URBAN RETREAT: BERLIN

Ah, Berlin: my spiritual home. 

As I am planning my upcoming trip to my favourite city, I have found myself looking back on the first time I visited, back in 2011. It was a scorching hot week at the end of May, and my boyfriend and I explored the city on two wheels, taking in as much of our surroundings as possible. We stayed in Friedrichshain; land of street art, ever-changing bars, flea markets, spontaneous gigs, and people dragging their sofas out onto the street to soak up the sun. We dangled our feet into the canal at Club der Visionaere whilst sipping exceptionally strong cocktails, and dangling our feet into the Spree from the little jetty on the island at Treptower Park whilst sipping cold beers. We hopped on an S bahn to Grunewald Forest and trekked for hours only to discover that the lake we were seeking was a nudist paradise. We took hundreds of photographs, and swore we'd return.

This will be my fourth trip to Berlin, and I'm excited to share my adventures with you.

All images, my own.

INTERVIEW: ASHLAE FROM OH, LADYCAKES

I've followed Ashlae's Instagram feed for some time now, relishing in the perfect blend of jealousy-inducing travel photographs and drool-worthy food porn. I challenge you to follow her and not add the places she visits to your travel bucket list, or not want to immediately click through to her blog to discover the beautifully written recipes for the food she photographs.

Follow Ashlae on Instagram: @ohladycakes

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

AW: My name's Ashlae (pronounced Ashlay, not Ashley), and I'm the lady behind the blog Oh, Ladycakes.

GF: What was your favourite thing about Iceland?

AW:The fact that there are few, habitable places in the world with scenery as diverse as Iceland. The black sand beaches, glacial lagoons, active volcanoes, rugged highlands.. I love it all.

GF: Name the top three things that you would recommend to someone visiting Iceland?

AW: 1) Hire a car and visit Jökulsárlón and Vík (find the Navy wreckage, if you can).

2) Go to a remote, geothermal hot pot and have yourself a long soak.

3) Spend at least one weekend night out on the town in Reykjavik.

GF: Please could you share some tips for your favourite spots in Reykjavik?

AW: My favorite place for coffee, hands down, is Reykjavik Roasters. But Stofan Cafe is a close second. 

Reykjavik has some of the best street art of any city I've ever visited. And it's everywhere. You could literally spend an entire day wandering around, just looking at all the funky artwork.

We really, really, really love Kaldi Bar. The atmosphere is laid back, the bartenders are friendly, and you'll be hard pressed to find a better drink in Reykjavik.

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world? 

AW: It's this place called White Park Bay on the Northern Coast of Ireland, nestled between Craig Cottage (the B&B we always stay at) and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. I could probably sit in the lush, emerald green grass, wind whipping through my hair, and watch the turquoise waves crash against that beach all day. It's my happy place.

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

AW: Thailand, Egypt, New Zealand, Sweden, Vietnam, and India (scratching that off later this year). Specifically? Walking the Santiago de Compostela, climbing to Everest Base Camp, visiting the salt flats in Bolivia, swimming at the top of Victoria Falls, soaking in an Antarctic hot pot, hiking through Zhangye Danxia, and the list goes on and on and on.

Follow Ashlae on Instagram: @ohladycakes

INTERVIEW: MELISSA SONICO

I've always wanted to be a California girl. Not one of the bleach blonde, surf chic stereotypes -  but a hip young creative who explores every inch of her eclectic surroundings. Melissa Sonico has inspired me ever since I first stumbled across her Instagram feed; introducing me to the rocky beaches, dusty deserts, humid cacti greenhouses and cool cafes that I long to explore.

Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissasonico

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

MS: My name is Melissa Sonico. I am a fiction writer, fashion/lifestyle blogger and burgeoning shop owner! I'm also a college English professor and a wife of almost 3years.

GF: What's your favourite thing about living in California?

MS: I love the different types of landscapes and climates! It's a misconception that California is just sun and sand and palm trees; we've got snowy mountains in Big Bear, redwoods in Big Sur and the desert - as well as big city life. We have it all!

GF: Can you share your favourite secret spots with us?

MS: For breakfast/brunch - One of my favorite breakfasts out here is the LA Chapter at the Ace; their ricotta pancakes and avocado toast are so good.

For coffee - I'm actually a tea drinker, and my favorite is a chai tea latte from Augie's, my local downtown coffee shop!

 For exploring - Big Sur for sure

For tranquility - The library or, more recently, art galleries

For swimming - Malibu!

