➸ Explore the Big Sur National Park, California USA

When you spend some time on Instagram or Pinterest, you have probably come across a picture with the wonderful view like the picture above. 

Did you ever wonder where that picture was taken? The answer is very simple: at the very instagramable Julia Pfeiffer Beach at the Big Sur State Park in the middle of California. The Big Sur is located right at the famous Highway No. 1 in the middle of Cali - THE road to take, when you're off to an road trip through California. 

What else can you explore at the Big Sur? 

Let's talk about the Highway No.1 at first. You're driving right next to the seaside at have the most stunning view at the breath taking colours of the ocean, the cliffs and just the nature. For all the drivers: don't be worry - you're not gonna miss something, there are plenty of lookout points with parking space, where you can enjoy the view, too. 

One gorgeous lookout is right behind the Bixby Creek Bridge. The bridge was built in 1932 and is 79m high. The bridge fits perfectly in the landscape and makes the view even more stunning. ... and of course it's a perfect spot to take breathtaking pictures. 

When you don't just want to be at the cliffs, but also down at the beach, I have a few options for you:

At the Jade Cove you can take a steep trail down to a nice bay. You wonder why the bay is called "Jade Cove"? That's because you can actually find jade down there - BUT unfortunately it is forbidden to take it home. 

At the Andrew Molera State Park you will not only find a lot of different hiking trails, but also sandy beaches which are 4 km long. 

Where to watch a good old sunset? 

Watching the sun saying goodbye is never getting boring, right? We watched a pretty one at the Pfeiffer Beach. The road down the is kind of adventures, but totally worth it. ( I have the feeling that I have a thing for beaches hidden like that :D ) It's not a big beach, but the sand is white and there are a huge rocks in the water. It's a cool vibe down there, so perfect to end the day with a pretty sunset.  

Where to sleep at the Big Sur?

This is also a very simple answer: at the Big Sur Campground & Cabins  - it's a beautiful camping side in the woods, some grounds are located right by the river. A little path will take you to the little "village" and with little I mean little. There are literally one store and a bar. 

If you want to read more about California, you will find here a post about the lovely town Carmel-by-the-Sea in Northern California. Feel free to leave any tipps for the Big Sur in the comments! 

➸ Beach recommendation in PORTUGAL - Praia da Cordoama 🌊

Hey guys :) How are ya doing?? In the first time in forever i haven't booked or planned a holiday! Because I will graduate within the next months from university I have sooo much stuff to do and there are so many things I cannot plan, because I just don't know how my future will turn out - definitely terrifying, but also exciting!!! 

But just because I don't go on holiday anytime soon, it doesn't mean you will stay at home, too! And I know in many countries the summer break will began very soon - YEAH for that! So, I thought, maybe you need a little beach inspiration. Life is better at the beach, right?! Therefore, I wanna share with you one of my favourite beaches in Portugal: Praia da Cordoama. 

This beauty you will find at the Atlantic coast, 5km away from Vila do Bispo (in the south of Portugal) and only 13km away from Sagres. So when you wanna combine the beach with some culture, like the Fortaleza de Sagres - it's a perfect day trip. 

The beach is a surfers' paradise, so keep your eyes peeled for some hot surfers ;) ... or try surfing yourself, there are many surf schools around! When you're not up to surf, then bring a blanket, a picnic and some other fun stuff to have the perfect beach day (... please don't forget to bring your sunscreen!). And when you're tired of chilling in the sun, you can climb up the cliff to have a beautiful view or even watch the sunset from there! 

The only drawback: you can reach the beach only by car and be prepared, it's an adventurous road with a beautiful outlook! But totally worth it. 

➸ New Video Wednesday: Portland, Maine

On our way to the Acadia National Park we stopped in Portland, Maine. We explored the Downtown Area, went on a little souvenir shopping tour and of course had THE best donut from a place called "Holy Donut". We also checked out the "Two Lighthouse State Park" and ate at the "Lobster Shack". So here is a New Video Wednesday. Have fuuuuun :) 

All about our lovely AirBnB you will find here. 

➸ Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park

Today I wanna show you the most stunning and beautiful sunrise I've ever experienced in my life! At 6am we drove all the way up to the top of Cadillac Mountain at the Acadia National Park. And let me tell you, we weren't alone - I would guess that there were about 400 people waiting for the sunset. But except from the cars it wasn't crowded at all. Everyone got cozy with blankets, coffee and of course a camera. When the sun finally came up it was breathtaking. Looking over the sea with the little islands (...hearing a woman shout: Finally we hit gold!") it was so peaceful and just a perfect moment. Even when you're not a morning person, I highly recommend it - get up and drive up there - it's a lifetime experience you will never forget. For me this was my favorite moment of this whole trip! 
Fun fact: the Cadillac Mountain is the highest point at the East Coast of the States, so that means it is also the very first point which is touched by the sun in the US! 

