Lauren Copeland - Certified Travel Advisor

21/03/2024

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck ❤️⁠
⁠
Happy Thursday, friends!

19/03/2024

Taking a break from talking about River Cruising today (maybe 😉) to talk a bit about Portugal.

If you're part of our newsletter family you got an in-depth glimpse of Portugal just a couple of weeks ago, and saw why it's such a magnificent travel destination. (If you're not part of the newsletter, comment and I’ll send you the link to join!) Beaches, wine, mountains, history (so much history) & culture are just a few words that help to paint a picture of what you'll experience here.

And really, I can't talk about Portugal without mentioning River Cruising.. because you can do what few get to, and river cruise on the breath taking Douro. With so many ways by land & water to experience Portugal, no matter what your travel style is there's an option that can be tailored to you.

But WHEN to go? Let's talk about it.

🌸 Spring (March to May) & Summer (June to August): Spring in Portugal offers mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, and fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season. The famous Cherry Blossom Festival in the town of Fundão is a highlight during this season. Summer is the peak tourist season in Portugal, especially along the coastal areas. Expect warm & dry weather making it an ideal time for beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, and those looking to experience the vibrant atmosphere of local festivals, such as the Festas de Lisboa in Lisbon and the São João Festival in Porto.
⛰️ Fall (September to November): Fall in Portugal brings pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, and beautiful autumn colors in the countryside. It's an excellent time to explore wine regions like the Douro Valley or take leisurely walks through the historic neighborhoods of Lisbon & Porto. The Festa da Uva (Grape Festival) in the Douro Valley is a noteworthy event during this season.
🏛️Winter (December to February): Winter in Portugal is mild, particularly in the southern regions. Historic cities, museums & indoor attractions offer a cozy and authentic experience. The Carnival celebrations in February, particularly in places like Torres Vedras & Loulé, are lively events worth experiencing.

Have you ever even thought about Portugal as a place you'd like to experience?

13/03/2024

We’ve all been there. You‘ve got your coffee in one hand, mouse (or laptop) in the other, and your determination hat on.

Your mission?

Plan the ultimate getaway. But as you tumble down the Google rabbit hole, you realize you‘re in for a wild and overwhelming ride.

Who knew researching what the all the best European hotels, restaurants and sites are, could lead to a crash course in various European cultures? 🫠

So, let’s make this journey a little less chaotic, shall we?

If you’re planning to galavant to Europe in the near future, here’s how I can help:

→ Giving your clarity on where to go, and when, and how much time to spend at each place.

→ Laying out your itinerary and getting everything booked so you don’t have to go down the rabbit hole.

→ Tailored suggestions and personalization to make the trip uniquely your own.

→ Hands on support along the way and customized details.

You keep sipping the coffee, but slide that to do list right on over here so I can get that trip planned for you.

Link in bio, friends! Simply submit your quick trip form, and we can schedule your discovery call for next week, when I return from Amsterdam! ✈️

14/02/2024

So proud for our agency and hitting an exciting milestone! 🎉🙌🏻

Exciting Milestone! Briar & Main Travel is now a U-Preferred Agency with Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations! 🎉✨

This recognition is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and achieving sales excellence. Your trust empowers us to continue providing top-tier travel experiences so thank you!

Congrats to our amazing team at Briar & Main®️ and thank you to our valued partners at Universal for this recognition!

There’s so much coming to the parks, so please don’t hesitate to start planning your Universal adventure with us!⚡️

www.briarandmaintravelboutique.com/contact

01/01/2024

Holy cow y’all! Happy New Year!

This morning I’ve got some serious brain fog from all the sugar I’ve had over the last week 😅 but that is not stopping me from just reflecting and being so thankful for so many things in 2023.

We closed the store in February and I got back to travel planning full time with an awesome new agency, and it just went on from there. I am truly so thankful for each and every one of you and every one of my clients who made 2023 so much fun!

