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Welcome to my Copenhagen (mini) guide! I've been wanting to visit this city for SO long, espcially during my four years of living in the Netherlands, but I was never able to make it happen. This was a much shorter trip (around 5 days) versus actually living in some of the other places for which I made guides (like Amsterdam and Oxford ). Consequently, this is an intro guide and an overview of the things I focused on seeing, what I enjoyed eating and some things I'd like to see next time I come back. I stayed at the Next House Copenhagen hostel, which was in a great location and really nice amenities. I was surprised to even see families and kids running around as they also have rooms for two or four that you can book. I booked early enough and paid about $35 per night. Apps to download & set up before your trip: Donkey Republic DOT tickets for public transportation Uber (for car & Lime bikes) Holafly for e-sim (this worked so well for me!! and only $3.90 per day) How to Get Around I actually really loved biking around Copenhagen and found it to be relatively easy. However, I did draw on my 4+ years of living in hectic bike-centric cities in Europe as necessary experience. I mostly used Donkey biking for a normal bike. This cost about 15DKK per minute. I also used a couple e-bikes to get to further places for which I tried both Lime bikes via the Uber app as well as e-bikes from Donkey. What I loved about the bikes is that every single one had a built-in phone holder so you can have Google Maps up while navigating through the city, keeping both hands on the bike handles. So smart! First things first, food. Where to Eat & Drink Coffee COPENHAGEN - Where to Eat & Drink Coffee · Josephine https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZvGjQanmGvZdkuYq6?g_st=i Tip: add the Google Maps guide to your phone and then whenever you're hungry or in need of a coffee you can locate the nearest pin! Cafés Because you know we have the start the day with a cinnamon bun. Juno the bakery had the BEST cardamon bun of my life, definitely, 100% worth the journey out there, they don't have any seats to sit inside so everything is take-out and the line moves quickly but get there early in the morning! Sankt Peders Bageri for the BEST cinnamon bun of my life. Perfect parts buttery and spiced. And still hot from the oven HART bakery (personally not my favorite, found it very underwhelming versus Juno and St Paders Bakery were actually worth their hype, in my humble opinion) HANS bakery (was a cute option very central but off the main road, I got my first Danish breakfast here with a sourdough bun and soft-boiled egg) Lille Bakery (I sadly got here at the end of the day and they were sold out of baked goods but I sat upstairs next to the window with an iced tea, overlooking a courtyard and jasmine) Sing Tehus (in the Vesterbro neighborhood) with some incredible matcha. Learned more about the world of matcha and how many different things go into it like coffee. Whether leaves are grown in the shade or not, how mineralized the water is and whether it brings out notes or not, etc. Sonny (they have a few different locations across town, but I ordered a matcha which they serve to you in the matcha-whisking bowl itself!) Apotek 57 (located right next to FRAMA, I didn't personally buy anything but the vibes are cute, it's a small store, definitely get there early again for them to have pastries left). Atelier September (for the iconic whipped butter, that actually just needs a lot of salt and buttermilk) I got a rye bread, comté cheese and whipped butter plate which was delicious, but very pricey Prolog for coffee (they didn't however serve any decaf coffee, which I found to be the case in most places!) What pastries to try? Kanelsnegle: Classic Danish cinnamon swirl. Spandauer: Flaky pastry with a custard or jam (the original “Danish”).  Tebirkes: Light, layered roll with almond filling and poppy seeds. Rugbrød: Dense, seeded rye bread. Romkugler: Chocolatey, rum-flavored cake balls.  Sourdough Croissant: Flaky and tangy; a modern twist. Cardamom Bun: Sweet, spicy, and fragrant Restaurants I didn't eat many meals out because it's very pricey, but here are some places that were recommended to me: Noma  (I mean if you can, eating at one of the top restaurants in the world is such a cool experience!! I went and visited the pop-up store and it was super fun as well to get a little taste of their creativity at the forefront of food) Mirabelle  (yummy pistachio pesto and white wine and sourdough bread and basque cheesecake) Gasoline Grill (a famous burger chain in Copenhagen which is relatively affordable compared to other options, great to grab take-out and head to the King's Gardens) La Banchina  (so fun to bike out here and grab a glass of wine and snacks while sitting on the pier and jumping in for a swim, peak Copenhagen life) Reffen (a food market which had a lot of great options and you can sit right on the water) Grød for breakfast (I got yummy warm porridge bowl that was super creamy with granola, banana and berry compote with rhubarb & black currants (made with whole milk that’s why it’s so creamy I think) Street market Broens for lunch (also by the water and lots of options to try) What to See & Do COPENHAGEN - What to See & Do · Josephine https://maps.app.goo.gl/DyaJATUsk4TD9mgM9?g_st=i Nyhavn for the iconic view of Copenhagen (The canal tour from there is quite nice and a great perspective through which to see the city. Stunning golden hour boat ride, so lucky!!) King's Gardens (was so beautiful to hang out in on a sunny day and I found myself keep coming back here) you can also visit the Botanical Gardens which is right next to the King's Gradens Christianshavn was a lovely quieter addition, right across a bridge from central Copenhagen where Nyhavn is, I loved biking around here and visiting the Noma pop-up as well as La Banchina, Lille Bakery and Reffen Royal Danish Library (a stunning central library that I used for some quiet working hours during my trip, they also have a very cute café for lunch or snacks right on the water) Museums Statens Kunst Museum (SKM) Glyptotek (sculture museum with a beautiful glass center room) Danish Design Museum (personal favorite) David Collection A Love for Danish Design I went wanting to learn more about Danish and mid-century modern design. As I've recently been getting more into interior designing, mostly with second-hand and pre-loved items, I wanted a bit more inspiration. Honestly my dream career (or side hustle) would be running an interior designing business using all second-hand items. I love timeless, well-crafted, high quality home items that last for awhile. As the saying goes, " buy nice or buy twice ". Someone explained to me some of the key tenants of Dutch design & creating a hygge (cozy) interior: never use harsh overhead lighting, warm smaller lamps around the room create a more even glow & ambience (ideally a PH lamp) candles are used everyday & everywhere 🕯️(not just in the dining room and not just at special occasions) plants plants plants 🌱 to bring a bit of life inside warm colored couches, blankets & pillows 🤎 high quality cotton bedding & plush towels (because who doesn’t love a hot shower & cozy bed after biking in the rain?!) 