I first visited Rome in the autumn of 2022 with my parents and sister. We made some fantastic memories, but as I watched the outskirts of Rome skim past our bus as we left the city, I felt disappointed. The Rome I experienced didn’t match my peers’ glamorous tales and high praise. However, using the lessons from my first trip, I returned in 2024 with my husband to give the eternal city another chance, utilizing some of the pointers from the Rome do’s and don’ts list I created. This time, the city resonated with me in a more meaningful way. When I now envision Rome, I view it with a haze of go ..read more

On my second trip to Rome, immersing myself in the food culture was my top priority. The first time I visited Rome, I didn’t research where to eat. Because of this, I ended up disappointed with crusty eggs for breakfast and bland pasta for dinner. However, I learned from this mistake and booked the best food tour in Rome to learn more about the local food scene and discover fantastic restaurants. The tour’s stops were in Trastevere, a neighborhood known for its vibrant food scene and local charm. We tried a plethora of flavors, including savory street food, indulgent pasta, and delightful gela ..read more

One of the biggest gripes I hear about Athens is that it’s dirty and ugly. I agree that, yes, Athens is a generally dirty city. It’s not particularly dirtier than cities like Paris or Rome, but those two cities have appealing architecture to draw the eye up from piles of trash and graffiti. Instead of the whimsical Haussmann-style buildings in Paris or the charming homes of Rome, Athens has brutal cement buildings that can feel imposing. There is not much artistic integrity in the city’s modern architecture compared to other major European hotspots, which can be a significant drawback for tou ..read more

When facets of Seville refract in my mind, I see brightly colored flamenco dresses swaying into the sparkling night. In their wake, the rhythmic sounds of clapping and deep singing move me in a way that clenches my throat at the raw emotion on display. No show evokes this feeling more than the flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco Pura Esencia. This venue stands out to me as the best flamenco show in Seville, and it is a show that I always come back to when friends and family come to visit me in Spain. About the Flamenco Club and Show Where to buy tickets Quick tips About the Flamenco Club and S ..read more

When going to Athens for the first time, I was most excited to check out the food culture. I adore Greek food, so figuring out where to eat in Athens was high on my priority list for this trip. Athens has hundreds, maybe even thousands, of highly-rated restaurants, so it would be impossible for me to give a complete guide to the Athens food scene. However, I tried many restaurants that I recommend to anyone visiting Athens, especially if you are staying in or near Plaka. Ella Greek Cooking ANETON Art Lounge Rooftop Drunky Goat The Brunchers Lyra Can’t Decide where to eat in Plaka? Want to ta ..read more

ByAmandaHernandez.com is sponsored by its readers, which means that I may earn commission on affiliate links. These are no extra charge to you, but help me earn a little income. You can read my disclaimer here. Mallorca has many beaches, towns, and coves (known as “Calas”), and it can be overwhelming to pick where to stay. If you want access to affordable rentals, fewer crowds, fantastic restaurants, and stunning scenery, then Cala Santanyí might be the perfect place for you to spend your Mallorca vacation. I stayed in Cala Santanyí with my sister for 3 nights, and we had an immaculate time ..read more

The waves of the narrow cove quietly lapped onto the shore as the twilight deepened and dotted itself with stars. My sister and I sat in the sand on the water’s edge with a bottle of shimmering white wine between us. The combination of a stomach filled with delicious paella and the light buzz from the wine was elating, and our spirits felt as tantalizing as the twinkling stars above. The breeze carried our fits of laughter into the night, embedding the notes into the tranquil hum of Cala Santanyí. This is how we spent the first night of our 3-day vacation in the small cove on the famed island ..read more

While Stuttgart isn’t a city in Germany well-known for tourism, it’s one that many US Americans may be familiar with due to their military affiliations or careers in the automotive industry. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time in Stuttgart on and off over the past few years. During my stays, I’ve discovered many fantastic castles, libraries, towns, and outdoor sites located close enough to make a day trip from Stuttgart. While these are only some of the great places located near Stuttgart, these are certainly some that you should consider if you want to get out of the city for the day. Ho ..read more

During my time in Munich, I felt an ancestral connection with my grandmother, who passed away when I was too young to fully understand the permanence of death. I can still remember her quirky, cow-themed kitchen and her soft smile behind oversized glasses, but the snippets of childhood memories I have with her feel as hazy as the slow, humid afternoons in Florida that I usually spent with her. My grandmother was an American who had the opportunity to live in Munich when she was young after World War II. My mother says it was a city she held dear to her heart. Upon my visit, every lively beer h ..read more

On my first day of second grade, a girl was sitting across from me, and I got into an argument with her over how the desks should be aligned. I thought she was rude and arrogant. That night, I vehemently complained about her to my mom, unaware that we would become best friends by the end of the week. After that first day, our proximity forced us to get to know each other. I learned that her arrogance was actually fiery confidence and that my perception of her rudeness was actually a reflection of myself. At this age, I could be a bit bossy, and her resilience to stand up for herself and not be ..read more