Today, it’s Newport, Rhode Island! Honestly, I never know what to expect when visiting a new place, which keeps things exciting. I booked the “Best of Newport: The Breakers & Marble House” excursion because…why not dive into some Gilded Age glamour?

Here's the description on the Tour we are going on:

Experience the opulence of the "Gilded Age" when you explore the summer homes of the legendary Vanderbilt family. Board your transportation for a scenic drive through the historic section of Newport en route to the Breakers, the most-visited attraction in Newport. Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, this Italian Renaissance palace was completed in 1895 in less than three years at a cost of approximately 7 million dollars, which would be over $200 million today! The Grand Hall boasts 50-foot ceilings and is the largest room in any Newport mansion. You will also visit the magnificent Marble House. Built by William K. Vanderbilt for his wife Alva's birthday in 1892, it features more than 500,000 square feet of white marble and was intended as Vanderbilt's "Temple of the Arts." The grounds include a Chinese Tea House overlooking the Atlantic.

This Kitchen reminded me of D

We hopped on the tender and then boarded a motorcoach, cruising through jaw-dropping neighborhoods filled with serious architectural eye candy. First stop: The Breakers. Newport is famous for its jaw-dropping mansions, and I’d seen these iconic summer homes on Aerial America, so I knew I had to check them out in person.

The most amazing view ever. 

I loved the phone on the side table.

Pro tip: You need to download the app for a self-guided tour, which makes it easy to wander at your own pace while soaking in all the Vanderbilt-level opulence. After ogling The Breakers, it was on to Marble House, another stunner dripping in luxury. If these walls could talk, they’d probably say, "You’re not quite rich enough to live here." 😂

Embarkation Day from Brooklyn Terminal

 Embarkation day has finally arrived! We’re up semi-early, starting the day with coffee and a vegetarian breakfast burrito from the Granola bar down the street. Omygawsh, that coffee…soooo good. After breakfast, we head back to the apartment, pack up, and catch an Uber to the pier in Brooklyn.

Check-in is a breeze, and as we walk towards boarding, we pass a “fuhgeddaboudit” sign—classic New York moment. We find our room, drop off our carry-on, and make a beeline to Bellini’s to meet up with friends. Peach Bellinis all around, and I’m already feeling a little light-headed, so coffee follows to balance things out!

Sailaway time! We wave goodbye to Lady Liberty and head to Alfredos for a peaceful, quiet dinner. Tonight’s entertainment is Jefferson McDonald, who’s got this high-energy mix of acting, music, and comedy. He’s jumping, singing, and sweating across the stage, and we’re laughing right along. I’m traveling with two other couples, so there’s no shortage of laughs, good company, and taste-testing new martinis over at Crooners. It’s shaping up to be an amazing cruise kickoff!

New York New York

After a good night's sleep, we’re pumped and ready to tackle our full-day adventure around NYC, courtesy of TripAdvisor. I booked the “New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour” for $99 a pop, and being the adventurous types, we scoped out the subway the day before. Just two blocks from our apartment, so we’ve got this.

First, a quick stop at a local breakfast joint to fuel up, then back to the apartment for a last-minute freshen-up. When we hit the subway, I knew we could just tap Samsung Pay, but naturally, I hesitated in front of the turnstile. Enter our NYC subway hero: a worker in a neon vest who jokes, “Well, it’s about time you asked me!” Who says New Yorkers are gruff? With his help, I get through but, of course, the same card doesn’t work for my husband (déjà vu from Vancouver). The subway pro saves the day again, and we’re on our way!

Ten minutes and six stops later, we emerge in Times Square, and wow—there’s nothing like seeing it up close! You turn a corner, and BAM, there it is, live and in full sensory overload. It’s unreal. After snapping some photos, we head to our tour meeting spot. My best friend from high school and her husband, who are also joining us on the cruise, will be our sightseeing buddies for the day. Time to get this show on the road!

Here's a quick synopsis of our tour and link  NYC Sightseeing Tour

Combine New York City’s top attractions in a guided tour via bus and the Staten Island Ferry. With insider commentary from your guide, visit Rockefeller Center, South Street Seaport, 9/11 Memorial, and Wall Street. Take a Staten Island ferry ride, with views of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Brooklyn Bridge. Back on land, hit Lincoln Center and Central Park before wrapping up this whirlwind tour.

Interestingly, our first stop on the tour is Central Park—where we visited just yesterday. However, the park is so vast that today we’re exploring a different area, including the iconic Dakota Building, where John Lennon lived and tragically passed. We also visit the nearby Strawberry Fields Memorial, a tribute to Lennon’s legacy within the park’s peaceful landscape.

