THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A GREAT FISH DINNER

An old tavern with an antique flavor, white tablecloths, glasses on the table and a great menu to be tried.

Do you want to eat good fish? Then you should definitely try the Osteria alla Speranza in Cividale del Friuli.

THE OSTERIA ALLA SPERANZA IN CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI

In Cividale del Friuli, just near the center  there is the ancient tavern alla Speranza. In a quiet square with a series of tables placed outside, you can eat excellent fish or simply drink a good glass of wine.

The restaurant is formed by various rooms that create that intimate and perfect atmosphere for small tables or romantic dinners.

When you enter you get the impression of being in the classic old village inn.

Wood. Dark wood everywhere and bottles. But as soon as you are accompanied to your table the atmosphere of simplicity and elegance captures you. The staff is always friendly, attentive and prepared and when you deliver the menu you immediately understand that it will be a perfect evening.

WHAT WE EAT.

The choice between a la carte appetizers and off the menu is a “problem”. It all sounds delicious.

The carpaccio are fantastic, as is the tuna tartare accompanied by croutons. Delicious. I opted this time for a potato salad boiled in cubes, tomatoes and granseola dressed in Catalan while Simone tries his hand at tartare.

Following a plate of spaghetti alla busera that even alone would be enough as a single dish (it’s really huge!), All washed down with a half liter of white wine of the house. Obviously excellent.

END.

Simone and I when we want to spoil a bit, we always reserve a table in this restaurant.

It’s not just the food is the whole complex that makes you feel good, at ease, in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

I highly recommend this restaurant especially for dinners for two and seafood lovers.

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Undecided about what to visit in Mexico, in which cities to stay and which hotel to choose? Do not know whether to take the guide in archaeological sites or how to move from one city to another?

All the answers in this guide.

ITINERARY OF 15 DAYS IN MEXICO SPOSTANDOSI WITH FLIGHTS AND TOURIST BUSES

INTRO

I could take some merit but no, I did not do the planning. It is all thanks to my sister Erica.

I had an event in Mexico City and after that 3 weeks off so my sister Erica proposed a nice trip to discover Mexico, including beaches, sea, surf, archaeological sites and many tacos. How to refuse ?!

SOME INFO ABOUT MEXICO

Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world. It borders to the north with the United States of America, to be exact, Texas, New Mexico, California and Arizona and to the south with Guatemala and Belize.

The easiest and most economical way to get around is through the long distance tourist buses and the Pesero, the minibuses that make various routes and are used by the entire Mexican population to move around. The railway line is the least recommended as it is not very widespread and with delays and frequent problems.

We traveled by tourist bus and when we arrived in a city we booked the trip to go to the next city directly at the station. If you are traveling in high season, you should book some buses in advance. But otherwise traveling in this way we found ourselves very well never any problem.

In terms of security. We have taken care not to go into isolated neighborhoods or at night alone and to take only official type of transport. We have avoided the areas of northern Mexico famous for the drugs, the shootings and the seizures but also the area of ​​Guerrero. Also, in areas where we did not feel 100% safe, we would go around only with some money in our pockets without a phone, purse, necklaces, watches and anything else that could attract attention. Easy clothing.

I loved the west coast much less traveled by the American crowd but only by lovers of the waves, surfers and people looking for tranquility. We found the central area of ​​Chiapas very quiet with lovely people. San Cristobal della Casas a daydream. Tulum pretty and from here you can easily visit the entire Yucatan peninsula.

OUR 15 DAYS ITINERARY FOR VISIT THE BEAUTIFUL  MEXICO:

MEXICO CITY: 2 DAYS

Mexico City is a huge and also very dangerous city.

And ‘the only city of my entire journey in which I would put a little warning.

Come out with money in your pocket without wallet, necklaces, watches (not even plastic). I went out without a purse and a camera. Unfortunately, it is a very poor city and even the kids make robberies and muggings. Beware of taxis, you have to take the official ones, otherwise they risk rob you there too. In short, pay close attention.

Personally I have not had any problems, I have turned a little by myself and if I have to tell you the truth I have also had a lot of fun. There are hundreds of locals one more beautiful than the other and the party is everywhere. You can eat very well even in kiosks or in small bars along the streets. I also found many vegetarian variations in the various places.

There are many places that deserve to be visited.

Things you can not miss in Mexico City are: Frida Kahlo’s house, the Plaza de la Constitution with the Zocalo, the cathedral and the presidential palace, the palace of the fine arts, the Casa de los Azulejos, the Palacio Postal and the Teotihuacan Pyramids outside the city of Mexico.

PUERTO ESCONDIDO: 4 DAYS

We took a direct flight to Puerto Escondido to do some sea and relax. Puerto Escondido is a seaside village with little to visit but many activities for the whole family, very low prices and dream beaches.

We stayed in a lovely hostel with bungalows surrounded by greenery and palm trees everywhere.

A jacuzzi in the center of the garden and hammocks where to sleep hung on each terrace. A dream a few steps from the sea.

During our day in Puerto Escondido we took surf lessons, we witnessed the release of turtles in the sea after having hatched in the night, we  relaxed drinking coconuts on the beach and also you can do boat rides or just have fun in one of the beautiful beaches of Puerto Escondido.

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS: 3 DAYS

I particularly recommend San Cristobal. It is the most enchanting city I have seen in Mexico.

So characteristic, sunny and colorful. At every corner of every street you will find something beautiful that will catch your eye.

