Author: Nancy

What I Learned from Traveling with My Mom

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My mom at the New York World’s Fair, 1965.

One of my favorite quotes has always been this one from St. Augustine: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” It pretty much sums up my love of discovering the world, and my joy in helping others do the same…

And as we approach Mother’s Day, I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately – because that love started with my mom.

When I was growing up, our vacations were simple. We took road trips each summer. Nothing fancy. No big, bucket list destinations. But those trips meant everything.

Before we even packed the car, my mom and I would sit down together and plan. We’d spend hours looking through maps and guidebooks, talking about where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. Half the fun was in those conversations.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s where it started for me.

That feeling of looking ahead to a place you’ve never been. The excitement of figuring it out. The joy of discovering something new, even if it’s just a small town or a roadside stop.

My mom gave me that.

She showed me that travel didn’t have to be big or expensive to matter. It just had to be shared.

And now, all these years later, that love of travel is still with me. It shaped not just what I do, but how I see the world. And when I look back, it’s not really about where we went. It’s about the time together. The conversations. The memories that stayed long after the trip was over – and the memories that still live in my heart.

Those are the things that last. And the things that are truly priceless.

Whether you’re traveling with your mom, remembering her, or passing that love of travel on to the next generation, I hope this Mother’s Day brings you a moment of joy, gratitude, and maybe even a spark of adventure.

And to my own mom – I will be forever grateful for the treasured memories of trips we shared. Thanks for making them possible.

Find out how the services of an experienced travel advisor can make planning your vacation simple and STRESS FREE!

Why ‘Someday’ Trips Don’t Actually Happen (And How to Fix That)

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Let’s talk about something I hear all the time…

“I’ve always wanted to go there…”
“That’s on my bucket list…”
“Someday we’ll take that trip…”

And yet – somehow, someday keeps getting pushed a little further down the road.

If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. Most people don’t skip their dream trips because they don’t care… it’s usually because life gets in the way.

Time feels limited.
The cost feels overwhelming.
And honestly? The planning can feel like a lot.

So instead of figuring it out, it’s easier to just say, “We’ll do it someday.”

But what if there was a simpler way to turn those “someday” trips into something real?

Let’s make this feel a little more doable.

Start with experiences, not destinations. This is where most people get stuck without even realizing it.

Instead of asking, “Where do I want to go?”
Try asking, “What do I want to experience?”

Do you picture:

  • Watching a sunset over the ocean with a drink in your hand?
  • Exploring charming towns that feel like stepping back in time?
  • Standing somewhere that makes you think, “I can’t believe I’m actually here”?

When you start with the feeling or experience, the destination becomes much easier to figure out later.

Now, create a simple 3-tier bucket list. No spreadsheets required. No overthinking allowed. 😊

Just break your ideas into three easy categories:

  • Soon (1–2 years) These are the trips that feel within reach. Maybe they need a little planning, but they’re realistic.
  • Someday (2–5 years) These take a bit more time, saving, or coordination – but they’re absolutely doable.
  • Stretch Dreams (5+ years) Your big, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The ones that make you light up just thinking about them.

Here’s the key: when everything sits in one giant “bucket list,” it feels overwhelming. When you organize it like this, suddenly… it feels possible.

Why this actually works. Instead of staring at a long list of “someday” dreams, you now have:

  • A trip you can start planning now
  • A few you can look forward to next
  • And some bigger dreams to build toward

It gives your travel dreams a timeline – not just a wish. If you’ve been putting off a trip you really want to take, this is a great place to start.

Because “someday” is a lot more fun when it turns into a date on the calendar.

Find out how the services of an experienced travel advisor can make planning your vacation simple and STRESS FREE!

Even Travel Agents Make Checklists

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In just a few days, we’ll be boarding a plane and heading to Greece for our Globus tour… and yes, even this travel planner has a pre-trip checklist.

So I thought it might be fun (and hopefully helpful!) to share my personal “Last-Minute To-Do List” before we leave. If you have a trip coming up this year, feel free to borrow a few of these.

My Top 10 Travel To-Do’s

  1. Gather passports and travel documents. Passports, flight confirmations, tour details, travel insurance — everything gets pulled together in one happy little folder. (And yes, I make paper copies of the most important things in addition to the electronic versions.) No last-minute treasure hunts allowed.
  2. Check the weather & plan outfits. I always peek at the forecast for our destination, so I can decide what to pack… and what I may “need” to add to my closet. (Research is important. Very important.)
  3. Find or order RFID travel bags. Extra protection for passports and credit cards gives me peace of mind — especially in busy airports and city centers.
  4. Double-check plug adapters. Greece uses Type C and F outlets, so I’m making sure we have the correct adapters ready to go. Dead phones on arrival day? Not happening on my watch.
  5. Pause mail and newspaper delivery. Nothing says “we’re not home!” like an overflowing mailbox.
  6. Pack multiple portable phone chargers. I never rely solely on charging outlets on planes or buses. Photos, maps, boarding passes — our phones work hard on travel days, so backup power is non-negotiable.
  7. Review our cellphone plan. I check with our carrier about international charges so there are no surprises when we land.
  8. Confirm luggage size with the airline. International airlines often have different size requirements from domestic carriers (and I prefer to keep my money for baklava instead of baggage fees).
  9. Notify the credit card company. A quick travel alert keeps purchases from being flagged when we start swiping in Athens.
  10. Leave travel details with someone we trust. Flight info, hotel names, copies of important documents — just in case. It’s one of those “hope we never need it” steps that still matters.

Here’s to memorable travels – and the planning that makes them that way!

Find out how the services of an experienced travel advisor can make planning your vacation simple and STRESS FREE!

Liberty Square at Walt Disney World

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Liberty Square
Photo via https://flic.kr/p/8DLmcR

Walt Disney always paid attention to detail in everything that he did. Even though he never stepped foot into the completed Magic Kingdom, his desire for authenticity was carried on. One of my favorite lands that exhibits this is Liberty Square.

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Traveling to Celebrate the Moments That Matter Most

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Romance gets a lot of attention around Valentine’s Day, but celebrating love doesn’t have to be tied to a holiday or a date on the calendar. In fact, some of the most meaningful trips I help plan are tied to personal milestones — the ones that reflect your journey as a couple, the chapters you’ve lived through together, and the stories you’re still writing.

Many couples aren’t interested in a “traditional romantic getaway.” They want something deeper. Something that marks a moment in their lives and gives them space to reconnect, reflect, and simply enjoy each other without the distractions of everyday life. Read more