The Splendid Traveler

Stayed at Surf and Sand last month and I’m still thinking about it. I love Laguna so much. I’ve never stayed this close to crashing waves (the ocean, yes, but not actual waves). Waking up right over the water, falling asleep to the waves, and having the beach just steps away made this the perfect place to relax after 3 days at Disney. I can't wait to go back.

The hotel frequently gets complaints that the waves are too loud, I could NEVER complain about that. I just wanted to stay in the room the whole time and enjoy the views. When the tide is high, it looks like you're on a cruise ship. I’m not sure where else you can sleep that close to the actual waves. I would imagine they wouldn't be allowed to build a building that close if built today. Although the hotel is older, they just went through a massive reno so it feels brand new. The rooms are beautiful and the service is great.

Book through me for included breakfast, a 100 dollar hotel credit, and an upgrade.

We had the most magical time at Disneyland celebrating Hammy’s birthday a couple of weeks ago! Three amazing days in the parks: two with Auntie Lola and one with my parents and Josh, and so many memories made with our sweet birthday boy.

We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and loved being just a quick walk from the parks. Everything about Disneyland felt so easy, with only two parks right across from each other, it’s simple to navigate and perfect for families.

I’d done Disney as a child, teen, and young adult many times, but I've never done Disney with a stroller, and I was nervous. It went so much better than I expected! It was actually nice to have a spot to stash all the snacks and jackets.

We used Lightning Lane for the first time, and I loved the convenience. It was worth the price. I just kept refreshing the app throughout the day to grab every ride we wanted, and it worked so well!

If you’re staying at the Disneyland Hotel, mobile order your coffee from the hotel café or the Starbucks in Downtown Disney before heading to the parks. It saves so much time in the morning!

There’s nothing quite like seeing the magic through your child’s eyes. 💫

Is it a coincidence that I posted in my stories about the lack of security at the Louvre… and a few days later there was a heist? 🤣 The Louvre is sooo crowded. We saw the highlights and made a quick escape!

The best part of any family trip is the time spent together, and the kids are such splendid travelers. I can’t wait for our next adventure! 💜

If you’re dreaming about your own family adventure (or a getaway without the kids), I’d love to help you plan it! From finding the perfect destination to creating those moments you’ll talk about forever, I love creating personalized itineraries for my clients.

2024 was a year of travel rediscovery for me—it was my first year really traveling again since having Hamilton in 2021 (and we all know what happened in 2020). This past year, I explored Saint Lucia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and went to Northern California (twice!). But the truly special moments was taking a delayed honeymoon to New Zealand—one of the favorite destinations that I specialize in planning for my clients—and showing Josh why it’s so close to my heart. We also gave the kids their first real travel experience with a week in Japan.

This photo captures one of my favorite meals of the year at the incredible Otahuna Lodge outside of Christchurch, where every detail is pure perfection and the food is next-level. Amazing experiences like this remind me why I love crafting unforgettable journeys. Let’s make 2025 your year of extraordinary travel—reach out, and I’ll help you plan your dream trip!