Share The Magic Travel - Rachel Baldridge

Share The Magic Travel - Rachel Baldridge I offer FREE vacation planning services! Bringing a little magic to your travel dreams!
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Spend a week at this stunning Santorini hotel, a place where I have sent clients who had the most wonderful time! June 1...
08/19/2024

Spend a week at this stunning Santorini hotel, a place where I have sent clients who had the most wonderful time! June 14-21, 2025 - $4,043 for 2 guests with daily breakfast included!

Centrally located within walking distance of shopping and dining as well as being in the heart of the quiet well sought after neighborhood of Oia!

If Greece is on your dream trip list for next year (or this year!) I'd love to help you plan your vacation!

31 days until I'm back in my favorite place. I. CANNOT. WAIT. A long weekend with my agent friends, fun adventures on ou...
08/19/2024

31 days until I'm back in my favorite place. I. CANNOT. WAIT.

A long weekend with my agent friends, fun adventures on our top producers retreat, and getting to play and forget about being an adult for a few days (without kids too)....

Countdown is ON!

Are you newly engaged or know someone who just recently got engaged? I'd love for you to share my contact information wi...
08/18/2024

Are you newly engaged or know someone who just recently got engaged? I'd love for you to share my contact information with them.

One of my favorite things to plan are HONEYMOONS! It is such a special season in life and I make sure to get every add on and freebie I possibly can to take your romantic get away to new levels.

Here are some examples of honeymoons I could book!
-All inclusive resorts in the Caribbean
-A river cruise through Europe
-An African safari!
-A road trip (you pick the cities, I'll plan everything else!)
- A magical trip to Disney World or Universal
-A week in a Mediterranean location like Santorini for example
-A weekend get away in a city thats within driving distance of your home

You can dream it, I can plan it! This holds true for anniversaries as well! I just recently was able to secure a few free add ons to clients traveling to the west coast in a few weeks. They will have a sweet surprise waiting for them while they are celebrating their 10th anniversary!

My services are complimentary and I'd love to partner with you to take over the research and ex*****on of such an important trip while you're busy planning a wedding!

*Please, serious inquiries only. I've recently had an influx of people requesting quotes and booking what I have planned out in their custom quotes on their own. I ask that you respect my/my family's time as I take great effort in making your quotes fit your needs and budgets and this is so disrespectful. Do not contact me for price hunting and "shopping travel agents". Thank you! :)

DEAL ALERT! Summer dates for a family of 4 - $3,502.60 for a week long cruise on the ship Celebrity Beyond, Panoramic Oc...
08/17/2024

DEAL ALERT! Summer dates for a family of 4 - $3,502.60 for a week long cruise on the ship Celebrity Beyond, Panoramic Oceanview Stateroom!

7 Nights Western Caribbean itinerary
Starting 29JUN2025
$250 per person deposit, balance due March 31 2025

Sale ends in 2 days! Looking to cruise in 2025? Now is the time to lock in the best prices!

DINING GIFT CARD PROMO - Thanksgiving week sample quote!Family of 4: Check-in -  26NOV24  Check-out -  01DEC24Loews Roya...
08/17/2024

DINING GIFT CARD PROMO - Thanksgiving week sample quote!

Family of 4:
Check-in - 26NOV24 Check-out - 01DEC24
Loews Royal Pacific Resort in a 2 queen room
4 day tickets: 2 park, park to park tickets
Unlimited express pass for all
$1000 dining and beverage gift card included!
TOTAL COST: $4,491.31

THIS DEAL IS FREAKING AWESOME! See below for other level resorts. Message me to quote the dates and party size that works for YOU!

*Prices and availability subject to change and terms

BREAKING NEWS - brand new UNIVERSAL PROMO!!!!  How tasty is this? Select vacation packages with up to $1,000 Dining Card...
08/15/2024

BREAKING NEWS - brand new UNIVERSAL PROMO!!!! How tasty is this? Select vacation packages with up to $1,000 Dining Card included*!!!! Restrictions apply.

Sample quote for family of 4:
$1000 dining gift card!
5 day tickets, park to park access
Universal express pass unlimited for ALL days
Standard 2 queen garden view room at Loews Portofino Bay
Total Package Price for 4: $4,266.86
Check-in - 16JAN25 Check-out - 21JAN25

THAT. IS. UNBELIEVABLE. Here are the dates this promo is good for.....

