"The Idol," a series about a former teen idol trying to reclaim her stardom only to fall prey to a cultish producer, was doomed from the start. The 2023 series started receiving negative headlines when it was first reported by outlets like Deadline that the show's original director, Amy Seimetz, had departed amid an "overhaul."

What Seimetz's version of "The Idol" would've been, we'll never know, but the version we did end up seeing, led by "Euphoria" showrunner Sam Levinson and The Weeknd, ended up closer to a "sordid male fantasy" (Variety), a "Pornhub-homepage odyssey" (The New York Times' Kyle Buchanan), or "torture porn" (sources on set, per Rolling Stone).

Whether you think that's an exaggeration or not, there's no denying that the show just wasn't very good. The relationship between Lily-Rose Depp's Jocelyn and The Weeknd's Tedros made no sense, and Jocelyn's heel-turn at the end of the season was borderline offensive.

Plus, the show wasted the rest of the talented cast, including Rachel Sennott, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Hank Azaria.

It was canceled after one season.

"The Brink," which aired in 2015, was originally renewed for a second season before the network reversed the renewal and canceled it, per Deadline.

The series starred Jack Black as a Foreign Service Officer assigned to work at the USA's embassy in Islamabad. His costars were Tim Robbins, who played the secretary of state, and Pablo Schreiber, who played a Navy pilot/drug dealer.

The darkly comic series could never quite nail down its tone. As Emily St. James wrote for Vox, "There are funny moments scattered throughout, but by and large, 'The Brink' aims to filter the satire of 'Strangelove' through the tone of 'Family Guy,' where there's no joke so obvious that it can't be made even more obvious."

"Arliss" was such a mediocre show that it was used as a punchline for TV critics and sports journalists — Bill Simmons, when he was still at ESPN, frequently bemoaned its quality. In one 2001 article, he called it "perennially unwatchable" and a "running joke in the industry for the past few years."

For those who may not even remember what "Arliss" was: It was a sports dramedy created by and starring Robert Wuhl as Arliss Michaels, an agent for an extensive roster of professional athletes. It ran for seven seasons from 1996 to 2002, confounding many.

As Entertainment Weekly put it, "TV critics [were] fond of using the series for batting practice."

Much like "Arliss," "The Mind of the Married Man," which aired from 2001 to 2002 and similarly starred its creator (this time, comedian Mike Binder), was used as a punchline for TV critics.

In the same 2001 article in which he insulted "Arliss," Bill Simmons called this sitcom a "stinkbomb" and its creator/star "wildly untalented."

The show starred Binder as a fictionalized version of himself delving into the male perspective of being married. That's it. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff.

As Kevin Alexander wrote for Thrillist, "The best part of this show is the dated Wikipedia summaries of each episode."

If you watched "Here and Now" in 2025, seven years after it debuted on HBO, you might find it well-meaning, if a bit clunky. Led by Tim Robbins and Holly Hunter, it's the sprawling story of a multiracial family living in Portland — think "Parenthood," but make it HBO.

The reviews for the show's lone season were negative. Time's Judy Berman called it "a self-righteous wallow in upper-middle-class Trump-era despair that tokenized its diverse cast, undermined its own progressive credentials, and wasted two excellent leads," while Joel Keller of Decider wrote, "'Here and Now' is so overwrought that it makes 'The Handmaid's Tale' look like a lighthearted romp by comparison."

"1st & Ten" was one of HBO's earliest sitcoms upon its premiere in 1984. It lasted for six seasons, ending in 1991.

Unfortunately for the show, it's now best known for starring OJ Simpson, who played a running back turned coach. While the presence of a pre-murder trial Simpson might make this a morbid fascination for the true-crime obsessed, it's still not worth the watch. It's just not funny!

Another problem? The premise — that a woman won ownership of a professional sports team in a nasty divorce — would go on to be executed better in future shows, such as "Major League" and "Ted Lasso."

In retrospect, "Vinyl" was not that bad, but we had such high expectations that, almost 10 years later, we still can't believe this wasn't the greatest show of all time.

Co-created by Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, Rolling Stone editor and author Rich Cohen, and "Boardwalk Empire" creator Terence Winter, a show about a 1970s record executive in New York City played by Bobby Cannavale sounds like a slam dunk.

But it just wasn't. As Barbara Ellen wrote for The Guardian, "The makers of 'Vinyl' need to realise that a decent soundtrack is not a panacea for dud scenes and bad dialogue."

