Unraveled Travel by Kirsten

19/11/2024

Tuesday Travel Inspiration
Duntrune Castle, Scotland

Located on the edge of Loch Crinan in west Scotland lies Duntrune Castle. It is the oldest continuously occupied castle in Scotland, and has housed multiple clans. The entrance to the castle was the inspiration for James Bond’s childhood home in Skyfall. The best part of Duntrune Castlr? You can stay there. What a way to live out your Scottish dreams!

17/11/2024

Sunday Someday

14/11/2024

It’s Wave Season!
What’s Wave Season?
Wave Season is from November-January, and it is a time when many cruise lines run specials. These specials can be a discounted price, reduced deposit, on board credit, or reduced fare on second (or third/fourth) passengers. In addition to Wave Season, many cruise lines are having Black Friday Sales. There are too many sales to list here, but I would love to talk with you about cruise options. It is a good time to lock in a future vacation.

12/11/2024

Tuesday Travel Inspiration
Veteran’s Memorial, Anthem, Arizona

In Anthem, Arizona in Community Park is the Veteran’s Memorial. The five pillars represent the five military branches. It is designed so on November 11th at 11:11am the sun will shine through the ellipses and make a solar spotlight on the Great Seal of the United States. The red pavers surrounding the pillars have the names of service members, providing the “support” for the pillars. The red of the pavers, the white of the pillars, and the blue of the sky represent the colors of the flag. This memorial has been designated an Arizona State Historic Landmark.

11/11/2024

This is not an extra day off, or a day of great sales, or a day of discounted meals. This is a day to truly remember with gratitude our military members. Thank you to all who have and are currently serving.
Home of the free because of the brave.

05/11/2024

Tuesday Travel Inspiration
Grotta Palazzese, Italy

Located on the southeast coast of Italy is a down worthy dining experience at Grotta Palazzese. This restaurant is inside of a cave at the waters edge. The restaurant is part of a hotel (by the same name) that is built into the sea cliff. The ambiance makes a meal in this restaurant something special.

04/11/2024

Anyone else? Have you been?
I have been to New York City, but never over the holidays. I would love the opportunity to experience some of the special Christmas time offerings - ice skating at Rockefeller Square under the Christmas tree, or seeing the Rockettes Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall.

29/10/2024

Tuesday Travel Inspiration
Pragser Wildsee, Italy

Located in the Dolomites in southern Tyrol lies Pragser Wildsee. It is referred to as the “Pearl of the Alps” for good reason. What a sight to behold. The lake can be reached by car, but there is also a 2.3 mile hiking loop around the lake. The Dolomites in general are awe inspiring, but this certainly is a slice of heaven.

24/10/2024

Calling all Christmas lovers! Check out this gorgeous hotel celebrating the Christmas spirit all year round, with extra Christmas details October through December.

https://people.com/it-s-christmas-every-day-of-the-year-at-this-tennessee-hotel-see-inside-the-inn-at-christmas-place-exclusive-8722840?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=manual&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR30srtM9KgCA21k9afbYJx5UY9soO2eW-AgDz6C_HLysyPB6VCCFilAqJY_aem_axHUCrRXXVl6g1sMkG1twg

The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, recently underwent a stunning renovation

22/10/2024

Tuesday Travel Inspiration today will be my final thoughts on Universal.

I often get asked Universal versus Disney - and they are truly two different beasts. The biggest difference would be the themes/characters - Disney characters versus Harry Potter/Jurassic Park/Marvel. Universal also has more thrill rides/roller coasters than Disney. A lot of Universal’s rides are 3D or have 3D elements; which can be hard for people with motion sickness. I say Universal has more for thrill seekers. However - you would have fun at either park!

22/10/2024

I often try to get photos early in the morning/off times so there are less people in my pictures - so sometimes my photos don’t show how many people there are. But - these photos have no tricks. They are pictures I took during early morning entry to Universal (for Universal hotel guests only) - and it felt like we had our place to ourselves.

22/10/2024

When we were at Universal we stayed at two properties- Endless Simmer Dockside and Portofino Bay. Dockside is one of their value hotels, while Portofino is a signature hotel. I have shared some pictures of Dockside, but not of Portofino. Portofino Bay is designed to look like the town of Portofino, Italy, and you can find nods to Italy throughout the property. It also has three pools and a waterslide.

Our room in Portofino had two queen beds and a large bathroom - while they were nice, it was not as much space as the room at Dockside had with the two rooms. Portofino does offer two bedroom family suites, I just hadn’t booked one. At Dockside we had free buses to take to the park, and at Portofino it was a free water taxi (as this hotel is closer to the park). At all Universal hotels you will have free transportation to the parks and early entry to the parks. If you stay at one of the three signature hotels, you also have unlimited Express Pass. What this means is on designated rides (and there are quite a few) you get to cut to the line. It can be a great time saver. If you don’t stay at a Universal property, you can always buy express pass to add to your ticket.

Is staying at a Universal hotel worth it? I think so. The early entry allows you to explore for an hour before other people arrive, and it is quieter with shorter lines. For us the unlimited Express Pass was worth it as we were there at a busier time, and it allowed us to get more rides in/less time in line as this will likely be my niece’s only trip to Universal. The benefits of staying at a Universal hotel and bundling hotel with park tickets can offer savings and benefits.

18/10/2024

I swear, the me who packs my bags and the me on vacation are two different people. The me who packed has my entire skin care routine, makeup, and a flatiron. Me on vacation has not even thought about the flatiron or makeup, clearly. And I preach not overpacking! Yet here I am… having not touched a fraction of the vanity items I packed.
Anyone else do this?

17/10/2024

I have been a bit more quiet than I usually am on my travels. While I am checking things out and gathering information to better serve you, I have also been focused on my niece. That being said…

One of the things Universal Studios is known for is Harry Potter. If you or someone in your family is a fan of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Orlando is the place to go. While the Hollywood location has Harry Potter, it does not have as many rides or features as Orlando. If you can make it work, Orlando is the place to go. One of the coolest features of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (which can be found in both California and Orlando) is the wand interactions. You can purchase a wand from Olivanders, and there are places where you can practice your spells (and see results!).

We have explored Diagon Alley, gotten a wand and robes (which is a must for any young wizard), practiced spells, escaped Gringotts and the dragon, ridden the Hogwarts Express, explored Hogsmeade and Hogwarts castle, ridden a broomstick, a hippogriff, and an enchanted motorcycle. We have had countless butterbeers (so yummy!).

Am I exhausted? Yes. Was this cheap? No. Was it worth it? Yes, every penny. To see the look of magic on my niece’s face as she experienced the world she has read about… priceless.