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Compass Roam
  • Destination
    • North America
      • Canada
        • Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
        • Whistler, British Columbia
      • U.S.A.
        • Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel
        • Cape Cod, MA
        • Cape May, NJ
        • Jackson Hole, WY
        • Kauai, HI
        • Lake George, NY
        • Lake Placid, NY
        • Orlando, FL
        • Santa Barbara, CA
        • Sedona & Scottsdale, AZ
        • Twin Farms, VT
        • Watch Hill, RI
        • Woodstock, VT
      • Mexico
        • Riviera Maya
    • Europe
      • Florence & Tuscany
      • Munich
      • Puglia
      • Rome
      • Sicily: Syracuse & Taormina
    • Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Middle East
      • Turkey: Istanbul & Cappadocia
  • Hotels
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Posts Tagged ‘family journal’

How to Create a DIY Travel Scrapbook

Over the holiday break, I took a few trips down memory lane, living vicariously through past journeys that I documented in old travel scrapbooks.

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Hi, I'm Jillian

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No shade to Disney (I’ve done it, I get it, I LO No shade to Disney (I’ve done it, I get it, I LOVE it!) — but when I said I help families plan unforgettable trips, I wasn’t just talking about character breakfasts and rides ✨ A Family trip can mean cooking classes together in a French chateau 
✨ It can mean multi-gen sailing trips through Greece.
✨ Or private guides through Japan, surfing in Costa Rica, or villa hopping in Provence. Travel with kids doesn’t have to just be Disney, or resorts, or waterparks. I’m here to help families design trips that feel elevated, effortless, and exciting for everyone — including destinations you never thought possible with little ones. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩” 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩! #holyairball #familytrip #luxurytravel
PLANNING A FAMILY TRIP TO PROVENCE WITH KIDS Prov PLANNING A FAMILY TRIP TO PROVENCE WITH KIDS Provence started as a dream for just me—seeing the lavender fields in bloom had been on my bucket list for years. Then it became a dinner table topic around the holidays… a “what if we all went there together” kind of idea. …Which turned into late-night wanderlust searches of charming hilltop towns, farmhouse villas, and lavender field maps... …Which then became a group chat with grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles. …And eventually culminated in a summer trip for the ages. We did it with a group ranging in age from 4 to 74—and everyone had a blast. Here’s your mini-guide to planning a family trip to Provence with kids: ☀️WHEN TO GO: Lavender season: Late June to mid-July (timing varies by region) May & September: Shoulder season = warm + fewer crowds ☀️HOW TO GET THERE: Fly direct into Nice drive ~2 hours Or connect through to Marseille—many towns are ~1 hour from there ☀️WHERE TO BASE YOURSELF:
We chose the Luberon Valley so we could easily explore Gordes, Oppède, Goult, Ménerbes, and Saint-Saturnin. Also consider basing in Lourmarin or Saint-Rémy for charm and convenience. ☀️WHERE TO STAY:
Our villa in Provence was a dream—the kind of place you wish you could spend an entire month.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 + 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 ☀️WHAT TO DO WITH KIDS: Carrières des Lumières in Les Baux (immersive cave light show) Market days—let them explore stalls + charming cobblestone streets Run through lavender fields (and take a million photos) Pack a picnic and find a shady hilltop view “Red rock” hike in Roussillon Climb the fortress at Les Baux-de-Provence ☀️LOGISTICS WITH KIDS: Renting a car is a must (parking was easy in most towns) Prioritize the markets at Lourmarin and L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Go early—markets wrap by early afternoon Traveling with a baby? Bring a carrier over a stroller Don’t overpack your itinerary. Pick one town to visit per day, then spend the rest relaxing at the villa pool #provencewithkids #provence #familytrip #luxurytravel #bestvillas
How to make Disney World planning feel less like a How to make Disney World planning feel less like a marathon—and more like a vacation. ⬇️ I’m feeling extra nostalgic these days… maybe because I have a graduating kindergartner, and I can feel my daughter’s princess-loving days slipping away. I mean—she asked me for baggy pants the other day!🤪 This small window we have as parents — where we are everything to our little ones and their imaginations are as big and bold as ever — is why I’ll always advise parents to just “take the trip.” Don’t wait for the perfect time. And when it comes to Disney, go while they still believe in magic. But let’s also be real. Disney World planning can be overwhelming. Here’s what helped us make our Disney days feel joyful (and even relaxing): ✨ WE STAYED AT A LUXURY RESORT- I personally value comfort when traveling with kids, so hotels that have fantastic friendly amenities, spacious suites, great dining, and easy park access, make it 100% worth it. I recommend 📍Four Seasons Orlando (great kids club + waterpark) 📍Riviera Resort (amazing location) 📍Waldorf Astoria Orlando (for a quieter, elegant stay) ✨ WE BUDGETED FOR A PRIVATE GUIDE
