Five Free Things To Do In New York City

You do not need me to tell you that New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world. It is also (IMO) one of the greatest cities in the world and as with all amazing cities, there are of course loads of free things to do so you do not have to worry about a trip to The Big Apple breaking the bank - especially if the bank is already broken after having bought all your Christmas presents.

Lewis and I headed to NYC last weekend to see Bon Iver (which certainly was not free or cheap) and as we had both already done the major tourist stuff before, our agenda was simply to discover some new areas, soak up the Christmas spirit and have a jolly good time (all the while not spending too much money). So here are my top five free things to do in New York City that we did during a whirlwind 48 hours in the city. My New York vlog is coming this Sunday to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL so watch out for that!

1. The High Line & Greenwich Village

In the quest of finding the alternative sights of Manhattan, on Saturday morning we took ourselves to W34th St where begins The High Line - a 2.5km stretch of old railway tracks which have been converted into a green (in the summer) walkway above the gorgeous area of Chelsea. It was amazing to get a different view of the city, being slightly raised up, and there are lots of interesting buildings to see, both old and new. We strolled until W16th St where we gave into our cold toes and went to Chelsea Market to warm up and grab a bagel.

From Chelsea Market we headed to the neighbouring Greenwich Village which has fast become my favourite area of Manhattan so far. Although it is still full of people, it feels less intense than further uptown thanks to the smaller buildings and neighbourhood vibe. If you are a Friends fan you have to stop off at Grove and Bedford to see the building where they supposedly lived, although once you walk about the area you will see how unrealistic that actually was! It was a lovely weekend activity and if you are tired after all that walking, I would recommend John's of Bleecker Street pizza which we had on the Friday night and it was delicious!

2. Central Park

Ok I know that Central Park is a very obvious must-do in New York City but as strolling through a beautiful park is one of my favourite free things to do on holiday, I just had to include it. We were both so excited to see that ice rink that has been in so many films and it is just such a stunning setting with the backdrop of skyscrapers. There are lots of other things to see and do in the park if you are not there during the festive season such as visiting Strawberry Fields, strolling through Bethesda Terrace and boating on the lake!

3. See the lights

There is no doubt about it that New York is made so special by its lights and being there just before Christmas, we were treated to even more lights. As dusk fell on Central Park, we headed south on Fifth Avenue towards to famous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. On our way we got distracted by the endless but beautiful shop window displays and an impressive light show on the front of Saks Fifth Avenue. It is all about the tree though - it is seriously surreal standing in front of that iconic tree, watching the ice skaters below and getting that inevitable feeling of being in a film.

If you are in New York at any other time of year, never fear - head to Times Square after nightfall for your fix of lights. I know Times Square is a super obvious "travel tip" but as a girl who finds more beauty in raw, bustling cities than serene countryside, the lights of Times Square are simply unmissable.

4. Views from Brooklyn

It is always so tempting to spend all the time in Manhattan because it is staggering, breathtaking and iconic, however the other boroughs of New York City should not be forgotten. Although I still feel that I have only scratched the surface in my exploration of Brooklyn, we made sure to give this quirky part of NYC the time it deserves. We were actually staying in Kensington, Brooklyn right next to Greenwood Cemetery and just south of Prospect Park, which are another two amazing free things to visit that go under the radar. On our last day, we went up to the ever-so-hip Williamsburg which boasts not only some cracking brunch places (check out EGG) and shops but also an incredible view of Manhattan. I would also recommend walking over Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan at dusk to get a great view of the city lighting up for the night.

5. Friday evenings at MoMA

Thanks to stumbling into Uniqlo to check out their thermals - glamourous, I know - we found out that MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art), in collaboration with Uniqlo, is free on Friday evenings between 4pm and 8pm. I remember going to MoMA on my first trip to New York when I was sixteen and loving it so I was excited to spontaneously go again, while avoiding the usual 25$ admission fee. We only had time to do one floor so we headed straight for the 1960s where I had expected to see a lot more Andy Warhol than there actually was. It was still amazing though and backs up what I already knew - that the sixties was just simply the best for all things art, fashion and music. So if you are in New York on a Friday evening, I highly recommend catching a bit of culture at Uniqlo's free Friday evenings at MoMA before heading for dinner and/or drinks elsewhere in the city.

