Having stayed mostly at home the last few months, do you find yourself missing the days of regularly seeing friends and extended family members? Phone calls and Zoom videos are great, but nothing beats connecting in person. Travel has started back up again and...
From the Desk of Denise Koranek
Disneyland versus Walt Disney World: Which vacation is right for your family?
If you’ve never visited Disneyland (Anaheim, California) or Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida), you might assume that both locations are basically the same. The reality is a bit different - while you will find many of the same attractions, Disneyland and Walt Disney...
Is Family Vacation a Joy or a Chore?
Do you notice families on vacation that just look totally exhausted? You know, kids tired and hungry from running around all day and parents stressed about what to do next, looking like they’d just rather be home? Is this your fear or experience on a family vacation?...
A traveler’s guide to genealogy – how to get the most out of tracing your family’s roots
Tracing your family tree is a great reason to explore the world. Most of us have a general sense of our heritage, and there are DNA testing kits to really pinpoint it, oftentimes with great sales such as 2-for-1. Why not turn your next vacation into something a little...
Babymoon On a Budget
This week we discuss taking a “babymoon” – that is, a vacation to celebrate your life now in this moment. More and more couples are opting to take a pre-baby vacation prior to the baby-proofing and stockpiling of diapers; however, financially planning for such...
Group Travel – Always Better Together!
There’s nothing better than traveling with people you care about, creating shared experiences that soon won’t be forgotten. The more the merrier – that’s what group travel is all about! During these times it’s a great idea to form your own safe travel pod of...
7 Reasons to Go Guided
Dreaming of your next vacation? There’s no need spending weeks researching online how to experience a destination. Instead, let someone else take on all the details that come with having “The Perfect Trip”. See why more and more travelers choose a guided tour— and why...
Airlines are making it more difficult for groups and families to sit together. Here’s where we step in.
Can you imagine giving an airline thousands of dollars for your family’s flight, only to find out last-minute that you can’t even sit together? Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming increasingly common with fuller flights and less freely available reserved seats....
Dreaming of a Destination Wedding? Make Sure to Avoid these Pitfalls
There’s nothing more memorable, exciting, and romantic than a destination wedding. Just think, you and all your favorite people get to be part of your special day at one of the most beautiful settings in the world. It’s truly the time of romance, joy,...
This place is like Alaska on steroids: Here’s why Norwegians are some of the happiest people on Earth
sk a person from Norway about the weather and they’ll tell you: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! There’s no doubt about it – Norway is wild and beautiful. It’s easy to see why a country with scenery that makes even Alaska look...
Top 5 Things to See and Do on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai
Kauai is the fourth largest of the islands in the archipelago that makes up the state of Hawaii, and the northernmost. Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is the least commercially developed, offering a pristine and relaxing paradise. Although relatively small—just 550...
Say Aloha to 10 Healthy and Rejuvenating Experiences in Hawaii
Everyone knows Hawaii is a tropical paradise, but it’s also becoming a popular destination for health and wellness vacations. In fact, Hawaii has been named the nation’s healthiest state for five years in a row! Think about all the stressors you have; now imagine...
Hawaii is Fully Re-opening: Which Hawaiian Island is Perfect for You
Effective March 26th, U.S. travelers heading to Hawaii will no longer need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test before their departure to avoid a mandatory 14-day quarantine. This is great news for travelers as we continue to move forward in our new...
5 Short Hikes on the Big Island, Hawaii: Stunning Vistas and Gentle Climbs
When visitors think “Hawaii,” their mental images are generally centered on sun, surf, and sand. Yet Hawaii—especially the Big Island—is also an excellent place to hike. The Big Island boasts beautiful waterfalls, complex and changeable ecosystems, high mountain...
Can taking a vacation cause more stress than staying home?
You’d think it would be straightforward – we love taking vacations, we’re stressed, therefore taking a vacation results in lower stress upon return. Unfortunately, research doesn’t always support this claim. In fact, one study in the Netherlands found that most people...
About Denise
My goal is to simplify travel-planning through an equal exchange process where I acquire your ideas and expectations for your trip relieving you of the worry, hassle, stress and time that accompanies Do-It-Yourself planning. Recent Posts
Stay safe on your next vacation with these crucial tech tips
We all like to assume people are inherently good. Unfortunately when traveling, sometimes that isn’t always the case. With your phone and other technology, it’s a good idea to be cautious when a helpful stranger offers to take a group photo. You key in your PIN and...
A Successful Plan to Beat Jet Lag
As someone who loves to travel, I’ve experienced my fair share of jet lag. The fatigue, insomnia, and general feeling of being out of sync can really put a damper on a trip. So when my son and I planned a trip from Toronto to Perth, involving three different flights,...
What’s the best cruise cabin for you?
Cruise lines offer a dizzying array of cabins for you to choose from. Fortunately, your travel expert can help vet all the options for you. Do you tend to get seasick? Want to be close to all the action? Whatever your travel style, there is a location best suited for...
It’s hot outside! How to travel safely during a heat wave
There has been a lot of news coverage recently about the extreme temperatures in much of the northern hemisphere. Traveling in the summer has its perks – generally it’s peak time for tourism so everything is open and running, but you do need to be weather-aware....
Experiencing the Northern Lights in Alaska and Beyond
If you want the chance to “catch the Lights”, contact us and we will design an adventure for you that is as exciting, memorable, and brilliant as the Lights themselves.