After originally getting renewed for a second season, HBO reversed its decision and canceled the show two months after the first season concluded.

The 2018 American remake of the British series "Camping" was the first project that creators Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner worked on together after the end of their smash hit "Girls" in 2017.

Needless to say, expectations were high. The cast had a deep bench, including David Tennant, Jennifer Garner, Ione Skye, Juliette Lewis, Chris Sullivan, Arturo Del Puerto, Bridget Everett, Busy Philipps, Nicole Richie, Hari Nef, and more.

However, this show (about a group of middle-aged friends taking an annual camping trip) was just deeply unpleasant to watch. Every character was unlikable, and not in a charming way, like the characters of "Girls." It was almost painful.

"'Camping' is in the running for the worst US version of a successful British series since 'Coupling,'" wrote Gwen Ihnat for the AV Club.

Hugh Laurie, one of the most acerbic actors in Hollywood, teaming up with Armando Iannucci, the creator of "Veep" (one of the most hilarious, biting satires in HBO's history), should've produced the best show of all time.

Instead, we got "Avenue 5," a story about a space cruise that gets diverted from returning to Earth for three years … with only eight weeks' worth of supplies on board. Laurie played the captain of the ship, Ryan Clark.

The show premiered in 2020 and only returned for its second season in 2022, which probably caused it to lose some momentum, and the show was canceled.

"What we're left with is a not terribly funny workplace comedy, with the saving grace of some accomplished and likable performers," wrote The New York Times' Mike Hale.

Think back to June 10, 2007. The highly anticipated series finale of "The Sopranos" has just concluded with one of the most iconic and divisive unresolved endings of all time. People were calling HBO because they were convinced their signals had cut out prematurely.

Instead, the credits rolled, and viewers were treated to "John from Cincinnati," a … surfer crime show? Starring former "90210" and "Saved By the Bell" heartthrobs Luke Perry and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, along with Bruce Greenwood, Rebecca De Mornay, Ed O'Neill, Luis Guzmán, and Jennifer Grey?

Oh, and the titular John? He's a psychically gifted man who possibly has mental disabilities — it's never made clear — and who can only speak using words people have said to him, and can make things appear in his pockets.

… Sure?

It was never going to work out for this show. Everyone was too emotional about "The Sopranos," and it was the wrong place, wrong time for this crew of Californian misfits.

Tim Goodman called the show "utterly flat and unbelievable in its supposed wackiness" in his review for the San Francisco Chronicle.

It is the oldest surviving McDonald's location in the world. It doesn't even have a drive-thru — instead, customers walk up to the restaurant's windows to place their orders.

Speedee, a chef with a hamburger for a head, appeared on the original McDonald's signs alongside the brand's logo of two interlocking golden arches.

Some signs also advertised the low price of McDonald's hamburgers — just 15 cents at the time.

Before being converted into a McDonald's and McCafé restaurant, the building was known as a cultural relic that had been the residence of politician Chiang Ching-kuo for one month during the 1940s, according to CNN.

CNN reported that many locals objected to the restaurant opening inside the historic building, calling it a prime example of Western commercialism invading Chinese culture.

However, since opening in 2015, the restaurant has become somewhat of a tourist attraction, welcoming visitors from all over the world.

The restaurant opened on October 8, 1990, in Shenzhen's Special Economic Zone.

The South China Morning Post reported that on its opening day, the unique McDonald's location received over 40,000 customers, despite having a maximum seating capacity of only 460. It was the first McDonald's to open in mainland China, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists at the time.

The restaurant's roof is still adorned with the iconic golden arches to make it recognizable to passersby.

Author and photojournalist Gary He, who has dined at over 100 McDonald's restaurants around the world, told Business Insider in 2024 that it was one of the most "epic" locations he has ever visited. 

Named one of the "world's coolest McDonald's" on a sign outside the restaurant, customers can enjoy everything from a classic Big Mac to Chicken McNuggets and McCafe beverages inside the plane.

Visitors to this unique McDonald's restaurant can also view the D3 plane's cockpit.

The building was originally the United Kingdom Hotel and was designed by architect James Hastie Wardrop.

Constructed between 1937 and 1938, this restaurant has been called one of the most beautiful McDonald's buildings in the world.

The restaurant, which spanned two floors and was a replica of Ray Kroc's first McDonald's, was filled with music and pop-culture memorabilia.

