new york Archives - Wander-Lust

28 Sep 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Off the Beaten Track, Top 5. With 1 Comment Permalink

9 x Amazing Autumn Destinations for 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On September 28, 2018 With 1 Comment

As the leaves start to fall from the trees, it reminds us that Autumn is really here and it’s time to trade those skirts and short trousers for warm coats. During this time, a lot of travelers seek some sunshine. Here are 8 Autumn Destinations that you want to book NOW.

Lake Placid, New York
As voted by Booking.com and it’s travelers, this region is stunning during the Autumn season. Apart from the beautiful lake, there is a forest with colorful leaves and wild animals. Enjoy the view whilst sipping on a cup of hot chocolate from one of the cabins that you can rent during this time. Check out the Mirror Lake Inn Resort to get the luxurious break from it all.

Stunning views over the lake at the mirror lake inn resort (source: Lake Inn Resort)

Canada
A friend of mine recently sent me some photo’s of his trip to Montreal and I couldn’t believe the amount of colors in just one picture. Just wow. Besides the colors, this city gives you the feeling that you’re in Europe. The architecture, street art and food choices make it feel like New York, Berlin and Buenos Aires are added into a blender and poured in your glass. Drink up and enjoy! Flights from Amsterdam are available from around €600.

Budapest, Hungary
This city is beautiful during the Fall but there’s also lot’s to do! There are several Autumn festivals going on like the Cafe Budapest Contemporary Art Festival which runs between 7th and 23rd of October. The summer crowds have disappeared so Budapest is a lot comfortable to explore during this time as it can be very busy during high season. Outdoor temperatures remain mild but if you want to heat up, you should try one of the many bathhouses the city has to offer. When it comes to food, you can totally find your taste as they offer something for the carnivores but also have lot’s of veggie and vegan options available. Flights to Budapest go from as little as 200 euro if you book for this month.

Black Forest, Germany
Now, I have been here many times because my sister lives here and I can’t get enough of it. During summer, all you see is green and during Autumn is like a field of colors with snowy mountains in the background. My favorite city near the black forest has to be Freiburg. This is a cute student city near the border of Switzerland and France is packed with lot’s of cute German restaurants, shops and market squares. It was actually voted one of the best cities to live in Germany because of the fresh air, lack of danger and good schools. My boyfriend took his motorbike this summer and crossed through part of the forest so you can only imagine how it looks when the colors are there. You can fly to Baden-Baden or Basel with Easyjet for around €100 euro from Europe.

The black forest during summer

Sicily, Italy
If you are looking for the sun and doing nothing more than relax for a whole week, we tip you to take a break with Club Med at their newly opened Cefalù Resort. With wooden cottages nestled atop rugged cliffs with a breathtaking view over Cefalù Bay, you’ll fall for the charm of this amazing (and luxury) Resort. It’s close to Palermo, so if you want to explore, it’s easily done. We are heading over there this October, so keep an eye out for our Instagram Stories! Stay’s are available from €1841,- based on 7 nights for 2 adults.

Prague, Czech Republic
This destination is great if you only have a little to spend but still want to get away. Sarah and I were there during spring time and we also noticed the nature that surrounded this city. Many visitors never set a foot out of old town and although that completely understandable, it’s a shame because just outside the city walls you will find something quiet beautiful. You can do a lot of hiking and enjoy stunning views. 60km outside Prague you will find the Kokořínsko Nature Reserve for example. If you still want to opt for the city itself, you won’t be disappointing. Food is super tasty and so cheap to other European standards! To read our Prague city guide, check here.

Prague from above

The Lake District, UK
Easily overlooked, but so worth visiting. The colors are amazing, even though it rains a lot over at the lake district. Instagrammers travel to the lake district if they can’t afford a trip to Iceland, and we understand why.

Raven Crag, Keswick, United Kingdom

Cyprus
It’s the perfect autumn destination because of the nice temperatures and to soak up the last summer sun that you may need to re-charge yourself. Yes the climate is blissful and it has some fantastic beaches to stroll. But don’t forget about the many vineyards and amazing food. This island is one of best Autumn to-go-tip.

Jordan
It’s a great time to visit this visitor-friendly country because of the nice weather and golden sun hours. It remains a place this unseen by many, but on the list of most travelers. Don’t forget about those magical nights underneath the prettiest starry sky you may ever see.

Stunning, yet unseen by many

Are you going to book any of these last minute Autumn destinations?

Love,

Elke

18 Sep 2018

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in LUST, Tasty Hotspots, Top 5 L, USA With 9 Comments Permalink

5 x The Best Breakfast Spots in West Village, New York

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On September 18, 2018 With 9 Comments

In a completely food-obsessed city, the West Village seems to be a breakfast focal point. Not only is the food incredible, but the environment of that particular neighborhood gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling to kick off the start of your day. Instead of skyscrapers, you’ll find brownstone, pre-war buildings complete with classic New York fire escapes and every tree-lined, cobblestone street seems to be the home of some cozy, quaint restaurant packed with people looking for a delicious meal and good coffee. Although I’m sure there are dozens of fabulous options to choose from, here are five of my favorite Breakfast Spots In West Village.

