PISA, ITALY

A small town in the Tuscany region of Italy that holds a huge name thanks to it's iconic "Leaning Tower". 

In my humble opinion, there's not that much to see in Pisa (compared to other cities I've been in that country), a day or two should be more than enough. 

There are great options of transportation to Pisa from most of the Italian cities, you can drive, take a tour, a train... I opted for taking the express train and I loved it. The ride was very smooth, they have power plugs on every seat, complimentary snacks and clean bathroom.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

From the train station to "Piazza dei Miracoli" (formerly known as "Piazza del Duomo"), it's just about a 10 minute walk. The Leaning Tower can been seen from quite a distance, it is indeed magnificent (I expected it to have a deeper angle though). It is possible to go up the Tower but, you must leave your personal items at the locker in their office and go through a metal detector. My advice is, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR WATER! There is no elevator and the tower is very high, most likely you will be very thirsty and exhausted by the time you reach the top. The views are worth it and you can stay up there for as long as you want. 

The square is also home to four great religious buildings: the "Pisa Cathedral", the "Pisa Baptistry", the "Campanile" and the "Camposanto Monumentale". They are all worth visiting, specially the Cathedral and the Campenile. 

Pisa has many beautiful churches that are a great option for those who love architecture.

Piazza dei Miracoli

To me, the highlights of the city are all gathered in Piazza dei Miracoli. It's an amazing place to sit on the grass and have a picnic or just hang out surrounded by all that history. 

I'm pretty sure NO ONE will resist taking some pretty funny pictures with the Tower. If you are wondering if Pisa is on my "WORTH VISITING AGAIN" list, unfortunately NO. I think the city is gorgeous but once was enough for me. 

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

Most people associate Los Angeles with Hollywood and I was one of them but, there's a lot more to L.A.

Being a movie fanatic, obviously, I had to begin with the "Hollywood Walk of Fame". Honestly, go as early as possible, Hollywood Boulevard is ALWAYS crowded and it's very hard to get a pic with (or even find) the Star of your idol. There are plenty of street performers, fast food restaurants and souvenir stores all over. There's always something different to do around that area.

Hollywood Walk of Fame 

"The Chinese Theater" is one of them, catching a movie is a great way to cool down and have a snack. 

The "Dolby Theater" is right across the street in case you rather watch a live performance. 

For those who like shopping, "Sunset Boulevard" is just right. It's one of the most famous streets in the world. It's insanely long and I'd advise driving instead of walking. The boulevard goes through "Beverly Hills" which is a MUST for the shopaholics everywhere and the "Pretty Woman" movie fans. 

Every time I go to L.A., I need to go to Beverly Hills. It's like walking into a parallel universe if you go to "Hollywood Boulevard" first. It's such a beautiful neighborhood, a lot of green and gorgeous people. Shopping at "Rodeo Drive" literally made me feel like I was in a movie. It's a great bet to take a lunch break in the area and relax for a while. It's absolutely one of my favorite places to go in Los Angeles.

Beverly Hills 

The "Griffith Observatory" at the "Griffith Park" will definitely take some time so, plan to spend the day there. The views of the city are amazing and you will see the "Hollywood Sign" without having to climb the mountain. Even though (in my opinion) the sign is a bit far, it's a great alternative.

There are great hiking trails at the park as well along with the L.A. Zoo, great idea for a family day out. They have limited days and hours so plan ahead. 

The beaches are also a MUST for those who visit L.A. 

The "Santa Monica Pier" and beach are amongst my favorites. It features the "Pacific Park" what makes it a big attraction for families. 

Santa Monica Beach

"Muscle Beach" is another SPOT of the pacific coast shore. There's basically an outside gym where A LOT of bodybuilders hang out. 

"Venice Beach" with it's world famous Boardwalk was a little bit overwhelming to me. With an unbelievable amount of street performers and vendors it makes it a bit hard to enjoy but, everyone has their own opinion so, it's always good to check it out for yourself. 

"Disneyland" is about 1 hour ride from downtown Los Angeles and it's definitely worth a day trip. After all, it's the "Happiest Place on Earth" and even us adults will enjoy.

