It is big and ‘Sur’real!

September 26, 2014September 26, 2014 getlostwithlindsayadventure, food, get lost, getlostwithlindsay, kate spade, life, love, travel, wine1 Comment

There are places that are so picturesque that you can not take a bad photo. Then there is Big Sur. The ‘sur’real land along the central California coast stretches 90 miles long. You hear stories about the beauty of big sur. But this is not a land that can be told by stories. This is a land you need to fully soak in and one that needs to be explored. Big Sur is an actual slice of heaven.

You have no choice but drive on highway 1 along the coast. The roads are very windy and seem to go on forever, but that all just fades away. You get lost in the dramatic cliffs and crystal blue waters, forgetting that you are still in California. It is the most exotic place I have been, while still on US soil.

Big Sur truly has it all. There are tons of great hikes. The camping is some of the best in the world. You can even rent a lavish cabin on the cliffs. It even brings something for the top foodies. You have to check out Big Sur Bakery and also Napenthe. Napenthe has the food and the view. The bakery has everything one could ask for: great food, and a beautiful rustic atmosphere.

In my book Big Sur is a top wonder of the world. If you have not yet experienced the wonder, you are missing out on a magical and mythical place. Trust me…Big Sur will blow your mind.

Accommodation Tips: Unless you plan and book way in advance, It is hard to get a room in Big Sur. Camping is always an option, but the camping grounds book up as well. Or you can do what I did and stay in Monterey. The city is not a far drive from the top
of Big Sur. It is also a cute city to explore. Carmel is also an option. Both are usually on the more affordable side. If you are determined to stay inside of Big Sur just make sure to plan many months in advance.

Beautiful Circus by the Beach

September 16, 2014September 16, 2014 getlostwithlindsayadventure, food, getlostwithlindsay, kate spade, life, love, paradise, travel, wine1 Comment

What do you think of when you hear Venice Beach? Maybe Muscle Beach, or skateboarders, or surfers? Yes, this all still exists. But the little beach town in Los Angeles has charm and infectious ways that make you never want to leave.You can not help but fall in love with Venice Beach. It makes you just overall very happy. Whether it is the constant sunshine, or the fact that you are biking and walking everywhere. You just can’t help but smile.

Coming from NYC I have to have a little eccentric flair. I like different. I like a little character. Venice sums it all up.

You feel like you are in Italy by visiting the Venice canals. You can walk down the boardwalk and see everything from the bearded lady, to getting your fortune read while you watch the best skateboarders around do tricks. Ocean Park walk brings crazy adventure, but you can easily bike to Abbot Kinney and eat and shop your way into a food retail coma. I have all my favorites in streets surrounding my house. I have my Mexican taco truck on Rose Ave and 4th Street, my coffee at the Toms Store, my go to cocktail spot at Tasting Kitchen, and, of course, Gjelina for everything. Eat like a local and get the Gjelina take out. Given any day I could be sipping a Sake Coconut on the beach at the Venice Ale House. The possibilities are endless. But unlike most cities, Venice makes you feel very welcomed. You will feel like you are apart of a community. Isn’t that what life is about?

The many personalities of Venice are all there in shining colors. Just like if you lived in NYC you don’t frequent time square. I feel that way about the Boardwalk. But I am a happier person knowing that it is an arm reach away.

Hollywood is just around the corner, but for me, my heart lies in the circus by the beach. I have never seen a more beautiful sunset. And who knows you might even see Arnold Schwarzenegger at Golds Gym pumping iron where he started so many years ago.

I have always believed that life is short. That being said, I am making my best attempt to make it a colorful one!

See you at the circus!

A good morning starts with a Gjelina Cappuccino

I always take time to soak up the sun and appreciate the amazing place I call home

I have to get my oyster fix. This time from Fishing with Dynamite

I was on the search for Tom Hanks, but got my fortune read too!

My favorite Mexican taco truck serves the freshest Ceviche Tostado

My happy place is my hammock life on my porch

Weekends are made for local wine tasting

Venice summer sunsets are the colors of the world

Kissed by the Greek Gods

September 8, 2014September 6, 2014 getlostwithlindsayadventure, getlostwithlindsay, love, paradise, travel, wine1 Comment

When you think of Greece, you think of the Greek Gods. The land was made for and by the gods. It shows in every city and every island. You can easily get swept away with its color and charm. And let us not forget about the food. I have eaten all over the world and the Greek Mediterranean diet is one of my favorites. I decided to concentrate on one island that I have been dreaming of going to for years. That island is no other than the amazing Santorini.