After the restaurant was partially demolished and modernized, the memorabilia once housed in the restaurant were added to the franchise owner's personal collection, The Chicago Tribune reported.

Known for its giant marquee featuring thousands of light bulbs, the restaurant — perhaps surprisingly — closed in 2020 not as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but rather as part of McDonald's regular review of its restaurant portfolio, a spokesperson told NBC.

However, a new McDonald's restaurant has opened in Times Square, meaning you can still get your fix.

The restaurant, built in 1993, is situated in one of Arizona's most beautiful cities, renowned for its awe-inspiring red-rock mountains, canyon walls, and pine forests. 

While the bright yellow color of most McDonald's signs might work in other parts of the country, the turquoise color chosen by the Sedona, Arizona, location blends much better with the surrounding landscape.

Sedona also has strict restrictions on the height of buildings and signage, which is why the famous arches are placed lower than at most other McDonald's restaurants.

On top of the large McDonald's restaurant, which also had a play place, was a statue of a NASA astronaut holding a container of fries.

Ronald McDonald and the rest of the "McDonaldland" characters lined the walls wearing space suits and posing against a starry background.

Moored slightly south of the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi River, this McDonald's was the very first McDonald's to be opened on a riverboat.

It was open for 20 years before closing in 2000.

Some McDonald's locations attempt to blend in with the local buildings and are designed more sympathetically. 

This McDonald's location, however, was actually built inside a preexisting colonial mansion that's more than 150 years old. Located in Freeport, a small seaside town in Maine, the building was converted into the town's only McDonald's in 1984.

The restaurant is on Rue Saint-Lazare in Paris, France. Though the building is now a McDonald's, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inspired by Roswell's extraterrestrial history, the interior of the spaceship contains a space-themed play area.

Though you might think patrons can stroll up the steps to enter one of the most unusual McDonald's buildings in the world, customers actually enter from a side entrance.

The building almost resembles the White House. It's known as the Méqui1000 because it was the 1,000th McDonald's to open in Brazil.

However, past its columns and grand facade, customers can still enjoy McDonald's favorites like the Big Mac or Brazilian menu items like the McCrispy Chicken Legend and the cheddar McMelt.

The giant bronze eagle, designed by Portuguese sculptor Henrique Moreira, is usually the first thing customers notice when they approach the restaurant. 

The colorful window is original to the coffee shop that previously occupied the space, and it features beautiful coffee-related scenes.

The restaurant has been called the world's most beautiful McDonald's.

It was designed in accordance with building requirements from the city.

"The building is unique to any I have ever seen and it is a joy to take a break and walk to the second floor and enjoy the view while I enjoy breakfast or lunch," wrote one TripAdvisor user.

The "train station" opened in 1975, and is also occupied by a Starbucks and a Popeyes.

Despite having a unique theme, the restaurant still serves up McDonald's favorites.

The building was originally an 18th-century farmhouse that was converted into a Georgian-style mansion in the 1860s.

However, Atlas Obscura reported that the fast-food giant faced pressure from preservationists to restore the home to its former grandeur.

The town then allowed the chain to build onto the existing building to create space for a drive-thru. 

The station was built in 1877 by the Eiffel Company, which also built the Eiffel Tower.

Located in downtown Batumi, this McDonald's stands out for its reflective glass exterior. Patrons eating inside the restaurant can also gaze out onto the pool of water and manicured grass surrounding the building.

This location was built in 2013 and won the award for The Best Commercial Building of 2014 by the architecture website ArchDaily.

This makes for a great photo-op or simply a beautiful sight while patrons eat their meals.

Resembling a ski lodge, the restaurant fits in perfectly in the mountain town and the nearby Biltmore Estate, a grand home built by George Vanderbilt in the 1890s.

However, the inside is grander than perhaps any outside viewer could expect.

The interior is also decorated with wallpaper, pieces of art, and hanging chandeliers. 

Located in Lindvallen, one of Sweden's premier ski resorts, this one-of-a-kind "ski-thru" McDonald's allows guests to enter the building and order their food without ever even removing their skis. 

Gary He told Business Insider that it was the most unusual location he had ever visited. 

"The air is so clean and crisp — it's like being on top of the world," He said. "When I visited, it wasn't even busy. It was just me, the McSki, and the mountains. I was just hanging out and enjoying myself."