I cannot wait for what 2024 is going to bring. Every year is full of highs and lows, but there is just so much joy in our hope, and doing life with people you love is one of the best gifts ❤️

Happy New Year, friends!!!

05/12/2023

T’is the season for gifting, friends! But let me ask you, if you could gift yourself a dream trip, what would it be?⁠
⁠
Over the last year or so, Patton and I have been talking about Bali, so it's high on my "if I could gift myself a dream trip" list. ⁠
⁠
The gorgeous beaches sound divine, the fishing and hiking sounds adventurous, but most of all... getting to experience a unique culture for the first time is what sounds most exciting.⁠
⁠
What is your current dream trip? Share it with me in the comments!

02/11/2023

Imagine having access to ALL of your travel details, confirmations, emergency numbers and more in one place while your traveling... and you don't have to spend even ONE second inputting that information yourself.⁠
⁠
Did you know that when my clients travel, they have access to all of their information in a special travel app? 📱⁠
⁠
While this app can also be used when we are in the initial planning stages of their trip, it really gets to shine when it's travel time, and I am so glad I get to offer this to my clients!⁠
⁠
You are able to review all of your travel documents, flight and transfer times, travel tips and soooo much more right in one place. There is no scrambling back through emails to try and find the pick-up time or a confirmation number while feeling like everyone is breathing down your neck (Isn't that the worst feeling ever?!)⁠
It's all in one place.⁠
⁠
I am all for making travel as STRESS FREE as possible, friends. And the app we get to use really makes that possible.⁠
⁠
This is the kind of cool stuff that makes my job as an advisor easier, while also making my client's lives simpler! And I love it! 😍 ⁠
⁠
Be sure to slide through the photo to see some of the things I get to include in the app for clients. (And yes, it's customized to every trip, every time.) 🙌🏻

31/10/2023

At some point you realize that you only have 5..4...3...maybe even just 1 or 2 summers left with them before they leave to begin creating their own lives.⁠
⁠
And it makes a mom's heart tug pretty hard.⁠
⁠
Life is too short, too valuable, to spend it worrying about trip details, searching through endless options or figuring out where to go next.⁠
⁠
Some of my family's own favorite, funniest and most memorable moments are the unexpected ones we've had while on vacation. Those trips are valuable, and even those sometimes grumpy teens care and will remember what they got to experience with you. ❤️⁠
⁠
If you want help crafting your next vacation so that you can leave behind the stress and just focus on the people that matter, let's talk, friend!⁠
⁠
We can schedule a discovery call for this week and get the exciting stuff started! 🥳 Click the link in bio to submit your form and then you'll get my calendar link to select a time to chat.⁠
⁠
And tell me, what's been your favorite vacation with your family so far?

26/10/2023

This week I've had St. Lucia on the brain, so let's forget about the sports schedules for a minute and escape to the beautiful Cap Maison Resort & Spa, friends. ⁠
⁠
🌊 If you love turquoise waters and boutique style resorts, this one is for you.⁠
⁠
is an elegant luxury hotel set along the St. Lucia coast, and also offers private villas. Here you'll find a secluded sandy beach, a passion for food and wine, and the ability to be as active or relaxed as you want to be. It's private and secluded yet near to the chic Rodney Bay area, which is in one of the most sought after spots on the island!⁠
⁠
Even with just that tiny glimpse, can you tell why it's high on my list of favorites?⁠!

Have you experienced St. Lucia yet?

25/10/2023

I might be completely biased but I really do feel travel is the best gift you can give yourself.⁠
⁠
It can be a journey of self-discovery just as much as it is a journey to explore a new place. You get to leave behind the sports schedules and daily rush and in exchange get to take in something completely new.⁠
⁠
It’s a such a great way to shake things up, reset and refocus.⁠
One of my favorite trips to date was mine and Patton's week spent in Scotland. ⁠
⁠
There’s something about strolling along cobblestone streets, walking through crumbling ancient castles or simply cruising across a loch while you take in the misty mountains that just makes life seem that much more beautiful.⁠
⁠
After returning from a fun long weekend with my mom and daughter, I'm just so thankful for the memories and connection that travel creates; and find myself thinking about past trips that really left a mark on my memory.⁠
⁠
💛Do you have any travel experiences that have made you feel this way, friends?

