Plan a Staycation

The Cornovirus has drastically changed our travel plans. We are being encouraged to practice social distancing and to avoid groups larger than 10 people. Thankfully, the weather has been amazing so we can get outside in the fresh air.

Many school-age children are about to have their Spring Break. I thought it would be helpful to share some 'staycation' ideas so you can visit some outdoor spaces. This will allow your family to explore some local treasures that are within driving distance of your home. As a bonus, you get great family time AND get to sleep in your own bed at night. Don't forget to pack your hand sanitizer, tissues and bottled water.

GO BIKING
North Carolina's state parks, trails and bathroom facilities are currently open from 8 am to 8 pm. Don't forget to take your helmet!

OUTDOOR DINING
Although restaurants are currently closed, you can still dine in a nice spot! Call your favorite restaurant for a take-out order. Then head to a quiet park or outdoor space for some al fresco dining. As an added bonus, it will be much more quiet than a normal restaurant. You can play your favorite music on your phone.

TAKE A HIKE
Grab your favorite walking partner and hit the trails. There are extensive trails - urban and rural - throughout North Carolina. There are three great reasons to go for a hike. First, it is FREE! Second, it is a great way to get exercise. Third, it allows you to experience your area in a whole different way.

HIT THE BEACH
Yes, the water is NOT warm at this time of year. But, it will be nice to stroll on a quiet beach. It might take a few hours in the car, but a break from the house might be a welcome change. You can always get food and snacks from a drive thru.

PITCH A TENT
Although you haven't thought about camping in a while, the current situation makes this a good travel option. You pick the location to pitch your tent. If you don't feel like driving, you can always pitch it in your backyard. This is a fun way to enjoy nature with your family. Remember to back flashlights and a deck of cards. 

Stay healthy during these uncertain times. Let me know what you did on your 'staycation'.

Fall in Love with a Destination Wedding!

Congratulations to all the couples who get engaged over the Valentine’s weekend. Take time to enjoy this special time! I love planning destination weddings for my clients. 

That Was Easy!

1. I offer personalized service. My goal is to simplify the process so that you can enjoy your special day. Many cruise lines and resorts offer full-service wedding and renewal of vow programs designed with plenty of alternatives to fit your needs and budget, including an on-site Personal Wedding Planner.

2. Destination weddings allow you to combine your ceremony and reception with a honeymoon, while offering your family and friends a vacation as well. Some cruise lines and resorts offer FREE wedding packages based on your stay. 

3. Not sure where you want to get married? Visit our calendar to view available wedding venues. It allows you to view open dates at participating hotels, resorts and cruise lines.

·         Select area and browse.

·         See available dates.

·         Reserve your wedding date

If you want to explore your options, click on “Browse All Wedding Destinations” for ideas. Click here to access the Wedding Day Calendar.

Honeymoon Registry

Most couples already have enough stuff! Instead of buying another kitchen gadget that won’t get used, get the gift of travel. Guests can give any amount, and the happy couple can use the money towards a hotel upgrade, romantic specialty dinner, spa service or excursion.

Click here to start your honeymoon registry.

Honeymoons Made Easy

After you say, ‘I do’, it is important to take time to relax with your spouse. Contact me to book the honeymoon of your dreams. I can book a river cruise, city vacation or all-inclusive resort. You tell me your dates and budget, and I will do the rest.

I’m Here to Help!

I would be happy to answer any questions that you have about destination weddings, the travel registry or honeymoon destinations. 

Contact me to make your special day extraordinary without the stress!

Travel Healthy!

The coronavirus is making big news. It is heartbreaking that the death toll is rising.

This terrible virus got me thinking about staying healthy. I wanted to share these travel tips to help you stay healthy while traveling. Of course it is always a good idea to wear a mask through the airport. I know it is hot, but it can really help keep those germs out of your lungs.

1.      Stay hydrated and drink lots of water. I know it sounds simple, but we often forget to push the fluids while traveling.

2.     Travel with vitamin C to boost your immune system.

3.      Get some rest and recharge your system.

4.     Thoroughly wash your hands. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds – that is the time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice.

5.      Wipe down your seating area with sanitizing wipes. Clean your driving wheel and handles. Wipe down the armrest and tray on your flight.

6.      Use a tissue to open doors so you don’t make direct contact with handles.

7.      This one sounds odd, but it really does work to kill germs! Put a little bit of Neosporin or another antibiotic ointment in your nostrils to filter the air you are breathing on an airplane.

Contact me to schedule your next trip. 

Top Six Destinations to Visit in 2020

As we enter a new decade, I want to share a few of my favorite places to visit.

