Travel

5 tips for a luxury holiday on a budget

I have got a confession to make: I am a picky traveller.

Don’t get me wrong, I love travelling and I feel rather lucky about how much I managed to fly in the last 15 years—actually, more than I ever thought I would in a lifetime. However, I have never felt too comfortable about backpacking trips and hostels. I’ve always admired people who can spend their gap year wandering the globe from youth hostel to youth hostel without a second thought, but that has never been my teacup. (To be brutally honest, the mere idea of finding bedbugs on a shabby hostel scares me so much, I have recurring nightmares about it). As I grow older though, I notice these pet peeves have only increased, and this reflects in the way I organize my holidays.

To me, a perfect holiday has nothing to do with a huge budget, caviar over breakfast or flying on my own private jet (which by the way, I don’t own yet. If you do have a spare one to share though, I’ll be glad to borrow it. THANKYOUVERYMUCH), but it’s all about comfort, organization and all those nice little details that can make the difference.

So, how can you plan a five stars trip in a budget? Is it possible to travel like a Royal without bankrupting? Spoiler: It is and I am telling you how.

These are my five tips for a luxury holiday on a budget.

Be flexible with your dates

This is probably The One Ring of the tips: the tip to rule them all. In order to travel in style, being flexible with your dates can mean all the difference between a budget-friendly and a bankrupting trip. Most flight companies offer big sales during off-peak season and the same applies to hotels, including high-end and five stars ones. Whether you are visiting an exotic island or domestic destination, don’t be shy to compare fares through different websites and travel agencies. You can save up a fair amount by using your fidelity points too (Sebastian and I are always offered good discounts through Booking since we are frequent flyers).

Plan ahead all your city tours

Most companies offer huge discounts on their tours and organized events when booked in advance. Last Summer, for instance, we saved about 30% of the price on a Danube luxury cruise experience by simply booking online. And let me tell you something: champagne tastes twice better when you make a good deal.

If possible, book your dinner/lunch in advance too

There are a few things that can spoil a fun trip so fast like endlessly wandering for a nice restaurant. Walking around only to discover that every place is full and overpriced after a long tiring day is quite disheartening. (And I don’t know about you guys, but I am not any nicer when tired AND hungry.) During our planning sessions before a holiday, we usually invest time to research about good restaurants and culinary experiences, and although it may sound like a hassle, it is less time-consuming than looking for a good place on the spot. Money-wise is smarter too since you can find reasonable offers for the best places. When in Budapest last month, we chose to book in Café New York, the Four Seasons Hotel, and the Mazel Tov restaurant among others. They were all impressive value and the food was nothing but exquisite.

Make your research on designer outlets and sales

Are you into designer fashion? Then, I would recommend making a little research on your destination: the number of luxury outlets and seasonal sales available can be shockingly high sometimes. If you are going to splurge extra cash in something fabulous, be sure you obtain the best value for your money. What about vintage? If the pre-loved market is your cup of tea, do not forget to make some research too! To me, hunting for bargains abroad is one of the biggest pleasures (and I have got a nice personal collection to prove it!)

When in doubt, upgrade the experience

Please, visualize this scene in your mind: you are chilling in that wonderful sky garden at dusk after a wonderful city tour. The views are breathtaking and the day was a memorable one. You would gladly drink a good glass of wine to celebrate now but when you reach for the menu— surprise, it is like £500, plus the blood of your first-born child! Familiar with the situation? Look, we have all been there which is the reason to upgrade with extras when offered during booking. Most of the times, you will end up saving money (and avoiding a hangover due to cheap drinks too…)

What are your personal tricks when travelling in style?

Have you got any wisdom to share with me?

September 23, 2019November 13, 2019

Allegra Caro22 Comments

The best high tea in Budapest: Herend afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Hotel

There are two types of people — those who like afternoon tea and those who don’t.

Being an obsessive foodie (and although I find the term painfully cringe-worthy), there is no need to say I belong to the first group. Yes, I love my food. And yes, I have a sweet tooth too. But to be honest, that is not all about it.

To me, there is something vaguely ritual about the whole tea-time experience: the idea of dressing in your best best to share good food and a lovely conversation with someone you appreciate; the endless succession of spongy scones, coated in a decadent foam of jam and custard, immaculately presented in the finest china. Afternoon tea represents the luxury of quality time — winding down from our usual fast-pace everyday routine.

As soon as we decided to visit Budapest last month, we booked the Herend Afternoon Tea experience at the Four Seasons Hotel as a birthday present for me. We’d had a nice time there the previous Summer and were looking to upgrade the game. And guys, I am so glad we did!

