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Blitz Travels

Travel Guides & Restaurant Recommendations by Destination

We’ve traveled to 18+ countries and tried hundreds of restaurants so you don’t have to guess where to eat, where to stay or what to do. Every recommendation on this site is based on firsthand experience. We don’t aggregate other people’s lists or recommend places we haven’t been to ourselves. Below you’ll find travel guides, restaurant picks, shopping recommendations and things to do for every destination we’ve visited. More destinations are always coming.

Japan

Japan is one of the most incredible countries you will ever visit. The food alone is worth the flight. We’re talking the best sushi, wagyu steak and ramen you will ever eat, plus fruit that will ruin every strawberry you eat back home. Beyond the food, Japan is full of beautiful temples, cutting edge technology, incredible hospitality and some of the most efficient public transportation in the world. We’ve been fortunate to spend time in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone, and we have guides for each.

Tokyo

Tokyo is full of diverse experiences where tradition and innovation seamlessly coexist. You can visit century old shrines in the morning, eat the best omakase of your life at lunch and explore neon lit neighborhoods at night. We’ve written a comprehensive Tokyo travel guide with everything you need to know before your first trip, plus dedicated guides for the best things to do, the best restaurants and the best things to buy.

Kyoto

Kyoto is where you go to experience the traditional side of Japan. It’s filled with stunning temples, bamboo groves and beautiful gardens. The pace is slower and more peaceful than Tokyo, which makes it a perfect complement to a few days in the city. We also found some incredible dining here.

Hakone

Hakone is the perfect side trip from Tokyo if you want hot springs, mountain views and a slower pace for a day or two. It’s easy to get to by train and it feels like a completely different world from the city. We loved it as a relaxing break in the middle of our Japan itinerary.

Greece

Greece is one of those destinations that lives up to the hype and then exceeds it. The sunsets are as beautiful as the photos. The food is fresh, flavorful and surprisingly affordable at many of the best spots. We spent time island hopping between Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Paros, and each island has its own personality and charm. Whether you’re looking for nightlife, romance, history or some of the best seafood you’ll ever have, there is a Greek island for you.

Athens

Athens is a city full of history, incredible food and more charm than most people expect. A lot of visitors just pass through Athens on the way to the islands, but we think that’s a mistake. The restaurant scene is outstanding and the Acropolis and surrounding neighborhoods are worth exploring for at least a couple of days. We put together a full guide with our favorite restaurants, things to do and where to shop.

Mykonos

Mykonos has the best combination of energy, nightlife and beautiful beaches of any Greek island we visited. The restaurants here are excellent, especially if you love seafood. It’s also one of the more upscale islands, so it’s a great fit if you want a mix of beach days and great dinners. We found some amazing spots away from the more touristy areas.

Santorini

Santorini is world famous for its breathtaking views and romantic atmosphere, and it truly delivers. One of the most magical experiences is dining at a restaurant with sunset views over the Aegean. We found some incredible restaurants here, including some of our favorites of the entire Greece trip. We also found that some of the best dining is outside of the crowded main areas of Oia, which we cover in our restaurant guide.

Paros

Paros is the most underrated Greek island we visited. It has the charm and beauty of Santorini and Mykonos without the crowds and without the inflated prices. The food here was phenomenal and the village of Naoussa is one of the prettiest places we’ve been in all of Greece. If you’re doing an island hopping trip, do not skip Paros. We also took a day trip to Antiparos which was a great addition.

Spain

Spain is one of our favorite countries to travel to. The food culture is incredible, from tapas bars in Madrid to seafood restaurants on the Mediterranean coast. Every city has its own energy and personality. We’ve spent time in Barcelona, Madrid and Mallorca, and each one offers a completely different type of vacation. If you love food, architecture, beaches or all three, Spain should be on your list.

Mallorca

Mallorca is one of the most spectacular islands in Europe. It’s a Mediterranean gem full of natural beauty, incredible dining and charming villages like Deia, Valldemossa and Soller. We loved the mix of beach days, exploring small towns and eating our way through the island. Mallorca is also one of our most comprehensive destination guides with six separate posts covering restaurants, things to do, shopping, when to visit and the famous Soller Train.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a great city to explore. It’s full of culture, history, great food and great beaches. The Sagrada Familia alone is worth the trip and the restaurant scene here ranges from incredible tapas bars to high end dining. We’ve put together a full travel guide plus dedicated restaurant and things to do guides from our time in Barcelona.

