 Rome wasn't built in a day, and it surely takes more than one to explore the Eternal City. But sometimes a day is all you have. So, grab an espresso or vino and let me help you explore Rome in less than 24 hours. This is the perfect precursor to setting sail out of Italy and filled with highlights that will make you forget how tired you might be. My nine-hour direct journey from the East Coast had me arriving just prior to 9 am Central European time. Customs was painless and our private driver transported us to Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort situated above the city with a priceless view.  After checking in we took the complimentary shuttle about 20 minutes into the city to explore as much as we could prior to two previously booked tours. The stop was located near the top of the infamous Spanish steps and stairs at Piazza di Spagna, a much easier way to warm up our legs for the many steps that would be taken that day. 135 stairs and three different terraces (referring to the Holy Trinity) delivered us to the ‘Fontana Della Barcaccia’ which literally means ‘Fountain of the ugly boat’. This is not in reference to the sculpture itself, but to the story that the river Tiber flooded in 1598 and stranded the ugly little boat on this spot. We of course started our copious picture taking here before moving on to another famous watering hole.  If there is one thing I don't think I’ll ever get enough of its cobblestone streets! Every direction you look, cute little cafes adorned with colorful flowers and smells that draw you in line the ancient streets and the hustle and bustle of tourists from around the world are all in awe of the beauty that exists. At the end of one we spot the beautiful and ever so popular Trevi Fountain. The stunning architecture, blue waters paired with blue skies made for the perfect summer day. Packed with people we still managed to get great photos and snuck in close enough to throw coins over our shoulder and into the water to ensure that we would someday return to Rome.  We definitely needed to hydrate, and it was the perfect time to grab a slice of pizza for lunch! We also wouldn't be tourists in Rome without ending our much-loved pizza with Gelato. Offering a flavor for every palate, the refreshing options from Mancuso Gelati Italiani cooled us down in the heat of summer as we continued our sleepless day and trekked towards the Colosseum. The great thing about Rome is most everything is walkable. Taking in the sights is part of the journey of course and there was much to be seen between where we were and where we were headed. It was amazing to me that every step of the way led us stumbling upon ancient ruins still being discovered to this day. A dig site of the Imperial Forum exposed a treasure trove of an ancient civilization still looking to tell its story. Passing by the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, or Vittoriano, the first king of Italy was stunningly beautiful and something to add to our list for our next visit. In order to keep us up and on a schedule, I booked two tours that I highly recommend. The first was a three-hour tour that included the Colosseum, Palatine Hill as well as The Roman Forum. We buffered our time to allow for the copious amounts of pictures one takes of the ancient civilization intertwined with modern day beauty. Our meet up was a coffee shop and local park area adjacent to the Colosseum. The cool breeze under the shade at the park felt great and we hydrated once again with water from the Oppio Caffe. This is a great spot to take in views of the Colosseum if you are looking to eat and can snag a table along the sidewalk. Otherwise, be prepared to have locals approach with water and their goods for sale as it seemed to be the meeting spot for many tourists awaiting their tour, and for this, they took advantage.  Upon check-in and meeting our guide we walked across the street to the Colosseum and past those waiting in line for tickets since we already had them. Our guide was a wealth of knowledge and being within the walls of a structure built in 80 A.D. was unbelievable. The once colorful marble archways now dull from the elements and the worn away seats of those who once came to watch gladiators go head to head are still visible within the arena. Once able to accommodate over 50,000 spectators arranged by social status, the Colosseum is a freestanding structure made of stone and concrete. The distinctive exterior had around 80 arched entrances each about three stories high. By the 20th century, nearly two-thirds of the original Colosseum, including all of the arena’s marble seats and its decorative elements were destroyed but the story and the beauty still live on as the Colosseum continues to be a must do when in Rome.  