Destination Diary Croatia (2019 Edition)

by | Jun 5, 2019 | Podcast

Extra Pack of Peanuts Podcast Destination Diaries Croatia 2019 Update

After visiting Croatia three times over the last five years, Trav and Heather continue to fall more and more in love with this wonderful country.

In today’s episode, they’ll tell you where you can find the best seafood they’ve ever eaten, how to make sure you are able to get into Plitvice Lakes (they didn’t!), and what beach has both urban exploring and crystal clear waters – plus tons more!

Today’s episode has been sponsored by our friends at Tortuga Backpacks. Check them out for the best travel backpacks!

Today’s episode has also been sponsored by our friends at Suavs.  Check them out for the best travel shoes out there!

Click here to download the episode directly.

What are your favorites in Croatia? Was it worth it? Let us know @ExtraPackofPeanuts!

Check out the entire library of EPoP Travel Podcasts on Apple Podcasts

Important Links

Zagreb:

  • Accommodations
    • Hotel Accaddemia – Clean and nice hotel in a great location that’s walkable to everything – the pedestrian walkway is right outside your door – with a grocery store downstairs and paid parking (10 euros/night)
  • Eating
    • Pizzeria Karijola – A local fave, this pizza place is in a neat “hidden” courtyard with big pizzas (for about $8-10) and a second-floor wine bar.
    • Mali Bar – Located in the same courtyard as Pizzeria Karijola, come here for inventive, unique tapas from a TV famous Croatian chef.  It’s not necessarily cheap, but it’s good and fun.
    • Pingvin – This place is cheap and has some of the best sandwiches in Zagreb.  Like the locals say “you haven’t been to Zagreb if you haven’t eaten at Pingvin.”  And since it’s open until 4 am, you’ve got plenty of time to go.
    • Chocolat 041 – A decent gelato place that is definitely the best in Zagreb.  The chocolate is especially tasty (based on the name, it better be).
  • Drinking
    • Cogito Coffee Shop – Cute, hipster coffee shop tucked away in a small courtyard in the heart of downtown.
    • Tolkien House – Cool craft beer spot right on the park with a nice outdoor patio and some funky decorations.
    • Craft Room – Right near Tolkien House, head here to get more of your craft beer fix.

Split

  • Eating
    • Buffet Fife – local’s establishment with good fried calamari and some of the most reasonable prices in Split.
    • Mano Pizza and Pasta – Pizzas are decent but the pastas are very good.
    • Popaj’s – the best fast-food chicken sandwiches, which are perfect for a picnic or snack.
    • Luka Gelato – the best gelato in Split, hands down.  Especially the peanut.
    • Kruscic Bakery – small bakery churning out great bread and pastries, but get there earlier in the day to ensure you get some.

Korcula

  • To Do:
    • Head to Vela Przina beach
    • Double up on wineries by hitting Winery Grk and Popic Winery – they are right next to each other.
    • Go to Korcula Old Town (if you stay in Lumbarda) or vice versa.

Peljesac Penninsula

  • To Do
    • Drive through the tunnel near Matuska Winery and then follow the crazy cliff road to Trstenik
    • Visit the Walls of Ston which are the 2nd longest preserved fortification system in the world (behind the Great Wall of China).

Dubrovnik

  • Drinking
    • Buzz Bar is expensive ($6-7 beer) but perched on the outside of the city walls, so well worth it for the view.
    • D’Vino Wine Bar for a cozy, fun experience with good charcuterie.
  • To Do
    • Walk on top of the city walls.
    • Hike up to the Fort and be aware that your ticket for the city walls gets you in here for free (but not vice versa)
    • Head to the Museum of Love Stories (especially if you want to the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb).
    • Visit the amazing beach in Kupari which is surrounded by old abandoned hotels you can explore.
    • Visit the abandoned Belvedere Hotel, which unlike the ones in Kupari, is within walking distance of Old Town Dubrovnik and where they filmed the battle scene between Prince Oberyn and The Mountain in Game of Thrones season 4.
    • Drive up to the top of the cable car (or walk if you want to exercise).  Look for signs for Bosanka and follow that road up.
    • Drive down to Kotor, Montenegro for some incredible seaside scenery.