Madrid

Madrid has a completely different energy than Barcelona. It’s a city that revolves around food and culture, and dinner here doesn’t start until 8pm at the earliest. The restaurant scene is incredible, especially for tapas and traditional Spanish cuisine. We also loved visiting the Royal Palace, which we wrote a dedicated guide for. Madrid is a must if you want to experience the heart of Spain.

Italy

Italy is a country where you could spend a month and barely scratch the surface. The food is extraordinary everywhere you go, the scenery changes dramatically from region to region and every city has centuries of history and culture. We’ve been fortunate to explore Lake Como, Milan, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Venice, and each one offers a completely different Italian experience. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, these Italy city guides will help you figure out where to go, where to eat and what to do.

Florence

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and a dream for anyone who loves art, history and Italian food. The architecture is stunning, the galleries are world class and the restaurants serve some of the best Tuscan cuisine you will ever have. We put together a full travel guide, a restaurant guide and a things to do guide from our time exploring Florence.

Lake Como

Lake Como is one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit. When you arrive, you feel like you are in a movie. It’s filled with charming lakeside towns, crystal clear waters for swimming and great Italian food at almost every restaurant. Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo are all incredible areas to explore. If you want a relaxing, romantic lakeside vacation surrounded by enchanting beauty, Lake Como is the destination for you.

Milan

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy and a great city to explore for a couple of days, especially if you’re combining it with a trip to Lake Como. The food scene is excellent, the shopping is world class and there are some stunning landmarks like the Duomo. We found some incredible restaurants here that are worth planning your meals around.

Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most dramatic and beautiful coastlines in the world. We based ourselves in Positano and explored the surrounding area, including a day trip to Capri that was absolutely worth it. The cliffside restaurants overlooking the water are unforgettable. If you’re planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast, our guides cover the best restaurants, things to do in Positano and everything you need to know about getting to Capri for the day.

Rome

Rome is a city that needs no introduction. The history, the architecture and the food all come together in a way that’s hard to describe until you experience it yourself. Our Rome travel guide covers everything you need to know for your first visit.

Venice

Venice is unlike any other city in the world. The canals, the architecture and the atmosphere are truly one of a kind. It’s a place you have to see at least once. Our Venice travel guide covers what you need to know to make the most of your visit.

France

France, and specifically Paris, is one of the top food destinations in the world. No matter how many meals we squeeze into our trips, there are always a thousand other restaurants we didn’t have the chance to make it to. From sidewalk cafes to Michelin star restaurants, the dining scene is incredible and endlessly deep. We’ve also found that some of the best food in Paris comes from neighborhood bakeries and pastry shops, not just the famous restaurants.

Paris

Paris is one of our favorite cities in the world, and one of the top reasons is the food. We’ve visited twice and the restaurant recommendations in our guide come from both trips. Beyond dining, Paris is full of iconic landmarks, world class museums and incredible shopping. We also wrote a dedicated guide to La Galerie Dior, which is a must see if you’re into fashion.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is full of history, culture and incredible food that goes far beyond what most people expect. London in particular has one of the most diverse and exciting dining scenes in the world. We put together a comprehensive first time visitor’s guide covering everything you need to know before your trip.

London

London is one of those cities that has so much to offer it can feel overwhelming to plan for. The city is massive, the neighborhoods all have their own personality and the food scene is much better than its reputation suggests. Our London travel guide is designed specifically for first time visitors and covers what you need to know before you go, where to stay, what to do and how to get around.

Portugal

Portugal has quickly become one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and for good reason. Lisbon is an incredibly charming, walkable city with beautiful architecture, amazing food and a laid back energy that makes it easy to fall in love with. The dining scene punches well above what most people expect, especially for seafood.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city that surprised us with how much we loved it. The neighborhoods are beautiful and walkable, the food is outstanding and it’s one of the more affordable major European cities for dining. We put together a full travel guide plus dedicated restaurant and things to do guides from our time in Lisbon.

United States

We cover several destinations in the United States, with a focus on the food scene. Miami in particular has one of the fastest growing restaurant scenes in the country, with many top New York City restaurants expanding to the area, though the Chicago food scene will always be our #1 (check out our Instagram for our many Chicago recs). We’re always adding new US destinations and restaurant recommendations.