Valid for stays 11/7/24-12/19/24 and 1/5/25-4/10/25. Minimum 4-night stay and minimum 4-day promo ticket required. Food and Beverage Card value varies based on hotel and length of stay.

Interested in a pretty tasty deal?!?! This is incredible news. I'd love to help you plan your next Universal vacation!

Fine print ;)

FOR FOOD & BEVERAGE PURCHASES ONLY. SAFEGUARD THIS CARD LIKE CASH.
This Universal Orlando Resort Food & Beverage Card is not valid for use until activated. This Card can only be used for
purchases at select Food and Beverage locations throughout Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure,
Universal Volcano Bay Water Theme Park, Universal CityWalk, and Universal Orlando Hotels. This Card cannot be used for
mobile food and beverage orders (MFDO), Hotel room service/pizza delivery orders, or for online purchases at
UniversalOrlando.com. No expiration date or additional fees apply. This Card cannot be used to purchase Gift Cards, Tickets,
Universal Express Passes, Merchandise, or any other benefits. Unless required by law, this Card is not redeemable for cash,
and cannot be returned or refunded. Will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. Universal Orlando is not responsible for
unauthorized use of this Card. Participating locations and benefits are subject to change without notice and additional
restrictions may apply. This Card is issued by Universal City Development Partners, Ltd. (“Universal Orlando”). Use of this
Card constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions, which are subject to change. For balance inquiry, call 1-888-322-
1565. © 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

A few weeks ago our reservation window opened for our Disney Cruise in October! This is when you can book excursions, ad...
08/15/2024

A few weeks ago our reservation window opened for our Disney Cruise in October! This is when you can book excursions, adult only dining, bippity boppity boutique appointments, and special offerings like the picnic with Olaf offered on our cruise.

There was only 2 things that I wanted to reserve:
-Snorkeling equipment for our day at Castaway Cay
-Nursery time for Hattie

We learned VERY quickly on our last Disney Cruise that the nightly broadway level shows are AMAZING...AND that our daughter is not at the sit still age yet ;) After the first night which was a disaster and I ended up just walking her around the ship the whole time, we ended up reserving her time in the nursery each night for these shows. The cast members were WONDERFUL with her and she walked in without a tear. The nursery is filled with fun for her age and she even came back to us with artwork. It cost $9/hour and was well worth it (the kids club for age 3 and up doesn't cost anything, just the nursery).

I'm hoping she will be able to sit through the shows with us but last month we took her to see Inside Out 2 and we were once again in the back of the theatre and in the lobby despite the 8,000 snacks I brought. Ha!

I was SO apprehensive about letting my kids go into the kids club/nursery before this cruise. They are my most precious things in this world and I don't trust anyyyyyyone. I have 2 people I let babysit them and that's it. That said, the cast members were just wonderful with all 3 and they begged to go back to kids club every day.

Definitely a fun perk for all of a Disney Cruise!

*BOOKED!*The D family locked in an insane rate for a Celebrity Reflection cruise! This itinerary includes stops at Key W...
08/14/2024

*BOOKED!*

The D family locked in an insane rate for a Celebrity Reflection cruise! This itinerary includes stops at Key West and the Bahamas. They have beautiful balcony staterooms and delicious onboard dining/amenities!

I know they will have such an amazing time in October! Thanks for letting me plan your adventures!

*BOOKED!*I got to plan a very last minute SURPRISE trip that combined a short stay at Universal followed by a 4 day crui...
08/13/2024

*BOOKED!*

I got to plan a very last minute SURPRISE trip that combined a short stay at Universal followed by a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas! We stayed in budget, got them an awesome deal, and I can't wait to hear how the surprise goes!!!! Not bad for planning 3 weeks in advance ;)

*BOOKED!*The L couple is headed on a kid free Disney Cruise! YES, you read that right! Disney cruises are NOT just for f...
08/12/2024

*BOOKED!*

The L couple is headed on a kid free Disney Cruise! YES, you read that right! Disney cruises are NOT just for families. They are for all ages! There's so much for adults to do kids free on the ship - spas, private adult only areas, adult only dining, and more!

They will be on the Disney Dream in a gorgeous balcony room. They also get onboard credit as a gift from me for booking a Disney Cruise with my agency!

Their itinerary stops at the Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, part of Eleuthera in the Bahamas! The waters are the MOST BEAUTIFUL clear blue.

Thanks for letting me be a part of planning your trip!

Sample quote: Spend a week in Tulum at a small luxury hotel of the world for only $2701 for a partial sea view room with...
08/12/2024

Sample quote: Spend a week in Tulum at a small luxury hotel of the world for only $2701 for a partial sea view room with private plunge pool! October 12-19, 2024

*Prices and availability subject to change, does not include flights or food. Message me to quote your needed dates!

A few quick facts about this hotel:
-One of the restaurants on site is in the top 50 best restaurants in the world!
-Located inside a national park and only 5 minutes from the Mayan ruins!
-Winner of Open Table "Diner's Choice" award for 2024
-Only 20 rooms at this small boutique hotel
-Winner of 2024 Trip Advisor "Best of the best" award

Nestled upon a small rocky outcrop overlooking the Caribbean Sea, sits Hotel Mi Amor. Step inside our Art Deco, Acapulco Heyday-inspired playground. Our unique open space concept reveals nature’s perfect balance. Hideaway inside our private striped cabanas perched among our lush gardens while listening to the waves. Swing from hammock chairs over the infinity pool while you sip craft cocktails at our Besame Mucho bar.Dine from award-winning chef José Luis Hinostroza’s contemporary menu highlighting Mexico´s abundance of seafood. Nestle into a love nest like no other. Take in a couples spa treatment or peruse our gift shop full of curated finds. No matter where you turn, you will find that love does indeed come through the senses

*BOOKED!*I LOVE when I get to plan multiple trips for clients! The R family holds a special place in my heart because J ...
08/11/2024

*BOOKED!*

I LOVE when I get to plan multiple trips for clients! The R family holds a special place in my heart because J got me started with my Disney obsession ;) She was MY travel agent for my first ever trip to Disney years ago!

Now, I've planned 2 Disney girls trips for them and we just started working on their summer trip for 2025! This is going to be a road trip that includes San Francisco, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, and a stay at Disneyland to wrap up the trip. They had this planned for a few years ago but Covid hit and they had to cancel everything.

We just booked two amazing locations for the first half of the trip. An amazing stay within walking distance of the bay in San Francisco and a summer cottage rental at one of the small luxury hotels of the world - just minutes outside of Yosemite! Daily breakfast and afternoon snacks are included plus they have a cottage with full kitchen to enjoy together.

I know this will be such a fun trip and I'm honored to get to help plan it!

Yesterday at D23 there were tons of amazing announcements!!!! These are my favorites coming to Disney World! Which would...
08/11/2024

Yesterday at D23 there were tons of amazing announcements!!!! These are my favorites coming to Disney World! Which would YOU be most excited for?!

😈👻 VILLAINS LAND IS COMING TO MAGIC KINGDOM!!! This land will have 2 major attractions, dining, shopping and so much more!

🚘 A brand new Cars Land is headed to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom! This land will feature 2 brand new cars attractions and will begin construction early 2025!

🚪 Monsters Inc Land at Hollywood Studios will feature a doors coaster, the first ever suspended roller coaster created by Disney! Construction begins next in 2025!

🌸 Tropical Americas will replace DinoLand USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This land will feature 3 new attractions - an all new Indiana Jones attraction, a carousel full of famous Disney animals and the first ever Encanto attraction! Construction begins THIS FALL and will open in 2027!

🎇 A new nighttime parade is headed to Magic Kingdom! Disney Starlight debuts in 2025!!

*BOOKED!*I just booked a trip for 2 that includes 5 days of park to park tickets at Universal Orlando, a stay at a delux...
08/10/2024

*BOOKED!*

I just booked a trip for 2 that includes 5 days of park to park tickets at Universal Orlando, a stay at a deluxe resort Loews Royal Pacific, free unlimited express pass for all days of their trips - all for an insane price by layering promotions. The express pass is such a huge perk of staying at a deluxe resort like this, not to mention the water taxi service that lets you skip the bus rides all together from resort to parks.