16/10/2023

You’ve heard of European summer but have you considered European spring?⁠
⁠
Here are 3 reasons you should, friends:⁠
⁠
☀️ Great Weather: the weather is much more comfortable for exploring this time of year.⁠
⁠
✨ Smaller Crowds: the summer crowds haven’t arrived quite yet so lines are shorter at attractions and it’s a much more peaceful experience.⁠
⁠
💰 Lower costs: things like flights and hotels tend to be a little bit cheaper this time of year so your money really can go farther and allow you to invest in more experiences while there.⁠
⁠
Just a few of the reasons to start thinking about planning a getaway to Europe for Spring 2024! (Think April and May)⁠
⁠
The beautiful options you see in the photos:⁠
🇩🇪Berlin, Germany⁠
🇮🇪Skellig Island, Ireland⁠
🇮🇹Tuscany Region, Italy⁠
⁠
Submit your trip form to start planning! http://www.laurenecopeland.com/start-planning

10/10/2023

5 winter trip ideas for a couples getaway: ⁠
⁠
🌋The best place to escape the cold and get outdoors: Costa Rica⁠
⁠
🏖️The best place for sand and sun: St. Lucia⁠
⁠
☕️The best place to unplug and focus on wellness: Get pampered at a mountain lodge retreat with cozy rooms and roaring fireplaces.⁠
⁠
🐪The best bucket list trip: Egypt⁠
⁠
🚢The best cruise: River cruise along the Mekong and experience the mystery of Cambodia & Vietnam.⁠
⁠
Which one would be your first choice?!

06/10/2023

So many places, so little time, and only so many vacation days you can use this winter. ❄️⁠
⁠
So how do I help my clients narrow things down and plan a getaway they’ll be counting down to?⁠
⁠
My travel planning process isn't like a booking engine. I talk with you to curate personalized itinerary options that might include destination and hotel options, excursions/tours and so much more.⁠
⁠
Nothing is worse than taking a vacation you’re not 100% sold on, so part of what I do is help you narrow down those choices to be sure your getaway is what will fit your needs and leaves you inspired!⁠
⁠
Travel memories last a lifetime, so don’t settle because the travel planning process gets overwhelming or indecision takes over, friends. Let me help you put together the best trip possible!⁠
⁠
We're headed into the weekend, so click my link in bio to submit your trip form and we can schedule your call for next week to talk about your next vacation! 🙌🏻 (We are officially only 84 days away from 2024 😲)

18/09/2023

If you're going to be traveling internationally this winter holiday, this is your reminder to check and renew your passport, friends!⁠
⁠
You definitely don't want the stress of having to do it last minute and risk it not getting back in time. Current processing times is 10-13 weeks, and expedited is 7-9 weeks. 😲⁠
⁠
💡 And don't forget that many countries require that your passport be valid for 6 months AFTER your travel dates.⁠
⁠
So! Check your expiration dates, triple check your destination requirements and get that passport renewed ASAP if you need it!⁠
⁠
And also, happy Monday, friends! 😉

05/08/2023

Y'all it's hooooot here. 🔥⁠
⁠
I mean it happens every year, so I don't know why it's a surprise, but it is. 🤣⁠
⁠
This weekend we're just taking it easy as it's the last weekend before school and Fall sports start back up, and I'm reminiscing about Santa Fe and cooler temps. Hence the photo.⁠
⁠
What are you up to this weekend, friends? Have your kids started back to school, or is that happening soon?