I remember thinking that desk lunches, grab-and-go snacks, and rushed meals were the norm. Sitting down to eat was one of the first things I'd sacrifice for the sake of time.

Once I moved abroad, however, dining became an occasion, not something to be rushed through. The abundance of outdoor terraces for an afternoon coffee or restaurants offering a business lunch — which usually means two or three courses for a set value price — helped support this.

This isn't to say that I think every meal has to be a formal event, but I liked how intentional eating and drinking felt in Europe.

Now, I savor my meals more, whether that means intentionally carving out time for a long lunch or just sitting down to enjoy a coffee instead of sipping it while I head to my next destination.

When I first moved to Hungary, one of the biggest shocks was the lack of "hustle culture." In the US, I always felt pressured to work more so that I could earn more so that I could buy more.

Suddenly, though, I found myself living among people who generally didn't work on days off and took their six weeks of annual vacation seriously.

Now that I'm back in the US and looking for a full-time job, I am prioritizing roles at companies that understand and appreciate work-life balance, too.

Before I moved to Europe, I considered buying fresh produce or groceries from farmers markets to be a luxury. There weren't many of these markets in my area, and it made sense to go to larger stores.

Budapest, on the other hand, has many such markets, so fresh food was much more accessible. Since everything was closer, I picked up essentials daily, instead of doing one massive weekly shop.

When I first visited a grocery store after moving back to a small town in the US, I was a bit bewildered by how pricey it felt to buy high-protein foods or produce marketed as organic.

After getting used to whole foods in Budapest, though, I've made it a priority to seek out healthier ingredients and fewer processed foods here — even if they don't feel as readily accessible where I live.

Living in an international community where English wasn't everyone's first language changed the way I speak.

Over the past several years, I've found myself talking more slowly and with more intention. As a result, I believe I've become a better listener.

I've also noticed that the kinds of conversations I participate in have changed, too — and I've developed more cultural sensitivity.

When I first moved abroad, I heard some criticisms from new Hungarian acquaintances about how often Americans make small talk.

I was surrounded by people who were much more private, so what I thought were well-intentioned questions sometimes came off as invasive.

For instance, some Hungarians have told me that even "How are you?" is generally considered a personal question.

I didn't want to make locals feel uncomfortable, so I learned to tone down any tendencies to overshare. That said, I was also raised to be enthusiastic and friendly, and didn't want to lose those traits.

Now that I'm home, I remember how affirming it feels to strike up a chat with a stranger — maybe in line at the grocery store or out walking my dog — and have it reciprocated.

I believe kind, surface-level interactions are still beautiful moments of connection, and I want to remain open to those instead of guarded, no matter where my travels take me next.

For a New York City outing in November 2011, for example, Swift tucked a navy, cable-knit sweater by Ralph Lauren into a pleated yellow skirt from ModCloth.

Her academia-esque look was completed with magenta Marc Jacobs kitten heels, red lipstick, and a blue Fendi purse that matched the sparkling 13 drawn on her hand.

She wore lots of crop tops and miniskirts at the time, like this gray two-piece set from Alice + Olivia.

Still, it was her accessories that made looks like the one above stand out. She wore vibrant pink pumps designed by Christian Louboutin and carried a yellow version of Dolce & Gabbana's Linda Tote bag.

She carried her cat on a September day in New York City while wearing a classically preppy look.

She tucked a white Free People top adorned with lace sleeves into a plaid skirt from RD Style and completed the look with a maroon pair of sheer knee-highs by Tabbisocks.

Swift also wore black loafer pumps from & Other Stories and carried a green Dolce & Gabbana bag.

Less than a month after her fifth studio album was released, Swift was photographed spending time with Karlie Kloss in New York City.

She wore a little black dress underneath a tan, tattersall coat, sheer polka-dot tights, and lace-up heeled Oxfords.

Swift also carried a burgundy purse and sported a thin gold headband adorned with a small bow.

For one outing in May 2015, Swift wore an open-back tank top from Zara with black-and-white printed shorts from River Island.

She also added blue patent-leather heels from Pedro Garcia for a pop of color, Swarovski sunglasses, and a Mary Katrantzou bag.

Not only had the musician chopped her long locks in favor of a bleached bob, but she also wore edgier clothes for a brief time.

In May 2016, she was photographed leaving a gathering at Anna Wintour's home while wearing a plaid Louis Vuitton dress with chunky boots and a leather jacket — both from the fashion house.