Remember by booking with a travel planner like me I can get the best rates exclusive to agents at Universal as well as early park admission for booking with me! It's only a $50 per person deposit and I'm booking

My sweet clients get married today in this beautiful over water wedding chapel in St Lucia! Being a part of their specia...
08/10/2024

My sweet clients get married today in this beautiful over water wedding chapel in St Lucia! Being a part of their special day has been such a joy!

🤍 I was able to advocate for their needs with the wedding planner, making sure that there were clear expectations of how they envisioned their wedding day
🤍 I was the go to person for their wedding party, 10 rooms filled with family and friends who traveled to St Lucia to celebrate with them! One of the grandpas is my new bestie. We've talked on the phone a ton answering questions he's had about flights, the resort, transfers, and more. He said "It has been so nice to have a real person to talk to about this trip and help us!"
🤍I made sure the bride and grooms "extras" were confirmed so they can get breakfast in bed one day, romantic turn down service one night, etc
🤍Each guest got a custom itinerary with details of their flights, transfers, the wedding venue, dress code at the resort, which restaurants needed reservations, and a reminder of whats included with their all inclusive stay.
🤍 I answered questions from the photographer regarding her equipment/the voltage in the rooms in St Lucia to make sure she had what she needed so she can capture this special day!

From start to finish they have been a delight to work with and I can't wait to see pictures! If you think about it, say a little prayer that the weather is clear and perfect!

Want to plan a Sandals wedding? I'd love to help!

*Booked!*The B family is headed to celebrate their youngests birthday next month! We got them a great deal by layering 2...
08/09/2024

*Booked!*

The B family is headed to celebrate their youngests birthday next month! We got them a great deal by layering 2 promos! They have a fun room at All Star Sports, 4 days in the parks, and tickets to Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween party!!!

Ps - isn’t this picture epic?! My Moms fiancé took it!

This week I have clients who are: -Going on an outwest adventure, complete with a Rocky Mountaineer glass dome train rid...
08/07/2024

This week I have clients who are:
-Going on an outwest adventure, complete with a Rocky Mountaineer glass dome train ride, national parks, and more!
-A 10 room wedding party in St Lucia, the bride and groom get married on Saturday in the overwater chapel!
-A mother/son trip to Universal Orlando
-A graduation trip in Key West with snorkeling, kayaking, and a beautiful marina resort stay
-A family cruising through Mexico and the Bahamas

We are in the thick of BUSY travel season and I am having a blast watching my clients make new memories! While Disney World and Universal are my family's favorite, I do so many more travel locations than just those.

All while juggling these three wild and wonderful kiddos. We are heading into a new homeschool year for us starting next week - so I appreciate your patience in advance as I adjust to needing to dial back in stricter work hours. I'm grateful that because of my business as a travel agent I can stay home with these sweeties!

Sometimes you get a text that makes your eyes all watery 🥹🫣 I am so thankful for sweet clients who at every turn on thei...
08/07/2024

Sometimes you get a text that makes your eyes all watery 🥹🫣 I am so thankful for sweet clients who at every turn on their trip sent a text to let me know how much they loved what they were doing.

They spent a couple days in LA, a day at Universal Hollywood, 2 days at Disneyland, and then took a train to San Diego to finish out their fun west coast adventure. Plus they did two baseball stadium tours on their bucket list!

I’m grateful that they enjoyed their trip and can’t wait to plan their honeymoon!

Take an adventure to Corfu, Greece next summer! $4,077 for a Junior Suite and Grand Terrace with priave terrace Whirlpoo...
08/06/2024

Take an adventure to Corfu, Greece next summer! $4,077 for a Junior Suite and Grand Terrace with priave terrace Whirlpool! Daily breakfast included. June 14-21, 2025. This hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the world collection and is just BEAUTIFUL! Message me to book!

Mediterranean spirit meets modern-day luxury in this restful Corfu hideaway
With a name meaning ‘nest’, it comes as no surprise that peace, tranquillity and comfort are a given at the adults-only Nido, Mar-Bella Collection hotel. Set against the rocky hillside, the fragrant trees of Corfu’s quiet southeast corner provide cooling coastal shade. It’s here you’ll find private Corfiot-style villa suites – with earthy tones of stone, peach and terracotta that cocoon you in chic style and welcoming warmth.

