Help Wanted: Europe Recommendations

Aix-en-Provence, France

Soooo, I leave Sunday for Europe for two weeks. And in my typical procrastination fashion, have little planned outside of logistics and lodging. That's where you come in: unique/locals restaurants, cute shops, things to see and things to skip, etc. for the cities listed below. Ready, set, go!

• France: Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Beaune, Lyon, Paris
• Italy: Milan and Stresa 
• Switzerland: Geneva and potentially Chamonix/Mont Blanc (yes, I realize this is technically in France)

Avignon, France

Beaune, France

Lyon, France

Paris, France

Geneva, Switzerland

Milan, Italy

Stresa, Italy

Weekend Update - 6/10/2013

{soaking up the sun and indulging in some BBQ and blues at Sunday's Big Apple BBQ Block Party} 

Pretty much the quintessential New York weekend last weekend with every meal eaten outside at some festival and drink drank on some of the best rooftops in the City. After a torrential downpour Friday and a great classic Italian meal at Trattoria Pesce Pasta on my corner, Saturday morning I was destined to be outside the rest of the weekend. Started out with lunch at Smorgusburg followed by a party hosted by Topshop & Bulldog Gin at the James Hotel rooftop before ending the night at the Archive, where I learned my best friend Jenn got engaged (eek!). Sunday went to the Big Apple BBQ fest in Madison Square Park, then the rooftop at Pod 39 before ending the night with (yet another) pizza at my friend Pete's. Whew. So yeah, rooftops and rosé are the name of the game this summer. And now for more rain...

{Maine Lobster Roll at Smorgasburg at South St. Seaport}

{my new favorite rooftop bar at the top of the Pod 39 hotel, which kind of made me feel like I was back in Provence} 

{a final glass (ok bottle[s]) of rosé on my friend Pete's rooftop which is complete with a big screen tv}

Avignon

Thrifted Top (Beacon's Closet) | Urban Outfitters Jeans | H&M Panama Hat | Aldo Sandals

Following St. Tropez, we stayed one night each in Aix-en-Provence and Avignon...trying out different family-owned Domaines (vineyards) in the country by day and exploring/having dinner in the cities at night. These photos in particular are from Chateauneuf-du-Pape just slightly north of Avignon in the Rhone wine region, known for its rich red wines that are often high in alcohol content. Needless to say, I picked up about a half dozen bottles before heading on to Lyon.

Fortnight Update

{Rosa & Pistachio gelato in Milan}

Back from probably the most amazing trip of my entire life...here are a couple quick pics I tried to narrow it down to but more to come. Hope you all had a nice weekend!

{daily breakfast routine}

{our hotel (the nicest I've ever stayed at) in Stresa, Italy}

{view from the mountains surrounding Stresa}

{the perks of jet lag: watching the sun rise}

{the wedding in Stresa}

{the jordan almonds that I nearly o.d.'d on}

{a congratulatory message for the bride & groom spelled out in lanterns on Lake Maggiore, Italy}

{Cafe Verbano: one of the best restaurants of the trip...and the boat that picks you up to take you there}

{interior design in one of a dozen castle tours of the trip}

{the galleria in Milan}

{inside the Duomo in Milan}

{the perfect italian meal}

{hiking in Montreaux, Switzerland}

{a swim at sunset in the Alps}

{a fondue mixture of a variety of swiss cheeses}

{Cassis, France}

{lavender ice cream}

{the outdoor settee at the country house we stayed at in Aix-en-Provence}

{St. Tropez, France}

{I used to not like beef carpacio...until I met this guy}

{a 'domain' on the hilltop outside Avignon, France}

{the grapes ripe for the picking later that day}

{lunch break in Lyon, France}

{bike ride through the countryside in the Burgundy region}

{the most interesting man I've ever met and owner of one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world}

{Laudree macarons in Paris}

{a picnic in Paris}

{ain't she a beaut}

A Provençal Maxi

Free People Dress | Aldo Sandals | Zara Bag

Not to belabor the Free People dress fetish or anything, but saw this dress on the mannequin at the store and it was screaming french countryside..and my name. It was weird. It worked out nicely for a day of wine tasting outside Aix-en-Provence yesterday.