🛌 I left with some Danish design inspo 🛋️ to bring into my everyday life & try to thrift. Where to Shop COPENHAGEN - Where to Thrift & Shop · Josephine https://maps.app.goo.gl/nSECsAKMtscRWW9j7?g_st=i HAY Design store is very cool and where I got a lot of my inspo from, I only left with a few stainless steel egg cups for Danish/German breakfasts at home Illums Bolighus has a very large selection of Danish and Scandianavian designed items (I left with a small book on the topic of hygge but could have very much bought many more items here) Studio Arhoj for ceramics and glass (honestly so pricey, like $50 for a mug!!) Dora shop (for home goods) got some adorable fish clips and loved everything else in the shop, including lots of Alessi, inspiration for thrifting!! 2nd Rag thrift store (small cute shop by too pricey for me) Pico (hairclip store but quite expensive for plastic) Antique pottery from Antik K ( www.antikk.dk ) FRAMA for Danish design homeware as well as soaps, candles & other scented things ARKET for more Danish design & clothing Still Eben design store which was good for inspo Other Things That Were Recommended to Me (that'll do next time I come back) David Collection - private collection that you can visit for free and has some of the most incredible Islamic art from around the world The old Carlsberg brewery area is super unique and lovely. 200-year old buildings with a large gate guarded by elephants. Very 19th century display of opulence Sauna and cold plunge experience Sunday? Loppemarked, flea market with over 90 stalls Danish design decor, ceramics etc Talent Garden co-working space for $15 per day Tybo art studio for handmade pottery Evening drinks at Pompette wine bar and chicken sandwich across the street at Poulette Louisiana Museum of Art (incredible combination for the nature around the museum with the museum pieces) Esso cph (a bit outside the city center) Grundtvigs Kirke (incredible church architecture)

Welcome to my Amsterdam guide! I'm so happy you've found your way here. In this guide I'll share some of my favorite places to eat, including a special farm-to-table option, neighborhoods to stroll though and museums to enjoy. If I had one day in Amsterdam, I'd visit the Van Gogh museum, eat at Ceppis, get matcha and afternoon cake at Yuzu and stroll through Vondelpark or the Botanical Garden. I have so much love for this city. Out of unforeseen circumstances I was able to spend more time here in my final year in the Netherlands, while dog and housesitting in different neighborhoods. This unique experience opened the door for me to more slowly explore this city and live in a few different corners. I love that it's a capital but also only 800,000 people, feeling much more manageable and approachable than London or Berlin. However, that being said, it's also a lot more tightly packed. I think this ends up being a benefit as well. You can spend the morning in one area of Amsterdam and within 30 minutes on the tram (or less) be completely on the other side exploring a new musuem or café. Amsterdam is approachable and the incredible public transportation is the cherry on top. My second biggest tip is to avoid the center of Amsterdam (or the area around the Dam). I personally think where Amsterdam shines (in ways other than coffeeshops and tightly packed chain shopping streets) is on the outer ring of town. Whenever I would arrive at the central train station (Amsterdam Centraal) my immediate first step was to get on a tram or a bike towards either the left or the right of the station, and not down the middle. Again, personal preference but most of the cafés, restaurants and stops in this guide follow my general goals in traveling. Amsterdam weather can be funky, which is no big surprise. I've included hopefully a good mix of both indoor and outdoor activites depending on the season and weather. For example, a rainy day could call for a visit to the Van Gogh museum followed by cozy ramen upstairs in the Dun Yong grocery store and an evening movie at the stunning Tushinski Theather. On a less wet day I would stroll Vondel Park with a coffee from Luuk's or visit Noordermarkt on a Saturday for fresh produce or interesting vintage items. I've included a few different links to Google Maps lists organized by food and thrifting (my general areas of focus) which I recommend saving to your phone in order to find the nearest location to you wherever you may be in that moment. Last thing - There's a sample three-day itinerary at the bottom! 👇 How to Get Around The best and most accessible mode of transport (besides by foot) is the tram and train system , called the OV system (OV or = public transport system). Since only recently, you do not need to purchase an OV chip card  to use the public transport system but can simply tap on and off with your debit or credit card (make sure it is the same one). I personally do not recommend biking in Amsterdam  if you a) don't know the streets well and b) aren't very comfortable on a bike. Even as a pedestrian, make sure to watch out for the red-paved section of the streets as these are designated bike paths and fast commuters will not expect you to step into their lane). There are some unwritten rules of how to bike in Amsterdam and I don't think it's worth trying to learn them (or risk your life) for a few days trip. Moving to the Netherlands? That's a whole different story and we can chat then. To visit other cities within the Netherlands I also recommend using the well-connected train system , no need to rent a car. Cities like Leiden, Utrecht, the Hague and Haarlem are easily acceesible within less than an hour from Amsterdam. If you are traveling with a Dutch friend who has an OV card with a subscription, make sure to get a ticket with a discount for traveling with them. This can all be selected at one of the ticketbooths within the train stations. First things first, food. Where to Eat & Drink Coffee A Google Maps guide to all my favorite food and coffee places: AMSTERDAM - Where to Eat · Josephine Henze Tip: add the Google Maps guide to your phone and then whenever you're hungry or in need of a coffee you can locate the nearest pin! Restaurants: Pata Negra (spanish tapas) one of my favorite places to grab authentic spanish tapas and enjoy the liveliness of this restaurant Ceppis (Italian, great for lunch too) Had one of the best pasta dishes of my life here! A ragu with ricotta salata cheese on top Jansz (pricier but Dutch local cuisine, need to make reservations beforehand) Williams Farmhouse (similar to Jansz) New Dutch Amsterdam (great brunch place by a canal) nNea Pizza (new Neapolitan award winning pizza in Oud West) Salvatorica (small homemade pasta place where you can sit at a few tables) Chez Nina Brasserie (kinda pricey but famous vegetarian brasserie) Ramen at Dun Yong Asian grocery store (upstairs, get there early bc a line does form) A very small menu but delicious ramen on the top floor of an Asian grocery store Go right in and take the elevator upstairs De Kas (quite fancy but amazing farm to table restaurant slightly outside of town) Incredible farm to table dinner and dining experience Make sure to not miss the dessert, it's always amazing Bird (great Thai food!!) Twee Prinsen natural wines, beers and snacks This place was right around the corner from my office and I loved stopping here after work for a glass of wine De Tros Bar Babar another great wine bar Carmen Brasserie Margaux Brasserie Lolita Esh Pitabar (for amazing fresh pita and hummus) Papillon Bakery & Café (in Noord, a fun bike ride over) Cafe’s (not coffeeshops hehe): YUSU BOCCA Rum Baba Luuk’s My favorite decaf latte in town! Fort Negen Screaming Beans Uncommon Ams Near Vondelpark, great to stop in for a coffee after walking through the park De Koffieschenkerij A small cafe inside a courtyard of a church Incredible apple pie here! Saint Jean Known for their vegan pastries, great to stop here while shopping at the Nordermarkt Winkel 43: best apple pie in all of Amsterdam often very long lines, but likely worth the wait Rum Baba Baking Lab De Deli Plantagebuurt Right across from the Zoo or Micropia museum, great to grab a bite before or after visiting! The School of Life great co-working place Coffee Company (a chain but great!) get their chai latte !! Lanskroon Bakery (for stroopwafels) Haku Speciality Coffee Good Tea Stories (vegan boba) What to See Areas to walk around: the Jordaan the Vondelpark (my favorite nearby coffee place Uncommon Ams) —> this is next to Van Gogh Museumplein is where most of the big museums are located don't miss the Rijksmuseum free garden on the side 9 streets area (small shops that are super fun) De pijp (lots of cute restaurants and cafes and Sarphatipark) Saturday Morning Market: Noordermarkt (lots of yummy fresh vegetables, vintage items, fun to get a feel of normal Amsterdam life) Lindengrachtmarket Westerpark Vondelpark Sarahatipark Museums: Van Gogh (favorite!!) Rijksmuseum Micropia (really interesting about bacteria and microbes, next to the Zoo) Museum Van Loon Eye Filmmuseum (Film) Foam (Photography Museum) Fashion for Good Wereldmuseum of art from non-Western cultures Anne Frank House (book in advance!!) Cheesemuseum Houseboat Museum Rembrandt House Museum Other (but worth it!) Do a boat tour and see the city from the water! Shop around in a Dille & Kamille my favorite home goods store which truly embodies how Dutch culture is able to make indoor-living more pleasant during the many dark, rainy nights Watch a movie at Theater Thuschinki on a rainy day! Where to Thrift Google Maps guide to all my favorite thrifting in town: AMSTERDAM - Where to Thrift · Josephine https://maps.app.goo.gl/j1KV1CBHkjXcL35WA?g_st=i 1. We Are Vintage Kinkerstraat 193, 1053 DR 2. Bin Ons Vintage Reestraat 13 1016 DM Amsterdam 3. Penny Lane Vintage Eerste van der Helststraat 11 1011 HE Amsterdam 4. Episode (this one specifically) Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 61 1017 DD Amsterdam 5. Kilo Store (vintage sold by the kilo) Albert Cuypstraat 94, 1072 CX 6. Vintage 2.0 Spaarndammerstraat 34, 1013 SW Amsterdam All on Haarlemerdijkstraat: Zipper Rumors Vintage Outlet Betty Jane (where I got my favorite summer strawberry dress!) Studio Onrust What to Bring Home (my personal favorites to bring home as souvenirs) Kitchen items from Dille & Kamille loose leaf tea cooking items adorable cards Delftsblau pottery (make sure to get the original) We love our beautiful large vase or Christmas tree ornaments or small Dutch houses as candleholders Stroopwafels Vintage thrifted items Plastic tulips (there are some really real looking ones and we have a set sitting in a Delftsblau vase at home) Skincare and beauty products from Rituals (a relatively afforable and classic Dutch store for when you want something to treat yourself, or a loved one back home) Sample Three-Day Itinerary Day 1: Exploring the Jordaan, 9 Streets area & evening boat trip Morning Start at Noordermarkt (Saturday only): Enjoy the vibrant local market atmosphere, grab a pastry or coffee from Saint Jean while wandering stalls of vintage, produce, and street snacks. Stroll to Winkel 43 for their famous apple pie (get there early or expect a queue). Walk through the Jordaan neighborhood—peek into boutiques, small galleries, and canal-side views. Lunch Ceppis – Perfect lunch spot for incredible pasta (don’t miss the ragu with ricotta salata). Afternoon Explore the 9 Streets (De 9 Straatjes) : Pop into Screaming Beans or BOCCA for coffee, shop small Dutch and vintage stores. Visit Museum Van Loon for a quieter, off-the-beaten-path museum in a canal house. Dinner Pata Negra – Tapas and wine in a cozy, casual atmosphere. Evening • Sunset canal boat tour (especially lovely in golden hour). Day 2: Museums, Vondelpark and De Pijp Morning Coffee at Uncommon Ams (near the Van Gogh Museum). Visit Van Gogh Museum (book tickets in advance). Walk through Museumplein gardens next to the Rijksmuseum (optional: visit the museum too or just enjoy the free sculpture garden). Walk through Vondelpark . Lunch Cozy ramen lunch at Dun Yong Asian grocery store Afternoon Walk through De Pijp: explore Sarphatipark , vintage shop at Kilo Store or Penny Lane Vintage, and pop into Dille & Kamille. Stop for a pastry or coffee at Rum Baba or Luuk’s . Dinner nNea Pizza – Award-winning Neapolitan pizza in Oud West (make a reservation or go early). Evening Catch a film at Theater Tuschinski , a stunning Art Deco cinema—perfect for a cozy ending. Day 3: Botanical Garden and East Amsterdam Morning: Matcha and pastries at Yusu to start the day Explore East Amsterdam Visit the Botanical Garden Visit the Wereldmuseum of art from non-Western cultures Afternoon Pick up final souvenirs at Dille & Kamille . Dinner and Evening For a final dinner, book Chez Nina Brasserie  for a splurge-worthy vegetarian meal or  head slightly out of town for a memorable dinner at De Kas  (reserve ahead!).

Welcome to my Oxford guide! I'm so happy you found your way here. I completely my Masters of Science at the University of Oxford and got the incredible opportunity to live in this magical city for a year. Given that my degree was only a year, I was determined to say "yes" to everything I possibly could knowing my time was limited and precious. How to Get Around Oxford is small enough that you can truly walk most places (and that's definitely part of the experience, looking up at the different colleges and seeing why it's called the "City of Spires"). The bus system is pretty well connected, however, most streets in the center of town are pedestrian only , so you will likely do some walking anyways between bus stops. Google Maps should show the next bus and how to connect between them quite accurately. You can tap with your credit or debit card and a single ride will cost about £1.10 (last updated May 2025). I do not recommend biking around Oxford , as roads are tight and weaving between busses and tourists was probably the most dangerous part of my year (sorry mom). You can take the train to and from London (about 50 minutes) or take the bus (often cheaper but takes longer). To get to Oxford from London Heathrow or Gatwick I always took a bus from Megabus which was generally the cheapest. From Heathrow it takes about 1hr 50 minutes and from Gatwick about 2 hr 50 minutes. Last thing -  there's a sample three-day itinerary at the bottom! 👇 What to See A Google Maps guide with some of the main things to see in Oxford (getting a free walking tour first can help you get a lay of the land and decide what else you want to go see): OXFORD - What to See and Do · Josephine https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXRWxcvcfgBLcGHh7?g_st=i Walking, Library & Boat Tours: Free Walking Tour by Oxford Students: https://footprints-tours.com/oxford/oxford-walking-tours/2-hour-free-oxford-walking-tour/ Tour inside the Bodleian Library: https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/tours/library-guided-tours Make sure to book early as these sell out MONTHS in advance If possible, try to get the tour where you can go inside the Radcliffe Camera Sit and read in Blackwell’s Norrington Room on a rainy day Walk inside the book store and head towards the back where there is a staircase that goes downstairs to the Norrington Room (don't miss this!!) Go to a concert at the Sheldonian Theater Also able to just tour around Go on an Oxford Boat Tour up and down the Thames River Go punting (rent by Magdalen College) Go to the top of St. Mary’s Cathedral Colleges you can go inside: More of a description of colleges and different formals I went to can be found below Magdalen College Oct–Mar: 10:00–16:00 Apr–Jun: 10:00–17:00 Jul–Sep: 10:00–18:30 Admission cost: Adults ≈ £8 All Souls College Open to the public: Weekdays & Sundays only, 14:00–16:00 Cost : Free entry Worcester College Hours : Daily from 14:00 to 16:00 Cost : Free, just sign in at the Porters’ Lodge St. John’s College Open daily from 13:00 Cost : free Mansfield College Visitors should check in at the Porters’ Lodge Trinity College Cost : admission fee Balliol College Cost : admission fee New College Visitors are welcome to attend Evensong : 18:15 on weekdays (not Wednesdays), Saturday evenings, and 17:45 on Sundays Christ Church College (pay for self-guided tour online, tickets available 1 week in advance) Entry by paid self-guided ticket , purchasable online one week in advance . Tickets include cathedral and quadrangles. Guided tours of Christ Church also sold separately; prices vary. Choral Evensong Wednesdays at 18:00 This is a great way to be able to go into the different churches of the colleges for free Places to walk around: Botanical garden walk Book shopping at Blackwell’s (& maybe a coffee at the café upstairs) Walk through Worcester College gardens Walk through University Parks Walk along the Thames by the boathouses Walk around Magdalen College Walk in Port Meadow at dusk with the horses Museums: Pitt Rivers Museum (super interesting!! Lots and lots of artifacts) Museum of Natural Science Ashmolean Museums History of Science Museum This is where Albert Einstein's handwriting on a blackboard in preserved Museum of Oxford The Story Museum Where to Eat & Drink Coffee A Google Maps guide to all my favorite food and coffee places in Oxford: OXFORD - Where to Eat & Drink Coffee · Josephine https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q1h1DuRA1fiyZWt68?g_st=i Tip: add the Google Maps guide to your phone and then whenever you're hungry or in need of a coffee you can locate the nearest pin! Cafés: Paper Boat cafe next to Folly Bridge (super cute seating area down by the river) 🚣‍♀️ Green smoothie from Tree Artisan Cafe (with delish chocolate cake) Grabbing a coffee from the Weston Library cafe and sitting out front, looking at the Sheldonian (I’d bring my laptop & work here a lot too) Hot chocolate from the cafe inside Blackwell’s Bookstore (right next to the Weston Library) 📚 On Turl Street, decaf cappuccino from the Missing Bean & Thursday morning pastries! Like jelly donuts Scones & a pot of tea from Vaults & Gardens sitting looking at the Rad Cam (a good view is essential right?!) 🫖 Oat milk matcha (oat milk doesn’t cost extra here!) @ the Independent cafe with the coziest window nook to look out at Christ church gardens & watch the tourists (& get no school work done) 🤸‍♀️ Coffee (and co-working) at Common Ground Restaurants: Lunch or scones at Vaults & Gardens Scones with clotted cream here are a must The Punter (a little bit outside of town but I LOVE their food) truffle fries, paneer curry dish Baked goods from Hamblin Bread + stop at vintage store by Magdalen Bridge Sunday roast at Head of the River Wine and jazz nights at Gulp Fiction bookstore in the Covered Market Warm chocolate chip cookies from Ben’s Cookies after wood fired pizza at Sartorelli’s Cycle to the Perch to have a drink under the willow trees, or at the Medley with wood fire pizzas closer to Port Meadow Ramen at Ramen Kulture Especially delicious on a rainy day (of which there are many!) Ice cream at G&D’s across from Christ Church Fancy dinner at Gee’s in their backyard garden or beautiful glass dining room (get their lemon pie for dessert if it’s on the menu) Brunch at Handlebar Café Pubs: Turf Tavern Tucked away near the Bridge King’s Arms (personal fav) Fun to sit outside on one of the tables and look out at the Old Bod and Sheldonian on a nice day and take in the hustle & bustle of Oxford Lamb & Flag where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis used to meet & host their club Interesting Facts about Oxford: Oldest teaching since 1096 3 miles of shelving space in the Norrington Room (in Blackwell's Bookstore) STEM undergraduate degrees are 4 years with the last year as a research year Norrington Table ranks the colleges every year on their academic performance Oriel College admitted women only in 1984 Rad Cam was built in 1784 Tolkien incentivized CS Lewis to include the lampposts in his story somehow and then they became an important part of Narnia Thomas Bodley’s wife had the endowment from her first marriage for the Bodleian libraries which was made by the sardine business (fish money) Thomas Bodley engravings on pipes along the old Bodleian (TB) Bodlein has copyright status in 1610 which allows the university to get a copy of any book published in the UK During the Reformation 80% of the existing books were destroyed Christopher Wren was a student at Wadham College before becoming a fellow at All Souls College Where to Thrift: Sadly I didn't do a lot of thrifting in Oxford itself, London is much better for that around the Brick Lane area (find more info about that in my London guide! ). However, I did frequently stop into these stores: British Heart Foundation at 32 Saint Ebbe's Street I found a couple vintage shirts I liked here but most things are sadly fast fashion Oxfam on Broad Street Oxfam is like the Goodwill of the UK and stores can be found in many different cities Found one of my favorite white denim skirts here and a puffy Lululemon running jacket Oxfam Bookshop on Turl Street Oxfam on Cowley Road Ballroom Emporium at 5-6 The Plain, or the round-about right across the bridge from Magdalen College I found my dream black wool winter jacket here for only 25GBP and it had a lot of dresses and things for formals at Oxford. Definitely on the pricier side for most things but of high quality and mostly vintage. What to Bring Home (that's more unique than your normal souvenirs) Shortbread from M&S (not in boxes but in plastic wrapping which takes up less space in your suitcase!) Tea from Cardew's Tea Store within the Covered Market For example, the Oxford Breakfast Tea (which is their own blend similar to English Breakfast but slightly milder) Anything from Objects of Use, a home goods store with incredible high-quality home and garden objects that have a very specific use I bought my dad a cleaning scrub for the grill and dishes here Oxford sweaters, notebooks etc. Super cute Christmas tree ornaments at the gift shop by the Weston Library (across from the Sheldonian Theater) A Blackwell's library tote bag which you can get within the library (about 8 GBP) And a book from Blackwell's! I love the book Babel which is fiction but based in Oxford and written by an Oxford alum Sample Three-Day Itinerary Day 1: Historic Colleges & Bookish Charm Start with the Free Walking Tour by Oxford Students Link Grab a decaf cappuccino and pastry  from The Missing Bean  on Turl Street Tour the Bodleian Library  (or join a guided tour) Link Stop by the Sheldonian Theatre  — check if a student concert is on or just admire the architecture Sip a coffee from Weston Library Café , sit outside and enjoy the view of the Sheldonian Visit All Souls College  (free entry weekdays from 2–4 PM) Wander Blackwell’s Bookstore  (don’t miss the Norrington Room downstairs!) Lunch or cream tea at Vaults & Garden  — the scones and clotted cream are a must Climb St. Mary’s Church Tower  for panoramic views of Oxford End the day with Evensong at Christ Church  (Wednesdays at 6 PM if you can) Post-dinner treats: G&D’s ice cream  or Ben’s Cookies  after pizza at Sartorelli’s Day 2: Nature, Gardens & Local Eats Brunch at Handlebar Café Walk through the Botanical Gardens or University Parks Wander along the Thames by the boathouses or through Port Meadow at dusk Get baked goods from Hamblin Bread near Magdalen Bridge and browse the nearby vintage store Stroll through Worcester College Gardens (often open to the public) Visit St. John’s College (free entry daily from 1 PM) or Mansfield College Warm up with Ramen at Ramen Kulture , especially on a rainy day In the afternoon, go punting by Magdalen or take an Oxford Boat Tour up the Thames Dinner at The Punter — order the truffle fries and paneer curry Finish with wine and live jazz at Gulp Fiction in the Covered Market Day 3: Museums, Pubs & Hidden Gems Green smoothie and chocolate cake at Tree Artisan Café Morning at Pitt Rivers Museum and the Museum of Natural Science Browse the Ashmolean Museum Quick stops at the History of Science Museum and Museum of Oxford Lunch at The Perch or Medley (bike there if you're up for it) Visit a new college: Trinity , Balliol , or New College (some have entry fees) Take a break at The Independent Café — great oat milk matcha and window seating Visit The Story Museum if you're into storytelling and children’s literature Afternoon tea at Vaults & Garden again Wrap your visit with a pint at Turf Tavern , King’s Arms , or Lamb & Flag (Tolkien’s old haunt!)

A practical guide to London with top picks for food, markets, museums, and scenic walks. Includes must-try restaurants like Dishoom and ROVI, tips for afternoon tea, the best parks and viewpoints, and where to stay on a budget. Sample three-day itinerary below! 👇 First things first, food. A Google Maps guide to my favorite food and coffee stops: LONDON eats · Josephine Henze Cafés and Bakeries Layla Bakery (rhubarb & hibiscus bow tie, etc.)(Notting Hill) Chai Guys Bakehouse (Notting Hill) Kuro (Notting Hill) Hummingbird Bakery (Notting Hill) Fortitude Bakery (beignets) Eric’s Bakery Host cafe in St Mary Aldermary Church Restaurants Darjeeling Express (Indian food) Dishoom (10/10 for the black daal and Ruby Chicken Dishes) Ordered signature dishes like the chicken ruby and black daal, grilled butter mushrooms, garlic naan, mango lassi - so amazing!! Afternoon high tea at the Orangery (Number 16 Hotel) NOPI (Ottolenghi) Buttery potatoes ROVI (Ottolenghi) Starters: celeriac root crisps with truffle apple labneh, grilled cabbage with sunflower seed tahini and smoked honey, and celeriac schwarma with lots of things inside include crème fraise and crunchy things Main: grilled Jerusalem platter with different types of mushrooms, homemade small pita, tahini and pickled vegetables and extra side portion of truffle apple labneh Dessert: free happy birthday black sesame miso caramels (perfect ratio of sweet to salty), and then as our main dessert rhubarb rice pudding with cardamom custard and pistachio with a creme brulee crust (soooo good) Bun house in Chinatown Noci for Italian in Islington Campania + Columbia Road Flower Market Cocktails in SoHo at cool Tokyo and Lima mashup bar called Chotto A Google Maps guide to things to do in London: LONDON things to do · Josephine Henze Museums Wallace Collection (in a house museum) a beautiful, opulent house filled with art! Before perusing, we shared a “Cream Tea” of 1 currant and 1 plain scone, with strawberry preserves and clotted cream which is almost butter but not quite. Tate Modern (especially fun in the evenings) Courthauld Museum British History Museum Victoria and Albert Museum Design Museum Markets Spitalfields Market Walking down Brick Lane for vintage shopping Camden Market Borough Market Really crowded unless you go at the right time The strawberries and chocolate are sadly worth the hype A Morning at Portobello Road Market shopping around Portobello Road Market which I was honestly so pleasantly surprised by! A varied mix of vintage, quilted jackets and fresh produce (not as mass-produced things as other markets I've seen) a store just for doorknobs! So fun!! = Cute little drawers with different doorknobs and art nouveau tiles from 1890-1920s (see photos below) brass door knockers and signs that were also so cute! little seashell hangers and bathtub soap dishes print & map shop with floral prints that caught my eye stamps (love!!) from this adorable man who bought old Victorian letters from a printing press and re-molds them to make new stamps (got the letter J and little floral stamp with bluebells) so many cute unique antiques !! from cutlery sets to teacups and watches offered free chai at Chai Guys Bakehouse which was so yummy and authentic (10/10) explored Books for Cooks bookstore with all cookbooks (across the street from the Notting Hill Bookstore and honestly so much nicer and more interesting!) chatted up the owner who might sell my cookbook! Sights to See Greenwich park Uber boat down Thames Primrose Hill - amazing views of London Walk through Regent’s Park lots of good dogs and Queen Mary’s rose garden with beautiful blossoming cherry trees and tulips. Lots of meandering and a peaceful walk outside of London downtown craziness! Go to a service (or Evensong) at Westminster Abbey Evensong Easter service at 3pm at Westminster Abbey, continued walking along St James Garden w/ daffodils blooming! Sitting along Regent’s Canal Southbend River Thames Walk with great views of the London Eye and House of Parliament Where to stay: Finding affordable housing in London can be difficult. When I can, I always opt to stay in a Bed & Breakfast to get to know the locals better and have a warm breakfast. Almost all Bed & Breafast's on this website are still cheaper than an AirBnb and breakfast is included :) London B&B Ealing Broadway – Gordon Road Acton Town – Grove Road Sample Three-Day Itinerary Day 1: Notting Hill Start with breakfast or a pastry from Layla Bakery or Chai Guys Bakehouse in Notting Hill Visit the Wallace Collection (free entry in a beautiful historic house) Before you explore, enjoy a cream tea in their café (plain & currant scones with clotted cream!) Stroll through Portobello Road Market and browse antiques, fashion, and food Lunch at Dishoom (don’t skip the black daal , Ruby Chicken , and garlic naan ) Take the Uber Boat down the Thames — affordable, scenic, and avoids traffic! Walk the Southbank Thames Path for views of the London Eye, Big Ben, and Houses of Parliament Pop into the Tate Modern for an afternoon art fix — check out Tate Late if it’s a Friday End with cocktails at Chotto in SoHo — a funky Tokyo–Lima fusion bar Day 2: Parks, Afternoon Tea & Ottolenghi Magic Start with a walk through Regent’s Park Don’t miss Queen Mary’s Rose Garden , spring cherry blossoms, and peaceful paths Continue to Primrose Hill for stunning London skyline views Stop for coffee or a snack at Kuro , Hummingbird Bakery , or Fortitude Bakery Explore the British Museum or the Victoria and Albert Museum Treat yourself to Afternoon Tea at The Orangery (Number 16 Hotel) Head to ROVI for a dreamy Ottolenghi dinner Order the celeriac crisps , Jerusalem mushroom platter , and rhubarb rice pudding for dessert Take a post-dinner walk or sit along the peaceful Regent’s Canal Day 3: Markets, Culture & Hidden Gems Brunch at NOPI (Ottolenghi’s buttery potatoes are a must!) Head to Columbia Road Flower Market and nearby Campania for coffee or a bite Visit Spitalfields Market or Borough Market (go early to beat the crowds) Try the chocolate-dipped strawberries — touristy but worth it Stop by the Courtauld Gallery or Design Museum for a quieter, curated museum experience Attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey (especially beautiful around Easter or holidays) Stroll through St. James’s Garden filled with blooming daffodils in spring Dinner at Noci for Italian in Islington or a fun bite at Bun House in Chinatown End your trip with drinks or dessert at Eric’s Bakery or Host Café inside St Mary Aldermary Church