Afterwards, our tour continued to Palatine Hill, believed to be the birthplace of Rome, and was the wealthiest and most desirable area in which to live. Not only are the ruins a sight to see but the beautiful gardens are impressive. This area was lived in by Aristocrats and emperors who used to live on this Mount and enjoy views of the Roman Forum which is where our three-hour tour ended. Known as Forum Romanum in Latin, this area was the center of the ancient city of Rome. Important religious, political and social activities happened here and it’s also here that you’ll find fresh flowers every day — at the grave of Rome’s most famous citizen, Julius Caesar. If you’re interested in booking this tour, I highly recommend booking here: Premium Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill  Next up was the perfect ending to a perfect day! Our fettuccine and Tiramisu making class! Now I did previously say that most things in Rome were walkable. The restaurant where this took place was a little further than our sleep deprived bodies were willing to go. So, we made our way out to the streets and while I did request a taxi via the recommended app Free Now, it was much easier to simply hail a taxi. They all spoke English, were friendly and I recommend having Euros as they do prefer cash over credit. So, the taxi was hailed, and we were dropped off at Oste Cavour in plenty of time to relax with a Coke for my son and Aperol Spritz of course for me. Afterwards, we were whisked off to the back of the restaurant to a wine cellar where there were large tables prepared for everything we would need to make our future dinner. We started with the tiramisu since it would need time to chill. We then started the laborious process of the fettuccine! Although fun since I was in Italy, you will never catch me doing anything other than boiling pasta in my Virginia based kitchen! Our chef was very fun and made everyone feel as if they were the best pasta maker in Roma.  After our fun cooking session, our labor of love did not disappoint! Complete with wine, espresso and limoncello, we ended our evening full and dreamt of nothing but someday returning to this amazing city.
I highly recommend this tour for any foodie who needs to eat anyways. And when in Rome do as Becky and book here: Fettuccine Pasta and Tiramisu - cooking class in Rome This was the whirlwind version of Rome! Doable-absolutely! Do I recommend a longer stay- absolutely! Reach out today and let’s start planning your day or days in Rome: Vacation by Design Salute!
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 Vegas: Known for nightlife, sleeping too little and spending too much now has a new player in town. The Sphere, a 360-foot-tall spherical structure with cutting-edge technology is the perfect venue for any music lover to experience their favorite band. A perfect weekend getaway with direct flights from DC and other major cities, you’ll be surrounded by bright lights and the cha-ching of slot machines in no time. So, pack your weekender, download your favorite movie and let me take you on a trip to Sin City. There are two things I believe are worth every penny. The first is travel. A countdown to self-care whether it be near or far, solo or with others. The second is experiences. An event that when you look back on it makes you smile and elicits amazing memories. Both transcend you to a happy place. And if you’re lucky sometimes both go hand in hand. If you prefer the latter, keep reading for an immersive experience that will have you traveling in your seat while music fills the air! I jumped on the bus late. The Grateful Dead bus that is. Like 2017 Dead & Company late. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t appreciated every Ripple, Touch of Grey, Black Muddy or Althea that has been played during the 12.5 shows (rain canceled half of a Camden show) that I have been lucky enough to experience. I can say without a doubt that Dead Forever at the Sphere on June 1 was my favorite Dead & Co. experience. It will forever be ingrained in my mind as one of the best. Kind of like the taste of my first parking lot grilled cheese from the same rain canceled show mentioned above. The sound of the music, the claps of the fans, the vibration of the drums, and imagery that took me from the edge of my seat to space to the depths of the ocean to where it all started on Ashbury Street over 60 years ago.
The ability to story tell is the only way I can describe what happens within the walls of the Sphere. Imagine a picture book that transported you to a faraway place as a child. The words sung leapt from the teleprompter like the words from a page of a book being read aloud. The magic that is made when the two collide keep you hanging onto every word sung and with anticipation of the next page being turned. No one wants any story to come to an end. I will definitely be back to enjoy future experiences at the Sphere. I highly recommend you consider checking out Dead Forever at their residency that runs Thursday- Saturday nights through August 10, 2024. I can’t wait to see if they will write another chapter beyond this one. But one thing is for sure. The music will never stop. 
Photography! Take advantage of the freshly fallen (or falling in my case) rain to maximize the already vibrant colors that saturate the city! The architecture is amazing, and you never know what you'll see that catches your eye even from under an umbrella!
