“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of returning to a place with a special place in your heart. For me, that place is New York City. Every time I visit, it’s like reuniting with an old friend—familiar yet full of magical surprises.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” ― Mark Twain

Every time I travel to New York, there is one place I must see again and again: Central Park. It is like a breath of fresh air in the middle of all the hustle. I could wander around for hours and still feel like I have only scratched the surface of what this park has to offer. There’s always something new to discover—an unexpected garden, a breathtaking view, or just a quiet spot to relax and soak it all in.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but having new eyes.” ― Marcel Proust

Returning to New York feels like flipping through a favorite book—you know the story, but this time, there’s something new to appreciate. I can’t wait for my next trip, knowing the city will charm me again with its energy and incredible views. It’s a reminder that whether I’m exploring a new country or just revisiting a favorite spot, travel has a way of enriching my life and helping me grow.

~Staci Lee