Ah, Paris. No matter how many times I visit, I am always just as excited to be back. It serves the same kind of energy as New York – you feel inspired and energized just by being there – the quaint little cafés spilling onto cobblestone streets, art woven into the fabric of daily life. Paris has a way of making everything feel a little more magical, a little more cinematic. Somehow the city makes even the most mundane moments feel poetic. Every time I go I find a new spot to love and add it to my list of recs. So here we go below:
Stay: Charming AirBnB Studio In Montmarte
If you’re heading to Paris, this Airbnb is such a great find. It’s cozy, cute, and perfectly tucked away, giving you a genuine Parisian vibe. The decor is simple but stylish, and the location couldn’t be better—quiet enough to relax, but close to all the action. Estelle, the host, is so lovely and has thought of everything to make the space more than comfortable. Whether you’re traveling solo or as a couple, this spot is definitely worth saving for your next trip to Paris.
This brasserie in the 5th is all about the scene, not the food. It’s where locals gather, so grab a seat outside, order a coffee or glass of wine, and enjoy some top-tier people-watching. It’s Paris at its most relaxed.
Prescription Cocktail Club
Just a short walk from La Palette, this cocktail spot is chic and intimate. The vibe is cool, the lighting’s low, and the cocktails are some of the best in the city. Perfect for a post-dinner drink.
Lolo Cave à Manger
In the 9th, this organic wine bar serves up amazing small share plates. It’s got a trendy, “cool kids” feel without being pretentious. Come here for a glass of wine and stay for the effortlessly cool atmosphere.
Le Progrès Marais
This hipster brasserie in Le Marais is a go-to for a casual hangout. The local vibe makes it great for a mid-day break with coffee or wine. Ideal for people-watching and soaking in that Parisian charm.
Carboni’s
If you’re craving Italian, Carboni’s has you. It’s intimate, cozy, and serves up great pasta. Perfect for a date night or when you just need a break from all the French cuisine.
La Petite Place
This cute boutique restaurant is one of my favorite date night spots in Paris. The ambiance is intimate, the food’s delicious, and it has that tucked-away vibe that makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden gem.
Chez Julian
Featured in Emily in Paris, this place is still under the radar (thankfully). It’s classic Paris—elegant, cozy, and with delicious French fare. Great for a fine dining experience without being overly formal.
Peppe Pizzeria Martyrs
If you’re in Pigalle, this is where you go for pizza. The lines are long, but the pizza is worth it. Casual, delicious, and a great stop after wandering the neighborhood.
Bouillon Pigalle
A super French spot known for steak and fries, but be prepared for a wait since they don’t take reservations. It’s worth it if you can get in—authentic French food in a lively atmosphere.
Dirty Dick
This cocktail bar in Pigalle has a fun tiki vibe. It’s a bit quirky but in the best way. The drinks are strong, the crowd is lively, and it’s just a great time.
Right across from Dirty Dick, Le Lipstick is another Pigalle spot that’s perfect for cocktails. It’s more low-key but has that same fun, energetic vibe. Ideal for a night of bar-hopping.
Bonus Coffee & Bakery Recs:
KB Café is my favorite coffee spot in Paris. Chill atmosphere, amazing coffee. A few steps away, Babka Zana has the best babka, and Mamiche—just up the street—might be the best bakery in town. Expect lines, but it’s worth the wait.
Alright, friends, if you find yourself cruising the French Riviera, Antibes should be on your hit list. It’s that perfect blend of sun, history, and that je ne sais quoi that makes you want to move there forever. I’ve gathered my thoughts, spilled some tea, and here’s what you need to know.
When it comes to a place to rest your sun-kissed head, Villa Fabulite is where you want to be. It’s cozy, it’s chic, and you’ll feel like you’re living in your own little Mediterranean oasis. Think laid-back luxury with all the character you want from a French stay. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill hotel, it’s more of an experience, made so by the incredible staff and the intimate setting of twelve rooms, a communal pool and gorgeous little terrace for breakfast and lunch.
At the iconic Eden-Roc Hotel, this spot is everything. Yes, it’s pricey, and the dress code is real, but the views and vibes are totally worth it. Perfect for that sunset drink you romanticize. I of course didn’t take a single photo while we were there but thats always a sign of a great night for me.
Plage Keller Restaurant
So, I didn’t get a chance to try this one myself, but everyone in town raved about it. Beach club, restaurant, and the perfect day spot. Next time I’m in Antibes, I’ll be making a beeline here for a beach chair and rosé.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s summer house? Yes, please! It’s beautiful, it’s historic, and it’s right on the water’s edge. If you’re into old-world charm and imagining you’re living in a Gatsby novel, this is your place.
Le Cafe Brun
This little spot in the old town is perfect for an afternoon drink. Sit down, sip your Rosé and people watch for hours. Its also a very budget friendly spot compared to its counterpoints above.
Restaurant L’Arazur
Pro tip: Book in advance. I didn’t, so we didn’t get a table and I’m very disappointed in myself. Its another place that was recommended to us. It was also recommended that I book well in advance, but I never have listened to instructions well.
La Crique
This is a great little bar on the beach to watch the sunset from. It’s very relaxed, super easy on the wallet and filled mostly with locals.
Boulangerie Veziano
In my humble opinion, this is the best bakery in town and I do the leg work on bakery recommendations.
NOMADS Coffee The coffee is great and they don’t look like you’ve just personally offended them for ordering an Oat Latte.
Get up early and hit the markets. They’re open from 6 am every day except Monday, and they’re so worth the early start. Grab some fresh fruit, maybe a pastry (or three), and you’re set for a beach day.
Rue du Haut Castelet
One of the prettiest streets in town, and at golden hour it was made for Instagram.
Coastal Walks Around Cap d’Antibes
For my fellow walkers, Antibes has two coastal trails that are a must.
Sentier du Brigadiers: An easier walk with stunning views.
Sentier des Douaniers: A bit more challenging, but equally breathtaking. Perfect for when you need to soak in that Riviera beauty.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a picturesque medieval village perched on a hill in the Provence-Alpes-Côte – about a 45 minute drive from Antibes. It is incredibly cute with it’s narrow cobblestone streets and well preserved medieval-architecture. Picasso and Henri Matisse helped put Saint-Paul-de-Vence on the map as they were “inspired by its beauty and tranquil atmosphere”. Now-a-days it’s established as an important center for art and home to a ton of great little art galleries.
Visit Château Sainte Roseline
And pick up a large bottles of their Rosé. Château Sainte Roseline is a historic winery about an hours drive from Antibes. The estate itself is incredibly beautiful and the wine is elite. Sainte Roseline herself is still there too, enshrined in the chapel, which I get cause if I was her I’d never leave either.
Antibes is all about the perfect mix of laid-back luxury and historical charm, so whether you’re eating, drinking, walking, or just lounging by the sea, you’re going to want to savor every moment.
And so, the European Summer saga continues. This time, we’re headed to Antibes on the French Riviera. With so many of you also gallivanting across Europe right now, I thought I’d share my packing list as I put some real effort into the old suitcase filing this time around.
Packing for Antibes is all about blending elegance with ease and making the most out of a small suitcase! I’m excited to actually wear all of these pieces and show you guys how I style them. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram to view them in real time.
It’s official, I’m in my Euro Summer era. We recently returned from a trip to Malta and Croatia and honestly, everything you’ve heard is true, both places are magic. So here’s your ultimate guide to where we stayed, where we ate, and, for the sake of this conversation, what I wore.
Malta
Where we Stayed: The Phoenicia Malta (Valletta)
One thing about me is that I’m choosing old-world charm over modern luxury every time I book a hotel. I want character and history – an escape from the current day into a slower, more deliberate pace of life. Our home base in Malta was the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta and it delivers just that. This place really is a gem that transports you to a time when attention to detail and an appreciation for the finer things in life were paramount. I felt nostalgic just walking through the halls and eating dinner on the back veranda. It makes you want to dress up and drink martinis. It makes you never want to leave.
We had an amazing dinner at Porticello, right on the water. The seafood was fresh and the ambiance was ambianc-ing. My diet was heavily anchored in Vongole throughout this trip and Porticello served up my favourite one. I am also convinced that all food tastes better when you can see the sea.