For accessories, she chose only a small black purse designed by Mark Cross.

In August 2016, Swift walked around New York City while wearing a pink Brandy Melville tank top underneath a denim overall-style dress from Tularosa.

She also sported a black Marni bag and flower-printed sneakers from Gucci.

One evening in September 2016, Swift was photographed wearing a black V-neck Aritzia bodysuit worn underneath a white miniskirt from Related Apparel.

But her accessories really made the outfit. Swift wore strappy sandals from Louise et Cie, a tan clutch by Aspinal of London, and a white choker necklace from Adornmonde.

Her striped, long-sleeved bodysuit was from PH5, while her pleated, burgundy miniskirt was from Urban Outfitters.

She wore both pieces with Michael Kors sunglasses, a Burberry bag, and platform, velvet sandals from Aquazurra.

She was photographed in July of that year wearing a pinstriped Unravel Project shirt hanging off one shoulder and distressed denim shorts from Gucci. 

While the casual outfit matched the dark aesthetic of her sixth studio album — as did her black leather Tod's boots and Tommy Hilfiger bag — her vibrant lipstick, wavy hair, and Miu Miu earrings hinted at the era to come. 

Days before her song "ME!" was released to the world, Swift stepped out in New York City wearing one of her quirkiest outfits to date.

It consisted of a floral Zimmermann dress, a red Mango blazer, and Rupert Sanderson sandals.

The highlights of Swift's outfit, however, were her pink-tinted hair and her cat-printed purse from Anya Hindmarch.

After performing three sold-out shows at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in late May, Swift was photographed outside Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

She wore a black cotton dress with a black belt around the waist, $450 Waylon slide sandals from Anine Bing, $200 Indio sunglasses from the same brand, and a brown version of the $895 M Frame Box Bag from Mansur Gavriel.

But most impressive was Swift's gold, diamond-encrusted Cartier necklace from the 1980s.

The sparkling jewelry — called the Agrafe Herringbone Twisted Necklace — is no longer produced, but one was sold on 1stDibs, an online luxury marketplace, for $27,250.  

She wore a pinstripe shirt from The Row over a pleated Free People skort and paired both pieces with a baseball cap, lace-up shoes, and a Patou purse.

Swift's navy pants were designed by Vince, while her sheer cashmere tank top was by Gabriela Hearst.

She wore them with ankle boots from The Row, a Ralph Lauren baseball cap, and a purse from Yuzefi.

Her chic black-and-gold ensemble featured an $825 houndstooth coat from Gant over a Versace corset top and high-waisted black trousers.

She also carried the $340 Nirvana bag from Aupen and wore a $70 gold necklace from Mazin Jewels. Her updo hairstyle and red lipstick completed the look.

She was photographed in New York City wearing an $850 rugby shirt from Stella McCartney as a dress.

She wore the shirt, which was emblazoned with a golden horse design, with knee-high Prada boots in an auburn shade and a corduroy hat from Ralph Lauren.

Designed by Clio Peppiatt, the black garment was sleeveless, covered in black sparkles, and decorated with silver moons and stars.

Swift wore the minidress with a fuzzy Anine Bing jacket draped over her arms, platform heels, and a silver Aquazzura bag in hand.

As she left the party, she was also seen wearing a massive teardrop-shaped ring made from opal and blue topaz stones. Though many assumed it was gifted to her by Kelce, it was later revealed to have been a birthday present from Keleigh Teller, Swift's friend and Miles Teller's wife.

For an outing to Lucalli Pizza in New York City with Blake Lively, Swift sported a velvet green dress with long sleeves and a short skirt.

She also wore semi-sheer black tights and over-the-knee boots from the Jean Paul Gaultier x Jimmy Choo collaboration.

The shoes, which retail for $2,450, had fans convinced that "Reputation (Taylor's Version)" would soon be released because they were decorated with images of snakes — a symbol of the album and era.

Swift stepped out during a September 2024 visit to Electric Lady Studios in New York City in a three-piece outfit from Monse. Inspired by art from the 1950s, each tapestry piece was decorated with images of a landscape and a landing UFO.

The musician likely chose to wear the $1,490 jacket, $740 corset, and $890 miniskirt as a nod to her song "Down Bad," which uses alien analogies to express her feelings about a breakup.

She paired the outfit with $1,270 statement boots from Vivienne Westwood, adding a high-fashion touch to the quirky outfit.