While guests may be drawn to the hotel’s modern take on luxury, it’s the panoramic views that make it so special. Wake up to the glittering blue waters of the Ionian Sea. Take a dip in the elegant infinity pool before heading to the spa. Or retreat with a book to Nido’s pebbled beach.

Staff at the hotel will happily to point you towards their other favourite spots on the island. There’s the bright white 19th-century palace of Achilleion, built for the Empress of Austria. Or you could wander amongst Venetian-style buildings in historic Corfu Town sipping a refreshing tsitsibirra (Corfiot ginger beer). Explore quaint mountain villages like Agios Matheos. And if you’re hooked on the island’s natural beauty, seek out the piercing blue waters of Palaiokastritsa.

Spend Spring Break 2025 living it up in Punta Cana! Sample quote (prices subject to availability and change)Check-in -  ...
08/05/2024

Spend Spring Break 2025 living it up in Punta Cana!

Sample quote (prices subject to availability and change)
Check-in - 19APR25 Check-out - 26APR25
2 adults, 2 kids
Family room (three queen size beds or one king size bed and one queen size bed)
All inclusive rate and airport transfers included in pricing
TOTAL: $3,777.86 (does not include flights)
Deposit: $200
Final payment date: March 5, 2025
Contact me to price your dates and family size!

**Prefer to travel in the summer? The same package for July 12-19, 2025 is $3,439.97

This hotel has been undergoing a remodel and will be reopening this month! These are mock up pictures of what it will look like :)

Located on Arena Gorda beach, this fabulous all-inclusive hotel offers a unique experience in the Dominican Republic so your whole family can enjoy a holiday in Punta Cana.

Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro offers 11 amazing pools, a children’s pool with slides and Splash Water World water park, which will fill the entire family’s days with fun and excitement. On the oceanfront, you’ll be able to enjoy an endless number of activities like beach volleyball, snorkelling, paddle surfing, kayaking, and much more! Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro also has a fully equipped gym and a relaxing spa where you can treat yourself to some self-care on your holiday. After an exciting day, there’s nothing better than immersing yourself in the festive experiences everyone’s been talking about: RIU Party events. The perfect combination of music, performances and fun that will make your holiday something exceptional.

Guests at Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro are in for an unbeatable dining experience. Start your days with the best buffet breakfasts in our main restaurant with live cooking stations. For lunch and dinner, surprise your taste buds with a variety of exquisite dishes. In the evening, the Krystal restaurant invites you to enjoy a memorable dinner with its à la carte fusion cuisine. What’s more, you can enjoy authentic Asian, Italian or Japanese cuisine or savour delicious dishes in the Mexican restaurant.

Last month I was in the top 5 agents in sales for my agency 🫶🏻 while that is so crazy to me, it’s simply a reminder that...
08/04/2024

Last month I was in the top 5 agents in sales for my agency 🫶🏻 while that is so crazy to me, it’s simply a reminder that there are wonderful people who trust me to plan their vacations for them. I love every second of it! Many of these people turn into friends as I plan repeat trips for all their long and short travel plans. I get to know their families, share in their memories, and I’m invested in them beyond just a trip.

So thank you for the endless support, for being the reason I get to celebrate being among other wonderful agents in my agency. 😘

People ask me ALL THE TIME - how can I afford to travel? How can I find the best deals? I want to cruise but it's so exp...
08/02/2024

People ask me ALL THE TIME - how can I afford to travel? How can I find the best deals? I want to cruise but it's so expensive...

FRIENDS, the secret is booking EARLY. I know it can be hard to think outside of 6 months in advance but it truly is THE way to save ESPECIALLY on cruising.

Here's an example for you!

My clients booked an ocean view cabin on a 7 day Thanksgiving week sailing. They booked this JUNE of 2023 for their NOVEMBER 2024 CRUISE. That's 17 months in advance.

When they booked it was $2251.36 for 2 guests for a 7 night sailing with Royal Caribbean.

If you booked that SAME cabin category NOW applying all current promotions (plus there's only one more cabin left in this category now) it would cost you $4127.02 for 2 guests.