Hundred Acres – 38 Macdougal St
Located right on the borderline of the West Village, SoHo and Greenwich Village, Hundred Acres is a Mediterranean style restaurant that never disappoints at breakfast time. Unlike a lot of other typical NYC breakfast spots, Hundred Acres is spacious so a good choice is you have a large party – and they have a backyard garden area! They also take reservations on OpenTable which is super convenient when looking for the right place to eat. The lemon ricotta pancakes and the cinnamon rolls are both superb! www.hundredacresnyc.com

West Village draws fashionable crowds to its designer boutiques and trendy restaurants

Monument Lane – 103 Greenwich Ave
Any place with chicken & waffles on the menu gets an automatic thumbs up in my book. With outside seating during the warmer seasons, Monument Lane is a great place to people watch. Good food, friendly staff and a varying menu with plenty of different options to choose from – what more could you ask for?! They also give you an adorable little notebook to sign when you get the bill – it’s all about the little details and one of the reasons why it’s one of my favorite breakfast spots in West Village. www.monumentlane.com

Waffles & Chicken at Monument Lane

Bluestone Lane – 30 Carmine St (*multiple locations)
A casual, Australian cafe that serves great coffee and simple brunch items. One of my favorite things about it – the staff are all Aussies! I like that this cafe gives me a taste of a different part of the world, all the way down to the carefully chosen decor. The avocado smash and the berry bowl are both delicious! www.bluestonelaneny.com

Love the interior!

The Wild Son – 53 Little W 12th St
This restaurant is located on the border of the West Village and The Meatpacking District right next to the Hudson River. It’s small, so not ideal for large parties, but if you’re looking for a place to grab a coffee and some breakfast with a friend, this adorable restaurant is a great choice. They don’t take reservations, but stop in to put your name down and take a stroll along The High Line while you wait. You can’t go wrong with the blueberry corn waffles! www.thewildsonnyc.com

Always busy and cozy!

Their signature dark lemon soda. Source

Cafe Cluny – 284 W 12th St
A trendy, upscale West Village brunch spot that you go to when you want to be seen. Covered in charming and tasteful decor, this modern French restaurant is a complete embodiment of the vibes of the village and could be a good location for a celebrity sighting. www.cafecluny.com

Delicious and healthy! Source

Love,

Casey

*Casey is one of our guest bloggers from New York. She’s a 25 year old that grew up in Long Island NY. After graduating college, she moved into NYC and took a job in marketing. She and her large friend group of about 9 girls are all about trying out trendy restaurants and keeping busy with all this amazing city has to offer. She also has her own personal blog, Adolescent Adulthood. She will publish an article in the beginning of each month.

TIP: Traveling to the USA and you are in need of an ESTA?

17 Oct 2017

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Off the Beaten Track, Top 5. With 2 Comments Permalink

5 x Winter Chalets and Lodges you want to book right now

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On October 17, 2017 With 2 Comments

When it’s cold you just want to snuggle in front of the fireplace and enjoy a glass of mulled wine (or hot chocolate!) But it can get even better. Just imagine staying in these a-ma-zing winter chalets and lodges. Find out where you can book them!

Chalet Zermat Peak, Switserland
In at number 1 is this amazing chalet that sleeps up to 10-12 people and has a full staff catering (with a personal chef!), a large hottub and like every good chalet, it has a fireplace. This luxury chalet, located just minutes away from the centre of Zermatt, enjoys breath-taking panoramic views across the entire village and mountain ranges. If you sleep here you’ll be welcomed with champagne and you get a laptop for you to use. Prices are not available on the website, so that says enough.
www.mountainexposure.com

Source:mountainexposure.com

2. W Snowtop Court, Heber City UT, USA
This 14,000 sq.ft. of interior living space includes 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms (yes, each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom) and is for sale!
It’s yours for $11,300,000. Ok, maybe we should just dream on but seriously, this place is pretty amazing!
It kinda feels like you own private ski resort for you and all of your friends. Every room has spectacular views and the house is designed and build with natural materials.
www.skihomesinutah.com

Source: skihomesinutah.com

3. Lake Placid Lodge NY, USA
If you want to get away from the big city and relax, then you should go here. You can find this amazing lodge not far from New York City.
Overlooking the Placid Lake, you completely forget about the stress that you may have. Each room features wood-burning fireplaces, private porches and traditional interior that fits the surroundings perfectly. The ground has several lodges/winter chalets to choose from. Big, small, cosy and for families. You can also host amazing dinners here and in the winter you can ice-skate or go ice-fishing.
www.lakeplacidlodge.com

Source: lakeplacidlodge.com

4. Wrangell St. Elias National Park Lodge, Alaska
Voted as one of the best places to stay in Alaska, this lodge is surrounded by the most amazing nature and wildlife parks.
You can hear bears roam, wild moose graze and birds tweet. It’s the ultimate lodging experience for the adventurous traveler.
To get here, you must travel by a small plane and it’s not an easy destination to book. This needs to be planned. But the reward is one of a kind. The best wilderness experience you will get.
www.ultimathulelodge.com

Source: ultimathulelodge.com

5. Wintersport resort Courchevel, French Alpes
This winter resort is known as one of the best credited winter chalets around France.
The interior is warm and cosy with everything made out of wood. The resort is popular with rich Russian and film stars such as George Clooney, Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis. I wonder why…!

Source: http://theaddressmagazine.com

For the best treehouses in the world check here!

Love,

Elke

*Source featured image: Chalet Zermat Peak, Switserland

18 Apr 2017

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in LUST, Tasty Hotspots, USA With 13 Comments Permalink

NYC Hot Spot »The Standard Biergarten, High Line

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 18, 2017 With 13 Comments

Once the long winter comes to an end and we get into the early days of Spring, New Yorkers have one mission: to drink outside! The Standard Biergarten – located on the street level of the trendy Standard Hotel and directly under The High Line, is an unexpected outdoor oasis in the midst of the Meatpacking District. This area (typically known for its boujee nightlife scene) plays host to a relatable clientele of young business professionals, college students, and tourists. If you’re looking for a relaxed place to grab a beer, chat with old friends, and hopefully meet new ones – this is a great place to do it!

Busy and buzzing!

The Standard Hotel has really added a touch of Europe with their Biergarten

After lining up at the door to buy food and drink tickets, $9 each, and settle in for a German brew and tasty snacks (bratwurst, currywurst or pretzels!), bar-goers enter an open brick-walled space filled with picnic tables and benches. Groups gather for fun-spirited conversation as a festive staff, dressed in festive T-shirts and Oktoberfest-inspired dirndls, serves rounds of beer. The communal tables add to the room’s chipper vibe and make mingling and flirting that much easier, while two free games provide a great ice breaker for meeting other trendy but laid-back neighborhood regulars.

standardbiergarten2

Although the place gets packed wall to wall and can be extremely noisy, the ambiance remains more playful and carefree rather than rowdy. Combined with the sociable crowd, open-air space, and casual atmosphere – makes The Standard Biergarten a solid, upbeat hangout for those looking to waste away the hours over a favorite brew.

High Line Walk
If the weather is particularly nice, make sure to take a walk along the High Line while you’re there! This 1.5 mile long, elevated park was built on an old NYC railroad line and is the perfect portrayal of urbanization. Since opening in 2009, the High Line has become one of Manhattan’s most talked about attractions and possibly the best location for sunset viewing since it’s located on the West side and overlooking the Hudson River!

the-high-line
From The Standard Biergarten to the Highline

The View from the High Line

Enjoy a bit of European fun in the middle of New York!

The Standard Biergarten
848 Washington St, New York, NY 10014, USA
Website

Love,

Casey

12 Feb 2017

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in LUST, Tasty Hotspots, USA With No Comments Permalink

The First Ever Vegan Food Court Will Open in New York

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On February 12, 2017 With No Comments

We love New York because it’s constantly evolving and discovering new trends. Food is a big thing over there and even though New York is a big city with lot’s of pollution, it’s also becoming more conscious about sustainability, health and animal welfare. We were happy to hear that the big apple will open the world’s first vegan food court!

Unfortunately we need to wait a while before we can all enjoy this vegan walhalla because they are planning to open in early 2019. The food court will be named Home Food Hall and will be the first permanent food hall serving totally plant-based foods. They are now looking for 15+ vendors from all over the world to take part in the first vegan food court. Some of the vendors are already signed up and among these are the popular Beyond Sushi and Cinnamon Snail, both based in New York.

Beyond sushi will be one of the vendors in the first ever Vegan Food court.

Besides the food they will also open a boutique fitness space hosting yoga, pilates, dance, meditation, kickboxing classes and more. They will also rent spaces where you can host get-togethers, events or private screenings. Home Food Hall will be established in Midtown East.

Follow The Home Food Hall on Instagram or Facebook to follow the updates.

Love,

Wander-Lust

09 Feb 2017

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in USA With 18 Comments Permalink

How To Spend An Entire Day In Central Park Without Getting Bored

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On February 9, 2017 With 18 Comments

Central Park is the heart of New York City and the very first public park built in the United States. The thing I love most about it is that even though it is one of the biggest attractions in the city, it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly touristy like some other places. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit where you are able to quietly relax and enjoy being outside while taking in the melting pot of diversity that is New York City. Everywhere you turn you see people from all over the world speaking different languages and exploring everything the park has to offer.

I recently realized that there are so many places throughout Central Park that I’ve never ventured into. Stretching over more than 840 acres, it’s decorated with sculptures, monuments, and fountains that pay tribute to literary characters, famous explorers, and artists. Knowing that I have the park to visit whenever I want, I’ve gotten into the bad habit of entering through the same entrance and walking around the same areas over and over again. So I decided to spend the day walking the park from top to bottom to take note of my favorite locations. It can be an unexpectedly overwhelming place if you are unsure how to navigate your way around or what exactly it is you’re looking for.

Central Park never get’s boring

Here’s a list of a few of the best attractions to visit when taking a stroll through the heart of New York City:

The Loch
A series of cute waterfalls and bridges that make you forget that you’re in Manhattan and give you a feeling as if you’ve transported to an enchanted forest. Location: North West corner of the park, just above the W 103rd St. entrance.

Belvedere Castle
A small, beautiful castle that makes you quickly notice the contrast between the park and the modern city surrounding it. A great spot for photos!
Location: 79th Street in the middle of the park – Between the Museum of Natural History (west side) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (east side).

Shakespeare Garden
One of the top spots for NYC weddings and a great place for photos. It’s best in the spring or summertime when the flowers are in bloom and contains interesting monuments from some of Shakespeare’s plays. Location: Right next to the Belvedere Castle. For more info check the official website.

The Boathouse
A great restaurant overlooking the lake. Spring for a lunch here if you’re feeling ~lavi$h~.Location: East side of the park, north of the 72nd st entrance.

Alice in Wonderland Statue
Every kid’s favorite part of the park as it’s a large statue that’s easy to climb. This is also a good midway point in the park with a large seating area for you to rest your feet for awhile. Location: slightly West of the boathouse.

Bethesda Terrace & Fountain
A familiar spot as it is the filming location for many movies. It’s a great place to sit and people watch with many tourists and street performers visiting. The architecture is also great for photos! Location: Center of the park, 72nd street.

The impressive Bethesda Terrace

The Mall & Literary Walk
A row of American elm trees that line the parks wide pedestrian path. Perhaps one of the most photographed features of the park. There is also a statue of Christopher Columbus along with 4 other prominent writers. Location: A long path that leads from Bethesda Terrace down to the south end of the park, leading down toward the 59th street exit.

Central Park’s designers had a simple goal: to create a place where city dwellers could go to forget the city. A combination escape hatch and exercise yard, Central Park is an urbanized Eden that gives both locals and tourists a different taste of one of the world’s greatest cities. Even though New York eventually grew much taller than the trees planted to hide it, the park is still a place to find peace and solace in an otherwise high-strung and, at times, overwhelming city. Without Central Park’s winding paths, tranquil lakes, ponds, and open meadows, New Yorkers (especially Manhattanites) might be a lot less sane.

Love,

Casey

22 Dec 2015

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Europe, Off the Beaten Track With No Comments Permalink

The most beautiful Christmas Trees in the world!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On December 22, 2015 With No Comments

Did you buy your Christmas tree already in November, or did you buy your tree on the 1st of December, or do you even wait for Christmas Eve?
If you are like me, you will start thinking about buying a Christmas tree in December. Last weekend I decided to buy one – small and lovely – and it makes my home so warm. Maybe not as impressive as the below Christmas trees, but I can say that my tree looks exquisite and classic!

One of the things I love to do is to check out the Christmas trees in different cities around the world. They are so impressive: huge amount of lights, big and so beautiful! Next to me, a lot of people around the world come and visit their huge and impressive hometown Christmas trees every year, no matter the weather.

Did you know?

‘Before electric lights were introduced, many families set open candles on their trees to illuminate them, which meant that each Christmas morning, the newspapers included stories of homes going up in flames when the branches ignited.’ source: mentalfloss.com

If you are in one of the below cities you should definitely check out these beautiful Christmas trees:

6. Paris, Galleries Lafayette

Which Christmas Tree is your favourite?

Happy Holidays!

Love,

Sarah

16 Mar 2015

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Off the Beaten Track, USA With 4 Comments Permalink

USA Roadtrip » Part 1

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On March 16, 2015 With 4 Comments

It’s probably everyones dream: USA Road trip West Coast! Last October we finally made the dream a reality, packing up a RV and hitting the road in what would become a 1600-mile journey from LA to San Francisco via Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley & High Way 1. Read more

Did you know?

1. Germany, Dortmund

2. London, Covent Garden

3. New York, Rockefeller

4. Rio de Janeiro

5. Milan, Saint Peter Square at the Vatican

6. Paris, Galleries Lafayette