Tag: Solo Travel

Day Trips from Portland

by sahilyq, posted in Destinations, Travel

Living in Portland temporarily for work gave me the opportunity to take several day trips on my days off. Some trips were solo, some with co-workers, but one thing is certain…Oregon is an incredible state to wander off to.

columbia river gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a stunning river canyon located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, straddling the border between the states of Oregon and Washington. The gorge is known for its dramatic landscape, including towering cliffs, lush forests, and numerous waterfalls.

Some of the most famous waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge include Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. These waterfalls are easily accessible via hiking trails and scenic viewpoints along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

cannon beach

I have visited Cannon beach before and the coastal view never gets old. Located only 8o miles west of Portland, Cannon Beach offers picturesque beaches, local art, and restaurants. Known for its natural beauty including the famous Haystack Rock. The sunset here was just spectacular.

mount hood

Mount Hood is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and climbing opportunities depending on the season. It is located about 50 miles east-southeast of Portland. The snow and winter vibes were just magical, we had a great time snow shoeing which was quite the workout.

depoe bay

Depoe Bay, Oregon, is a charming coastal city located along the Pacific Ocean. Known for its picturesque scenery, Depoe Bay is a popular tourist destination that offers opportunities for whale watching, deep-sea fishing, and exploring the nearby beaches and state parks. At 118 miles from Portland, spending the day here is not only is not only possible, but so worth it.

silverton (trail of 10 waterfalls)

Oregon is known for its stunning natural landscapes and numerous waterfalls. One of the most famous trails that features multiple waterfalls in Oregon is the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park. Located only 88 miles from Portland , makes it easy to spend the day there, pack a picnic, and enjoy the magnificent views.

Located near Silverton, Oregon, the Trail of Ten Falls is a beautiful 7.2-mile loop trail that takes hikers past ten breathtaking waterfalls. Some of the notable waterfalls along this trail include South Falls, North Falls, Double Falls, and Winter Falls. If you are planning to visit the Trail of Ten Falls in Oregon, be sure to check the current trail conditions, park regulations, and any necessary permits before you go.

hood river

Hood River is a charming town located in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. It is known for its picturesque setting, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant community. Hood River offers outdoor activities, scenic beauty, & solace. Hood River is home to a thriving craft beer and wine scene, with several local breweries, cideries, and wineries offering tastings and tours. Visitors can sample a variety of locally produced beverages and enjoy the vibrant food and drink culture in the area.

Willamette Valley

If you are interested in wine tasting near Beaverton, Oregon, I recommend researching and visiting some of the acclaimed wineries in the Willamette Valley region to experience the diverse and delicious wines that Oregon has to offer. While Beaverton itself is not a major wine-producing area, it is situated close to the renowned wine country of Oregon. The Willamette Valley, where Beaverton is located, is particularly famous for its Pinot Noir wines, which thrive in the region’s cool climate and diverse soils. Some notable wine regions near Beaverton include Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, and Ribbon Ridge, all of which are known for producing exceptional Pinot Noir and other varietals.

Spain

by sahilyq, posted in Destinations, Travel

This was my first hosted group trip through Trovatrip and boy did we have fun. Our trip was 7-days and we traveled to Sevilla, Granada, & Cordoba. Our guide was a local to the Andalusia region and not only was knowledgeable but also super funny. At the end of the trip we all decide to extend and so we flew to Madrid for a 2-day visit to explore and indulge in the Spanish culture.

Sevilla

Seville (Sevilla in Spanish) is the capital of Andalusia, a region in the south of Spain. It is known for its history, stunning architecture, culture, and flavorful cuisine. We visited sites such as Alcazar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known its beautiful Mudejar architecture, lush gardens, & intricate tilework.

cordoba

Cordoba is a city in southern Spain, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and rich history. One of the most famous landmarks in Cordoba is the Great Mosque of Cordoba, also known as the Mezquita. It is a stunning example of Moorish architecture with a unique blend of Islamic and Christian influences. The Roman Bridge of Cordoba is another iconic symbol of the city, spanning the Guadalquivir River. It offers beautiful views of the city and the Mosque-Cathedral.

Granada

Granada is a city located in southern Spain, in the region of Andalusia. It is known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. The Albaicin is a well-preserved medieval Moorish quarter in Granada with narrow winding streets, white-washed buildings, and picturesque squares. It offers fantastic views of the Alhambra and the city below.

The Alhambra

The Alhambra is one of the most famous attractions in Granada and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stunning palace and fortress complex dates back to the 9th century and showcases exquisite Islamic architecture and beautiful gardens.

madrid

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. Madrid is a dynamic and vibrant city that offers a blend of history, art, culture, and gastronomy, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic Spanish experience. We stayed at the city centre making it easy to easily walk to our destinations. A great end to our Spain adventure.

the food in spain

Spanish cuisine is diverse, flavorful, and deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture. Tapas are small, savory dishes typically served with drinks at bars and restaurants. They can range from simple olives and almonds to more elaborate dishes like patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce) or jamón ibérico (cured ham). Whether you’re treating yourself to tapas, savoring a paella, or enjoying a glass of sangria, Spanish food offers a rich and satisfying dining experience. Also, please don’t forget to try their amazing coffee and churros and hot chocolate, you will thank me later.

Portugal road trip

by sahilyq, posted in Travel

Portugal is known for its beautiful coastal scenery, historic cities, delicious cuisine (including pastéis de nata and bacalhau), and famous wines such as Port and Vinho Verde. The country is also a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors to its beaches, historic sites, and cultural attractions.

7-Day trip road trip to explore Lisbon and the southern part of Portugal is sufficient. Pick up your car after exploring Lisbon as parking could be difficult in some locations. Lisbon has great public transportation, so take advantage of it. Many boutique style hotels located in the city center will have you close to all the attractions and views Lisbon has to offer.

LISBON

We started our road trip in Lisbon where we stayed for two days. Lisbon has great public transportation, so a care is not needed at all. Known for its beautiful and colorful doors and tiles, the stay here included several different highlights.

Hotel: Santa Luzia B&B Rua de Sao Tomé 23 Lisbon, Portugal

The most common way to get around Lisbon is the tram and tuk tuks which appeared to be fun to ride, but definitely not as inexpensive. We chose the tram and also found Lisbon to be very walkable, but be prepared to walk, climb numerous stairs, and steep streets. Wear comfortable shoes. Uber is also an option, but I found that with some crowded streets it would take longer than just walking.

Baixa and Chiado districts are located in the heart of Lisbon, where you will find most of the historical monuments and the famous shopping street. These areas are definitely touristy, so prepare to have some crowds.

Explore Bairro Alto and Alfama. In these two neighborhoods, you won’t have a list to follow, just get lost and enjoy the scene.

Explore and wander through this colorful, historical, and beautiful city. Make sure you also enough the delicious food it has to offer. Portugal is known for their pastéis de nata, delicious coffees, and seafood dishes.

SINTRA

Sintra is a picturesque town located in Portugal, just outside of Lisbon. It is known for its stunning landscape, historic architecture, and romantic atmosphere. Sintra is a popular tourist destination due to its many palaces, castles, and parks. We visited the beautiful Monserrate Palace & Castle of Moors.

Tip: Buy the tickets in advance online for these attractions. You will save time and money.

Hotel: A House in Estori Av Fausto de Figueiredo 3 Cascais, Portugal

Monserrate Palace

Castle of Moors

MOURA

Moura is a municipality located in the Beja District of Portugal, in the Alentejo region. The town of Moura is situated near the border with Spain and is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and picturesque surroundings.

Moura is also famous for its traditional Alentejo architecture, characterized by whitewashed buildings, narrow streets, and charming squares. The town’s historic center is well-preserved and features a mix of Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance influences. Moura is also houses the Chapel of Bones that dates back to the 17th century.

Hotel: Hotel de Moura Praca Gago Coutinho 1 Moura, Portugal

FERRAGUDO/ALBUFEIRA

Ferragudo is a picturesque fishing village located in the Algarve region of Portugal. Situated on the western side of the Arade River estuary, Ferragudo is known for its charming whitewashed buildings, narrow cobbled streets, and sandy beaches.

Albufeira, is a popular resort town located in the Algarve region. Albufeira is known for stunning beaches, vibrant colors, and charming old town.

Hotel: Belvar Boa Vista Hotel & Spa Rua Samora Barros 20 Alfufeira, Portugal

LAGOS

Lagos is a historic and charming coastal town located in the Algarve region of Portugal. It is known for its stunning cliffs, golden beaches, and vibrant cultural scene. Lagos has a rich history dating back to Roman times and played a significant role during the Age of Discoveries. Since we had to drive back to Lisbon, we chose to stay in Alfufeira so that we had a shorter drive. We spend the day in Lagos and honestly wish we had stayed here for a couple days, it was perfection.

Car rental: We used SIXT Rua Andrade Corvo 31.

Rental for the 8 days was roughly $400 USD, make sure you get the prepaid tolls, as many highways require toll payments.

Paris

by sahilyq, posted in Destinations, Travel

How to spend 48 hours in the City of Lights

Paris is the capital city of France and is renowned for its art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. Known as the “City of Light,” Paris offers a wealth of iconic landmarks, museums, and charming neighborhoods to explore. Visiting for the first time is quite overwhelming since there is a lot to explore, but although you cannot see everything, here is how I spend 48 hours in this beautiful city.

Visiting Paris for the first time and with only 48 hrs can be overwhelming. If you want to see a lot of Paris in that time frame, you need to start early and spend the day on the go. You will definitely not see it all, but maybe my guide can help you narrow down what you want to see and make the most of your time.

Arriving to paris & where we stayed

We arrived via Charles de Gaulle Int’l Airport. Give yourself extra time as it’s not the easiest airport to navigate and can be confusing.

We stayed in an airbnb in the neighborhood of Levallois-Perret. We chose Edgar Suites which had easy access to public transportation and walking distance to several cafes and boulangerie (bakery).

Getting around paris

Paris has many forms of transportation. The Paris Visite pass allows you to travel in Paris and the Ile-de-France region with complete freedom and unlimited travel for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days, depending on the package you choose. With the Paris Visite pass, you have access to all public transport: metro, RER, bus, tram, & Montmartre funicular. Paris also has Uber but with all the traffic, it may take way longer that if you did public transport.

where to eat

Parisians take their food seriously and enjoy eating slow and savoring each bite. Paris offers something for every palate, from casual cafés to Michelin star fine dining. Below I attached a few of the places we experienced and would definitely visit again.

La Maillardise (Bakery) 11 Rue Voltaire 92300 Levallois-Perret, France

Fleur (Charcuterie & Wine) 38 Avenue de Suffren 75015 Paris, France.

Pink Mamma (Pizza, Truffle Pasta, & Drinks) 20 bis Rue de Douai 75009 Paris, France

Azur Café (Pancakes) 63 Rue de Ponthieu 75008 Paris, France

Crepes and Waffles were from a random food truck located near the Eiffel Tower

After breakfast we headed to Trocadéro Gardens to view the Eiffel Tower, we didn’t go up the tower as the elevator tickets had been sold out for months. Admiring it from a distance and capturing its beauty was just fine with me. If you want to go up the tower, here is the link for tickets, make sure you order them with plenty of time. Eiffel tickets here cost is cost is €14.50 for the stairs and €23.10 for the lift (elevator). Prepare to be offered numerous souvenirs, picture taking, all while being overly friendly.

After breakfast we headed to Trocadéro Gardens to view the Eiffel Tower, we didn’t go up the tower as the elevator tickets had been sold out for months. Admiring it from a distance and capturing its beauty was just fine with me. If you want to go up the tower, here is the link for tickets, make sure you order them with plenty of time.

day 1-Paris & Montmartre

We headed to Champs-Elysées and admired the decorative high end stores with the view of Arc de Triomphe. ficance of the Arc de Triomphe? The Arc de Triomphe is an iconic symbol of French national identity and took 30 years to build. Today the monument serves as the 4th most popular attraction in Paris and visited by many tourist on a daily basis. The price to visit the monument is €16.00 and you can purchase the tickets here

Montmartre neighborhood

Known as the authentic village in the heart of Paris, Montmartre was my favorite. With its cobbled streets, stunning Basilica, artists, bistros … Montmartre is full of charm! At the top of the hill stands the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, a stunning white-domed church with the most stunning view of Paris. Montmartre is very walkable and you will stumble across the famous Moulin Rouge, restaurants Le Consulat, and La Maison Rose, the Love wall, add much more.

We later visited the most beautiful Starbucks I have ever seen, headed to Notre Dame, and explore the exterior of the Pantheon before heading towards the Eiffel Tower to experience the sparkling lights.

day 2-Versailles

After having a long day the first day, we decided to venture out to Versailles and explore the Palace of Versailles grounds and surrounding neighborhoods. Tickets for Versailles must be purchased months in advanced and unfortunately we did not. We were however able to visit the grounds and admire the gardens.

We ventured around the local Versailles farmer’s market which is an excellent spot to experience the local French culture. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourist, offering a great selection of fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and plenty of baked goods. We enjoyed lunch before heading back to Paris.

We ended our day visiting and sitting near the Seine River and admiring the Eiffel Tower yet again. This trip covered many different touristy highlights, but I could definitely return and explore other neighborhoods. Until next time, Au revoir Paris.