Destination Diary – Austin

by | Nov 8, 2018 | Podcast

We’ve been spending more and more time in Austin lately so we thought it was time to share!

With tons of activities, awesome places to eat and drink, and more tacos than you can even imagine.

And you know we love tacos.

Click here to download the episode directly.

What are your favorite spots in Denver? Let us know @ExtraPackofPeanuts!

Check out the entire library of EPoP Travel Podcasts on iTunes.

Tacos:

Eating:

Drinking:

Coffee:

Activities:

Want More?

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  • Click this link: Leave a review on iTunes
  • Hit “View in iTunes” on the left-hand side under the picture.
  • Leave an honest review.
  • You’re awesome!

Destination Diary: Denver

by | Oct 13, 2018 | Podcast

Last month we held our second Location Indie live event in Denver! Bringing together people devoted to living and creating a Location Independent Lifestyle was an amazing experience, and what made it even more amazing?

The city itself.

With the Crush Graffiti walls decorating so many streets and alleys, there’s art no matter where you look. Add in some amazing food trucks, great breweries, and new friends, and it’s a reciepe for success.

Listen today as we describe the (super) trendy RiNo neighborhood and surrounding areas, some of the best chicken we’ve EVER had, and of course, the beer.

Click here to download the episode directly.

What are your favorite spots in Denver? Let us know @ExtraPackofPeanuts!

Check out the entire library of EPoP Travel Podcasts on iTunes.

Eating:

Drinking:

Coffee:

Activities:

Want More?

Leave a Review!

iTunes reviews are one of THE most important factors for podcasts. If you enjoy the show please take a second to leave the show a review on iTunes!

      1. Click this link: Leave a review on iTunes
      2. Hit “View in iTunes” on the left-hand side under the picture.
      3. Leave an honest review.
      4. You’re awesome!

Destination Diary – Budapest, Hungary

by | Aug 2, 2018 | Podcast

Budapest has made its way into our hearts and our top cities list. We spent 8 days there, and it wasn’t nearly enough!

This is one of those cities that you love more and more the more time you spend there, and we can’t wait to go back.

From the ruin bars to the baths and all the beautiful, delicious places in between, we have a lot to share about this amazing little eastern European city.

Click here to download the episode directly.

What are your favorite spots in Budapest? Let us know @ExtraPackofPeanuts!

Check out the entire library of EPoP Travel Podcasts on iTunes.

In This Episode:

  • 9:00 Getting into town
  • 12:00 The Neighborhoods
  • 17:32 Getting Around
  • 21:22 Eating
  • 37:00 Drinking
  • 44:00 Activities
  • 1:05 Can’t-miss/skip/wish we had done

Cafes & Other Food:

Ruin Bars:

Hungarian Food:

Dessert:

Drinks:

Coffee:

Activities:

Want More?

Leave a Review!

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      1. Click this link: Leave a review on iTunes
      2. Hit “View in iTunes” on the left-hand side under the picture.
      3. Leave an honest review.
      4. You’re awesome!

Destination Diary – Florence

by | Apr 19, 2018 | Podcast

Florence-Destination-Diary

While Rome and Venice may get all the publicity for things like culture and canals, Florence, with it’s amazing food, gelato, and architecture, is the Italian city that has truly stolen our hearts.

When a city has Heather’s favorite thing to eat (ever!), some of Trav’s favorite gelato, and one of the most amazing pieces of art they’ve ever laid their eyes on…it’s hard to go wrong!

So have a listen, and then start packing your bags, because Florence is one city you MUST go to.

Click here to download the episode directly.

What are your favorite spots in Florence? Let us know @ExtraPackofPeanuts!

Check out the entire library of EPoP Travel Podcasts on iTunes.

