TLDR; seeking recommendations for a non-touristy but convenient homebase town for a month in Northern Italy over the holidays
Hello friends. I’m considering renting a place in Northern Italy for 4-5 weeks over December and would love thoughts on a homebase town.
A little about me/what I’m looking for:
I spent a week over Christmas in Venice in 2019 and while I was warned by local friends that it may be “dead,” I loved it and found it festive and serene even though some things were closed. I spent five weeks on the Amalfi Coast in the spring last year, and rented a flat in Atrani as my homebase. I went on day trips to explore the other towns and islands, and explored further via ferry and/or train for 2–3 days to Rome, Naples, Florence, and Ischia, or just relaxed in Atrani. I work remotely and love finding a more peaceful and less touristy homebase where I can settle in, and then bouncing around as I want, and I like staying for a while so that I can explore in a more relaxed way.
I am not a person who needs or wants to be in the middle of all the action—I liked that Atrani was quieter day to day in the off season, but was easily accessible to larger shops, more restaurants, and a bus and ferry terminal in Amalfi. I share all that to say: I am looking to replicate a similar experience in Northern Italy, and I’m okay if I’m a bit bored! :) I don’t mind if it’s quieter or if the weather that time of year is what some might consider dreary.
Must-have criteria: - a town, walkable to shops and cafes (not countryside or a very busy city) - safe for a single woman (will have friends/family with me sporadically, but primarily on my own) - convenient to transit opportunities. I am open to renting a car if it will help me get around; I would just prefer to rely on trains to get to cities or towns further abound.
Places on my list that I would love to visit during the trip: - Milan - Verona - the towns on Lake Como - a few days in either Cortina d’Ampezzo or at the San Luis retreat in Hafling (just north of Bolzano) - possibly a few days in Venice to see friends
What do you think? Thoughts on a good homebase? Anywhere absolutely unmissable for spending 4–5 weeks in the region? Any major red flags? Thank you in advance!

Live Music

• Gabby Samuels, Mill Top Tavern, 12:00 pm -- 4:00 pm
• Evan D, Crabby's Beachside, 12:00 pm -- 3:00 pm
• Vibe RW, The Cellar Upstairs Wine Bar & Restaurant, 1:00 pm -- 4:00 pm
• Ramona, As If! The '90s Fest, 1:00 pm -- 9:30 pm
• Trevor Compton, Backyard Island Cafe at Meehan's, 1:00 pm -- 5:00 pm
• Alanis Sophia, Pierre's Pub, 2:00 pm -- 6:00 pm
• Ramona, As If! The '90s Fest, 2:05 pm -- 2:45 pm
• Burn Unit, Fresh Market Island, 3:00 pm -- 6:00 pm
• Chillula, As If! The '90s Fest, 3:00 pm -- 4:15 pm
• Lonesome Bert's Thick and Thin String Band, Marina Munch, 5:00 pm -- 8:00 pm
• Ian Opalinski, Crabby's Beachside, 5:00 pm -- 8:00 pm
• Mike Cook, Guy Harvey Resort, 5:00 pm -- 8:00 pm
• Amy Hendrickson, O.C. White's Seafood, 5:30 pm -- 8:30 pm
• Edge, Borrillo's Pizzeria & Beer Garden, 6:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Wes Register, Mellow Mushroom --- Murabella, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Eddie Pickett, Mellow Mushroom --- St. Johns, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Tony Scozzaro, The Cellar Upstairs Wine Bar & Restaurant, 6:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Clairemont Duo, Prohibition Kitchen, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Joe Targove, Ebb Tide Poolside Bar & Grill, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Craig Hand, Hurricane Patty's Bar and Grill, 6:00 pm -- 9:30 pm
• ZaZa Flamenca, Casa Maya, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Kevin Mark, Donovan's Irish Pub, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Peter Rowan, A Gamble Rogers Concert Series, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Dewey Via Band, Saturday, May 18th, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Remedy Tree, A Gamble Rogers Concert Series, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• David Watt Besley, Murray Bros. Caddyshack, 7:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Cliff Dorsey, Pierre's Pub, 7:00 pm -- 11:00 pm
• Not Quite Dead, Dog Rose Brewing Co., 8:00 pm -- 11:59 pm
• Contact Buzz, Arnold's Lounge, 8:00 pm -- 12:00 pm
• Vegas Gray, Tradewinds Lounge, 9:00 pm -- 1:00 am
• Alan Dalton and Terry Campbell, Mill Top Tavern, 9:00 pm -- 12:00 am
• Joshua "Tennessee" Worthy, Meehan's Irish Pub & Seafood House, 9:00 pm -- 1:00 am

Amphitheatre Farmers Market

• The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market offers visitors a variety of goods such as local fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, baked goods, plants directly off the farm, freshly-caught seafood, cheeses, and more. The farmers market makes for a morning of family-friendly fun with live entertainment on select dates.
• In addition to the impressive variety of organic produce offered by local farmers, a number of local artists and craftspeople also display their wares at the market.
• Admission: FREE
• Where: St. Augustine Amphitheatre located at 1340 A1A South St. Augustine, FL 32080.
• When: Every Saturday morning from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Yoga in the Garden

• The Lightner Museum hosts Yoga In the Garden on the third Saturday of each month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• This yoga session is suitable for all, and each participant should bring a yoga mat or towel and water. An instructor from Serenity Yoga leads the session on the lawn of the Radzinski Family Garden, on the south end of the building. This event is part of Lightner's 75th-anniversary celebration and recalls the days of Henry Flagler's Alcazar Hotel and its well-known spa facilities.
• Admission: This is a donation-based event, and there is no need to register.
• When: On the third Saturday of each month, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• Where: The Radzinski Family Garden is behind the Lightner Museum at 75 King Street, St. Augustine.
• NOTE: Some dates may need to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Huguenot Cemetery Guided Tour

• The Huguenot Cemetery is the oldest non-Catholic cemetery in Florida, having been 'founded' the year that Florida became a territory of the United States. It was a multi-racial, multi-ethnic public burial ground from 1821 to 1884. The Memorial Presbyterian Church has owned the cemetery since 1832.
• The cemetery was first used for the interment of victims of the 1821 yellow fever epidemic and then for the burial of members of the newly arrived Protestant population. The oldest headstone is that of Johann George Happoldt who died August 15, 1821.
• The Huguenot Cemetery is significant because it was one of the first steps to Americanize Florida. The burial traditions and funerary materials expressed at Huguenot are quite different from the nearby Tolomato Cemetery, which had been established by the Catholic Church in 1777. Because of this significance, the Huguenot Cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
• The Friends of the Huguenot Cemetery, Inc. opens the Huguenot Cemetery to the public on the third Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Docents are on hand to answer questions.
• Admission: Free
• When: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month.
• Where: The cemetery is next to the Visitor Information Center in historic downtown at the corner of A1A and Orange Street.

As If! The '90s Fest

• Presented by Ancient City Entertainment, St. Augustine's As If! '90s Fest celebrates the '90s nostalgia craze on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Francis Field.
• The festival supports Ace Alliance, a non-profit organization passionate about entertainment, tourism, and hospitality.
• All the trappings of the '90s will be part of this celebration of the decade, including a fly photo booth and water slide. Food trucks will be on hand at this family-friendly event.
• Everyone is invited to slip their Game Boys in their Starter jacket or their fanny packs and come celebrate the nostalgic '90s at the "As If! The '90s Fest" event. There are three headliners this year:
• Deana Carter. Her debut single, "Strawberry Wine," hit # 1 on the country charts and was the 1997 Song of the Year and Single of the Year.
• Paula Cole. Her hot single, "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone," was nominated for three GRAMMY awards.
• Fastball. This rock band's hit songs include "The Way" and "Out of My Head."
• Local performers include Chillula, Ramona + the Riot, and Julia Gulia.
• Admission: General admission tickets are $30.00 in advance and $40.00 at the door. A limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for $200.00 each.
• When 1:00 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2024.
• Where: Francis Field is located across from the downtown parking garage at 25 W. Castillo Drive in St. Augustine.
• Photos: Melissa Marcarelli took these photos of the 2023 As If! The 90s Fest.

Vilano Beach Artisan Market

• Vilano Beach Main Street transforms into a vibrant artisan's market from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every third Saturday of the month. Stretching from the junction of A1A and Vilano Road to the Holiday Inn, the sidewalk becomes a showcase for more than 20 vendors, presenting a diverse array of products in booths.
• From captivating artwork to one-of-a-kind home décor, there's something for everyone at this lively outdoor market. Visitors enjoy live local music as they explore a selection of artisan-made goods, including plants, datil pepper sauces, jewelry, pottery, and clothing.
• Adding to the lively atmosphere is a cash bar offering a select variety of fine wines and craft beers, allowing guests to enjoy a stroll, drink in hand. Whether shopping for themselves, seeking souvenirs, or just basking in the St. Augustine sun, guests can soak up the Vilano Beach vibes.
• Take advantage of free parking and admission at Vilano Beach Main Street on Vilano Road in St. Augustine.
• This outdoor market may be canceled on stormy days. Updates are available on their website.
• Admission: Free
• When: On the third Saturday of every month, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Where: In the Vilano Beach shopping district, along Vilano Road.

Flo-Arts Students Celebrate Musicals

• FloArts students sing old and new Broadway favorites on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living.
• The Florida School of the Arts in Palatka is Florida's first two-year program offering instruction in dance, theatre, fine arts, theater technology, acting, and musical theatre. On May 18, FloArts students will perform everyone's favorite songs from Broadway's golden age to the present day.
• This event is presented by St. Augustine's Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts.
• Admission: Free
• When: May 18, 2024, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Where: At the Center for Spiritual Living, 1795 Old Moultrie Road, St. Augustine, Florida 32084.
• This event is part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, an annual festival of two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events celebrating all things St. Augustine. From May 3 -19, the nation's oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, live theater, and art exhibits.

Cruisers Car Club Cruise-IN

• Hosted by the St. Augustine Cruisers Car Club, the St. Augustine Cruise-IN is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month.
• Held at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, activities at the monthly Cruise-IN include music, door prizes, and a 50/50 drawing.
• A family-oriented organization that began in the mid-1990s, the St. Augustine Cruisers Car Club promotes interest in various types of special auto activities, creates good fellowship and sportsmanship among its members, and supports charities.
• Admission: Free for the outdoor event. (Standard admission fee, $12.00, to visit the museum and showroom.)
• When: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month.
• Where: The Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine is located at 4730 US-1 in St. Augustine, FL 32086

Romanza Festivale: Luca Ciarla

• The Romanza Festivale presents violinist Luca Ciarla in a free concert on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church Sanctuary.
• Luca Ciarla has performed extensively in classical and jazz concerts and at several world music festivals. His performances blend jazz, classical, and improvisation, and he often adds his vocalization to the music he coaxes out of his acoustic violin.
• Originally from Italy, Luca began studying violin at age eight and started exploring jazz and improvisation when he was 12. After earning a degree in violin in 1993 and studying at two schools of music in Italy, Luca moved to the U.S. to earn advanced degrees at Indiana University and the University of Arizona.
• Luca Ciarla recently performed at La Fenice Theatre in Venice and will bring his innovative style and program to St. Augustine to perform as a headliner at Romanza Festivale.
• Admission: Free
• When: Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Where: Trinity Episcopal Parish Sanctuary, 215 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
• A Romanza Festivale 2024 event.
• This event is part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, an annual festival consisting of two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events celebrating all things St. Augustine. From May 3 -19, 2024 the nation's oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, live theater, and art exhibits.

Davy Knowles at Café Eleven

• Cafe Eleven presents Davy Knowles, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
• Armed with a rich and penetrating voice, Davy Knowles continues to put grins on faces and spark energy in packed venues both near and far.
• Knowles performed blues and rock music on the same stage as Jeff Beck, Kid Rock, and Joe Bonamassa to name a few. He also appeared on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and at the Johnson Space Center.
• This guitar-toting artist creates out-of-this-world performances, singing songs from albums such as Three Miles from Avalon, Still Got Work To Do, and What Happens Next.
• Admission: Tickets cost $25.00 if purchased in advance and $30.00 on the day of the show. Reserved seating costs $35.00. Purchase tickets in advance online or purchase them at Café Eleven on the day of the show.
• When: Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
• Where: The Cafe Eleven is located at 501 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, Florida 32080.

I am unable to post the sources because they are getting flagged as spam since they are all similar in name. So please visit this site for the list.
Written out urls here tinyurl.com/yjkw32kd

For future events please visit the Discord.

https://discord.gg/NG4eZSWAgR

Live Music

• Gabby Samuels, Mill Top Tavern, 12:00 pm -- 4:00 pm
• Evan D, Crabby's Beachside, 12:00 pm -- 3:00 pm
• Vibe RW, The Cellar Upstairs Wine Bar & Restaurant, 1:00 pm -- 4:00 pm
• Ramona, As If! The '90s Fest, 1:00 pm -- 9:30 pm
• Trevor Compton, Backyard Island Cafe at Meehan's, 1:00 pm -- 5:00 pm
• Alanis Sophia, Pierre's Pub, 2:00 pm -- 6:00 pm
• Ramona, As If! The '90s Fest, 2:05 pm -- 2:45 pm
• Burn Unit, Fresh Market Island, 3:00 pm -- 6:00 pm
• Chillula, As If! The '90s Fest, 3:00 pm -- 4:15 pm
• Lonesome Bert's Thick and Thin String Band, Marina Munch, 5:00 pm -- 8:00 pm
• Ian Opalinski, Crabby's Beachside, 5:00 pm -- 8:00 pm
• Mike Cook, Guy Harvey Resort, 5:00 pm -- 8:00 pm
• Amy Hendrickson, O.C. White's Seafood, 5:30 pm -- 8:30 pm
• Edge, Borrillo's Pizzeria & Beer Garden, 6:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Wes Register, Mellow Mushroom --- Murabella, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Eddie Pickett, Mellow Mushroom --- St. Johns, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Tony Scozzaro, The Cellar Upstairs Wine Bar & Restaurant, 6:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Clairemont Duo, Prohibition Kitchen, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Joe Targove, Ebb Tide Poolside Bar & Grill, 6:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Craig Hand, Hurricane Patty's Bar and Grill, 6:00 pm -- 9:30 pm
• ZaZa Flamenca, Casa Maya, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Kevin Mark, Donovan's Irish Pub, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Peter Rowan, A Gamble Rogers Concert Series, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Dewey Via Band, Saturday, May 18th, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• Remedy Tree, A Gamble Rogers Concert Series, 7:00 pm -- 10:00 pm
• David Watt Besley, Murray Bros. Caddyshack, 7:00 pm -- 9:00 pm
• Cliff Dorsey, Pierre's Pub, 7:00 pm -- 11:00 pm
• Not Quite Dead, Dog Rose Brewing Co., 8:00 pm -- 11:59 pm
• Contact Buzz, Arnold's Lounge, 8:00 pm -- 12:00 pm
• Vegas Gray, Tradewinds Lounge, 9:00 pm -- 1:00 am
• Alan Dalton and Terry Campbell, Mill Top Tavern, 9:00 pm -- 12:00 am
• Joshua "Tennessee" Worthy, Meehan's Irish Pub & Seafood House, 9:00 pm -- 1:00 am

Amphitheatre Farmers Market

• The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market offers visitors a variety of goods such as local fresh produce, handmade arts and crafts, baked goods, plants directly off the farm, freshly-caught seafood, cheeses, and more. The farmers market makes for a morning of family-friendly fun with live entertainment on select dates.
• In addition to the impressive variety of organic produce offered by local farmers, a number of local artists and craftspeople also display their wares at the market.
• Admission: FREE
• Where: St. Augustine Amphitheatre located at 1340 A1A South St. Augustine, FL 32080.
• When: Every Saturday morning from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Yoga in the Garden

• The Lightner Museum hosts Yoga In the Garden on the third Saturday of each month from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• This yoga session is suitable for all, and each participant should bring a yoga mat or towel and water. An instructor from Serenity Yoga leads the session on the lawn of the Radzinski Family Garden, on the south end of the building. This event is part of Lightner's 75th-anniversary celebration and recalls the days of Henry Flagler's Alcazar Hotel and its well-known spa facilities.
• Admission: This is a donation-based event, and there is no need to register.
• When: On the third Saturday of each month, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• Where: The Radzinski Family Garden is behind the Lightner Museum at 75 King Street, St. Augustine.
• NOTE: Some dates may need to be rescheduled due to inclement weather.

Huguenot Cemetery Guided Tour

• The Huguenot Cemetery is the oldest non-Catholic cemetery in Florida, having been 'founded' the year that Florida became a territory of the United States. It was a multi-racial, multi-ethnic public burial ground from 1821 to 1884. The Memorial Presbyterian Church has owned the cemetery since 1832.
• The cemetery was first used for the interment of victims of the 1821 yellow fever epidemic and then for the burial of members of the newly arrived Protestant population. The oldest headstone is that of Johann George Happoldt who died August 15, 1821.
• The Huguenot Cemetery is significant because it was one of the first steps to Americanize Florida. The burial traditions and funerary materials expressed at Huguenot are quite different from the nearby Tolomato Cemetery, which had been established by the Catholic Church in 1777. Because of this significance, the Huguenot Cemetery is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
• The Friends of the Huguenot Cemetery, Inc. opens the Huguenot Cemetery to the public on the third Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Docents are on hand to answer questions.
• Admission: Free
• When: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month.
• Where: The cemetery is next to the Visitor Information Center in historic downtown at the corner of A1A and Orange Street.

As If! The '90s Fest

• Presented by Ancient City Entertainment, St. Augustine's As If! '90s Fest celebrates the '90s nostalgia craze on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Francis Field.
• The festival supports Ace Alliance, a non-profit organization passionate about entertainment, tourism, and hospitality.
• All the trappings of the '90s will be part of this celebration of the decade, including a fly photo booth and water slide. Food trucks will be on hand at this family-friendly event.
• Everyone is invited to slip their Game Boys in their Starter jacket or their fanny packs and come celebrate the nostalgic '90s at the "As If! The '90s Fest" event. There are three headliners this year:
• Deana Carter. Her debut single, "Strawberry Wine," hit # 1 on the country charts and was the 1997 Song of the Year and Single of the Year.
• Paula Cole. Her hot single, "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone," was nominated for three GRAMMY awards.
• Fastball. This rock band's hit songs include "The Way" and "Out of My Head."
• Local performers include Chillula, Ramona + the Riot, and Julia Gulia.
• Admission: General admission tickets are $30.00 in advance and $40.00 at the door. A limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for $200.00 each.
• When 1:00 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 18, 2024.
• Where: Francis Field is located across from the downtown parking garage at 25 W. Castillo Drive in St. Augustine.
• Photos: Melissa Marcarelli took these photos of the 2023 As If! The 90s Fest.

Vilano Beach Artisan Market

• Vilano Beach Main Street transforms into a vibrant artisan's market from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every third Saturday of the month. Stretching from the junction of A1A and Vilano Road to the Holiday Inn, the sidewalk becomes a showcase for more than 20 vendors, presenting a diverse array of products in booths.
• From captivating artwork to one-of-a-kind home décor, there's something for everyone at this lively outdoor market. Visitors enjoy live local music as they explore a selection of artisan-made goods, including plants, datil pepper sauces, jewelry, pottery, and clothing.
• Adding to the lively atmosphere is a cash bar offering a select variety of fine wines and craft beers, allowing guests to enjoy a stroll, drink in hand. Whether shopping for themselves, seeking souvenirs, or just basking in the St. Augustine sun, guests can soak up the Vilano Beach vibes.
• Take advantage of free parking and admission at Vilano Beach Main Street on Vilano Road in St. Augustine.
• This outdoor market may be canceled on stormy days. Updates are available on their website.
• Admission: Free
• When: On the third Saturday of every month, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Where: In the Vilano Beach shopping district, along Vilano Road.

Flo-Arts Students Celebrate Musicals

• FloArts students sing old and new Broadway favorites on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Center for Spiritual Living.
• The Florida School of the Arts in Palatka is Florida's first two-year program offering instruction in dance, theatre, fine arts, theater technology, acting, and musical theatre. On May 18, FloArts students will perform everyone's favorite songs from Broadway's golden age to the present day.
• This event is presented by St. Augustine's Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts.
• Admission: Free
• When: May 18, 2024, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Where: At the Center for Spiritual Living, 1795 Old Moultrie Road, St. Augustine, Florida 32084.
• This event is part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, an annual festival of two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events celebrating all things St. Augustine. From May 3 -19, the nation's oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, live theater, and art exhibits.

Cruisers Car Club Cruise-IN

• Hosted by the St. Augustine Cruisers Car Club, the St. Augustine Cruise-IN is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month.
• Held at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, activities at the monthly Cruise-IN include music, door prizes, and a 50/50 drawing.
• A family-oriented organization that began in the mid-1990s, the St. Augustine Cruisers Car Club promotes interest in various types of special auto activities, creates good fellowship and sportsmanship among its members, and supports charities.
• Admission: Free for the outdoor event. (Standard admission fee, $12.00, to visit the museum and showroom.)
• When: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month.
• Where: The Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine is located at 4730 US-1 in St. Augustine, FL 32086

Romanza Festivale: Luca Ciarla

• The Romanza Festivale presents violinist Luca Ciarla in a free concert on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church Sanctuary.
• Luca Ciarla has performed extensively in classical and jazz concerts and at several world music festivals. His performances blend jazz, classical, and improvisation, and he often adds his vocalization to the music he coaxes out of his acoustic violin.
• Originally from Italy, Luca began studying violin at age eight and started exploring jazz and improvisation when he was 12. After earning a degree in violin in 1993 and studying at two schools of music in Italy, Luca moved to the U.S. to earn advanced degrees at Indiana University and the University of Arizona.
• Luca Ciarla recently performed at La Fenice Theatre in Venice and will bring his innovative style and program to St. Augustine to perform as a headliner at Romanza Festivale.
• Admission: Free
• When: Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Where: Trinity Episcopal Parish Sanctuary, 215 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
• A Romanza Festivale 2024 event.
• This event is part of the Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts, an annual festival consisting of two weeks of historical, cultural, and creative events celebrating all things St. Augustine. From May 3 -19, 2024 the nation's oldest city will be jam-packed with music and dance concerts, living history events and historical tours, live theater, and art exhibits.

Davy Knowles at Café Eleven

• Cafe Eleven presents Davy Knowles, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
• Armed with a rich and penetrating voice, Davy Knowles continues to put grins on faces and spark energy in packed venues both near and far.
• Knowles performed blues and rock music on the same stage as Jeff Beck, Kid Rock, and Joe Bonamassa to name a few. He also appeared on Good Morning America, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and at the Johnson Space Center.
• This guitar-toting artist creates out-of-this-world performances, singing songs from albums such as Three Miles from Avalon, Still Got Work To Do, and What Happens Next.
• Admission: Tickets cost $25.00 if purchased in advance and $30.00 on the day of the show. Reserved seating costs $35.00. Purchase tickets in advance online or purchase them at Café Eleven on the day of the show.
• When: Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
• Where: The Cafe Eleven is located at 501 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, Florida 32080.

