On our last night, we discovered this little wine bar for some wine tasting before our dinner reservations. They have quite the selection of local wines, along with wines from all over Italy. The coolest feature was the automated pouring stations along the wall in 50ml, 100ml, and 150ml pours. 

Wine Bar & Shop in the heart of Positano - Le Tre Sorelle Wine Room

Casa Mele

Last on our Positano gastronomical tour was Cassa Mele, and it was truly the grand finale. Perched at the top of the town, we loved the intimate atmosphere and open view right into the kitchen. This felt like the most intricate of all of our meals, and definitely would consider it fine dining. We loved: grilled octopus, sous vide egg with white truffle, gluten free ragu with ricotta, and the lamb. 

Ristorante Casa Mele in Positano, Centro | Book Online

Activities in Positano 

Positano Home Cooking 

Two of our best friends did this cooking class in 2019 and rave about it to this day. After we got to experience it, I absolutely feel the same way! Hosted by Peter, a chef who has worked in Michelin star restaurants across 14 countries, this was a night I will NEVER forget. 

Peter sources all of his ingredients locally, using only biodynamic farmed produce, the most sustainable meats, line caught fresh seafood, and impeccably sourced olive oils, truffles, and spices. This cooking class was equal parts wine tasting (thanks to his 10,000 bottle wine cellar), ingredient education class, and cooking techniques. 

How much do you actually cook?

After expecting a lot of manual labor, I loved that we didn’t actually have to do all that much cooking! Of the six courses we ate, we only actively prepared maybe two of them, and Peter and his staff did much of the rest.

Of course, you could get more involved and help prepare more dishes, or ask any and all questions that come to mind. I actually loved just getting to hear about the preparation, ingredients, and techniques rather than slaving over a stove all night. 

It is not a cheap evening, coming in at two hundred euros each. But, we did had a six course meal, tried thirteen different wines (the wine is unlimited!), and had a four hour evening that I will truly remember forever. 

If you do one thing from this Italy Honeymoon Itinerary, I would take Peter’s Positano Home Cooking Class. 

Amalfi Coast Boat Tour

We booked an Amalfi Coast boat tour with Blue Star tours and it was so much fun. Start the day with a pickup at the docks on Positano. Next, you’ll tour along the coast towards the town of Amalfi, stopping along the way to swim in aquamarine waters and see jaw dropping hotels built right into vertical cliffs. 

Another option along the way is to do a tour of the Emerald Lagoon. It was cool to see, but honestly, a little bit underwhelming and quite small. If your boatmates aren’t dead set on it, it’s very okay to skip. 

Ravello

Around lunch time, we stopped in Amalfi for 3 hours to explore. Evan and I booked it to the bus station and journeyed up the mountain into Ravello. Ravello sits at the top of the ridge overlooking the Mediterranean. A small town in comparison to Positano or Amalfi, but filled with ceramic stores, art galleries, and quaint shops, it’s pretty incredible to see. 

With only about an hour to explore, we chose to tour the gardens at Villa Cimbrone. Let me tell you, if Evan and I ever plan a third wedding, I think it would be at this garden. It’s filled with statues, sprawling lawns, rose gardens, and insane views from the top of the ridge down to the ocean. Definitely worth a visit if you geek out on beautiful properties. 

Hotel Villa Cimbrone - Ravello - Amalfi Coast - Italy

Amalfi 

We didn’t have long in Amalfi, but did a quick tour through the main street and popped into La Perla Restaurant for a fresh seafood lunch. Set back from the main street of town, La Perla had delicious food with a quiet ambiance away from the crowds. 

Rome

We only had about a half day in Rome, and we spent just about the whole time eating! Which was of course, the ultimate goal. 

Time Out Rome | Things to do, Best Restaurants and More

Where we Stayed in Rome

Centrally located in front of the Piazza della Bocca della Verita, 47 Boutique Hotel Roma was the perfect spot to adventure from. We loved the modern rooms, high ceilings, and the spacious flower-lined balcony that overlooks the city. If you can stay on the 5th floor, it’s definitely worth it to get the deck! 

This image may contain Furniture, Chair, Terrace, Human, Person, and Flagstone

Restaurants in Rome

Mizios Street Food

First up on our Roman eating tour was Mizio’s street food. Located on a quiet side street, this place is truly a hole in the wall. But don’t let appearances fool you, the paninis here were absolutely delicious. Choose from over a dozen meat and cheese combinations. Without gluten free bread options available, but I just ate the meat and cheese inside! 

Tonnarello

For dinner, we made reservations at Tonnarello thanks to an Erin Lives Whole recommendation. This spot was amazing! Request to sit inside if you can – it’s very cozy, almost cramped, but the ambiance is lovely and romantic. What we loved: gluten free pesto pasta, Nonna Nadia pasta, and the roast chicken (our fave!). My favorite part was our meal plus three glasses of wine only cost about $50. 

Frigidarium Gelato 

Last on our food tour was of course some Gelato. This spot came highly recommended, and for good reason! The flavors were decadent and interesting, and they even offered a chocolate shell in dark or white chocolate. 

Traveling during Covid 

As I mentioned first off, do your own research!! Requirements change constantly and are different for every country. 

We took out trip the first two weeks of October 2021. At our time of travel, Italy required all travelers to have a negative covid test 72 hours before arrival. Additionally, all visitors had to show proof of vaccination, or would be subject to a five day quarantine with additional testing. We are happily vaccinated so we could skip that step. 

Pre-travel requirements

Prior to travel, our airline (American Airlines) sent a list of the requirements. I highly recommend downloading the Verifly App to upload all required documentation and expedite the check in process. Even as we completed all requested items, we could not check in online for either our departing or returning flights, so budget some extra time at your airports for check in. 

Another item to note: any country that your flight connects through will likely also have covid travel requirements. We connected through London and had to fill out additional UK Passenger Locator forms

These are the requirements we had to provide and forms to complete:

  1. EU Passenger Locator form for each flight 
  2. UK Passenger locator form for our layover through London 
  3. Negative Covid test – at the time of our travel an antigen, PCR, or were all accepted
  4. Proof of vaccination
  5. All information on every hotel location along our trip 

If you are still with me, we made it to the end! Below I’ve listed some of my top travel tips to make your Italy vacation as seamless as possible.

Travel tips

  1. Do your research. Covid restrictions, vaccination requirements, and travel planning are all very necessary if you’re visiting new countries as of 2021 (when I’m writing this!). Spend some time making sure you understand exactly what the current requirements are before booking or embarking on your trip. 
  2. Make restaurant reservations wherever you can. Plan ahead and book dinners so you don’t have to waste time wandering trying to find an open table 
  3. Carry your vaccine card with you at all times, or have a digital version accessible on your phone. Most restaurants required proof of vaccination to dine inside, as well as many of the hotels and activities 
  4. Wear comfortable shoes! I know this sounds silly, and you may want to be looking fashionable, but make sure you have good walking shoes. We clocked almost 20,000 steps a day during this Italy Honeymoon Itinerary. I bought these On Running shoes for our trip and they saved my feet while still looking chic.

Want more travel guides? Check out some of my other favorite locations to visit:

San Diego Restaurant Guide

Edna Valley Guide

Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary

California Road Trip Honeymoon

Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary

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I just got back from the most INCREDIBLE bachelorette party that my best gals planned for me! Every detail was absolutely perfect. And since I got about 100 DM’s asking for what we did, I think a Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary is in order. 

Bachelorette parties are a fine balance planning-wise. You need some activities planned so there’s at least one or two activities, but not so jam packed that you never have time to relax, hang out, and play it by ear. My besties Sam and Catilin of course got the balance spot on. 

I figured I just have to share our perfect Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary (plus a few extra ideas!) in case any of you are planning a trip out there soon. 

Quick Stop in Scottsdale

While Sedona does have a small airport, there were no direct flights from San Diego. We also had a number of gals flying in from the East Coast. So we decided to fly into Phoenix, which is a big airport with lots of direct flight options per day. Since Phoenix is about a 2 hour drive from Sedona, and we landed at 9am, we had some time to kill. 

First stop on the bachelorette: Pool Day at The Saguaro Hotel.

Pool Day at The Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ. 

Our trip was in mid-June, unfortunately during a very unseasonal heatwave, so it was HOT. To stay cool while we waited until our 4pm check-in, we decided to head to the Saguaro Hotel in Scottsdale and hang by the pool. 

This hotel is SO CUTE! Bright colors, mid-century design, and girly vibes galore, this is a perfect first stop on your Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary. 

We rented a cabana for the day and it was totally worth it to stay cool for the day. We spent 4-5 hours hanging out, having some festive drinks and tasty eats. Our favorite cocktails were the Tropical Hydration and the frozen watermelon margarita, and we really liked the shredded chicken tacos. 

Some tips: if you have a smaller group, just getting day passes may be a more affordable option. But it can be hard to get shade if the pool is crowded, so keep that in mind!

Here’s some pricing info: 

Next stop: Sedona

Sedona

After spending a lovely few hours at the pool, we hopped in the big Expedition we rented and drove all eight girls out to Sedona. The drive is about two hours, and traffic can get bad on a Friday, so make a good playlist and be ready for it to be a bit slower than expected. 

Where to stay in Sedona

We rented the most incredible AirBnB in Sedona. I truly think getting a house together is key to a successful Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary. A big house together allows for a central meeting place, easy hanging with the whole group, and flexibility as to whether you want to go out for meals, get takeout, or cook at home. 

Our AirBnB: Iconic Mid-Century Home

This home far exceeded our expectations. With a main house and a spacious guest house, you could easily fit 12 people here, so it was very comfortable for all eight of us girls. Here are some pictures of this gorgeousness! 

If you want all the photos or to book it yourself, this is the full AirBnB listing. 

Some things to note: the hosts were very specific about not having big wild parties here. You actually had to be 30 years old to rent it (weird, but I guess that’s their prerogative). Since we are a generally mellow group, that worked just fine for us. But if your plan is pumping house music and running around the backyard like wild women (which is a glorious vibe, by the way), I’d maybe look elsewhere. 

Where to Eat in Sedona

Mariposa

This dinner is something I will never forget. Situated overlooking the incredible red rock formations of Sedona, the view here was unreal – even as we arrived at dusk. The vibes at Mariposa are on point. After a long day in the heat, it was just starting to cool off after sunset. Sitting outside on the romantically-lit patio was just divine. 

Mariposa is a Latin inspired grill, with a fantastic wine list and great options for every diet type.  To put it simply, the food was next level good. The executive chef Lisa Dahl even came out to say hi, which was an absolute treat. Lisa, by the way, is a mega babe and just exudes the serene, artistic, Sedona vibe. LOVE THAT FOR YOU, LISA!

The architecture of Mariposa is next level

Here are some dishes our group loved: Atun Parfait, Empanadas, Chopped Goddess Salad, Strip Steak, Australian Rack of Lamb, Pollo Rustico, Roasted Cauliflower. 

I’d recommend splitting everything between your group so you can try as many options as possible!

The seasoning and sauces at Mariposa were out of this world!

Some tips: this restaurant is limited to six person reservations and does book out very far in advance. I’d suggest booking at least six to eight weeks prior to your trip. We had to make two four person reservations, and called to request the tables be near each other (which they kindly accommodated – thank you Irene!). 

Lisa Dahl also has several other restaurants in Sedona which I can only imagine are fantastic as well, including Butterfly Burger, Pisa Lisa, Cucina Rustica, and Dahl & DiLuca. 

Elote Cafe

Elote Cafe is a Mexican-inspired restaurant that just about everyone was raving about. Unfortunately, they book out 2-3 months in advance (and even farther out for weekends), so we couldn’t grab a table here. But, if you’re planning ahead for your Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary, you definitely need to try this place out!

I will definitely be booking Elote Cafe for my next trip out to Sedona!

Elote’s Mexican-inspired cuisine looks just incredible

Local Juicery

Between my friend Ali (@alibonar) and I, we got so many recommendations from our Instagram communities for this place. After a long, hot hike, this is the perfect spot for a healthy, refreshing smoothie, salad, or coffee. Don’t sleep on those gluten free waffles either! 

Can we talk about how BOMB these smoothies look?

Picazzo’s Healthy Italian 

We ordered Picazzo’s Healthy Italian for takeout on Friday and it was great! I wouldn’t say it was my all time favorite gluten free pizza, but it was tasty, affordable, and the salads were delicious. The gals said the regular, gluten-filled pizza was very good. If you want a night in for silly games and some cocktails (so no one has to be a driver), I’d definitely check out Picazzo for some pizzas and salads for your group. 

Some tasty takeout options from Picazzo

Hikes 

I love staying active, even when on vacation. A good sweat just brightens my whole mood and sets a good vibe for the rest of the day. So, we knew without a doubt that hiking would definitely be a part of our Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary. Our group started every day with a big hike. After a few cocktails, nothing wakes you up the next morning like a cold shower first thing followed by a nice, hot hike. 

Cathedral Rock 

The Cathedral Rock Hike in Sedona was by far everyone’s favorite hike that we did! It offers unbelievable views of the naturally occurring rock formations, all in the heart of red rock country. Due to the incredible scenery and short distance, this is an extremely popular hike and can get crowded. There is also very limited parking, so you definitely want to get here early (think 6am early) or be prepared to wait a while until a spot in one of the two small parking lots open up. 

Cathedral Rock was truly an unbelievable view

The trip to the top of Cathedral Rock is definitely a scramble – prepare for some stepp rock climbing and I’d suggest having both hands free. All in, the hike is only about 1.5 miles long, but it’ll get your heart pumping with 740 feet of elevation gain. There are helpful rock cairns along the route that help keep you on trail as well. 

We were drawn to this hike because it’s acclaimed as one of the best vortex hikes in the area. I swear you could feel the energy up there – it was magical and powerful and just brought all the good vibes. Here’s a great article if you want to  learn more about energy vortexes in Sedona. 

Cathedral Rock Hike – more info on Alltrails. 

Devil’s Bridge 

Devil’s Bridge Trail is another fantastic hike in Sedona. Before a long day of silly fun times (and a few cocktails), this was a great way to kick off our day with a good workout and incredible views. We parked on the road, which made it about a 5 mile round trip hike for our group.

Image from EarthTrekkers

You will definitely want to get here early, to beat both the crowds and the heat. It gets very crowded up at the top to take photos on the epic red rock bridge. There was a line of probably 70 people waiting to take photos. We skipped that, and instead took a photo in front of it and it was just as gorgeous! 

Pack lots of water – at least one BIG water bottle per person. It’s dusty and dry, and if you’re going anytime between May and October, likely pretty toasty too. 

Devils Bridge Trail info on Alltrails

Other Activities

Pink Jeep Tours

If you want to see some epic views without walking dozens of miles, check out the Pink Jeep Tours! Sedona’s famous red-rock landscape offers adventure at every turn, and you have the chance to get up close and personal on these off-road tours. Pink Jeep Tours has everything from rugged off road adventures to scenic wine tours, so there’s really something for everyone. 

We opted to hike and stay out of the midday heat, so didn’t end up taking the tour. Additionally, I can get a little motion-sickness, so it wasn’t the right option for us. But you should definitely check it out for your group!

Adventure bound on the Pink Jeep Tour

On your way to the airport 

Lons at Hermosa Inn 

Last stop on our Sedona Bachelorette was a brunch at Lons at the Hermosa Inn. This hotel is all the adobe vibes your heart could desire. Studded with lush floral gardens and big trees, the patio at Lons was the perfect spot for a brunch in Phoenix before our flights. Sitting outside was HOT (won’t lie to you), but so much prettier for a gal’s brunch. If you’re going anytime later than early June, you’ll want to get here early or sit inside. Unless you’re built for 110 degree heat, then you do your thing honey.

The food here was SO good! And the gals all got some very festive, colorful drinks! 

Some of the favorite orders: Monkey Bread, Palo Cristie Omelette (sub goat cheese), Superfood Bowl, Sonoran Chopped Salad with Chicken. 

This monkey bread had all the girls drooling

And that’s a wrap!

I’m still floating on the high that was my bachelorette weekend! I really can’t take credit for any of these finds, all credit goes to my amazing maid of honor, Samantha, and hilarious bridesmaid, Caitlin, for doing the work to make our weekend fantastic. 

And remember, as long as you’re with a group of good girlfriends, you’ll have a great time. The details matter a lot less than enjoying your time with some rad ladies. 

Hope this Sedona Bachelorette Itinerary makes your weekend one to remember!

Other Travel Itineraries

If you like this, you should definitely check out my blogs about our California Road Trip Honeymoon and my Edna Valley Guide.

Edna Valley Getaway Guide

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My guide to a perfect weekend getaway in Edna Valley and the magical surrounding towns in San Luis Obispo County

Evan and I have been loving little California getaways. Heck, I haven’t left the state in over a year! It is a damn good thing I love California or I’d be going stir crazy. If you haven’t checked out my California Road Trip Honeymoon blog yet, you definitely should. Dozens of ideas and restaurants for making your coastal California getaway a dream. 

We spent a few days up in Edna Valley and it was an absolute dream. Edna Valley is a unique Southern California wine region just south of San Luis Obispo. With tasting rooms and wineries studded along this quaint valley, there is no shortage of picturesque spots to sip delicious wines. 

Why I love Edna Valley

My favorite part of Edna Valley is how close it is to so many incredible sights and eats! The valley itself doesn’t have many restaurants, but there are hundreds of incredible dining options within 15 minutes. From Arroyo Grande to the South, Pismo Beach and Avila Beach to the East, and the gorgeous town of San Luis Obispo to the north, there is everything you need within a short and beautiful drive. 

My Edna Valley Getaway Guide

I break down this Edna Valley Getaway Guide into a few sections.

First up, I’ll share the best place to stay in Edna Valley – our beautiful AirBnB we discovered by chance. I received SO many DM’s asking for this location). This is hands down on of the best AirBnB’s I’ve ever stayed at. But, it’s not without a few things to note before booking!

Then, I’ll break down our favorite restaurants in San Luis Obispo county for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then, I’m even so kind to throw in our favorite restaurant, coffee shop, and wine tasting in Santa Barbara along the way. You are welcome hunnies! Last, l share our favorite wine tasting spots in Edna Valley.

I’m writing this as of March 2021, so we made sure that all safety precautions were taken. Every restaurant and winery had ample outdoor seating and social distancing, so we felt very comfortable supporting the local businesses.

Santa Barbara Pit Stop 

The drive from San Diego to Edna Valley is about 5 hours, so we planned a stop in Santa Barbara to break up the drive. There are dozens of incredible cafes and things to do in Santa Barbara, but here’s what we did:

Coffee at Dart Coffee Co

Evan insists on coming here any time we are in Santa Barbara. Dart roasts all their own beans, and damn does this shop smell divine. The shop also doubles as a mercantile for local artisans. I picked up a few gorgeous cards because you always need a few on hand. 

This coffee from Dart Coffee Co is freshly roasted, bold, and tastes divine. Grab a bag of beans to take a home!
Helena Avenue Bakery 

When I tell you that we went to Helena Ave Bakery three days in a row during our last Santa Barbara trip, I AM NOT KIDDING. The vibe, the food, the staff, it’s all perfection. Helena Avenue Bakery shares a space with Santa Barbara Wine Collective and it’s pretty much my dream restaurant concept. With delicious breakfast and lunch options, I could eat here for every meal and never get sick of it. Evan had a spiritual experience with their freshly baked bread. 

I get the SB Farmer’s Market Bowl every single time. I’m going to have to recreate this perfection immediately because it is divine. What’s in it: tutti frutti sauteed swiss chard, sugar snap peas, oyster mushrooms, two soft poached eggs, puffed rice, aleppo pepper

Folded Hills Winery 

If you want to get the vacation vibes going even before you hit Edna Valley, pop into Folded Hills for a tasting. Folded Hills is an organic winery and farm, complete with a ranch with Clydesdales, goats, and a camel named George. The setting is absolutely divine and just off the 101 about 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara. If we lived in SB, I would be a member here in a heartbeat. 

Where we stayed – MarCasa 

I have never received so many DM’s asking for this AirBnB. We discovered MarCasa by chance on AirBnB and I am so grateful we did! 

Every single detail of this gorgeous studio was divine. Rarely do you find an AirBnB that uses quality products – like Restoration Hardware towels and Hale Mercantile bedding (which I’m now saving for as my next splurge gift to myself). Natural light pours in from enormous windows across the living room. And the view from the bed overlooking miles of rolling green hills of Edna Valley simply cannot be beat. 

This bed is my new life goals. I will one day be successful enough to justify buying this $1,600 duvet and sheet set.

The Property

We walked through the property every morning with our coffees in hand and breathe in the fresh spring air. Surrounded by miles of vineyards, cow pastures, and organic farmland, this property truly feels surreal. And if you are an animal lover, the farm has horses, cows, alpacas, chickens, and a hefty hog to say hi to (and no, none of it smells!). 

I will stay here again in a heartbeat! This 60 acre working horse ranch also hosts a three bedroom, three bathroom house and event space called MarFarm that looks divine if you’re traveling with a group. 

Read this before you book!

Some things to note before booking: the only real downsides to this spot was the bathroom design and the lack of outdoor space for dining. While you do have access to most of the property to stroll through vineyards and pastures, there isn’t any real outdoor seating space for the MarCasa studio if you wanted to have dinner outside. 

The bathroom, while absolutely gorgeous, does have an open air ceiling to the rest of the space. Since Evan and I have been dating forever, this didn’t really bother us. But, if you are on your first getaway weekend with a new boo, I wouldn’t suggest this spot unless you’re really feeling like breaking through some boundaries.

Again, I will stay here again no questions asked! But I want to disclose what could have been better in case those might be deal breakers for you! 

Here’s their AirBnB listing if you want to book MarCasa for your next trip. 

SLO County Restaurants

Since we ate all around town, I’m labeling this SLO County Restaurants because we found delicious eats all over the area. From Arroyo Grande, to Pismo Beach, to San Luis Obispo, and back to Edna Valley – there is no shortage of delicious restaurants here!

Breakfast 

Honeymoon Cafe – Pismo Beach 

We discovered this homey cafe during our road trip honeymoon and knew we had to come back. Everything is made fresh, with local ingredients and the perfect funky vibe. With tons of outdoor seating and delicious homemade food, I could eat here weekly! I love the Al-Paca breakfast bowl, fresh smoothies, and hearty Veggie Scramble.

Seeds on Garden 

After a few days of glorious eating, I was craving something lighter for breakfast on one of our last days. Seeds on Garden was heaven sent! With smoothies, smoothie bowls, and toasts galore, this is a great spot for a plant-based breakfast or lunch. The gluten free bread for the toast was fluffy and crunchy and absolutely delicious.

Coffee and Bakery 

Scout Coffee – San Luis Obispo 

Can we just talk about the aesthetic at Scout Coffee for a moment? Neutral tones of white oak, dried floral bouquets, artisan market goods, I could have bought this entire shop. Scout Coffee has fresh baked treats galore (with gluten free and vegan options!), a small breakfast menu, and some seriously delicious coffee options made with freshly roasted beans. Stop in here, it’s a vibe!

Sweet Pea Bakery – Arroyo Grande

A monumental moment happened at Sweet Pea Bakery. I thought Evan was going to divorce me. After making the grave mistake to ask for his keys mid-bite of the most glorious croissant of his entire existence, I learned that you never get between a man and his Sweet Pea prosciutto croissant. Honestly, I’m only partially kidding. 

Evan is a croissant connoisseur and he said this was hands down the best one he’s ever had. Sweet Pea also has gluten free Tuesdays (which I will definitely be back for) along with a few daily options each day. The bakery opens at 6:30am and is a bustling neighborhood joint for the best fresh baked goodies in town. 

Lunch 

The Gourmet Deli at Sextant Wines – Edna Valley

I highly suggest The Gourmet Deli at the Sextant Wines tasting room. The food is fresh, delicious, and definitely needed before an afternoon tasting wines. We loved the cheese board options (they don’t skimp on the cheese!) and paired it with a salad and sandwich each. With some of the only lunch to be had in the actual Edna Valley, this is a go-to! The flower-studded patio is absolutely dreamy as well. 

Here’s the menu

Guiseppe’s – San Luis Obispo

We popped into Guiseppe’s for a quick lunch and loved the vibe! Who wouldn’t love an outdoor patio covered in flowers and ivy? I got a salad with salmon, and it was the perfect crispy sear cooked medium rare. Unsurprisingly, I’m still drooling. Guiseppe’s also serves pizzas, sandwiches, and pasta dishes galore. This is a perfect spot to pop into after strolling downtown San Luis Obispo. 

Dinner 

Flour House – San Luis Obispo 

I have a bold proclamation. Maybe the boldest proclamation I have EVER made. Flour House has the best gluten free pizza I have ever eaten. And I have an entire post dedicated to the best gluten free pizza in San Diego. Your girl B is passionate about gluten free pizza.

What I love about Flour House: cozy outdoor patio, incredible cocktails, and the best damn gluten free pizza I’ve ever had. The crust is chewy, fluffy, and crusty. These toppings are high quality (you can taste how fresh the cheese and sauces are). If you are in San Luis Obispo, having dinner at Flour House is non-negotiable. And, this insanely delicious restaurant is female owned and run which I love. 

Pro tip: ask for a side of pesto to dunk your pizza into. You can thank me later.

Ember – Arroyo Grande 

Evan and I came to Ember on our Honeymoon Road Trip and fell in love! Ember hosts wood-fired, farm to table fare that packs some serious flavor. The biggest thing I notice is everything is seasoned perfectly. So much flavor in every single bite!

With an incredible wine list and some tasty cocktails, Ember is a perfect celebratory dinner spot. Before you even think of not ordering the brick chicken, I have to tell you that it’s the best restaurant chicken dish I think I’ve ever had. We also ordered the risotto and it was creamy heaven. If you’re a gluten eater, their pizzas do look absolutely delectable. Last but not least, their dessert menu is pretty incredible so save a little room and treat yourself!

Dessert

McConnell’s Ice Cream – San Luis Obispo 

Ice cream is must. Following a dinner at Flour House, or a lunch at Guiseppe’s, grab a scoop (or two, or three, I’m not judging!) and take a stroll through town! I love the double peanut butter chip and salted caramel chip flavors!

Wineries

Biddle Ranch

Biddle Ranch is our go-to spot in Edna Valley. Picturesque white farmhouse buildings, an olive-tree lined garden overlooking rolling Chardonnay vines, the vibe here is ON POINT! Evan and I dig their wines (the Pinot Noir and Syrah are personal faves) and it’s an approachable tasting at $25/tasting that’s waved with $60 purchase.

Pro tip: pack a picnic and take a long afternoon hanging out here!

Could this vibe at Biddle Ranch be any more perfect??

Sextant Wines

First, we popped into Sextant Wines High Street Deli for lunch and a tasting on a rainy day. From the gorgeous outdoor patio flooded with fresh flowers to the cozy indoor space, you have nothing but good options at Sextant. Bold wines that drink easy is the experience here. The cheese plate is a MUST as well. Plus, our host Tony was seriously a gem and we ended up chatting with him for almost 2 hours!

Center of Effort

When I say that Center of Effort is stunning, I mean it seriously. This big, bold, and dramatic estate building is pretty exceptional. Center of Effort is a gorgeous space to taste seriously delicious wines. And with two wine labels (Effort and Center of Effort) you also have two price points to try. Because I am definitely not made of money, as much as I’d love to spend my life savings on wine, I really loved their more affordable Effort label.

Edna Valley Vineyard

Edna Valley Vineyard is definitely the quintessential tasting experience in the area. While we did not have a chance to do a tasting here, we did pop our heads in. And wow, it was BEAUTIFUL! Next time we are in town, I will definitely try to make an appointment here.

We made it to the end!

Finally, we made it to the end! To sum it all up, Edna Valley is absolutely divine and I highly suggest visiting if you get the chance!

San Diego Restaurant Guide

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I am proud to be a born and raised San Diegan. It’s a pretty sweet gig – it’s beachy, it’s mellow, everyone’s active, and the food scene is amazing. So many of you have asked for my go-to spots in San Diego, and I figured it’s finally time to hook it up with my San Diego Restaurant Guide.

I live in North County, so my favorite restaurants tend to be coastal and up north, but tried to pull from a few different neighborhoods and price points as well. Some of these are a health-foodie’s dream, and some are for when you want to treat yourself with something rich and decadent. And every restaurant on here has great gluten free options. Because I wouldn’t go making a San Diego Restaurant Guide without making it gluten free friendly – come on now!

