This year continues to be one of firsts for me, and I’m liking it. This past weekend I took my first solo road trip to New York City; while it’s a short drive from my hometown, it felt really good to hold my own and make it back safely!
I drove into the city on Friday and went directly to a hair salon appointment; finding parking in Harlem was not fun — the most stressful part of the trip, if I’m being honest. Later that night, I hung out at my friend’s place for a quiet night in that kicked off a Vampire Diaries binge. On Saturday I ran a couple of errands in the morning and then headed to lunch with two other friends at a local restaurant in my previous neighborhood in Washington Heights, Manhattan.
It always feels so good to be at home. That’s what New York City is to me — a home; no matter how hectic it could get, it’s the home that allows you to express yourself, be unapologetically you and then celebrate you for it. There truly is no other community like New Yorkers have! Anyway, enough of the soapy stuff, ha! After lunch, we walked around and enjoyed the amazingly warm autumn day while appreciating the gorgeous views of the George Washington Bridge over the Hudson River.
The sunset on the drive back made it feel magical, I kept saying “WOW” out loud, in disbelief of what I was witnessing. This opened my appetite for scenic road trips where I’m finally in the driver’s seat; do you have any recommendations for me? I would love to hear some! Send them to yasser.ogando@globaltravelerusa.com
Until next time!
— Yasser Ogando, advertising & production manager
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedAugust 2026
Aug 15, 2026St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, Unveils New Appearance
St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London, completed extensive renovations, revealing a new appearance across its entrance and ground and first floors. The hotel also boasts a new established bar, 1897 The Bar & Cigar Lounge, as well as new lounges and other multipurpose rooms, and expanded Taj the Chambers Club and ballroom.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Aug 14, 2026MGallery Collection Debuts in the Maldives
It’s official: V Villas Maldives at Mirihi –MGallery Collection is open, welcoming guests to a private island experience rich in Maldivian heritage. The all-villa property is set upon Mirihi island within the South Ari Atoll, where the setting includes sparkling azure lagoons and sugary white-sand beaches. Accessed by a 30-minute seaplane crossing from Malé, guests arrive to discover a world of luxury comprised of 42 expansive villas, including four new opulent overwater villas, each with an ample private pool and direct lagoon access. Villas were crafted by the renowned experts at multidisciplinary design firm Studio Gronda, who fashioned each to fit harmoniously into the surrounding tropical landscape.
August 2026
Aug 14, 2026Take Along These Essentials, Wherever You Go
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Marketed to avid sportspeople as well as those who find traditional earbuds uncomfortable, Shokz OpenRun 2 gained a reputation as the best bone conduction headphones on the market. This is due in large part to their hybrid design, transmitting high notes by vibrations while using conventional speaker units to play the low notes with which technology struggles. Customers swear by their durability as well as their sound quality, perfect for runners and cyclists who need to be aware of their surroundings. $179.95.
Sponsored Content
The Art of Balance in Seoul: Beyond the Boardroom
The value of a destination is no longer defined solely by infrastructure, efficiency or scale. Increasingly, it is measured by a city’s ability to balance productivity with well-being — creating opportunities for focus, restoration and more meaningful connections.
Daily
Aug 14, 2026The Kontiki in Curaçao Opens its Doors to 22 New Jungle Chic Rooms, Suites
Curaçao’s The Kontiki Beach Resort recently unveiled the expansion of 22 new rooms and suites. Encapsulating the same continued identity since opening, these rooms are a blend of lush greenery; open architecture; and an atmosphere inviting guests to slow down, relax and unwind.
4 U.S. Fall Foliage and Leaf-Peeping Destinations
Daily
Aug 13, 2026Gaylord Hotels Expands to West Coast
Daily
Aug 13, 2026eFlyer Reviews
Aug 12, 2026Review: The Maya
Long Beach, California’s, glow-up continues with The Maya on the other side of the bay.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
eFlyer News
Aug 12, 2026Secret Atlas Launches New 36-Guest Explorer “Aureum” Yacht
Secret Atlas, a specialist in expedition micro cruises, just announced the addition of explorer yacht Aureum, the brand’s first purpose-designed, 36-guest expedition vessel operating in Antarctica.
ShareThis