I specialize in designing custom trips that meet your unique needs and budget. I want to help other families get out there and find new favorite destinations.
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Take Your Own Trip comes from the idea that you should maximize experiences and not wait to take your dream vacation. Vacation planning can be overwhelming and I offer a personalized approach that you won't find on the internet. There are 1000's of websites that promise you the best trip, but I take the time to understand exactly what type of trip and expectations you have to create a vacation tha
t fits you. As a travel professional, I have access to resources around the world to ensure your trip goes smoothly from start to finish. This is not about the trip everyone else is taking, it is about what YOUR ideal trip is and how I can help you achieve it.
Sometimes it all comes together. ❄️ 🎿 Fresh snowfall,great mountain conditions and fabulous friends. This weekend was the answer to why we ski.
Pro Tip: pulling the kids out Thursday night and skiing Friday and Saturday were 💯 on a holiday weekend. And no traffic on the way home!
🎿🏂
Greece or Croatia?
Both are sunny destinations known for their islands, clear blue water, abundant history and food & wine. I visited both last year and came away with very different perspectives than I went in with. I can’t visit everywhere I book clients and I have a great network of local experts, but there is nothing like experiencing a destination in person.
What’s the vibe? With kids or without kids? How easy is it to get around? What are the unique experiences?
🇬🇷 For instance, while Greece has all the hype of Mykonos and Santorini and being an international jet set destination, I actually found it to be more authentic and low key than I expected in a really good way. And everyone I met was so welcoming and proud of their country.
🇭🇷 Croatia has as much or more history as any European destination, but in cities like Dubrovnik and Split it has spent the last 10 years building up modern hotels and amenities that give it a very cosmopolitan feel. The people there are also amazing, but not as effusive as their Italian or Greek counterparts so you have to engage them.
Interested in either? Shoot me a DM, i’d love to chat. And then I will tell you about Slovenia…
New year, New experiences.
This year I signed up for a masters swim class to mix it up. I grew up with a pool and love water, but my last official swim instruction happened when I was about 10. I’ve never swam for exercise or on a team. This class is structured and so far I love it. It’s fun to learn something new and move my body in a different way. It’s also HARD.
What are you doing new this year?
Time to warm up the feed.
I have clients heading this week to Turks and Caicos to celebrate their 30th anniversary
With a location right on Grace Bay Beach, a fabulous pool and amazing food and service, it’s a win for couples, families and girls trips. I personally visited last year and still dream about that view from the balcony.
Contact me to find out more.
⛷️ Did anyone want to get up and go skiing at 8am this morning? NOPE
😫Did we all snap at each other as we were loading up the car? OF COURSE
🥶 Was it colder than we wanted it to be? YUP
❤️Was it still a fabulous day and my heart is full because it was the first day we could all ski together with everyone on the chairlift and cruising independently down the green hills? 💯
Just a reminder that not every moment of every outing is perfect and sometimes the best ones are the ones you have to push yourself to go do.
Aside from the rush of racing downhill on a giant icy mountain, Ski vacations are a vibe all their own. Besides the fabulousness of skiing, here are 7 reasons I love ski vacations as the ultimate winter trip.
☕️ Apres Ski - Think Hot Toddies, fuzzy sweaters and poutine.
🎿 Kids Ski School (which also equals adult only ski time)
⛄️ It’s perfectly acceptable to wear base layers everywhere.
🔥Hot Tubs, Hot chocolate and Hot Toddies
🏔️Fresh mountain air with mind blowing views
⛸️ Discovering other winter sports like ice skating, snowmobiling or X-country skiing
📚 Reading a book or doing a puzzle by a warm fire on a rest day.
If you’re looking for the right ski vacation, let me help. These vacations are best planned in advance as good on mountain accommodation fills up.
2023, you’ve been a wild ride. I meant to put a reel together with all of the highlights, but in keeping with the vibe of 2023, we decided to squeeze one last trip in. So here are candid pics from the Canadian Rockies instead.
Thank you to everyone who trusted me with their travels this year, building this business has given me the opportunity to bring my passions and talents together and create something I truly believe in. I sent 70 clients on trips to 20 different countries. It means so much to me to be a part of your journey- whether it be a honeymoon, a multigen trip or a family getaway.
In 2024, I urge you to Take Your Own Trip. Find what moves you and make it happen. And if you need help crafting that trip, give me a shout.
