Holiday Gift Guide 2022 {Travel Edition}

Blogs and social media feeds are literally full of holiday gift guides this time of year. And, for the first time ever, I thought I’d make my own!! Since my boys were newborns, we’ve gone with a 4 gift rule: something you want, something you need, something to do and something to read. The “something to do” is always the most anticipated, most memorable gift under the tree and, over the years, we’ve collected so many adventures from this gift.

If one of these peaks your interest, I would love to be your travel advisor, guide, friend and concierge for this trip.

For the Aspiring World Traveler: Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney are expertly planned and guided group tours visiting 35 destinations across 7 continents.  You visit the world’s most iconic locations with Disney as your guide and your storyteller, and enjoy experiences, activities, dining and adventures in a way that only Disney can do.  This is not a theme park tour with Mickey Mouse and popcorn.  These are trips around the world where you experience the service and VIP treatment that Disney is known for.   With Disney’s expertly planned itineraries, you are whisked from location to location with every single detail handled for you – taking the stress, logistics, language barriers and so much more out of the equation! 

• For: Families with tweens and teens; Adult Exclusive departures are also available; ; Multi Generational
• Amanda’s Picks: Italy, England & France and Grand Europe are my favorite destinations for a first time Adventurer
• Now Booking: Adventures into 2024
• Promotions: Early booking discount savings on 2024 Expedition Cruises
• New News: A brand new adventure itinerary to New England launched this summer!  The trip visits Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire!  2023 brings new Adventures to Sicily and the British Isles. On top of that, new Private Adventures headed off to 5 countries let you explore the world with your family or a handpicked troupe of travelers by your side. Private Adventures can accommodate up to 12 Guests, providing your group with an intimate way to enjoy immersive and authentic experiences, along with the insider access you anticipate from an Adventures by Disney vacation.
• Take Note: My family has taken three Adventures – NEW ENGLAND, MONTANA  &  GERMANY – and is headed to Italy and Switzerland in 2023!  
• Learn More: HERE
• Consultation Booking Form: HERE

For the World Traveler: National Geographic Expeditions

Over the past 130 years, Nat Geo has sent their scientists, storytellers, and adventurers across continents and into remote cultures, down to the oceans’ depths and up the highest mountains in an effort to better understand our planet. National Geographic Expeditions grew from this legacy as a way to invite others to explore—to encounter the wonders of the world up close, in depth, right at the source, and to be transformed by the experience.

National Geographic Expeditions open doors around the globe: Their relationships with scientists, storytellers, museums, and active research sites allow special access to places and people, including their our own grantees, whose field sites are visited wherever possible. You go behind the scenes to get a close-up view of work that’s helping illuminate and protect the world’s cultural and natural treasures, from archaeological excavations in Italy to whale conservation in Alaska to the celebration of an ancient Aboriginal culture in the Australian outback, and coming face-to-face with an elephant in the Serengeti to gazing up at prehistoric cave paintings with a paleontologist in France.

• For: Families with teens; Adults; Multi Generational
• Amanda’s Picks: Egypt including a cruise down the Nile, Australia, African Safari
• Now Booking: Expeditions through 2024
• Promotions: Early booking discount savings on 2024 Expedition Cruises
• Take Note: I have families heading across the globe with National Geographic, from Expedition Cruises to the Galapagos Islands to explore the ancient wonders of the legendary Nile in Egypt. The world is literally your oyster!
• Learn More: HERE
• Consultation Booking Form: HERE

For the Star Wars Fan: Galactic Starcruiser

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a revolutionary new 2-night experience (at the Disney World Resort in Florida) where you and your group will embark on a first-of-its-kind Star Wars adventure that’s your own. It’s the most immersive Star Wars story ever created—one where you live a bespoke experience and journey further into a Star Wars adventure than you ever dreamed possible.  I’ve been three times already and It.IS.AMAZING!

• For: Families with school aged kids, teens; Adults
• Now Booking: Through September 2023
• Learn More: HERE
• Join my interest list: HERE
• Consultation Booking form:  HERE

For the Sun Seeker and Adventure Lover: Disney Cruise Line

If you read my blog or know me “in real life”, you will know that my extended family’s favorite way to vacation together is aboard Disney Cruise Line! There is something for everyone – from when we started cruising with CeeCee at 6 months, through the toddler, tween, teen, adult and senior years of my parents! I’ve done and toured a lot of ships over the years and NONE compare to Disney.

