STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Our list is fairly short. We revisited places a few times and we struck out a few times but hopefully this is helpful. We poached most of these from David and Luise who live there. Stockholm is made of 14 islands, we spent a couple days in Norrmalm and the rest in Södermalm. Being there in Autumn meant options like ferry cruises weren't running and our Californian bones couldn't quite come to terms with the extra windchill that riding bikes would have subjected us to, so we only made it as far and wide as our feet could take us between half-hourly croissants. All that to say, we would have loved to see more, but highly recommend the little bit we did see.

Pom and Flora - There are two locations now. You may have better luck getting a table at the Odenplan spot because it has more space, but both were packed when we visited. They also have a larger menu and the salad/egg bowl deal I got was my favorite meal the whole trip. A great breakfast and lunch spot, lighter options, pastries etc.

Cafe Pascal (Odenplan) - we enjoyed multiple coffees and a number of hours here reading and watching. It's a simple, beautiful space with great coffee. You can get espresso drinks all over town but their's were wonderful. The pour over is light and unique and I had three oat milk cappucinos one rainy morning which either makes them delicious or me crazy, you choose.

Fabrique Bakery - I was told by multiple people to get a cardamon bun so we tried one here... and also a brownie :) Not necessarily a place to hang for awhile, but a nice afternoon snack and coffee. There are multiple locations.

Urban Deli - So this is a specialty market and also a great little happy hour/dinner spot. There are a few locations, and the one in sodermalm has a bustling bar and restaurant. Try to grab a table early, great people watching, or pick up picnic goodies.

Meatballs For The People - This was a Yelp find from Hugh, pretty close to our Air Bnb. I was hesitant, I don't love meatballs, but I had the vegan ones on top of a green salad with roasted squash, goat cheese and pickled onions and it was my second favorite meal of the week. Great ambiance. Grab a window seat.

Osterlanggatan 17 - We found this while wandering the streets of Old Town. They had some great breakfast/brunch options and it was packed for lunch. The dinner menu didn't look as intriguing to me, personal preference, and the neon bar lights didn't go with the nordic vibe but whatever, it was nice.

Kaferang - They have two locations. Again with the breakfast and lunch being amazing. Super fresh and delicious salads and soup and a yummy bakery case. When we're traveling sans kids, we pick places that feel nice to just hang for awhile and eat and chat and read and have wifi ;) This was an awesome spot.

Fotografiska - So, according to a few Swedes we chatted with (meaning we didn't make this up), Swedish people are apparently known for their reserve when it comes to outward expressions of emotion. Hugh and I were both crying in the Paul Hansen "Being There" exhibit. We may have been the only ones, but it was hard to see through blurry eyes. Whether you're a public cryer or not, it was a heart wrenching collection of images from his job as a photojournalist covering conflict zones across the globe. The images were paired with with essays and short stories he'd written to accompany and bring context to the already powerful imagery, and oh my goodness, it will break your heart. Obviously this exhibit won't be there forever, but you should visit regardless.

On a lighter note, the cafe upstairs has a stunning view and the food was great too. I love having wine at lunch fyi.

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Personal, Travel

THE FAMILY FORTE. HYATT ZIVA LOS CABOS

Sara Forte · October 21, 2015

A few weeks ago, we jumped on a flight south to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico in partnership with the new all inclusive Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara All Inclusive Resorts. I'm not really one for reviews here, more so just sharing a few photos, but amidst a busy fall and knowing a baby en route would be slowing us down soon, we wanted to take an easy family vacation. An active 16-month old on a plane is a little rough and perhaps he is still too young to fully partake in all things "all inclusive" but it was nice to be away regardless. We ate crispy fish tacos by the pool, both got a spa treatment (which my pregnant body would have made the trip for exclusively), and walked the beach. Having worked in luxury hotels for a handful of years, one of the most important things to me is customer service. I'm not talking ultra-luxury, royalty treatment, but staff who stop and say hello, or servers who make it easier to be in a restaurant with a kid, or one very specific instance where an employee anticipated and provided a much appreciated service without us even asking for it. In my opinion, that sort of kindness can trump a sheet's thread count or how quick the room service is. My dining curiosity may not fit the ideal client for an all-inclusive, but the mom in me really liked it. You truly don't have to think about anything. I am the travel planner between Hugh and I, and it was so nice to just show up and play things by ear; knowing everything we'd need would be on site and included.

The trip was sponsored by Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara All Inclusive Resorts. All statements are my own.

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Travel, Personal

CORDOVA, AK

Sara Forte · August 6, 2014

Copper River Salmon . Cordova, Alaska . Sprouted Kitchen

This small town isn't even accessible by road - you must come in by air or sea. It's not an island, but it functions like one - small population, expensive groceries, lots of boats. Nelly, who works for the Copper River Salmon Marketing Board, picked us up in her old Westfalia van which we packed full of extensive baby equipment that only new parents on their first trip with a baby would imagine was necessary. There is a beautiful thing that happens when you don't have expectations. I was busy with a new baby and a few catering jobs and didn't have time to build any before we left and regret that's unlike me. I didn't know I was going to fall in love with Alaska. It wasn't a destination high on my "must visit" list, which made the beauty and charm all that much more appreciable.

We eat wild salmon. It costs more but it tastes better and I care about the sustainability and quality, so I find the price tag worth it. There is a charming story behind the wild salmon from the Copper River that I felt privileged to get a peek into. The salmon season last a few short months in the late spring/early summer and the fishermen work hard during that season to fish the Copper River Delta. We spent some time on a commercial fishing boat and the job is not an easy one. You must revere the water and the fish; it's what the industry hinges on. What the whole town hinges on, really. The fishermen head out rain or shine and fish virtually around the clock for as long as the Fish and Game Department allows them. Clearly these families fish for a living, but in talking to the the fisherman, there was a united respect they have for the ecosystem which they depend on. The Watershed Project, a local non-profit, is dedicated to preserving the salmon by researching their environment and teaching kids how to preserve their habitat.

We had a chance to meet with a small team that spends the summer along side Childs Glacier monitoring salmon escapement via sonar (literally counting the fish that swim by for months). We had a salmon pot luck with the fishermen's wives, gaped at glaciers and bald eagles and a pod of Orcas, caught some salmon, and enjoyed a tiny bit of the vast landscape that makes the state remarkable. We met so many people who love this town, who care about the salmon and the Copper River, and want to tell its story. What an honor it was to be a part of it for a short week.