Izzie x
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How To Spend 36 Hours In Boston

Last weekend, Lewis and I rented a car and drove down through beautiful New England to Boston. Our main motivation for going was for a long-awaited opportunity to see one of favourite musicians play who we kept missing in Europe due to our constant relocating this year. Of course, I also could not wait to get back to Boston, a beautiful city with lots of history and European feel that we had visited almost exactly four years ago. After a long (but worth it) drive, we arrived in Boston on Friday evening and we spent a whirlwind 36 hours in Boston before heading back at midday on Sunday. It is totally worth taking quick weekend trips because you can get a lot done in a short space of time so here's how to spend 36 hours in Boston.

EAT PIZZA AND CANNOLI IN THE NORTH END

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After a 7 hour drive with just car snacks and a stop off at the Ben & Jerry's factory (more on that another time), we headed straight to The North End, which is like the Little Italy area of Boston, for pizza, of course! We stumbled across a rather large queue for a pizzeria off the main strip and after checking out other options on Salem Street, I persuaded Lewis that we should go back to the first one - a queue is always a good sign right?! And right we were! We waited about half an hour for a table at Regina before we were seated in a cute wooden booth right next to the kitchen. We ordered a 16 inch margarita with extra ricotta to share for 20 bucks, which we enjoyed amongst the bustle and noise of this charming Italian restaurant. The queue was definitely worth the wait and it was the perfect start to our weekend in Boston.

From Regina, we strolled though the lively North End to Mike's Pastry on Hanover Street - the best place to get cannoli in town. If you don't know what a cannoli is, it's crispy tube of pastry stuffed with a creamy filling of which there are many flavours. We chose a plain cream filling with chocolate chips and went to heaven while eating these watching the Boston skyline at night. We also picked up another cannoli each on Saturday afternoon because if you can't indulge on holiday, when can you?!

TAKE A STROLL THROUGH BEACON HILL

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Located just west of the centre of Boston, Beacon Hill is an affluent, residential and beautiful area of town that is great for a calm weekend stroll admiring the gorgeous red brick buildings so this is exactly where we headed on Saturday morning. We were particularly taken by Louisberg Square and while taking some photos, an American couple pointed out John Kerry's house. As well as being home to important men of power, Beacon Hill also has lots of cute independent shops and cafes along Charles Street and although they can be pricy, it is always nice to have a little look.

VISIT BOSTON COMMON

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From Beacon Hill, just cross over Beacon Street and you are in Boston Common, a vast and diverse park smack bang in the middle of the city. The weather was stunning for our whole weekend in Boston so we took the opportunity to wander through this lovely park, taking some time to reflect whilst sitting on the bench that features in the film Good Will Hunting. The bench has a great view of the lagoon and is just perfect for people watching.

SAMPLE CULINARY DELIGHTS AT QUINCY MARKET

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Last time we were in Boston, we spent a lot of time around Quincy Market (and taking full advantage of the free Mac n Cheese samples) so we knew this was the place to head to to fill our stomachs before the gig. Quincy Market is in a beautiful old building that sits next to the equally stunning Faneuil Hall (where the Freedom Trail starts, which I highly recommend too) and is a lovely bustling retreat from the skyscrapers that surround it. Quincy Market offers lots of hot and cold meals including seafood, pizza and asian but we were there for one thing only - the cheesiest and most moorish Mac n Cheese. We certainly did not feel too healthy eating it and we definitely ate too much but it was the perfect way to get energised for the evening entertainment.

GO TO A GIG

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I often plan city breaks around going to a particular event and although your dates might not always match up with your favourite artist, going to a gig, musical or show is great way to make a trip extra special. I had been dying to see Brian Fallon (lead singer of the Gaslight Anthem) play all year so this has to be the highlight of my weekend. He played at the gorgeous Royale venue on Tremont Street, right in the heart of theatre district, and he was amazing! We had such a magical night and we even managed to meet him afterwards by hanging around the tour bus after the show - I'm a fan girl and proud ok?! 