• For: Families with potty trained kids, tweens, teens; Adults; Multi Generational
• Amanda’s Picks: Alaska on the Wonder, Bahamas on the Wish, 7 night Caribbean, Christmas and Halloween specialty cruises
• Now Booking: Into 2024
• Promotions: These are virtually non-existent. The best way to save money on a cruise is to book EARLY. As in be on my interest list and book the first day they open. I have priced cruises months later and seen them increase by 10-30% based on demand.
• New News: Disney’s fifth ship in the fleet, Disney Wish, set sail in July 2022. I have been twice (regular and concierge) and can’t wait to sail away on the Wish with my extended family in May 2023 and husband in November 2023!  LEARN MORE
• Learn More: HERE
• Consultation Booking form:  HERE

For the Beach Lover: Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii

Many of my friends and clients are delighted to learn that Oahu is home to the beautiful, family friendly Disney resort where every detail is magic! Inspired by the natural wonders and rich traditions of Hawai‘i, Aulani Resort is the ultimate family getaway—celebrating the beauty, history and welcoming spirit of the island. My family visited here for my 40th birthday celebration and we cannot wait to go back. In the meantime, I have more Aulani clients traveling than ever before.

• For: Families; Adults; Multi Generational
• Amanda’s Picks: Resort Days, Pearl Harbor, North Shore Surfing, Catamaran
• Now Booking: Arrivals through 2023
• New News: The Aulani luau, character breakfast, spa, kids club and visits from Moana are all back!
• Learn More: HERE
• Consultation Booking form:  HERE

For Everyone: Disneyland in California

The Happiest Place on Earth, built by Walt Disney himself, is the park that started it all.  It is absolutely worth a visit, even if you’ve done Disney World.  It is smaller, easier to navigate and pure happiness.

• For: Families
• Amanda’s Picks: The attractions, shows, dining and tours unique to Disneyland; Avengers Campus and Cars Land make this a fun choice for boys!
• Now Booking: Arrivals through 2023
• New News: Avengers Campus is open and fantastic. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, home improvements at Haunted Mansion and an extensive refurb on the Carousel are wowing guests as they come back to the parks.
• Learn More: HERE
• Consultation Booking form:  HERE

For Everyone: Walt Disney World in Florida

It will come as no surprise that my family’s home away from home is the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Our passion for this place turned into a career!  There is so much to see, do and experience that my family has never taken the same trip twice!

• For: Families, Adults, Multi Generational
• Amanda’s Picks: Do you have 397 hours? Epcot festivals, VIP Tours, Halloween, Holidays, Specialty dining, Water Parks
• Now Booking: Arrivals through 2023
• Promotions: A few for early 2023
• New News: The 50th Anniversary continues!  The France pavilion  expanded in Epcot with a new attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and new creperie restaurant.  Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a new family thrill ride, opened May 2022 in Epcot.  There is so much more to come!
• Learn More: HERE
• Consultation Booking form:  HERE

For the Thrill Seekers and Aspiring Wizards: Universal Orlando

Are you or your family Harry Potter or thrill ride obsessed?  Let’s get you to Universal Orlando where you will “fun so hard”!  It’s just like watching your favorite TV shows and movies, except with the ultimate ride-y things like twists, turns and drops. Face villains more menacing than your kids pre-churros. Save the earth daily or even hourly. Oh and dragons – one of them even breathes real fire so that’s cool (err hot). This is way beyond the movies.

• For: Families with tweens and teens, Adults
• Amanda’s Picks: Everything Harry Potter, Christmas events, Halloween Horror Nights, Minion suites!
• Now Booking: Arrivals through 2023
• Promotions: Vary
• New News: Hagrid’s Magical Motor Bike ride is absolutely amazing!  The Velocicoaster in Jurassic World opened Summer 2021 and is a true thrill ride.
• Take Note: Universal is not too hard to plan rather last minute.  Let’s talk!
• Learn More: HERE
• Consultation Booking form:  HERE

If one of these incredible destinations peaks your interest, let’s chat!  I am delighted to work with you on any and all travel needs and would be flattered if you would pass my information along to family and friends. 

DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED