Just Traveling Through - Kayla Ward

18/03/2024

Looking for some last minute spring break ideas?

I have some not too far from home and with reasonable prices!

Message me about:
- NC mountains (Boone, Blowing Rock, Asheville, etc.)
- NC beaches (Outer Banks, Wilmington, Emerald Isle, etc)
- Charleston, SC
- Charlottesville, VA
- Washington DC

I would love to help you find a trip for this spring!

18/12/2023

Jackson, Wyoming Trip Highlight
Day 2
March 2020

After a delicious breakfast at our hotel restaurant, we hopped on the town bus to head to the Visitor Center. Here we bought tickets for a sleigh ride into the National Elk Refuge and then hopped on another bus from there to the location of the sleigh rides.

This horse drawn sleigh ride was a highlight of our trip for sure. Being able to ride right up to the herd of these gorgeous elk was a great experience. And the Teton mountain range in the background was breathtaking 😍 I could have sat out there all day watching the elk. The sleigh rides are only offered from December to April, so that was one positive of going in March!

After that, we grabbed lunch at The Bunnery. Vegetable soup and a piece of pie made for the perfect lunch after the chilly sleigh ride. Then we explored the downtown shops in Jackson. My favorite shop was MADE, which had lots of great handmade gifts. They have a great variety of shops!

18/12/2023

Jackson, Wyoming Trip Highlight
Day 1
March 2020

I’m SO excited to highlight one of my favorite trips!

We flew into the quaint Jackson Hole airport, walking straight off of the plane into a winter wonderland! This airport tends to be a more expensive option, but it is definitely super convenient and worth the money. How many times do you get to land right in the middle of a national park?! This airport is actually located within Grand Teton National Park, so you get gorgeous views as you are landing.

We typically like to rent a car on our trips to explore on our own, but with the snow we decided to rely on Uber and public transportation. Us North Carolinians are not experts at driving in the snow, that’s for sure!

We got an Uber from the airport to our hotel, The Wyoming Inn. After being able to check in early, we grabbed a late lunch at Sidewinders American Grill for burgers and elk chili. I also made a grocery store run to Albertson’s right down the street to pick up some breakfast and lunch items that we could keep in the hotel room. (This is a good way to save a little money if you are relying on eating out during your trip.)

I loved our hotel! It was so cozy with the fireplace and window seat in our room. And since it was March, it wasn’t very busy at all. This is also how we got cheaper rates, since it wasn’t a popular time to be visiting Jackson. We had dinner at our hotel restaurant, The Whistling Grizzly, which was great. It is always a plus when your hotel has a great restaurant!

14/12/2023

What a view 😍

Now that’s a nice view to enjoy while having your dinner in the summer! Dornan’s is awesome: http://tinyurl.com/yk2zdmkp !!

We’ve got a very popular Dornan’s cam too: https://bit.ly/3wuMQ2O ! 🎥

11/12/2023

JAC is such a cool airport to fly into! It does tend to be pricier since it is a smaller airport, but it’s super convenient if taking a trip to Grand Teton or Yellowstone!

10/12/2023

New York City during Christmas time is so magical!

I was there around this time five years ago and got to check out the Bryant Park and Union Square Holiday Markets. It was so cool seeing all of the different vendors and getting delicious holiday snacks. Bryant Park even has an ice skating rink!

I also love eating Italian food, so Eataly and Carmine’s were my favorites during that trip!

What are your favorite things to do in NYC?

06/12/2023

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices”

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA 🎄

05/12/2023

Colorado Trip Highlight - Day 3
Denver, CO
February 2022

On our 3rd day, we ventured out to explore Denver. We hopped on the bus and rode it to Union Square to grab some breakfast. The place we planned to eat at was closed, but the Mercantile Dining and Provision was yummy! We also grabbed coffee at Little Owl Coffee that morning.

We walked along checking out shops. I found a bookstore, of course, called Tattered Cover. The layout of the bookstore was pretty cool and of course I had to buy at least one book 🤪

Next was Larimer Square for more shopping and lunch. Osteria Marco was amazing and I think about that place quite often. We split the Margherita pizza, which was delicious. Our waiter was super nice and helpful explaining different items on the menu. It was the perfect lunch for this cold day! Some of my favorite shops were Milly Rose Designs and Hailee Grace boutique.

After shopping we went back to our hotel. I napped, since I was pregnant 😂 so I could survive our evening plans.

We caught an Uber to MeowWolf museum, which was by far the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. It is an immersive art exhibit, but after about an hour my anxiety couldn’t handle it much longer and I was way overstimulated. It has great reviews and it was busy there, but it just wasn’t for me! After that, we got dinner at an Italian restaurant that was pretty good, but I personally enjoyed our lunch at Osteria Marco earlier in the day.

There were so many things we didn’t get a chance to see in the city, but what we did do was fun!

03/12/2023

Colorado Trip Highlight - Day 2
Denver, CO
February 2022

We woke up to a winter wonderland on our second day! It was zero degrees outside and it said it felt like -15, but we decided to trek out in the snow that morning and found a cute coffee shop not far from our hotel called Novo Coffee.