Disneyland

There's something about L.A. that always makes me go back, I don't know what it is but, it's been a lot of fun every time. The museums, the galleries, the sports arenas and everything else makes it an unforgettable city.

San Diego is about 2 to 3 hours south of Los Angeles and gives you great views of the Pacific Coastline and you can make several stops at great beaches along the way but, that's for another post...

BARCELONA, SPAIN

Without a doubt one of my "TOP 10" destinations in the world. With countless museums and galleries, amazing food and gorgeous landscapes, what makes Barcelona (to me) one of the greatest cities in the world. 

Palau Nacional

"Museu Picasso", "Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya", "Fundació Joan Miró" and "Gaudi House Museum" are among my favorites to visit. When visiting a museum or gallery, plan for at least 3 hours at each location. For a few it will be more than enough time, for others, it won't be even near enough. 

"Barri Gòtic" (Gothic Quarter) is a wonderland for the gothic architecture lovers like myself. It's just so beautiful! Every building is like an artwork. I would suggest taking about half day to walk around and enjoy the beauty of that neighborhood.

La Sagrada Familia

"La Sagrada Familia" is another gothic masterpiece. The Roman Catholic Basilica is definitely one of my favorite buildings in Barcelona. It's a breathtaking sight. Book your tickets online in advance in order to avoid the massive lines outside. 

"Parc Güel" is a very different kind of park. Definitely a MUST, filled with architecture gems. Plan ahead and book tickets online if you want to get into the "private section" of the park. In general, the park is public but there's a catch. ALL of the amazing sculptures are "hidden" at it's private section and tickets are limited and the sales ends at 5pm so it's smart to start your day there.

Parc Güel

f you have children, the best bet for your family is "Parc de la Ciutadella". It's an enormous park with lots of green, great view, nice markets, street performers and a playground. "Tibidabo Parc d'Atracciones" is an amusement park on top of the "Tibidabo Mountain". It's a great family day trip and as a bonus you get panoramic views of Barcelona. 

To get a gorgeous skyline view of Barcelona I'd suggest taking the cable cars to "Montjuïc" hill. There you will find an strategic place to relax and also the "Monjuïc Castle". Nearby the "Magic Fountain of Montjuïc" is a must for the nighttime when it's light show begins.

There's so much more to Barcelona than I can write, it's absolutely worth the visit so you can see for yourself. I believe it to be a very safe city to go to. I would easily return.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

London is one of the places you have to take your time to visit. With so much to do, so much to see. I absolutely loved London and I cannot choose one favorite place in that city, I could just wander around for days with nowhere to be and it would still be worth it. 

It was very easy to get around London, the subway system was clean and always on time, cabs were just as good and inexpensive. The cigarette smoke bothered me but I guess that's an European thing. 

We chose a hotel that could give us easy access to all major tourist spots by subway and we only took cabs during the holiday when the public transportation system was closed. 

Tower Bridge 

"Tower Bridge" was our first stop, so gorgeous, day or night. The "Tower of London" is nearby, it is beautiful and worth the extra time. 

A piece of advice for those who don't celebrate the Christmas Holidays, (Europe is nothing like the United States) EVERYTHING WILL CLOSE very early on the 24th of December and all day on the 25th, not even the subway runs. So get yourself prepared for NO shopping, NO restaurants and very limited cab service (coming from NY, that was a BIG SURPRISE because here, everything works 24/7). 

Buckingham Palace 

So then, we decided to make the most out of our holiday and we took a cab to the "Buckingham Palace". It was quite an amazing day. The "Buckingham Palace Gardens" are so beautiful and relaxing. Definitely take your time there and then walk to "Trafalgar Square" which is really nice (high volume of people, tourists and locals), it has a great atmosphere, many talented street performers and is right by "The National Gallery". 

If you feel like taking another walk, the "Piccadilly Circus"  is a short 10min away. The iconic statue is right across the street surrounded by great restaurants and shops (unfortunately while we were in London, the statue, was under renovation). 

Big Ben

"Westminster Abbey" is an amazing piece of Architecture with a lot of history behind. 