So enjoy the picture overload :P 

➸ New Video: Road Trip New England

One of the reasons why I am all about our trip to and through New England is that we actually went on a road trip. Road Trips are always so much fun and you see so much more from the country/region you're visiting. And the best thing was we chose a Beetle to be our road companion! What a great car! 

So I edited a little video about our road trip. I hope you like it! I would really appreciate if you head over to my channel and subscribe or give it a thumbs up :) 

Have a great day! xxx Steffi 

➸ AirBnB Recommendation: Portland, Maine

It was my second time staying in an AirBnB. And what can I say? It was gorgeous (like the first time in Porto). I am talking about this little studio in the south of Portland. We were very warm welcomed by our lovely host Olivia. She showed us around, explained everything and gave us very good suggestions what we could do and go in Portland and in the area. 

The Studio has two parts, which is separated by a wall without a door. in the one part you find a very comfortable bed and a desk. In the other part is a kitchen, a dining table, a TV and a sofa ( and of course a bathroom). The apartment is very clean and very thoughtfully furnished. In the kitchen you will even find tea and coffee. You have everything you need, really everything! From a complete kitchen to an iron to a hifi-system. On the writing desk you will find a lot of maps and information about the area and a folder with guide to the studio and Portland. 

I have honestly have nothing bad to say about this place! From the first minute we felt like coming home. You have your privacy and don't even notice that the family is living in the other part of the house. Had I known that this place would be so awesome, we would have booked it for longer. 

Also it's a perfect location in a very quiet neighbor hood. You only need about 6 minutes with the car to the downtown area, 14 minutes to the Two Lights State Park and just a few minutes to the next supermarket.

From the first minute we felt like coming to a cozy home. Had I known that this place would be so awesome, we would have booked it for longer. So if you're ever looking for an Airbnb in Portland, Maine - this is the one! 

➸ White Mountains, NH USA

Honestly I am a total ocean girl. But I have to admit the White Mountains are just stunning and made me even more fell in love with the nature. We drove the famous Kancamagus Highway for the full fall foliage experience, stayed in a little cabin in Lincoln and went hiking. Nature, Nature, Nature. 

See by yourself how amazing the colors of the trees have been. Hope you enjoy todays video (if so, please go over to my YouTube Channel and give it a thumbs up/subscribe)! 
xxx Steffi 

➸ How to Nuremberg: Documentation Centre

The Documentation Centre is a museum located in the unfinished building of the congress hall at the “Reichsparteitagsgelände”. Inside you will find a permanent exhibition called “Faszination und Terror” (fascination and terror) and also changing exhibitions with certain topics all around the Third Reich (until 6th January 2017 it is about survivors in the KZs).

 The main exhibition informs you of course about the terror caused by the Nazis, but especially what has particular happened in Nuremberg. It’s showing you how the Nuremberg Rally was created for the big NS-propaganda and how this building you’re in was a part in all of that.

The walk through the building is covered with a lot of information boards. Here and there you have a little break with short movies. Many things they teach you about this time, I had personally already known from school or other museums. But there were some new things I never saw before, like drawings from former students in school. These drawings show how the students were educated about Jewish people and saw them after they were totally brainwashed. Further the exhibition has some really interesting documents about the Nuremberg Trials.

It’s not the best museum I’ve ever been to, but I think it’s very interesting to see how Nuremberg was involved as a location in the Third Reich and the building is very impressive. Also I think it’s important to know the history, especially in the country or city, you live in. Education and elucidation are helping to prevent that something like this will happen again.

Opening hours

Mo - Fr  9am – 6pm
Sa, So 10am – 6pm

Admission Fees

Adults 5€

Reductions 3€

➸ Breakfast in Boston

In general I am not the breakfast kind of girl. In my everyday life I don’t really eat breakfast, because I can’t stuff my stomach with food right after I got up. However, when I am on holiday I love to discover some cool breakfast places. My stomach is fine with it, because you need to get ready and then walk/drive somewhere to enjoy the food. Until this happens he is also wide awake and gets excited for food.

Here are two cool places we checked out while we were in Boston.

Mike andPetty’s

Actually I found this place on Pinterest. It’s a small and sweet shop in a little corner place on 12 Corner Street.  So you can choose from a wide range of sandwiches. On their website they even claim to be the highest rated place for sandwiches in Boston. And they could be very right: the food is delicious and keeps you stuff for a long time.  Try the fresh orange juice – it’s more than tasty.

The only negative thing about this place to say is, that it’s pretty small – better make it to go. It’s also a very lovely neighbour, just a jump away from the Boston Public Garden and with a lot of old streets and typical Boston houses.

FlourBakery

The second breakfast place we tried is the Flour bakery, which my boyfriend found. This place is not as cosy as Mike and Petty’s, it’s more like a Starbucks, but with better food, furniture and ambience. If it’s also better with the coffee I can’t say, because I didn’t try it J. You can pick something from the sweet section like a lovely Danish or a cinnamon roll. But you can also get something salty like a sandwich or a salad.  

Ps.: I know I have to work on my food photography skills :D but I always forget to take some picture before eating ... upsii.