Quick Fun Facts: Birthplace or cradle of the Italian Renaissance Ruled by the wealthy Medici banking family Center of Medieval trade and finance Located on the Arno River The UNESCO, a UN agency, has created a list of all arts in the world, and 60% of items from this list are actually in Italy. A bit of history: How Florence has grown throughout its history:   800-300 BC  Etruscans lived for 500 years. 59BC   Julius Cesar was the ruler of Rome 476      End of the Roman Empire 1248 1400    Renaissance (rebirth) began in Florence, art, architecture and science 1500 1861    Italy becomes a unified nations under King Victor Emmanuel II 1865-1870        Florence was the capitol of Italy, later moved to Rome The height of building was determined by how much money the owner had. Consequently, walking down the street and looking up, one can see the varying amounts of income. Three floor buildings beside four floor or even two flours. Stairs entering in a house were always made of stone so that enemies could not burn the wooden stairs. The horses lived on the main level, while the owners lived on the first floor, and the servants on the top floor. Taxes were based on the width of the façade facing the street so many houses had a narrow façade with an incredible depth. For wandering in the Center Storico (Historic Center), don’t miss: There are no words for the Piazza del Duomo and Santa Maria del Fiore getting a guided tour is worth it as well as to get a description of the Duomo inside Walk along the famous Villa dello Studio: Visit Zecchi, an art store where Michelangelo bought his art supplies!! (so much good stuff to see on this street) Don’t miss the photos of celebrities Make sure to buy a pack of beautiful Florentine paper with wax drawings to bring home Further down on this street is a leather goods store called Brunelleschi And Vecchio Lotto, an antique store worth wandering in If you keep walking on this street and take a left, you’ll get to a bookstore and café The Paperback Exchange, Anglo-American Bookstore (i bought Braiding Sweetgrass here) Coffee or lunch at the La Grotta Toscana Visit the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio for a taste of local Italian life: This is the second famous market after the main Florentine market, where the locals buy their food. Start early in the morning Marvel at the tomatoes & fresh produce Buy a few pieces of fruit to snack on during the day Coffee at Café Cibreo around the corner At the end of our three-hour tour, as she launched us out on our own, reminded us, “keep looking up!” Too often once people are tourists on their own, they begin to only look at eye level as they enter and exit and small stores. Looking up we saw and learned the history of shutters. Before glass, windows in buildings were covered with a block of wood. However, during the Crusades, when the Florentines were conquering the Muslims in Persia, they noticed that there were slats in the shutter, which let in light and air throughout the day and night. Their conquests helped improve the housing in Florence. - my mom Martha Visit Museo di Bargello and Palazzo Vecchio Paying the extra 5 Euros for a person to guide 5 of us through the secret passages of the Palazzo Vecchio, where the Medici family stored their treasures was worth it. Our English-speaking guide Giacomo made the people of the Medici family come alive, particularly Cosimo I, who was a power and prestige lover to his son Lorenzo who was shy and just wanted to be a quiet researcher in a chemistry lab, a quirky collector (does anyone you know have a collection of bezoars, a tennis ball size ball of indigestible material from the stomach of animals, sometimes called hairballs?) and artist, and not a leader of Florence, Italy.   Lorenzo was a great patron of the arts and supported artists by the names of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.   Palazzo Vecchio The Old Palace is a famous landmark in Florence and a symbol of political power – first for the Republic, consisting of 500 representatives and then for the Medici Dynasty which lasted 100 years. The Republic consisted of governmental representatives from the kingdom who lived at the palace and wore red robes with hoods which was the traditional business attire. Fun Fact: Dante, who is known as the father of the Italian language, was also an elected government official is often depicted wearing a red robe with a hood. Walk along the Arno river and cross at Ponte Vecchio   Side quest: take the Dante train from Florence to Ravenna Who was Dante? And what do you see and hear on the train? A restored historical train from Florence, where Dante was born, for three hours to Ravenna, where Dante died. Along the way, we learned a lot about Dante, who is considered the Father of the Italian Language. Dante was born in Florence in 1265. As was customary in that time, he was betrothed to Gemma, a girl from a wealthy family at the age of 12. Even though he had fallen in love with a girl named Beatrice, he married his fiancé Gemma at about age 20.   Dante, who is considered the Father of the Italian language, due to his political beliefs was exiled and thrown out of his favorite city of Florence. He roamed the Tuscan and Emilia Romangna countryside.  Though we were not allowed to exit the train, we stopped in the four towns important during his wanderings: Borgo San Lorenzo, Marradi, Brisghella, and Faenza. Taking the train allows you to see beautiful views of the Italian countryside. In Ravenna Buy tickets ahead of time for the famous Byzantine mosaic exhibits located in seven churches Make sure to not miss the small rectangular mosaics on buildings indicating street names If you can, talk with artists and workers in mosaic stores who are keeping the tradition alive The workers were completing a mosaic for a custom floor designed by a customer in India. It was fascinating to see the stacked three feet by three feet completed squares which would be transported to India with directions on how to put the mosaic puzzle together. Have the most magical lunch at Antica Tratorria Al Gallo 1909 Following lunch you can have a dessert and coffee in their beautiful backyard garden that is truly magical, I never wanted to leave We not only had an amazing lunch, with purple pasta with made with a fresh blueberry sauce, but afterwards the waitress kindly asked if we wanted to sit in the garden and enjoy a Caffe’ and dessert, of white divinity like cookies. We finished our wine, drank our Deka coffees, nibbled on the cookies, and thought we were in paradise. It was exactly what we needed and made our day in Ravenna complete with happy memories. - my mom Where We Stayed (a unique art residency outside the main city): Since we visited during my father's sabbatical year, we were able to stay at a large artist residency as part of Sabbaticalhomes.com , called Residenza del Palmerino (their new website: https://www.palmerino.org ) . So, sadly this would not be an easy place to stay at as week-long guests (most stay at least 6 months) but it's worth describing and showing a few photos of. Information from their website on the Residency Program: "Open year-round, our Residency Programme can be of varying lengths depending on each participant’s creative project and Il Palmerino’s availability. They can last from one week, to three months, or personalized. There are no particular preclusions concerning art work or scholarly research studied or produced during one’s residency, because the association believes in the heterogeneous and multi-disciplinary nature of knowledge and artistic media. ​ We offer support to our resident artists and scholars by providing information on where to find materials and how to establish contact with the Florentine art scene, or by organising presentations and internal discussions or events with other guests. We also help foster external events with the wider Florentine community, and often facilitate exhibitions and conferences at the end of one’s residency, or organise visits to other events or locations that are relevant to the research in progress." Pretty unique!

