It’s been 72 hours since I’ve been back from my EuroTrip and I’m already reminiscing while trying to figure out a way to get UberEats or DoorDash to deliver internationally.
In 2019, I had a solo trip to Paris and London booked. My goals were cheese & wine but COVID had other plans for me.
Fast forward to 2022, I’m in Barcelona, Nice, Pisa, and Rome with my best buds.
I think I ended up with the better bargain! Especially because my goals were still the same…cheese & wine…and dessert, pasta, pizza, etc. etc. And, you should be so proud of me because I can promise you that I achieved ALL OF my goals.
Join me as I revisit my EuroTrip 2022 – andiamo!
Firstly, I will admit that I didn’t take photos of every meal – mainly because it would have taken up time between the arrival of the food and the arrival of the food into my mouth and I couldn’t risk that. Sometimes in life…it happens.
Secondly, I can tell you that I ate chocolate & almond croissants in each place I visited and not one disappointed me.
Barcelona, Spain
Where did I stay?
Yok Casa + Cultura
This apartment was a 10/10. Great location. Eco-Friendly. Beautiful Design. AMAZING hospitality. The staff are so kind & helpful! We stayed in Suite C which had 4 bedrooms (each had an ensuite), full kitchen, living room, and 2 balconies (1 covered, 1 open). Guests also have access to a rooftop patio which is part of the main office.
Where did I eat?
La Tasqueta de Blai – this restaurant is in the middle of a long alley, lined with different restaurants, patios, and bars. The menu had so many things to choose from but my absolute favourite was their ‘patatas bravas’ – fried potatoes, aioli, and their secret brava sauce and the ‘brie rebozado’ – brie cheese & blackberry marmalade on a thick bread. Everything comes in small portions – tapas style.
Hotel Praktik Bakery
Milk Bar & Bistro – Famous for their brunch….but we couldn’t get a reservation so we went for dinner & drinks. It’s a small & intimate space that only holds 33 people so make sure you book ahead!
Carabela Cafe – if you want giant frozen drinks the size of your face, this is the place to go. Close to the beach and a full outdoor patio. Such an awesome vibe!
Espai Puntal – I had one of the best meals of the trip here. The only complaint is that as a tapas restaurant, the portions are small and made for sharing…and I didn’t want to share this and wanted an enormous plate because it was so DELICIOUS!
The Risotto de remolatxa, parmesà i llimona (beetroot risotto with parmesan & lemon). The beetroot makes it this beautiful red/pink colour and the texture is so creamy and perfect. I would eat this every single day if I could.
What did I see?
Nice, France
Where did I stay?
Yelo Hotel – Another 10/10! I was so impressed with this hole in the wall boutique hotel. European hospitality is beyond amazing and the staff at Yelo did not disappoint. Also, the hotel smells delicious – they have their own local candlemaker that created the Yelo Hotel scent out of essential oils. It’s location is great and in the midsts of it all.
Where did I eat?
Cafe de la Place Nice – If you’re a vegetarian, I don’t suggest coming here to eat. BUT, if you do want a great cappuccino, take a seat.
Cafe de la Place Nice – Now, when I say I LOVED this pasta…I mean like, I LOOOOOOVED this pasta. Dare I say, it may have been better than the pasta I ate in Italy (I’m so sorry to all of my ancestors, family, and those before me – I know, I know).
Lumaconi a la Truffe D’ete
What did I see?
Pisa, Italy
Where did I stay?
Grand Hotel Bonanno – 8/10 because the beds weren’t the most comfortable but the room & hotel itself did everything you needed for a hotel room. The staff were lovely and the breakfast buffet was always fresh and fully stocked. The location was great too – about a 15-20 minute walk to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Where did I eat?
Pisakech – Vegetarian Pizza
I can’t remember the name of the place that this gorgeous caprese salad is from but we went after visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa and it was absolutely delicious.
What did I see?
Rome, Italy
Where did I stay?
Via Veneto Luxury Suites – 12/10 absolutely phenomenal. A hidden gem in the middle of Rome. A gorgeous 100 year old elevator takes you up to a floor of enormous & elegant suites that are modern in design & Old Italian Hollywood themed. YES PLEASE! I stayed in the Vittorio de Sica suite.
Where did I eat?
Ristorante Julie’s – The spaghetti al Pesto & 4 formaggi gnocchi were absolutely DELICIOUS.
What did I see?
And then just like that, I’m back in Toronto baking for other people. I would go back to every single place I visited and ate and do it all over again.
Until the next trip!
Let me know your favourite European getaway.