Broadway! Literally play indoors instead of puddles with a must-see Broadway production. TKTS located in the heart of time square is a great way to get last minute discounted tickets when the weather puts a damper on your previous plans! Eat! When all else fails, be cultural and head to Little Italy for a slice of pizza. Be sure to save room for a cappuccino and cannoli or gelato at Ferrara's on Grand. Fear not! Calories don't count in NYC especially when it's raining! 9/11 Memorial! Rain or shine no visit is complete without paying your respects here. Although you may need to dry your eyes, the museum and exhibit honoring those who lost their lives in 2001 is a must see. If you see a white rose it symbolizes the birthday of those who lost their life on that fateful day. Shop! Whether your sights are set on high-end handbags on Fifth, knockoffs on Canal, or a bagful of any color M&Ms in Times Square, you've come to the right place! So, the next time you get caught between the rain and New York City, the best that you can do is fall in love with all of the above! Need help planning your next Big Apple getaway? I'd love to help you find the perfect place to stay in the city that never sleeps, rain or shine!  There are many reasons why one travels by themselves. While blogging earlier this month the term solo-cation was typed and it may be my new favorite word. Having had the opportunity to travel solo I must admit, I’m in love! Many may believe that traveling alone can be lonely, boring and/or potentially scary. I’m here to tell you that one is not the loneliest number, in fact one can even be fun and empowering.
I am definitely a people person, however I do love my alone time as well. It’s kind of like the best of both worlds when you’re comfortable enough to flow between the two. I’ve always loved long drives alone..I put on my favorite music, can sing as loud as I want to and no one is judging me as I dance behind the wheel. I also love to sit and enjoy a glass of red at a local winery if for no other reason than to imbibe while collecting my thoughts and of course to people watch. A while back, I had the opportunity to sail with Virgin Voyages at the last minute. It was not really enough time to coordinate with someone else’s schedule, so I coordinated with myself and my first solo-cation at sea happened. It was amazing. There was solitude when desired. Selfcare that was much needed. New destinations were explored and new friends that were made. Hopefully I have you thinking if a solo-cation is right for you! You can start small with a few hour road trip, a day trip, or by just heading out to grab dinner or a drink alone. If you know you want more, but are afraid of the unknown, I highly recommend a cruise for the opportunity it allows for you to truly be in your own space or surround yourself with others if you so desire. If I had to recommend a place to dip your toes into the world of solo travel, I’d highly suggest a Virgin Voyage. From solo insider cabins (although I highly suggest a sea terrace complete with hammock) to Solo Sailor events, the new adult only cruise line lends itself to the solo traveler. In all fairness, prior to sailing solo, I had sailed Virgin twice with someone else. I knew from those experiences that the friendliness of other Sailors, the crew, and the plethora of activities available that I would never disembark without having met wonderful people, some of whom I still call friends today. So grab your favorite beverage and let me paint you a picture (optional onboard activity!) of what you can expect when you set sail on a SOLO-cation. First and foremost, Selfcare. We all need it. We don’t get enough of it. If you’re like me, you take care of everyone else. Your family, your pet, your significant other, your work responsibilities. It’s time to step on board for you. From fitness classes, to spa time, to pool time to just laying in bed and watching movies (guilty!) while eating Ship Eats. It’s doing whatever it is that makes you a better human and the time to focus on only you. Moving on. Only You! Only you decide if you want the charcuterie board and wine at Extra Virgin or if the Mexican Street Corn and Mezcal is calling you at Pink Agave. Only you decide if you want to venture out on a Shore Thing while in port or find one of the many secluded seating areas onboard to read. And saving the best for last….Drumroll please… Only you in the hammock! It’s important for us to not have to negotiate at times. Time to truly Love Yourself. When was the last time it was only you? When was the last time you truly Loved Yourself? If you can’t remember there is no better time to book a solo voyage and start your countdown to self love. I can say without a doubt that Virgin is the most accepting cruise line I have sailed with. The come as you are mentality is something that I wish could be bottled and brought back to dry land and sprinkled among society. Creating a space for you to feel at peace with yourself, happy with yourself, is a