1.       River Cruises

Imagine yourself meandering down a tranquil river on your own “floating hotel”.  The ships are much more intimate with fewer passengers and gourmet meals. Unpack your bag just once and let the sites come to you as you enjoy the ever-changing scenery.  You are totally immersed in the local culture. There are castles, vineyards and small quaint villages. Every day you can walk right off the ship and into the center of town. Operators offer river cruises through Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia, Egypt and Africa. 

2.      Safari

Safaris are available for four, five, seven or 10 nights. I was lucky to spend 10 nights in four different areas.  Our group visited the Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. Sleeping options were tents or full-service lodges. I highly recommend visiting Victoria Falls. This incredible sight is about an hour's drive from Kasane and definitely worth the trip! We met lots of locals!

3.      Belize

Belize has world class scuba diving with the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. Visitors enjoy the sailing, fishing, hiking and exploring over 1,000 Mayan ruins. There are also jungles, wildlife reserves and the largest cave system in Central America. Belize is located in Central America. It is always warm, yet comfortable with the blowing trade winds. The food is also amazing!

4.      New Zealand

It is comprised mainly of two islands - the North Island and the South Island - with incredibly diverse scenery. This small country is surrounded by beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and enchanted forests. If you are adventurous, New Zealand is the place for you! Activities include bungy jumping, skydiving, caving, river rafting, jet boat racing, ziplining, canoeing and kayaking. The islands are world renowned for both fishing and golfing. New Zealand is a magical place, and visitors love the laid back and friendly atmosphere.

5.      Expedition Cruising

One of the fastest growing areas in travel is Expedition Cruising to places like the Arctic and Antarctica. An expedition cruise such as one to Antarctica offers passengers an opportunity to meet penguins up close. You can hike on the ice or kayak among icebergs close enough to touch them! You will see wildlife such as puffins, seals and whales in their natural habitat. These cruises offer professional guides and on-board lectures. The trip length varies with different itineraries, some include the popular Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

6.      Montreal and Quebec City

If you prefer not to spend extra time in airports, I highly recommend a visit to the quaint historic areas of Montreal and Quebec City, which are located just across the border in Canada. There are many low-cost flights to these cities. You can easily visit both cities in the same trip because it takes three hours to travel between the cities by car, bus or train. A cruise is a popular way to see this beautiful part of Canada and the Maritime provinces. There are many cruise options that depart from Boston and New York. 

Give me a call at 336-790-8911 to plan a trip to any of these amazing destinations. The hard part will be deciding where to visit first!

Beautiful NEW ZEALAND - the "land down under"!

I have so many reasons to LOVE New Zealand! I met my husband, Stuart, in this gorgeous country many years ago. Stuart was a native Kiwi, and I was fortunate to live in this beautiful country myself for 11 years. I want to explain why this breathtaking island SHOULD definitely be on your "bucket list"!


Many people don't know that New Zealand is very diverse. It is composed of two distinctly different islands - the North Island and the South Island. On our last visit, we spent time in the gorgeous Bay of Islands that is located toward the top of the North Island. Our international flight arrived in Auckland, and we enjoyed a few days there. Then, we picked up a rental car and drove to Pahia, which is a very popular place to stay in the Bay of Islands. There is a lot to see and do in the area. We enjoyed the lovely beaches and wonderful fresh seafood - it almost jumped off our plates!

I would recommend that you take a ferry across to Russell. You don't want to miss a visit to this charming old seaport. A visit to Russell would not be complete without savoring lunch or dinner at the well known Duke of Marlborough Hotel with its wonderful views from the outdoor dining area. History lovers will enjoy visiting historic Waitangi,where the treaty was signed between representatives of the British Crown and Máori Chiefs back in 1840. Don't miss seeing the Mission House and The Stone Store in nearby Kerikeri that dates back to 1822. Words aren't able to explain the stunning beauty of the scenery.

There are so many interesting places in the North Island to visit, but you should save some time to visit Queenstown in the South Island. There are lots of direct flights from Auckland to this spectacular part of New Zealand. Surrounded by mountains, this popular ski area is a great place to visit year round. Their summer season is December through March. There are so many ways to explore! You can take the Skyline Gondola for a panoramic view or board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw steam boat to explore Lake Wakatipu. This is the ONLY
commercial coal-fired ship left in the southern hemisphere.

Adventure seekers love this area for its variety of adrenaline-pumping options. Visitors come from around the world for scenic bungy jumping and the exhilarating Shotover Jet Boat ride! From Queenstown, I highly recommend the scenic drive to Milford Sound. If you choose to drive, I would suggest you spend a night in beautiful Te Anau. For those with limited time, you can book convenient day trips to Milford Sound.