Four Seasons is located a the Gresham Palace, a 1906 Art Nouveau building which offers enviable views over the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Danube. The palace itself is a true national treasure and it is worth a visit, even if you only go for a coffee. But let’s talk about Herend Tea.

five stars hotel tea in budapest — Me happily standing in the lobby after all the delicious food

Afternoon Tea is served every day from 15.00 to 18.00 in the hotel lobby and tea lounge, where you can listen to a live piano concert. An elegant Herend porcelain table is set with bountiful bites and a cup of Gresham Tea, setting the ultimate mood for an afternoon at the Gresham Palace. The china service is one of the most beautiful sets I have ever seen in real life, decorated with dainty colours and floral details. Next time, I would love to purchase a set for our personal collection (the hotel offers a specialized porcelain boutique for customers).

The tea selection includes white Yea Long, superior Oolong, Finest Shizuoka Sencha, Superior Gyokuro, Golden Assam, Earl Grey, Yunnan Black Mao Feng and Massala among others. If you are a tea lover, you can’t miss the chance to taste some of their available range (when in Budapest, I enjoy paying them a daily visit just for a cup of tea and to rest from shopping and city sighting).

But the absolute winner here is food. Afternoon tea is served both with a sweet and savoury offer: from Tramezzini (a bold smoked trout, mustard and dill sauce bite) to their absolutely delicious triple chocolate cake, everything was simply divine. My personal favourite? Their confit duck sandwich is to die for (and I really mean it, some days the craving is still HARD, let me tell you. Like waking-up-at-three-in-the-morning-wih-a-craving kind of hard).

Not only the food quality is fantastic, but also the quantity is very generous: Sebastian and I are both good eaters, and even so we barely managed to try every delicious piece. (As you can see in the photos, I was wearing a flowy dress that day. Thank heavens I did so: none of my trousers would have fitted afterward comfortably…)

The staff working there is truly kind and well-mannered and they would explain to you everything about the different types of snacks and drinks provided, assisting you at all times.

Finally, the price for the afternoon service is around twenty euros per person, which can be slightly increased if you choose to enhance the experience with a cheeky glass of Kreinbacher Sparkling Wine or Veuve Cliquot Rosé N.V. (and c’mon, we all enjoy the occasional champagne glass, right? Actually, every meal would be better with some champagne, if you ask me). But overall, the price-quality relationship is impressive all things considered. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying your city break, I would recommend the experience to anyone.

Are you into high tea? What is your favourite afternoon tea experience so far?

(Disclaimer: To be crystal clear here, this post is not sponsored in any way. We paid for the whole event and this post shows my honest opinion as a customer strictly.)

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

Allegra Caro23 Comments

What to do in Budapest: Designer shopping at Andrassy Avenue

In the many years we’ve been together, Sebastian and I have started a bunch of family traditions: there is the one about the Christmas Day pancakes extravaganza and the one with my youngest sister staying with us for holiday every Summer. Three years ago, we visited Budapest for my birthday and we enjoyed the experience so much, it became a tradition of its own automatically.

Usually, we take the chance to go for a long city break, spending about three-four days in Budapest. In case you are not familiar with the Hungarian capital and its many charms, let me tell you it is worth a visit — the food is delicious, with a plethora of high-end, Nouvelle cuisine, and traditional restaurants to choose from, and don’t even make me start about the beauty of the urban landscape.

But the thing is, you can already read about it all out there, since there is plenty of information online. Instead of telling you how much I love the sunset by the Danube or writing another endless post about visiting Budapest Castle, I thought it would be much more interesting letting you know about other not well-known activities. Let’s talk shopping, for instance.

In Budapest, one of the best kept secrets is the quality and variety of the local shops: from luxury to vintage, and from handcrafted to the high street, you name it. Every year, I pay a visit to my favourite boutiques religiously, in search of one seasonal bargain or two and the city never disappoints.

Of course, this year was no exception. On the second day of our trip, we had a late breakfast at Muvesz Kavehaz in the opera district, and then proceeded to go for some window shopping at Andrassy Avenue — hello, did someone say shopping awesomeness?

Unfortunately, the Gucci and Burberry shops close on Sundays but LV, Pinko, and Michael Kors open to the public on the weekends. By mid-August many of them were still holding seasonal sales (now, that’s what I call a birthday present), which was the perfect excuse to splurge on something nice. Who can say no to a beautiful designer bag on sale, after all?

At the time, I was looking for a good quality leather bag in burgundy or wine to complete my Autumn collection so, as soon as I entered Michel Kors and saw this beauty, I was sold to it (do not worry: there is a proper bag review coming your way). I asked to the very nice shop assistant to let me try it and then I knew it was the one. Sebastian, on the other hand, said it was quite obvious the bag was going home with me based on the way I was holding it and mumbling “My Precious!”, which totally sounds like me to be fair…

Once we left the store, we had a nice long walk all through the neighbourhood. Sadly, the Opera House was closed due to some renovation works on the façade, so we skipped the planned visit and enjoyed the rest of our morning wandering around. And let me tell you that, every single time, we are amazed on how gentle and warm are people around the luxury district, specially while comparing with more popular destinations like Paris: we can only say good things about the working staff in most shops, who are really helpful and welcoming. Definitely, Andrassy Avenue does deserve a visit while in Budapest.

Shortly afterwards, we left the district for our booked tea time appointment at the Four Seasons Hotel but that is another story and shall be told another time…

Have you ever visited Budapest?

If so, what are your favourite shopping locations?

Dress: Poema (sold out, skirt version here)

Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)

Bobby pins: Anthropologie (sold out in their website, some stock here)

Other accesories: Off brand

September 11, 2019September 12, 2019

Allegra Caro12 Comments

These beachwear essentials will upgrade your Summer game

Summer is in full swing now and by this time of the year, the endless so-called-must-haves offer out there can be a bit overwhelming.

However, if you are anything like me, there is a good chance you kept forgetting to check your holiday bucket list purposely. (Did I comment on the fact that by the beginning of the month I had bought my SPF only? Because guys, that’s how lazy I am…) Well, I don’t know about you but spending all those fragrant breeze June evenings hunting for beach essentials felt like doing homework to me. And guys, holiday and homework don’t mix well together.

But back to the topic, July is here now and for most of us, that long-awaited trip to the sands is around the corner. Before you panic, don’t worry: Whether you are enrolling a cruise in the Mediterranean or dipping your toes in the crystal blue Maldives waters, I stopped procrastinating and surfed the internet for you to find the definitive beachwear essentials to upgrade your Summer game.

Looking for that French Riviera chic vacation vibe? I have you covered.

01. The boho girl beach style

Only few things can compare to the careless bohemian glamour – it is a bit like the fashion equivalent to instant soup allure, isn’t it? Channel your inner IT girl and voilá: ready to be invited to the V.I.P. lounge. No need to say this Camilla off-the-shoulder ruffled embellished printed swimsuit is plainly perfect.

(Rosantica beader wicker tote, Chloé sunglasses, Kenneth Jay Lane cuff, Aqquazura embellished sandals).

02. The vintage film diva look

When I was a kid, I used to daydream about becoming an Old Hollywood actress. Well, I might not be one but there is always the chance to wear this Norma Kamali halterneck swimsuit and play Gene Tierney in 1942 Rings in her Fingers. Cocktails anyone?

(Bow embellished slides by Prada, tote and shades by YSL, hat available here).

03. The ingénue in holiday wishlist

Personally? I LOVE everything Chelsea 28 produces but this Off the Shoulder Ruffle One-Piece Swimsuit is one of my favourites ever. It adds a note of romance to your look and is still casual, playful and wearable. Add the the Urban Outfitters marine hair clips to complete the mermaid vibe.

(Beach towel available at Fendi. Laminated sandals by CHANEL. Raffia bag here).

And these are my favourite 2019 Summer style essentials. Have you been shopping for the beach already? Any nice finds you would like to share?

July 15, 2019August 14, 2019

Allegra Caro4 Comments

My story as a nervous flyer: five tips to beat the fear

When Amelia Earhart said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty, she wasn’t thinking about nervous flyers.

At the time writing this post, it is a glorious Friday morning and although 5th Piano Concerto ‘Emperor‘ is playing in the background, and the sunlight caresses the white kitchen walls while I wait for my coffee to be ready, I can’t feel any serenity. The reason? I am taking a flight to London in about seven hours, and the mere thought compresses my stomach. Yes, you guessed it: I am a nervous flyer.

For starters, I should probably clarify I am not one of the most severe cases ever. To me, the main trigger is boarding alone, rather than the flight itself. Hence, I only experience this kind of anxiety in the few occasions I need to travel all by myself.

Over the years, I tried different techniques to relieve my stress levels but since most of the international flights in Europe last two-three hours tops, I never took the time to search for real solutions. Last Winter though, Sebastian and I booked an eleven hours trip to Tokyo, and I immediately knew I would need to find a fix to make it sane to the other side of the globe.

It was a long process and it took a good deal of trial and error but at the end of the day, I managed to figure out a bunch of relaxation techniques which can make a difference in the way you experience a flight. In all honestly? It was enlightening. Just imagine to be able to block most of the negativity and reduce it to the extent that you are able to be functional again.

But how do you do that?

These are my five tips to get over flight anxiety.

1. Embrace a simple but revolutionary idea: you are NOT in charge

And do you know what? That is totally alright.

Our natural instinct is trying to control any situation. If by any chance you are a control freak (hello there old soul mate!), you will have a hard time on a plane surely. Try something new instead: follow the air crew instructions, take a deep breath and accept you are not in control—not here, not now. Embracing the chaos might sound like a silly cliché, but I find it truly comforting.

2. Instead of thinking about the flight duration as a punishment, treat it as a well-deserved rest

I know, it is difficult to see any in-board time as a luxury when the eternal promise of a noisy seat neighbour is floating on the air like a threat to your mental integrity—but please, believe me when I tell you that it is all about your own attitude. Don’t reach for your work laptop or tablet. Instead, use the time to eat something delicious (avoiding crappy tourist class food can be a good idea) or watch a nice film on your laptop. Catching up with some beloved podcasts is a personal favourite of mine but you should be able to find something to treat yourself.

3. Block as much unpleasant ambient noise as possible

Children crying, repetitive coffee announcements from the crew, motor noise… Personally, I can’t stand those. Since I was a child, I suffer from a light form of Mishophonia that can be aggravated on stressful situations, so blocking any unpleasant sound is a must. Last year, I started packing some headphones on my cabin luggage and so far, it has proved life-changing. Ear plugs are a great option if you wish to go for a cat nap too.

If you are a frequent flyer though, you might consider investing in some noise-cancelling headphones. My current best-loved are the Beat Studio 3 Wireless Headphones (they are foldable, wireless and they offer up to 22 hours of battery), but there are plenty of options out there.

4. Get yourself comfortable

It could be argued that long flights main issue is the lack of comfort: limited personal space and sturdy seats are a terrible match for sure. Nonetheless, there are a few tricks you can use to improve your rest. Have you ever thought of spending some cash on a memory-foam travel pillow, or even an Ostrich Pillow model (my own choice)? Wrapping yourself in a nice, soft cardigan or jumper is also a good idea since it will help you to sleep better if needed.

5. When things go wild, turn to rescue remedy

It might be anything from a lavender soothing spray to a luxury spa hand-cream. Take some time and search for a few products which essence and consistency will immediately make you feel safe and relaxed. Then prepare an emergency kit and pack it in your cabin luggage. In case you are curious about it, I personally trust Rosa Centifolia Hand Treatment Cream and La Creme Main Texture Riche to make me feel in a spa when travelling but any nice scent product will do.

April 30, 2019October 1, 2019

Allegra Caro6 Comments

When blogging goes wrong

I am going to tell you something about nice sunny Winter days – they might be delightful and a great opportunity to be out and about, but in terms of taking outfit photos, they totally suck. (Yes, #firstworldproblems, I know.)

Like, can you see that slightly awkward expression in my eyes? It is all due to that ~~lovely~~ low sun we enjoy in the coldest months (hooray!)

In normal circumstances, I would have quickly returned to our apartment in order to pick up my sunglasses, but that was a bit inconvenient since we were about 500 kilometres away on a holiday weekend. Consequently, I spent most of our trip looking like a suspicious character from the Maltese Falcon (just for your information, my code name is Red Socks from now on. Remember that in case you need to contact me).

Even so, I could not really complain. I mean, I moaned all Winter long about the awful weather and the sun felt like a blessing after all. It was snowing for two months non-stop. And I am sorry but even after five years, I am not used to it. At ALL. (My usual hibernation strategy consists in hiding in a corner for the whole Winter feeling pity for myself and repeating “but it is SO unfair” on a loop. *Cries in Spanish*.)

So quite obviously at this point, it feels like a luxury to be able to have a long walk and not to freeze. As they say, it is all about the small things.

The day before these photos were taken, it was -5 °C and then Saturday was all shiny and reasonably warm. Hello, global warming! How are you doing?

Given the nice temperatures, we wandered around the Philharmonic House neighbourhood for a while and decided to go for afternoon tea afterwards.

Grand Hotel Continental is another Bucharest location which holds a special place in our hearts since it was where we stayed during our wedding weekend.