reflection of the brand and a great opportunity for you to reflect on you. Lastly, Opportunity. Earlier, I mentioned having the best of both worlds is when you’re comfortable enough to flow between being alone and being a people person. This my friends may be what I adore most about Virgin. I will never forget on my first sailing back in 2022, I was chatting with Ryan The Foodie and he said, “Every moment is a serendipitous moment”. You never know what will happen. It's just a matter of being in a specific place at a specific time that will give you that perfect experience. The ship is filled with opportunities to not be alone as well. Befriend the person poolside. Shore Things for me personally have led to sure friendships onboard and after sailing. Go to the Solo Sailor events if you need a little coaxing, sign up for the Grog Walk or eat an Gunbae early on your voyage as a surefire way to meet others. The opportunity to be a people person exists if that is what you prefer. I hope I've enticed you to at least consider a solo-cation. There is nothing better when Selfcare leads to Only you Loving yourself and creates the Opportunity for you to be a better human being. It’s only a matter of time when you're back home negotiating who is going to walk the dog and who is going to cook dinner. Cheers to solo-cations!  Reflection. The good, the not so good, the empowering, the humbling. So much went into the year to make 2023 exactly what it was supposed to be. Scrolling through my camera roll it’s evident that I document my life through pictures. As I sat on my couch during the quietness after the fun-filled Holidays with family, contemplating the creation of a Reel to highlight my travel destinations of the past 365 days, memories came flooding back. Florida with agency friends, a first visit for my son to New York City, a weekend trip to the beach, a cruise to Bermuda with my loving family, a Virgin cruise with friends to Dominican Republic, a solo trip to Greece. A new significant other, my new Goldendoodle, Finn, a future bucket list cruise to Iceland booked, and rounding out the final month of 2023 by honoring those who served our Country by laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. I can speak to each about the memories they elicit. The opportunity to grow professionally through ups and downs, embracing quality time with friends and family, the addition of important people and fur babies to share my life with, creating memories through travel and the ever important always having the next trip planned so that you have future memories to look forward to.  Two words that 2023 leave me with are two that I want to continue to focus on in 2024. The first is Empowering. I try to grow myself personally in some way each year. Gone are the days where I set out on January 1st resolving to lose 20 pounds or curb my wine intake. I know better than to set myself up for failure, so I thought moving into 2024 I’d focus on words that have impacted me in some way this past year. In August, I traveled solo to Greece. I was scared. It was my first time in Europe. I was full of what-ifs. Hesitant and if I'm being honest almost regretting booking the trip. This from the girl who has lived halfway across the world and traveled solo on countless 18+ hour flights to and from Japan. I was familiar with Asia, but the unfamiliarity of a new destination alone left me unsettled. Not knowing what to expect, I boarded my ten-hour flight to Athens. From the time I arrived, I honestly felt at home. From my modern hotel with a view of the ancient Acropolis, I soon realized Greece was a place of culture, friendliness and beauty. I knew the best was yet to come. The following day, I boarded Resilient Lady for the Greek Glow itinerary. Being my sixth voyage with Virgin, I knew that being a solo Sailor would give me the opportunity to just be me in the moment or embrace the company of others. Every port left me wanting more. Postcards didn’t do Santorini justice, sunsets are unbelievable in Mykonos, and yachting around the Aegean Sea and buying knock off Rolexes in Turkey with friends I met onboard are memories I won't ever forget. The best souvenir from this trip however: Empowerment. Ending self-doubt, building confidence, and knowing that I am capable of things that may in the moment seem daunting. Where is my next solo-cation? (oh, I love that term!) who knows but I do think 2024 is deserving of one!  Saving the most important for last. Every year since 2016, I have read about Wreaths Across America and every year I say I'm going to volunteer. Well fast forward seven years, I finally participated in one of the most amazing experiences ever. Along with thousands of volunteers, laying a wreath at the graves of those who have served our Country far outweighs any vacation I have ever taken. The 16,000 steps walked that day were the most humbling and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself is something that I will take advantage of each year from here on out.
