Nikki Vargas

You step off the plane in a new destination, and feel that liberating yet terrifying feeling sweep over you as you realize you are in a new country and completely alone.

Ask anyone in New York and they will offer up their own version of when you cross the threshold from visitor to a true New Yorker.

I once read that saving money is a lot like getting in shape – it’s not enough to swap a salad for a pizza slice here and there, you really have to commit and just choose to eat healthy and visit the gym.

The next stage came the morning after, when everyone sobered up and I remembered our cocktail-infused promises from the evening before. Why not take a trip together?