I am unable to post the sources because they are getting flagged as spam since they are all similar in name. So please visit this site for the list.
Written out urls here tinyurl.com/yjkw32kd

For future events please visit the Discord.

https://discord.gg/NG4eZSWAgR

We just got back from a wonderful trip in the northern part of Italy with our 3-year-old. Having spent 2 weeks on one of our best trips so far, I really want to thank a bunch of fellow redditors who helped refine our itinerary and suggested places which otherwise would not have made it to our plan!
Day 1 Milan: We took a flight from India and landed in Milan in the afternoon. Milan was just the arrival point for us and we did not intend to visit Milan as such, so we ended up booking a room in the hotel at the Malpensa Airport itself. Nothing much that day; a bit of rest and a delicious dinner were a great start to our trip.
Day 2 Drive from Milan to Bellagio: Woke up after a good night's sleep (a much needed one after the long sleepless flight the day before). Breakfast at the hotel was really good with a lot of options for everyone. We had booked a car through SIXT at the Malpensa airport. Getting the car was a breeze with great service from the representative at the SIXT counter. The drive to Bellagio was a very good one. I was still getting used to the car, since I come from a land of right-hand drive and switching to a left-hand drive meant putting in a lot more focus on the road. Driving along the Lake Como was a fantastic experience. We reached Bellagio by lunch time and our AirBnB was ready for us. The rest of the day was at leisure, with a casual walk around Bellagio, through the city center and along the lake.
Day 3 Bellagio to Varenna: Took a ferry to Varenna and had breakfast at a lake side cafe. With great weather on our side, a cup of coffee and a little pastry seemed more blissful than we thought of! We had signed up for a picnic on the hills of Camaggiore, a 40-minute drive from the Varenna ferry station. We had our representative waiting for us and she drove us to the picnic spot, sharing tales from the towns of Lake Como, showing us amazing views along the way. The picnic itself was surreal, with the most beautiful view of the lake from 1200 meters above. We spend the rest of the day exploring Varenna at our pace, while our little one slept like a log in the stoller.
Day 4 Bellagio: After debating weather to visit the Como town or not, we decided to stay in Bellagio in explore the town a bit more. We took a ride of the Bellagio Express, the toy train that takes you around the town. It was a fun ride, intended for our toddler, who decided to doze off in the train itself! Post that, we saw the gardens of the Villa Melzi. We had rented a boat to explore the lake ourselves during the evening, but rainy weather made us cancel our plans. We spent the rest of the evening, relaxing at our AirBnB, overlooking the lake.
Day 5 Drive from Bellagio to Gardaland: Moving on to the next leg of our trip, which was clearly planned keeping our little boy in mind, we drove to Gardaland reaching there by noon. Thanks to a wonderful fellow Redditor, we got introduced to this wonderland called Gardaland! Our stay was booked at the Gardaland Hotel and while we were waiting for our room to get ready, we decided to pay a visit to the Gardaland Resort park right away. A drizzly weather kept most of the visitors inside the SEA Aquarium, but that also meant we had absolutely no waiting times on most of the rides in the park! The little one was elated to see the Peppa Pig Land, and refused to move away from it. All in all, day one in the park was a super success despite the wet weather. Evening at the hotel was full of fun-filled activities for the kids. The entertainment team at Gardaland Hotel did a fabulous job at keeping kids engaged.
Day 6 Gardaland: Our second day in the Gardaland park was a much more planned one, since we had already explored some of the park on the previous day. We knew the rides we wanted to go on, and so logistics were simpler. Weather was great too, and so we had a wonderful time! The park has a plethora of options to eat, with a ton of sweet treats along the way. The park is huge but very well laid out with clean facilities. Naturally, day two also could not be completed without visiting our favorite Peppa Pig! Evening at the hotel was again fun-filled with the team at Gardaland doing what they do the best!
Day 7 Parco Natura Viva: Gardaland is in proximity to a lot of amusement parks and points of recreation for family and friends. One of them is Parco Natura Viva, a zoo with a drive-through safari. It was a Saturday and the zoo had enormous waiting times for the cars to enter the Safari. After having waited in the queue for over an hour, we finally started the Safari, which turned out to be pretty great. Next, we had the fauna park (the walkable part of the zoo), the one with animals in their enclosures. With the entire park divided into geographical zones, it was fun seeing animals from various continents. The place is well-maintained, and creates a great experience for kids.
Day 8 Verona: We had kept an extra day in Gardaland just in case the little man wanted to visit the park again. However, given the proximity, we decided to do a day trip to Verona instead. We drove to Verona and parked our car in one of the paid parking lots. We had reserved a morning slot for a walking tour, that took us through the streets of Verona, with our very knowledgeable guide sharing tales from historic Verona, the castle and gate to the old city center. The center was bustling with stores and eateries. Very touristy but was all the more fun! Our taste buds were craving for some Indian food and we ended up having lunch at an amazing Indian restaurant named "Maharajah". The food was delectable with very prompt service. As touristy as it sounds, we did go to "Casa di Giulietta", commonly known as Juliet's house that is known for the legacy of Romeo and Juliet having been inspired from there. The so-called Juliet's balcony is missable at best.
Day 9 Drive from Gardaland to Venice: Switching to the last leg of our trip, this was supposed to be the wife's part of the trip. She has wanted to visit Venice for as long as she remembers, and this trip could not have happened without a leisurely stay in the city of canals! This was also the last day of us keeping the car, and we drove to Venice Marco Polo Airport where we returned the car at the SIXT counter. Once again, just like the pick-up the return process was extremely smooth and lasted barely a couple of minutes. Our plan was to catch the Alilaguna airport water bus to the main island, but we decided to splurge at the last moment and took the water taxi instead. And boy were we happy! The water taxi is an experience in itself, especially when entering the canals from the airport. Our AirBnB was located right on the Grand Canal, giving us uninterrupted views of the Canal. For a place that looked better in person than in pictures, what more could we have asked for! We spent the evening walking to the Rialto Bridge, people-watching!
Day 10 St. Marks square and Dodge's Palace: After a good night's sleep, we woke up refreshed, taking in the morning views of the Grand Canal, with the gondola's and the various boats floating by, doing their chores for the day. We had booked a tour of the St. Marks square and the Basilica, along with the Dodge's Palace. Unfortunately, it had to be a rainy day. While we still participated in the tour, the place became very crowded because a lot of people tried to maximize on the time indoors to avoid the rain. Nonetheless, it was a good experience. The little one dozed off in the Basilica and so we let my wife carry on with the tour of the palace, while I took a table under an umbrella at the Cafe Lavena to get myself some coffee, and to let my son enjoy his sleep. We spent the evening loitering around the Rialto market, spoiling ourselves with a few gelatos at Suso!
Day 11 Murano, Burano and Torcello: We woke up early, fixed ourselves some breakfast and were ready to leave. We had booked a tour of the 3 islands and our job was to get to the meeting point as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we missed our group and had to visit the islands on our own. The upside to this was that we could do it at our own pace! This included having a hearty lunch at a beautiful local cafe in Torcello. This place had a chidren's play area too! This also meant spending more time than necessary in Burano, because why not? We loved the colorful houses on the island and we just wanted to be there, taking in everything it had...
Day 12 Leisure and Photoshoot: My wife and I generally have this idea of booking a small photoshoot at every exquisite location we visit. This not only gives us great pictures for memories, but it also allows us to see areas which we would otherwise not know existed. We booked this experience through AirBnB and our photographer was a wonderful man, very learned and a true Venetian at heart! He took us to places that were free of tourists, for some amazing pictures. Not only that, he also arranged for a special Gondola ride for us, which took us through the narrower canals of Venice, adding to the already special experience. A trip to Venice is really incomplete without a Gondola ride, and we were glad we could! This was the last evening of our trip and we could not conclude it without a few more Aperol Spritz's and Gelatos from Suso!
With every trip we take, we learn a lot, that helps us make our future trips better. We consciously chose to skip the more popular locations like Rome and Florence (Tuscany), since we wanted to have ample time of leisure and just do nothing, with a toddler who wanted to just be.
If I could summarize the learnings of this trip, they would be:

• Travelling with a toddler is great, if you leave a lot of room for rest and leisure. It not only allows you to be, but it also leaves scope to rome around the place and absorb the local life beyond the tourist favourites
• Lake Como has a lot to offer. While day trips from Milan sound good, staying in a Lake Como town lets you enjoy the serenity of the lake in a more intimate manner. A couple of days at the least, three days to make it worth while.
• Driving around Lake Como can be fun, but can also become a bit intimidating if you are trying to drive slow on the roads that circle the lake and there are cars behind you, trying to get ahead. Staying calm is the key!
• Gardaland is unchartered territory for people outside Italy, and if travelling with kids, must find a place in the itinerary.
• We had a lot of people advising us against spending 4 days in Venice, but we do not regret it even a bit. Venice is a city unlike anything we've been to so far. It is very difficult to imagine the daily life of the people living there, unless you decide to stop and slow things down yourself, experiencing the little things that the place has to offer.
• It is absolutely ok to not cover every point of interest at a place you are staying. Ticking everything off the list does not give the same satisfaction as enjoying the few things that you do, at a pace that you like.
• Lastly, strollers are a boon, even with the cobbled streets. They serve a great deal for quick afternoon naps, as well as meal times. It indeed is a pain carrying them over the hundreds of bridges in a place like Venice, but the pros still outweigh the cons.

Hey everyone,
we are planning a trip to Italy and we are super excited about exploring all it has to offer! However, I could really use some help crafting the perfect itinerary and finding some amazing restaurants to try while I'm there.
We have booked rental car.
Here's a bit about what I'm looking for:

• Must-See Attractions: I definitely want to hit up the iconic spots, but I'm also interested in any hidden gems or off-the-beaten-path experiences.
• Activities: Whether it's hiking, museum hopping, or catching a live show, I'm open to all suggestions for things to do during the day and night.
• Foodie Finds: I'm a big foodie, so I'm on the hunt for restaurants, cafes, food trucks, or any other culinary delights that are a must-try in Italy. We are vegetarian. Bonus points for local favorites and authentic cuisine!

Rome (18th May - 21st May)
Amalfi (21st May - 23rd May)
Florence/Tuscany (23rd May - 26th May)
Venice (26th May - 27th May)
Dolomites (27th May - 28th May)

Please, feel free to add any events below! Check out the Visitor's Guide for more things to do around town!
Looking to meet up with people? Check out Meetup St. Louis.
Be sure to continue scrolling past the Weekly Events for Trivia Nights, Live Music, Sporting Events, Local Comedy, and more!
​

• Bacon Fest at Alpha Brewing Company
  • May 19, 2024
  • Bacon lovers, rejoice! Alpha Brewing Co. is hosting a sizzling event on May 19. Tickets to Bacon Fest include all the bacon and beer that you can consume – plus, live music from two bands.
• Cardinals HOF Presents: Flashback Fridays
  • May 17, 2024
  • Visit the Cardinals Museum for a candid interview in our Sportsman's Park Theater with former Cardinals Catcher Mike Matheny on Friday, May 17th at 4:30pm.
• Cardinals HOF Presents: Saturday Signings
  • May 18, 2024
  • Saturday, May 18th is Saturday Signings with former Cardinals Catcher Mike Matheny from 2-4pm in the Cardinals Museum!
• Chess at the Brewery
  • Every Wednesday
  • Local meetup group of chess players that meet at breweries on Wednesday nights. They rotate locations each week.
  • See their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chessatthebrewery/) for the location this week.
• Chinese Culture Days at Missouri Botanical Garden
  • May 18 - 19, 2024
  • Chinese Culture Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden feature colorful Chinese pageantry, music, dance and art.
  • At the event, you can also immerse yourself in the history and legends of China while enjoying traditional cuisine.
• E.T. Bracket Series at World Wide Technology Raceway
  • May 18, 2024
  • The E.T. Bracket Series presented by Carl’s 4WD & Performance Center at World Wide Technology Raceway allows drivers in different vehicles to compete on an equal basis against each other.
• Family Night with Fredbird
  • Wednesdays
  • Join others at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar for Family Night with Fredbird on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family down for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird from 6:30-7:30pm.
• Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park
  • May 17, 2024
  • It's the food truck event that started them all! More than 20 local food trucks gather for an evening of friends, fun, live music and plenty of great food at Sauce Food Truck Fridays. St. Louis' favorite mobile restaurants will be dishing out fresh fare and local brews in Tower Grove Park.
• Karaoke Wednesdays at HandleBar
  • Every Wednesday
  • Browse the catalog and find your favorite songs to sing! Songbookslive.com/stlredcarpet
• Karaoke Wednesdays at Mack's Bar & Grill
  • Every Wednesday
• Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours
  • Every Saturday
  • Landmarks Downtown St. Louis Walking Tours: History, Culture, Architecture, and Exercise: What could be better on a Saturday morning.
• Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection at St. Louis Art Museum
  • February 23 - July 14, 2024
  • Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection celebrates a transformative gift of outstanding works by Native American artists active across the 20th century. The promised gift of 100 works establishes a critical junction between the Saint Louis Art Museum’s deep collection of pre-1920 Indigenous art and a growing emphasis on the contemporary.
• Open Mic Night at Schlafly Bottleworks (Maplewood)
  • Every Wednesday
  • Join others every Wednesday evening and showcase your talents with our Open Mic Night! Open sign up begins at 6:30PM with music starting at 7:00PM. They welcome original material, covers and spoken word! Grab a beer, then play and listen every Wednesday! There are no cover charges and no drink minimums to attend.
• Pointfest
  • May 18, 2024
  • POINTFEST returns to Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis on May 18.
• Ranken Technical College Midnight Madness at World Wide Technology Raceway
  • May 17, 2024
  • The Ranken Technical College Midnight Madness program fueled by NOS Energy Drinks offers a safer alternative to illegal street racing.
  • Organized yet informal drag racing will take place on the confines of World Wide Technology Raceway’s NHRA-sanctioned ¼-mile drag strip on select Fridays throughout the season.
• Soulard Farmer's Market
  • Wednesdays - Saturdays
  • Soulard Farmers Market is located at 730 Carroll Street in St. Louis, Missouri, a half mile north of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The market is open Wednesday through Saturday, year round. They feature locally grown and shipped in goods, including: produce, meats, cheeses, spices, gourmet kettle corn, flowers, baked goods, and general merchandise. There are also several different eateries that have many food options, which allows customers the convenience to grab a quick bite to eat and a drink while shopping.
• St. Louis CITY Block Party
  • May 15, 2024
  • Before the St. Louis CITY SC vs LAFC match kickoff, get the party started early with happy hour on Lou Fusz Plaza at CITYPARK and live DJ entertainment! CITY SC presents the free CITY Block Party featuring DJ Chris Brown as well as local food and beverage vendors, fan giveaways, and games and activities for all ages. The block party is free and open to the public.
• St. Louis CITY SC Street Party at Schlafly Tap Room
  • May 15, 2024
  • In celebration of ALL home soccer games, Schlafly will close down "Louligan Street" and support our team the only way they know how: great food, drinks, and fun. There are beer tents, food trucks, special (game day and late night) menus, and more. Get here early and park!
• Sunday Bingo at Tim's Chrome Bar
  • Every Sunday
  • Get in the mood for some fun with an afternoon of BINGO at Tim’s. They'll supply the cards and daubers. Just bring yourself and your BINGO loving friends. Play for some good laughs and a variety prizes. Bar opens at 12 p.m., they'll start BINGO at 3 p.m. Cheers!
• Sunset Rooftop Yoga at Ballpark Village
  • May 16, 2024
  • Unwind on the rooftop of Ballpark Village in St. Louis during a one-hour yoga class led by YogaSix.
  • After the session, nama-stay for exclusive happy hour offers such as $3 domestic beers and $5 select cocktails.
• Taste of Maplewood
  • May 17 - 18, 2024
  • The Taste of Maplewood brings together our area’s most renowned restaurants, beloved boutiques, and one-of-a-kind novelty shops for a street party with live music on two stages, all in the heart of downtown Maplewood. Join us on Friday night for live music and a sampling of food vendors before the main event kicks off on Saturday.
  • In its 16th year, the festival’s vibe is distinct and unmistakable, radiating the culture and character of the local businesses.
• Thursday Nights at the Museum
  • Every Thursday
  • Kick off your weekend at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park! Each Thursday Night at the Museum will be the most fun, engaging, uplifting, thought-provoking, perspective-shaping night of your week. And there are drinks.
  • Join others starting at 5:30pm for happy hour and pop-up activities, such as brief tours, games, and performances. The main stage comes to life at 6:30pm, light appetizers and drinks are available for purchase until 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits are open until 8:00pm for you to explore!
• Tower Grove Farmer's Market
  • Every Tuesday & Saturday
  • Join others every Saturday of the 2023 Tower Grove Farmers Market Season. They'll have over 100 vendors with local produce, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, prepared foods, art, jewelry, live music, and so much more.
• Vietnam: At War and At Home at Soldiers Memorial
  • Running until May 27, 2024
  • In 'Vietnam: At War and At Home' at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, the story of the war’s origins, execution, conclusion and legacy are presented in engaging, accessible and evocative ways. The exhibit presents a diverse and holistic snapshot of the turbulent times in Vietnam, in the U.S. and in the St. Louis region.

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Sporting Events This Week	Attractions Around the Area	Comedy This Week
St. Louis Cardinals schedule	Anheuser-Busch Brewery	Funny Bone Comedy Club
St. Louis Blues schedule	City Museum	Helium Comedy Club
St. Louis City SC schedule	Gateway Arch	The Improv Shop
St. Louis Battlehawks schedule	Missouri History Museum
St. Louis Billikens schedule	National Blues Museum

​

Trivia Nights
Location	Date/Time	More Information
Anheuser-Busch Biergarten	Tuesdays 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
Bar K	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
City Foundry	Thursdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Crack Fox	Mondays 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm	They host a weekly free tournament and game night. Emphasis on Non Alcoholic refreshments and camaraderie.
Joey B's on the Hill	Mondays 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm	Trivia Details
Nick's Pub	Mondays
Felix's Pizza Pub	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
ITAP (Delmar Loop)	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
ITAP (Soulard)	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Schlafly Brewpubs (Any Location)	Tuesdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Rockwell Beer Co	Tuesdays	Trivia Details (Reservations required)
The Mack	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
The Pat Connolly Tavern	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
The Post	Wednesdays 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm	Trivia Details
Pieces Board Game Bar & Cafe	Wednesdays	Trivia Details
HandleBar	Thursdays at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Steve's Hot Dogs	Tuesdays 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Trivia Details
Wellspent Brewing	Thursdays at 7:00 pm

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Live Music This Week
Music Venues	Live Music Around Town
Blueberry Hill Duck Room	1860 Saloon
Chesterfield Amphitheater	BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Delmar Hall	Broadway Oyster Bar
Enterprise Center	City Foundry
The Fabulous Fox Theatre	Gallery Pub
The Factory	Game 6 Honky Tonk
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre	Gaslight Lounge
Off Broadway	The Heavy Anchor
Old Rock House	Jazz St. Louis
The Pageant	Joe's Cafe
Red Flag	The Lot on the Landing
The Sheldon	Tim's Chrome Bar
St. Louis Music Park	McGurk's
St. Louis Symphony Concert Calendar	SoFar St. Louis Secret performances around town
Stifel Theatre	Venice Cafe
	Yaquis on Cherokee

​

Recurring Outdoor Activities
Big Muddy Adventures – STL Riverfront Adventure	Big Muddy Adventures was established in 2002. They are the first professional outfitteguiding company providing access to the wild wonders of the Middle Mississippi and Lower Missouri Rivers.
Gateway Arch Events	There are a variety of things to do along the Mississippi River.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort	Ziplining, scenic chairlift rides, and hiking trails opened during the summer. Skiing, snowboarding during the winter.

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Are there any lesser-known attractions, hidden gems, or off-the-beaten-path spots cherished by Venetians themselves? Whether it's a quaint canal-side cafe, a tucked-away art gallery, or a hidden courtyard bursting with local charm, share your insider tips and favorite spots that capture the authentic essence of Venice away from the tourist crowds. Let's uncover the city's best-kept secrets together!

Hey! I have an old friend coming to visit LA this weekend/Monday, and I was hoping to grab some ideas as to fun stuff we could do together. I already have it planned that we're going to go to improv shows Saturday and Monday nights, and I have some restaurants and coffeeshops (Cafe Telegrama and Doubting Thomas are my picks) in mind, but would love some additional thoughts.
Restrictions:

• No alcohol
• No extensive walking around without easy access to a bathroom (sadly rules out hiking)
• Sticking to these areas so we're not driving too far: Hollywood, East Hollywood, Koreatown, Larchmont, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Historic Filipinotown. Or anywhere near those neighborhoods that I'm forgetting. But we're not schlepping to Santa Monica or Venice if I can help it (edit: I also want to go to DTLA a little bit)

Based on the above...does anyone have any ideas?

I have high expectations because of my love of this series & the last game's poor reception. And I'm excited to play more tomorrow... I'd just like to throw my initial thoughts out here.
I knew this one would have the option with point-&-click, and I was excited about that, but I thought I'd start in Classic because my friend(18 years of Nancy) gets nauseous when the camera movement is too sensitive, and it's always been easier to spy important objects in P&C. I do enjoy "Modern," but I think this game is kind of forcing me out of Classic. I find myself being directed to look at ceiling corners and blank floors, and unable to see some signs because of the camera angle... not that weird navigation isn't a bit of the charm of these games. This weird charm does continue when I see 4 identical NPC's in the same shot, but all of them are a welcome addition... along with sprinting.
So far I'm nervous it's going to be 80% dialogue, like MIS. I've been playing these games with my friends for years, and we noticed we haven't been confronted with an actual puzzle yet, besides the classic no-muss-no-fuss-no-W2 spontaneous hire at the cafe. We crave that, but in some ways it is undeniably better writing when it's not just, "oh look, a slide puzzle on the side of this castle."
Speaking of writing, I've noticed quite a lot of reading. I can't wait for the moment the proverbial Phantom of Venice jumps off my balcony... I know it must be coming.