Once back at our hotel, we decided to stick with some of our original plans, despite the snow, and ventured out on our rental car to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This is such a beautiful spot located about 30 minutes outside of Denver. We obviously didn’t do much because of the snow, but it was still gorgeous to see. There are multiple hiking trails around the amphitheatre and they host concerts during the summer! Oh how I would love to go back and see a show there 😍

After leaving Red Rocks, we drove up to Boulder, which is a cute town about 40 minutes from Denver! We checked out some shops on Pearl Street and at 29th St Mall. Then we grabbed a healthy lunch at Modern Market. Next time, I would love to stay over night in Boulder. I just loved the atmosphere there! They are known for their great restaurants, so I would love to check out more places! The Flatirons are also right outside of Boulder, where there are multiple hiking trails!

I decided to turn in the rental car after leaving Boulder, since it was still snowing and we would be staying in Denver the rest of the time. Our Uber driver on the way back to our hotel talked nonstop, but we got a ton of great recommendations for things to do in Denver. We had dinner at Bubba Gump’s that night since it was right across the street from our hotel.

We did not anticipate the snowy weather, but we made the best out of it! Shout out to Ashley for being a good sport and dealing with my pregnancy hormones, since I was in my first trimester of pregnancy 😅, because the cold weather definitely started getting to me.

03/12/2023

Colorado Trip Highlight - Day 1 (Part 2)
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO

After we finished our train ride, we headed back up towards Denver and stopped in Colorado Springs.

Garden of the Gods is a free park with stunning red rock formations. It contains a loop road that wraps around the entire park with multiple areas to stop and park. You can also walk along one of the many trails that weave in between the red rock formations. They also have a great visitor center, although it was closed for renovations this time when we were there.

The temperature dropped considerably while we were there at the park, but it was still a great time! After we left, we grabbed dinner at Fuzzy's Tacos before heading back to our hotel in Denver before the snowstorm rolled in!

Other things to see and do in Colorado Springs:
- Pike's Peak
- Manitou Incline
- Seven Falls

02/12/2023

Colorado Trip Highlight - Royal Gorge Route Railroad in Canon City, CO

The Royal Gorge Railroad was the first activity on our itinerary for our Colorado trip back in February 2022, and it did not disappoint! After we picked up our rental car at the airport, we headed to the small town of Canon City, which was about 2.5 hours south of Denver. It was a beautiful and easy drive!

We got to the train station a little early, so we checked out the cafe on site called Happy Endings Caboose Cafe and ordered some delicious coffee drinks. They also have a great gift shop inside the train station as well.

Once we boarded the train, we were able to order food and drinks while the train took off along our route. It was sooo relaxing being able to eat and drink with the views of the Colorado mountains right outside of our window! Once we finished our food, we went to the open-air rail car to take in all of the scenery. It was breathtaking being able to ride right alongside of the river with snow scattered along the mountains on either side. The duration of the train ride lasted almost two hours, which was the perfect amount of time in my opinion.

We also got to see the Royal Gorge Bridge from the train, which was pretty amazing. The Royal Gorge Bridge is another activity that can be done in this area as well, it is about 20 minutes from the train station. The Royal Gorge Bridge offers a zipline, skycoaster, aerial gondola rides, and the opportunity to take in views from the bridge that is suspended 956 feet above the Arkansas River. We did not do this on our trip but I definitely would have it on my itinerary if I went back!

Once we finished with our train ride, we headed back towards Denver and made a pit-stop in Colorado Springs.

Stay tuned for the next Colorado highlight so you can follow along with how our trip went and how we planned it all.

29/11/2023

SPECIAL OFFER on Travel Deal Tuesday!

*** The first person to book a NYC Weekend trip through me will receive a $100 Visa gift card ***

Multiple NYC hotels ranging from 30-50% off for March 1-4, 2024. This is a great deal right now and I want to help someone take advantage of it!

If you book through me, it will include:
- planning/booking any flights, hotels, and transportation
- a customized itinerary/travel guide that would include recommended restaurants, shopping, activities, and general tips for traveling
- a $100 Visa gift card for your trip

(If these dates don't fit your schedule, but you are still interested in an NYC weekend getaway, please message me and I can help you find the best deal!)

28/11/2023

*** Travel Deal Tuesday offers ***

There are SO many great deals on flights right now.

You will find the best flight prices from January to March 2024 to cities such as NYC, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Denver for under $200 per person.

If you decide to book any of these flights, I can also find you a great price on hotels or even a cruise during this time frame.

27/11/2023

Travel Deal Tuesday is coming this week!!

I would love to keep an eye out for any deals you may be interested in for upcoming trips!

Comment on this post or message me directly with any destinations you are interested in and I will follow up with you on any deals I find this week.

14/11/2023

I LOVE Christmas Town at Busch Gardens!

It makes for a perfect weekend getaway during the holiday season!

Have any of you ever been before?

All it takes is a few steps and you’ll instantly get into the holiday spirit. 🎄 That’s right, at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is officially back today—and it’s kicking off the season with another USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Award nomination. Head to the link below to cast your vote for the Best Theme Park Holiday Event.

