Category: Travel

I spent two and a half months in the spring of 2022 living in London. Here are my notes:

• I could never get bored of London. There is so much to do.
• The tube and buses make cars unnecessary. Everywhere in London is accessible with public transportation. It’s surprisingly freeing.
• London museums are free and amazing. I went to the British Museum twice and still didn’t get to see all it has to offer. The Natural History Museum is worth a visit for the building alone. I also enjoyed the Museum of London and National Gallery.
• When you visit, get a Santander Bicycle and take a ride through Hyde Park. Stop at the cafe by the lake for a snack.
• Other lovely parks I visited include Hampstead Heath, Bishops Park, Holland Park, and Regent’s Park. I wish I had taken the time to make it out to Richmond Park.
• The theatre is fun and affordable. Avoid the big productions. Go see something more intimate. The Play That Goes Wrong is a blast.
• There are outdoor markets everywhere, and the food is always great. I particularly recommend Portobello Market, Borough Market, Broadway Market, and the small farmers’ market at Hampstead Heath.
• Eat a Sunday roast and a full English breakfast. But don’t stick only to traditional English food. London is full of amazing cuisine from all over the world.

For the next few weeks, I’ll be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are a few activities on my to-do list:

1. Visit Reading Terminal, eat a pretzel.
2. Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
3. History stuff: Independence Hall, Ben Franklin Museum, Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank. Skip the Liberty Bell.
4. Go to a Phillies game.
5. Spend a day in Fairmount Park.
6. Make a weekend trip to NYC.
7. Make a weekend trip to DC.
8. Eat a roast pork sandwich, either from John’s Roast Pork or Tommy DiNic’s.
9. Eat a cheesesteak, but not from Pat’s or Geno’s.
10. Watch: Rocky.
11. Read: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.

I spent the first quarter of 2022 living in Florence, Italy. Here are my notes:

• I recommend visiting in the shoulder or off-season (I was there from January to April). The weather is mild, and there aren’t as many tourists as in the summertime.
• We stayed in the neighborhood of San Frediano. I recommend it for long-term stays. The neighborhood is populated by locals, but still within walking distance of the city center. I also like the Santo Spirito neighborhood, but it’s much more touristy.
• The Mercato Centrale is the place to go if you need a break from traditional Italian food.
• Walk through the Piazza della Signoria after dark. The statues and buildings are beautiful to view in the moonlight. And you won’t have to jostle with tour groups for space.
• The Duomo is the most stunning building I have ever seen. Buy tickets to go up the dome and down to the crypts. Make sure you visit the Opera del Duomo Museum. It’s well worth it.
• My two favorite places to read a book are in Parco di Villa Strozzi and on the Pescaia di Santa Rosa.
• Speaking of books, the trains are a great place to get reading done. Make the time to visit Siena, San Gimignano, Bologna, and/or Cinque Terre while in the area.
• The pasta and pizza are amazing, but I miss the gelato most. Gelateria La Carraia is spectacular.