Hello there! Argentinian dude visiting Germany during August mostly for Waken Open Air and visiting friends in Karlsruhe to then visit shortly Munich and moving on to Italy.
I'm arriving to Hamburg on the 27th (after 33hours of flight, may God have mercy on my soul) and plan to stay there the 27th and 28th to recover from jet-lag and also walk around the city a bit. Then on the 4th of August I will come back to Hamburg to do laundry, take a proper shower and recover after the festival most likely. After that my plan is to visit my friends in Karlsruhe during the 5th, 6th and 7th. Because I am going to Italy after, I am planning on going down south and stopping for a day in Munich before catching a flight or a train to Venice next. To be completely honest I am not crazy about museums, I am more about enjoying parks/gardens/green places, local foods (preferable day-to-day not really fancy stuff) and in some rare occasions some traditional architecture. Because I am from Argentina, we are very much obsessed with schnitzel so I would very much like to try that as well.
So I have a couple of questions about these places.
Hamburg:

1. What would be the most efficient way to move from the Airport to the City?
2. I am guessing there are currency exchange options at the airport, is the rate good or should I try in the city?
3. Because I am carrying a lot of luggage and I intend to sleep in a tent at the festival I would need to find a place to store my luggage, are those kind of places common in Hamburg?
4. Any recommendation for local food joints? bakeries? or everyday places to get a nice tasty of the local food?
5. Being from latinamerica originally I know the city is mostly "safe" most likely, but any areas I should avoid after dark? I just like to wander around and get lost a bit in the city, specially if there is still open cafes or places to chill and drink something hot at night just take in the vibe.

Karlsruhe:

• I am fully aware its not that touristy compared to other places so I am just open to any suggestions whatsoever about this place.

Munich:

• Because I have such a short time in Munich I guess I am just wondering what sort of thing makes it unique or may be not so common in other cities that I should definitely check out.

Thanks a lot for all the help in advance, I will be sure to check out the SIM recommendations and the culture/etiquette posts as well just in case, having no German language knowledge does make me a bit anxious.

I currently live in South Bay but I want to move closer to bachelor life, closer to bars and restaurants, cafes and make friends. South Bay is great but maybe I can come back when I'm 45, right now I want social life and flirting with people. I'm torn between WeHo and Echo Park
Echo Park: I found a really nice apartment in Echo Park area, it's a two bedroom overlooking the downtown from the balcony. It's 10mins walk to Echo Park Lake and 10 mins drive to the Elysian Park - perfect places for my dog. I work from home so one of the two bedrooms will be my office and maybe guest room for when I have visitors. Silverlake has great bars and nightlife, I like the cafes and small restaurants and the people seem down to earth. What I don't like about the area is that it's a bit far from WeHo, Santa Monica, Venice etc. Only thing I don't like about this apartment is that you walk around the neighborhood and (I'm sorry to say) you run into houses that look like they are hiding meth labs, messy front yards with rotten wood exteriors and dirty windows.
WeHo: WeHo is WeHo, you check under a rock and you'll find a gay guy in shorts and a tank top. Nice people, clean areas, awesome restaurants and gays everywhere. Awesome! I’ve never been part of a gay area and that’s what primarily attracts me to weho. Options in terms of apartments are limited, and cost is very high. I found a relatively good apartment in a very central location, it's a 1BD with.. what they call a den for my WFH office.. I call it the living area to be fair but they say "Ohh and look you can put your couch over here.. in the kitchen!", a decent size balcony overlooking the neighbor and the pool. The worst thing about WeHo is that even $3,500 won't get you far there, but it's an amazing, clean and safe location. You have to sacrifice though sqft or quality of building.
I'm not sure guys, I wasn't really looking to live in Echo Park but that apartment is much better than a lot of places I've seen in WeHo or Hollywood. And I think if I was to live in WeHo I'd need to really settle for less when it comes to living space. So is it, Social Life or Nice Apartment?

Please, feel free to add any events below! Check out the Visitor's Guide for more things to do around town!
Looking to meet up with people? Check out Meetup St. Louis.
Be sure to continue scrolling past the Weekly Events for Trivia Nights, Live Music, Sporting Events, Local Comedy, and more!
​

• Chess at the Brewery
  • Every Wednesday
  • Local meetup group of chess players that meet at breweries on Wednesday nights. They rotate locations each week.
  • See their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chessatthebrewery/) for the location this week.
• Family Night with Fredbird
  • Wednesdays
  • Join others at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar for Family Night with Fredbird on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family down for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird from 6:30-7:30pm.
• Gateway SpeedTour at World Wide Technology Raceway
  • May 10 - 11, 2024
  • Gateway SpeedTour at World Wide Technology Raceway provides the opportunity to get close to celebrated drivers, legendary cars and much more.
  • Featuring 850-horsepower Trans Am cars, classic Covettes, historic F1 cars and more racing on the world-class track, Gateway SpeedTour offers a fun weekend for the whole family.
• Give STL Day
  • May 9, 2024
  • Join our region's largest online day of giving in which our community supports nonprofits. Visit www.givestlday.org to make a donation to the nonprofits that are important to you.
• Karaoke Wednesdays at HandleBar
  • Every Wednesday
  • Browse the catalog and find your favorite songs to sing! Songbookslive.com/stlredcarpet
• Karaoke Wednesdays at Mack's Bar & Grill
  • Every Wednesday
• Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours
  • Every Saturday
  • Landmarks Downtown St. Louis Walking Tours: History, Culture, Architecture, and Exercise: What could be better on a Saturday morning.
• Laumeier Art Fair
  • May 10 - 12, 2024
  • For three days in May, you can shop for one-of-a-kind artwork, savor tasty food and drinks, enjoy live music and entertainment and get creative with hands-on activities at one of the most unique attractions in St. Louis.
  • Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the U.S. – and the perfect setting for this exciting event.
  • Attracting more than 17,000 patrons annually, the Laumeier Art Fair showcases 150 juried artists from across the country, who exhibit work in 10 media categories: ceramics, fibetextiles, glass, jewelry, 2D mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood.
• May's Night Market at City Foundry
  • May 10, 2024
  • May's Night Market is the premiere slow fashion vendor market in St. Louis! The event features over 40 of the best vintage curators, up-cyclers and independent designers, makers and artists from around the Midwest. With a variety of aesthetics and sizes available, you're sure to find something to love no matter your style! Join others for this free, family-friendly event!
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
  • April 30 - May 12, 2024
  • The winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, draws you into a world of splendor and romance, a world of eye-popping excess, glitz, grandeur and glory. In this world, bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge!
• Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection at St. Louis Art Museum
  • February 23 - July 14, 2024
  • Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection celebrates a transformative gift of outstanding works by Native American artists active across the 20th century. The promised gift of 100 works establishes a critical junction between the Saint Louis Art Museum’s deep collection of pre-1920 Indigenous art and a growing emphasis on the contemporary.
• Nonprofit Night at the Armory
  • May 8, 2024
  • Celebrate nonprofits and get ready for the St. Louis Community Foundation’s Give STL Day during Nonprofit Night at the Armory!
    • Enjoy food and beverages, including a specialty cocktail
    • Explore 25,000 feet of interactive game space
    • Meet Give STL Day nonprofits
  • Plus, participate in St. Louis-themed trivia for a chance to win a portion of the $10,000 CASH prize pool for your favorite local nonprofit.
• Open Mic Night at Schlafly Bottleworks (Maplewood)
  • Every Wednesday
  • Join others every Wednesday evening and showcase your talents with our Open Mic Night! Open sign up begins at 6:30PM with music starting at 7:00PM. They welcome original material, covers and spoken word! Grab a beer, then play and listen every Wednesday! There are no cover charges and no drink minimums to attend.
• Soulard Farmer's Market
  • Wednesdays - Saturdays
  • Soulard Farmers Market is located at 730 Carroll Street in St. Louis, Missouri, a half mile north of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The market is open Wednesday through Saturday, year round. They feature locally grown and shipped in goods, including: produce, meats, cheeses, spices, gourmet kettle corn, flowers, baked goods, and general merchandise. There are also several different eateries that have many food options, which allows customers the convenience to grab a quick bite to eat and a drink while shopping.
• Sunday Bingo at Tim's Chrome Bar
  • Every Sunday
  • Get in the mood for some fun with an afternoon of BINGO at Tim’s. They'll supply the cards and daubers. Just bring yourself and your BINGO loving friends. Play for some good laughs and a variety prizes. Bar opens at 12 p.m., they'll start BINGO at 3 p.m. Cheers!
• St. Louis CITY Block Party
  • May 11, 2024
  • Before the St. Louis CITY SC match kickoff, get the party started early with live music, food and drinks on Lou Fusz Plaza! CITY SC presents the free CITY Block Party featuring live performances from Thomas Day, Lani Rose and DJ Mahf, as well as local food and beverage vendors, fan giveaways, and games and activities for all ages.
  • The block party is free and open to the public. If you don’t have tickets to the match, stay to catch CITY take on Chicago Fire on the big screen at the free Watch Party on the plaza (7:30 pm kickoff).
• St. Louis CITY Street Party at Schlafly Tap Room
  • May 11, 2024
  • In celebration of ALL home soccer games, Schlafly will close down "Louligan Street" and support our team the only way we know how: great food, drinks, and fun. There are beer tents, food trucks, special (game day and late night) menus, and more. Get here early and park!
• St. Louis Microfest
  • May 11, 2024
  • Join your fellow beer lovers at the annual St. Louis Microfest, where you can sip suds from local, national and international breweries.
  • The spring festival also includes tasty food and live music.
• St. Louis Scottish Games at Schroeder Park
  • May 11, 2024
  • The St. Louis Scottish Games are hosting a one-day celebration of all things Scottish including men’s and women’s Scottish Heavy Athletics competitions (featuring the iconic caber toss), Highland Dancing competitions, bagpiping competitions, Scottish clan gatherings, sheep herding demonstrations and a Tug-O-War competition.
  • The event also includes Kids’ Activities, Scottish food and drink, a Scottish vendor village and much more! There will musical entertainment all day with a variety of Scottish musicians including the Celtic rock band, the Mudmen from Canada! The Mudmen are known as ‘Celtic Rock Warriors’ and feature bagpipes, acoustic and electric guitar and drums!
• Thursday Nights at the Museum
  • Every Thursday
  • Kick off your weekend at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park! Each Thursday Night at the Museum will be the most fun, engaging, uplifting, thought-provoking, perspective-shaping night of your week. And there are drinks.
  • Join others starting at 5:30pm for happy hour and pop-up activities, such as brief tours, games, and performances. The main stage comes to life at 6:30pm, light appetizers and drinks are available for purchase until 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits are open until 8:00pm for you to explore!
• Tower Grove Farmer's Market
  • Every Tuesday & Saturday
  • Join others every Saturday of the 2023 Tower Grove Farmers Market Season. They'll have over 100 vendors with local produce, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, prepared foods, art, jewelry, live music, and so much more.
• Vietnam: At War and At Home at Soldiers Memorial
  • Running until May 27, 2024
  • In 'Vietnam: At War and At Home' at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, the story of the war’s origins, execution, conclusion and legacy are presented in engaging, accessible and evocative ways. The exhibit presents a diverse and holistic snapshot of the turbulent times in Vietnam, in the U.S. and in the St. Louis region.