Miami

Miami’s food scene has exploded in recent years. As remote work took off, many people from cities like New York brought their dining standards with them and the restaurant scene followed. Every year the food gets better here. Our guides cover the best restaurants across the city, from higher end spots to our favorite casual places, plus a dedicated breakfast guide because brunch in Miami is an experience on its own.

New England

New England is full of charming coastal towns, incredible seafood and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, especially in the fall. We’ve started covering a few of our favorite spots including a day trip guide to Newport, Rhode Island and a guide to Mystic, Connecticut. Both are perfect for a quick getaway and we have more New England content coming.

Vail

Vail is one of the most beautiful mountain towns in the country and a great destination year round, not just for ski season. We visited with our family and put together a travel guide covering everything you need to know, plus a dedicated guide for things to do in Vail with babies if you’re traveling with little ones.

Hawaii / Maui

Maui is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited. The beaches are stunning, the landscape changes dramatically from one side of the island to the other and the food scene is much better than most people expect. We put together a full Maui travel guide plus dedicated guides for the best restaurants and best things to do on the island. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventure filled trip, Maui has both.

Caribbean

The Caribbean is one of our favorite places to escape to, especially for a beach vacation with incredible food. We’ve traveled to several Caribbean islands and each one has its own personality. So far we have guides for Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Aruba, with Barbados coming soon. If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and great restaurants, the Caribbean never disappoints.

Anguilla

The Caribbean is one of our favorite places to escape to, especially for a beach vacation with incredible food. We’ve traveled to several Caribbean islands and each one has its own personality. So far we have guides for Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia, with Barbados and Aruba coming soon. If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and great restaurants, the Caribbean never disappoints.

Aruba

Aruba is one of the best Caribbean islands for families and for anyone who wants a worry free beach vacation. The beaches are genuinely exceptional, especially Eagle Beach which is as good as any beach we’ve seen in the Caribbean. The island has a desert landscape inland with cacti and dry terrain that gives it an almost Arizona meets Caribbean feel, so it’s not the lush tropical island some people expect. But the water is crystal clear, the sand is soft and the restaurant scene off the resorts is much better than most people realize. We’ve been to Aruba a few times and our travel guide covers everything you need to know, including our honest take on who this island is and isn’t right for.

St. Kitts / Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis are twin islands in the southern Caribbean that offer a completely different vibe from each other. St. Kitts is the more lively of the two with more restaurants and activities, while Nevis is quieter, more secluded and incredibly lush. Together they make for a great Caribbean trip, especially if you want a mix of resort relaxation, beautiful beaches and a little bit of history and adventure. Our travel guide covers everything you need to know to plan your visit.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia is one of the most dramatic and beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The Pitons are iconic, the scenery is lush and mountainous and the island has a completely different feel from the flatter, beach focused Caribbean islands. It’s a great destination for a romantic trip or for anyone who wants more than just a beach vacation. Our St. Lucia travel guide covers everything you need to know for your first visit.

Barbados

Barbados is the Caribbean island that has it all: world-class beaches, cliff-top fine dining, the oldest rum distillery in the world, and enough to do to fill a full week without repeating yourself. I’ve been five times since childhood and it still holds up. It’s busier and more developed than most Caribbean islands, which means better restaurants, more activities, and a real sense of place. One of my top picks for families, and the food scene rivals anywhere in the region.

French Polynesia

We went to French Polynesia for our honeymoon and had the most amazing time. It is one of the most beautiful, remote and special places we have ever been. We spent a quick night in Tahiti, then a few nights in Moorea followed by four nights in Bora Bora. If you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary trip or a once in a lifetime vacation, French Polynesia should be at the top of your list. Our guides cover everything you need to know to plan your first trip.

Bora Bora

Bora Bora is the kind of place you see in photos and assume it can’t possibly look that beautiful in real life. It does. The turquoise lagoon, the overwater bungalows and the mountain backdrop make it one of the most stunning destinations in the world. Our Bora Bora travel guide covers where to stay, what to do and everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Moorea

Moorea is the more adventurous, lush counterpart to Bora Bora. The mountains are dramatic, the island is greener and more tropical and there’s more to explore on land. We loved having a few nights here before heading to Bora Bora because it gave us a completely different experience. Our Moorea travel guide covers everything you need to know.