Okay, let’s talk about something that might ruffle a few feathers: I hate VRBOs. 😬 Don’t get me wrong—vacation rentals can work in some situations. But after years of planning both my own trips and client vacations, I’ve seen the same issues come up again and again: Hidden fees that make the “cheap” nightly rate […]
Have you ever opened your laptop to plan a family vacation… and found yourself drowning in tabs an hour later? One search for “best family vacations” leads to 100 new options. Instead of clarity, you’re left with more questions than you started with. Should we go to the beach? A national park? Italy? Should we […]
There’s a belief that family travel has to mean big, expensive, faraway trips. But some of our best memories have been made just a couple of hours from home. When we’ve needed to save money or time but still craved an adventure, we’ve turned to local getaways. From the Oregon Coast to Central Oregon, the […]
Family Travel Tips for Dietary Restrictions Travel with Allergies: Why Early Planning Wins While my own family doesn’t have dietary restrictions, I’ve planned trips for families who do—and I’ve learned one thing: early communication is everything. One of my favorite examples was a family with a pretty restrictive diet headed to Disneyland. Disney is usually […]
Traveling across time zones with kids can feel intimidating. Jet lag isn’t just a “grown-up problem”—little ones feel it too. Over the years, we’ve learned a few tricks that make the difference between a cranky, sleepless first few days and a smooth adjustment. When we travel from the West Coast to the East Coast, we […]
Every family has their “can’t leave home without it” travel essentials. For us, these items are the difference between smooth adventures and total meltdowns. Here’s a peek into what actually works for us—no gimmicks, just tested, mom-approved gear. 🔋 1. Portable Chargers My #1 essential. Between tablets, phones, and random toy batteries, having power on […]
Listen, even travel planners make mistakes. The good news? Every “oops” moment turns into a better strategy next time. Here are a few of my personal family travel mishaps that will (hopefully) make you smile and help you avoid them on your next trip. 🎒 1. Overpacking Like We Were Moving Abroad I used to […]
If you’ve ever wondered if traveling with points and miles really works… I’m living proof it does. Since we started using points and miles, my family has flown to Hawaii, NYC, Argentina, and the Cayman Islands—often in business class, often for free. Here’s a peek at what we’ve booked with points: Business class flights to […]
If you’ve never been to Oʻahu, Hawaii—it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Honolulu, the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head… how do you fit it all in? This 4-day itinerary is based on the exact one I built for a real client and polished with personal recommendations. 🏝️ Day 1: Arrival + […]
Costco Travel is a big name—and sometimes, their cruise prices are great. But here’s what they don’t give you: personalized service. I recently helped a family compare their Alaska Royal Caribbean cruise options between Costco and me. The price? Identical. The experience? Totally different. What You Get with Costco: A good rate Maybe a Costco […]