The importance of remembering, honoring, and educating is the mission behind Wreaths Across America. They have already started their journey for 2024. As of this blog, there have been 1905 wreaths sponsored for Arlington National Cemetery and 257,095 to go! My journey of humbleness will continue in 2024. For all of those who allow me to assist in planning their vacation in 2024, I will donate a few dollars per reservation to purchase wreaths to honor those who have served our Country. I can’t think of a better resolution. Can you?  So apropos to toast to setting sail on National Wine Day! Whether you’re a lover of red or a lover of white, there’s no judgement here. Just as long as you read on and consider sailing with me this summer! I’m fairly sure that I can entice you with two perfect choices. The great thing about cruising? Just like a fine wine improves with age —travel memories grow fonder with time, and I can promise you there is a cruise line and destination to please every palate. So, what do you say we do a cruise tasting... It’s on me! Let’s start with the cruiser looking for something family friendly. Those not looking to pay for airfare, the person who loves to give back to the community for a great cause and those who love the balance of adult time and family time. From pools to kid’s clubs, the spa, a rock-climbing wall, casino, look no further than sailing with me and Royal Caribbean on a 5-night sailing out of Baltimore to the beautiful pink sands beaches of Bermuda. We are giving back to Veterans Moving Forward, a non-profit organization outside of DC that provides service dogs to veterans at no cost to them or their families. I personally volunteer for them as a dog walker, event assistant, flyer-making advertiser, and now charity cruise coordinator! I couldn’t be more excited or proud to host a cruise that will be able to raise money towards the $40,000 it costs to raise and train a service dog. Imagine giving your family memories all while giving someone who has served our Country a service dog to help them live their best life. We’re sailing July 1-5, 2023, on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas! Double occupancy starting at only $1844! So what do to you think? Need a little bit more? Bermuda is home to snorkeling, crystal caves, shopping, and wonderful food. With two days in port, you’ll have time to experience every speck of pink sand Bermuda has to offer and with two days at sea, it’s the perfect balance of port time and ship time.  Ready for your second glass?… go ahead pour another… I’ll wait….
For our second tasting we are going adult only. Do I have your attention? I thought so! My new favorite cruise line celebrates everyone! Come as you are my friend – Regardless of if you are sailing solo (I have) as a couple (I have) or as a group ( I will and this is where you come in!)- Virgin Voyages offers impeccable service, over the top food, and fun on every voyage! I personally have sailed four times last year and each voyage, while perfectly on point, was a completely different experience. I truly believe in the Virgin difference, and I have I met wonderful Sailors while onboard. It’s like those serendipitous moments that the Foodie, Ryan, on two of my cruises talked about on my first sailing. We are where we are supposed to be at any given moment in time. Embracing and enjoying each of those moments, have given me friendships that I treasure beyond the many waves we sailed together while at sea! I’d love for you to set sail with me on your first or your next Virgin Voyage! I’m hosting a circle (Virgin’s name for a group) onboard the Scarlet Lady July 21-26, 2023. We are sailing the Dominican Daze out of Miami, one of my favorite itineraries and I’d love to be your personal guide and concierge while onboard. It would be my pleasure to show you around and help you fall in love with Virgin for the first time or all over again! Cabins starting at $1920 and there are additional incentives when you reach out today! So, there have it my friends! Two July tastings that hopefully have you thinking about filling your glass full! As an added bonus, sail with me on either cruise (or both) and let’s meet up for a drink! It's on me! Cheers! Embarkation Day!  It’s time to set sail, Sailors! I can hardly contain myself when embarkation day arrives! Terminal V is now open in the Port of Miami. The beauty of the Scarlet Lady beckons you upon arrival. With a later sail time of 7, boarding doesn’t start until 2 pm so you can sleep in and rest up for the party that awaits you and your fellow Sailors. No need to fear, porters are lined to assist with luggage, so you are hands free to enjoy the ship once on board. We made our way to Palm Way, Virgin's separate entrance for rock stars. We didn’t need to select a pre arrival port time as the red carpet is always rolled out and check in is extremely easy. We showed our negative covid tests and were given a band indicating that we were cleared and not awaiting test results. Passports were verified and our Bands given to us since we did not receive them ahead of time in the mail. Made with recycled ocean plastic, these sleek keepsakes will unlock your adventure including