I. KID. YOU. NOT.

When I say I understand how schedules change and you're concerned about booking early because of that - I FEEL YOU. My husband STILL doesn't understand this concept ;) He will not think about a vacation that is more than 6 months in advance. Luckily he's married to a travel agent and I mayyyy or may not do what I want...ha! But this is a prime example why planning ahead is vital!

Want to go on a Christmas cruise? Book now for 2025 and make monthly payments. Want to go on spring break 2025 or summer 2025? BOOK NOW and lock in the best rates.

Seriously. When it comes to cruising ESPECIALLY, the earlier the BETTER.

Thanks for coming to my ted talk :)

79 days until my next cruise but who is counting....

A few weeks ago I received a fun package and I can finally share - next month I’ll be headed to Florida for my first Top...
08/01/2024

A few weeks ago I received a fun package and I can finally share - next month I’ll be headed to Florida for my first Top Producers Retreat with my agency. An invite only opportunity based off your sales for the year before.

The whole weekend is a big surprise and they’ve been leaking clues the last month. To say I’m excited is an understatement!!!!!!!!!!

I know the weekend will include some kind of amazing adventure in Animal Kingdom, a morning in Epcot, a scavenger hunt across the parks, and more at Disney World!

I enjoyed getting this clue in the mail and will always wear my Share The Magic gear with pride because we truly have the best agency, HANDS DOWN.

I can’t wait to spend a fun weekend with some of my sweet friends at my favorite place ✨ 🏰 🐭


Share The Magic Travel

*BOOKED!*Just finalized the details for the P family who is heading on the most EPIC 11-Day Mediterranean & Greek Isles ...
08/01/2024

*BOOKED!*

Just finalized the details for the P family who is heading on the most EPIC 11-Day Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruise in June of 2025! I was able to open a group rate for this cruise and saved them $782.62 instantly! This isn't always possible with all cruises/cruise lines but if we book far enough out I will always check!

This 11 day dream trip stops in multiple countries with stops in many of their bucket list destinations! Cruising is such a fantastic way to see many cities and have a "home base" for your travels. Their ship is the Sun Princess - the newest in the fleet and the one I will be on just a few weeks before them!

Because this is a group opportunity booking now it is open for YOU to take advantage of the same GREAT savings! If you'd like the details on pricing and itinerary message me for a quote!

So excited for them! AND I personally am going to Corfu, Kotor, Naples, and Barcelona on MY hosted group cruise in May of 2025 (4 cabins left on that 7 day Mediterranean cruise if you want info!), I'll be able to tell them all the things to see and do from first hand experience!

Considering it is PEAK season for using Airbnb & VRBO I thought I'd share some tips/advice regarding using these service...
07/30/2024

Considering it is PEAK season for using Airbnb & VRBO I thought I'd share some tips/advice regarding using these services.

In the last week I've seen **multiple** horror stories of families left stranded after getting scammed from one of these sites. While in GENERAL you likely won't have issues, I thought I'd provide some tips to put in your back pocket :)

People often ask me to book them a VRBO or rental home. There have been VERY select FEW occasions where I have done this and as of right now do not offer this service for a long list of reasons. But here are two stories for you...

-A few months ago I booked a VRBO for clients for spring break in Destin, FL. All was fine until a week beforehand the client went to the listing to look up what amenities they had so they could pack...and the listing was gone. Turns out the management company had gone south and the home owner was trying to take over the listing again. But that home was double booked for their dates. Thankfully we found out in advance.

-In 2019 I personally rented a small apartment in Indianapolis for a girls trip/work weekend for my previous position. From the pictures it looked great. The host was a "super host" with tons of positive reviews. There was no reason to think otherwise. We arrived and it was IN the ghetto. No lie. We pulled up and there was a drug deal going down on the corner. It. Was. A. Nightmare. Since we didn't spend much time there we stuck it out for the first 2 nights but in the middle of the night when there was 10 cop cars and gun shots being fired...we literally threw all our stuff in our car and fled to a friends hotel room. The host offered a FULL REFUND in return for me to not post a negative review. Given we were all broke we took the refund...and the host maintains his great ratings. Hosts will do sketchy things to not get a bad score on their properties. Was it the right thing to do? IDK, ha.