Everyday from 3 to 6 they serve a delicious afternoon tea complete with a lovely variety of delicious sandwiches and sweets. Unfortunately, at that point I was SO hungry I completely forgot grabbing the camera. And can you guess? I only came to realize once most of our refreshment was already gone (I can be a terrible blogger when it comes to food, folks). But OH MY WORD, it was absolutely delicious.

After that, the sun was mostly gone and the few attempts we made to take more pictures were pointless. In the end, I completely gave up and simply admitted the Internet would have to accept my awkward spy-face expression. Also, I slowly came to terms with a simple fact – sometimes blogging goes wrong.

You can do your best, surely: pick up an outfit you like, choose a nice location, shoot in the optimal daytime… And even so, Murphy’s law will be there to mess up with you.

If you are a perfectionist, there is a big chance you will lose your temper or resent your luck. But believe me, at the end of the day it is not worth it.

And hey, there are days in which is better to let go (and just have a spontaneous margaritas date with your husband). Did I mention how nice are cocktails when on a holiday?

Silver linings, people. Silver linings.

Jumper: Zara / Skirt: Chicwish / Bag: Chanel

February 26, 2019April 4, 2019

Allegra Caro15 Comments

Five awesome things to do in Bucharest

So, you finally decided it is time to take those well-deserved days off and have a little city break. In the meantime, you read something on the internet about the top five trendy European destinations and got really excited about the idea of trying something new. Then, you thought Bucharest sounds exotic enough and managed to book inexpensive flight tickets and accommodation.

(Congratulations! Let me tell you something: you are about to have a great holiday!)

But now you feel a bit insecure about what to do once you are in there. After all, no one you know visited Romania. And well, to be completely honest you are starting to panic a bit. Hey, it is totally fine. I have been there too.

When I first arrived in Bucharest in September 2013 I had no idea what the hell I was doing — I had no friends, I didn’t speak the language at all, and information about the city was very scarce back then. (For a while, I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off.) Even so, I managed to put my %”$! together, totally fell in love with the city, and stayed for three years.

Luckily for you, it is 2019 now and Bucharest is becoming better known as time goes by.

Actually, I truly believe Bucharest is the new European capital of cool.

In case you are visiting soon and looking for some advice for a short relaxing city break, these are five awesome things to do in Bucharest.

1. Rediscovering Food

Maybe you don’t know about this yet but Bucharest is a paradise for foodies. And I am not exaggerating here — when I visited earlier this month, I gained three pounds in a single weekend…

The city is crammed with little coffee shops and restaurants where you can order anything from Romanian dishes to Nouvelle cuisine. Also, most places are of great value compared with other European destinations.

Thesee are a few of my favourite places:

Highlife

This restaurant definitely holds a special place in my heart, since it is the spot where Sebastian proposed on August the 18th, 2014. Everything is delicious there: the salmon, the filet mignon with green pepper sauce, the raspberries sauce duck… But oh my, if you ever go there, please don’t miss the opportunity to taste the triple chocolate cake. It is OMG! Like, I-died-and-went-to-Heaven kind of awesome.

2. Le Boutique du Pain

Are you into brunch? (I mean c’mon, who isn’t these days?) Then give Le Boutique du Pain a go. They offer a wide variety of sweet and salty options. Everything from benedict eggs to waffles, including a daily menu you cannot miss.

3. Stadio

I will say one word only — Papanași. They offer a delicious deconstructed version with a black and white chocolate dip to die for. (Seriously guys, I now dream of stealing the recipe. I am actually plotting an implausible as well as complicated Ocean’s Eleven style plan that might or might not send me to send me to jail… But I will keep you updated.) But whatever, just don’t think it twice and go.

2. Visiting the most beautiful bookstore in Europe

And once more, I am not exaggerating here. A quick Pinterest research will show you how stunning this place is. It doesn’t matter if you are a bookworm, the building is impressive enough to enjoy the visit. If you are a reader, also please consider they actually have a wide foreign languages section too and a nice little coffee shop in the last floor where you can actually sit and read.

3. Going on a vintage and antiques shopping spree

To me, shopping during the holidays never gets old. But I’d rather go hunting for antiques than exploring the same boring high street shops you can find in any other city. In this sense, the Romanian capital is absolutely amazing.

One of my favourite places is located in the 11^th of Doamnei street. The building used to be an university library but nowadays it holds the main antiques and handmade market. In there, you will find anything you can possibly imagine: old pictures and postcards, porcelain dolls, furniture, Soviet medals, and old passports. I never manage to spend less than one hour there, sniffing for bargains as a bloodhound.

If you are more into second-hand, just be attentive when you walk around. In no time, you will realize the city is full of little stores specialized in used goods, vintage and even second-hand designer items. Now, since the prices are very inexpensive when compared to other countries, be prepared for a proper loot (aye, captain!).

4. Exploring Little Paris

I have already mentioned the undeniable Parisian resemblance before.

In order to see it with your own eyes, take some time to peacefully wander through Victoriei area and discovering the Romanian Atheneum (which you can visit by simply booking a ticket and whose breathtaking hall was inspired by the Opera Garnier palace), the National Bank building, the National History Museum and many others. You can also visit the beautiful Passage Villacrosse, a lovely gallery built the Parisian style and full of nice little terraces where you can sit and smoke a Turkish pipe.

5. Having afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel Continental

Whether you make a proper stop for afternoon tea or simply to rest a bit, please make a stop at Continental Hotel. It is one of my favourite places to chill after a long shopping day.

And this was another installment of the Vintage Guide series.

I truly hope you enjoyed it.

Now, if you excuse me, I am going to keep plotting how to steal that legendary Papanași recipe. Please, pray for me and call a lawyer…

February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

Allegra Caro8 Comments

Why Bucharest is the coolest city in Europe

There are a few images I link to Winter-time—the smell of a log fire at my grandma’s place, the taste of herbal tea on a rainy evening, a cat purring on my lap while reading a book.

But Winter (and by that, I mean real Winter) was a notion I only understood when my husband and I arrived in Bucharest five years ago. That was when we first became familiar with snow and long dark evenings and started seeing through the eyes of all those classic Russian writers we love. I vividly remember the first time we saw people skating on a frozen lake, Shostakóvich Jazz Suite № 2 flowing on the crisp morning air, and came to the conclusion we were now living on our own version of Anna Karenina (well, maybe without the wonderful costumes and all the drama, but you get the idea, don’t you?)

We started spending every spare hour outdoors, wandering, discovering the beauty of all those abandoned white marble palaces shinning under the golden rose light, like a million candles, asking ourselves why barely anyone knew there is another Paris hiding in East Europe. Because the truth is only a few outside Romania knows Bucharest nickname is Little Paris.

And it is not only about the incredible French architecture they imported, or the joie de vivre you can experience on a sunny afternoon sitting in any downtown terrace, it is about that catchy spirit which seems to infuse every aspect of the city: From the delicious food (some more notes on that very soon) to the awesome underground music scene; From the city art galleries to the countless tea rooms, second-hand shops and antiques markets—the Romanian capital never stops shocking you.

So, when last month Sebastian asked me how would I feel about having some days off for a city break there (we are currently living in Timișoara), I could only paraphrase Hepburn by claiming that ~~Paris~~ Bucharest is always a good idea (also, I might have danced Don’t Stop Me Now around the house, but that’s another story for a different time…)

And finally, last Thursday we took a train in the early hours and arrived just on time for lunch. That was on Valentines Day, so on our first stop, we granted a visit to our favourite tea house. Bernschutz & Co. is based on a tiny Victorian house, located in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods.

In Bucharest, it is not unusual to find the most charming and cozy restaurants inside renovated Art Noveau and Belle Époque buildings. It is awesome. Actually, scratch that. I mean AWESOME. Just imagine yourself having afternoon tea on the 19th-century old manor. You feel pretty much like a Downton Abbey character and that’s an experience I cannot recommend enough.

As I said, Bernschutz is my favorite, but options are countless: Casa Oamenilor de Stiinta (which used to be the home of the first worldwide traveler, the local Phileas Fogg, if you please) is an amazing Victorian house in the heart of the city, Hotel Continental offers a lovely afternoon tea with the same high quality standards The Ritz Carlton does.

Of course, we also spent some time visiting old town. The place is packed with some of the most beautiful buildings you can imagine, such as the National Bank or the National History Museum (in these pictures). Another national treasure can be found at Piata Victoriei, and it is the famous Romanian Atheneum (but do not worry, I am writing a little city guide and I will share it very soon).

Unfortunately, by the time we took these pictures it was kind of cold (and by that I mean it was about -5°C which made our hands to feel numb enough to finish the shoot abruptly and to run for our lives), so we decided to enter to the closest mall to warm up for a while. Probably, you are now thinking: “What! So, you are visiting the coolest city in Europe and you simply pop up to any mall? What is wrong with you?” And this is actually my next argument in favour of Bucharest — even the malls can be cool. We visited Victoria Shopping Center, a wonderful time capsule offering all kind of vintage goods: tailored clothes, new and second-hand jewellery, artisan gloves and hats… anything.

Now, I don’t need to tell you about how much I love vintage shopping again.

Bucharest might not be as crazy in shopping standards as Budapest is, but the wide variety of shops and markets is still quite amazing. So every time we visit the city, Sebastian is required to play his personal shopper/style consultant role so I manage to establish priorities and not to get aaaaall the goods… (Thanks, hun! You are so far the most patient of all my friends.)

So, long story short: If you are into beautiful architecture, awesome food, vintage and arts, please book your next holiday in Bucharest.

Now, tell me a bit about your last holiday.

Dress: H&M (sold out, similar here)

Scarf: Meli Meló (sold out, similar here)

Bag: Pinko/ Bracelets: Meli Meló / Boots: Deichmann

February 19, 2019November 25, 2019

Allegra Caro16 Comments

Hidden gems in the Spanish coast

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Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again

No matter how many times I hear this sentence, I still get goosebumps. Rebecca was one of my first classic films ever, but I only discovered the novel many years afterwards. By the age of six, I was completely familiar with Mr. and Mrs. Winter story but I could only understand its subtlety when I was quite older and an English student – the gentle references to Jane Eyre and the whole Gothic Novel genre, Mrs. Danvers personal motivation, the complex colour of Maximilian‘s emotions. For a long time, I would ramble about it for hours to anyone who would patiently listen to me and I can tell you I was an awfully persistent conversationalist…

Du Maurier work has always resonated with me on a deep level: old manor houses full of secrets? Just count me in! There is something indefinitely tempting when it comes to an old good English mystery tale. Most of my Winter school days were spent in the kitchen after homework, with a good book and a cup of tea. I was that girl in the class whose major role model was Miss Marple – but that’s a different story for a different time.

But long story short, I always thought the only way I would be able to admire the grand stately houses on her novels would be to travel abroad and, as I will expose in a minute, I was terribly wrong.

As I grew older, I fulfilled my secret ambition to visit England and see some of those great abandoned aristocratic houses with my own eyes. I traveled to visit the most majestic places in Berkshire, Sussex, and Essex, wandering through dark parlours and shady ballrooms, pretending to be the main character of some little Gothic novel.

I even spent a significant part of my then-so-scarce Au Pair allowance to get a National Trust membership which allowed me to access most historical places around the area. I don’t regret a thing about those early adventures but I am sad my main motivation was the blind conviction I would never experience anything similar in my own country. Knowledge, as it usually happens, only arrived after years of reading and some natural curiosity.

I am from Galicia – a Northern region in Spain. We have got breathtaking wild landscape: from sapphire blue waters to virgin woods. Our cathedrals are some of the oldest and better preserved in Europe and our Celtic origins make us different from anyone else in the country. And even so, I knew almost nothing about our historic heritage. Hence, (shame on me!) I was missing one of the most surprising and unknown treasures from my own country.

As I have previously stated, my homeland is full of beautiful castles and old mansions. By the time I finished university, I had traveled to see most of the region and I finally came to terms with the idea of the North being absolutely awesome. As a matter of fact, during my last Summer in Galicia, I read Rebecca again, only to realize I was living in a picturesque region which could perfectly match the novel. Therefore, today I am contempt to share some of my favourite spots with you.

These are some of the hidden gems in the Spanish coast.

Playa das catedrais

Are you into wild landscapes and out-of-this-world views? Well, then you should block some time in your next Spanish holiday to visit this beach. Don’t expect the typical Caribbean style landscape, thought – Playa das catedrais is all about wild Northern beauty since it is wide-opened to the cold waters of the Cantabrian sea. We are speaking about rugged cliffs and pure air, the real Galician spirit. Please, be ready to get impressed (and take some unforgettable pictures).

Pazo de Lourizán

This is one of my personal beloved spots, a place where I would frequently go to read during the holidays. As you can see in the pictures, it is a true time capsule hidden in a forest. The manor used to belong to a local politician and his aristocratic family and is just a perfect corner to breathe some fresh air and forget about the world.

Pazo de Castrelos

This is another of my favourite secret gems in the Spanish coastline. A place I described before like the local version of Outlander Lallibroch. Paradoxically, it is rarely included in the local attractions lists, so please be sure to go for a day walk there if you ever visit.

And these are some of the very best hidden gems the Northern Spanish coastline.

Tell me, what are your personal favourite secret spots in your own country?

January 10, 2019March 30, 2019

Allegra Caro14 Comments

The Vintage Guide: Madrid city break

I have got a confession to make: I HATE city break guides.

Yes, I know. I can hear your thoughts from here – why in the name of God are you writing one then, huh?

