u/Historical-Photo-901

The pace of life in European countries is definitely different, for sure, but even though the continent is full of peaceful places, there are certain cities that, despite being big, still feel quite relaxing.

Which ones do you think are the most perfect cities to relax and disconnect from stress without getting bored?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

This happened to me maaaany years ago when I traveled to Mexico for the first time. I didn’t eat spicy food at all back then, so I thought I wasn’t going to like anything and that I’d suffer with the food but, I ended up being completely fascinated by how delicious everything was. Since then, I only really enjoy spicy food in Mexican or Asian cuisine, but Mexican food was definitely what taught me how to eat spicy food haha.

So now I’m curious about you guys: what’s that traditional dish you thought you wouldn’t like, but ended up loving?

I wanted to put together these travel tips for New York City in case anyone here is planning their first trip and wants a bit of clarity before going. Hope this helps :)

-Stay smart with location: If you can, stay in Manhattan (Midtown is ideal for short trips). You’ll save hours in transport. NJ or outer boroughs can work, but always factor in commute time.

-Plan by area, not by hour: Group your days by zones (Midtown / Downtown / Uptown). Avoid hour-by-hour itineraries, NYC doesn’t really work that way.

-Use the subway: (don’t overthink it)The New York City Subway is the fastest and most efficient way to get around. A quick YouTube guide before landing + Google Maps is more than enough.

-Pick must-dos”per day Try to stick to ~2 main activities a day. For example: Morning: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Afternoon: Central Park walk. Everything else is optional.

-NYC will test your energy especially in heat: Bring water, comfy shoes, sunscreen, and plan breaks. You’ll walk way more than expected.

-Don’t over-optimize the trip: Some of the best moments happen when you stop following the plan so strictly and just explore.

-Small practical things matter: Have backup power (your phone = map + camera), check opening hours in advance.

- Food is easy and affordable (pizza, bagels, food trucks everywhere), but you can also find a huge variety of cuisines and price ranges. New York restaurants have very high quality, so that’s also something I’d really recommend trying (especially sushi 😉).

If you want, I can put together an updated New York itinerary or more tips! If you have anything to add, leave it in the comments. Thanks :)

I wanted to organize this list of tips and things to do in Northern Italy in case you’re planning a trip in spring or summer and want a few useful things to know:

- Bologna deserves more time than most people expect. so give it at least 2–3 days, it tends to be less crowded than Milan and the food and atmosphere are very unique!

- Book major attractions in advance, especially in Milan and Venice. The Last Supper, Duomo terraces, Doge’s Palace, and popular museums can sell out quickly during spring and summer.

- Trains are one of the easiest ways to move around Northern Italy. Frecciarossa high-speed trains are comfortable, fast, scenic, and usually more convenient than renting a car between major cities. (traffic in Italy can be very chaotic and honestly it’s much nicer to walk)

- The Trenitalia app makes everything easier. Mobile QR tickets, platform updates, and route changes are all handled directly in the app. so download it and buy your tickets in advance to save money.

- Venice is much easier to enjoy if you stay near a vaporetto (water bus) stop instead of carrying luggage across bridges for long distances.

- Murano and Burano are still worth visiting despite being touristy. Murano’s glass workshops and Burano’s colorful streets are highlights for many visitors.

- Ravenna is one of the most underrated day trips in Northern Italy. The Byzantine mosaics inside the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Basilica di San Vitale are incredible in person.

- Many museums in Italy close on Mondays, so plan lighter activities that day like parks, walking neighborhoods, cafés, shopping streets, or viewpoints.

- Tap-to-pay works almost everywhere now, including metros, trams, restaurants, and train stations. You might barely use cash during the trip.

- Milan public transportation is extremely easy to use. Trams, metro lines, and contactless payments make getting around simple even for first-time visitors.

- Bologna is surprisingly vegetarian-friendly compared to what many people expect from Italy’s food capital. (another reason to spend more time there)

- Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Northern Italy because the weather is pleasant, trains are less chaotic than summer, and cities feel more relaxed overall.

What places would you add to a Northern Italy itinerary? If you have more tips, feel free to add them to help other travelers on their trips. Thank you ❤️

From the countries that make up North America (Canada, Mexico, and the USA), which destinations do you think are the most underrated? Places that have everything to become super famous, but for some reason people barely visit them?