John McNeill
Where they've been.
Barcelona
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Los Caracoles
Historic 1835 tavern in the Gothic Quarter serving Catalan classics from a coal-fired kitchen. Famous for snails, rotisserie chicken, and hearty plates like dry-aged steak.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Banys del Fòrum
Open-air seawater bathing area right on the Mediterranean at Parc del Fòrum. Concrete platforms and stairs lead straight into calm salt water—free, local, and no sand.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Sharma Climbing Barcelona
Chris Sharma’s own climbing gym in Poblenou with bouldering, auto-belays, lead routes, and a full training area. Massive facility with constant resets and a bar for post-session beers.
Delhi
Geneva
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Le Dim Sum Gourmand
Specialist dim sum spot in the Pâquis neighborhood run by a former hotel chef, focused on handmade dumplings and steamed buns. The Shanghai soup dumplings (xiao long bao) are a highlight—slurp the hot broth carefully from the spoon. Vegetarian options and a concise menu keep things fresh and authentic.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Bains des Pâquis
Geneva’s iconic lakeside public baths on the jetty where locals swim, relax, and eat with views across Lake Geneva. Jump in for a dip or test the unique Psychobloc bouldering wall that drops climbers straight into the water. Casual restaurant on site serves simple meals right by the lake.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Téléphérique du Salève
Ride the historic cable car from Veyrier-Douane up to the Salève ridge at over 1,000 meters for sweeping views of Geneva, the lake, and the Alps. Follow it with a 3-5 km hike along the ridge trails before descending. A classic Geneva escape that combines mountain air with easy public transport access.
Tokyo
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Charm Side Cafe
A popular spot on Takeshita Street serving massive, made-to-order sandwiches. The steak sandwich is excellent and packed with juicy meat.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Takeshita Street
The iconic Harajuku street packed with energy and quirky spots. Easy train ride and lined with animal cafes where you can pet all sorts of creatures.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Meiji Jingu
A serene Shinto shrine forest right in the heart of Tokyo, perfect for an early morning walk. Massive torii gates and traditional structures line peaceful paths through the trees, creating a quiet, lovely escape before the city wakes up.
Vienna
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Zwölf Apostelkeller
900-year-old underground cellar restaurant in a historic bunker-like vault serving traditional Viennese fare. The Wiener Schnitzel is excellent in this atmospheric old stable setting.
Posted Aug 31
Do
String Quartet Church Concert
Intimate classical performances of Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven and more inside historic Vienna churches with stunning acoustics.
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Café Demel
Iconic 1786 patisserie on Kohlmarkt serving exquisite cakes, chocolates, and specialties once favored by Austrian royalty. Try the Kaiserschmarrn with Zwetschkenröster plum compote—the excellent pudding-like dessert you remembered.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Innere Stadt Old Town Walk
Wander Vienna’s historic Innere Stadt core filled with grand churches, boutique shops, and world-class museums.
Zurich
Full days
Posted Aug 31
Full dayAI
Zurich Planet Trail Mountain Walk and Downtown Eats
Take a train or Uber up to Uetliberg for the Planet Trail. Ride the cable car up, walk the mountain path spotting the scale model planets, then cable car down. Stop at a restaurant at the top. After the walk, head to Zeughauskeller downtown for barada salad and schnitzel. Walk home and grab gelato at a popular spot.
Posted Aug 31
Full day
Limmat Float to Climbing and Truffle Raclette
Walked the bike path to swim and jump off a bridge in the Limmat, then floated downstream with a tube and dry bag for an hour and a half to two hours. Hit the climbing gym for two hours of climbing before taking the streetcar downtown for truffle raclette and lava cake.
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Gelati am See
A Zurich classic right by the lake serving generous scoops of handmade gelato in a scenic spot. Perfect ending to the day with classic flavors that locals and visitors line up for on warm afternoons.
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Zeughauskeller
Historic arsenal-turned-restaurant near Paradeplatz with crossbow decor and long communal tables. Hearty Swiss classics like Wiener schnitzel and barada salad (likely a salad with barley or similar) in a lively, no-frills setting that's been popular since 1926.
Posted Aug 31
EatRestaurant Uto Kulm
Perched at the summit of Uetliberg with panoramic views over Zurich, Lake Zurich, and the Alps. Enjoy Swiss specialties on the terrace after the planet walk or before heading down; a perfect mountain-top pause with fresh air and stunning scenery.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Planet Trail Uetliberg–Felsenegg
This easy family-friendly hike scales the solar system with each meter representing a million kilometers between planets. Start at Uetliberg station after a quick train ride from Zurich, spot the sun through Pluto along the ridge with sweeping views of the city and lake, then descend by cable car from Felsenegg.
Posted Aug 31
Eat
Raclette Factory
Specialty spot at Rindermarkt 1 serving a dozen variations of Swiss raclette cheese, including truffle. Cozy alpine-chic setting with high-quality regional cheeses and classic sides.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Kletterzentrum Gaswerk
Large climbing and bouldering facility with extensive indoor and outdoor walls, routes for all levels, and a community vibe. Located in Schlieren near Zurich, it's a go-to spot for serious sessions.
Posted Aug 31
Do
Limmat River Swim and Float
Popular public river activity in Zurich where locals swim, jump from bridges, and float the current with tubes. The gentle drift through the city offers scenic views and a refreshing urban escape.