boarding the ship with ease, accessing your cabin, making onboard purchases and allow rock star access to Richard’s Rooftop. While waiting in a separate part of the terminal, there was water and snacks and the opportunity to mingle with others. There was lots of chatter of people’s favorite activities if they had sailed before and for those like us who were first timers, lots of excitement and sharing of what everyone was looking forward to once onboard. Boarding began promptly at 2 and we excitedly made our way to the party that started as soon as we stepped foot onto Scarlet Lady. There were crew members greeting each sailor and a DJ playing music as we were directed to the Manor where we had the opportunity to meet our roadie while sipping champagne and mimosas. We knew we were in good hands with Lazar once he grabbed my phone to ensure that no dining or activity I had previously scheduled interfered with any fun onboard that he was aware of. I also requested a bridge tour and we told him of our mini bar preferences that were included in our Seriously Suite. We were all set with our weekly overview and made our way to our quarters where our luggage was waiting for us. Seriously, it was sweet! I wasn't sure what to do first! Grab a drink from the stocked bar, listen to some tunes on the record player, relax in the hammock on the terrace or explore the bathroom that was bigger than my own! Our home for the next 5 nights had lighting for any mood, and we quickly met our steward, MJ, who stopped by to make sure we had everything that we needed and if he could be of any help. After we took in our safety video we decided to explore! Gosh it was beautiful and with only 580 people onboard it seemed more like a private yacht. We made our way to The Dock bar located on Deck 7 aft. This spacious location with plenty of seating quenched our thirst with sangria and very delicious tapas. With a view of the city and watching a train pass over the trestle in front of us, we kicked back on the sofa bed and soaked up the rays, which were the first of many on the appropriately named cruise, Mayan Sol. The minutes flew by, and we found ourselves on Richard’s Rooftop for the sail away party. Free champagne is at your fingertips and nightly from 5-7 if you are rockstars. We took in the excitement of other ships leaving the port before us and the sunset while heading out to sea was breathtaking. Once we entered the open waters, we headed back to the room. I had yet to spin some tunes on the record player or try out the hammock which was a huge draw for me especially since I love to sip coffee by morning and wine by night on the terrace. We had made dinner reservations at Extra Virgin and everything about it was extra! I think I'll save dining as a separate blog since there is so much to share and say about the exquisite meals and service we had on board. We ended the night dancing, meeting new friends and hanging out on the net that overlooks the ocean- thank you neon lights that read, “Save Water, Drink Champagne”. You aided in making my sea legs strong and my fear non-existent as I waltzed out over the crashing waves below all captured on video in case I forgot that moment in time where I felt like a kid again (and possibly looked ridiculous). But the best part? No one cares! You get to do what you want and be who you want when onboard. And that, my friend, is priceless. Until day two!   Why I love Voyaging with Virgin (Part 1) Looking for an adult only escape? One that’s cheeky? Fun? Over the Top? Well keep reading my friend because my sailing with Virgin Voyages onboard the Scarlet Lady was all of the above and more! We set sail out of Miami on the Mayan Sol Cruise from April 8-13, 2022. I'll be sharing in depth details about our stops in both Costa Maya Mexico and Bimini in the Bahamas as well as our 2 at sea days which were perfect for squeezing in as many activities as we could. But before I do that, let me give you a little bit of background on this new cruise line and why I have been all about it from the get-go. Founded by Sir Richard Branson and established in 2016, Virgin Voyages had originally planned to take to the seas with their first vessel, Scarlet Lady, in June 2020 but amid the pandemic was delayed and finally set sail with guests in August 2021. A boutique hotel at sea if you will, the Scarlet Lady (homeported in Miami), Valiant Lady (soon to be homeported in Miami in the winter and Barcelona in the summer), and the Resilient Lady (homeported in San Juan in the winter and Greece in the summer) holds 2700 guests and life onboard is pretty ‘suite’. From Mega rock star quarters where a roadie is your personal concierge to an inside solo cabin for one (can we say rock on for not having to pay double occupancy for those who fancy traveling alone?) these cabins revolutionize cruising. From aesthetically pleasing designs, mood lighting, bathrooms with roomy rainshowers, and private hammocks for those with sea terraces, you may find yourself doing more than just crashing after a fun-filled evening at sea. Virgin Voyages has been on my radar since the pandemic. July 2020 to be exact. It was then that I signed up for an account with them to train and to