If you’ve missed previous newsletter emails that I’ve sent out, you can find them below! I don’t archive the What to Be Planning ones because they are typically only relevant in the month they are sent. Let me know if any of these make you eager to travel!
This month has been busy, busy, busy for me with new trip inquiries flying in! But it's important to take time to check out the craziness that is Minnesota culture so that's just what the kids and I did on Sunday: we experienced the Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival for the first time.
Read MoreMy business has continued to grow and I couldn't have done it without the travelers who've trusted me with their itineraries, the many fabulous referrals, and the positive reviews that have been left for me.
I'm so excited to see what 2025 brings, but before I do, let's take a look at what 2024 had in store…
Read MoreAs I take the day to celebrate and recharge, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude. Your trust in me to help craft your travel experiences means the world to me, and it’s truly a gift I treasure. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey—it’s an honor I don’t take lightly.
Read MoreTo own a small business is no easy feat, and even the most dedicated entrepreneur cannot do it alone: we need stupendous clients to make our dreams work. So in this season of thankfulness and gratitude, please know: I am so thankful for you and your continued support of my business.
Read MoreMid-month, I attended the European Travel Agent Forum in the Azores (a Portuguese island chain in the Atlantic). First of all - if you haven't been here, it was BEA-U-TI-FUL. It reminded me of a cross between Hawaii (there are 9 islands here and each is a little bit different with different charm) and Ireland (lots of quaint farms with cows roaming, and very green). I only got to explore one island, Terceira, but some of my colleagues went on to see 2 or 3 others, and their pictures and stories were amazing. If you're looking to check this island chain off your bucket list, I'd recommend planning to travel in the summer months, when weather is warmest and there's the most activities going on.
Read MoreThis month I joined my colleagues in travel at an annual conference in Funner, CA, and it was indeed Fun! But more importantly, I was able to connect with tour operators and travel suppliers, network with my friends and colleagues, and win a Monarch Agency award!
Read MoreNot only is it my birthday month (yay! happy birthday to me!), but it is also the month we head up to the cabin for a family weekend and the one in which the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival begin! So much fun in just one month!
Read MoreWe loved the city we used to live in, Robbinsdale, as it always felt like a small town right in the big city. Because of how much we still love it, not only is Experience Culture Travel in the Robbinsdale Chamber of Commerce, but we also love going to Robbinsdale for their Whiz Bang Days celebrations every July! One of our favorite aspects of the celebrations is the parade. It is one of the last pieces of Whiz Bang Days and occurs at 3pm on Sunday. We've hardly ever missed one!
Read MoreSummer'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.
Read MoreWith 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.
Read MoreThis 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.
Read More2024 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.
Read MoreLast 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!
Read MoreLast month was the month of clearing out water damage from our basement, and this month started off with a bang - literally! My 8 year old, EV, tripped and fell and broke her wrist on the 1st. She's in a cast now for about 4 weeks, but unfortunately has to wait another 4 weeks to enjoy her gymnastics class again safely.
Read MoreAs I take a moment to reflect, I want to thank you for your support and especially thank all of you who have used me to book and plan your travels this year!
Read MoreThis year I took off from new trip inquiries for a couple weeks to ensure I had plenty of time to do holiday activities with my family. The kids and I enjoyed making 6 different types of cookies/treats to give out as gifts to some friends, family, and neighbors - and all were gluten free and dairy free (aside from butter, which my kids tolerate).
Read MoreTomorrow is Thanksgiving in the States, and a perfect time to stop and reflect on what I'm thankful for both personally as well as professionally.
Read MoreOctober is one of my favorite times of the year (obviously second to August and the State Fair) because it means family costuming for Halloween! We always try to come up with handmade/homemade costumes, where we can find thrift store treasures to complete our outfits. Typically, my husband also participates, but one of his favorite bands is playing in concert on Halloween proper this year, so he got the boot... this time.
Read MoreThis last weekend I had the privilege of winning two awards at my host agency's travel conference that I attended (Travel Quest World). Out of 3000 or so agents, I won the Best Email Newsletter award (so hopefully you enjoy these!) and I also was one of about 20 or so that won Monarch Agency awards, which highlights travel agencies of excellence for sales performance and growth, support of other travel agents (I'm big into community over competition), and utilization of travel programs and products in my business. This is my 2nd consecutive year of winning the Monarch Agency award, so I must be doing something right!
Read MoreThis summer has been a busy one - my Google calendar is full of color, with events many days of each week. But that's the way we like it in the Brown household. From the first fireworks my son has ever experienced to visiting the zoo, arboretum, our own family vacations, and heading up to the cabin with the full extended family, it's been fun. And the best is now: we're right in the midst of the Minnesota State Fair, and for the next 5 weekends the Renaissance Festival will have its gates open too! Take a look below to learn more about each of these fun seasonal festivities!
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