Want some more restaurant guides? Check out my Coastal California Roadtrip Honeymoon Guide or my Edna Valley Guide for the best eats in San Luis Obispo County.

Doing what I do best: EATING!

Breakfast

GoodOnYa Organic 

Tucked in between a surf shop and a vintage car dealership, this local spot in downtown Encinitas is one of my favorite breakfast spots. The food actually makes you FEEL good, and the ingredients are crazy clean. Plus, they have Siete tortillas, so you know it’s legit. GoodOnYa is also open for lunch and dinner and you really can’t go wrong ordering anything here.  The Kitchen sink salad is hands down my favorite salad in the GAME.

What to order: Fried egg plate with gf sourdough, California burrito (they have gluten free tortillas!), veggie scramble, Kitchen Sink salad 

Nectarine Grove

Oh my lanta – a fully gluten free restaurant! This spot is a picky eater’s paradise. With an adorable neighborhood vibe, Nectarine Grove is one of my favorites for a Sunday brunch or lunch with the girls during the week. From adaptogenic teas and coffees, to bone broth and superfood smoothies, you have to get a drink here as well!

What to order: breakfast tacos, protein plate, cinnamon roll (A MUST), roasted veggie bowl

French Corner

After a nice long walk along Neptune Street in Leucadia, pop into French Corner for some tasty French cafe vibes. Evan is the coffee snob in the family, and loves the bulletproof coffee and cappuccinos here. We love to order our drinks with their gluten free pistachio cake (or an almond croissant for Evan!). Some favorite breakfast items here include the omelets, quiche, or croissant sandwiches.

What to order: Omelette du Parisian, Omelette du Soleil, Breakfast Frittata, Vegetarian salad

Swami’s Cafe

Swami’s Cafe is truly the local spot of all local spots. With mostly outdoor seating and situated across from one of the most famous surf breaks in California, this is definitely a must if you’re in Encinitas. It’s classic diner breakfast style food, but with a healthy twist. Evan loves coming here because the portions are HUGE – so bring your appetite. Pro tip: if you’re going on the weekend, get there early or expect a line (don’t worry, it moves quick). 

What to order: Veggie scrambler special, healthy breakfast burrito (not gf), acai bowl 

Naked Cafe

With multiple locations across coastal San Diego, Naked cafe is the healthy food joint that has something for everyone. My favorite location is in Solana Beach, with an ocean view and a 30 second walk to the sand. Hot tip: it gets BUSY here on the weekends, so come early, or be cool with a leisurely (read: slower) breakfast service. 

What to order: plate of prosperity, crispy burritos – I sub for corn tortillas to keep gf, and if you’re a sweets fan the pancakes and french toast are to die for.

The market corner at Homestead Solana Beach

Lunch

Homestead Solana Beach

This little spot is the perfect location for a cozy lunch! My dad and I (who are business partners and work together) love to walk here from our office and share a slow lunch on Fridays. The team working there is so friendly and accommodating, and the food feels SO fresh, clean, and homemade. Plus, there are gluten free options galore! They also have a great mini market here, with some fresh goods, books, and gift ideas.

What to order: Harvest salad (w/extra greens), the kale salad is bomb, the burritos are great if you’re not gf, and the gluten free cookies and fresh baked goodies never disappoint

Eve Encinitas 

You’ll find tasty, creative vegan cuisine, superfood smoothies, cold-pressed juices, local kombucha and a relaxed community gathering space. This is ain’t your mama’s vegan food – it’s hearty, flavorful, and you won’t be missing meat. 

What to order: Super veggie burrito (I get it as a bowl to keep it gf), Legendary Hero bowl, Sage Wisdom salad

Fish 101

Had to add Fish 101 since it’s Evan’s favorite lunch spot. It’s simple, quality food with a beachy vibe. Lately we have been loving grabbing food to go from their Cardiff location and heading down to the beach for a midday picnic or sunset eats! Nothing that will change your life, but it’s good food with an ocean view, can’t really beat it.

What to order: Poke Bowl, fish burrito, tomato soup (trust me!) or shrimp tacos

Cafe Gratitude

A vegan restaurant with upscale ambience and quite the array of options. Cafe Gratitude supports local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products, in addition to making some mind-blowing vegan eats. It’s open for breakfast and dinner too! Pro tip: come here on a Saturday morning, and then explore the Little Italy Farmers market – it’s the best in town. 

What to order: Kale Caesar Salad, Macrobiotic bowl, or the Mole Enchiladas 

Biking on the 101 in Encinitas on our way to Blue Ribbon for dinner

Dinner

Next, no San Diego Restaurant Guide would be complete without some incredible dinner spots. From casual eats to memorable date night spots, check out this list for some dinner you won’t forget anytime soon.