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-theme-park-holiday-event-2023/christmas-town-at-busch-gardens-tampa-florida-and-williamsburg-virginia/

📸

06/11/2023

For all of my adrenaline junkies out there🤪

And if you’re like me and prefer safer activities, there is a train that you can ride along the river below 😍

This is a gorgeous area of Colorado!

05/11/2023

Traveling in the “shoulder season”, between a destination’s peak season and off season, is one of the best ways to save money on your next trip!

I travelled to the cozy town of Ouray, CO in October 2021 and saved so much money going during this time.

Flights were cheaper and we even got an upgraded rental car because there weren’t as many tourists there at that time. Our hotel was around $100 per night, which was a great deal for this area!

If you want to save money and can be flexible with your dates, I highly suggest going during the shoulder season!

04/11/2023

❄️ Want to take a break from the cold weather this winter?

🏝 Cruises to the Bahamas, Western Caribbean, and Mexico this coming December, January, and February starting at $219 per person (not including taxes). Leaving from Miami, FL!

🎁 This could also be the perfect gift to give your family this holiday season!

Message me for more details or to learn about more cruise options! I would love to book a cruise for you and your family!

31/10/2023

🛳 Cruises are so much fun to me! The food is always amazing and the places you can travel to are breathtaking!

🚨 I am working on earning cruise certifications to broaden my expertise for bookings, and I would love to help you book a cruise!

(Check out this sunset from a cruise I took in December 2021! 😍)

21/10/2023

I can't believe it but I am starting to work on some trip packages for Summer/Fall 2024!

If you have been looking to visit Jackson Hole, WY and Grand Teton National Park, it seems that the end of August and beginning of September would be the most affordable time to visit Jackson Hole/Grand Teton area. (I am basing this off of typical flight/hotel prices for this area.)

The Virginian Lodge would be a great spot to stay while visiting Jackson, Wyoming! You can also visit Yellowstone National Park, which is about an hour away. There are so many beautiful places in this area. My trip to Jackson in 2020 was probably my favorite so far!

Let me know if you would like more information including most affordable flights and hotels for this time frame.

Also, where else would you like to see packages for?!

14/10/2023

Grand Teton National Park. “Look! Nature is overflowing with the grandeur of God!” - John Muir

23/09/2023

11/09/2023

I just found a great deal for anyone looking for a simple weekend getaway at a lodge in the NC mountains near the Linville area!

Since rooms are booking up fast for the fall, only the first 2 weekends in October have vacancies for this specific lodge. The lowest price currently available would be for October 6th - 8th. $296 total for the entire weekend!

Message me for more details!

11/09/2023

07/09/2023

Fall in Love with the Smokies this autumn season! 🍂

There is nothing like western North Carolina and the Smoky Mountain region in fall time with the crisp, fresh mountain air, stunning views and breathtaking colors of yellow, amber and burgundy. 🍁

Come see for yourself in the most unique viewpoint around - aboard one of our fall excursions! 🚂

Book today as tickets go fast this time of year! 🎫

02/09/2023

😍😍😍

24/08/2023

One of my favorite places 😍

Rise and shine! 🌞
Getting up to see the sunrise can give you better chances to see wildlife like moose and beaver, enjoy beautiful displays of color, and beat the crowds! So what are you waiting for? Set that alarm, lace up those hiking shoes, and meet the day.🌄


Photo courtesy of M. Morris

16/08/2023

Wanting to plan a fall or winter trip but not sure where to go?

Here are some ideas for fall and winter travel:

⛰ Visit the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia

🍁 Road trip up north to check out some of the beautiful fall foliage

🏝 Cruise down to the Caribbean or fly to one of the many Sandals or Beaches resorts to get away from winter weather

16/08/2023

“In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention.” - Pico Iyer

How easy it is to rush through your visit, checking off photos/hikes/activities you want to accomplish during your busy vacation. Even if you visit Crater Lake National Park on a busy day, consider taking a moment to find a quiet spot (it IS possible, even in the height of summer), and STOP. Sit down. Take a moment to really look at your surroundings: how the light is playing on the water, how the air smells, how the bark of the log you are sitting on feels. When we pause and let our senses “in”, it’s amazing how our surroundings take on new dimensions that were already there, just waiting for us to notice.

2023 photo by Linda Powell

[Photo on the Garfield Peak trail, looking down into the caldera, the morning sun shimmering on the lake ]

14/08/2023

Do you want to know how my business works?!

🎓 I earned my travel advisor certification in August 2021 and connected with a host travel agency called Travel Planners International.

🌎 This host agency gives me access to a ton of resources for all types of travel planning services all over the world. I am able to learn about any promotions through them and can broaden my education on services offered by the different vendors that they have partnerships with.

🧳 Since they have these partnerships, I am able to plan and book services through the host agency and can receive commissions based on the type of booking.

*** This means there is no charge for you to use my services, since it is strictly commission based! ***

✉️ Feel free to reach out to me! I would love to help plan your next trip!

(Example of small amount of promos I have access to in picture below! 😍)