Happy New Year! Cheers to 2024!
#2023
Chateau Lake Louise is an iconic hotel that has been on my list for a long time and I was so excited to experience it this week. Here are the 5 reasons Emory & Marin loved it and rated it one of their best hotels ever.
1. Kid specific check in (with a surprise)
2. Fun Activities and PJ movie night in the coziest ballroom
3. Ice castle and ice skating rink
4. Outdoor Hot chocolate
5. A serious breakfast buffet with A la carte s’more waffles and candy cane pancakes.
🗽If you know me, I love to climb things and I love a VIP experience. The Statue of Liberty Crown tour is one of those experiences. I find my kids are much more engaged on active tours so while I was researching tours for another client, I saw the Crown tours were open and booked for our family. You can book 3 months in advance on the official website, so if you’re local or know when you’re coming plan ahead. It is a great way to experience Lady Liberty.
The climb to the crown encompasses 393 steps (approximately the height of a 27 story building) in a tight confined space, so not for the faint of heart. You can also buy a ticket to the pedestal which has elevator access, but the crown is really where the fun is at. The spiral staircase gets darker and tighter as you get to the top but it is fascinating to see the inner engineering inside the statue. When you get to the top, the crown itself is pretty small, but it is such a cool perspective of Lady Liberty. You look down on her scroll and all of Ellis Island and lower Manhattan
Pro Tip: For my Jersey friends, the ferries leave out of Liberty State Park in Jersey City and were way less chaotic than the Manhattan ferry.
Cape May, NJ has always been one of my favorite beach towns. But did you know it’s a year round destination?
It was lively and bustling the last week of November with everyone anxiously awaiting the tree lighting on Dec 1st. They are one of the top destinations on the East Coast for feeling like you’re in a hallmark movie.
is my new obsession. It’s an adults only boutique hotel on a quiet street with a fabulous bar and restaurant onsite. (The Ebbitt Room) Continental breakfast is included and they will bring it wherever you want it. If you have a special milestone coming up and can get away for a weekend, this is the place. They also have private cottages for rent.
If it’s nice out, you eat on the porch and walk the deserted beach. If the weather is cold, you stay in and cuddle by the fire. You have access to the full amenities offers as well as the shopping and restaurants Cape May is known for.
Shoot me a DM if you’d like to plan a weekend in Cape May (or longer) I spent 3 days learning all the ins and outs of the resorts there. Thank you and for putting together such a great experience!
Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful to be spending it with so many family and friends in NYC.
St Martin has been on my list for awhile, partly because it is actually 2 countries with separate names - 🇫🇷 St. Martin and 🇳🇱 St. Maarten. Did you know it is one of the smallest islands to ever be divided? As history tells it, the dividing line was determined by two walkers, a Frenchman and a Dutchman. Standing back-to-back, they began walking in opposite directions along the coastline. They have been coexisting peacefully and without an official border since 1648.
The French side features Grand Case with its fabulous restaurants and calm beaches and Orient Beach with its trendy beach clubs and clothing optional sections. The Dutch side is where the cruise ships come in and you will find more large scale resorts, condos, and casinos and beach bars for nightlife. It is also known for how low the planes come in over Maho Bay.
You can rent a car and drive between both sides in under an hour. Much of it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1995 and then Irma in 2017, so almost every property has been updated in the last 7 years. The coastline features white sand beaches ranging from toddler friendly to Kite surfing winds.
This was our first November “Jersey week” trip and this might be my new favorite travel week. Most schools in New Jersey have part or all of the first week of November off due to voting and teacher convention, so it is a great time to travel when most other people aren’t.
In the Caribbean, hurricane season is coming to a close and islands are gearing up for the Holiday high season. In Europe, the summer crowds are gone and it is a perfect time to hit the big sites while they’re less crowded.
Who’s joining me next year?
7 years ago we went on our first trip with kids. It was an unplanned road trip to Canada with a 2 month old. Ben unexpectedly was unemployed and I was on maternity leave and at that point we had no idea when we would both have vacation time again. So we packed the car and started driving. We drove up from New York through Massachusetts, to Portland, Maine and into New Brunswick, Canada. Our original goal was Nova Scotia, but that proved to be too far with a newborn.
Traveling with kids is an evolution and there is never the perfect time to start doing it, but the only way to get better at it is to practice. Here is what I have learned.
- The earlier you start, the better. Don’t give yourself time to think about the reasons not to.
- Start with a weekend road trip to see how you all do away from home and what gear is really necessary.
- There will always be instagram perfect pictures AND horrible tantrums where you are questioning your sanity
- Kids are really adaptable and if given the chance, they usually surprise you.
- Traveling with kids is as much about your experiences as theirs. Do it because it feeds your soul whether they remember it or not.
As we get ready to leave on vacation with a 5 and 7 year old tomorrow, I look back on these pictures with such fond memories. I remember the oysters I ate over Emory’s sleeping head and I remember the sketchy gas station we had to stop at to breastfeed. I remember my excitement at Emory’s first lighthouse and beach (she slept through both) and I also remember the terrifying moment i wondered if she would EVER go to sleep in a different room than hers. (she did)
Pompeii- a truly unique site.
4.5 miles from Mt Vesuvius and buried in ash in 79 AD (that’s almost 2000 years ago!) It was rediscovered in the 16th century and has been turned into a living museum of Roman life in that time. The technology, education and artistry they had 2000 years ago is 🤯. It is located near Naples, between Rome and the Amalfi Coast and is a great addition when you are traveling between those 2 places.
My advise to go:
- Hire a good guide. They really do make all the difference. Ours was engaging, interesting and found the empty alleys to keep us away from the cruise ship traffic. If you need a good family guide, DM me. Thanks
- First thing in the morning or late afternoon is the best time to visit.
- Wander and imagine. Put your phone away and really just think about how you are seeing a society that lived in the first century AD.
Fun Fact: Vesuvius is still an active Volcano and local consensus is it will erupt again at some point.
Pompeii- a truly unique site.
4.5 miles from Mt Vesuvius and buried in ash in 79 AD (that’s almost 2000 years ago!) It was rediscovered in the 16th century and has been turned into a living museum of Roman life in that time. The technology, education and artistry they had 2000 years ago is amazing to witness. It is located near Naples, between Rome and the Amalfi Coast and is a great addition when you are traveling between those 2 places.
My advise to go:
- Hire a good guide. They really do make all the difference. Ours was engaging, interesting and found the empty alleys to keep us away from the cruise ship traffic. If you need a good family guide, DM me.
- First thing in the morning or late afternoon is the best time to visit.
- Wander and imagine. Put your phone away and really just think about how you are seeing a society that lived in the first century AD.
Fun Fact: Vesuvius is still an active Volcano and local consensus is it will erupt again at some point.
Sorrento, Italy may have been the surprise delight of the trip for me. It boasts the same dramatic cliff top setting the coast is famous for and sits on the Bay of Naples at the Northern tip of where the Amalfi Coast starts (it is not technically part of it) It tends to be overlooked for the more famous Positano, Praiano, Ravello and Amalfi.
Sorrento is a vibrant and much bigger town than the other towns on the Amalfi Coast. It has the same gorgeous coastal views and a variety of hotels set in the hills at different price ranges. The Piazza Tasso in the center of town is lively and full of both tourists and locals and the medieval streets that surround it have a variety of delights to discover. Marina Grande is the picturesque port on the other side of the town that plays its part as a fishing village.
It is ideally located to visit the island of Capri (Which you can see from the cliffs) and is a great hopping off point for the Amalfi coast. On a Thursday in October, there was karaoke in the piazza Tasso with tourists and honeymooners of all nationalities signing along. The weather was unseasonably warm and the pool at our hotel was packed. My favorite meal was a modern pizza joint by the train station recommended by our driver. I love a town that people actually live in with a bit of realness to it.
Sorrento, Italy may have been the surprise delight of the trip for me. It boasts the same dramatic cliff top setting the coast is famous for and sits on the Bay of Naples at the Northern tip of where the Amalfi Coast starts (it is not technically part of it) It tends to be overlooked for the more famous Positano, Praiano, Ravello and Amalfi.
Sorrento is a vibrant and much bigger town than the other towns on the Amalfi Coast. It has the same gorgeous coastal views and a variety of hotels set in the hills at different price ranges. The Piazza Tasso in the center of town is lively and full of both tourists and locals and the medieval streets that surround it have a variety of delights to discover. Marina Grande is the picturesque port on the other side of the town that plays its part as a fishing village with local seafood.