not a complete guide but a few ideas to get you started... 🌀A Vocados con Gràcia, Boulangerie Mayer, La Caravana, Mr. Kakigori, Xurreria Trebol, breakfast cinnamon bun from Flor de Gràcia & coffee from OZ bakery & Baluard bakery (all in Gràcia area) 🌀pottery classes I wanted to join in at Atelier Moli 🌀Novela Coffee or Three Marks Coffee 🌀El Nacional Tapas Bar 🌀rooftop drinks at Ciutat Vella 🍸 or ice cream nearby from Gianduia (you know I’m always on the lookout for a good ice cream) 🌀walking around Parc Güell & snacking on fresh strawberries with a little (potentially not allowed) picnic on the benches 🌀strolling around Eixample & the Gràcia neighborhood (maybe my fav!) 🌀buying the best olives & strawberries of my life at the Mercat de la Concepció 🌀truly truly in love with all the architecture and beautiful facades, could walk around all day just looking up and admiring them (& dreaming of future apartments some day 👀) 🌀the stunning Palace of Catalan Music (Palau de la Música Catalana) with super cute streets (& bookstores) to explore around 🌀lots of good thrifting at HUMANA stores (especially when they have “happy hours” where everything is 25% off) especially in the Santa Caterina area For vintage shopping: - Vintage AE5 - Any Humana (there are so many good ones!!) - Mahalo Vintage - El Indio Vintage - Zoetrope Vintage 🌀churros, churros, churros from Xurreria Trebol 🌀birthday dinner at La Pepita! So yum! Order the patatas bravas! 🌀DeLaCrem for ice cream, check out the different flavors available on their board 🍨 long line at night! I think I could never get sick of this city! Can’t wait to go back in 2026 when the Sagrada Familia is complete! Gaudí was truly a genius and this trip reminded me of his insane architectural talent and vision! 🍇🍒🍊🍋🍐🫐

While not a complete guide, here are a few ideas to get you started: Visit to the Botanical Gardens + coffee and cake at the Garden Academy (Garden Akademie) —> this is in Steglitz which is a bit more out of the center but worth it on a sunny day :) Walk around in the evening and bring a picnic dinner at the Tempelhofer Feld (the old airport for the Germans and US Army base) —> there might be an interesting tour here if your fam is interested but I didn’t do one since I was only there in the evening (probably also another good thing to do on a sunnier, non-windy evening) Walk around Mitte (a very cool, hip up and coming neighborhood with nice shops and cafés), here you can walk through the Hackeschen Höfe (or small courtyards with different special goods, like shoes and a tile job that you should visit with art nouveau style East Side Gallery for a closer look at the wall, recommend a guided tour for more history and information on the murals Maybackufer flea market —> this is near Mitte so could be good to combine with that morning, here there are a lot of random people that just set up a stand and sell their old things, there are also food stands and coffee and good vibes (the pro flea market shoppers wear black tights so they can quickly try anything on, I learned) Exploring around the Charlottenburg neighborhood, this area is super lovely and has nice restaurants and a bakery called Zeit für Brot (which is known for its circular buns, kind of like a cinnamon bun but different) Sometimes cool exhibitions at the Amerika Haus for a rainy day Neuköllen is also a cool new up and coming neighborhood which is near the East Side Gallery to explore Things to eat (according to my German grandmother): Any and all Landliebe yogurt Vanilla dessert sauce on top of soft cooked sliced apples with cinnamon A slice of streuselkuchen (cake with butter crumbs on top) daily

A compact guide to The Hague featuring the best cafes, museums, and local gems. Find great coffee at Lola Bikes, Bartine, and Bookstor, and don’t miss the chocolate almond croissant at Boulangerie Michel. Explore top museums like the Kunstmuseum, Escher Museum, and Mauritshuis. Bike to the quiet Zuiderstrand, picnic at the royal gardens, or thrift downtown. Perfect for a relaxed but culture-filled day in The Hague. Cafes Barista Cafe Bartine (close to central station) Favorite decaf cappucino in town! Their Turkish Eggs are incredible for a brunch Bookstor (super cute but can sometimes be chaotic and full) Really popular cafe with books lining all the walls Lola Bikes and Coffee (secret back garden! generally a lot more chill than Bookstor) Further down the same street from Bookstor is this cafe Pompernikkel Any Boulangeri Michel location (French bakery) Order their chocolate almond croissant - an incredible combination! House of Tribes Restaurants Vincenzo’s Pizzeria (any location) Atithi Indian restaurant Everything is super delicious here! Order the mango lassi too, of course! Ali’s Incredible Lebanese Sandwiches (get their potato wedges!) Museums Kunstmusem (honestly one of my favorite museums in the world! A bit out of the center but worth it) Even just grabbing a coffee in their cafeteria is worth it Hanging in the ceiling are wooden beast installations by a famous Dutch artist MC Escher museum (also big love) Small museum within the summer palace Incredible art by MC Escher using linocuts Mauritshuis (surprisingly very full of art but cool) This is where Vermeer's "Girl with the Peal Earring" is located This museum is right next to the Binnenhof or Parlimentary building of the Netherlands that you can also just walk right through! Panorama Mesdag Large panorama painting that is quite impressive of a view of the beach by the Hague Pulchri Studio (free art gallery with cute cafe inside) Thrifting Episode downtown Other Walk around the royal gardens behind the palace! Or great spot for a picnic Bike to Zuiderstrand (avoid the main beach area, and walk along the dunes here) Emma’shof (cute neighborhood garden)