A few minutes (westbound) down the street is the "Palace of Westminster", another beautiful building with the "Big Ben" right at the end. It's a perfect location nearby "The Victoria Tower Gardens", "House of Lords" and "Elizabeth Tower". 

The "Westminster Bridge" gives you breathtaking views of London, it's absolutely phenomenal. Across the bridge you will find the "London Eye" and the "London Eye Pier".

The "Abbey Road Studios" and "Abbey Road" are always crowded with tourists, what makes it very difficult to recreate the famous "Beatles Pic" so, if you're a fan like myself and absolutely must have that pic, go first thing in the morning and you might just get it. 

Abbey Road

One of my favorite things about London is the gothic architecture all over the city, which is fascinating to me. YES, London is on my "WORTH VISITING AGAIN" list, at the top of the list, I might add! 

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

Russia is definitely a country I've never thought I would go to. Fortunately, I was so wrong! 

Moscow was so much fun, OMG what an amazing architecture that city has. One gorgeous building after the other. 

The people are unbelievably nice (not everyone speaks English, thank God my hubby speaks Russian) and very welcoming!

Forget about everything bad you might have read about Russia, just get a visa (only downside of Russia, extremely difficult and most expensive visa we've EVER needed) and hop on that plane. 

One of the things that I liked the most about Moscow was the fact that EVERYTHING is walking distance from the city center so, choose a strategicly located hotel (like we did) and enjoy the beauty of the city (and their low currency compared to the US Dollar).

Red Square 

The "Red Square" is located in the heart of Moscow at the city center and you can't get enough of it. There's everything you'll need there (the "airport" security to get in an out though is a little annoying but the safer the better). 

The impressive master piece of architecture known as "Saint Basil's Cathedral" is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen, inside and out. Many people believe it to be a castle but, no, it's a church. Although nowadays it works more like a museum (there are no masses being held there anymore).

Saint Basil's Cathedral

We went over the holidays and I was quite surprised by the weather, I expected it to be a whole lot colder (normal NYC winter weather). I absolutely loved that we had flurries once so, we spent the whole day going from one museum to the other. Our favorites were "State Historical Museum", "Kremlin Armoury", "Moscow Museum of Modern Art", we also loved the "Tretyakov Gallery" and the "Bolshoi Theatre". 

The "Kremlin" is a huge complex so definitely take a full day to go there. Arrive early to get tickets and also make sure the President isn't having anything there that day because it will close. There are quite a few museums inside as well as gorgeous churches. It's definitely a must once you're in Moscow!

GUM

"GUM" is considered a department store in Moscow (main department store of the former Soviet Union) but, to me is just an awesome mall. There are stores for all kinds of "tastes" not mentioning the food and snacks carts all over the mall. 

Russia is definitely one of the countries that surprised me in a great way, I can't wait to get back to explore a different part of the country. 

VENICE, ITALY

I have no words to describe how unbelievably amazing Venice is. Honestly, there's nowhere else like it. For starters, there are NO cars or roadways, just canals linked by bridges so the only way to get around is by boats, ferries or any other water vehicle.

Water-Bus Stop

The "Grand Canal" would be the "Main Street of Venice" and it is a spectacular ride, it doesn't matter if you take a water-taxi, a water-bus or a "Gondola". We purchased the water-bus day pass (about €20 per person) and that takes about 1 hour to cross the main island. To me, it was so strange and yet so practical, there are no lines at the "Bus" stop and there's definitely no traffic. The canals are narrow but it absolutely works. We also tried the gondola ride and it was so romantic! The "driver" sang to us and pointed out all the major touristic attractions (€80+ for 30min depending where you catch it).

Gondolas

The "Rialto Bridge" and the "Bridge of Sighs" are two places that you must ask to go through while riding the gondola. Don't forget to spend some quality time at the "Rialto Market" while you're there.

Venice also has public restrooms everywhere, which is very convenient and they cost between €0,50 and €1 for a single use.

"Piazza San Marco" was one of my favorite places in Venice. There are several street vendors for food and souvenirs. There you will find "St. Marks Basilica" which is the most beautiful building within the islands.

Piazza San Marco

We also loved the "Gallerie dell'Accademia" and "Doge's Palace".

Venice was one of our great choices, good food, great deserts, beautiful glassworks and lovely people. Absolutely on our go back list!

LAS VEGAS, UNITED STATES

"Sin City" is one of the most vibrant places I've ever been to; a 24/7 city with endless things to do. 

From shopping to shows, there isn't anything you can't find in Vegas. Even if you are underage or just don't feel like doing anything that day, just walking up and down the "Las Vegas Strip" will get you in a good mood. 

Las Vegas Strip

The casinos are great! I'd advise you to go on a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, bachelor/ette party, etc.) once they tend to give you "freebies" to celebrate. You can get anything between a free meal at the hotel buffet to tickets for the show of your choice. The only thing you need to be aware of are the salespeople in the lobby (it's a nightmare). Other than that make sure your license is not expired and go enjoy the blackjack table. 

Blue Man Group 

The acts I'd suggest everyone to watch are "The Blue Man Group" (creative art), "David Copperfield" (magic), "Britney Spears" (music) and "JLo" (music). There are performances for every age and every taste, these are my favorites but I'm sure everyone can find a few of their own. 

Grand Canyon 

Besides all the entertainment, Vegas is relatively close to the "Hoover Dam" and the "Grand Canyon". If you have some time, take the tour. It's well worth it. You can choose between a helicopter or a bus tour. The sights of the Grand Canyon are absolutely mesmerizing. I've never seen anything like that. I couldn't decide between taking pictures or just staring at it. 

MONTREAL, CANADA

Montreal is one of my favorite cities in Canada. Even though I've only been there a few times, I absolutely fell in love with it the first time. You will never run out of things to do there. 

Notre-Dame Cathedral 

The "Notre-Dame Cathedral" is a must. Unbelievably beautiful inside and out (completely different from the Notre-Dame in Paris) it's worth the wait (if you are Christian, stay for a mass).

The "Botanical Gardens" are enormous and the best time to go is definitely during spring. Very peaceful, you will more likely than not, spend a whole day there. 

Olympic Stadium 

Another cool site is the "Olympic Stadium", which is a little far but I'm a sports enthusiast and I just had to make the time. 

One of my favorite places in Montreal is the "Biodome", it's incredible! It features environments of North and South America: the "Tropical Forest", the "Laurentian Forest", the "St. Lawrence Marine Ecosystem", and the "Arctic and Antarctic Polar Worlds". It's phenomenal! 

"Piknic Électronik" is a electronic music festival that takes place every Sunday (during the summer months) at Parc Jean-Drapeau. 

The "Underground City" is great and soooooooo convenient! It doesn't matter what's the weather, you can find anything there (shoppers paradise)! It also connects many of the major buildings and malls in Montreal. 

Mount Royal Observatory

"Mount Royal Park" is a lovely and enormous place where you can enjoy your well deserved peace and quiet with a magnificent view of the city. 

Other sites that are also worth visiting are the "Biosphere", the museums at "Old Montreal", "Chinatown", the "Planetarium" and the "Montreal Casino".

Every time I have been to Montreal was better than the last. It's great for sightseeing and if you don't have that much time, those on/off tours could speed things up a little. 

A few TIPS: if you choose to drive to Canada (like I always do), be aware that your gps WILL NOT work there. Even thought the sales people will tell you it will. As soon as I crossed the US-Canada border, my gps went dead (and so did my phone!!! First time I drove to Canada, there was no such thing as international plans). So have a map or printed directions sheet handy (all the road signs are in French) and you will be ok. Also, you better be familiar with the French language if you choose to cross the border to the Province of Quebec (people there don't really like to speak English and even if you speak to them or ask a simple question (in English), they will answer you in French. 

All the Maple treats (candy, ice cream, lollipops, syrup, etc) are delicious!!! Don't even try to resist.

BEIJING, CHINA

Without a doubt, one of my biggest surprises! 

There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Beijing but, in my humble opinion, nothing can compare to a tour to the "Great Wall of China". It is one of the most amazing structures I've ever seen. It's definitely worth the trip. Just be advised that temperatures will easily go below 0F in the winter and the ground is extremely slippery (I almost fell on my face several times), hiking shoes or sneakers are highly recommended.

The Great Wall

When you come from a country with a strong currency, like I do, shopping in Beijing can be quite appealing. Even though my husband got a little freaked out by how brazing the sales people were in the beginning (they literally grab you by the arm), by the end of the week, we were quite comfortable with the grabbing and sharp at the art of "haggle". 

Definitely the best Chinese food in the world. Completely different from the "Chinese Food" we have outside China. Although the "Eccentric" dishes they offer were a little too much for me, my husband, was delighted to try them out. 

It is amazing how "Different" we look to the Chinese people. My husband and I were stopped by locals several times only because they wanted to take a picture with one of us. Even though the language barrier in China is unbelievably high (only hotel workers can get by with basic English), it was an amazing experience.

Cabs can be extremely cheap (compared to NYC) but you should be careful and ONLY catch cabs that accept turning on the meter. They usually don't speak a word of English and most of them refuse to turn on the meter to charge as they please. Besides that, cabs were the best bet for us. I found the subway system quite scary and dirty so that was a big NoNo for the neat freak that I am. 

Bathrooms in China were a little bit of a shock to me at first but I got passed that (apparently, it's an Asian thing). They only have "Latrines" and even though there are public bathrooms in every corner in Beijing, there's NEVER toilet paper so, you better carry your own.

Forbidden City

The "Forbidden City" and "Tiananmen Square" we're some of our favorite places to go. Our hotel was about a 10min walk and even with the "airport security" they have to get in, it's worth the wait. 

The "Summer Palace" is a little bit far but it's beautiful and worth the time. 

The "Beihai Park", "National Stadium" and "Aquatic Center" are also a good bet.

Temple of Heaven 

The temples, OMG, so many gorgeous temples! Our favorites were "Temple of Heaven" and the "Yonghe Temple" (also known as "Lama Temple") so beautiful and peaceful. 

The air quality was only an issue on the first day, after that, it cleared out and it was just like anywhere else. We didn't even got to use our masks. Definitely a country worth exploring!

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

I was very surprised (in a great way) with Brussels. I didn't expect much but having decided to go over the Christmas Holidays was the best bet. Even though we caught heavy snow while we were there, it was amazing!

Grand Palace (Christmas Light Show)

The "Christmas Light Show" it's simply spectacular! A must see for sure! The Xmas markets they have outside by the "Grand Place" are great, located in the heart of the city, it's filled with restaurants, chocolate shops, cafes and souvenirs, you just don't know which one to go to. 

Brussels Waffles with Hot Wine

Oh my God! The chocolates and deserts they have are absolutely the best we ever had (after my mom's, of course). You must try the "Brussels Waffles" with everything, the "hot wine", the "Truffles" and the "hot chocolate". Unbelievably delicious!

Cinquantenaire

A few tourist attractions I think are worth visiting are the "Manneken Pis", "Brussels City Hall", "Cinquantenaire Park & Museum", "Royal Palace of Brussels", "Atomium", "Mini-Europe", "Belgian Comic Strip Center", "Jeanneke Pis", "Museum of the City of Brussels" and "Place Royale". 

You ask me if Brussels is on my returning list? Absolutely!

MADRID, SPAIN

Definitely one of the cities I fell in love with. Madrid is beautiful, fun and there's so much to do there. So many gorgeous sights and amazing museums.

Plaza de Cibeles

The main plazas of Madrid are "Plaza Mayor", "Plaza de Cibeles" and "Plaza de Espanã". All three are absolutely beautiful but if you don't have much time, I'd go to Plaza Mayor. It was my favorite. With many great restaurants around the plaza and walking distance to other tourist sights like "Gran Vía" and "Puerta del Sol". I could just sit in a restaurant and watch people walk by all day. It's such a beautiful sight.

The Fallen Angel

In a short walk from Plaza de Espanã (about 10min), walking down "Calle Gran Vía", you will find the "Parque de El Retiro".

