I'm throwing the usual planning guide on its head this month: instead of telling you what to plan, I'm going to tell you what you shouldn't be planning for 2025, and that is Italy, particularly Rome.
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This particular client reached out to me with a request to visit Colombia, as he has been learning Spanish and wants to put himself in a position where he has to use what he's learned. His tutor is from Colombia, so he thought this would be a good first trip to take to Latin America. He didn't have too much time off work approved, so we fit in his trip into 5 days, not counting travel days on either end.
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Summer's kicked off and we're off to a good start. Last summer was the first summer where I had the kids home with me full time, and it got a little chaotic by the end. So, in light of that, this summer I made a daily schedule to try to keep a bit or order (while still allowing for a lot of fun)! One item on the list that I think will be good for everyone is cleaning the house - each person (me, EV, and Malcolm) has a designated hour of cleaning in the morning before being able to play with friends.
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If you're not familiar with the locations of the countries in southern Africa, you may not know where Zimbabwe lies: north of South Africa, east of Botswana, west of Mozambique and south of Zambia. For a landlocked country, it does offer a lot of water activities though - mostly due to the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. Avid whitewater rafters (and beginners alike) often come here to experience the Class 5 water on the Zambezi, and those who love to fish will travel to try their hand at catching the Tiger Fish found in that very same river.
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Something that's often on people's bucket lists are those overwater bungalows. Most often found in the Maldives, Bora Bora, or even sometimes in the Caribbean, if you've ever wanted to experience this type of relaxation, you should start planning now!
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These clients realized that for their honeymoon, they wanted to go as far away that they may never get back to. Rio ended up being what the selected, and I think they'll have a grand time.
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With sun and warm weather, the Browns love to bike! (Minus Dad, who doesn't enjoy biking.) This summer, our goal is to average about 25 miles per week. EV is a great biker, has already done a 10-miler day this year, and is fully onboard for the goal. Malcolm hasn't yet learned to ride a bike, so he sits in the trailer and on trails will get out and very speedily scooter for a ways.
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Nestled in the North Atlantic, the island of Ireland is a land of captivating beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Divided into two distinct political entities – the Republic of Ireland to the south and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, to the northeast – the island offers a diverse tapestry of landscapes and experiences. From the rugged cliffs of County Clare's Cliffs of Moher to the verdant hills of County Antrim's Glens, Ireland's natural splendor never fails to enchant visitors. In addition to its breathtaking scenery, the island boasts a wealth of historical and cultural treasures, from ancient Celtic ruins to medieval castles and bustling cosmopolitan cities.
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This month I recommend you grabbing your calendars and figuring out what your plans are for holiday travel - specifically Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa-time. The December holidays are a particularly popular time to travel, as many people's work slows down then and kids are off school, and with that popularity comes increased demand...and increased cost.
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This client came to me feeling like she was a bit behind in planning her trip, due to a misunderstanding with a previous travel agent she had been working with who ended up not being able to help her plan her custom itinerary and cost her a few months' time. Lucky for her, this very unique trip is exactly my cup of tea! Her trip revolves around tickets to Taylor Swift that she'd secured for her family, and wanting to expose the kids to the culture of Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Zürich, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome!
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I personally think that traveling with babies is a lot easier than people think -- if you've planned appropriately. It's the toddler stage that brings a few more challenges, and even then, I still think its a great idea to travel with your kids! Here are a few tips I found helpful when Malcolm and I went on a 2 week trip to Europe alone (the picture above is all we packed!).
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This month we celebrated EV's birthday with some of her favorite things: cats, bowling, cake, and presents! She's been into learning origami recently, but didn't have any square shaped paper (meaning I had to help cut precise squares out of normal rectangular paper) so she got some real origami paper as one of her presents.
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Argentina, a land of vibrant culture, breathtaking natural landscapes, and rich history, invites travelers to experience its diverse tapestry of experiences. It is here that the passionate dance known as the tango was born, loaded with expression and emotion, and a beautiful dance to watch - or perform. Embrace the cosmopolitan charm of Buenos Aires, where the echoes of European architecture blend seamlessly with Latin American flair, offering a glimpse into Argentina's colonial past and modern urban vibrancy. Beyond the bustling cities, immerse yourself in the gaucho culture of the vast pampas, where traditional folk music and horsemanship reflect Argentina's rural heritage.
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Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt and the like are typically year round destinations, but going in September through November or February through April are the best times to visit as the weather tends to be dry and warm then.
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My client and her sister wanted to take their parents to Ireland, as their mother is 3/4 Irish and has always wanted to go see her ancestral lands. On a previous vacation they experienced Germany which was Dad's heritage, but now it's Mom's time!
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2024 has hit us a little harder than most years do - with ER visits, family medical scares, and now our beloved cat, Ptolemy, has crossed the rainbow bridge. It was quite unexpected - he hadn't shown signs of feeling unwell until just last week, but his illness was so great that we were faced with the difficult decision to help him pass to end his suffering.
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NASA scientists have predicted that 2024 will be "super season" for Aurora Borealis, also known as the northern lights - so where better to catch the painted skies than in Iceland! The best time to visit to catch a glimpse of this natural wonder is between September and April - and if you head to Iceland in December or January you may find yourself luckier to see them as there are only 4-5 hours of daylight during this time.
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These clients are celebrating their two kids graduating high school with a big trip to Europe. Their son is very into World War II history, while their daughter loves good architecture and historic places. I think they definitely picked three cities that will fit that bill!
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Last month EV broke her arm so we "enjoyed" the emergency room and orthopedic appointments. This month brought me back to the hospital as my dad has had some health issues of late, one of which required him to go in for diagnostics (Malcolm and I kept him company for most of one of the days he was there). Hopefully none of my clients felt any type of interruption in the services I provide, but in case you were wondering, life has been a bit hectic for me as of late!
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Getting the 7 continent badge of honor often seems a lofty goal to people - like Antarctica is unattainable or only for "true adventurers" or those with very high disposable incomes. While of course those two categories of people do travel to Antarctica, it is possible for some of us "common folks" to go there too!
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