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.

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.

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

We spent 7 days on St. George Island in the panhandle of Florida. Snuck up near Apalachicola. We stayed in a beautiful rental that Kassie's amazing parents rented for a full month. We timed our visit perfectly to be able to see Kassie's Brother and Sister-in-Law, friends of Kassie's parents, and Rick's parents. We worked during the week days - but were able to enjoy the sunrise each morning and more! We explored the St,. George state park, ate too much food, drank (not enough