Things you absolutely can not miss are: The Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas, Templo de Santo Domingo, The Church of Guadalupe, Mirador de la Escuela SolMaya from which to look at the city from above, Iglesia del Cerrito also here a nice point panoramic. As a day trip we did the boat ride in the Sumidero canyon and I loved it.

I especially recommend you enjoy the city, the excellent restaurants and shop in local markets and on the street. Here the prices are unbeatable.

PALENQUE: 2 DAYS

We arrived in Palenque obviously to visit the archaeological site and the museum of Palenque. I recommend you do as we do and take a Maya guide who speaks Italian. It costs very little and you will discover the true history of Palenque and if you are lucky you will also go walking in the Jungle where you will discover other buildings still buried and you can also swing like Tarzan on lianas. An unforgettable visit.

Attention to what hotel you take. Here in the village there is not much to do so take a hotel to spend time pleasantly waiting for your next bus.

TULUM – COZUMEL – CANCUN: 4 DAYS

We stayed in one of the beautiful hotels along the Tulum beach for these days. Here the various hotels are wonderful so it is useless to advise one over another. The only problem is that you will often need to use a taxi or bus to get around as you are out of the center.

Prices in this area of Mexico, being overrun with Americans, are very high. In this area it is very nice to swim in the Cenote (there are many), go to visit the island of Cozumel and take boat trips and snorkel in the coral reef (go very early), swim with the turtles, take a trip to Cancun and feel in Miami (seeing the clubs all made in the USA and also the prices).

FLIGHT CANCUN – MEXICO CITY AND BACK TO ITALY

I hope this itinerary will be useful for organizing your next vacation in Mexico. If you have any other questions please email me at alessiamorello85@gmail.com or on facebook @the italian smoothie

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leave me a comment below.

Let me know you’ve been here!

Discover the beauty of the highest route of Villach.

16 km where you can enjoy the view of the italian and Slovenja Julian Alps and the Karawanken and you can trek until the top of the Dobrosch.

^^^ The view of  the triple border. From this terrace you can see Tarvisio, the Lussari, the Julian Alps, Slovenia and the 3 borders.^^^

^^^ This is the last rest area. Here there is a large park for children with slides, swings and paths where to play right next to the Aichingerhutte restaurant and is also the starting point to reach the top of the Dobratsch ^^^

^^^ Simone walking towards the Gams – und Gipfelblick platform ^^^

Some time ago, while we were coming back from our weekend on Lake Millstatt ( very charming place! ) we decided to stop in Villach and make this “famous” alpine road.

ABOUT

Villacher Alpenstrasse is located in the Dobratsch nature park which is also the oldest protected area in Carinthia.

To enter the motor vehicles pay entry, the cars pay 17.50 and the bikes 11 euros.

Once you enter you will find yourself in front of a beautiful road that climbs up to 16.5 kilometers and a map in hand, you can stop at various stopping points to observe the landscape, take walks, eat in huts or discover the characteristics of 800 plants in the Alpine garden.

A different Sunday especially with children that between scenic spots, run in the car and time spent playing in the playground that is located at 1732 meters above sea level are sure to have fun throughout the day.

The Villacher Alpenstrasse is an experience a stone’s throw from Friuli Venezia Giulia where you can discover with the whole family the beauty of the mountains that surround us and if you love hiking and walking starting from the last rest area, the Rosstratte 1732 m you can get there by an easy hike to the summit of the Dobratsch at 2167 m with a view of the triple border.

REST AREAS

Along the Villacher Alpenstrasse or the alpine path of Villach there are 11 rest areas.

Even if you are not a fan of ski jumping, do not be enchanted by seeing the trampolines from above that are also used in summer.

At the second rest area you can have a nice view of Villach and its lakes while going up a hairpin bend you can relax a bit in the woods and discover the ruins of Finkenstein Castle.

You start to climb and with the fifth rest point we have already arrived at 1307 m (without making a big effort I would add ..). Hence the view on my beloved Friuli Venezia Giulia and on the Italian and Slovenian Julian Alps.

At 1483 meters you will discover the variety of the 800 alpine plants of this garden and the “red wall” platform will make you shiver because suspended at 400 m in height on the Austrian Karavanke.

Finally you are coming to the top, you have come to the starting point for your excursion.

If you do not want to walk for long you can reach the platform Gams – Und Gipfelblick perfect observation point to see the chamois in freedom in the morning or relax in the observation station “Paths of the sun” where you will find maps and maps of the area and sunbeds where to relax.

If instead you are a walker you can reach the summit. The Gipfelhaus lodge is located at the top of the Dobratsch at 2167 meters and can be reached via 2 paths. The view, it does not even need to be said, is as enchanting as the typical Austrian dishes that you have rightly deserved.

END

I, Simon and Giorgino (our dog), we had a lot of fun on this day.

I advise you to go on a sunny day because you pay the entrance and it would not be nice to spend some money and not be able to do all the excursions.

The Villacher Alpenstrasse is open all year round but the huts are not so I think summer is the best time for this trip out of town.

One thing that amused me a lot is then having made walks in Tarvisio and surroundings and being able to see well the top of the Dobratsch and be able to say “I was there!”.

If you have children and want to spend a day in the mountains this is the right place.

^^^ The platform Gams – und Gipfelblick ^^^

You might also like:

” WEEKEND AT THE MILLSTATT LAKE “

^^^ Piano piano la neve si sta sciogliendo anche quassù ^^^

If you have questions and curiosity write me an email to alessiamorello85@gmail.com

or follow me on facebook and instagram @the italian smoothie