Well, the point is I hate the kind of 48 hours city guides crammed with tourist traps and famous over-priced restaurants that feel more like a check-list marathon than a holiday. You know what I am speaking about, right? I mean the type you could easily think is a Lonely Planet appendix, and whose writer has rarely spent more than the aforementioned 48 hours in the given city, which makes the content… well… mostly superficial, to be honest.

Now, I am not suggesting you should be a total native to write a city guide at all, but I do believe visiting at least a bunch of times can provide you with a bit more of perspective when you are trying to provide assistance to others. As a blogs reader myself, it is not unusual for me to spend a few hours looking for content on the cities I am visiting before a weekend abroad. However, more frequently than not I only get disappointed by the tips I find.

Last month, I was searching for some cool recommendations for Madrid, a city I have visited quite a lot already but which I was expecting to wander around like a native for a change. All I could find nevertheless was classic basic advice like: visit El Prado, the city center street food markets and Gran Vía… No offense intended, but I think most writers could do better with a bit of will AND research.

So after visiting Madrid myself (and quite a bunch of times, as mentioned before) I thought I could share some favourites of mine: not the sort of tips you would get from most guides, but more like a personal approach on what to do if you wish to avoid the check-list marathon style and simply enjoy a couple of days living like a local. So if you are here looking for basics about what to see in Madrid, maybe you should keep looking, sorry. Instead, these are my favourite tips to enjoy the charming vintage vibes Madrid can offer.

My favourite places to eat in Madrid

I do not consider myself a foodie, but I do like my food. So obviously, this is one of the top targets on my priority list when travelling. People will tell you Spanish food is wonderful (and in all honesty, it is) but you do not need to spend a small fortune on a five forks Michelin Guide restaurant to enjoy. So where do I enjoy my meals when in Madrid?

Tea time – Being a teatime and general snacks lover, it is not rare for me to try different tea rooms when visiting a new city. My favourite place in Madrid used to be The Ritz, but this year it is closed due to renovation works. In exchange, I recently discovered Le salon des Fleurs, a little tea room and flowers shop which offers the most tempting cake you can wish for. In my last trip, I tasted their homemade buttercream violets sponge cake and I can tell you it was delicious. Also, their shop is absolutely gorgeous, and a very grammable place if you ask me. If you have a craving for churros, please visit Maestro Churrero, you will want to come back.

International couisine restaurants – Many people are only interested to try the national couisine when travelling, and it is very understandable. However, I believe if the food is good, there is no reason to choose.

Being a Spaniard myself, I rarely take the chance to eat Spanish food when visiting Madrid, but I prefer to take advantage of the high-quality international offer. In my last trip, I discovered a couple of new fantastic places. Ginza is an authentic Japanese restaurant at the national congress neighborhood whose sushi Bentos are to die for and whose prices are truly reasonable. Greek and Shop has got both a wonderful Greek shop and restaurant in their little place at Malasaña neighborhood, all the food is homemade and they offer a delicious daily fixed menu for about 8 euros. If you are all about Brazilian food, you can visit Tapioca Chill in La Latina (do yourself a favor and order some coxinhas as a starter!) Do you fancy some Mexican? The tacos at Slow Mex are to die for!

My favourites places to shop in Madrid

If you are into fashion, Madrid has got a lot to offer. My personal favourites are vintage shops, but they are not the only ones. When having a walk at the golden mile in Serrano, I always make a stop at Guantes Varadé: a wonderful artisan shop based on gloves manufacture – you only understand what “to fit like a glove” really means when you try one of their pairs (no pun intended). Of course, I always take the chance to have a look at some of my Haute Couture places, including Miu Miu, Chanel, and Dolce and Gabbana, but they need no introduction, do they?

My favourite places to visit in Madrid

If you are around Serrano, as I previously said, there is a lot to see: block some time for window shopping and also to see the little Belle Epoque merry-go-round in the closest corner to Gucci shop.

If you have got a soft spot for art and history but you have already visited the biggest galleries, I can recommend a little and not that well-known museum: Museo Cerralbo was the official residence of the Marquise of Cerralbo (1845-1922) and keeps an exhaustive record of his private art collection. Also, the amazingly well-preserved nineteenth-century manor house deserves some credit by itself.

I would also definitely suggest to have a look to the Botanical Gardens (they are breathtaking during Autumn) and wander around El Paseo del Prado.

I promise you will not regret it.

Madrid is a city with a lot to offer not only to the ocassional visitor, but also to its locals. If you are spending some time there, please take the chance to wind down and enjoy its charms.

And have a very happy city break in Madrid!

December 12, 2018February 21, 2019

Allegra Caro26 Comments