GET AN ALL AMERICAN BREAKFAST

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On Sunday morning, having rinsed our money on cannoli and other deliciously unhealthy food, we wanted to stock up on a hearty American breakfast before hitting the road. Our Bostonian friend Bella, recommended the Trident Booksellers Cafe in the Back Bay area, which was great as we got to see another lovely area of town and the breakfast was just insane! We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table in this cafe located within a bookshop but it was so worth it. I went all out and chose the lemon ricotta stuffed French toast topped with blueberry coulis and maple syrup - and trust me it was a much as a mouthful to eat as it is to say! The portion was absolutely enormous - probably double the amount that I really needed - but Lewis was happy to help me out once he had finished his scrambled eggs and home fries. Great recommendation Bella!

So there you have it - how to spend 36 hours in Boston! If you have the time or it is your first visit to the city, it is worth spending a good four or five days there, which is what we did when we went four years ago. Thankfully we managed to squeeze in our top favourite things to do in Boston in just 36 hours - of course the only other must-do is see the Red Sox at Fenway Park but they were unfortunately playing away last weekend.

I hope you have enjoyed this post and watch out for the vlog coming on Sunday. I will certainly be doing more of these posts as I explore Canada and the USA so let me know if you have any recommendations. Next stop...New York in December!

Izzie x
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Barcelona Guide: NAP (Neapolitan Authentic Pizza) Review

Location: Carrer de Gombau, 30, Barcelona

Bold statement alert! Today I am introducing you to the restaurant which serves the best pizza I have ever had.

Neapolitan Authentic Pizza, affectionately known as NAP, is situated in the El Born and Barceloneta districts of Barcelona and although NAP is not the most photogenic of restaurants, that certainly could not be a reason not to share this gem with you. Being residents of El Born, Lewis and I always frequent the NAP in this area and all our visitors that we have brought to this super cheap and tasty pizzeria have equally sung its praises (hell, someone even ordered a second pizza!). 

There is always a queue outside NAP but don’t let that put you off. Pop your name down, grab a goblet of wine and chill in the little square outside until they have a table for you. NAP brings out pizzas as fast as I can drink a glass of wine (very fast) so you should not be waiting long.

Now let’s talk pizzas. I always get a Margarita with extra ricotta and a glass of the house red all for a bargainous 10 euros. Call me unadventurous for not having ever tried anything else but when you have got your combination down, why change it? The pizzas arrive within just a few minutes of ordering, steaming hot and straight from the wood fire oven. One of my favourite things about NAP pizzas is the dough. It is stretchy, soft and always perfectly cooked.

I would highly recommend NAP if you are looking for a great pizzeria in Barcelona. However, I would like to put a little disclaimer here. Due to its sheer popularity (thanks to its cheap prices and delicious pizza), NAP does have a quite chaotic atmosphere. The kitchen dishes out pizzas as fast as possible therefore it has that in-and-out kind of vibe so that they can get as many people through the door. If you are looking for a relaxed meal, don’t go to NAP. But if you can handle noise, bustle and perhaps being a bit squished in, then you are going to have a great evening.

Izzie x
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Berlin City Guide

Hello! Welcome to this slightly unconventional city guide to Berlin. I spent four lovely days in this vibrant and unique city back in March, despite the weather being absolutely awful at times. Berlin is so full of history and culture and of course there are many tourist must-sees that I am only going to touch on in this post. I wanted to show you some places to eat but also some tips to hack into the real Berlin. Make sure you check out my BERLIN VLOG of where to eat, shop and visit right at the bottom of this post and enjoy!