learn more about this exciting opportunity not only for myself but for my clients. I mean let's face it. At that point in the pandemic, people were only dreaming of traveling again. Virgin’s vibe was 100% fun, on point, and given the fact that most people were stuck at home with their kids, every adult in America needed to rekindle that spark; a time away from the kids with a vacation to call their own. It was the perfect friend’s getaway to dream about. Virtual meetings and happy hours only cut it for so long. It was then that I knew I wanted to level up my “knotiness” and become a First Mate so I could bring back some normalcy, rekindle the romance couples had been longing for, and help adults remember what it was like to drink champagne, get decked out for a night of dancing, and dine in restaurants that tantalized their taste buds. It’s only been one week since I set sail on the most perfect cruise. The memories are amazing and, in an attempt, to not overwhelm you, my reader, I have decided to break up this blog post into cruise days. There is simply so much to do, see and suggest that I wouldn’t want one day to outshine the other. I say that to say this as I thought it was so perfectly stated by Ryan The Foodie on board. “Every moment is a serendipitous moment”. You never know what will happen and it's a matter of being in a specific place at a specific time that will give you that perfect experience. There's not a right way or a wrong way, just take in everything that is presented. I loved that! There were experiences that happened that we weren’t expecting and people we met that we wouldn't have otherwise met had we not been seated around the same table at Gunbae when neither party originally planned to be there on that night. It’s those unexpected moments that create the memories that get us through until our next time onboard. Until my embarkation day post, I’d like to say Gunbae (Cheers) to serendipity and may you always find happiness in the moment regardless of where you are. Let's toast together: Contact Form | VirginVoyages (mytravelsite.com)    Beginning October 19th, Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will offer guests the opportunity to maximize their time like never before with Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ with Lightning Lane selections. Disney Genie is complimentary and is a service available to all guests using the My Disney Experience app. From a personalized itinerary creator of Disney favorites, map out your day and reduce your time in lines. Genie intuitively builds around your existing dining reservations, appointments and ticket preferences. Between the perks of Genie and your Mouse Expert you can’t go wrong! Looking to skip the standby queue and use the all-new Lightning Lanes? Disney Genie+ service option is what you’ll want to purchase. This will allow you to select arrival windows for Lightning Lane entrances at more than 40 attractions and entertainment across all four theme parks, one at a time throughout the day. There are several ways to purchase the $15 per person/per day Genie+ Service:
  Don’t want to purchase a full day of Genie+? You’re in luck! You can also purchase Individual Lightning Lane entry. This a la cart option (which will vary in price based on date, time and attraction) will allow each paying guest to choose an arrival time for up to/but limited to TWO different attractions per day (one at a time).
Here’s how it Works:
Have Questions? I have Answers! What if everyone in my party wants to ride a different attraction? Prior to selecting a Disney Genie+ attraction, you can chose which members of you party will be joining in each experience. Can I modify my Genie+ Selection? While you are unable to modify an existing selection, you can cancel and select a new arrival window at an available Lightning Lane Experience. Do I have to purchase two individual Lighting Passes or can I just purchase one the day of my visit? When making your individual selection, you will select the time for your first choice and then it will continue to the purchase screen. If you would like to make a second individual selection, you would repeat the same process, but the short answer is No, you do not have to purchase a second pass if you choose not to. If I have a Park Hopper will I be able to select a al carte Lightning Lane passes for different parks in the same day? Yes! If you have park hopper tickets you may choose an Individual Lightning Lane pass for an attraction in which you have a park reservation for the start of your day AND you will be able to select a Lightning Lane time that is AFTER 2 PM for an attraction in the park that you plan to ‘hop’ to later that day. So what are waiting for? Click below and let's make Magic today! The school year is coming to an end and summer will be here before we know it. It’s been a unique and sometimes challenging year and we could all use a vacation to a place where we don’t have to think about a thing! Check out why you should consider a Beaches® or Sandals® all-inclusive vacation |
AuthorDreaming of travel on a daily basis and always planning my next adventure. Archives
July 2024
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