Travel tips

This list shares some of my favorite spots—places I’ve personally visited and enjoyed. It’s straight to the point, with no fluff or over-the-top opinions. If you found this because I mentioned it, just let me know if you’d like more suggestions or tips for other categories.

Bucharest (Romania)

Know the tips & tricks

• Don’t carry too much cash. Most places take cards (Revolut works great).
• Skip street vendors. Shop at established stores with fair prices and receipts.
• You’ll find English speakers in central areas (like most spots on this list).
• Tipping isn’t required, but 10% is appreciated. Servers don’t earn much.
• Use Uber or Bolt for rides. For a cheaper option, take the metro, buses, or train (e.g., from the airport). Avoid taxis.
• Get data via Airalo or your carrier’s roaming plan. Airport SIM cards are overpriced.

Learn the Romanian history

• Palace of Parliament: Second-biggest building in the world which is the seat of government
• Museum of Communism: Exhibits about Romania’s communist era
• National History Museum: Artifacts from Romanian past
• Triumph Arch: Stone arch honouring Romanian heroes

See Romanian art

• National Museum of Contemporary Art: Contemporary art in old palace
• National Art Museum: Traditional Romanian and European paintings
• National Opera: Grand opera house with live performances

See Bucharest by foot

• Calea Victoriei: The most beautiful historical street, also hosting the CEC Palace and the Macca Villacrosse Passage
• Old Town: Historical centre full of old buildings, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, clubs
• Herăstrău: Biggest park in Bucharest, being centred around a lake
• Cișmigiu: Central mini-park
• Tineretului: Chill big park

Eat

• Stadio: A place with delicious and fresh modern and reinterpreted Romanian dishes (including their famous papanași)
• Curtea Berarilor: Huge central restaurant with Romanian dishes
• Caru' cu bere: Central restaurant with Romanian dishes, whose interior superb because of its wood panels and glass windows
• MOM: Delicious selection of dishes
• AveForchetta: Central Italian restaurant
• Jeonjuu Korean BBQ: Korean barbecue restaurant where you can practice with your friends your cooking skills

Drink

• Origo: The best coffee shop I found in Bucharest, with carefully chosen and locally roasted coffee beans
• Sloane: Nice coffee shop on Calea Victoriei
• STEAM Coffee Shop: Nice coffee shop close to the Herăstrău park
• Barton: Small bar with electronic music and delicious cocktails
• Linea: Beautiful rooftop bar with view of Central Bucharest and Dâmbovița, the river crossing Bucharest

Shop

Depending on where you’re coming from, you might find prices more favorable here.

• Cărturești Carousel: One of the most beautiful bookshops in Europe with a huge selection of titles
• AFI Cotroceni Mall
• Sun Plaza Mall
• Promenada Mall

Los Angeles Area (California, USA)

Know the tips & tricks

• Use Uber for cool, random discussions with the drivers or Waymo for cheap, clean, and quiet rides.
• Have a credit card.
• Leave 20% tips as the US low-paid servers live from the tips.

Discover the culture

• The Getty: Art gallery with paintings and sculptures from renowned artists
• California Science Center: Science center with a space-related section, including the Space Shuttle Endeavour
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Largest art museum in the western United States
• Petersen Automotive Museum: Renowned automotive museum featuring classic and rare vehicles
• Crypto.com Arena: Concerts, basketball matches from LA Lakers
• Universal Studios Hollywood: Theme park with movie-themed attractions
• Walk of Fame Hollywood: Famous sidewalk stars honoring celebrities

Walk the city and its surroundings

• Griffith Observatory: Planetarium with telescopes and city views
• Pacific Coast Highway: Scenic drive with renowned coastal views, beaches, viewpoints, and cities like Zuma Beach, Point Dume, and Malibu
• Hollywood Sign: Iconic sign accessible by a 1h hike
• Santa Monica Pier: Iconic pier and the end of Route 66

Eat

• Élephante Santa Monica: Italian restaurant with ocean views
• Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee: Presumably the best donuts in Santa Monica
• Orto Santa Monica: Italian restaurant with a kind Italian owner
• Tar & Roses: Elegant Californian restaurant
• Uovo Santa Monica: Best Italian Carbonara I've ever had
• The Hive Superfood Eats & Organic Cafe Santa Monica: Healthy food
• Pasta Sisters Culver City: Casual pasta restaurant

San Francisco (California, USA)

Know the tips & tricks

See the ones for LA.

See tech attractions

• Computer History Museum: Vast collection exploring computing evolution
• Googleplex and Google Visitor Center: Tech giant's campus with visitor attractions
• Stanford Campus: Student campus with huge bookstore and Hoover Tower

Learn its history

• Alcatraz Island: Max-security prison hosting celebrity inmates and having night tours available for authentic experience
• Ghost hunting: City tours with historical context and ghost hunting (for real)
• San Francisco Museum of Contemporary Art: Comprehensive contemporary art collections
• Palace of Fine Arts: Greco-Roman palace

Walk the city

• Walk Golden Gate Bridge: Iconic suspension bridge with spectacular views
• Random streets in San Francisco (between the Market Street and the seaside): Mix between homeless people, top-notch tech companies, glamorous brands, and urban agitation. Eventually California Street which is a city crest with double-sided views to the city and to the sea
• Painted Ladies: Famous Victorian houses with cityscape backdrop
• Corona Heights Park: Best views of San Francisco from the top
• Pier 39 and Embarcadero: SF's most famous bayside attractions
• Fort Mason Park: Walkable park close to the Bay

Visit its surroundings

• Yosemite National Park: Stunning granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias
• Napa and Sonoma Valleys: Top-notch wineries and rural views
• Windy Hill Summit in Palo Alto: Panoramic views and hiking trails

Eat

• Papa John's Pizza Palo Alto: Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza
• The Melt Palo Alto: Burgers
• Velve Coffee Roasters Palo Alto: Casual coffee and breakfast place in a walkable part of the city
• Sears Fine Food San Francisco: Old-school restaurant with their famous 18 Swedish pancakes
• Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe San Francisco: Old-fashioned tiny cafe and restaurant serving famous sandwiches
• Avotoasty San Francisco: Healthy food with delicious avocado toast
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience: The American version of the Lindt experience in Zurich