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Europe & Romance Editor

Francesca A.

Europe and Mediterranean specialist. Covers city itineraries, honeymoon planning, wellness travel, and the kind of trip that requires a good restaurant reservation.

32 countries visited
14 posts published
Writes in: EN, ES, IT

About Francesca

Francesca covers the European city itineraries, the romantic getaways, the wellness escapes — basically the trips where the goal isn't to see everything but to see the right thing properly. She's based in Lisbon, grew up in Florence, and has spent enough weekends in Paris and Rome that she could draw the Marais and Trastevere from memory.

She started in food writing — three years at a Lisbon culinary magazine — and that lens shows up in everything she writes. A 3-day Paris itinerary, in her hands, is mostly an argument about which bakery to start the morning at. She's planned weddings (twice for friends, once for herself), so the honeymoon coverage comes with strong opinions about what actually matters when two people are jet-lagged on Day 1.

Areas of expertise

europeparisromelisbonhoneymoonwellnessfoodromance

Posts by Francesca

Couple in matching white linen on a cliffside terrace overlooking the Mediterranean at sunset
Trip Planning

Best Honeymoon Destinations 2026: 12 Spots Ranked & Reviewed

The 12 best honeymoon destinations for 2026 — from $4,500 Bali to $25k Maldives. Real prices, best months to visit, the one anchor activity that earns each spot, and the honest 'skip this if' filter that most honeymoon lists skip.

16 min readRead more
Couple watching sunset from a private terrace overlooking the Aegean Sea
Trip Planning

2026 Honeymoon Planning Guide: From $2k to $15k+ | MonkeyTravel

The complete 2026 honeymoon guide. Destinations sorted by budget tier ($2k–$15k+), the seasons that ruin (or make) each spot, planning mistakes to avoid, and how to design Day 1 so jet lag doesn't kill the trip.

18 min readRead more
Affordable European street food spread at an outdoor market
Budget Travel

15 Cheapest European Cities for Food and Drink 2026 [Ranked] | MonkeyTravel

The 15 cheapest European cities for food and drink in 2026 — average meal costs, best local dishes, beer prices, and top food markets. From Tirana at $3 to Valencia at $13.

9 min readRead more
Split image comparing Lisbon's colorful hillside and Porto's Ribeira district along the Douro River
Destination Guides

Lisbon vs Porto 2026: Which Portuguese City Is Right for You?

Lisbon or Porto in 2026? We compare costs, food, wine, nightlife, and culture so you can pick the perfect Portuguese city for your trip style and budget.

10 min readRead more
Split image comparing the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Destination Guides

Paris vs Barcelona 2026: Honest Comparison for Your Next Trip

Paris or Barcelona in 2026? We compare costs, food, nightlife, beaches, culture, and weather so you can pick the right city for your travel style and budget.

10 min readRead more
Colorful spread of dishes from multiple cuisines on a market table
Destination Guides

12 Best Food Destinations in the World for 2026 | MonkeyTravel

The 12 best food destinations in 2026 — signature dishes, food markets, daily budgets, and insider tips for Crete, Tokyo, Mexico City, Lima, Istanbul, Bangkok, Bologna, Lyon, Seoul, Oaxaca, Hanoi, and San Sebastián.

11 min readRead more
Infinity pool overlooking tropical jungle at a wellness retreat in Bali
Trip Planning

10 Best Wellness Retreats 2026: Yoga, Burnout Recovery & Star Bathing | MonkeyTravel

The 10 best wellness retreats for 2026 with real prices, program breakdowns, and honest advice on which retreat fits your needs — from $50/day Bali to $800/day SHA Spain.

11 min readRead more
View of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro at sunset with Parisian architecture
Destination Guides

3-Day Paris Itinerary 2026: Day-by-Day Guide | MonkeyTravel

Plan 3 perfect days in Paris with this day-by-day itinerary. Real prices, smart routing, and local tips for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre, and more.

7 min readRead more
Panoramic view of Barcelona skyline with Sagrada Familia towers and Mediterranean Sea at sunset
Destination Guides

Barcelona 3-Day Itinerary 2026: Day-by-Day Guide | MonkeyTravel

Plan 3 perfect days in Barcelona with this day-by-day itinerary. Real prices, smart routing, and local tips for Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, Park Guell, and more.

8 min readRead more
Colorful old town streets in a budget-friendly European city
Budget Travel

Cheapest Countries in Europe 2026: 15 Cities Under €40/Day

Real expense breakdowns from 30+ European cities tested in 2026. 15 averaged under €40/day all-in. One costs just €22. Plus the booking trick that saves 30%.

12 min readRead more
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque at sunset in Istanbul
Destination Guides

Istanbul 3-Day Itinerary 2026: Day-by-Day Guide | MonkeyTravel

Plan 3 unforgettable days in Istanbul with this practical day-by-day itinerary. Real 2026 prices, restaurant picks, tram and ferry routes, and smart tips for Sultanahmet, the Bosphorus, and Beyoglu.

11 min readRead more
Colorful tram 28 winding through Alfama's narrow streets in Lisbon
Destination Guides

Lisbon 3-Day Itinerary 2026: Day-by-Day Guide | MonkeyTravel

Plan 3 perfect days in Lisbon with this day-by-day itinerary. Real 2026 prices, tram routes, pasteis de nata spots, Alfama, Belem, and a Sintra day trip.

11 min readRead more