24/07/2023

Life just seems better when you’re on a cruise.⁠
⁠
Although I've cruised to other places since then, I am often reminiscing with my husband about our honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean. ⁠
⁠
It was full of moments you just wanted to be able to bottle up... like catching fireflies and watching them make the world glow.⁠
⁠
And as I'm thinking about that madeleine in my hand that was quickly devoured after Patton snagged this picture in Toulon, France... it seemed like a great time to share some vacation inspiration with you, friends!⁠
⁠
So today, I'm sharing a few reasons why we loved our cruise so much, and 6 different locations that you could see when your cruising the Meditteranean, for some vacation inspiration.⁠
⁠
Why we loved our cruise:⁠
⁠
⚓We could choose a cruise line that catered to our likes and needs. For our Honeymoon we wanted a more 'adult' atmosphere, but we could just as easily choose a different option if we wanted to go back with our daughter!⁠
⁠
🌊 The cruise cuisine was absolutely amazing. During our time off of the ship, we got to taste the local flavors, but back on board our meals never disappointed.⁠
⁠
🚤 The stopover we did in Livorno allowed us to visit the hidden gem, San Gimignano. It was the surprise of our trip, and was like stepping back in time. Also, the amazing gelato didn't hurt 😉 ⁠
⁠
Slide through the photos to get a glimpse at these awe-inspiring places you could visit during your own Med cruise!⁠
⁠
🇬🇷 Corfu, Greece⁠
🇮🇹 Naples, Italy⁠
🇹🇷 Istanbul, Turkey⁠
🇭🇷 Dubrovnik, Croatia⁠
🇮🇹 Rome, Italy⁠
🇬🇷 Mykonos, Greece⁠
⁠
Cruising allowed us to see and experience sooo much in a shorter time frame, and we now have places we want to return to for a longer stay in the future! ⁠
⁠
Have you been on a Med cruise, friends? And if not, is it on your bucket list?👇🏻

20/07/2023

I have clients returning home today from their Costa Rica vacation 🥳⁠
⁠
And that has me thinking... sometimes travel goes off without a hitch. But sometimes your first tour of the trip gets cancelled because of a landslide (which did actually happen last week for this family). 😬⁠
⁠
Which is why I am so grateful for our agency's amazing suppliers and trusted tour operators who are on the ball and communicating with me and my clients!⁠
⁠
In the end, everything worked out and my clients were able to have fun and explore in a completely unexpected way (and let's be honest, sometimes the unexpected things are the best things); but it just reminds me of how important my job is as their advisor.⁠
⁠
So much time and energy goes into choosing each supplier, tour and detail because as travel advisors, we want to make sure your vacation is as amazing and memorable as possible. And while we can't stop the unexpected from happening, we can try and make it less likely, or help however we can when it does.⁠
⁠
So thankful for my wonderful clients who allow me to do what I love and my amazing agency for making sure we are connected with the best suppliers around the world! 😍

11/07/2023

Trying to travel carry-on only? Here are some tips to help you get everything in to one suitcase and back-pack or tote!⁠
⁠
Save this post for later, friends. It will come in handy 📌⁠
⁠
👚 Stick to clothing that you can mix and match. This can help you not feel like you need to pack so many items.⁠
⁠
🪶 Pack light and airy fabrics — they don’t take up as much space.⁠
⁠
🧳 Roll your clothes. I know I know, you feel like it's going to wrinkle. But whether you're using packing cubes or not, neatly folding and then tightly rolling your clothes allows you to use up every single nook and cranny and can save A LOT of space in your bag. (And I have found my clothes have the same amount of wrinkles if done neatly!)⁠
⁠
👜 If you're going to need additional bags at your destination, avoid bulky purses and bring packable bags or backpacks instead.⁠
⁠
👟 If traveling with multiple pairs of shoes, try to wear the bulkiest pair while flying to save space in your bag.⁠
⁠
What are some of your own favorite packing hacks? I would love to hear them! 👇🏻

