My summer has been filled with many weekend trips. I have traveled from my old college town, Burlington, VT, to my home at the beach in Mystic, CT. I have put almost 8,000 miles on my car this summer from my many trips, but, I must say, it has been worth it.

While I love traveling by plane since it is usually very quick and easy, there is something I love about road trips. Since driving takes much longer, it gives me time to get caught up in the anticipation of getting to my destination. I could do without the miles of traffic I usually hit, but once I get to where I am going, I quickly forget about the frustrations of the traffic.

My hometown of Mystic is a beautiful seaside town where tourists flock for summer weekends. Typically people visit for Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium and, of course, the beach. I try to spend every other weekend during the summer at the beach, soaking up the sun before it goes into hiding for months.

Now that summer is coming to an end (I woke up this morning and it was in the 50s), my weekend trips will not be as frequent. While I will miss the summer heat, I am looking forward to watching the trees change color, to apple picking in Vermont and, hopefully, to a few weekend trips to Miami to help heat up the cold months to come.

–Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator

This year, Global Traveler helped raise close to $50,000 for the charity Pencils for Kids, Inc. I am proud to be part of a company that gives back. Recently, I’ve decided to help give back to a cause I feel strongly about.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, I will be doing a 5k run for the charity Women for Women. Run for Congo Women was created by everyday women to help raise hope for women living through the horrific war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The money raised will help sponsor support groups, rights awareness, job training, literacy and other training. The goal of Run for Congo Women is for the women of the Congo to be self sufficient within one year after receiving support.

Never heard of this conflict? You are not alone. Most people haven’t. It receives little to no news coverage. I am hoping by doing this run and talking about the conflict with others, I can help raise awareness and hopefully make a small step towards helping end this war. I believe there is hope for these women with just a little support and knowledge.

–Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator

I am a person with a passion for travel and excitement, so having a routine can get very dull very quickly. In January and February, I traveled to Miami twice, Los Angeles and Italy. Some people might find this travel exhausting, but I find it exhilarating.

It has been over two months since my last trip. I have no trips planned in the near future, and I am getting a bit antsy. I have a few weekend trips planned here and there, but there is something about getting on a plane and knowing you will be away from your daily routine for a few days that is so exciting.

I have been living in New Jersey for about a year now and have not done much exploring of the area. While I love traveling to exotic destinations, I think I am going to spend the summer getting to know my new home and its surrounding areas. Any ideas for a good weekend trip?

-Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator

It’s here. No warning, no heads up. The heat has arrived in New York City. It’s really remarkable — it’s as if everyone has forgotten that, just a few days ago, they were donning turtlenecks and winter coats. Now, it’s bikinis in Central Park and no signs of spring — just summer.

One reason I like living in the Northeast is the fact we have four solid seasons, and usually the transition into each season is often the most enjoyable part. However, this year spring has sprung right over us. Summer is not my favorite season in NYC, mostly due to the humidity, but I have to admit it is nice to see the sun and people enjoying the outdoors.

In my travels, I’ve seen many different types of climates. In Southeast Asia, for example, the climate ranges from hot to hotter. Even locals I know in Singapore and Malaysia claim to never get used to the heat. On the extreme opposite, friends in Stockholm always seem shocked when the first snowfall hits. In fact, one year when I was visiting, the subways had technical issues due to the cold during the first snow. It was as if it was the first time they’ve seen cold in the region. Maybe they forgot about their history of long winters!

Bottom line, of the four different seasons, I’ve learned I’m a winter girl through and through. I try to avoid the heat. However, I wouldn’t mind spending some time in the sun if, say, I was in the Maldives or perhaps Bali for a few days. Where would you enjoy finding time in the sun?

-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

About two months ago, I flew business class for the first time. I have always flown economy, where things are tight and uncomfortable. Short flights are not too bad, but when flying abroad, the lack of room can be very bothersome. I was always envious of the people in the premium classes, who had room to stretch and didn’t have to sleep on the shoulder of the person next to them.

I was flying an overnight flight on Alitalia, from Newark to Rome. I had the luxury of boarding before other passengers, without waiting in a long line. I was the first person on the plane and was greeted by friendly flight attendants who took my jacket and directed me towards my seat. After we took off, they served dinner which was, surprisingly, delicious. I was used to bringing my own food and snacks because I never liked the food in economy. My meal started with vegetable lasagna and a glass of Italian red wine. I skipped the second course, a tasty looking beef dish, since the lasagna was enough and I wanted to get some sleep. I had trouble figuring out how to recline the seats and, once I figured out how to lean back, I couldn’t get the footrest right. After fiddling with the buttons for a while, I gave up. I was somewhat comfortable, but would have been much happier if my footrest worked.

I slept for a good portion of the flight and didn’t get to use my personal entertainment system. I woke just before breakfast — scrambled eggs, tomatoes, fruit and pastries. All were delicious.

M first time in business class was very nice. The food was great and, besides having trouble with my chair, I was pretty comfortable and had a pleasant flight.

-Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator