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!
October 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 MoreBeing the 5th largest country in the world means whatever I write here will be just a drop in a bucket of what could be covered, but I'll do my best. Brazil holds the title of being the most biodiverse country in the world as well, so for those flora and fauna lovers, you may want to add this country to your bucketlist. It's landmass encompasses 60% of the Amazon rainforest, the Brazilian Highlands, the Pantanal (a wetland area shared with Bolivia and Paraguay) and the Great Escarpment along the coast. Having this much of a diverse geography also means the wildlife is diverse throughout the country, with everything from jaguars to tamarins to toucans, and everything in between!
Read MoreWe're heading into the tail end of fall, and if you're from the midwest, you know that means cold is coming (if it hasn't already arrived where you live). If you've got ideas to get away from the cold this winter or spring, you should start on them, like, yesterday!
Read MoreThis client had recently had her position eliminated at her job and wanted to capitalize on her time away from work to see some of the world. The one catch was that it was very short notice - less than 2 months of planning time! Her wishes were: to be somewhere that she would not have to speak another language to survive, not to pack up her suitcase too often during the trip, and for beautiful landscape and scenery. An Avalon river cruise along the lower Danube was just the ticket!
Read MoreTürkiye, or Turkey as most English speaking countries have called it until recently, is a unique country straddling Europe and Asia. It's not often that one city (in this case, Istanbul) can claim residence in two continents! Being off the Mediterranean and near the Middle East, it has a vast history spanning multiple empires and country names.
Read MoreWe are less than 6 months from St. Patrick's Day, so if you've ever thought about spending it on the Emerald Isle, now's the time to plan it for 2024! See if you can spot a leprechaun, or take the time to enjoy a Guinness or Jameson in a local pub. Ireland over March 17th is a special event. And bonus: Delta flies nonstop to Dublin now!
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!
Read MoreI don't get too many inquiries for truly off the beaten path destinations like Papua New Guinea, but this country is definitely a special one to see for yourself. The work to get there and get around makes it worth it when you meet the people and learn about the multicultural island roots.
Read MoreAs I start thinking about how many times I'll attend the Minnesota State Fair, you can start thinking about your bucketlist trip to Southeast Asia - countries like Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, or even the Philippines.
Read MoreI love a good repeat client, and this family is no exception! They've had me plan travel for them before, but this time they're heading over the Atlantic to check off some amazing sites from their bucketlists. From Giza to Rome to the Amalfi coast, they'll be seeing a lot in their 11 days! And included in the 11 days is their layover in Paris - with a long enough span to go into the city briefly!
Read MoreThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in central Europe with Prague as its capitol. The commonly used term "Bohemian" actually comes from one of the major regions within the country, Bohemia, which also originated the country's nickname of "Land of the Bohemian Crown" from the 14th century on.
Read MoreSummertime in Europe is considered the peak season - meaning it costs more, is busier, and popular destinations, accommodations, or tours can have limited availability quickly. July is an excellent time to begin planning your 2024 summer Europe trip! Ensure you get the flights, hotels, tours, and tickets you want before they are gone or way too pricey. Europe has seen a booming 2023 summer season, it's expecting an even bigger 2024!
Read MoreThis family came to me wanting a once in a lifetime trip, where the boys could ATV through the jungle, check out waterfalls, zip line, and do all kinds of adrenaline inducing activities. They had their eyes on Costa Rica, and it delivered this amazing itinerary, split between jungle and beach!
Read MoreTanzania offers amazing safari experiences that bring adventure seekers from around the globe. One of the greatest aspects of safaris in Tanzania is the diversity of its wildlife and landscapes. From the Serengeti plains, where the Great Migration unfolds with millions of wildebeest and zebras in search of greener pastures, to the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro standing majestically on the horizon, Tanzania's natural beauty is simply awe-inspiring. Whether it's a thrilling game drive, a hot air balloon safari, or an intimate walking safari, Tanzania offers a range of safari experiences that provide a profound connection with nature and leave travelers with lifelong memories.
Read MoreThis bucket list destination is one that requires advance planning to achieve. For those who want to hike the Inca Trail (which has varying levels of treks available), the permits can go quickly. A good rule of thumb is to book about 8 months in advance. The peak season (and thus most popular for trekkers) is between late March - May and then again September - mid December.
Read MoreThese clients decided to do a honey-fund for their wedding, having guests contribute to their honeymoon budget. They wanted to spend the majority of their time in London, as the groom had studied abroad there in college and he wanted to share some of his memories with his new bride. They also wanted to explore Edinburgh's art festival, and of course, check out the Eiffel Tower while in Paris.
Read MoreThe Kingdom of Jordan, in the Middle East, which once captivated ancient travelers, continues to enthrall a whole new generation as a modern, vibrant nation. There are many astounding sites to be seen, including the capital Amman, the magnificent Nabataean city of Petra, the spectacular Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash, Lawrence of Arabia’s famous Wadi Rum, and many other historical and impressive sites throughout the Kingdom.
Read MoreBecause these are usually both larger ticket items AND bucketlist items for many people, it's best to begin the planning a year or more in advance. Many people take their first safari by making the long flight over to Kenya or Tanzania for calving season (January - March, typically) or for the season of river crossings (November - December, usually).
Read MoreThis family of five came to me with a great 3-year plan - they wanted to explore somewhere in South America this year, and then someplace in Africa and Asia in the following two years. For South America, they were really feeling Brazil was just the ticket - specifically wanting to experience Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls.
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