If you only have two days to explore Zurich, you want to make every moment count. This city is packed with charm, history, and stunning views, but it’s also easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. I’ve been there, and I’m here to help you plan a fun, relaxed, and memorable trip. Let’s dive into how to make the most of your short stay in this Swiss gem.

Traveling as a couple is a whole different ball game compared to solo trips or group tours. It’s a blend of shared excitement, occasional squabbles, and those unforgettable moments that only two people can truly appreciate. Over the years, I’ve learned that turning these experiences into a travel notebook, poems, and now blog is not just about recounting where you went, but about capturing the magic of traveling together. So, if you’re itching to start your own travel blog wi

Glamping on Governors Island is one of those trips where overpacking can make the experience worse instead of better. You are walking from the ferry to your tent, exploring the island, and likely carrying your own bag the entire way. This is not the kind of trip where you want multiple bags, heavy luggage, or things packed "just in case." The good news is Collective Retreats provides a lot of the basics already, so packing for this stay is simple.

Governors Island is one of those places that somehow still feels like a hidden gem despite sitting right in the middle of New York Harbor. If you are planning to stay overnight with Collective Retreats, here are a few things worth knowing before you go.

There is something strange about Governors Island. Every time the ferry pulls away from Manhattan, it feels like crossing into another world. Not far away. Not dramatic. Just... different. The noise softens. The pace slows. The city begins to feel less like something surrounding you and more like something you are simply looking at from afar.

Packing for a trip can be a total headache, right? I mean, how do you decide what to bring without turning your suitcase into a chaotic mess or worse, paying extra baggage fees? Over the years, I’ve learned some neat tricks that make packing not just easier but actually kind of fun. Whether you’re jetting off for a weekend getaway or a month-long adventure, these travel packing tips will help you pack smart, stay organized, and travel light (yes, it’s possible!). So grab your

For our 40 for 40 location number 22, Rick and I decided to spend a night glamping on Governors Island with Collective Retreats, and somehow, despite being only minutes from Manhattan, it felt like we had fully left the city behind. That is one of the things I love most about Governors Island. It never really feels like New York. It feels quieter, slower, almost like a little forgotten town floating in the harbor.

New York City can feel overwhelming if you have never been here before. It is loud, fast, crowded, and full of options. But it is also incredibly navigable once you understand a few basics. These are not secret hacks or tourist shortcuts. These are the things we wish every visitor knew before arriving, especially if this is your first trip or you are visiting in the summer.

There is a strange quiet that happens at the end of a long trip. Not the quiet of a peaceful place. Not the quiet of mountains or empty streets. But the quiet that settles in when you realize the journey is almost over.

If you only have a couple of days in Zurich but want to experience the Swiss Alps, a day trip into the mountains is absolutely worth it. One of the best surprises about Zurich is how easy it is to reach some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes. Within a few hours you can go from historic city streets to waterfalls, glacial rivers, alpine villages, and towering mountain peaks.

After saying goodbye to the Matterhorn in Zermatt, we boarded the train for the final stop of our Swiss adventure. Zurich. Compared to the quiet alpine villages we had been visiting, Zurich immediately felt more energetic. Busy streets, historic architecture, craft beer, incredible cocktails, and a full day exploring some of Switzerland’s most breathtaking landscapes made it the perfect place to end the trip.

New York City can feel overwhelming if you have never been here before. It is loud, fast, crowded, and full of options. But it is also incredibly navigable once you understand a few basics. These are not secret hacks or tourist shortcuts. These are the things we wish every visitor knew before arriving, especially if this is your first trip or you are visiting in the summer.

New York in the summer is not the place for overpacking. It is hot, crowded, loud, and walk-heavy. You move through airports, trains, apartments, sidewalks, stairs, ferries, museums, and restaurants, often all in the same day. What you bring with you should support that, not slow you down. For this trip, we traveled backpack only, which is how we typically travel. One backpack per person for the entire trip. No rolling suitcases. No extras packed out of anxiety...

There’s something quietly powerful about watching people you love experience a place you already know by heart. Rick and I live here. New York is our everyday. Errands, routines, favorite corners we don’t think twice about anymore. But for five summer days, the city shifted. It slowed down just enough for us to notice it again.

Based on a real trip hosting our nieces in New York City. Walking times assume an easy pace with stops. This itinerary is designed for first-time NYC visitors, especially families traveling with teens during the summer. It balances walking, iconic sights, museums, food, and strategic air-conditioning breaks so the days feel full — but not exhausting.

What happens when two New Yorkers host two of their nieces for five packed days in the city that never sleeps… during one of the hottest weeks of the summer? Walking. Ferry rides. Museums. Food. Strategic air-conditioning breaks. And memories we’ll never forget. From a flight into Newark to skyline views, Central Park adventures, classic NYC landmarks, and a last-minute escape into a movie theater when the heat finally won — this trip was about seeing New York through f

A short video of all 40 locations we went to over the past year to celebrate me turning 40 this year!  We work hard to get to travel and are so fortunate to be able to do so! https://youtu.be/TOAiJbosjgI?si=lb4xinSQbewNK2iG   I joke about being surprised that I made it to 40. But in reality there have been moments and decisions that do make this feel lucky or fortunate at times. Not only to have made it - but to have made it to where I am - happy, successful, whole, and loved

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New YouTube Video! https://youtu.be/oPQso0kLUcQ 13 of 40 Birthday Experiences! September 2023 - Oktoberfest in Munich with Kassie’s Parents! Oktoberfest tip: Three different large and pretty busy tents - Kassie would ask the first waitress without beer in her hand, and ask where we could sit if we didn’t have a reservation. Every single one got us a spot at a table right away and beers! One time even at a reserved table! Day 1: We landed in Munich just after lunch. After over

12 of 40 Birthday Experiences! September 2023 - An amazing long weekend in Bermuda with our close friends, Brad and Elizabeth! Day 1: We took an early flight out of NYC - and ended up in Bermuda before lunch! The Airbnb that we stayed at - included the ability to schedule a ride from the airport - and since the Airbnb was in Sandy’s Parish which is closer to the Royal Dockyard. We settled in then walked a bit to grab some lunch before getting a taxi to the Dockyard to pick up