Mindset Travel

05/03/2024

Portugal is heavy on my mind this week. Make sure you're on the list to get the inside scoop. Sign up at the link in Bio.

27/09/2023

Celebrate this World Tourism Day (September 27) by sharing your favorite moment as a tourist. Tag for a chance to be featured! Bonus points for a pic from one of the trips we've planned for you.
Happy World Tourism Day from Denise in Zanzibar!

19/09/2023

The 5-star Gran Melia Arusha is a resort experience in the city, just a few hours from 2 of the major National Parks in Tanzania: Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
Comfortable rooms, connecting rooms, and suites fit families, friends, and couples comfortably. The mountain view is lush and beautiful. Even the city view is lush, albeit with a parking lot close to the building. Stay for a few nights before and/or after your safari for a relaxing stay.
We had lunch on the rooftop, and from experience and mutual agreement: the food is good 😋
1. Rooftop restaurant art
2. The Gran Melia entrance.
3. The Lobby view
4. Concierge assistance
5. The Mountain View from the Mountain View Rooms
6. The details 🦏
7. The City View Deluxe room
8. Dining in the Club lounge
9. The decor
10. The Presidential Suite's bathtubwith mountain view is bar none my favorite feature at this resort

18/09/2023

Set on the grounds of a coffee plantation, this lodge is a great place to stay in Arusha for a night or two before heading out on safari. Away from the hustle and bustle of town, the scent of coffee fills the air.
Couples and families alike will find comfort here, and everything you need, whether bed & breakfast or full board.
Try the butter chicken or the chicken burger at the bistro...!

20/07/2023

I'm stoked to introduce to you our newest advisor, Brittany Pride!

Brittany and I were agent colleagues several years ago. She has a warm, approachable personality, is insightful with client needs, and is so much fun to work with. Her expertise is in international family vacations to all-inclusive resorts, wellness retreats, and group vacations. She's traveled extensively throughout her life, and honed these specialty passions with her own family, as a certified yoga instructor, and in her career working one-on-one with clients.

She is already planning to host a few group trips of her own, and I can't wait to see them come to life. Stay tuned for details!

Please join me in giving her a warm welcome to the Mindset Travel Team of Advisors. 🥰 Submit a request to work with her through our contact form or travel questionnaire.

30/05/2023

I'm so excited to share that Mindset Travel is growing. Let me introduce you to Lis Maggio...!

With a deep-rooted passion for travel, she transformed her personal interest into a fulfilling career in the tourism industry, gaining valuable insights into the inner workings of luxury hotels and providing luxury-level service. Her penchant for exploration and adventure led to honing her skills in crafting detailed, well-thought out travel plans for others. And now, we get to shout that she's a member of the Mindset Travel Team. ❤️

She lives in Mauldin, SC, with her big, friendly dog, Callie, who is just the bestest girl. 🐶

Lis serves couples and families with bespoke itineraries across Europe, and she's hitting the ground running.

Lis, I'm so excited to have you as a part of the team. Get excited to serve the.best.clients.everrrrr.

14/04/2023

Please vote for us! Link 👇.

Thanks to everyone for nominating us as the Best Travel Agency in the 2023 Best of the Upstate. We're among the prestigious Top 5! Woohoo!

To our clients who aren't in the Upstate, you can still vote. Let's win #1 this year! 🙌

07/02/2023

Whoa, it's that time again! Time to nominate your favorite Travel Agency for the Best of the Upstate 2023.... Mindset Travel! 🤩

Scroll down to Services>Travel Agency, and nominate Mindset Travel.

We'd love to know why you nominated us - leave us a comment telling us. 🥰 Thank you for your business and all of your continued support. Hugs from Denise!

Check it out now!

02/12/2022

TGIF! So glad the week is nearly over! It’s officially cozy season, and today you’ll find me kicking off this Friday morning with a Venti Starbucks Caramel Brulee to give me that extra boost of energy to finish strong. I'm wrapping up as much as I can on these
couples trips to Italy and Greece, a family vaca to Scotland, and a birthday group of 25 to the Caribbean.

I’ll be in the office helping clients coordinate travel gifts, Holiday travel, and 2023 travel plans until December 21. Get in touch ASAP if you want help!

How are you starting your weekend?

10/11/2022

Engagement season is coming. Do you have a plan? Save this post for epic location ideas.
💍 Reflective pools in Oaxaca, Mexico
💍 Tulip fields of the Netherlands
💍 Trocadero Stairs in Paris, France
💍 Botanical Gardens in Chiang Mai, Thailand
💍 Waterfalls of Costa Rica
💍 Private dinner on a white sand beach
💍 Overlooking Machu Picchu in Peru
💍 A backdrop of hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkiye

09/11/2022

London vacations are top of mind for Spring Break 2023. Finalizing a few details for the Harry Potter loving Cooper fam, and I can't wait to see their pics!
✔️ The Harry Potter Tour at the Warner Brothers Studio
✔️ Harry Potter sights around the city with a private guide
✔️ Getting great seats to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child live performance
How much would you love a themed vacation?
📧 [email protected]

07/11/2022

Thinking about enlisting some help for this year’s winter getaway, but not sure where to start?

Over here at Mindset Travel, it all starts with a complimentary Trip Discovery Call. During this call, we get to know you and take a deep dive into your preferences and priorities. Then we'll start working on your trip plan with flights, hotel, transportation, and experiences.

Prefer email? We can do it all that way instead!

Sound like the right fit? Schedule your call at MindsetTravel.com/Trip-Discovery-Call.

02/11/2022

Partying with our ancestors and loved ones who have passed? Yes please!

Today, we tell stories of their lives and influence. We remember where we came from, and those who came before us.

We paint our faces so they know not to take us with them when they go. It's a celebration with joy and a spirit of festivity. The food is amazing and the creativity among the artists is astounding. So much fun experiencing this holiday here, and getting my face painted by one of the best artists around. There's nothing quite like this celebration.

Feliz Día de los Mu***os from Oaxaca!

31/10/2022

What was your favorite Halloween costume growing up?
For me, it was anything that required lots and lots of fantastical makeup.
I still dress up when I can. I love the costumes and fun! Today I’ll be dressing up with a traditional Day of the Dead dress and sugar skull painted face to celebrate here in Oaxaca.

27/10/2022

Can't wait for our group members to arrive in Oaxaca, Mexico starting this afternoon!
I'm hosting a group of 8 for the Day of the Dead, a celebration of the lives that we have loved and lost at a time when the veil between worlds is the thinnest.
While I wait, I'm enjoying a fabulous breakfast of Huevos al Gusto a la Mexicana (tomatoes, onions, and peppers) at my hotel, Majagua Hotel Boutique, and finalizing a proposal for a family vacation to the Caribbean next summer.
Travel is amazing; experiencing a destination's food is awesome; celebrating the culture and the new experiences they enrich our lives with is fabulous. I'm so happy I get to share this with all of you.

25/10/2022

🇪🇸 A week in Spain never seems like enough time, but if you want to make the most of it, I highly recommend fitting these 3 things into your itinerary.

1. A flamenco show
2. A tapas tour
3. Checking out Gaudí's architecture

Share with me in the comments which of these three things fit your travel style.

19/10/2022

👆 I just love hearing words like this when a client comes home from a getaway.

We're smiling from ear to ear. Thank you, Chrissy and Marty, for the kind words.😃

P.S. Not everyone loves having their picture shared, but we sure love sharing your happy experiences!

14/10/2022

Well folks, it's the end of an era.

Denise turns 40 today! Bye-bye to the 30s!

Sorry if we scared you, but don't worry, we're not going anywhere! We're in the final quarter of 2022, planning our next set of actions to support and inspire our clients and potential clients. 2023 is already looking like a stellar year. Keep it coming, travelers!