If New Zealand interests you - contact us for more information. We can help you plan a trip of a lifetime! I will give you options for a cruise, a guided tour or self-drive vacation. You just have to decide how long you want to explore these stunning islands!

See the polar bears while you still can...

"What is HOT right now in the travel world?"

This is a question I get asked a lot! My answer is "cold is the new hot!" One of the fastest growing areas in travel is EXPEDITION cruising to places like the Arctic & Antarctica. More and more people want to visit these unique destinations while they still can!

We work with several cruise lines that offer this type of cruise for more adventurous travelers. Options range from luxury cruising to active tours. Lindblad Expeditions partnered with National Geographic for a truly educational experience.

Also known for expedition cruising, Hurtigruten just introduced the world's first hybrid electric powered purpose-built vessels to traverse these fragile ecosystems. These ships offer state-of-the-art Scandinavian design, which is sleek and unpretentious.

If a luxury cruise is more for you, there are several stunning options. Silversea, Scenic and Seabourn all offer several different itineraries with a unique immersive experience. Viking ocean cruises just announced they will launch the first of two new expedition cruise ships in 2022!

An expedition cruise such as one to Antarctica offers passengers an opportunity to meet penguins up close. You can hike on the ice or kayak among icebergs close enough to touch them! You will see wildlife such as puffins, seals and whales in their natural habitat. These cruises offer professional guides and on-board lectures. The trip length varies with different itineraries, some include the popular Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

Most of the expedition cruise options depart from South American ports such as Ushuaia. Quark Expeditions provides another option where you can fly directly into Antarctica to join the expedition cruise ship. Their "Fly the Drake" option departs from Punta Arenas, Chile with spectacular aerial views. This option is good for those travelers who would prefer not to traverse the Drake Passage via ship. This eight-day trip is popular for those who want the arctic experience but don't have the time for a longer cruise. Check out their VIDEO to see what this trip offers.

Like to learn more? Contact us for more information on expedition cruising. I would be delighted to explain which option would be best for you!

River vs. ocean - what cruise is right for you?

I fell in love with river cruising 10 years ago. When we did our first river cruise, very few people had heard of it. Thanks to mass marketing from companies like Viking, most everyone has now heard about the joys of river cruising. First time river cruisers rave about their experience, and this amazing form of travel has grown in popularity.

I am a big fan of the 'MythBusters' television show. I thought it would be a good idea to debunk some of the common myths about river cruising. I have been on lots of both river and ocean cruises over the years. I want to share why river cruising is a very different experience in comparison to ocean cruising.

Firstly, many people have the misconception that river cruising is far more expensive than ocean cruising. However, you would be surprised if you sat down and compared pricing "apples to apples"!  A river cruise is an all-inclusive experience. Cruisers enjoy beverages like specialty teas, gourmet coffees, sodas, juices and bottled water. Guests love the unlimited wine and beer that are included with lunch and dinner. Those who have experienced a large ocean cruise know that the cost of alcoholic drinks can most definitely add up.

But wait - there is more! Many river cruise lines also include cocktails and gratuities in their all-inclusive rate. River cruises also offer an excursion in every port and free WiFi. Many even have bikes on board that guests can use as they explore the quaint villages and towns. Some lines are known for their specialty dining options.

River cruising is NOT for everyone. Although they do have musicians on board and bring on local entertainers, they don't have the space for Broadway-style entertainment. There are no casinos on board or adventurous activities like rock climbing or ice skating. The atmosphere is serene, and many river cruises are adults only.

For families that want to enjoy river cruising, there are cruises created specifically for them. For example, AMA Waterways has partnered with "Adventures by Disney" so that children can see the world through the eyes of a storyteller. These family river cruises are extremely popular as a multi-generational cruise where parents and grandparents have their time to relax, while the Disney hosts entertain the kids with amazing age-appropriate activities.

A river cruise offers unparalleled access to destinations around the world. A river cruise lets you explore Europe, Asia, India, Egypt, Russia and Africa. If you don't want to take an international flight, there are great river cruise options in America. River cruising is more of a cultural experience as you learn about the history of the amazing places you are visiting. Every day you are in a new port - there are no wasted "at sea" days. Even better, there is no chance of seasickness because they slowly meander down a river with incredible scenery all around you. We love the intimate setting on a river cruise. Many river cruise ships in Europe cater to less than 200 passengers. It's like having your own yacht!

If river cruising is something you would like to experience, contact us for more details. There are some incredible deals right now! Some are even offering FREE flights to Europe.