An enormous park right in the middle of the city. It's unbelievable. Absolutely a must! Take a day to walk around the park, it's worth it.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Another short walk from the city center is the "Royal Palace of Madrid". A very beautiful building with a cute little park behind it. I'd advise you to get tickets online, the lines there are massive and as it's the official residence of the royal family, the hours are limited. 

The silver lining is, take your time to walk around Madrid and just relax. It's a beautiful city with very pleasant and helpful people. 

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

Before moving to NYC (from Brasil) SanFran was my dream city. I don't know why I always wanted to go there. 

To be honest, my experience was very underwhelming. I had high expectations but only after almost 10 years living in the USA I managed to visit "the city of my dreams".

Golden Gate Bridge 

The "Golden Gate Park" is beautiful and it's worth it to spend a day having a picnic there and walk to the "Golden Gate Bridge". The bridge is the most important attraction of the city and its a must see. 

Be aware of the long lines and extremely high volume traffic.

The Painted Ladies

It is a good option to book one of those "Hop on Hop off" buses, even though they are unbelievably over priced. Another great option is to take the "cable cars" although, they won't take you to all the major tourist spots. 

The "Fisherman's Wharf", "Alcatraz Island", the "Full House Houses", the "San Francisco Pier", "Lombard Street", "AT&T Park", "Ghirardelli Square" and the "Twin Peaks" we're all in our itinerary. 

Yosemite National Park

Now, to me, the best part of the trip was that we had booked a day tour to the "Yosemite National Park". It was a great experience, the tour bus picked us up early in the morning and dropped us off late at night. 

I was very impressed with the amazing sights, specially the "El Capitan" and the "Dome" where we could spot climbers all over the mountain. 

The "Sequoia Trees" were also very impressive. Bottom line, no matter how long you have in SanFran, always manage to go to "Yosemite". 

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

One of the most exciting trips we've had, to say the least. Buenos Aires is one of the most convenient cities you can travel to. People are very pleasant and helpful, restaurants, bars and stores (pretty much everywhere) accept most currencies (U$, R$, € (that I know)), making it a very attractive city for tourists. 

Casa Rosada

"Casa Rosada" was a 10min walk from our hotel and it is a beautiful building with a cute little square right outside. 

The food was absolutely delicious with great local beer and amazing dessert (try the Dulce de Leche and Pizza). 

Downtown is definitely worth your time. It's filled with stores and bars (they even have a monument just like the "Washington Monument"). The "Teatro Nacional", "Plaza Liberdad" and "Teatro Colon" are all within a 10min walk from each other and are definitely a must see. 

We also went to the "La Bombonera" (Boca Juniors' Stadium) which turned out to be pretty cool. The streets were beautifully decorated and they had "Tango" dancers outside and inside most restaurants (great show to watch while dining). 

La Bombonera

Our favorite part of the trip though was when we took a tour about an hour outside Buenos Aires to the indescribable "Zoo Lujan". It's very difficult to describe such a different and amazing experience. This was one of the best experiences of my life, unforgettable. The ticket is AR$400 (for foreigners) and you get to spend the whole day (9am-5pm) interacting with all kinds of wild animals at the zoo.

Zoo Lujan

There are no words to describe how glad I am to have taken this trip have had experienced such a joy. 

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

The Holy City is hard to describe. It's so amazing and overwhelming. When we first arrived, we actually felt something, like a warmth going through our bodies. Very strange feeling. I was afraid at first because of the constant conflict with the Palestinians, but once we were there, it made me feel safer than many other countries we've been to. 

The  "Western Wall" is one of my favorite sights at the Israeli capital. My husband and I walked there from our hotel (10min walk) every day, sometimes to say a prayer, sometimes just to watch the people walk around. It is actually pretty calm and peaceful. We caught an IDF routine by the wall while we were there and it was so much fun! The underground tunnels of the western wall were a very interesting tour to take.

Western Wall

The "Yad Vashem" is an amazing museum with the saddest history to tell. I'm glad I was able to make it there. You can take the train from the Old City and the stop is about 5min walking down the road. Definitely a must see. 

The "Mount of Olives" is a must see in my opinion. There's an spectacular view of the "Old City", we went up there twice and the first time we even rode a Camel, it was a great experience!

We took a taxi up there (no way to walk up, way too steep and hot) but we managed to walk back down.

Mount of Olives 

The "Old City" is the heart of Jerusalem and besides all the holy sights churches and temples is also the home of very nice markets and great restaurants. We went several times to the markets and I absolutely loved the delicious Israeli cuisine (best hummus and pita bread I've ever had).

Jerusalem is conveniently located close to the main tourist cities in Israel. From the Holy City we booked tours literally, everywhere. We visited Nazareth, Haifa, Bethlehem, Jericho, Akko, Galilee, Caesaeria, Tel Aviv, Tiberius, the Jordan River (many people get baptized there because it's the same river where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist) and the Golan Heights but, my favorite tour was definitely to "Masada" and then spending the day at the "Dead Sea". Absolutely unforgettable, Israel is definitely a country worth going back to.

Masada Desert

ROME, ITALY

So many sights to see, so much history to learn... Rome, cradle of civilization, it's just plain incredible. 

We stayed at a hotel a few blocks away from the Vatican (which by a technicality it's not really Italy anymore) and that made our life so much easier. We could walk everyday by "St. Peter's Square" and stop for a few minutes to appreciate the beauty of "St. Peter's Basilica".

St. Peter's Square

On Wednesdays and Sundays, Pope Francis holds a mass right outside at the square. We were fortunate enough to catch that mass and it's definitely worth the wait. If you want to take that "once in a lifetime opportunity", be at the square by 8:30am so you can dodge that mile long line. After the mass you can go inside the Basilica and believe me, it's so worth it. It's free so no need to worry unless you want to go up the tower to see  the beautiful skyline from the basilica (tickets can be purchased there and if I remember correctly there are 551 steps). 

The subway system is very packed and there are only 2 lines available to take you to the tourist areas. The service is limited and it stops running around 11pm, even though it works fine (It's much better to pay €3 for an all day pass then paying outrageous fees for cabs).

The Coliseum is a must see and one of our favorite sights. You have to purchase your ticket before hand to avoid the long lines. Also, the ticket requires you to select a time to go and they won't let you in a minute earlier. "Selfie Sticks" are a big NoNo at the Coliseum. The subway line "B" (Laurentina direction) is only 2 stops away from the "Colosseo" stop. 

Coliseum 

So many statues, galleries and so many museums to go to... Our favorite gallery was the "Galleria Borghese" (tickets also must be purchased in advance).  It's located at "Villa Borghese" in a beautiful park and right by the zoo. The downside is that there are no subway lines that will take you there. Either you take a cab, a bus or you walk (I decided to walk).

The "Vatican Museums" are another must (make sure you purchase your tickets before hand or be ready to wait at least 3hrs in line). You can plan for at least 5hrs to spend inside (pictures are ok). So many paintings and amazing sculptures. It's sensational! It's a one way museum and after you manage to pass the maze crowded with tourists, you finally reach the "Sistine Chapel". Sit down and take your time looking up at that mesmerizing work of art (pictures are not permitted). Do not rush, that image will remain in your memory for the rest of your life, it's absolutely overwhelming.

On your way to the "Trevi Fountain" you will see the "Spanish Steps" (3rd stop, subway A, Battistini direction, "Spagna" stop) you can walk from there, which was my choice or you can take the subway line A (Battistini direction for the first stop, "Barberini"). The "Fontana de Trevi" is absolutely amazing. Beautiful in every way. Don't forget to toss a coin following the tradition and have a delicious "Gelato" while observing people coming and going. 

Trevi Fountain

The wine and the gelato were our favorite part of the Italian menu, the food on the other hand, it was very underwhelming. We expected more. 

Rome was so far, the worst cigarette smelling city we've been to. After a couple of days, it feels like you're the one smoking. Very frustrating but easy to overlook once you see all the amazing sights that city has to offer. Definitely one of the cities we will go back to in the future. 

TOKYO, JAPAN

Without a doubt, one of my favorite places in the world.