06/07/2023

“But it's still summer!”⁠
⁠
I know, I know. The sunshine is blazing here in Texas, which might actually have you WISHING for Fall, now that I think about it. But have you started making plans for your Fall trips yet?⁠
⁠
We're not even halfway through summer, but there’s no such thing as slow season in travel these days. Things just keep filling up so quickly — that includes hotels, resorts, tours, etc.⁠
⁠
Whether you’re thinking of seeing the Fall colors in Scotland or Amsterdam, or heading somewhere warm like St. Lucia, it’s a good idea to start weighing your options now.⁠
⁠
When you’re ready to start planning, I'm here to help!⁠
⁠
And to give us a little inspiration, here are some destinations where you can soak in those gorgeous Fall colors this coming Autumn.⁠
⁠
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland⁠
🇳🇱 Amsterdam⁠
🇩🇪 Germany⁠
🇺🇸 Tennessee, right here is the great US of A.⁠
⁠
✨Click here ( http://www.laurenecopeland.com/start-planning ) to fill out your trip form and we can schedule a call to chat about your Fall vacation!

07/06/2023

I might still be recovering from our vacation… or working to get back into the groove of real life might be a more accurate description! 🤣

But as I’m getting back to work and finding our new summer time ‘normal’, the most common question I’ve been asked since we got back is… ‘what was your favorite part?’ So today, I’m sharing the rapid fire version of each of our favorites from the trip!

🌺 Riley: Sitting on the resort balcony, Swimming and Snorkeling. Favorite island was Oahu.

🤿 Patton: Scuba diving, Helicopter tour & Volcano National Park. Favorite island was Hawaii (The Big Island).

🏝️ Me: Pearl Harbor and swimming/beach time. Favorite island was Oahu. (This one actually surprised ME 🤣 I’ll elaborate more later on why I actually ended up enjoying Oahu more.)

To be honest, it can be difficult to pick a favorite part, simply because so many of our experiences in Hawaii were truly amazing.

If you’ve traveled to the Hawaiian Islands, what was your favorite experience? And if you haven’t, do you have a question about Hawaii? Drop it below, friends! 👇🏻

06/06/2023

Friends! Today at 12pm CST I will be chatting live with Alia, our agency founder, all about Hawaii!

As many of you know, I just returned from a big family vacation to the Hawaiian Islands and cannot wait to tell you more about vacationing in that beautiful place.

If you’re interested in visiting Hawaii in the future, come and join us!! It starts at 12pm central time in our Briar and Main Travel Chat group. Just ask to join!

Hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelchatwithbriarandmain/?ref=share&fs=e&s=cl

11/05/2023

Let's talk about the best times to visit Costa Rica, friends!⁠
⁠
Costa Rica has so much to offer, and did you know that almost every region stays 80 degrees and above, all year long? Hello winter getaway!⁠
⁠
🏝️December - April: This is prime season in Costa Rica! And let's be honest, how amazing would a Christmas holiday be in beautiful Costa Rica? The weather during this time is going to be at it's driest and the sun at it's brightest. It's a great time for adventuring into the jungle, relaxing on the coast or seeing wildlife.⁠
⁠
🦥May - June: You will see rainfall become more frequent during these months and going into summer, but you can also find lower crowd levels.⁠
⁠
🛑Why not September & October? This is Costa Rica's wet season, which means... a lot of rain. And while rain might not sound that bad, it can be difficult to get around due to mud and water levels, and wildlife viewing is very limited.⁠
⁠
🌤️But what about July & August? You can have a great experience in Costa Rica during the summer months of July & August, the above months are simply considered 'the best' when it comes to weather and wildlife. However, these two months can be a great time to view sea turtles and go whale watching.⁠
⁠
If you're thinking Costa Rica sounds like a destination you want to experience, especially as a unique and adventurous Christmas holiday for the family, now is the time to look at booking, friends!