Herb & Sea

Herb & Sea is definitely my favorite date night spot in town. Their new outdoor patio almost doubles their capacity, and it’s got ambiance up the wazoo both indoors and outdoors. What I love most about Herb & Sea is the consistently amazing service – the servers and kind, attentive, friendly, and accommodating. You love to see it. Definitely order the cocktails here – I love the Fire & Nice and Evan always gets the Bourbon & Bronco.

What to order: gem salad, hamachi crudo, boardwalk potatoes, roasted baby carrots, half chicken (soo flavorful!) or the pork chop

Campfire 

Farm to table, family style, and insanely good cocktails – HELL YES. Campfire is such a vibe – it’s styled a little bit like a cabin, with a romantic and cozy vibe that still crazy cool. Coming here with a group is always fun as well, with the entire menu being geared towards a family style experience. Make sure you check out the cocktail menu too – it’s next level. 

What to order: charred broccoli, ceviche, roasted Jidori chicken for two

Buona Forchetta

If you’re looking for BOMB Italian food, you must try Buona Forchetta. Serving up Neopolitan pizzas in a bustling cozy location, Buona Forchetta is a great place for a cozy carb-filled date night, or to bring a group! I love their fluffy gluten free crusts that actually taste like legit PIZZA, not just a gluten free flatbread. The pesto here is truly unreal, so order a side of it to dunk your pizza in, and thank me later.

What to order: fattore salad, Bruna pizza, Sergio pizza, pesto pasta

Madison on Park 

The vibe of all vibes! The architecture of Madison is next level gorgeous, with an open air courtyard and romantic lighting galore. Don’t be afraid to sit in the bar if the spot is full – it’s a buzzy atmosphere that will make you feel hip as hell. The cocktails are amazing – the make your own Old Fashion is one of Evan’s favorites in town. Pro tip: they can make any pasta dish gluten free!

What to order: Salmon crudo, avocado citrus salad, pappardelle

Blue Ribbon Pizza 

Tucked away in the Lumberyard in coastal Encinitas, this cozy pizza kitchen is a perfect casual date spot. Evan and I love riding our bikes at sunset over for a mid-week pizza date night.

With rustic Italian appetizers, delicious salads, and their signature wood-fired pizzas, it’s an affordable, relaxed atmosphere that’ll leave you feeling like part of the family. Beer-lovers rejoice, their rotating taps highlight local breweries and some smaller unknown brewers that are a fresh taste of your city. Oh and their corkage fee is only $12, just saying. Bonus points: Blue Ribbon has one of the best gluten free crusts we’ve found. 

What to order: baby greens salad, pizza favorites: My Father’s and The Signature

Double scoop from Jojo’s Creamery in a gluten free cone – our favorite dessert!

Dessert

Before you leave, promise me you’ll try at least one of these dessert spots! Because we all know that no Beachside Kitchen San Diego Restaurant Guide would be legit if I didn’t share my favorite places for incredible dessert.

JoJo’s Creamery 

Owned and run by a mother-daughter duo, this nieghborhood spot for artisanal, handmade ice cream is hands down my favorite. They have tons of seasonal favorites, gluten free friendly coookies and cones, and well as delicious vegan options. Plus, you get a free cookie with your scoops! Pro tip: JoJo’s is next door to Blue Ribbon, so hit both in one night. 

What to order: peanut butter chip, vanilla bean, cayenne sea salt caramel, and don’t be shy about the cones – they’re 100% worth it

Stella Jean’s

Another amazing ice cream spot, located in University Heights down south. It’s very instagrammable, with pink and white decor and a staff that feels like they’re genuinely stoked to be there. Their flavors are rotating, so sample to your heart’s content! Pro tip: Stella Jeans is just down the street from Madison, so make it a date night and treat yourself to both. 

Sidecar Doughnuts

Hip, local, artisanal, and all natural, I gotta say Sidecar is one of my favorite indulgences. They have rotating monthly flavors, along with a gluten free option every week, and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference! Come with a group so you can sample a few (or sample a few on your own, I ain’t judging!), but like any good donut, they’re best eaten fresh out of the fryer. 

What to order: old fashioned, Saigon cinnamon crumb, maple bacon, and anything seasonal 

VG’s Donuts 

Last but not least, I had to include VG’s. A staple in the sleepy beach town of Cardiff (aka my backyard), VG’s is the SPOT for classic, freshly friend and fluffy donuts. It’s a hole in the wall that earns itself 40 person lines on the weekends. While they don’t have gluten free donuts, they do have some cookies and cupcakes for you gf-ers out there like me. If you’re not afraid of some real sugar and flour, just ask for whatever’s still warm and you can’t go wrong. 

What to order: cinnamon crumb, maple donut, apple fritter

If all that eating doesn’t fill your time, get down to the beach for a sunset – you might just catch one like this.

Hope you love these spots from my San Diego Restaurant Guide. If you visit any, share it on social media and tag your girl B!