GO OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Having been to Berlin a couple of years ago, I knew that this time I really wanted to get lost in the city and get a real feel for the place. Berlin is absolutely fascinating to walk around with street art and contrasting architecture at every turn. So, if you are going for the first time; sure, go and see the Brandenburg Gate and the East Side Gallery but then be sure to head into unknown territories. On this trip I particularly enjoyed exploring areas that I had not been to before like Friedrichshain and Neukölln. We saw some beautifully colourful buildings, hippy settlements - one with nearby giant slide - and got up close to the railway tracks.

ROAMERS

I apologise for the arguably excessive four photos to accompany a little bit of text about Roamers cafe in Berlin but just look at the place. It is so beautifully blogger and Pinterest-worthy that I found it hard further to narrow it down. After walking from Treptower Park, through the upcoming neighbourhood of Neukölln where this cafe is located, we stopped at Roamers for lunch. It is traditionally known for its brunches but it's an all day every day kind of deal so of course we went for eggs. Having seen the Instagram-ready slate board presentation of some peoples' dishes I must admit that I was slightly disappointed at my small plate but that is a minor detail (I still think our lunches make for a pretty damn good food photo). I had the avocado toast with extra poached eggs, which was lovely, and Lewis has scrambled eggs with extra avocado. The cafe is just beautiful and the staff are super friendly - plus they all just speak in English which was pretty handy!

€? I paid 10€ for that plus 3€ for a fresh mint tea which I think is quite standard pricing for Berlin.

TEMPELHOFER FELD

There is a place, just south of Kreuzberg, that is really quite special. Tempelhofer Feld is a former airport where Americans would land their planes during the Cold War. Complete with the original hangar and runways, Berliners recently campaigned and managed to keep this vast and unique place safe from housing development plans and a public place for good. In the summer the place will be full of people picnicking, sunbathing, cycling, jogging, skateboarding, the lot. But on this day in March, after quite a stormy afternoon, we were lucky enough to have a dry and quiet stroll down the former runways. For me, this is a must see if you are visiting Berlin.

KAFFEEMITTE

Having been to Kaffeemitte on our last visit to Berlin on a friend's recommendation, we just had to return and have their to die for chocolate cheesecake. Twice. Yes, we went on two of the four days of our trip and the other two days we were thinking about it. Kaffeemitte has a great vibe - it's always buzzing and as well as their amazing cake selection, they also offer delicious looking pasta, salads and sandwiches. As its name suggests, it is located in the central area of Mitte so it is perfect for a shopping pit-stop which leads me nicely onto my next tip...

€? - 3.50€ for a slice of cake and 2.50€ for tea.

SHOPPING

When you think of great cities to shop in, Paris, London and New York come to mind. However, Berlin should certainly be getting in that good press because its shopping is amazing. Of course you will find all of the usual high street shops but they also have some that are not found in every European city, such as Scandinavian favourites Weekday and denim gods Wrangler. If you are a bargain hunter or like finding that unique piece you should also check out my guide to VINTAGE SHOPPING IN BERLIN.

PHOTOAUTOMAT

When in Berlin, get photobooth photos done. The Photoautomat was introduced to Berlin in the 1960s and the few that are dotted around the city still produce retro and authentic photos for just 2€ per 4 strip. What a perfect bargain souvenir! This Photoautomat is located right near the East Side Gallery on Warschauer Straße. Last time we got colour ones so this time we went for black and white. Be warned that there is no timer so once you put your 2€ in, get ready to pose!

BERLIN'S DOORS

Well I thought I would finish off this slightly unconventional city guide on an unusual note. Sometimes I think that architecture and city design can get lost in the busyness of tourist attractions and appeal of foodporn. I can find simple pleasure in the aesthetics of a city from the Haussmann balconies in Paris and the bright lights in Times Square to the more recently discovered doors of Berlin. I was really quite taken by the colourful doors with Scrabble style numbers hanging above or next to the doors that light up charmingly at night. So my final advise to you is take time, look up, look down and look a little closer.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little guide to Berlin and make sure you watch my Berlin Vlog just below. It is one of my absolute favourite cities and I cannot wait to discover even more on my next visit, whenever that may be. 

What is your favourite thing about Berlin?

Izzie x

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