Debbie O'Boyle 10/9/26 Debbie O'Boyle 10/9/26

Liberty State Park Guide: Views, Ferry Tips and History

John and I both grew up in New Jersey, and Liberty State Park has long been one of our favorite local bike rides.

The views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan are some of the best anywhere. Here’s what to see, where to park and how to catch the ferry to the statue and Ellis Island.

John O'Boyle 9/13/26 John O'Boyle 9/13/26

Things to Do in Manhattan: A Local's Honest Guide

Debbie and I are in Manhattan most weeks, for work and to visit our son, and we still love showing people around.

Here are our honest picks for the best things to do, the ones worth your time, the few we would skip, and how to see the city without cramming your days.

Debbie O'Boyle 9/6/26 Debbie O'Boyle 9/6/26

Our Amsterdam Stopover: An Easy Two Days Without the Big Attractions

KLM let us add two nights in Amsterdam on the way to Scotland, at no extra airfare.

Here is how the stopover works, what we did without the big museums, and which airlines run the best programs.

John O'Boyle 8/23/26 John O'Boyle 8/23/26

Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan: A Local Couple's Guide

Midtown is more than a place you pass through.

We walk you through the best of it, cluster by cluster, from the observation decks and Grand Central to our favorite tacos by the Garden.

John O'Boyle 8/21/26 John O'Boyle 8/21/26

Best NYC Observation Deck: We Visited All 5

New York has five first-class observation decks, and we have been up all of them, cameras in hand.

Here is our honest take on each one, who each suits best, and which we would pick if we could only do one.

John O'Boyle 8/21/26 John O'Boyle 8/21/26

Empire State Building Observation Deck: Is It Worth It?

We went up the Empire State Building on a busy August evening.

Here's what the visit was really like, what tickets cost, the best time to go, and how the granddaddy of observation decks compares to the newer ones.

Debbie O'Boyle 8/18/26 Debbie O'Boyle 8/18/26

First Time in London: A Complete Guide from Two Frequent Visitors

London was the first European city we visited, and we keep going back.

Here is everything we have learned to make your first trip go smoothly, from the ETA and the Tube to where to stay and the best day trips.

Debbie O'Boyle 8/11/26 Debbie O'Boyle 8/11/26

Is the Vessel at Hudson Yards Worth It in 2026

The Vessel is open again at Hudson Yards, safety nets and all. We finally climbed it on a quiet Monday.

Here is our honest take on whether it is worth it and how it compares to the Edge next door.

John O'Boyle 8/3/26 John O'Boyle 8/3/26

Walking Edinburgh's Royal Mile: A Complete Guide

While The Royal Mile is touristy, it's also the historic heart of Edinburgh.

Here's our honest walk from the castle down to the palace, with the closes, St Giles' Cathedral, Victoria Street, and the best free stops along the way.

Debbie O'Boyle 8/3/26 Debbie O'Boyle 8/3/26

Visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia, a floating palace in Edinburgh

Visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia was a real highlight of our stay in Edinburgh. It's a floating palace, a museum, and a glimpse into royal life you won't see anywhere else.

We walked the whole ship, from the Queen's private rooms down to the gleaming engine room, and even stopped for tea and scones aboard. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

John O'Boyle 8/2/26 John O'Boyle 8/2/26

Photographing Scotland’s most beautiful spots

Scotland is hard to beat if you are looking for beautiful places to photograph.

These are our favorite spots, plus tips you can use on any camera.

Debbie O'Boyle 7/22/26 Debbie O'Boyle 7/22/26

Glamis vs Balmoral: Which Scottish Castle Should You Visit?

We visited Glamis and Balmoral on back-to-back days, and we loved them both.

But if you only have time for one, they are very different visits. Glamis is the true castle with the interior tour included. Balmoral is the working royal home out on Deeside.

Here is our honest comparison, including the difference in what you pay and what you get.

Debbie O'Boyle 7/21/26 Debbie O'Boyle 7/21/26

Visiting Balmoral Castle, what to see and is it worth it

Balmoral has been the royal family's Highland retreat for generations, and since 2024 you can finally step inside.

We spent a day on the grounds of Queen Elizabeth II's favorite home. Here's what to see, what it costs in 2026, and whether the interior tour is worth booking.

John O'Boyle 7/10/26 John O'Boyle 7/10/26

Visiting Rhinebeck, NY: The Perfect Hudson Valley Base

Rhinebeck is a perfect base for your Hudson Valley visit.

The village is small enough to walk in twenty minutes. But Route 9 runs right through it, so the FDR sites, the Vanderbilt Mansion, and Kingston are all a short drive away.

John O'Boyle 7/9/26 John O'Boyle 7/9/26

Visiting Val-Kill: Eleanor Roosevelt's Home in Hyde Park

We toured Eleanor Roosevelt's home at Val-Kill on a quiet July morning, from the ranger-led cottage tour to the pool where FDR once swam with a king.

Here's what to know before you go, plus how to pair it with the nearby FDR Library.

Debbie O'Boyle 7/7/26 Debbie O'Boyle 7/7/26

King George VI at Glamis Castle: a royal love story in Scotland

If you enjoy history-oriented travel, join me on my bucket-list journey and dive into the story of King George VI and his time at Glamis Castle, where he fell in love with Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon and experienced the warm family atmosphere there.

This is what it felt like to stand in the very rooms that played a unique role in the history of the British Royal Family.

John O'Boyle 7/3/26 John O'Boyle 7/3/26

Edinburgh to Glencoe: Scotland's Most Scenic Drive (2026)

We planned this drive down to the last pull-off, then barely looked at the plan.

The road from Edinburgh through Glencoe is so beautiful you just stop when it moves you.

Here is how to do it well, from the rental car to the Three Sisters.

John O'Boyle 7/3/26 John O'Boyle 7/3/26

One Rainy Day on the Isle of Skye (and Why We Loved It Anyway)

We planned one perfect day on the Isle of Skye. Then the rain came in sideways and changed everything. Here is what that wet, wild day taught us.

You also get our full route, driving times, and honest tips for the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the Quiraing.

John O'Boyle 6/24/26 John O'Boyle 6/24/26

Is the Inverness Castle Experience Worth It? Our Honest Review (2026)

We've toured a lot of castles, and this one surprised us. Here's our honest take on the new Inverness Castle Experience and whether it's worth your time.

We walk through both towers, the rooftop views over the city, and the displays that stood out. We also share who will love it and who might want a more traditional castle.