I get asked all the time what people should do in San Francisco if they’re coming for a visit. And while I’ve lived here three and a half years already, I still don’t think I can give a complete answer to that question; there’s so much to see! My list, unsurprisingly, is fairly weighted towards the food (and drink) side of things, and I’ve tried to make it as self-explanatory and useful as possible.
While I lived in London for three years as a university student (and forty minutes outside it from ages eleven to eighteen), I don’t get back as often as I’d like. Despite that, I’ve got a well-honed roster of places I like to hit up when I do. The below is by no means the Definitive Guide To London; it’s just a small list I send to friends when they ask what they should do and see in England’s capital. I haven’t lived there since 2002, so I’m hardly up on the hippest things, but I hope you’ll find a few of these suggestions helpful.
We lived in Charleston from 2003 to mid-2006 and I loved it. I’ve only been back to visit once since we left, but I spend a large portion of my time reminiscing over things I used to eat there. If you’re going to Charleston, I suggest packing some very stretchy pants for your return journey as you will likely gain an extra ten pounds. Here are a few things to do:
We visited Chicago in April 2008 and before we left, we asked for suggestions of all the things we really shouldn’t miss. Below is an excellent list of ideas so kindly given to us by Chicagoans, former Chicagoans, and people who really just like Chicago a whole bunch.
In November 2008, we flew to Seattle for a long weekend. We were really into Grey’s Anatomy at that point---you know, before it turned into the self-absorbed mush it is now---and for the entire trip, we kind of made believe we were in one of the episodes. Before we left, we asked the Internet for suggestions, and were blown away by all the fantastic recommendations and ideas. We stuck fairly religiously to the list, which you’ll find below.
My sister and I went to Paris in March 2010 for a three-day mini break. We took the Eurostar from London (highly recommended so one doesn’t have to mess around with airports) and we stayed at Mama Shelter Hotel, which I wrote a little bit about here and to which I would happily return again and again.
I didn’t know it, of course, but I’d arrive in Rome in October 2008 an un-engaged lady and leave a few days later having been proposed to in a cobblestone Italian street close to midnight. (By Sean, I should add. You know, in case that wasn’t clear.) Before we left on what turned out to be the most eventful trip we’d ever taken together---see again: unexpected diamond on finger!—we asked for advice on what we should see and do there.
