Durkee Travel Company

22/11/2024

Did you all see the new Disney ship the Treasure arrived in the US this week? It looks AMAZING, but I am most excited about the Haunted Mansion Parlor!

I have clients going on the inaugural sailing later next month. It was not easy to get them a balcony room on the sailing, but I was able to pull it off and they are so excited! I cannot wait to hear all about it!

This one-of-a-kind lounge draws inspiration from the original Haunted Mansion, with a nautical twist.

18/11/2024

Is Japan a dream destination for you? If so, you are not alone. I have many people reach out about visiting Japan. Having been myself, I am a great resource for your trip! If eating ramen in Tokyo, seeing geisha in Kyoto, and soaking in a private onsen overlooking Mt. Fuji sound like your style of vacation, then you need to let me help plan your trip! Just look at some of these places to stay.

11/11/2024

A big thanks to all the military families active and retired! My dad served in the military for 21 years. I know the sacrifices not only those in service make, but the families at home. I hope you feel honored today and all days.

I am well-versed in traveling on military discounts, especially to Disney World and for Disney Cruises, so if anyone ever needs help with that, you know who to ask!

*If you're wondering, I'm the cute baby in this picture. :)

08/11/2024

One of my favorite parts of planning Disney World vacations is lining up dining for clients. Depending on ages, I have several different must-do restaurants/experiences. When I visit, I always try to go to new places so I can share with clients, which means I have been to the majority of restaurants in Disney World.

There is a super exclusive restaurant in Epcot that costs $250 (plus tax and tip) per person that I am considering trying on my next trip in a couple of months. What do you think? Should I try it out and report back? It's supposed to be one of the best dining experiences in the USA. I have also considered Victoria and Albert's. Anyone done either of these?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/takumi-tei-restaurant/menus

29/10/2024

Viking is a very well-known river cruise brand, but did you know they also do ocean and expedition cruises? I have clients currently on the Panama Canal crossing cruise who are loving it! They have some other just really interesting itineraries, too.

The ships are not large, so if the mega-ships intimidate you, maybe it's time to look into a more intimate Viking cruise. Let me send you some options! You never know where life may take you, let me help make it interesting!

[email protected]

22/10/2024

If you’re wanting to experience this new park when it first opens, reservations are open! It opens end of May 2025 and it’s going to be very popular so I recommend not waiting too long to plan. The new resort, along with the new park both look, well, epic. 💫

21/10/2024

Everyone has that one top bucket-list trip on their list (or four if you're me ha), but I have found in doing this job a true South African safari seems to be what most people say they really want to do. It's not as hard to make it happen as you may think.

While not super easy to get to South Africa, it's worth the effort and the long flights! I have a wonderful two-week itinerary that I have personally done and have had a handful of clients recreate. Everyone (my family included) says it's a dream trip. My kids were 8, 11 and 13 when we went and it was perfect, but you're never too old for a safari!

Why not stop dreaming and start planning? This is what I do--make travel dreams come true!

Here are a few pics from our trip, but if you'd like to read about it, I posted a trip report on my blog: https://thefairygodblogger.blogspot.com/2017/02/safari-visions-of-elephants-and-lions.html

16/10/2024

New perk for Disney World deluxe resort guests—Lighting Lane Premier Pass. This new skip-the-line pass will allow guests to ride each Lightning Lane ride once without scheduling a time. Prices will be released later this month when it opens. I’m intrigued.

This will also be available at Disneyland.

I didn’t get this pricing from Disney directly but here is what I’m seeing online, would you pay it?

Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax
EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax

12/10/2024

I hope everyone traveling home this weekend has uneventful travels! I am making my way back today from a Scandinavia mother-daughter trip. We have had a wonderful time and learned so much!

I love travel for many reasons, but one of the main ones is every time I visit a new place, our world gets smaller and smaller. I was watching Sweden out the window of our taxi this morning thinking how it looks so similar to home yet it’s also so different. We are all more alike all over the world than you realize until you start to dive into new cultures. I love nothing more than to arrive in a new place completely uncomfortable and clueless. I always leave educated, more cultured and fulfilled. This world of ours is there to explore. I have many many more places on my list but ticking them off one at a time is the best! I know I’m lucky that I’ve been able to see what I have—39 counties down, 106 to go? Just go!

07/10/2024

For anyone in central Florida this week, I know I’ve been in touch with most of you, but this new data has the storm slowing down, which will have Thursday being the day you need to be aware of. This may (will) change again I’m sure. Disney and Universal will keep everyone up to date on their plans and of course I’ll message my clients as soon as I hear something. I do expect park hours to be affected including evening activities. Praying it’s quick and weakens before making landfall.

All my cruising clients come back Saturday, so you all should not be affected!

01/10/2024

Disney has announced its early 2025 promo today! It runs Feb. 26-June 30, 2025. If you have a package booked with me during this time, I have already applied the promo or checked to see if I can apply the promo FYI! If you aren't booked yet, but would like a quote, email me: [email protected]. I love an early planner for Disney World, so don't wait!

26/09/2024

It's almost October! Can you believe it? Check out where my clients are headed in October as of now (are you on this list?). I always get a few last-minute October bookings, too for those who like to travel on the fly!

*The picture is from Simon's Town, South Africa, where the penguins live on the beach! Someone needs to let me help them visit South Africa. It's been a minute since I booked that!

25/09/2024

For the next two nights I have clients staying in the Dromoland Castle in Ireland. It's a gorgeous estate near Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. I cannot wait to hear about their experience.

This is one of two castles I like to book for Ireland vacations, both offer really unique experiences where you can live out your true princess (or queen) dreams 😉

24/09/2024

I came across this amazing adventure today! It's a 13-day rail journey from Chicago to FIVE national parks--Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches and Canyonlands! How fun does that sound? I think this would make for a great summer 2025 vacation.

Experience the wonder America's great national parks have to offer on this tour of Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

18/09/2024

I LOVE seeing my client's photos while they are traveling. This lucky couple is spending a couple of weeks driving through Bavaria, dipping into France, Switzerland and Austria. They are seeing some amazing sites on their adventure--historic and beautiful!

I love finding unique places for people to stay and there is a castle hotel in Germany I always suggest staying at. Everyone has the same reaction--WOW!

11/09/2024

I shared this on my personal page, but as a person who plans many people's trips to NYC, I think it's important to share here, too. I always encourage people to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum. It's not easy, but it's so important!