Dream Big Destinations - Iris Harp

05/01/2025

Happy New Year! What was my favorite trip of 2024? Glad you asked! The highlight was finally experiencing a river cruise! Our journey started in Budapest and ended in Prague. Even though we had been to several cities on previous trips there is always more to explore and learn! Where will 2025 take you?

26/12/2024

Merry Christmas!

06/12/2024

Are you tired of ordinary travel? Want to try something new? I am excited to offer National Geographic Expeditions for those who want a truly unique experience. There is something for everyone - Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Iceland and even Costa Rica, Alaska, and more!

I’m planning to travel the upper Amazon in February 2026! Who wants to join me or plan another adventure?

27/11/2024

This month has flown by and it has been busy around here!! What have I been booking lately? I’m glad you asked…..Italy is my most often requested destination, followed by Alaska, Hawaii, and Caribbean cruises. Also working on a two month trip to the South Pacific and Asia! And did I mention Norway and Denmark?! I love helping my guests see the world on a trip planned just for them!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, may you enjoy time with your family and friends and enjoy good food and fellowship!

05/11/2024

Instead of thinking about election results today, why not focus on your next vacation?!

I absolutely love planning European adventures - every trip is unique and customized just for you! This family was headed to a wedding in Ravello so we planned extra time in Italy to make more memories.

Comments like these make my❤️happy! “Thank you so much for making this very stressful vacation be a vacation we will never forget! Neither Carlee nor I could ever have made this such an effortless and organized vacation.” And this: “Daniel and I had the time of our lives over the last 10 days. Without a doubt we would not have had such an incredible experience without you!“

Thank you Bell and Schiffner family for trusting me with your travel plans!

I have traveled to over 35 countries so far….where will your next adventure take you? I’d love to help you plan the perfect trip and make the process easy so you can relax and enjoy the world!

24/10/2024

Have you been dreaming of cruising in Alaska, but not crazy about a large ship? I have just the thing for you!

Azamara Cruises recently announced their return to Alaska in 2026! Even though I have cruised Alaska twice, I am seriously considering a third voyage!! You may be wondering why in the world I would want to go again. Aren’t all of the cruises essentially the same with the same ports? Azamara is truly unique - here’s why:

Azamara Cruises has four ships with 700 passengers and always includes gratuities, a beverage package, a special AzAmazing Evening and White Night event, unique itineraries with more time in ports so you can fully experience the culture, wonderful entertainment, and a relaxed feeling on board. In addition to some of the usual ports like Ketchikan and Juneau, Azamara will include some of the less traveled ports like Haines, Valdez, Nanaimo, and Klawock. And did I mention no crowds?

Sound interesting? Let’s talk - soon! Now is the time to book for the best pricing!

08/10/2024

Questions I am asked regularly or posts I see on social media:
 ”We are planning a trip to (fill in the blank) and it’s overwhelming - do you do this kind of trip?”
 “I’m trying to book a cruise and I’m so confused - can you help?!”
 “The Venice water taxi was so pleasant until I realized I was on the wrong one.”
 “I’m in Florence and can’t get tickets to the Accademia Gallery to see the statue of David…guess I should have planned ahead.”

Sure, you can book your cruise yourself or spend hours online finding hotels, trains, and tours for that European vacation, but why not trust a professional who has traveled to over 40 countries on land and sea? My training, experience, and attention to detail lets you enjoy your vacation and eliminates stress and worry. Let’s plan together!

17/09/2024

It’s a perfect morning to sit outside and plan your vacation! Where would you like to go?✈️🌎🧳 I’d love to design the perfect trip for you!

23/08/2024

Helping guests make memories is the best part of being a travel advisor! I had the joy of watching the journeys of my travelers this summer!

One family made memories in Mexico as they celebrated their oldest daughter’s graduation. Seeing thsee words when they arrived made my day! “Day 1 of our family vacay started out with a pleasant flight experience, a nice surprise with a huge 2 room suite (thank you !), dinner and a sunset.“

For one special couple we were able to arrange a birthday celebraton on top of Mt. Pilatus during their European vacation. Priceless!

Let me walk you step by step to plan your next adventure!

12/08/2024

It’s always fun when I hear from this adventurous couple! “We’re going to Kenya….we were wondering if we could do a layover in Egypt to see the pyramids.”. Of course!!!!

