Adventures in Southern California

Annecy France. Beautiful Canals, Great Food, and Lakefront Views in the French Alps

chamonix, Europe, france, paris, skiing, snowboarding

Annecy is one of the most beautiful towns in the French Alps. It has scenic canals running through the historic center, a massive shopping district, great restaurants, and dozens of little pubs and bars. It's located on the northern shore of Lake Annecy and is surrounded by mountains. The old town is filled with colorful historic buildings. I loved the atmosphere here, especially on a nice day when everyone was sitting outside enjoying the weather.

Exploring Annecy's Old Town

One of the best things to do in Annecy is simply walk around the old town. The canals are beautiful, with little bridges, waterfront restaurants, and old buildings lining the water. Rue Sainte-Claire was one of my favorite streets, with plenty of restaurants and bars and outdoor seating. The shopping district is surprisingly large, with everything from small independent boutiques to major retail stores. You could easily spend an entire afternoon exploring the pedestrian streets shopping. I picked up 2 jackets and a pair of shoes on my visit.

The waterfront is another highlight. Lake Annecy has beautiful clear water surrounded by mountains.. Make sure to visit Panorama du Lac park for some gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding scenery. You can also rent a bike and explore the lakeside cycling paths. Annecy has a large network of bike routes, including a scenic trail along the western shore of the lake.

The Musée-Château d'Annecy is another attraction worth visiting. The medieval castle sits above the historic center and dates back to the 13th century. Today it houses a museum with historical exhibits, artwork, and information about the region. Admission is inexpensive and is about 7 euros.

Great Restaurants, Pubs, and Bars

Annecy has an excellent food scene, and we found some really great places to eat. La Voglia served amazing Neapolitan style pizza and was one of my favorite restaurants in town. For something quick, Les Caprices d'Émilie makes fantastic sandwiches, including ones loaded with melted cheese and other local Savoyard ingredients. Le Zinc à Raoul is another great little restaurant in the old town, specializing in regional dishes like fondue, raclette, and tartiflette. This is a great place to grab some fondue.

There are also plenty of cool little pubs and bars scattered throughout the historic center. Captain Pub is a fun place to grab a drink. They had my favorite beer on draft, Grimbergen Rouge. Rue Sainte-Claire has a huge selection of outdoor terraces where you can sit and watch people walking through the old town. I really enjoyed the atmosphere in Annecy. It's a real town with plenty of places to spend an evening, and the outdoor dining scene is one of its best features.

Visiting Annecy from Chamonix and Skiing Nearby

Annecy is an easy day trip from Chamonix. You can catch an inexpensive direct bus that takes about 90 minutes, making it a great addition to a trip through the French Alps. However, I would recommend spending at least one night here. Hotels are typically around $120 a night, depending on the season.

If you're visiting during ski season and have a rental car, Le Semnoz ski resort is only about a 30 minute drive from Annecy. It's a smaller, family-friendly mountain with great views of the Alps. Les Houches, is about 90 minutes away and would be my first choice for a bigger day of skiing. There are also several other ski resorts in the region, making Annecy a convenient place to combine skiing with restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing.

Annecy is definitely worth adding to a French Alps itinerary. The combination of beautiful canals, lakefront scenery, excellent food, and a lively historic center makes it a great place to spend a day or two. If you're already visiting Chamonix, it's an easy and inexpensive side trip that I would highly recommend.

Lake Annecy

Annecy France

Canal in Annecy France

lake Annecy

Annecy France

The Musée-Château d'Annecy

Le Massacre des Innocents, in The Musée-Château d'Annecy

Annecy France

Florence and Bologna, Italy: Two Amazing Cities to Visit by Train

Europe, italy, Rome, venice, verona, winery

The Duomo. Florence Italy

Florence and Bologna are two of my favorite cities to recommend on a trip through Italy. They're connected by a high speed train that takes about 40 minutes. You can also work both cities into a trip with Rome to Florence, Bologna, and Venice. Florence is famous for its Renaissance architecture, incredible museums, beautiful piazzas, and some of the best food in Italy. Bologna has a completely different atmosphere, with medieval towers, red-brick buildings, covered walkways, and a huge university population. Both cities are extremely walkable, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and history to explore. I'd suggest visiting Florence on a weekday to avoid the crowds and spending the weekend in Bologna for the nightlife.

Florence, Italy: Spend at Least Two Full Days

I recommend spending at least two full days in Florence. The center is packed with insane architecture, enormous piazzas, restaurants, outdoor markets, and pedestrian streets. It's one of those cities where you can spend an entire afternoon just wandering around. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, is one of the most impressive churches in Europe. From there, walk through Piazza della Repubblica, a beautiful square surrounded by cafes, shops, and historic buildings. Another must-see is the Basilica of Santa Croce, where Michelangelo and Galileo are buried.