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Sporting Events This Week	Attractions Around the Area	Comedy This Week
St. Louis Cardinals schedule	Anheuser-Busch Brewery	Funny Bone Comedy Club
St. Louis Blues schedule	City Museum	Helium Comedy Club
St. Louis City SC schedule	Gateway Arch	The Improv Shop
St. Louis Battlehawks schedule	Missouri History Museum
St. Louis Billikens schedule	National Blues Museum

​

Trivia Nights
Location	Date/Time	More Information
Anheuser-Busch Biergarten	Tuesdays 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
Bar K	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
City Foundry	Thursdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Crack Fox	Mondays 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm	They host a weekly free tournament and game night. Emphasis on Non Alcoholic refreshments and camaraderie.
Joey B's on the Hill	Mondays 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm	Trivia Details
Nick's Pub	Mondays
Felix's Pizza Pub	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
ITAP (Delmar Loop)	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
ITAP (Soulard)	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Schlafly Brewpubs (Any Location)	Tuesdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Rockwell Beer Co	Tuesdays	Trivia Details (Reservations required)
The Mack	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
The Pat Connolly Tavern	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
The Post	Wednesdays 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm	Trivia Details
Pieces Board Game Bar & Cafe	Wednesdays	Trivia Details
HandleBar	Thursdays at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Steve's Hot Dogs	Tuesdays 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Trivia Details
Wellspent Brewing	Thursdays at 7:00 pm

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Live Music This Week
Music Venues	Live Music Around Town
Blueberry Hill Duck Room	1860 Saloon
Chesterfield Amphitheater	BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Delmar Hall	Broadway Oyster Bar
Enterprise Center	City Foundry
The Fabulous Fox Theatre	Gallery Pub
The Factory	Game 6 Honky Tonk
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre	Gaslight Lounge
Off Broadway	The Heavy Anchor
Old Rock House	Jazz St. Louis
The Pageant	Joe's Cafe
Red Flag	The Lot on the Landing
The Sheldon	Tim's Chrome Bar
St. Louis Music Park	McGurk's
St. Louis Symphony Concert Calendar	SoFar St. Louis Secret performances around town
Stifel Theatre	Venice Cafe
	Yaquis on Cherokee

​

Recurring Outdoor Activities
Big Muddy Adventures – STL Riverfront Adventure	Big Muddy Adventures was established in 2002. They are the first professional outfitteguiding company providing access to the wild wonders of the Middle Mississippi and Lower Missouri Rivers.
Gateway Arch Events	There are a variety of things to do along the Mississippi River.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort	Ziplining, scenic chairlift rides, and hiking trails opened during the summer. Skiing, snowboarding during the winter.

​

Hi, I’m a solo female traveler and I’ll be in Salzburg for a day in July and am planning to take a train to Venice (Trevisio particularly) from there after I explore the town. As there aren’t many trains going to Venice/Trevisio from Salzburg, my only option is a 2 AM train. Naturally, my main concern is my safety. I’ve read that Salzburg is a fairly safe town, but that still won’t guarantee that I won’t get pickpocketed or have my luggage stolen from next to me if I decide to nap somewhere—even in the station. I know I’m going to be exhausted as heck as I’d be coming from Munich in the morning and I’d really rather not spend so much for a night in a hotel when I’m likely not gonna spend the night knowing I’m supposed to be in Venice the next morning.
So, I guess what I’m hoping to find is maybe something of a 24Hour Cafe I can rest in, or preferably one of those hourly travel capsules I can rent out for a couple of hours like they have in Japan if there is such a thing in Austria or Salzburg. If any of you have any experiences or suggestions you can share with me, I’d deeply appreciate it.
Thank you!

Hi, I’m a solo female traveler and I’ll be in Salzburg for a day in July and am planning to take a train to Venice (Trevisio particularly) from there after I explore the town. As there aren’t many trains going to Venice/Trevisio from Salzburg, my only option is a 2 AM train. Naturally, my main concern is my safety. I’ve read that Salzburg is a fairly safe town, but that still won’t guarantee that I won’t get pickpocketed or have my luggage stolen from next to me if I decide to nap somewhere—even in the station. I know I’m going to be exhausted as heck as I’d be coming from Munich in the morning and I’d really rather not spend so much for a night in a hotel when I’m likely not gonna spend the night knowing I’m supposed to be in Venice the next morning.
So, I guess what I’m hoping to find is maybe something of a 24Hour Cafe I can rest in, or preferably one of those hourly travel capsules I can rent out for a couple of hours like they have in Japan if there is such a thing in Austria or Salzburg. If any of you have any experiences or suggestions you can share with me, I’d deeply appreciate it.
Thank you!

I'm gonna be visiting Italy from the end of June to the middle of July. I'm living in Turkey which is a pretty homophobic country, not as bad as some other muslim countries where homosexuality is illegal, but gay rights aren't protected in any proper way in the constitution and showing gay characters on TV can be fined. Socially it isn't the best either as the general public isn't very accepting. I doubt that I can live as myself authentically and experience gay life even in university, thus I'm gonna be hopefully leaving the country after university but that's still 6 years away.
Due to all of these I want to experience gay life and be my authentic self as much as I can when I visit Italy. What I mean by this is hooking up, going to a night club, meeting other LGBT people, going to a pride parade and maybe even going on a date if I can meet someone during the 2 weeks I'm there. The only problem is, I will be 17 -5 months shy of turning 18- when I visit. From my research I know that the age of consent is 14 while the age of going to a club is 16 (however many places have an age restriction of 18). I know that age of drinking is 18 and I'm not interested in that.
I want to meet people around my age (16-20) when it comes to any romantic/sexual relationship and when it comes to meeting other LGBT people. I want to make it clear that I understand that not everyone would be interested in/find it uncomfortable to have a relationship with someone younger than 18, so I'll make it clear upfront that I am 17. I'm not trying to trick people or get taken advantage of by a 30 something guy. I'm kinda worried about that last part as I'll be alone (it's not like I can ask my mom to come with me lol) so I wanna stay as safe as possible.
Also I had a question regarding dating apps, all the ones I know have an age restriction of 18, is there any apps that are an exceptions to this? Should I download them and make my real age clear while chatting with people or should I just steer away from them completely.
I'm gonna be visiting with my family and they know that I'm gay (they're not the biggest fans of it but not hateful towards me either). I'm mostly going to be at the major tourist cities, so Milan, Rome and Venice. I speak B2/C1 English but not a lick of Italian.
After reading all of these, is there any tips and suggestions that y'all can give me? It could be places to visit like cafes, bars, pride parades; or things to keep in mind to stay safe, I really don't want to regret anything I do. I appreciate all the help :)

I'm gonna be visiting Italy from the end of June to the middle of July. I'm living in Turkey which is a pretty homophobic country, not as bad as some other muslim countries where homosexuality is illegal, but gay rights aren't protected in any proper way in the constitution and showing gay characters on TV can be fined. Socially it isn't the best either as the general public isn't very accepting. I doubt that I can live as myself authentically and experience gay life even in university, thus I'm gonna be hopefully leaving the country after university but that's still 6 years away.
Due to all of these I want to experience gay life and be my authentic self as much as I can when I visit Italy. What I mean by this is hooking up, going to a night club, meeting other LGBT people, going to a pride parade and maybe even going on a date if I can meet someone during the 2 weeks I'm there. The only problem is, I will be 17 -5 months shy of turning 18- when I visit. From my research I know that the age of consent is 14 while the age of going to a club is 16 (however many places have an age restriction of 18). I know that age of drinking is 18 and I'm not interested in that.
I want to meet people around my age (16-20) when it comes to any romantic/sexual relationship and when it comes to meeting other LGBT people. I want to make it clear that I understand that not everyone would be interested in/find it uncomfortable to have a relationship with someone younger than 18, so I'll make it clear upfront that I am 17. I'm not trying to trick people or get taken advantage of by a 30 something guy. I'm kinda worried about that last part as I'll be alone (it's not like I can ask my mom to come with me lol) so I wanna stay as safe as possible.
Also I had a question regarding dating apps, all the ones I know have an age restriction of 18, is there any apps that are an exceptions to this? Should I download them and make my real age clear while chatting with people or should I just steer away from them completely.
I'm gonna be visiting with my family and they know that I'm gay (they're not the biggest fans of it but not hateful towards me either). I'm mostly going to be at the major tourist cities, so Milan, Rome and Venice. I speak B2/C1 English but not a lick of Italian.
After reading all of these, is there any tips and suggestions that y'all can give me? It could be places to visit like cafes, bars, pride parades; or things to keep in mind to stay safe, I really don't want to regret anything I do. I appreciate all the help :)

I'm gonna be visiting Italy from the end of June to the middle of July. I'm living in Turkey which is a pretty homophobic country, not as bad as some other muslim countries where homosexuality is illegal, but gay rights aren't protected in any proper way in the constitution and showing gay characters on TV can be fined. Socially it isn't the best either as the general public isn't very accepting. I doubt that I can live as myself authentically and experience gay life even in university, thus I'm gonna be hopefully leaving the country after university but that's still 6 years away.
Due to all of these I want to experience gay life and be my authentic self as much as I can when I visit Italy. What I mean by this is hooking up, going to a night club, meeting other LGBT people, going to a pride parade and maybe even going on a date if I can meet someone during the 2 weeks I'm there. The only problem is, I will be 17 -5 months shy of turning 18- when I visit. From my research I know that the age of consent is 14 while the age of going to a club is 16 (however many places have an age restriction of 18). I know that age of drinking is 18 and I'm not interested in that.
I want to meet people around my age (16-20) when it comes to any romantic/sexual relationship and when it comes to meeting other LGBT people. I want to make it clear that I understand that not everyone would be interested in/find it uncomfortable to have a relationship with someone younger than 18, so I'll make it clear upfront that I am 17. I'm not trying to trick people or get taken advantage of by a 30 something guy. I'm kinda worried about that last part as I'll be alone (it's not like I can ask my mom to come with me lol) so I wanna stay as safe as possible.
Also I had a question regarding dating apps, all the ones I know have an age restriction of 18, is there any apps that are an exceptions to this? Should I download them and make my real age clear while chatting with people or should I just steer away from them completely.
I'm gonna be visiting with my family and they know that I'm gay (they're not the biggest fans of it but not hateful towards me either). I'm mostly going to be at the major tourist cities, so Milan, Rome and Venice. I speak B2/C1 English but not a lick of Italian.
After reading all of these, is there any tips and suggestions that y'all can give me? It could be places to visit like cafes, bars, pride parades; or things to keep in mind to stay safe, I really don't want to regret anything I do. I appreciate all the help :)

Embarking on a journey through Europe with your beloved is a dream come true for many newlyweds. From the romantic streets of Paris to the picturesque coastlines of Greece, Europe offers a wealth of enchanting destinations perfect for honeymooners. Let's uncover some of the best Europe honeymoon packages that promise to create memories to last a lifetime.
First stop on our European honeymoon adventure is the iconic city of Paris, often referred to as the "City of Love." With its charming cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and world-class cuisine, Paris sets the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. Honeymoon packages to Paris often include guided tours of famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum, as well as romantic cruises along the Seine River and intimate dinners at cozy bistros. Whether you're strolling hand in hand along the Champs-Élysées, admiring the views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, or sipping champagne at a sidewalk cafe, Paris offers endless opportunities for romance and enchantment.
For couples seeking a fairytale setting, a honeymoon in Santorini, Greece, is sure to captivate the heart. Known for its stunning sunsets, whitewashed buildings, and crystal-clear waters, Santorini is a picture-perfect paradise nestled in the Aegean Sea. Honeymoon packages to Santorini often include stays in luxurious cliffside villas with private infinity pools overlooking the caldera, as well as romantic sunset cruises, wine tastings at local vineyards, and candlelit dinners against the backdrop of the shimmering sea. Whether you're exploring ancient ruins, lounging on black sand beaches, or indulging in fresh seafood and local wines, Santorini offers a magical escape for newlyweds looking to celebrate their love in style.
For a taste of old-world charm and romance, consider a honeymoon in Venice, Italy, the "City of Canals." With its labyrinthine waterways, historic palaces, and ornate bridges, Venice exudes an air of timeless elegance and sophistication. Honeymoon packages to Venice often include romantic gondola rides along the Grand Canal, guided tours of iconic landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, and leisurely walks through charming neighborhoods like Dorsoduro and Cannaregio. Indulge in delectable Italian cuisine at cozy trattorias, sip espresso at quaint cafes, and savor gelato as you wander through the city's enchanting streets hand in hand with your beloved.
In conclusion, Europe offers a wealth of enchanting destinations perfect for honeymooners seeking romance, adventure, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're dreaming of exploring the streets of Paris, lounging on the beaches of Santorini, or cruising the canals of Venice, Europe honeymoon packages promise to create memories that will last a lifetime. So why wait? Start planning your dream honeymoon today and unveil the best of Europe with these unforgettable packages for newlyweds.