GF: If you didn't live in California, where would you live? 

MS: I think I might like to live in Portland or Washington  for a bit-- maybe Brooklyn - but I see myself settling somewhere in California!

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world? 

MS: Under the covers at home watching Silicon Valley or whatever new TV show my husband and I binge watch, eating pizza

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

MS: The Midwest. It's a mystifying place  to me and I think I'd like some time away from the hustle and bustle. But on a grander scale, Vietnam or Spain.

Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissasonico

INTERVIEW: LIZ HULL

I've followed Liz on Instagram ever since I first discovered the app - and have frequently featured the inspiring look-book's for her online vintage store, Mayflower Supply on my other blog. New York is somewhere that has always been on my travel bucket list, and I would love to hang out with Liz and her friends if I ever got the chance to cross the pond - so it was only natural that I got in touch to ask if she would like to share some of her favourite places in The Big Apple, and beyond.

Follow Liz on Instagram: @liz.hull

GF: What's your name and what do you do?

LH: Liz Hull, and I'm the owner of an online vintage boutique called Mayflower Supply. We also sell some accessories from local designers and artisans that compliment the vintage.

GF: What's your favourite thing about living in New York?

LH: The people! I've met so many incredible and inspiring friends since moving here–including the man I'm going to marry! Whenever I'm feeling down, or just having a "what am I doing with my life?!" moment, these folks lift me back up and remind me why I'm here, and keep me moving forward.

GF: Can you share your favourite secret spots with us?

LH:  For breakfast/brunch - Cafe Ghia is by far my most favorite brunch spot in my neighborhood. The food is amazing, there's hardly ever a wait and the staff are just the sweetest, coolest folks.

For coffee - It's not really a to-go spot, but Mominette is this adorable little French cafe near me that has that quintessential French vibe. I love going in there, sitting at the bar and just ordering a coffee. They also have a fantastic backyard that is divine during the warmer months!

For getting out of the city - I'm originally from Massachusetts, and I always love escaping to my home state whenever I can. I especially love Western Mass. We have a couple friends who live out there, but it's also just incredibly beautiful and has some really great thrifting!

For escaping the crowds within the city -This is a hard one because no matter where you go there's people! I like going to The Strand and getting lost in their endless rows of books. Especially the top floors where the fashion and art books live. There's far less people and sometimes it gets quiet the same way a library does. Kind of magical.

For dancing - I think dancing could be replaced by karaoke. It's so much fun when you have a group of pals to go with too. Pine Box has great karaoke, Arlene's Grocery does insane live band karaoke that will make you feel like a rock star, and there are tons of places where you can rent a small room for you and your best pals for an evening. BYOB, sing along to your favorite jams and dance the night away. Nothing better!

For hanging out with friends - I think my favorite place to be with friends is in everyone's own homes. There's something so special about having good, homemade food and drinks with pals. It feels like a little slice of family for all of us. However, if we're all going out for dinner or to celebrate birthdays or something, we'll usually head to Royal Bangladesh in the East Village. It's a little basement restaurant that's famous for it's insane interior which is covered in Christmas lights. I mean, covered. The hosts are a little eccentric (they call you into the restaurant from the street), but the food is delicious and cheap.

GF: If you didn't live in New York, where would you live?

LH: This is such a tough one! Sometimes we talk about moving to the south–a place like Nashville–but I honestly can't see myself anywhere else than NYC at the moment. I love visiting LA, and have lots of family in Portland, Oregon, but I don't know if I'll ever live in those places. I know people say this all the time, but New York really is just the best.

GF: Where's your favourite place in the world?

LH: My family has a small cottage in the Muskoka region of Ontario. My grandparents bought the property in the late 60's, and my mom and her brothers have been vacationing there every year since they were little. I've been going my entire life. Our cottage is the last house at a dead end road, and we named it The Living End. It's cozy, simple, nothing too fancy. The air is clean, the water in Skeleton Lake is crystal clear and it's a slice of heaven.

GF: What's on your travel bucket list?

LH: My fiancée and I have been dying to go to Tulum for about three years. Mexico in general actually. His family lived in Chiapas for about 3-4 years before he was born, and he's had an interest in Mexican culture and history for as long as I can remember. I also have some family in San Miguel de Allende, so a Mexico road trip would be really amazing. Some day...

Follow Liz on Instagram: @liz.hull

Visit Liz's online store: Mayflower Supply