My husband and I were actually planning a trip to Europe at the time and out of the blue I said "Why not Japan?!?", my husband loved the idea and we changed our plans just like that. I loved every minute we spent in Tokyo and definitely will explore other cities in Japan in the future. 

Let's start by saying we've never been to a city cleaner or more organized than Tokyo (for a neat freak like myself, that's heaven). The people are so sweet, polite and thoughtful. They go above and beyond to help you. If they don't have an answer to your question, they will find someone who does and everyone will stop on the street to help you find your way. Even if you don't speak Japanese, you probably won't get lost in Tokyo. Their subway system is flawless, takes you anywhere and all the signs are both in Japanese and English. There's no need for cabs, the trains are crazy fast and cheap. 

For the fans of the "Gundam Animated Series", an hour subway ride outside Tokyo (leaving from our hotel) will take you to "Diver City" where you'll get to see the life size GUNDAM. Even though I was never a fan of the series, my brothers were big fans as kids of all those Japanese tv shows and I couldn't pass that opportunity. Besides the amazing giant robot, the island itself is beautiful with great restaurants and a big shopping mall.

Gundam

If you are looking for nightlife, you must go to "Roppongi". That's where you will find the best bars, clubs and restaurants in Tokyo.

One of our favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo was "Shibuya", where you will find the busiest crossing in the world, the famous "Shibuya Crossing". It's so amazing how many people can fit in one single area. If I had to compare, I'd say it's like a "Times Square" blown out of proportion.

Shibuya Crossing 

"Akihabara", the "Electric Town" is a paradise for those who love the classic video game systems and the Japanese anime action figures. There, we lost ourselves between Super Nintendo, Sega System, Atari, and all the action figures we could find from those awesome 80's shows. 

If you are anything like myself, after a night out in the city, all you want is some quality quiet hotel to have a good night of sleep. "Nihombashi" is the perfect neighborhood for that. It's a business district, which makes it beautiful and busy at daytime but comfortably quiet at nighttime. Another great trait of that neighborhood is the fact that it's walking distance to the "Imperial Palace" which is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan. It's also surrounded by a beautiful, enormous park.

Imperial Palace 

While in Japan, we also visited "Mount Fuji" which is an active volcano and also one of Japan's 3 sacred mountains. It's  about 100km (62mi) outside Tokyo. It's quite of a ride but it's definitely worth your while. 

PARIS, FRANCE

"The City of Lights" is indeed beautiful in every aspect. When it comes to Paris, you need to be prepared. If your dream is to go up the "Eiffel Tower" or to go inside the "Louvre", you need to purchase tickets long in advance, even before you fly to France (if you can't find tickets online, be there around 6am). The lines are the worst I've seen so far. Arrive very early or reserve a whole day just for that.
In case you can't get tickets to go inside the "Louvre", your day is not over. You can walk around its gardens, browse though the statues and admire that gorgeous pyramid.

Tour Eiffel 

Musée du Louvre

After you leave the museum, you can walk down "Voie Georges Pompidou" along "La Seine" river all the way to "Rue d'Arcole" and turning right you will walk about 10 minutes and you will face the MAGNIFICENT "Notre Dame Cathedral", which is a must see.
After that, you should keep walking right on the same street (Rue d'Arcole) and not long after you cross the river, the street name will change to "Rue Dante", keep walking straight for a few minuets until you reach an intersection. At the intersection, you'll stay on "Rue Saint-Jacques", you'll walk about 10 minutes and turn right on "Rue Soufflot" and walk straight towards the beautiful "Luxembourg Palace" and  take a well deserved rest at its stunning garden (Luxembourg Garden).
The tourist sights are not too far from each other, what allows you to choose between walking or taking a cab. I choose walking (SHOCKER!) and I loved every minute of it. I could spend a week walking up and down "Champs-Élysées" and just shopping or choosing where to eat. By the end of that street you will find the "Arch of Triumph" which is also a must see in Paris.

Champs-Élysées

If you have time, visit all these places both day and night, the sights are AMAZING! Paris is indeed one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to and, despite the horrible cigarette smell EVERYWHERE, I still want to go back many times...