Looking back on 2022, I was lucky enough to take many trips, trainings and see and do lots to build up my knowledge bank as a travel agent.
2022 Travel
Author: Christine
I'm a wife and mother to 3 kids living in Denver. I'm a Vacation Planning Specialist and love to travel with my family.
Winter Park
Winter Park is one of our favorite mountain getaways. Living in Denver makes it easy to escape to the mountains. Don’t get me wrong, I love a beach vacation, but sometimes the mountains are calling and we don’t need to get on a plane to have some good old fashion family fun.
We are a family of cross crounty skiers, it’s fun and it’s mostly flat. Maybe my kids will one day take a ski lift but for now, we like to cross country ski and to go tubing.
MSC Cruise
MSC is an Italian cruiseline is the world’s third-largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa, with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is are also the fastest-growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.
We had the opportunity to sail in October 2022 from Miami abroad the MSC Seashore. My daughter and I went over Fall Break to the Caribbean. We stopped in St Juan, St Thomas, Puerto Plata and Ocean Cay, MSc’s private island.
The ship was at max capacity so it was full, you could tell when you ordered a drink, how busy they were. The staff were great, and our room steward was on top of things. The crew worked so hard to accomadate all the guests. But oh boy, you could tell we were at full capacity.
The Spectacular Bridge of Sighs Glass-Floor Infinity Bridge on Deck 16. This bridge is located at the AFT of the ship on deck 16 and is approximately 72 feet above the Infinity Aft Pool.
The ship was gorgeous, they had a Times Square theme in Liberty Plaza, where we played cards while listening to live music many nights and there were beautiful crystal staircases and blown glass sculptures.
One sea days, we enjoyed the hot tub, walking around and exploring the massive ship.
The food was good, but the buffet got old after a while, and we got lost many times in the buffet room, it was huge. We enjoyed the main dining room and made friends with our tablemates. They were running a special BOGO half off at the Mexican Specialty restaurant, Hola Tacos and Cantina, it was delicious Mexican food, all you could eat. And it was a nice break from the main dining room for a night.
They had the best cappuccinos, I’ve ever had, it was so nice everyday getting up and going to the bar and getting a refreshing cappuccino.
Overall it was a beautiful ship, the port stops were great, thier private island Ocean Cay was gorgeous. MSC is a different type of crusing style, I wouldn’t say it’s not for everybody but we enjoyed our time adoard the Seahsore.
There are many cruiselines and cabin types, which one is right for you? Using a travel agent will help narrow down the perfect cruiseline, cabin and itinerary for you.
Contact Christine@YourParadiseVacation.com to start planning your next cruise vacation.
Moab Weekend Getaway
Moab is a great road trip from Denver, about 6-hour drive, we were transformed into another world. We had an amazing time on our family road trip to Moab.
My family drove round trip but me and my travel buddy stayed in Moab and got
to experience the Rocky Mountaineer train from Moab to Denver, more on that
later.
The weather was perfect, it was mid-September, lots of sunshine. The only
thing to remember is to make a park reservation with the National Parks system.
I waited too long to make one but it all worked out.
We got to visit Canyonlands National Park as well as Arches National Park
over the weekend, they are about 10-15 minutes from each other. I highly recommend
visiting both while you are in Moab.
All About The Butterbeer
It’s no secret that I adore Butterbeer at Universal Studios Orlando. I have visited three times this past year alone and I get it multiple times a day, hot, cold and frozen, I love them all. And it also comes in other forms besides drinks.
Did you know at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure you can only get Butterbeer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventures and you can go back and forth with the Hogwarts Express?
Butterbeer comes in many forms in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Cold
In Diagon Alley, you’ll find cold Butterbeer at The Leaky Cauldron, The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you can locate it at The Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and two Butterbeer street carts.
Frozen
In Diagon Alley, frozen Butterbeer is available at The Leaky Cauldron, The Fountain of Fair Fortune and The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you can get it at The Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head and two Butterbeer street carts.
Hot
Hot Hot Butterbeer is available at The Leaky Cauldron and The Hopping Pot in Diagon Alley and The Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade. Hot Butterbeer is now available year round.
Ice Cream
In Diagon Alley, you can get Butterbeer ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour or The Hopping Pot. In Hogsmeade, you’ll find it at The Three Broomsticks. Add some Butterbeer ice cream to the cold and make your own Butterbeer float.
Fudge
Grab Butterbeer fudge at Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley or Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.
Potted Cream
Pick up Butterbeer potted cream at The Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley or The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.
Although the recipe is top secret, I found a copycat recipe to try yourself. The only ingredients you’ll need to make Butterbeer in your own kitchen are vanilla ice cream (1 scoop) , cream soda (1 cup), butterscotch ice cream topping (2 tablespoons) and whipped cream as a topping. Blend it all to make it a frozen treat. Try making it at home and let know what you think.
Interested in planning a trip to Universal Studios? I can help you and my services don’t cost you any extra, which means you’ll get all my trips and tricks for free.
Click below to get started planning your Universal Vacation.
Summer Bucket List 2022
Every summer I have a calendar where I write all the dates of classes, camps, events, and vacations. I love to keep organized and when I sign up for something, I don’t forget because it’s on the calendar.
My name is Christine and I am a planner. I love to search for events, happenings, and festivals around Denver and enjoy them with my kiddos.
We have 18 summers with our kids, it makes me sad, but it’s true. So every year, around this time, I gather the kids and we talk about our summer plans. What are the must-dos, sort of a wish list if you will?
Our Summer Bucket List 2022
- Make it Monday-we try a new recipe and make it together
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo-I have never been all these years
- Local Libray Summer Reading Program
- Family Bike Ride
- Free Movies
- Go to a water park
- Ice Cream for Dinner-a fun tradition and why not?
- 7/11 Slurpees
- Family Hikes
- Visit Rocky Mountain National Park
- Picnic in the mountains
- Visit fun new playgrounds
- Visit a splash park
- Horseback ride
Do you plan out your summer with your kids, or are you a take-it as it comes type of mama?
Needs help with your summer plans? Click here to get started with your vacation planning!
National Travel Advisor Day
May 4 is National Travel Advisor Day, a day to celebrate and promote travel advisors.
I started my business because I love to plan and research trips. I love exploring new destinations, looking for tips and tricks, and passing along all that information to my clients.
I started preCOVID and saying that travel looks different nowadays is an understatement. Everchanging entry protocols, airline cancelations/delays, and testing requirements, all make planning very stressful these days and changeling to boot.
I immerse myself in travel news and updates daily, so my clients don’t have to worry. My job is to take your stress away so you can travel with ease.
My clients enjoy a stress-free vacation and I help them with their planning every step of the way.
Travel is tricky these days, I can help you stress less and travel more.
It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation, and I can help you navigate the new travel world.
Please reach out today to start planning your next vacation, as always my services are complimentary when you book a vacation package through Paradise Travel by Christine.
Request a quote https://forms.gle/xq6jJNXBpZiRBycJ7
May Madness
Anyone else feeling stressed over their calendars for May? I am so happy that we have gotten back to more gatherings and events, as a mom I feel like I missed out on a lot, like my youngest graduating from kindergarten, Christmas concerts, and field trips.
Fast forward to May 2022, and we are back baby! As I write this, my calendar is busting with events, science fairs, concerts, ice cream parties, graduation events, Mother’s Day Programs, end-of-year ceremonies, parties, Mother’s Day, and my middle’s birthday.
I am a planner so I have my calendar for social/school happenings and my work calendar. It is a juggle my friends and I am trying to take all the moments in and not stress myself out but IT IS A LOT.
I love my flexible work schedule and being able to attend field trips and ice cream socials but at times I feel like I am holding on by a thread. I know these days are fleeting, these moments are precious.
They say the years are short and the days are long and I completely agree. My oldest is 14 graduating high school and the picture above seems like yesterday.
Am I overbooked, stressed and holding on by a thread this month, absolutely. But I am also overjoyed, blessed, delighted, and lucky to have three beautiful children with whom I can have a scoop of ice cream in their classroom enjoy the bus ride with 45 1st graders on a field trip, and watch an 8th-grade graduation ceremony and partake in a 6th-grade ukelele concert.
If you happen to see me in the month of May, fellow mamas, we can smile, sympathize and enjoy these special moments together.
Disneyland
We had an amazing time in Disneyland for Spring Break.
I hadn’t been to Disneyland since I was in college and went went to California Adventure for the day. For Spring Break, we decided to ditch Orlando and head to California. It was a shorter flight to Cali and we were in our hotel Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in no time.
This was my first time staying on Disney property and it was super convenient, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as an amazing resort and so close to the parks. I mean it has it’s own entrance to California Adventure and a super quick walk to Disneyland as well.
We spent 2 days at each park and a rest day in between, which I always receommend to my clients. Staying in property allowed us to enjoy all Disney has to offer, the food, the activities and that Disney magic.
To start planning your next Disney adventure email Christine@YourParadiseVacation.com
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this fall during the resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration!
This fall, ghosts and ghouls of all ages are invited to don their favorite costumes and celebrate all things haunted during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Taking place on 37 select nights Aug. 12 through Oct. 31, 2022, this special event haunts Magic Kingdom Park after normal park operating hours from 7 p.m. to midnight.
As a part of this limited-capacity event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party attendees will encounter event-exclusive entertainment, notorious Disney villains, frightfully delicious menu items and more! Here’s some of what’s in store:
•The Headless Horseman will ride his ghostly steed down Main Street, U.S.A as a prelude to “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” which features floats filled with Disney Characters dressed in their Halloween best, Disney villains and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
•During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests can go trick-or-treating for Halloween favorites at locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park. And new this year, guests will also receive a reusable trick-or-treat bag featuring a keepsake 50th Anniversary celebration and Halloween design.
•Join the Sanderson Sisters during the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show at Cinderella Castle as they call upon their frightening colleagues to conjure the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion.
•Celebrate the season alongside favorite Disney characters as they take over the park for their favorite party of the year.
•Overlays themed for the occasion will return to several popular Magic Kingdom attractions: Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
•The Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, will host “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular.” This can’t-miss nighttime extravaganza features projections, special effects and lighting mixed with fireworks, music and Disney characters.
•Discover sweet and savory menu items inspired by fall flavors and the Halloween season.
•NEW! In honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration, we’re adding even more fun to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year in the form of event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities. And in addition to the reusable trick-or-treating tote bag, guests will also receive a Halloween-themed 50th Anniversary celebration commemorative print.
•These dated event tickets do not require an additional day theme park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation. The event dates are:
August: 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
September: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30
October: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
We had a great time at the party when the girls were younger. We loved the dance party, parade with The Headless Horseman and all the character meet and greets. We did it our 1st night in FL and it was nice to have a park preview before we did our full park days.
I can help you plan your Fall 2022 trip to Disneyworld. Please reach out today for a quote. I will help you plan the entire trip, all you need to do is pack and enjoy. As always my planning services are complimentary when you book a vacation with me. Click here to get started!