But before you enter the jaw dropping islands, you have to pass through Athens. I love athens. I have been here before. Since I was here for just one night, I wanted to live like a local. I seeked out some art and culture. Luckily enough there happened to be The Athens Art Festival. I decided to attend the African dance version of Swan Lake. After buses and trains and walking many miles. I was outside my comfort zone (which I love) and far from city center. I was of course lost yet again. I finally found the warehouse theaters, and it was worth everything. It was breathtaking, beautiful, and tragic. Happy with my night, I had to get ready for my early ferry to Santorini.

The island lived up to it’s very big shoes it had to fill. I could feel the Greek magic over take me as I pulled into port. I wanted to beach hop, and the island is way to big to walk. We figured 4 wheels were safer than 2, so we rented an ATV. We were a little naive. It was scary, but we managed to explored the entire island. I wanted to see the famous sunset and eat fish. I did both, everyday. I saw the red beach and the black sand. We toured and sampled local wines at Santos Winery. At the winery the views could be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. We finished our last night by riding our ATV to a local outdoor movie theater. We had no idea what to expect, but were just excited to see an English movie. And it just happened to be Pompeii. We were there just weeks before. And the magical little theater might have been my favorite thing on the island. It was all outdoors with recliner chairs and jazz playing in the background. You could drink wine and beer and sit among new friends. We all couldn’t help but share in each other complete happiness in the moment. It didn’t matter what movie was playing. It was the perfect night.

I was very happy with my last hurrah of European island hopping ending in Santorini. I was once told by a friend that Santorini was the only place she had ever been that looked better in person than it’s google images. It is true. It’s hard to explain how gorgeous the island is without experiencing it firsthand. Everyone out there make sure the Greek islands are on your bucket list. The gods created them for a reason!

Pizza = balanced meal..right?

May 16, 2014May 18, 2014 getlostwithlindsaygetlostwithlindsay, pizza, travel, wineLeave a comment

My best friend and I are taking the islands of Europe by storm. Alyson DiFranco is the one who named my website, Getlostwithlindsay, she’s knows me best. I get way lost. But I find myself better than before. She was amazing to sign up for the adventure and for some reason she trust me!! Naples is our first stop in Italy. It is a perfect location to use as a launching place to our island hopping. But it is way more that than. It sadly does not get much credit for being a great Italian city. Just like every great place, it has all the museums, cathedrals, and food and wine you could ever want. It is the birth place of the Napolitano style pizza. Which everyone around the would now mimics. We of course had to seek out the oldest one, Starita, dating back to 1901. It was off the beaten bath and after many many miles seeking this gem..we had worked up an appetite. It was more than we could ever expected.

Delicious can not sum up anything in Italy. Italy excels at many things, but the food and wine are like no other. It is hard to ever look at fresh mozzarella, pizza, pasta, or prosciutto the same again. We ate and walked and did it again each day. We visited the local market, which I do in every place I visit. You really get a true feel of the place and it’s people. You get to see how most people make their living as their families did before them. You also see what they have to offer in produce, seafood, meats….etc. It gives you an idea of how to eat local.

In Italy as a woman if you ever have a low day, or just need a self esteem boost. Just take a few moments and walk around the Italian markets. You will feel like a queen within minutes. They call you Bella and profess their love. A few even asked for my hand in marriage. It puts a smile on your face. Because no matter how sleazy it seems, in Italy there is something about the Italian charm where they can get away with anything.
After a few days in Naples some friends that we have met took us to a town just 30 minutes outside the city called Bacoli. It is a tiny charming beach town. There are clubs on the beach and a few restaurants. But you go here for the view. You can see Naples, Capri, and Ischica. Just grab a bottle of wine and soak it all in. This is our last day on the mainland. We will take a train to a boat to an island called Ponza. We are going to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit. See you on the sunny side!

Wine vs. Water

May 15, 2014May 18, 2014 getlostwithlindsayfood, getlostwithlindsy, travel, wine1 Comment

The moment when you sit at your first cafe, when you don’t care if you have just flown 14 hours to get here. When you don’t care you have worn the same outfit for the past 2 days. That is the moment when it hits you, you are in Italy heaven. Nothing else matters. This is my 4th time to Italy and I continue to fall in love each time all over again. I always go to new places, and see, drink, and eat new things. Because that is what you do here. You do it all to the fullest and do not feel bad about it. Because come on…it is Italy!! As I take my first sip of Italian wine… where wine is cheaper than water, it hits me, I have arrived!
For the next few weeks I am living like a true Italian. And I couldn’t be more excited about it. Bring on the food and wine, they are going to have to roll me out of here 🙂