It is ideally located to visit the island of Capri (Which you can see from the cliffs) and is a great hopping off point for the Amalfi coast. On a Thursday in October, there was karaoke in the Piazza Tasso with tourists and honeymooners of all nationalities signing along. The weather was unseasonably warm and the pool at our hotel was packed. My favorite meal was a modern pizza joint by the train station recommended by our driver. I love a town that people actually live in with a bit of realness to it.
You can’t come to Florence without spending a day in Tuscany. We did a private day tour that included:
- Florence American cemetery/war memorial that was very moving and no one in our group knew existed.
- for Chianti Classico and local cheese- olive oil- balsamic
- for a fabulous tour, lunch, wine and getting to meet the whole family.
- San Gimignano for a hilltop town and tower fix.
Contact me if you have any questions about how to arrange a private wine tour 🇮🇹 🍷 🧀
Rome is known as the eternal city and it is easy to see why. The amount of history, displayed like layers of lasagna throughout the neighborhoods and monuments, is almost unbelievable. But it is a living, modern, vibrant city with all the congestion and chaos that comes with it.
The last time I was in Rome I was 25, landed by myself with nowhere to stay and spent several weeks with a friend studying abroad. I loved it then and I’m happy to say I feel the same way about it all these years later while traveling with a group.
Here are my takeaways if you’re visiting Rome:
1. Rome is best enjoyed in the early morning and at night.
2. If you want to go inside the Vatican or the Colosseum, you must book a tour in advance.
3. Rome is a walking city. Traffic is insane, there are many pedestrian zones and cabs usually take as long or longer than just walking. Not an easy city for the mobility challenged.
4. The food is delicious, Romans eat late and if you want to go somewhere specific you need reservations. Alternately, wandering to find the next square with an inviting outdoor table is also advisable and you will still eat well.
I believe the best travel changes you and the truly worthwhile trips can change your life. This was one of those trips.
Beyond falling in love with Greece as a destination and learning all the ins and outs, I formed relationships in 10 days that cannot be understated. Our hosts in Greece became friends and the 6 other women I was lucky enough to travel with became like family. We shared, we laughed, we ate, we learned and we experienced. It’s what travel is all about.
Thank you so much to for this opportunity. Special thanks to and for being amazing humans and hosts.
Mykonos is a vibe. Known for its beach clubs and party atmosphere, it has elaborate hotels, beautiful beaches and great restaurants. It took me a minute to warm up to its faster pace after Paros, but it is another special island.
Whether it was the perfect boat ride we took, our Greek farm cooking class or the 11 fabulous and completely unique we toured, I definitely recommend making it one of your stops. If you’re looking for a hotel room with a private pool, this may be the place.
Beach clubs are open May 1 - October 1st so if that’s what you’re here for, I recommend May or September. If not, our hotel capacity went down significantly on October 1st and we enjoyed Mykonos town without the crowds at night.
Paros is our third island and I keep wondering if I can possibly like the next one better than the last… But I do!
Paros is the relaxing Greek island with beaches and authentic small towns. It sits in the middle of the Cycladic island group with easy access by ferry to Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos.
Days here are spent enjoying the sea, eating fresh food and exploring the small picturesque towns. It begs you to rent a cute euro car (or motorbike) and get lost. There are several popular beach clubs and casual Greek tavernas and delicious seafood abound. The shopping in Naousa is fabulous and I also recommend visiting Lefkes, Piso Livadi and any other small village you come across.
Santorini, you are more than meets the Instagram eye. The island is shaped like a croissant and formed from the implosion of a volcano centuries ago. It is known for its caldera and white washed cave style houses perched on cliff tops with picturesque blue domed churches. Beyond Oia and Fira, we got to see the rest of the island. Here’s what I loved
- Wine with sunset views. The vines grow low to the grounds in baskets and the Assyrtiko was superb.
- Black sand beach and laid back beach bars on the Southern tip.
- Fira to Oia Caldera hike- moderately rugged.
- September /early October is the perfect time to visit.
Days on Crete may include:
- Tough decisions between numerous pools and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Boat tours to an island built by the Venetian’s in the 1600’s and populated by lepers from 1903-1957
- Long lunches in small villages with an extra bottle of local Plyto wine
- Figuring out how how to get pottery home without breaking it
- Greek salad at every meal
DM me for further activity ideas.
Flexibility is key with kids of all ages. Some trips are for getting out and enjoying every local sight you can, and some trips are for enjoying the people you are with. This was definitely one of those people trips. ❤️ Until next time, Charlotte.