In celebration, Denise is out for the weekend and will be back on Monday refreshed, renewed, and ready to make things happen. CHEERS! 🥂

12/10/2022

Thanks to your votes, I got to spend a couple nights in the Cloud Forest at the end of September at the Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa in Ecuador, about a 30 minute drive north of Mindo in San Miguel de los Bancos.
The clouds give it a sense of calm, quiet, and seclusion from the rest of the world. They clear at midday to show you the magic of the rainforest.
This hotel is awesome for those adults traveling as couples, friends, or taking a family vacation. I don't suggest it for young children with the unfenced pool and slick trekking paths.
The experiences of the rainforest, chasing toucans for a photo, waiting for a sloth's face to emerge, hiking 5km down the mountain to the Rio Blanco, wading in the river, birdwatching at 630am, relaxing in the whirlpool bath, and being pampered by the Chef's talent, are experiences I didn't know I was missing until I got to experience them.
What a great resort for a wonderful few days during your trip to Ecuador. Are you convinced?

bath bathtime

10/10/2022

So many places, so little time! How do I help my clients narrow things down and plan a getaway they’ll be counting down to?
Our travel planning process includes getting to know what's important to you, types of activities you enjoy, and even how you make decisions when choosing a flight or hotel. The proposal we curate breaks down your destination, hotels, experiences, and so much more. That way you can be 100% sure about your decision.
Travel memories last a lifetime, so don’t settle when the travel planning process gets overwhelming or indecision takes over. Let us help you make the best decision for you.

06/10/2022

Have you heard this before? "The person who loves the journey will go further than the person that loves the destination.”

I’m not sure I necessarily agree, especially if the destination is Greece or Ecuador. But there are ways to make the journey to the destination better, too! Keep reading for my favorite airport travel hack for your next trip:

Start your trip as soon as you leave your house.

I know, I'm making it sound simple, but hear me out.

It's all about Mindset.

The drive, the airport, and the flight are all a required part of the experience. We might as well find ways to enjoy it. Here are some ideas:

⏩️ Utilize the airport lounge. The food, drinks, comfortable seating, and peace and quiet make the experience far more enjoyable than the main airport halls.
⏩️ Enjoy a drink you reserve just for the airport. Make it a ritual.
⏩️ Indulge in a snack you don't normally eat.
⏩️ Have an eye mask for darkness and sleep, grippy socks or slippers for long flights, toiletries to refresh, and drink plenty of water to combat jet lag.

And there you have it, the journey AND the destination can be just as good.

04/10/2022

It's a new month, and more clients are taking off for fabulous getaways! ✈️

This month clients are headed to:
🇪🇸 Spain & 🇵🇹 Portugal for a milestone birthday
🇯🇲 Jamaica for a long awaited honeymoon
🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇮🇱 Israel, and 🇲🇦 Morocco for a whirlwind adventure
🇲🇽 Mexico to celebrate the Day of the Dead
🇮🇹 Italy to eat alllll the good things ( !)

Tell me in the comments, which of my clients’ trips would you choose?

28/09/2022

Hidden gems and surprises are some of my favorite reasons to travel and explore. What’s better is I get to share those little gems with clients for their trips!
It may look like it’s all fun and games when I travel (okay, it totally is fun), but it’s also information gathering for future travel planning.
When I was in Cuenca, Ecuador, I stumbled upon a beautiful outdoor flower market next to a convent. Once the nuns enter, they never come out, nor speak to the public ever again. To support themselves, they sell crafts and a pink drink called "pitimas," a valerian root and floral tea. I'd go back just for tteasuper delicious Cuencana pink tea.
What’s a hidden gem you've discovered while traveling?

26/09/2022

Do *NOT* skimp on the small details!

With the fall travel season in full swing, I thought it would be a good opportunity to share this totally underrated travel tip that probably seems like a no-brainer, but needs to be stated.

It’s the little details that can elevate a trip and create memories you won’t forget!

When those little details are overlooked, it’s also what can make an awesome trip go sideways.

One of the things I do for every client is TRIPLE CHECK the details.

Things like connection times at airports, airport pickup times, early check-ins to hotels, and pre-booking reservations and tours.

But the really important details aren't so obvious. For example, I choose hotels with hair dryers that have long enough power cords to be comfortable; avoid cruise port days or local political demonstrations in a city to keep your day moving; look up the time of sunset or sunrise so you get the best view at the best time.

All of these little details fall to me as your travel advisor. I go through them with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything comes together for you.

So when you’re ready for someone to manage those little details for your trips, come say hello. I’m here to support you!

21/09/2022

Do you believe in love at first sight?
When I first visited arrived here in Ecuador, I knew I was going to fall in love!
Everything from the colorful buildings to the warm hospitality, incredible landscapes, and indigenous cultures.
I have so much love for this country. Here are a few things I love:
✅️ The weather is perfect year round.
✅️ They speak slowly, so my limited Spanish has a chance to understand.
✅️ They're redefining experiential and transformative travel. The emotional bond to the indigenous traditions will change you if you're open to the experience. It's changed me.
Drop your questions about Ecuador below!

16/09/2022

I'm in Ecuador until September 30.
Experiencing destinations firsthand is only a small part of what I do, but arguably one of the most important.
Touring hotels, learning about local experiences, and networking with local artisans, businesses, restaurant and hotel staff, means that I have in-depth knowledge to elevate your destination experiences.
I keep a critical and objective eye on everything, which is why I'm good at my job.
I wake at 6am, see every nook and cranny of a property (or 6!), eat ALL the food, drink ALL the drinks, and do ALL the things - more than the average person should in a single day, and even if I don't want to.
Don't be fooled: I have a blast when I travel, but it's all business.
I'll be sharing my experience with you here, so follow to learn about Ecuador with me!

14/09/2022

I know a lot about hotels and resorts. Like, a lot a lot.
When I’m not staying at them, I’m researching them for clients, taking notes, and making lists.
And maybe you’ve wondered before, “why do I need a travel agent to book my hotel when I can just book it myself online”?
I’ll give you one really good reason!
✅ I have information you won’t necessarily find elsewhere.
I have the pleasure of visiting hotels, getting exclusive tours, and getting to know the on-site staff at all levels.
I know who to contact to get information or make a special request.
You’re getting vetted, trusted information from a professional so you don’t have to do all of the research and fact-finding yourself.
✅✅ Bonus: I often help you receive additional amenities and services not available to the general public, like late check-out, dining credits, welcome drinks, and more, when booking some of the best hotels around.
I’m here for you when you’re ready to book your next hotel stay. 🙌

12/09/2022

Next stop: Jamaica!

My clients - John, Tracy, Sue, and Ryan - jet off on a relaxing birthday adventure this week.

They’ve been counting down the days to getting back to their favorite resort, relaxing on the beautiful beach of Negril, and celebrating John's milestone birthday.

I can’t wait to see the pictures and live vicariously through you. Happy Birthday, John! 🥳

06/09/2022

A day in the life of a travel advisor:
I start my day off with at least one cup of coffee.
Then it’s usually a jam-packed day of doing research, putting together itineraries, booking things like hotels, airport transfers, tours, and activities.
Some days, I’m touching base with vacation partners in the destinations, and other days I’m investing in learning and growth so I can serve you better.
Ever have any questions about working with a travel advisor? This is your chance to ask me anything!

05/07/2022

This hotel might be one of my new favorites: a true urban oasis, the Magic Blue Boutique Hotel & Spa located in central Playa del Carmen.🌴

It's perfect for a relaxing experience for adults only, whether friends or couples. We saw all ages and demographics, and everyone was chilling out.

The hotel is built around a beautiful pool and hot tub with varied parts of shade and Bali beds. Each room has an exterior entrance with a patio and hammock. As soon as you walk out of the lobby, you're in the pedestrian area of Playa del Carmen with so many shops, restaurants, and clubs, and a 5 minute walk from the beach. It's kitty corner from Coco Bongo, and we didn't hear a thing as we slept in room 27.

They even provide access to some of the local beach clubs. The food is fantastic, the spa service is , and the staff are some of the warmest I've encountered. Shout out to Rubi for the best massage I've had in yearrrrrs. 🙌

Mexico is so much more than the beach, and I love finding these hidden gems that help you get in touch with what an area is truly all about. I stayed here last week, and can't wait to go back.