The word "Switzerland" invokes images of the Alps, cheese, banks, and watches made by a non-existent Army. Delve deeper and you'll find this landlocked country has more to offer than material goods, for its people and history have cultivated it into one of the wealthiest nations on Earth. And no city in Switzerland is more prototypically Swiss than Zurich, which perennially ranks as the richest and having the best quality of life in the world. Pair that with a low tax rate, impeccably clean environment, and extensive public transportation system, and you've scared Paris and London into scrambling to reestablish themselves as a global hotspot for visitors and residents. Zurich has also benefited from Switzerland's firm doctrine of neutrality. It survived two World Wars, all the while being smack dab in the middle of the action. ... read more

The land of Abraham Lincoln, Al Capone, Bill Murray, and Walt Disney. With a guest-list this stacked, Chi-town packs a bunch so you'd better be prepared to see and do a lot. But in fairness to the minnow-cities of America, it's unjust to list the famous citizens of Chicago, for everybody who is anybody had to have stepped foot in this metropolis at one point or another, whether they dropped straight from the womb or simply made their name here. It's also why O'Hare Airport is the second busiest airport in the world and the Windy City has more highways passing through it than any other in the country. It's cemented its reputation as the foremost expert on improv comedy, known as a hotspot for jazz and blues, and is the breeding ground for skyscrapers with ... read more

Originally a Spanish fort, San Fran's population boomed during the Gold Rush of 1849 when the prospect of riches lured settlers westward. Along with them came the sourdough bread so sought after by tourists today, denim jeans for workers made internationally renown by Levi Strauss, and famous chocolates manufactured by Ghirardelli catered to the laborers. The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad attracted Chinese immigrant workers who subsequently settled into the oldest Chinatown outside of Asia, while the Great Depression initiated the building of one of America's biggest civil engineering projects, the Golden Gate Bridge. The City by the Bay was also the epicenter for the Counterculture movement in the 60s when hippies flocked to the Haight-Ashbury district during the Summer of Love in 1967 and gays moved into the Castro neighborhood. The city also witnessed the ... read more

Sin City, despite its rebellious reputation of boobs and booze, had quite humble roots. Its origin as the site of a Mormon fort and rest area for the Hoover Dam construction workers slowly transformed into a Mecca for gamblers, elopers, and the Mafia during the 20th century, making it one of the most popular destinations in America. But even if you're not looking to quickly tie the knot or become an overnight millionaire, the blitz and glitz of Vegas is still worth a visit, especially because the airfare is ridiculously affordable during the summer. Since gambling is not a priority for Kristina and me, this itinerary is geared towards the average traveler without a Swiss bank account. The best free activity is touring the hotels on the Strip, which are a sight to behold and if ... read more

Part of the Historic Triangle of Jamestown and Yorktown, Williamsburg has an endearing personality and oozes colonialism to its fullest. While neither the most vivacious nor the most breathtaking, it makes up in history for what it lacks in superlatives. This place played an integral part of our nation's development and was Virginia's first capital, before it was relocated to Richmond where Kristina and I currently attend school. Williamsburg is a short 50-minute drive east of Richmond, providing a quick reprieve from the city hustle to a serene community that transcends time. A large effort was put forth in the early 1900's to conserve the unique aura of this city, even prompting John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to finance the construction of Colonial Williamsburg, which is now the most popular tourist attraction in Virginia. This and Merchant ... read more