Experiences, Not Things, Make Us Richer

As a travel professional, I value great experiences. The look on your child’s face the first time they meet their favorite character, the way your child scrunches their toes as they experience the surf and sand for the first time, your teenagers’ excitement as your family wins the Trivia challenge on your cruise vacation. These are the moments when phones and electronic devices become a second thought and your family’s cherished memories are created. Memories that will last a lifetime and moments that will be talked about for years to come. These moments are worth far more than the price of admission.

We all have a limited amount of time and money, and we are often faced with the dilemma of what is the best way to spend – or to invest – both of those resources.

We can choose from an endless assortment of high-tech gadgets, sparkly things, and material luxuries that will impress our friends and family… for a short time at least. Our children have lists of the gaming systems, toys, and fashion labels they want for their next birthday or holiday gift.

But once we’ve bought the latest iPhone or the expensive shoes, how long do they last? How long will they continue to bring joy? And how likely are they to be truly treasured by those around us after we are gone?

Compare that to experiences… sure, they are short-lived, but they enrich our lives in ways a new flat-screen TV just can’t. Sure, watching the big game or the cliffhanger of your favorite tv show in 82″ of 4K vivid-color awesomeness will be fun but is it likely to make a difference in your life?

How about standing with your family above the clouds at the summit of a dormant volcano in Hawaii – the Milky Way sparkling above in the inky darkness when you first arrive and then watching as the first dot of red light first appears in the eastern sky and ribbons or red, yellow and orange light begin to flood the crater of the volcano in front of you till the sun fully rises and you can look out into the distance and see the beautiful and rugged coastline of the Big Island of Hawaii peek out from the clouds that are breaking up in the morning light?

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”

Or what about spending the day wandering an Eastern Caribbean town or village on an Adventures By Disney® Cruise Adventure? Spending your day island hopping through the British Virgin Islands aboard a private boat. Your family taking to the sea as you explore the various islands that make up the British Virgin Islands. Where you bask on stunning white-sand beaches, snorkel in hidden coves, and learn the stories of each island, including Peter Island with its pirate-favorite Deadman’s Bay and more!

Maybe your family loves nature and the great outdoors and your family dreams of exploring Alaska by land and sea.  Traversing a pedestrian cable suspension bridge that stretches 200 feet across and 65 feet above the churning rapids of the Tutshi River near Skagway, Alaska. Following that up with a whale-watching excursion in Juneau Alaska. You will have the unforgettable experience of seeing the whales as they come out of the water and then back down onto the surface of the water hard and fast in order to make a loud slap, hearing them communicate with a hydrophone system, a system for listening to whales as they communicate with each other in the water. And in Tracy Arm Fjord you will have an amazing visit to a glacier to hear the sound of white thunder when you set out on a water-jet-powered catamaran, directly from your Disney Ship, to explore the majestic wilderness of the fjord..

Those experiences may be short-lived themselves, but they change us for the better. They create memories that will live in our hearts and minds forever and will live on as our loved ones say “remember when…” long after we are gone.

That’s a pretty tall order for an Apple watch that is going to be outdated in 2 years!

Even if your family’s vacations aren’t as elaborate as these, the time you spend together relaxing and enjoying each other’s company without the distractions of everyday life will be worth far more than any gadget ever will. The memories you create will be truly priceless and will be treasured more dearly than any physical possession ever will.

Planning the perfect experience that will create lifelong cherished memories begins with scheduling your Dream Vacation Planning Session you can use my online scheduler to select a time that is convenient for you by >>clicking here<< During your session we will talk about your dreams, wants, and desires for your families vacation and I will answer your questions and provide suggestions. Based on your Planning Session, I will provide personalized vacation proposals. You select the one that is your DREAM vacation. You will receive helpful information and important reminders throughout your vacation planning process. And I will monitor your vacation for any discounts or package enhancements.