I was able to arrange a driver and guide to greet them at the airport, get their visas for Egypt, tour the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Sakkara complex, and overnight at the Cairo airport before making the journey home.

I love making dreams come true! What’s on your bucket list?

02/08/2024

Oh, the places you’ll go!!! It was so fun to plan this adventurous family’s dream trip that included Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia by land and sea! I love helping guests plan an itinerary just for them!

25/07/2024

Thinking about Alaska in 2026?! Past Princess guests enjoy an exclusive “Loyalty Week” booking window starting tomorrow (Jul 25), before these sailings go on sale to the general public on Aug 1. In addition, Princess Captain's Circle® members will also save up to $200 ($100 per guest for guests 1 & 2) when booking by Oct 31, 2024.

This is the perfect time to start planning and explore some new options on land and sea!

We’ve had a love affair with the Great Land for 55 years and are the No. 1 cruise line in Alaska. In 2026, we offer everything guests have come to love from ...

16/07/2024

Travel Tip Tuesday: Did you know that some countries require that your passport have at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip? Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

Be sure to check your passport’s expiration date. Right now there is beta testing for online renewal at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAqbBk5u_ojqrM_ew4av6-m2-m67ch&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNi0BhA1EiwAWZaANAzANTaYx9AJ-pQFTnI98gnrRcFxVhYs4uFq_uw_xMpXpatrTJ4s6hoCrU8QAvD_BwE. It took a few tries to get in, but I was able to renew mine online and it was super simple!

UPDATE - I received my passport in one week!!!!!!

05/07/2024

Most people think of cruisetours in Alaska to enjoy Denali along with the cruise experience. Did you know that Princess Cruises offers carouse tours around the world?

This fun couple did it all for a fabulous vacation exploring the UK on land and sea. They started with the Princess Ring of Kerry pre-cruise tour, then cruised round trip from Southampton with stops including Dublin, Edinburgh, and Normandy.

We customized a few days in London to complete their vacation. I love planning travel to best fit your travel style!

28/06/2024

Whether you plan travel months in advance or a few weeks ahead, we can make it happen!! This sweet family just experienced Italy with a customized itinerary designed just for them!

What a fun process as we talked through their travel style and must-see places as we designed a plan that included history and sightseeing, cooking, wine, boats, and trains. Of course, we also include time to explore on their own.

What a joy it was to watch their adventure and then to receive these kind words:

“No matter where you want to go, we just picked Italy, you can’t go without Iris Sansom Harp with Dream Big Destinations, she’s one of the most knowledgeable travel agents I’ve worked with and can’t recommend her highly enough. Her love for booking Europe because she’s knows it well can be felt when you are there because her app and notes makes traveling there seamless. Not to mention her availability if you get yourself into a crunch. She cares, is professional, organized and follows you through the whole process. If you have any travel needs reach out to her.”

Thank you for trusting me with your vacation plans!❤️

20/06/2024

Time for a review of our Melodies of the Danube river cruise with AmaWaterways…one word comes to mind: wonderful! River cruising is a very personalized experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Our first impression when boarding the ship was, “Wow!” The AmaVerde is beautifully decorated with a very friendly staff and excellent food.

As someone who loves entertainment I wondered what they would have in the evenings on a ship that holds 150 passengers. Most nights there was an excellent pianist in the lounge and we had three nights when entertainers came on board. One night was a jazz trio, another was a classically trained trio that also played great arrangements of popular songs, and the final night included a performer from London’s West End who delighted us with her humor and songs from great musicals.

On a river cruise you have a traveling hotel with everything included - meals, excursions, WiFi, and more. AmaWaterways includes a variety of excursions with 3-4 options each day for all activity levels. There are walking tours with active, average, and gentle walker groups, longer bus tours, food tours, along with biking and hiking tours. And the guides are excellent! There is even time to explore on your own after your excursion. And did I say that the excursions are included in your cruise fare?

If you select to add on pre and post cruise days, you will have the same TV cruise director throughout your journey.

River cruising is a great way to explore Europe whether it’s your first experience or you are a seasoned traveler. Are you ready to plan your cruise? Let’s talk!!!!

15/06/2024

When you’re monitoring your guests’ delayed flight and praying they can make their connection. . . they did!!!!

04/06/2024

Travel Tip Tuesday: Take the tour! You can research an area, read the history, and follow a map, but nothing compares to hearing a local guide tell you the story of their city or country. It’s all in the details and first hand knowledge! Then go and explore on your own!