I recently returned from a whirlwind trip to Walt Disney World where I did exactly what I counsel my clients not to do -- we ran ourselves ragged!  I should explain that this was a group of 12 ladies for my daughter's bachelorette weekend.  The main issue was not having enough time for all the things we wanted to do...but isn't that always the case?!  When you have only two full and two partial (travel) days, you have to set realistic expectations.

 Walt Disney World is a huge place with four theme parks, two water parks, a downtown dining and entertainment district and myriad good restaurants.  In addition, the main reason for our having a bachelorette there was to enjoy the International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot.

We had a couple people in our party who'd either never been to Walt Disney World (WDW) or hadn't been in decades.  Naturally we wanted them to make it to all four parks and experience the highlights at each.  Another thing to remember is that traveling in a large group can be cumbersome.  You'll find that you spend time waiting for "the rest of the group," whether it's in a food line or a bathroom break.  For that reason, advance planning is invaluable when going in a group.  You may find that the schedule you've pre-planned gets thrown off for one reason or another, but you'll spend less time trying to make decisions about what to do next.

 When your time is limited at WDW decide on your "must-do's" ahead of time and if you find yourself with extra time, so much the better.  It's impossible to do everything.  Part of the magic of Disney is taking it all in -- the careful thought put into every detail reminds us that it's all about telling a story.  Take the time to enjoy your own story and make magical memories.

I'm going back again, this time escorting clients to the Food & Wine Festival along with my husband, and plan to make it a more leisurely trip.  The next couple blogs will contain some details of Food & Wine and a review of our dinner at the newly remodeled California Grill.

Happy and safe travels, everyone!

It used to be that we’d hear about well-to-do ladies jetting off somewhere for a “Girls’ Weekend” – a fun and carefree few days free of work stresses and family commitments.  These days, though, it’s become quite common for a group of adult women to plan a weekend away.  Maybe it’s a group of high school or college friends who’ve been separated by time and distance…or maybe it’s the neighborhood gals who’d prefer to gab over a drink by the pool rather than coffee at the nearest Starbuck’s.  Either way, there’s no time like the present to start planning such a getaway.

Where and when to go…the options are limitless.  Start by deciding on a budget.  Will you fly or drive?  Do you want warm weather activities or a spa getaway in the middle of winter?  It’s sometimes hard to take advantage of those “last-minute deals” because for most people, life requires advance planning. 

Autumn is a great time to gather the group.  The kids are back in school and the family calendar is fairly set for the next couple months.  You might be just a short drive away from a spot where you can enjoy watching the colorful autumn foliage.

A group of my friends and I recently spent a weekend at a rented cottage on a lake, taking advantage of the last precious days of summer weather.  We had no particular agenda…just to relax and enjoy each other’s company.  We decided to eat-in rather than going out to restaurants and, as moms generally do, brought enough food – and adult beverages – to feed an army!  We watched chick flicks, played games, took walks and ate junk food!  It felt indulgent and I know it was time well spent.  Reinforcing relationships is something we too often take for granted.

Want something a little more “upscale”?  How about a spa resort? A city escape filled with fine dining, shopping and theater tickets?  Maybe you want to take advantage of a special event somewhere like the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach, ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, or the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, Night of Joy or International Food & Wine Festival in Orlando.  There’s something for every season, every interest and every budget.

Take some time out of your year to spend it with your girlfriends and let me know if I can assist with your plans.  As always, have happy and safe travels.