For Em’s birthday we gifted her a trip to see one of her besties (and ours) who moved to Charlotte, NC last year. They just moved into a beautiful house and we had tons of plans to explore the vibrant city.
We surprised them at the playground and then went to brunch in the happening South end, where I had flashbacks of pre-kid Saturdays with no responsibilities post midday mimosas.
There were other grand ideas, but the girls were having so much fun together that they begged to go back to the house and just play. So they did. And Corinne and I went to the local Octoberfest and caught up.
It’s always a good idea to rent a boat. Thanks and Captain David for organizing.
on Lake Hopatcong, NJ allows you to rent a boat for a half or full day (boating license required). I was surprised by how nice the boat was and they provided life jackets, noodles and floats as well as docking services. A spectacular summer Sunday.
Flights from the US to Europe usually fly overnight, which is great because you don’t lose time and arrive in the morning in a brand new country. But the time zones and the jet lag are real.
Here are my top tips to handle jet lag with or without kids. I am firmly on the side of power through the first day, stay up as late as you can and then sleep 12 hours.
How do you handle jet lag while traveling?
Are you traveling to Europe in 2024? There have been a lot of headlines about the new ETIAS Travel Authorization Program for US travelers going to Europe starting in 2024. Here are the facts. It is not something to be stressed about, but take note of it if you are planning to Europe in early 2024. 2023 travel is not affected.
Implementation has been postponed several times, so I will keep you updated as more details become clear, the website for application is not currently active. It is very similar to some of the protocols that were put in place for Canada or other countries during COVID and is something to add to your travel ready list.
Do you have a milestone birthday coming up? We’re just back from a long weekend celebrating my brothers 40th Birthday and I can confirm there is no better way to mark a milestone than spending some quality time away with the people you love - whether that be 1 person, your whole family or a group of friends. We picked Virgina because we needed a quick trip, but here are some of my top picks further afield.
Couple - Paris and Champagne, Napa/Sonoma, Portugal
Family - Curacao, Arizona, Jamaica
Friends - BVI’s, Italy, Barcelona, Amsterdam
Contact me if you have something special coming up, I’d love to help you plan.
Dubrovnik- I did not fully explore you and I’m sorry we only spent one night. We will be back.
Although I was impressed with all of Croatia’s “Stari Grad” (old towns) I see why you are special. An entirely walled city right on the ocean.
I know you get crowded during the day, but you were lovely in the early evening. Like most other cities I’ve found, it just takes one turn on a less travelled path to lose yourself, look up and hear the birds and imagine you might see a knight or Lannister around the corner.
Although I’m a huge proponent of staying in towns, Dubrovnik is actually a destination best explored from the beautiful resorts that line the coastline. We took an efficient bus 15 minutes to the old city, had a great meal at and then went back to enjoy our AMAZING ocean view.
West Orange, NJ
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This clip was played today on Ottawa news. I had no idea Em’s first flight was documented on national news. 💕 This was our holiday trip to see Ben’s family when Emory was 3 months old in 2016. One good thing about having family in another country is that you’re forced to get that passport and get on the plane early. I firmly believe the sooner you start traveling with your kids the better. Don’t overthink it and just start doing it. DM me for tips and tricks. #holidaytravel # #travelwithkids #festive #familytravel #aircanada #takeyourowntrip
When you are going to see once in a lifetime sights like the Vatican, it is worth it to spend a little more and book the early morning small group tour. Beyond hotels, I specialize in helping clients decide what experiences are worth paying up for and what they can see on their own. This is from a client in Rome this morning. #vatican #traveladvisor #rome #italytravel #rome #livtours #eternalcity #experiencesoverthings #bucketlist #vaticancity #rometravel #parentwhowander #traveltheworld
Happy Saturday from Beach Haven. #lbi #longbeachisland #jerseyshore #newjersey
It’s August. How did this happen? Anyone else having anxious feelings of “OMG I didn’t do enough this summer” combined with “My kids are doing too much and need to learn how to entertain themselves”? Or is that just me? Pics from last August in Curacao and this August in South Orange, NJ when we made walking the 1.5 miles home from camp an “adventure” due to car troubles. Take Your Own Trip was started with the goal to make the most of and enjoy every adventure - whether it be big or small. #takeyourowntrip #august #taylorswift #familytravel #travelwithkids #parentswhowander #summervibes #curaçao