Places to Eat:

  • All’Antico Vinao – Quite simply the best sandwiches, and possibly the best food, in the entire world.  Couple that with a 2€ self serve wine bar and there’s not much reason to go anywhere else…ever.
  • Trattoria Mario – An old school trattoria that’s a local fave (and now a tourist one too).  But don’t worry, you still get the authentic feel and some of the best ribollita you’ll ever taste.
  • Finisterre – Right on Santa Croce plaza, this place is open late and has great pizzas for only 6-10€.  You can’t go wrong with anything, but their calabra (white pizza with peppers and sausage) is insanely good.
  • La Maremma – Another joint right on Santa Croce plaza – and few steps up from Finisterre – this place has 8€ pasta and 3€ wines.  Heather was a fan of the eggplant parm.
  • Vini e Vecchi Sapori – An bit more upscale and hard to get a reservation, this restaurant is many people’s favorite in Florence.  For us, it was just decent, but it’s great for a date night…and maybe we just had an off night?
  • Trattoria La Torre (Siena) – Located in a tower, this is a great place to go for groups.  Above-average food, cool architecture, and a good vibe.
  • Il Merendero (Lucca) – No, it’s certainly not as good as All’Antico Vinao (nothing is) but if you’re in Lucca and craving a sandwich, head here for friendly owners and huge sandwiches for only 5€.
  • De Cervesia (Lucca) – Looking for craft beer in Lucca?  This is the place to go.  Great selection, great vibe, great people.

Gelato:

(ranked in order of best to not as best…because gelato can never be considered bad!)

  • Gelateria de Neri – If you can only have one gelato experience in Florence (the horrors!), this is the place to go.  It’s been called by some experts (me) as the best gelato in the world.  Plus, it’s right by All’Antico, which makes it the perfect sandwich-gelato bang bang.
  • La Carraia – If Gelateria de Neri is #1, this place is 1B.  It’s incredible.  And with two outposts (one on each side of the bridge), you’ll never be that far away!
  • Gelateria Santa Trinita – A small step down from Neri and La Carraia, in any other city this place would reign supreme.  It’s well worth going and trying for yourself, especially because it’s right near Ponte Vecchio.
  • Il Procopia – The last of the “must go” gelato places in Florence, this local favorite is worth the trip for the pistachio alone!
  • Vivoli – It gets a lot of publicity, but for me, it was just ok.  If you want to try all the places for yourself (and why wouldn’t you) then head here.  But not at the expense of anywhere above.
  • Perche No – They’ve got inventive flavors, good marketing, and lots of name recognition.  The gelato itself is decent.  But in this town, decent doesn’t cut it.
  • Gelateria Carabe – Supposedly “Sicilian” style gelato, this place was overpriced, unfriendly, and probably our least favorite in terms of taste.  Worth a trip?  Sure, if you’re at the Accademia.  But I wouldn’t go out of your way.

Accommodations

Activities:

  • Marvel at the Accademia – It’s fairly small, hard to find, a little off the beaten path and the best thing you can do Florence.  The statue of David is one of the most impressive things…in the world.  An absolute must.
  • Climb the Duomo…and then climb the Bell Tower – Two of the most beautiful buildings in Florence (and maybe the world), the view from the top is even better.  Yes, it’s even worth the 463 stairs (Duomo) and the 414 stairs (Bell Tower)!
  • Stroll through the Uffizi – One of Europe’s most visited museums for a reason, the Uffizi is a place you can stroll through quickly or spend a whole day in.
  • Take a food walking tour – Yes, it’s fun to find places on your own, but with so many incredible places to eat, it’s that much more fun with a local guide.  Plus, who else is going to take you to an enoteca to drink wine at 9 am?  We recommend either Walks of Italy or Eating Italy.
  • Hang out in Santa Croce Square – Our favorite piazza in Florence, it’s got a lively vibe, great church and the people watching is unparalleled.
  • Shop the San Lorenzo (Central) Market – Meats, cheeses, and knock off handbags galore.  There’s not much better than hanging out in a real, functioning Italian market.
  • Walk over the Ponte Vecchio – It’s mostly jewelry stores that line this famous bridge, so unless you’re trying to drop thousands of dollars, it’s most likely not worth buying anything.  But it is worth strolling across and then getting some iconic shots of the bridge during sunset.
  • Take the 1:30 hour trip to Lucca or Siena – Both quintessential Tuscan towns with gorgeous architecture and great food.  Each is possible in a day trip, but if they’re running the Palio de Siena (horse race) while you’re there, head to Siena for an incredible spectacle.

Want More?

Leave a Review!

iTunes reviews are one of THE most important factors for podcasts. If you enjoy the show please take a second to leave the show a review on iTunes!

      1. Click this link: Leave a review on iTunes
      2. Hit “View in iTunes” on the left-hand side under the picture.
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