Travel advisors Julie and Ryan welcome Julie's husband Steven to discuss their incredible 5-night couples getaway to St. Lucia's Sandals Grand St. Lucian Resort. After seven years without an adults-only vacation, this Eastern Caribbean adventure offered the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and luxury service.

Getting There:

• Unique helicopter transfer from airport to resort (first helicopter ride for both!)
• Scenic flight over rainforest and landmarks
• Alternative ferry option for return journey

Accommodations:

• Club Level beachfront walkout room - 30 steps from pristine beach
• Rodney Bay location with mountain views and yacht-filled waters
• Perfect resort size - not too big, easy navigation

Dining Excellence:

• Gordon's over-water steakhouse (exceptional snapper and lamb)
• Bombay Indian restaurant (world-class cuisine)
• Soy sushi bar (visited twice)
• Outstanding breakfast buffet with fresh omelets and tropical fruits

Must-Do Excursion:

• Full-island jeep tour with amazing guide Lulu
• Rainforest waterfall hike and swimming
• Drive-through volcano experience - unique to St. Lucia
• Volcanic hot springs and mud baths
• Cultural immersion learning about local life

Why St. Lucia:

• Adults-only Sandals experience vs. family-friendly Beaches
• Top honeymoon destination with 80 couples on their flight
• Small island (24 miles long, 180K population) perfect for exploration
• Excellent snorkeling, kayaking, and water activities included

Practical Tips

• Club level provides private check-in and concierge services
• No beach service unless Butler level
• Fast-track airport service highly recommended
• Pack food for departure (limited airport dining)
• Bring proper footwear for excursions

Bottom Line

Perfect adults-only Caribbean escape combining luxury resort amenities with authentic cultural experiences. The couple would "return to this resort in an instant" and highly recommend it for couples seeking relaxation with adventure opportunities.

Next Episode: Vacations off the beaten path series begins!

Planning your own St. Lucia getaway? Contact Wonder and Beyond Travel at wonderandbeyondtravel.com

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Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

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Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they take a magical trip back in time to explore the nostalgic side of Walt Disney World. Perfect for Disney adults and families planning their next vacation, this episode dives deep into what makes Disney World so special across generations.

Magic Kingdom Nostalgia

• It's a Small World: Connection to the 1960s World's Fair
• Carousel of Progress: Another World's Fair attraction with generational appeal
• Main Street USA: The emotional heart of Disney magic, designed like walking into a movie
• Splash Mountain: Julie's favorite ride that was recently re-themed to Tiana's Bayou Adventure

EPCOT Memories

• The Seas with Nemo & Friends: Unchanged aquarium experience spanning decades
• World Showcase: Countries that have remained largely the same since opening
• Lost Attractions: Ellen's Energy Adventure and the beloved Body Wars simulator

Hollywood Studios Evolution

• Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular: An original attraction that hasn't changed
• Star Tours: Perfect for Star Wars fans across generations
• Tower of Terror: A nostalgic ride designed to evoke old Hollywood
• Missing Elements: The lost studio backlot tour and street atmosphere

Disney Resort Nostalgia

• Polynesian Village Resort: An original 1971 resort with lasting appeal
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue: A dinner show experience from Disney's opening year at Fort Wilderness

Attractions We Wish Never Left

• Alien Encounter: The terrifying predecessor to Stitch's Great Escape
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground: Interactive play area that sparked imagination
• Studio Backlot Tour: Behind-the-scenes movie magic

Never-Change Wishes

• Peter Pan's Flight: Julie's pick for the perfect family classic
• Soarin': Ryan's choice for the ideal EPCOT experience combining engineering and wonder

Perfect For

• Disney adults seeking nostalgia
• Families planning Disney World vacations
• First-time Disney visitors
• Travel enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in Disney history and evolution

Featured Experts

• Ryan: Travel professor and Disney vacation specialist
• Julie: Disney-loving Maryland mom of three, family travel expert

Planning your own nostalgic Disney World trip? Contact Wonder and Beyond Travel for personalized vacation planning that captures the magic

Support the show

Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new

Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

• Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
• Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

Join travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they dive into an exclusive AmaWaterways river cruise opportunity that wine and food lovers won't want to miss! Ryan shares details about his hosted group cruise through France's renowned Bordeaux wine region, sailing July 16-23, 2026.

Featured Cruise: Taste of Bordeaux Wine-Themed River Cruise

Ship: AmaWaterways AmaDolce
Dates: July 16-23, 2026
Route: 7-night round-trip from Bordeaux

Highlighted Destinations & Experiences:

• Bordeaux wine regions: Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Libourne, Blaye, Cadillac
• Exclusive wine tastings at UNESCO World Heritage vineyards
• Culinary experiences: Market visits with onboard chefs, truffle hunting, bread baking in historic windmills
• Cultural immersion: Castle tours, citadel visits, walking tours along scenic riverfront
• Special group activities: Wine and food pairing dinners, chef's table experiences

Extension Options

Pre-Cruise: 4-night Spanish Basque Country (Bilbao, San Sebastian) - $1,440/person

• Guggenheim Museum visit
• Michelin-star dining experiences
• Spanish pintxos tastings

Post-Cruise: 3-night Loire Valley & Paris - $1,590/person

• Fairytale châteaux visits
• Paris landmarks tour
• Romantic city exploration

Special Pricing (Through July 2025)

Triple Savings Promotion:

• $1,000 off per person
• Complimentary cabin upgrade
• $100 onboard credit per stateroom

Group Pricing:

• Category B (French Balcony): $5,848/person (upgraded to Category A)
• Category E: $4,348/person (upgraded to Category D)
• First two bookings: Additional 5% discount
• $400 deposit required per person

Why Choose This Cruise?

Ryan emphasizes the "relaxed, boutique onboard experience" that AmaWaterways is known for, comparing it to staying in a luxury boutique hotel. The itinerary focuses on authentic French wine culture, smaller off-the-beaten-path towns, and immersive culinary experiences that differ from typical Rhine or Danube river cruises.

Perfect for: Wine enthusiasts, foodies, couples, solo travelers, and anyone seeking luxury travel with cultural immersion.

How to Book

Contact Ryan at WonderandBeyondTravel.com - click "Work with Ryan" and mention "AmaWaterways Group" in your email.

Experience France's wine country like never before with expert guidance and exclusive group amenities!

Support the show

Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new

Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress!

Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation"

Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page!

• Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show!
• Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!