Make your way to Piazza della Signoria, where you'll find some incredible Renaissance sculptures, including the famous Perseus with the Head of Medusa under the Loggia dei Lanzi. Nearby, stop at the Fontana del Porcellino, the famous bronze wild boar fountain, and wander through the San Lorenzo Leather Market. Florence is a fantastic city for shopping. You also can't visit Florence without walking across the Ponte Vecchio, the famous medieval bridge lined with jewelry shops.

Cross the Arno River and explore the streets on the other side. I recommend walking up to the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, which sits on a hill overlooking Florence. The views of the city are incredible, especially around sunset. Florence is also a great city for renting bikes. You can explore along the Arno River and ride through some of the quieter neighborhoods outside the busy historic center.

The Food in Florence Is Incredible

One of the best things about Florence is the food. There are amazing little sandwich shops throughout the city, and you'll see locals lining up for freshly made sandwiches filled with Italian meats, cheeses, and other ingredients. Two places worth checking out are I' Girone De' Ghiotti and Il Bufalo Trippone. These are the kinds of places where you can grab an incredible lunch without spending a fortune. Another fun Florence tradition is the wine windows, or buchette del vino. These tiny openings were originally used centuries ago to sell wine directly from buildings onto the street. Several have reopened, and you can order a glass of wine through a little window in the wall. Italian wine is fantastic.

I also recommend splurging on a steakhouse one night. Tuscany is famous for Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick, traditionally served rare steak, often from Chianina cattle. Florence has some of the best steakhouses in Italy, and it's worth spending a little extra for a great dinner.

Bologna, Italy: Medieval Towers, Amazing Food, and University Nightlife

Bologna is a city that many people will mistakenly skip. The historic center is built with red and orange brick. Bologna is also famous for its miles of covered porticoes, which make walking around the city enjoyable even when it's raining. Start in Piazza Maggiore, the enormous central square surrounded by historic buildings and the impressive Basilica of San Petronio. There are plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants, and narrow streets to explore in the surrounding neighborhood.

Bologna is also famous for its medieval towers. The most recognizable are the Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda. Although the Asinelli Tower is currently closed, you can climb the Torre dell'Orologio, the Clock Tower overlooking Piazza Maggiore, for panoramic views of the city's red rooftops. Another beautiful church worth visiting is the Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore, located near the university district. The surrounding streets are packed with historic buildings, restaurants, bars, and students.

One of my favorite places to recommend in Bologna is Piazza Santo Stefano. This beautiful square is surrounded by medieval buildings and the historic Santo Stefano church complex. It's especially nice in the evening when the crowds thin out. Find a table outside, order a drink, and soak in the vibes. Bologna is home to the University of Bologna, one of the oldest universities in the world. There are thousands of students living in the city, giving Bologna a youthful atmosphere and a great nightlife scene. If you're visiting in September, look for student events, live music, and other university activities. There were live bands playing in the square on the weekend when we visited.

Bologna is also one of Italy's great food destinations. The Emilia-Romagna region is famous for fresh pasta, Parmigiano Reggiano, mortadella, and traditional meat sauces. Don't leave without trying tagliatelle al ragù, the local dish that inspired what much of the world calls spaghetti Bolognese.

Visiting Florence and Bologna on a Train Trip Through Italy

One of the easiest ways to explore Italy is to fly into Rome and travel north by train. I recommend spending several days in Rome, at least two full days in Florence, and one or two nights in Bologna before continuing to Venice. The train connections are excellent, and all four historic centers are easy to explore without a car. You can even fly into Rome and out of Venice to avoid backtracking. It's a fantastic route that combines some of the best architecture, food, history, and nightlife in Italy.

the Duomo

Basilica di San Miniato al Monte

Florence Italy

Ponte Vecchio. Florence Italy

Perseus with the Head of Medusa

Florence Italy

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria. Florence Italy

Florence Italy

Bologna Italy

Piazza Santo Stefano. Bologna Italy

Asinelli Tower. Bologna Italy

Bologna Italy

Santo Stefano church. Bologna Italy

Biking the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Loveland to Milford, Ohio

biking, mountain biking, Ohio, roadtrip, trails

We spent a Sunday in early November riding the Little Miami Scenic Trail from Loveland to Milford, Ohio. It's one of the best paved bike trails I've ridden. We covered 9.2 miles each way following the Little Miami River through beautiful forests, small towns, and several historic bridges. There are also some excellent breweries and restaurants along the way. We would have made it further had we not stopped in several amazing breweries along our route for beer!

The Little Miami Scenic Trail stretches 78 miles from Springfield Ohio toward Cincinnati. It's built along an old railroad corridor, so the trail is essentially flat and very easy to ride. Most of the route follows the Little Miami River, which was Ohio's first designated State Scenic River. The trail also connects to a much larger network of paved bike trails throughout southwestern Ohio. I am dying to come back and do more of this trail.

Starting in Loveland

We rented bikes from Loveland Bike Rental for $30 each for the day. It's a great little shop right next to the trail, with really nice hybrid bikes that were perfect for the ride. The girl at the counter was awesome and got us set up in 5 minutes. Loveland is a gorgeous little town and one of the best places to start and finish a ride. There are several great restaurants and breweries, including Narrow Path Brewing Company, Cappy's Taproom, and Hops & Berry, a self pour taproom. Pig Candy BBQ is another great option near the trail. The town was packed with people outside enjoying the Sunday afternoon. Cyclists were everywhere, the bars were full of people watching football, and families were hanging out in the parks and restaurants. There's a great atmosphere in Loveland, and I could have easily spent an entire afternoon there.

You can ride north or south from Loveland. We decided to head south toward Milford, which is about 9 miles away.

Riding the Trail to Milford

The ride itself is beautiful. The paved trail runs through a forest with a canopy of trees overhead for almost the entire route. Even on a sunny afternoon, there was plenty of shade and a nice breeze coming off the river. We saw people canoeing on the water and dozens of cyclists riding in both directions. The serious road cyclists were absolutely flying past us. There are several scenic bridges along the route, including an old railroad bridge with beautiful views of the Little Miami River. Since the trail follows a former railroad line, there are very few hills, making it easy to cover a lot of distance.

One of our favorite stops was The Schoolhouse Restaurant in Camp Dennison. The restaurant is a historic schoolhouse dating back to the 1860s that serves traditional American comfort food. . They also had some fantastic bourbon cocktails on the menu. Outside, there are picnic tables, a general store, and a little farm with goats you could pet. It's a fun place to stop and hang out for a while.

We also stopped at the Miamiville Trailyard, a restaurant and bar right along the trail. There's a large outdoor area where you can grab a beer and play games like giant Connect Four or cornhole.

At another point along the ride, we came across a basketball court with a giant chessboard set up in the middle. We stopped and played a game before getting back on our bikes. It's little things like this that make the trail so much fun.

Little Miami Brewing Company in Milford

Another of the highlights of the ride was Little Miami Brewing Company in Milford. The brewery is located right along the river, just across a bridge from the bike trail. They have a fantastic selection of craft beers, a large indoor taproom, outdoor seating, and a second-floor deck overlooking the river. There's also a patio with comfortable Adirondack chairs surrounding a fire pit. We sat upstairs overlooking the water and drank a beer before heading back toward Loveland. The Blackbird Fly was honestly one of the best beers I’ve ever had in my life. One thing I noticed throughout the day was how relaxed everyone was about their bicycles. There were bikes everywhere, leaning against fences and parked outside breweries, and hardly anyone seemed to bother locking them up. It was a very different atmosphere from some of the busier places I've ridden. We also saw surprisingly few electric bikes. Most people were riding traditional road bikes or hybrids, although Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed the trail.

My Next Trip

We only explored about 9 miles of a 78 mile trail, and I desperately want to come back and ride the rest of it. I'd love to bring an electric bike and cover a huge section in a single day. There are a ton more towns, bridges, restaurants, and breweries to explore in both directions. I'm especially disappointed that we didn't make it farther south to Fifty West Brewing Company near Cincinnati or north to Cartridge Brewing in Maineville, which is inside a historic ammunition factory beside the trail. Those are definitely on my list for the next trip. Between the beautiful scenery, shaded paths, historic buildings, and all the great places to stop for food and drinks, the Little Miami Scenic Trail is easily one of my favorite bike trails in the US.

Little Miami Brewing Company in Milford

The Schoolhouse Restaurant in Camp Dennison

Little Miami River Ohio

Little Miami Trail Scenic Bridge

The Miamiville Trailyard Mural

Little Miami Brewery

Loveland Ohio, Little Miami Trail

Little Miami Trail in Loveland Ohio

My Barcelona Travel Guide. Amazing Architecture, Tapas, Bike Rides, Cocktail Bars, and a Side Trip to Girona

cathedrals, Europe, hiking, LAX, mountains, Spain

Barcelona is one of the busiest cities in Europe. The crowds can get absolutely insane on weekends, especially around the major tourist attractions. But if you visit during the fall and explore during the week, you can avoid a lot of the crowds. There is so much to see and do in Barcelona. The architecture is incredible, the food is fantastic, and the nightlife is some of the best in Europe. It’s an awesome city for exploring on foot or by bicycle. Flights from LAX to Barcelona are often around $500-600 roundtrip in the fall.

Incredible Architecture and Museums

One of my favorite attractions in Barcelona is the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, which is one of the best art museums in the world. The building itself is absolutely spectacular and arguably one of the most beautiful buildings housing an art museum in Europe. It sits high above the city on Montjuïc, with incredible views looking back toward Barcelona. Even if you're not a huge art museum fan, this is a place you should visit just to see the architecture and surrounding grounds.

Another attraction you can't miss is the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. The church is unlike anything else in Europe, with its massive towers and bizarre architectural details designed by Antoni Gaudí. The $30 admission tickets are insanely overpriced, but it's something you have to experience at least once. Pony up the dough and do it once. The interior is just as impresive as the exterior.

I also highly recommend making the climb up to Montjuïc Castle. The fortress sits on a hill overlooking Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. The views are fantastic, and it's a great place to escape the busiest parts of the city. You can spend a good portion of the day exploring Montjuïc, visiting the museum, walking through the gardens, and checking out the castle. If you only had one day in Barcelona, these are the three things I would do.

Rent a Bike and Explore Barcelona

One of the best things we did in Barcelona was rent bicycles and explore the city. We spent time cruising through the narrow streets of the El Born neighborhood on a weekday when it wasn't too crowded. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Barcelona. You can also ride six miles along the coast on a dedicated bike route, passing beaches, restaurants, marinas, and beautiful Mediterranean scenery. I highly recommend renting bikes for at least half a day.

Amazing Tapas and Some of the Best Cocktail Bars in Europe

Barcelona has some incredible restaurants, but one of my favorite things to do was just wander around and try tapas at different places. Instead of sitting down for one big dinner, we would stop at several restaurants and order a few small dishes before moving on to the next place. My favorite tapas experience was at El Pintxo de Petritxol. They had the best variety of pintxos and tapas that I found anywhere in Barcelona, and everything was being made fresh. There were so many great choices that I just kept ordering more food until I could barely walk out of that place.

Barcelona also has some of the best cocktail bars I've visited in Europe. Creps al Born Cocktails and Creperie might actually be my favorite cocktail bar in all of Europe. The cocktails were incredible, the food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was really lively every night. It's located in the heart of El Born, which is already one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for restaurants and nightlife. We went back 3 times in 3 nights for a cocktail.

Take a Side Trip to Girona. One of the Best Small Cities in Spain

If you only have time for one side trip from Barcelona, I highly recommend visiting Girona. It's an incredible medieval city that's just a short train ride from Barcelona. The old town is filled with narrow stone streets, beautiful architecture, restaurants, and bars. It almost feels like a miniature version of Barcelona. If you've watched Game of Thrones, you'll probably recognize quite a few locations around Girona. They filmed a ton of scenes here, including locations used for King's Landing and Braavos. One of the most impressive attractions is the Girona Cathedral, which has a massive staircase leading up to the entrance. Admission was only about $8 when we visited, making it a better bargain compared with some of Barcelona's major attractions.

Girona is also a popular destination for cycling. There are some fantastic cycling routes through the surrounding countryside, including routes that will take you all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. It's a great place to start a longer bicycle ride if you want to get out of the city and explore more of Catalonia.

One of my favorite things about Girona was just walking around and exploring the old town. There are some excellent cocktail bars, beautiful plazas, medieval buildings, and plenty of interesting streets to get lost in. The city is compact enough that you can explore most of the major attractions on foot. I actually recommend spending a night in Girona rather than just visiting for a few hours. You can check out the restaurants and cocktail bars at night, especially on a weekend when the city has a great atmosphere. It's also a smart way to plan your trip. Spend your weekdays in Barcelona when the crowds are more manageable, then head to Girona for a weekend night instead of fighting the enormous weekend crowds in Barcelona.

How Much Time Should You Spend in Barcelona?

I recommend at least three or four full days in Barcelona, especially if you want to visit the major attractions, spend time at the museums, explore the neighborhoods, and rent bicycles. If you're planning a trip in the fall, I would try to schedule Barcelona during the week and add an overnight in Girona. The two cities make a fantastic combination. Barcelona has the big attractions, spectacular architecture, beaches, and incredible nightlife, while Girona offers a smaller medieval city that's just as enjoyable to explore. There is an inexpensive high speed rail with tickets for around 10 euros each way that connects Barcelona to Girona and you can make the trip in under an hour.