Yes, you can totally do it yourself—but for us, hiring someone who understood how to maximize time and prioritize our favorite rides was a game changer. ✨ WE SCHEDULED IN DOWNTIME We did two full park days, one full hotel day—and it was the best decision. A recharge day = happier kids and parents. What questions do you have about planning a @disneyworld trip? 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 @𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 DISNEY WORLD PLANNING | LUXURY FAMILY TRAVEL | DISNEYWORLD TIPS
MOST ANTICIPATED LUXURY HOTEL OPENINGS IN 2025 😎 These luxury hotels are the ones I’ve bookmarked for a future visit with my family ⬇️ ⭐️Rosewood Mandarina (Riviera Nayarit, Mexico) Set between jungle cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, this resort offers treehouse-style villas, horseback riding, and cultural excursions.   ⭐️One&Only Moonlight Basin (Big Sky, Montana, USA) A luxury alpine retreat that feels like a private wilderness escape. Think ski-in/ski-out access, guided wildlife tours, and cozy family cabins surrounded by Montana’s majestic mountains. Perfect for families looking to unplug and explore the great outdoors together.   ⭐️Beach Club Boca Raton (Florida, USA) A fresh take on coastal elegance, this beachfront haven offers kid-friendly cabanas, a state-of-the-art aquatic center, and supervised kids’ activities so parents can soak up some much-needed R&R while little ones stay entertained.   ⭐️St. Regis Cap Cana (Dominican Republic) Imagine waking up to turquoise waters and white-sand beaches in this ultra-luxe resort. With a dedicated kids’ club, family-friendly water sports, and a world-class golf course for parents, it’s a dream Caribbean escape.   ⭐️Rosewood Amsterdam (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Bringing modern luxury to a historic canal house, this urban retreat offers family-friendly suites, bike rentals to explore the city, and immersive cultural programs to make your Amsterdam adventure unforgettable.   𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐬” 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 - 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐬, 𝐮𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐬! #luxuryhotels #hotelopenings #luxurytravel
5 BAHA MAR TIPS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE MY FIRST VISI 5 BAHA MAR TIPS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE MY FIRST VISIT WITH KIDS
 ✈️ 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 One of my top resort recommendations for families is @bahamarresorts. The waterpark is phenomenal (even for toddlers), there are endless on-site activities, food options for both foodies and picky eaters, and the beach is beautiful too. Yes — it admittedly has a bit of a “Disney meets Vegas” vibe and doesn’t check every luxe box I typically look for, but my kids still talk about it two years later. That, to me, is the sign of a successful family resort. Many of my clients have now visited and come back raving. So here are the exact Baha Mar tips I share with them 👉 TIPS TO AVOID CROWDS: Book @rosewoodbahamar for a quieter, more upscale stay — you’ll get access to a private pool and kids club. Or, a more budget-friendly option: reserve beach chairs at the Baha Bay Beach Club. It’s connected to a private pool and restaurant, but you can still pop into the waterpark anytime. 👉 VISIT THE WATERPARK LATER IN THE DAY: Go to the pool in the morning when it’s calmer, and hit Baha Bay in the late afternoon as crowds start to thin out before dinner. 👉 BOOK RESTAURANTS AND ACTIVITIES EARLY: Especially during school breaks. You won’t get a dinner reservation last-minute, so book ahead just to be safe. 👉 BRING A STROLLER: The resort is walkable, but it’s big. Even independent toddlers will wear out quickly. 👉 THERE’S A LUXURY OPTION AT GRAND HYATT: Don’t overlook the Reserve at @grandhyattbahamar — it’s a 4.5-star experience with elevated service and quieter vibes, for less $ than Rosewood. 👉 BOOK THROUGH A TRAVEL ADVISOR: Not just a plug — you’ll get daily breakfast, resort credits, and VIP status. These perks make a big difference when traveling with little ones. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐁𝐚𝐡𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐫” 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲! #BAHAMARTIPS #familyresorts #familytravel #bestfamilyhotels
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