Hi fellow redditors!
Will be going to China this October with a friend (2 males) and would like to see if there are any suggestions or things that we should definitely not miss out. I would say the main purpose of the visit is for the FOOD and also the SCENARY.
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Below itinerary is generated by ChatGPT and seems pretty okay:

Day 1-3: Chengdu

Day 1:

• Arrival in Chengdu: Arrive in Chengdu, settle into your accommodation.
• Jinli Ancient Street: Explore this vibrant street with its traditional architecture, teahouses, and local snacks.
• Sichuan Opera: Attend a Sichuan Opera performance for a taste of local culture.

Day 2:

• Giant Panda Breeding Research Base: Spend your morning observing giant pandas in their natural habitat.
• Wenshu Monastery: Visit this serene Buddhist temple, known for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful gardens.
• Hotpot Dinner: Indulge in a traditional Sichuan hotpot dinner for a spicy culinary experience.

Day 3:

• Leshan Giant Buddha: Take a day trip to see the world's largest stone Buddha statue, carved into a cliff face.
• Mt. Emei: If time permits, visit Mount Emei, a sacred Buddhist site with stunning natural scenery and historic temples.

Day 4-6: Zhangjiajie

Day 4:

• Travel to Zhangjiajie: Take a flight or train to Zhangjiajie.
• Wulingyuan Scenic Area: Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site known for its towering sandstone pillars and lush forests.

Day 5:

• Tianmen Mountain: Ride the world's longest cable car to the top of Tianmen Mountain for breathtaking views and thrilling glass walkways.
• Tianmen Cave: Walk through the natural arch known as "Heaven's Door."

Day 6:

• Avatar Hallelujah Mountain: Visit the inspiration behind the floating mountains in the movie Avatar.
• Golden Whip Stream: Take a leisurely hike along this scenic stream, surrounded by towering cliffs.

Day 7-10: Shanghai

Day 7:

• Travel to Shanghai: Take a flight or train to Shanghai.
• The Bund: Enjoy a stroll along this iconic waterfront promenade with stunning views of Shanghai's skyline.
• Nanjing Road: Explore one of the world's busiest shopping streets, lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

Day 8:

• Yu Garden: Wander through this traditional Chinese garden with classical architecture, ponds, and rockeries.
• Shanghai Museum: Discover ancient Chinese art, artifacts, and cultural relics at this renowned museum.
• Shanghai Tower: Ascend to the observation deck of the Shanghai Tower for panoramic views of the city.

Day 9:

• Zhujiajiao Water Town: Take a day trip to this ancient water town, known as the "Venice of Shanghai," with its narrow canals, stone bridges, and historic buildings.
• Xintiandi: Spend your evening in this trendy district, filled with chic boutiques, cafes, and restaurants.

Day 10:

• Free Day / Departure: Use your last day to revisit any favorite spots, do some last-minute shopping, or simply relax before your departure.

​
Open to any suggestion or must visit places/foods!

VENICE
Day 1: We arrived in Venice in the evening after a long flight... Took the boat taxi into Venice (took a while because the Orange line comes every 45 minutes). Checked into our hotel and explored the islands a bit -- managed to go to Vino Vero for cicchetti and wine until we decided it was time to hit the hay.
Day 2: Woke up early to go out for a walk around Venice (the fog made everything look so...ethereal) and to avoid the day-trippers. Started off at the Rialto, then visited the Mocenigo Palace Museum. We originally thought we had too long of a list on our 'first real day' in the city, but managed to get through everything before 1PM since most of them were checking out the facades of old churches and visiting bridges (like Ponte delle Tette). We found L' Bacaro de' Bischeri to have incredibly delicious sandwiches! Had a few drinks at Hotel Danielli, then we headed back to the hotel to rest. We were originally going to get dinner at Antico Dolo, but went to Dal Moro's instead (not bad)!
Day 3: We visited St. Mark's Square early in the morning and took photos of the empty square (except it was full of construction barriers!). We also visited Cafe Florian to take some photos of the interior and also for the...expensive espressos. We tried to get into the garden, but it was closed! So we instead did some shopping until our timed entry at Ca'Rezzonico. We got some gelato at Grom and headed back to our hotel for a quick rest and to drop off our bags until our next timed entry, which was at Peggy Guggenheim. From there, we visited Palazzo Grassi (it was a spur of the moment decision)! We had dinner at Trattoria Anzolo Raffaele. Absolutely wonderful dining experience.
Day 4: We took a morning tour of Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica, which ate up a good portion of our time (it was a great tour!) and for lunch, we went to L' Bacaro de' Bischeri again. We also decided to get an aperol spritz at Trattoria San Polo in Campo San Polo. We visited Carlo Goldini's House and Gallerie dell'Accademia, which housed some fantastic paintings. Finally, for our last day in Venice, we went up to the rooftop of the Fondaco dei Tedeschi for a phenomenal view of the city and its canals. Dinner was at L'Anice Stellato.
BOLOGNA
Day 5: We arrived a little past noon in this beautifully red city. Literally the first thing we did after getting the keys to our AirBnb was walk right over to Mo Mortadella lab... This is where I discovered (re-discovered?) my love for cured meats. From there, we walked to the university, and doubled back for a disappointing gelato that I don't remember the name of. We went to Mercato delle Erbe to pick up cheese, a stick of salami, tomatoes, artichoke, and basil.
Day 6: We didn't structure Bologna as strictly as we did for Venice (no timed entry tickets were purchased), so we had the leisure of doing whatever we wanted on the itinerary we built. We first checked out the Tourist Office where we purchased tickets to climb the clocktower at Palazzo d'Accursio (this was really cool) and we got a very beautiful view of Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio, and the land surrounding the city. You also got a view of the 666 porticos leading up to Santuario Madonna di San Luca (which we eventually walked up the next day). We filled our time with museums (Archaeological Museum of Bologna and Teatro Anatomico), ate at Tigellino, grabbed a gelato at Cremeria Cavour, and sat at a bar in front of a piazza and sipped on aperol spritzes until it was time for dinner at Trattoria da me. (I especially enjoyed the crescentine plate. I could've had just that for my entree.)
Day 7: Again, we didn't have anything planned, so we took this day in stride, visiting vintage shops, grabbing fresh pasta at Le Sfogline, making sure to hit up Pasta Fresca Naldi (we were number two in line) for lasagna, tortellini, etc. Then to burn off our lunch, we hit the road to walk up to San Luca, but not before stopping at the storied Stadio Renato Dall'Ara to pay tribute to Bologna FC! (It was on the way, so we figured why not!). The walk up the hill to San Luca took longer than expected. It's straight up a hill and my god, what a workout for your glutes. I would not recommend walking up when it hits 80F+ -- we were sweating even at 70F and we consider ourselves relatively fit! The views are worth it though, and you can go up to the top of the basilica (if you pay, of course). We finished the day off with cooking our pastas and enjoying the veggies we had bought earlier, and walked to the most delicious gelato of the trip at Cremeria Santo Stefano.
FLORENCE
Day 8: Okay, so I have a confession to make. Florence was an after-thought in this itinerary. We were originally going to make Florence a day trip from Bologna, but changed to a single night in this wonderfully beautiful city, which ended up being a mistake, because after having spent one night there, I wanted to stay even longer. We stayed not too far from the train station (this is how we got around from city to city) -- and our lunch was at I Re d'Egitto -- a small kebab shop that was pretty dang good. We hit up all of the necessary spots like the Duomo, the Basilica Santa Maria Novella, and Ponte Vecchio. I did manage to get tickets to get to Boboli Gardens, so we spent a fair amount of time exploring it! Pitti Palace looked amazing -- it was a bummer not to have gone in. Our dinner was at Acqua Al 2 -- interestingly enough, all of the patrons spoke American English. No Italian was heard. We had the steak (balsamic vinegar sauce and the blackberry sauce) and I was honestly super surprised -- they were delicious!
ROME
Day 9: We had a few hours to kill until we departed for Rome, so we managed to get tickets to Torre di Arnolfo the night before and climbed it for a breathtaking view of the city. Man, Florence is just beautiful. We left Florence and ended up in Rome a few hours later. Our Airbnb was in Monti and the neighborhood reminded me a lot of Paris mixed with Mexico City and a little bit of New York thrown in for good measure. The first thing we did in Rome was go to the closest supermarket to buy wine and snacks. Then we did a bit of exploring the neighborhood to get our bearings. For lunch, we found a sandwich shop called Fuorinorma and got the porchetta sandwich that I gave 5 stars. Walked to the Roman Forum, where all I did was say "Holy shit, holy shit" and the like because honestly, I could not imagine the grandeur of Roman buildings until I saw it in person. Dinner was a sandwich from All'antico Vinaio which turned out to be an incredible letdown due to the bread being hard and having to substitute pancetta for proscuitto that had some hard bits in it! We ate the sandwiches in front of the Pantheon, which made for an incredible view.
Day 10: We had a walking tour (same company that operated the tour in Venice) of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. I really suggest taking a tour of the forum because: 1. the tour guides explain the importance of the temples and buildings that once stood; 2. they take you through in a chronological manner; 3. the tours are structured in a way that lets you absorb the information without getting too down-in-the-details (unless you start asking super specific questions). The colosseum, as you could imagine was shoulder-to-shoulder crowded, but thanks to the tour, we skipped all that, and entered rather quickly. (They did have to check passports/ID upon entry to both the Forum and colosseum, just FYI!) After the tour, we walked over to the Circus Maximus, walked along the length of it, headed into the city center, where we quickly learned that moving around Trevi Fountain will add 10+ minutes to your walk. We visited Piazza Navona, then walked back down to the Vittorio Emanuele Monument. For dinner, we ended up at Piatto Romano. The greens were delicious and so was the pasta. I got the spaghettoni amatriciana. Fantastic.
Day 11: The only pressing thing we had to do this day was a timed entry to the Pantheon. We just did some sightseeing -- Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, walking up the Spanish Steps, heading to Piazza del Popolo, getting lunch at some mediocre restaurant only because we didn't have coins for the bathroom...! Anyway, I think we logged about 14 miles this day walking from one end of the city to the other. The Pantheon was really cool -- insane how they constructed this giant dome (they apparently had filled it with sand before putting concrete over it). For dinner, we managed to get into Trattoria da Mario. The camerierie was super attentive and cordial -- I think he appreciated that we tried to order and ask questions in Italian.
Day 12: This was our museum day -- we hit up the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Friars, Villa Medici, and Galleria Borghese in a span of six hours. We did it! And survived. I think relaxing in the park and going out on a rowboat also helped us relax (although I did the rowing). We went back to Fuorinorma for a cold cut platter and another round of porchetta sandwiches.
Day 13: We went to Hadrian's Villa via metro. We got lost (took Metro B towards Jonio, when we needed to take the B line to Rebibbia). We got off at one of the stops and walked towards the Bologna metro stop (took about an hour!) because the train did not come (we had been waiting for 30 min...) and fortunately for us, the Rebibbia train came within moments of us entering the Bologna station. Anyway, Hadrian's Villa is...how can I put this into words? Fricking HUGE. It will...leave you speechless. I was walking around open mouthed. The size of the compounds is...well, huge. When we got back into the city, we took a cab to Trastevere to get to Janiculum Hill, and got some suppli from Suppli and some pizza. The suppli was delicious. We also got some gelato and a cannoli from Fior di Luna and that was spectacular. But in retrospect, I'm glad we didn't spend too much time in Trastevere -- we didn't care for the youthful vibe. (Our friends from Rome also said the food quality there is not too good and mostly for tourists, but that's just an opinion from them!)
Day 14: We visited Palazzo Colonna and my goodness it was an absolutely beautiful palazzo (still owned by the same family) and we were greeted by the Count himself! Very, very cool. Then we made our way to the Baths of Caracalla -- for some weird reason, I enjoyed this more than I expected. We originally planned to check out Appian Way, but by this time, we were exhausted and I think we made the right decision. We had dinner in Pigneto at an osteria, but not before we filled our stomach with cold cuts and aperol spritzes around the same location!
Day 15: Flew out of FCO!
Things I learned:

1. Rest time is crucial to enjoy yourself. You're walking 10+ miles a day (which includes shuffling around museums) and you will get tired. (This will also save you from complaining and annoying your travel partner(s)!)
2. Gelato is a MUST during hot days. And the sugar will give you a little pick-me-up.
3. Cafe espresso will also help with pick-me-ups.
4. Have one euro coins for public bathrooms! You will need it to use them.
5. Book your museum tickets in advance!
6. For larger and popular neighborhoods / cities, absolutely book a reservation for dinner.
7. Have a rough idea of what and where you'd like to go. And try to view attractions within the vicinity! (This applies to any trip you take.)
8. Wear comfortable shoes -- I brought hiking boots that look like sneakers and they were extremely helpful with ankle support and comfort for all of our long walking days.
9. Bring sunscreen!
10. Brush up on some Italian phrases :)
11. Enjoy your limited time!

Please, feel free to add any events below! Check out the Visitor's Guide for more things to do around town!
Looking to meet up with people? Check out Meetup St. Louis.
Be sure to continue scrolling past the Weekly Events for Trivia Nights, Live Music, Sporting Events, Local Comedy, and more!
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Cinco de Mayo Events

• Cinco de Mayo Festival on Cherokee Street
  • May 4, 2024
  • Cherokee Street Cinco De Mayo has evolved into one of the largest and most diverse festivals in the St. Louis area, bringing together more than 30,000 attendees to celebrate the rich, multicultural, spirited and eclectic community within the Cherokee Street neighborhood and surrounding area.
• Delmar Loop Taco Crawl
  • May 5, 2024
  • Head to the Delmar Loop on May 5th from 4-8 p.m. to celebrate Cinco De Mayo with a Taco Crawl! Participating restaurants will be creating a specialty taco for this event. Guests will receive Taco Tickets to take with them and be turned in at each location along the crawl.
• Fiesta de Mayo at Ballpark Village
  • May 5, 2024
  • It’s time to party! Ballpark Village will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a St. Louis Cardinals watch party, specialty Una Vida cocktails, Una Vida tequila tastings, games and live entertainment from LosDeLaLou following the game.
• Fiesta de Mayo 5k in Webster Groves
  • May 5, 2024
  • Enjoy a scenic 5K course that wanders among the stately homes in beautiful Webster Groves then celebrate with a snow cone or refreshing margarita.

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Weekly Events

• Animals Aglow Lantern Festival
  • March 13 - May 4, 2024 (Wednesdays through Sundays)
  • The first-ever Animals Aglow lantern festival will bring a dazzling spectacle of lights to the Saint Louis Zoo.
  • More than 60 larger-than-life Chinese lanterns, along with interactive light displays in the shape of plants and animals, will illuminate paths throughout the Zoo in this nighttime event.
  • Guests can stroll through the colorful Chinese Dragon Corridor, pose with giant glowing animals and play with interactive displays such as the Moonlight Swings and the Star Stepping Pads.
• Cardinals HOF Presents: Flashback Fridays
  • May 3, 2024
  • Visit the Cardinals Museum for a candid interview hosted by Tom Ackerman in the Sportsman's Park Theater with former Cardinals Pitcher Cal Eldred on Friday, May 3rd at 4:30pm.
• Cardinals HOF Presents: Saturday Signings
  • May 4, 2024
  • Saturday, May 4th is Saturday Signings with former Cardinals Pitcher Cal Eldred from 10am-12pm in the Cardinals Museum!
• Chess at the Brewery
  • Every Wednesday
  • Local meetup group of chess players that meet at breweries on Wednesday nights. They rotate locations each week.
  • See their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/chessatthebrewery/) for the location this week.
• Family Night with Fredbird
  • Wednesdays
  • Join others at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar for Family Night with Fredbird on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family down for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird from 6:30-7:30pm.
• Karaoke Wednesdays at HandleBar
  • Every Wednesday
  • Browse the catalog and find your favorite songs to sing! Songbookslive.com/stlredcarpet
• Karaoke Wednesdays at Mack's Bar & Grill
  • Every Wednesday
• Landmarks Downtown Walking Tours
  • Every Saturday
  • Landmarks Downtown St. Louis Walking Tours: History, Culture, Architecture, and Exercise: What could be better on a Saturday morning.
• Micro Run in Queeny Park
  • May 4, 2024
  • Get ready for a fun 5K run through beautiful Queeny Park! After you cross the finish line you'll have an opportunity to enjoy refreshments & snacks, visit with our vendors, enjoy entertainment, and a demonstration from Lift For Life Gym's Youth Olympics Weightlifting and Powerlifting Teams!
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Fabulous Fox Theatre
  • April 30 - May 12, 2024
  • The winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, draws you into a world of splendor and romance, a world of eye-popping excess, glitz, grandeur and glory. In this world, bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge!
• Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection at St. Louis Art Museum
  • February 23 - July 14, 2024
  • Native American Art of the 20th Century: The William P. Healey Collection celebrates a transformative gift of outstanding works by Native American artists active across the 20th century. The promised gift of 100 works establishes a critical junction between the Saint Louis Art Museum’s deep collection of pre-1920 Indigenous art and a growing emphasis on the contemporary.
• Open Mic Night at Schlafly Bottleworks (Maplewood)
  • Every Wednesday
  • Join others every Wednesday evening and showcase your talents with our Open Mic Night! Open sign up begins at 6:30PM with music starting at 7:00PM. They welcome original material, covers and spoken word! Grab a beer, then play and listen every Wednesday! There are no cover charges and no drink minimums to attend.
• Rosé Day in Central West End
  • May 4, 2024
  • Rosé Day, a walking wine festival celebrating our favorite pink drink, will take place in the Central West End on May 4.
  • Tickets include a portable Rosé Day wine glass and a passport with more than 10 designated tasting stations, where you’ll get two-ounce samples of hand-selected wines.
  • Along the route, local musicians and artists will provide entertainment, and you can shop at pop-up vendors and storefronts throughout the day.
• Soulard Farmer's Market
  • Wednesdays - Saturdays
  • Soulard Farmers Market is located at 730 Carroll Street in St. Louis, Missouri, a half mile north of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The market is open Wednesday through Saturday, year round. They feature locally grown and shipped in goods, including: produce, meats, cheeses, spices, gourmet kettle corn, flowers, baked goods, and general merchandise. There are also several different eateries that have many food options, which allows customers the convenience to grab a quick bite to eat and a drink while shopping.
• Sunday Bingo at Tim's Chrome Bar
  • Every Sunday
  • Get in the mood for some fun with an afternoon of BINGO at Tim’s. They'll supply the cards and daubers. Just bring yourself and your BINGO loving friends. Play for some good laughs and a variety prizes. Bar opens at 12 p.m., they'll start BINGO at 3 p.m. Cheers!
• Thursday Nights at the Museum
  • Every Thursday
  • Kick off your weekend at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park! Each Thursday Night at the Museum will be the most fun, engaging, uplifting, thought-provoking, perspective-shaping night of your week. And there are drinks.
  • Join others starting at 5:30pm for happy hour and pop-up activities, such as brief tours, games, and performances. The main stage comes to life at 6:30pm, light appetizers and drinks are available for purchase until 7:00pm, and the Museum’s exhibits are open until 8:00pm for you to explore!
• Tower Grove Farmer's Market
  • Every Tuesday & Saturday
  • Join others every Saturday of the 2023 Tower Grove Farmers Market Season. They'll have over 100 vendors with local produce, meat, flowers, eggs, honey, prepared foods, art, jewelry, live music, and so much more.
• Vietnam: At War and At Home at Soldiers Memorial
  • Running until May 27, 2024
  • In 'Vietnam: At War and At Home' at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, the story of the war’s origins, execution, conclusion and legacy are presented in engaging, accessible and evocative ways. The exhibit presents a diverse and holistic snapshot of the turbulent times in Vietnam, in the U.S. and in the St. Louis region.

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Sporting Events This Week	Attractions Around the Area	Comedy This Week
St. Louis Cardinals schedule	Anheuser-Busch Brewery	Funny Bone Comedy Club
St. Louis Blues schedule	City Museum	Helium Comedy Club
St. Louis City SC schedule	Gateway Arch	The Improv Shop
St. Louis Battlehawks schedule	Missouri History Museum
St. Louis Billikens schedule	National Blues Museum

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Trivia Nights
Location	Date/Time	More Information
Anheuser-Busch Biergarten	Tuesdays 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
Bar K	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
City Foundry	Thursdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Crack Fox	Mondays 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm	They host a weekly free tournament and game night. Emphasis on Non Alcoholic refreshments and camaraderie.
Joey B's on the Hill	Mondays 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm	Trivia Details
Nick's Pub	Mondays
Felix's Pizza Pub	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
ITAP (Delmar Loop)	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
ITAP (Soulard)	Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Schlafly Brewpubs (Any Location)	Tuesdays 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Rockwell Beer Co	Tuesdays	Trivia Details (Reservations required)
The Mack	Tuesdays at 8:00 pm	Trivia Details
The Pat Connolly Tavern	Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
The Post	Wednesdays 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm	Trivia Details
Pieces Board Game Bar & Cafe	Wednesdays	Trivia Details
HandleBar	Thursdays at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm	Trivia Details
Steve's Hot Dogs	Tuesdays 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm	Trivia Details
Wellspent Brewing	Thursdays at 7:00 pm

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Live Music This Week
Music Venues	Live Music Around Town
Blueberry Hill Duck Room	1860 Saloon
Chesterfield Amphitheater	BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups
Delmar Hall	Broadway Oyster Bar
Enterprise Center	City Foundry
The Fabulous Fox Theatre	Gallery Pub
The Factory	Game 6 Honky Tonk
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre	Gaslight Lounge
Off Broadway	The Heavy Anchor
Old Rock House	Jazz St. Louis
The Pageant	Joe's Cafe
Red Flag	The Lot on the Landing
The Sheldon	Tim's Chrome Bar
St. Louis Music Park	McGurk's
St. Louis Symphony Concert Calendar	SoFar St. Louis Secret performances around town
Stifel Theatre	Venice Cafe
	Yaquis on Cherokee

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Recurring Outdoor Activities
Big Muddy Adventures – STL Riverfront Adventure	Big Muddy Adventures was established in 2002. They are the first professional outfitteguiding company providing access to the wild wonders of the Middle Mississippi and Lower Missouri Rivers.
Gateway Arch Events	There are a variety of things to do along the Mississippi River.
Hidden Valley Ski Resort	Ziplining, scenic chairlift rides, and hiking trails opened during the summer. Skiing, snowboarding during the winter.

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