While out with Kelce in October, Swift was photographed wearing a $1,700 lace-embellished Gucci corset, a $195 faux-leather miniskirt from RTA, and $1,720 Louis Vuitton boots, which are now sold out.

The three pieces created a feminine and edgy ensemble that also embodied quiet luxury, especially thanks to her accessories.

She sported a $2,498 Ralph Lauren coat, carried a $4,400 Dior Saddle bag, and accessorized with two expensive rings: a $3,150 gold and diamond band from Louis Vuitton and a $3,490 pear-shaped piece from Shala Karimi.

Most of Swift's street-style looks are classic and subdued. The dress she wore in New York City in November 2024, though, was anything but.

Designed by Vivienne Westwood, the $2,390 piece had a structured, off-the-shoulder bodice that looked like it had been painted with strokes of yellow, blue, and red. Its puffed skirt, on the other hand, was decorated with uneven blue stripes.

Swift completed the outfit with $795 velvet sandals from Aquazzura, which have since sold out, a vintage necklace from For Future Reference that previously retailed for $12,750, and a $355 Vivienne Westwood purse.

She was photographed holding hands with Kelce in New York City, where the couple sported coordinated black and red outfits.

Swift's included a $1,095 crystal-covered coat from Simkhai, a $498 minidress from Fleur Du Mal, and Louboutin sandal heels.

She also wore her signature red lipstick and an assortment of fine jewelry from De Beers.

She visited New York City with Kelce again, this time wearing a Louis Vuitton sweater tucked into a wrap skirt from the same fashion house.

The most eye-catching piece of her look, though, was her floral-printed fishnet tights. She wore them beneath $1,940 Louis Vuitton boots.

She was photographed in New York City wearing a plaid miniskirt from Miu Miu, a dark bodysuit, and a $3,730 Max Mara coat.

Her accessories included suede Louboutin boots, sheer tights, a $1,300 YSL bag, and diamond earrings from Etiq.

In August, my husband and I set off for a trip to Scandinavia to go to a wedding in the small city of Helsingborg, Sweden. We planned to spend the majority of our trip in Copenhagen, as we were flying in and out of the Danish city since Helsingborg and Copenhagen are only about an hour and 20 minutes away from each other via train.

Still, we wanted to see a bit of Sweden during our journey, and we knew we wouldn't have a ton of time to sightsee in Helsingborg because of the wedding. We also didn't want to have to take a separate flight or spend a full day traveling, which ruled out Stockholm on the other side of the country.

After doing some research, we decided to spend one day and one night in Malmö, Sweden. Malmö is the third-largest city in Sweden and one of the country's fastest-growing cities. I liked the idea of going somewhere that could offer a true glimpse at Swedish culture, and it was extremely convenient to get there.

Adding a day in Malmö to our itinerary seemed like a no-brainer.

My husband and I took the train from Helsingborg to Malmö on a Monday morning, which took about 40 minutes. We also took the train from Malmö to Copenhagen the following morning, which was only a 20-minute ride.

The train couldn't have been easier. It ran in frequent increments, so we just bought tickets upon arrival at the station. It was lovely not to have to plan that part of our journey in advance.

The train was fairly crowded with commuters, but we still managed to find space for ourselves and our luggage.

I considered a few different hotels in Malmö when planning our trip, but I settled on MJ's fairly quickly. I appreciated that the boutique hotel was just 10 minutes from the train station and within walking distance to restaurants and bars.

The interior also has a floral, pink aesthetic, which appealed to me, and it was in my budget. A one-night stay in a small room cost 1,630 Swedish krona, which was about $170 when I booked our stay.

Walking to MJ's from the train was easy, even with the luggage my husband and I were toting, and I loved the look of the hotel from the outside.

One of the things I was most excited about at MJ's was its interior courtyard, designed for guests to dine and spend time together. It's covered by a glass dome that features greenery for a touch of whimsy, and its pink walls give it a chic and romantic feel.

It was just as pretty in person as it was in the photos I saw online. When we arrived at the hotel, I saw people dining and chatting under tables with umbrellas.

I loved that the upper floors at MJ's had open windows that overlooked it, so we could catch glimpses as we walked to and from our room.

I selected a small room at MJ's for our stay, figuring we could handle limited space for just one night.

However, to my surprise, the room was large. It had a seating area by the front door, a large bed, and room for a desk and a wardrobe. Likewise, the bathroom featured a large vanity and tub.

I couldn't believe how much space we got for the price I paid.

For our day in Malmö, I didn't create a strict itinerary. I mostly planned to wander the city with my husband, hoping to get a feel for what life in Sweden was like.

I was so glad I kept our schedule loose as we started exploring Malmö, as every street we turned down was beautiful and made me want to see more.

From the brick roads and cobblestone sidewalks to the colorful homes lining the streets, I couldn't get over how stunning the city was. Greenery grew on many of the homes we passed, and restaurants and shops were often situated in courtyards, creating a sense of community from the architecture alone.

It was also easy for us to travel on foot everywhere we went, as biking and walking are popular forms of transportation there.

After visiting Malmö Castle, a popular tourist destination in the city, we stopped for lunch at Malmö Saluhall, a food hall offering a diverse array of dining options.

There was a flower market set up outside it when we arrived, and when we walked in, there were stands with almost any food you could think of. I saw other tourists like me milling around, but there were also Malmö residents who had come to eat on their lunch break.

We feasted on Italian-inspired crostinis before stopping by another booth for pastries and coffee. Everything was, unsurprisingly, delicious, and I loved that the meal came with a side of people-watching.

After lunch, we made our way to Folkets Park, a family-friendly green space renowned for its vibrant and eclectic installations. There are also performances held there.

There were colorful playgrounds, oversize chairs, and shops inside. It was quiet since we were there during a school day, but I could imagine the area would be packed on weekends.

The colorful design felt so novel compared to the neutral colors I see at most American parks. I could have stayed there for hours.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the city, popping into shops and sitting on benches to take in the sights. I was charmed by the bookstores, flower shops, and thrift stores we entered, and it was fun to see locals and other tourists exploring the area.

I could tell the city was designed to be friendly to tourists, finding English writing nearly everywhere, but it still felt quintessentially European thanks to its architectural style.

I also spotted people sitting at cafés enjoying fika, a traditional Swedish snack break, in the afternoon. I loved catching a glimpse at a customary aspect of Swedish culture.

Before we grabbed dinner, my husband and I decided to sit at one of the many outdoor patios in Malmö, as we wanted to enjoy the city's ambiance.

We stopped at Mello Yello, a bar located in Lilla Torg, a square in the heart of the city, just a one-minute walk from MJ's.

As I sipped on a beer, I watched coworkers gather for happy hours, families walk to early dinners, and friends meet up after long work days. The atmosphere was unhurried and communal throughout the square. It felt like we could sit for hours, and the staff would be happy to have us.

After drinks, we spent the evening eating dinner, wandering through more squares, and grabbing dessert at Verde Gelato on our way back to our hotel.

My husband and I both love affogatos, so we would have loved them even if they came in plastic cups. Still, the adorable wooden tray and glass serveware made it even sweeter. The aesthetically pleasing touch was in perfect alignment with every other experience we had in Malmö that day, adding to its charm.

We ate them at bistro tables outside the shop, grinning at each other over bites of espresso-gelato goodness.

We were lucky enough to be in Sweden in late August, when the sun doesn't set until around 9 p.m.

We took advantage of the brightness by taking a walk along the edge of the Öresund Strait, which separates Denmark and Sweden, as the sun went down. We had crossed over it on our train ride into Sweden, but it felt even more romantic and quaint up close.

When we returned to MJ's after dark, the bar in the lobby had a party-like atmosphere going. I appreciated the fun energy, as well as the fact that our room was quiet a few floors up, allowing us to get a peaceful night of rest even as people mingled downstairs.

The elaborate breakfast spreads at all the hotels I stayed at in Europe amazed me, but MJ's was among my favorites, and not just because I got to eat it in the pink patio.

There was fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, all sorts of pastries, and a parfait bar. I served myself a bit of everything, and I sipped coffee out of an adorable mug I wished I could take home with me.

It was the perfect end to our stay at MJ's.

My 24 hours in Malmö were among the most relaxing of my weeklong trip to Europe.

I was enchanted by the city's architecture, green spaces, divine food, and charming restaurants. I loved my time in Copenhagen, too, but I thought Malmö offered a slightly slower pace that was more indicative of Scandinavian culture outside the bustling metropolis. I found myself wishing we had stayed there for longer than just a day.

If you're hoping to visit Sweden on a trip to Copenhagen, I think Malmö is the perfect way to do it.