SO with that said, here are my personal tips (these are MY opinions) when looking at rental properties:

1) Absolutely NEVER book a home that has zero reviews. RED FLAG. I always look for a minimum of 30 reviews and at least 10 of them being within the last 3 months.

2) Contact the host in advance through the app and "interview" them.

3) Do not book a non refundable rate. Why is it non refundable? Makes you wonder...

4) Can you find that same property on VRBO and Airbnb? Are the reviews good on BOTH platforms?

5) Look for hosts that have been hosting for over a year

6) When able, use a vacation rental company in the area vs these booking sites. Having an office you can physically go to when something goes wrong helps.

7) Know that these rental services come with a risk. Have a back up plan in place when you can.

It's so unfortunate that there are bad people who ruin positive resources like Airbnb and VRBO and it makes it hard to plan for vacations. Hopefully these tips can help you in the future and love you mean it, no I no longer book vacation rentals (I didn't even book my own moms upcoming honeymoon VRBO, sorry not sorry). However if you travel to a location like Disney and choose to get a rental but still need help with tickets and planning, YES I can still help with that portion :)

XOXO,
Rachel

(throwback to our Indy trip in 2019, miss these ladies and the laughs we had that trip!)

A few days ago I had the funniest conversation with my husband about our honeymoon. We will be celebrating our 13th anni...
07/29/2024

A few days ago I had the funniest conversation with my husband about our honeymoon. We will be celebrating our 13th anniversary this October, and 13 years ago we spent a week in Jamaica.

As we were planning our honeymoon he wanted to go to Disney World. I refused, that was "for kids". I also wasn't very good at compromise as a newlywed...oops. I really wanted to go out of the country and do an all inclusive to REST.

Here are the things he remembers:
On the way there we had AWFUL turbulence.
When we arrived finding our airport transfers was overwhelming.
During the week he got stung by jellyfish because apparently it was jellyfish season.
I got poison ivy (from the trees outside the church where we took pictures) and the staff wanted to take me to the hospital for a shot. Donny freaked. I got some calamine lotion and was fine.

I remember:
Complete relaxation.
Romantic walks to dinner in the sunsets.
Snorkeling/kayaking in the beautiful blue waters.
Fun night time entertainment.
Never ending food options.
Ordering chocolate milk and cheesecake to our room EVERY night.

We recall VERY different things from this trip, clearly!

It's so funny to look back on because now I'm obsessed with Disney and am loving this Disney season of life with our kids. I mentioned to him "aren't you glad I didn't start this expensive vacation preference 13 years ago?" to which he replied "NO! Then we could have been riding Seven Dwarfs instead of siting on a lame beach!"

I couldn't help but laugh. I love that we both enjoy Disney but do want to explore other destinations as the kids get older and can handle longer flights. We both enjoy being active and "adventuring" on vacation which is why the FUN of Disney has our focus for now.

If only I could get him to go to Universal Orlando with me ;) When I tell you this man is a Disney snob to the core! Will only stay on resort, and resort HAS to have the skyliner, and has no interest in other theme parks. HA!

We have agreed to do Universal in the Fall of 2025 once Epic Universe is open. I can't wait!

It has me curious: What kind of vacations do you look for!? Relaxing, active, or both!?

Enjoy these snapshots of our honeymoon!

GROUP RATES AVAILABLE for May 2025 sailing on an incredible Mediterranean itinerary. This is a trip myself and co-host L...
07/28/2024

GROUP RATES AVAILABLE for May 2025 sailing on an incredible Mediterranean itinerary.

This is a trip myself and co-host Lyndsay will be on with you. You can just take advantage of the group pricing and do your own thing or you can coordinate some of your travel plans with the rest of our group. You have that flexibility!

We chose this route because the stops are TOP KNOTCH. It begins in Athens and has port days in Santorini, Corfu, Montenegro, Sicily, and ends in Barcelona! This is also the NEWEST Princess cruise ship and absolutely stunning. The best dining, views, and rooms.

I'd love for you to join me!

I have 8 cabins in my group rate and FOUR are spoken for!

Check out the info here:
https://travefy.com/trip/6yw9rqy4tu8wqz2awlrzpby9lmuuy9

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High Point, NC
27262

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