Beef Bar (St Paul’s Bay): This beach club/restaurant is absolutely stunning and worth the spend if you want a bougie day on the cocktails.
Strait Street (Valletta): An adorable little street packed with various bars. It’s perfect for bar hopping and experiencing the local nightlife.
AROY-D (Three Cities): Located on the edge of the harbor, this spot is fantastic for food and Aperols. The setting is picturesque, making it a great place to unwind after a long day of walking.
Wuestenwinds Beach (Valletta): My favorite beach in Valletta is Wuestenwinds on the East side of town. It’s less crowded, has a local vibe, and has a cute little cafe where you can grab a cold beer and some snacks, which is my idea of a perfect afternoon. There is no sand, you simply lay out on the flat rock and listen to the waves rolling in..
Traditional Boat Ride from Valletta to Three Cities: Taking one of the traditional boats across to Three Cities is a must. The views are fantastic, and the boats themselves are super charming. The cost is around 4 euros each way.
Top Tip:
Blue Lagoon: While the Blue Lagoon is famously beautiful, it can be overwhelmingly busy during peak season, so it’s a hard maybe for me if you’re visiting during that time. The picture below looks serene but behind the camera was chaos.
We stayed at the Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj, and it was seriously amazing. My only critic would be that it’s a little soulless for my liking. Super modern design and over the top luxury, so its a ridiculous critic for me to have about such an incredible property, but I was just missing the nostalgia from above. If however you are into sleek, contemporary design, you will love this place. We were only here for two nights, so it was a quick stop over but we did get to eat in the hotels two-michelin star restaurant, Agli Amici, and that was an incredible experience.
In Hvar, we stayed at the iconic Palace Elisabeth and I was right back in my old-world charm. This is one of my favourite hotels that I’ve stayed in to date. It was in collaboration with Leading Hotels of the World so we did get, what can only be described as a princess suite, which certainly provided an exceptional stay, but every corner of the hotel is a stunning blend of historical grandeur and luxury. It was originally a Venetian Duke’s palace back in the 13th century and you can kind of feel this whispering through its walls (maybe that was the wine). At any rate I will one hundred percent be returning here.
One of the highlights of our trip was dining at Val Marina Restaurant in Hvar, another beautiful restaurant situated right on the harbor in the old town. They had this cute little ‘make your own bruschetta’ moment, and I don’t know if it was the sun or the glass of prosecco they hand you when you walk in but I had one of those “bury me here” moments. Chefs kiss.
Black Pepper Restaurant – I love this place for the ambiance. The veranda is covered in flowers or you can sit in on the steps of this adorable little side street and watch the world drift by.
San Marco Restaurant – This is the restaurant in Palace Elisabeth so we had breakfast and dinner here. The food is so fresh, you’re sat outside under this beautiful
What to Do in Hvar:
Explore Rovinj’s Old Town
Rovinj’s Old Town is a maze of cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and charming squares. We spent hours wandering around, taste testing olive oil in the market, looking through local shops and happily getting lost in the tiny little streets that sporadically come to a dead end.
Beaches of Hvar
Hvar is known for its beautiful beaches, and crystal clear water which, in my opinion, will cure anything you got. We were up with the sun for our morning dip each day and surrounded by mostly locals, swimming with their pups and lounging on the rocks. It made me wish I was a local.
Whenever I travel to a new place I usually have an expectation of what it’s going to be like. Cape Town however, blew these right out of the water.
I expected it to be beautiful, I’d heard the food was incredible, the landscape breathtaking – but I had no idea how hard I’d fall for this city. There is something magical about Cape Town, and that’s the best way I can describe it.
WHAT WE DID
Climbed Lions Head – This took us 3 hours. We’d been told it was roughly a 90 minute round trip and perhaps this is true if you’re Edmund Hillary, but for the rest of us you’ll need three solid hours. Take water, wear proper shoes and be prepared to break a sweat. This climb is no joke. Also, brace yourself for literally being “on the edge” – parts of this trail will have you 600m up with only few inches between your feet and the cliff. It’s fantastic.
Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain – You can hike Table Mountain but as we’d already done Lion’s Head we were happy to pay the 290R (about $20USD) and hop on the 5 minute Cable Car ride to the top. The view from up here will absolutely blow your mind.
Cage Diving with Sharks – First off, its advertised as “Cage Diving with Great Whites” but the Great Whites are few and far between these days, so we saw Copper Sharks instead and as I’ve never seen a Great White in the flesh, they weren’t missed. The experience was still incredible. We did our dive in the town of Gansbaai, which is about 2.5 hours outside of Cape Town.
Day Safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve – This was an interesting one for me as it wasn’t actually a safari. Game Reserves are designated protected habitats and the animals are free to roam the 10,000 hectare conservatory that is Aquila, however it’s just not the real thing. We were told the ‘true’ safaris are inland, about a 5 hour drive outside of Johannesburg.
Coastal Walk from Camps Bay to Sea Point – This takes about an hour and is filled with great scenery. I really enjoyed doing it late afternoon.
Visited the Penguins at Boulder Beach – This was a learning experience as we hopped the fence to take pics with the little guys, and copped a 500R fine (about $35USD). The confusion is that you can walk onto the beach about a km up from where we entered, and play/take photos amongst the penguins from that end, so we didn’t realise that our short cut wasn’t allowed. At any rate, though the fine seems relatively low, the real concern is not upsetting the penguins or their habitat, so follow the signs!
Drove Chapman’s Peak – This is a must. It’s a winding road that is perched literally on the edge of the mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Apparently the road can get quite congested, particularly at sunset, but I think we lucked out going around 10am – there were hardly any other cars. You can stop at view points along the drive.
Visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – You can do tours of the garden, or just pay the 70R (about $5USD) to enter the garden and walk around yourself. You can also take a picnic and spend the afternoon hanging out in some pretty insane greenery. Next time I visit Ill be taking a picnic for sure.
WHERE WE STAYED
Elements Total Stay – Serviced apartments in Sea Point. The apartments were massive, brand new and centrally located in the heart of Sea Point, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. I have to say the staff at Total Stay were incredible – so warm, accommodating and genuinely concerned that we enjoyed that we enjoyed our stay. Check out their website here.
AirBn – There are a ton in Cape Town, you won’t have trouble finding one!
WHERE WE ATE (and I recommend them all)
For Breakfast
Lola’s
Bootleggers
Nourish’d
Lunch
Primi
Thyme at Rosemary’s (in Gansbaai after our Shark Dive)
Dinner
The Bungalo
El Burro
Nobu
Codfather Sushi
FAVOURITE BEACH
Llandudno – The beach itself is beautiful, the surrounding suburb is adorable and the sunsets here are my favourite. Next time I visit Cape Town I will be renting an AirBnb in Llandudno.
Whenever I travel to a new place I usually have an expectation of what it’s going to be like. Cape Town however, blew these right out of the water.
Cage Diving with Sharks – First off, its advertised as “Cage Diving with Great Whites” but the Great Whites are few and far between these days, so we saw Copper Sharks instead and as I’ve never seen a Great White in the flesh, they weren’t missed. The experience was still incredible. We did our dive in the town of Gansbaai, which is about 2.5 hours outside of Cape Town. 
Day Safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve – This was an interesting one for me as it wasn’t actually a safari. Game Reserves are designated protected habitats and the animals are free to roam the 10,000 hectare conservatory that is Aquila, however it’s just not the real thing. We were told the ‘true’ safaris are inland, about a 5 hour drive outside of Johannesburg.
Drove Chapman’s Peak – This is a must. It’s a winding road that is perched literally on the edge of the mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Apparently the road can get quite congested, particularly at sunset, but I think we lucked out going around 10am – there were hardly any other cars. You can stop at view points along the drive. 
Visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – You can do tours of the garden, or just pay the 70R (about $5USD) to enter the garden and walk around yourself. You can also take a picnic and spend the afternoon hanging out in some pretty insane greenery. Next time I visit Ill be taking a picnic for sure.
Llandudno – The beach itself is beautiful, the surrounding suburb is adorable and the sunsets here are my favourite. Next time I visit Cape Town I will be renting an AirBnb in Llandudno.