About Sara Granados

http://saragranados.com

US Expat from Louisiana living in Dublin, Ireland. 30 years young. Graphic designer • Travel Blogger • Avid reader • Semi-professional thrift shopper

Posts by Sara Granados:

Bougie Bucket List

My Bougie Bucket List: Luxury Trips I’d Take if I Won the Lottery

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My bucket list of luxury vacations

I know it’s not even Q4 of 2024 but since I already have the rest of my year planned out travel-wise (USA, Portugal and hopefully some Christmas markets in Germany, to name a few woohooooo!!) I’m already looking ahead to next year and trying to figure out where I can go in 2025 and…

It should come as a surprise to absolutely NO ONE that I basically need to win the lottery to be able to afford all the travelling I want to do! Being a full-time corporate working girlie helps me fund my travels for the most part, but if I won the lottery I could 1. Travel full-time instead of having to work around my vacation days and 2. Be able to afford some bougie, super glamorous trips that are currently way out of my price range.

So if I ever just disappear with no notice and end up on one of the following luxurious vacations, you’ll know that I’ve won the lottery and am off living my absolute best life. A girl can dream, right?!

Here is my bucket list of the top 5 dream luxury vacations that I would do if I won the lottery. And yeah, it was hard to choose JUST 5.

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Saint-Émilion, France – Travel Guide + 2-Day Itinerary

Saint-Émilion, France: Travel Guide + 2-Day Itinerary

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Saint-Émilion, France – Travel Guide + 2-Day Itinerary

I recently shared (what I think is) the best guide to Bordeaux, France based on my recent trip there. After having spent the most amazing week in Bordeaux and the surrounding region, I can say confidently that it is absolutely NOT to be missed. If you’re looking for immaculate, quintessential French vibes, Bordeaux is IT. And just outside of Bordeaux lies the most magical and medieval French village that looks like it was plucked straight out of Beauty and the Beast – Saint-Émilion. Easily accessible by bus, train, or rental car, Saint-Émilion is a MUST for anyone visiting Bordeaux or the general area. Most people visit Saint-Émilion as a day trip from Bordeaux. But I think there’s plenty to see, eat, drink, and do to easily fill up a 2-day itinerary.

So here’s a travel guide of everything you need to know about visiting Saint-Émilion, France, and a handy 2-day itinerary for this charming town from someone who’s been there!

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Marvelous Markets pt 5: Brick Lane Market, East London

Brick Lane Market: East London’s Best Market That’s Actually 5 Markets All Rolled into 1

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Marvelous Markets pt 5: Brick Lane Market, East London

It has been a MINUTE since I’ve done a market post! But this may be THE SINGLE BEST market in London.

I recently went to London (which is like the GOAT when it comes to markets, in my opinion) and checked out yet another amazing markets the city has to offer – Brick Lane Market in East London. Every market that I’ve been to in London has been so fun and unique, and Brick Lane was no exception! If you’re looking for a cool market in London, or even just a free activity in London, you should definitely head to Brick Lane! Especially if you’re into markets with vintage clothing and food. Plus, there’s parts of the market open SEVEN DAYS A WEEK! That’s right – you can check out Brick Lane Market whether you’re in London on a weekend or a weekday!

Let’s take a lil (virtual) walk around Brick Lane together!

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A travel and city guide for Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux, France: A Travel Guide (+ map!)

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A travel and city guide for Bordeaux, France

Hello and welcome to my Bordeaux, France travel guide, carefully crafted by yours truly with the best restaurants, bars, activities, and sightseeing I did during my recent trip to this beautiful city! Planning a trip to Bordeaux this year and looking for things to do, information on when to visit or where to stay? Maybe you’ll be in Paris for the 2024 Olympics and are thinking about adding Bordeaux to your itinerary? Or maybe you want to go on a city break in France but don’t know where? Well then you’ve come to the right place!

Let me start off by saying: I CANNOT believe it’s taken me so long to visit Bordeaux. But during my recent visit it was truly love at first sight. I was blown away by what the city has to offer – there is sooo much to see and do in Bordeaux. Oh, AND it is absolutely beautiful!!! If you’re looking for immaculate, quintessential French vibes or a smaller, cleaner, quainter, safer, and less crowded alternative to Paris (I said what I said) that is just as beautiful and with just as much delicious food and wine, then Bordeaux is IT. J’adore!!! J’obsessed!!

During my visit I managed to pack in a LOT of restaurants, bars, activities, and sightseeing, which were all so perfect that I just had to make this Bordeaux travel guide to share all my recommendations! Like seriously, not one single establishment I went to was anything less than a 10/10. I’ve also included logistics like the best way to get around, where to stay, and some more travel tips! Plus, at the bottom of this post you’ll find a map with all of my recommendations mapped out and labeled!

So here it is, your travel and city guide with everything you need to know about Bordeaux, France!

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Stepney City Farm

A Unique (and FREE!) Activity in East London: Stepney City Farm

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Stepney City Farm – a really fun and free activity in East London

Have you ever been wandering around central London and thought to yourself – “you know what I’m in the mood for right now, a FARM”? Ok, ok, probably not. But you probably HAVE wanted something cheap and cheerful to do, right? Perhaps something kind of off the beaten track? Something unique and not “touristy” (which in London can be hard to come by)? Something FREE (which ALSO can be hard to come by in London)? Wellllll dear readers, have I got just the place for you (said in the voice of Stefan from SNL #IYKYK): Stepney City Farm in East London.

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Guide to the Best Bars in Dublin

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Bars in Dublin

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Guide to the Best Bars in Dublin

I know this is going to sound dramatic, but this guide right here is literally my life’s work. This guide to nightlife in Dublin, showcasing the best and must-visit bars and places to go out, has been a project of mine that’s been in the works for quite a while now.

Every time someone I know is coming to Dublin, I always get asked suggestions of “must visit bars” or places to go out, especially ones that aren’t “touristy.” Well, that’s a tough question, because 1. Irish people love to drink so 2. There’s SO many options of places to drink in Dublin. It’s all a matter of taste. Do you want an authentic Dublin pub? Do you prefer wine? Whiskey? Craft Beer? Cocktails? Do you want live music? Dive Bars? Bars with good food? Quirky bars? Dog-friendly bars? Seriously, when it comes to finding a place to enjoy any sort of alcoholic beverage, Dublin is your feckin’ oyster.

Then I thought, why not just make a handy guide where all my bar recommendations are in one place, conveniently sorted by genre (not sure if “genre” is the right word, but just go with me here)?

So, I set out to do the seemingly impossible – organize and rank the best bars in Dublin.

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Best Sea Swimming Spots in Dublin

The Best Sea Swimming Spots in Dublin (that you can get to without a car!)

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Best Sea Swimming Spots in Dublin

One of the things I love about living in Dublin is its proximity to both the mountains AND the sea. If you want to go for a mountain hike, you’ve got the Wicklow mountains right there, which provide excellent hikes or scenic walks along the Wicklow Way (like this one). Or if you want a coastal cliff walk, there are stunning walks like the Howth Head Loop or the Bray to Greystones walk. But if you’re more of a sea swimming and beach person, there are TONS of gorgeous beaches and places to swim along the coast in and near Dublin. It definitely comes in handy on a sunny day in Dublin to have so many options.

Another thing I love about living in Dublin is that when it’s warm and/or sunny, people really appreciate it. Ireland’s general rainy weather make those hot, sunny days all the more sweet.

So when it’s sunny in Dublin, Dubliners FLOCK to the mountains or to one of the many sea swimming spots.

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Notting Hill Carnival 2023

Notting Hill Carnival 2023 Review

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Notting Hill Carnival 2023

So last weekend I went to London for the first time since BEFORE COVID. It’s always been one of my favorite cities, so I don’t know how it’s been so long since I’ve been there. Especially since it’s only a 50 minute to 1 hour flight from Dublin!

It was so nice to be back in one of my favorite cities. It also happened to be a Bank Holiday in the UK and as per usual, there was soooo much going on in London for the weekend. And it worked out that one of the events happening was something that I had heard of and have always wanted to experience for myself: the Notting Hill Carnival!

Here’s a review of how my day at Notting Hill Carnival 2023 went down.

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The 10 Best Panoramic Views of European Ciities + Where to Find Them

The 10 BEST Panoramic Views of European Cities (+ Where to Find Them!)

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I’m a firm believer that cities are best viewed by all angles. Every time I visit a new city, I love to wander around and roam the streets and explore what the city has to offer (and, of course, people watching). But I also love viewing it from above. There’s something about seeing all of the buildings and colors from overhead that give you a whole new perspective of a place. European cities in particular are even more beautiful from a panoramic bird’s-eye view, with their winding webs of streets and beautiful old buildings. So that’s why I had to share the best panoramic views of European cities that I’ve seen to date!

Whether it’s climbing flights of stairs, hiking up a hill, or taking a cable car, I always try to find some way to see a city from above if at all possible. It clears my head and shows a city in a whole new way. Plus, aerial views are always so damn pretty (even though pictures never really seem to do them justice). 

Sure, climbing up stairs or a mountain is killer (I will NEVER forget my throbbing calves after climbing to the top of the Notre Dame in Paris), but the breathtaking views from above are ALWAYS worth the trek in the end. I have yet to regret making my way up steep stairs or a steep hill for a panoramic view of a city. And sometimes, you’ll even get lucky and realise a city has a cable car or funicular, meaning you don’t have to do any physical exertion to get some amazing views!

Here are some of my favorite panoramic and aerial views of cities around Europe, and how to see them for yourself!

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Postcards from Porto

Postcards from Porto, Portugal: A Photo Diary

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Postcards from Porto

Welcome to my lil photo diary of postcards from Porto, Portugal!

Although I’ve been to Lisbon a few times and consider it one of my favorite cities in Europe, up until recently that was the only place I had ever been to in Portugal. But, I recently visited Porto and loved it. I loved it SO MUCH. I couldn’t believe it was only my first time there, or that it had never even been on my radar before. Like… what!? Well let me tell you, I definitely underestimated Porto! It’s the second-largest city in Portugal, home of Port wine (which is absolutely DELISH, but more on that later), and it’s honestly one of the most photogenic places I’ve ever been. The “old town” is so amazing that it’s actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Even though I didn’t love Porto in a “I could see myself living here sort of way” like I did with Lisbon, there was definitely something really special about the city and surrounding region. I found it captivating and ended up taking so many photos of Porto because I was just in awe of how beautiful the city was. I thought I’d share a few photos I took, because a lot of them look like they could be postcards!

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