St. Patrick's Cathedral 

Next stop is Rockefeller Center and we go underground to see the hidden underground passageway to get from Rock Center to Times Square.

Next stop: lunch at the Gansevoort Liberty Market, right by the World Trade Center Memorial. This spot is a must, with every type of food you could crave. Husby and I split up in the food court; I go for a massive tofu salad bowl, and he decides to join in because, hey, it’s a feast. After lunch, we stroll over to the 9/11 Memorial. We didn’t have time for the museum, but standing there at Ground Zero is both breathtaking and deeply moving.

The 9/11 Memorial is located at the site of the former World Trade Center complex and occupies approximately half of the 16-acre site. The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest man-made waterfalls in North America.

Next up—New York Harbor and a classic cruise-by on the Staten Island Ferry! We’re here to catch the Statue of Liberty in all her glory, and our guide knows the perfect spot: right at the bottom deck, facing the water. We get right up front for the best view as Lady Liberty herself comes into sight—cue the cameras!

What a day! We wrap it up back in Times Square to meet up with friends at Carmine’s for a classic Italian family-style feast. Portions here are no joke, so we’re careful not to overdo it (easier said than done). Carmines After a fabulous meal, we make a final stop at their hotel for a nightcap with a view. Our friends think we’re nuts for taking the subway back to the apartment so late, but we’re feeling adventurous! With some friendly help, we navigate the bustling subway—feels like we’ve stepped right into a movie scene. A perfect end to a jam-packed day, and now we’re officially pooped. Goodnight, New York… tomorrow, we cruise!

I’m gearing up for an epic Canada and New England cruise this fall, all in hopes of catching those famous autumn leaves in action! The adventure kicks off with two days in New York, then it’s off to board the Enchanted Princess in Brooklyn. From there, we’re setting sail to Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia on a 7-day journey. Bring on the crisp air and vibrant colors! 🍁🍂

First things first—our custom Medallions arrived! I went with the ship’s crest, keeping it classy, and hubby’s got his horoscope sign, repping the stars. 

We've got a red-eye to NYC, and it’s been ages since I’ve been there! Plus, it’s hubby’s first time, so we’re both pretty excited. We’re on a non-stop from LAX to JFK, dreaming of First Class, but hey—Delta Comfort will do! Got all my essentials: earbuds, cozy clothes, inflatable pillow, and a movie lineup ready to roll. Sleep? Hardly. But we touch down in New York in the morning, ready for adventure.

Mistake #1: The minute we step outside, a guy offers us a “taxi.” Perfect timing, right? He says it'll be $95 to Upper Manhattan, and that’s within range, so we follow him—past the legit taxi line, over to a different car. Our luggage is loaded when I notice, uh-oh, no card machine! I ask, "Do you take credit cards?" He says, "No, just cash or Zelle.” I’m definitely not Zelle-ing a random guy, and I’d rather keep my cash handy. So, we get out and head straight to the real taxi line.

The head taxi guy there hooks us up with a cab, and the fare? Just $85—and they take cards! Lesson learned: stick to the taxi line right outside. It’s quick, legit, and card-friendly!

We’re crashing at my niece’s place in the Upper West Side while she’s out of town, and after a quick freshen-up, we’re off to Central Park—just a few blocks away! We stroll until our legs are basically begging for mercy, which turns out to be only about a quarter of the park. Jet lag is definitely kicking in, so we make our way back and crash for a nice, long snooze.

 After our nap, we head over to Amsterdam Avenue, where there’s no shortage of restaurant options! We land at  Rancho Tequileria for Mexican food, a margarita for me, and a beer for him. It’s a super chill spot with awesome food and even better service. After dinner, we wander around the neighborhood, scoping out all the other cool spots for future nights out. But we keep it low-key tonight—tomorrow’s a big tour day, and I need to store up some energy! for Mexican food, a margarita for me, and a beer for him. It’s a super chill spot with awesome food and even better service. After dinner, we wander around the neighborhood, scoping out all the other cool spots for future nights out. But we keep it low-key tonight—tomorrow’s a big tour day, and I need to store up some energy!

Duck Farts in Juneau

So, I’d heard all about the legendary “Duck Fart” in Juneau, and sure enough, I stumbled on it while passing the Red Dog Saloon! No need to go inside; they’ve got a walk-up window right on the street where you can order your “Duck Fart” shot to-go. One quick shot, a fun memory, and you’re back on your way to exploring Alaska!

The Red Dog Saloon is a drinking establishment at 278 South Franklin Street in Juneau, Alaska, U.S. The Red Dog has been recognized by the Alaska Legislature for its longevity as the oldest man-made tourist attraction in Juneau. The Red Dog Saloon View of the interior.

And here's the recipe. You're welcome : ) 

Duck Fart Recipe