Turtle Shell Travel

Travel Advisor with Fora Travel

Month: November 2025

  • What I’m booking and buying this week

    The travel business never stops. As families gather for the holidays, conversations turn to plans for the upcoming year. Grandparents are planning “multi-gen” trips to bring together their adult children and the grands. Someplace with a pool or beach is typically in the mix, unless they are a ski family, then it’s Utah or Colorado or, even fancier and fantastic, Switzerland or France. I’ve fielded all of these travel requests and welcome them every day this time of year.

    And those celebration trips are popular – an anniversary, graduation, honeymoon. Italy continues to be my most booked destination. Never one city, either. But many trains and adventures to be had. This week I booked tours from Milan, Florence and Rome. I have clients driving around Tuscany in a Fiat, and touring the Vatican in Rome. I’m particularly excited for these clients to visit Lugano, Switzerland. All before the ETIAS visa requirements go into place for US citizens (currently slated for October 2026).

    Also this week, I’m thinking of gift lists, and taking advantage of sale prices. What a great feeling to get the shopping done early. Here’s a link to my Amazon Storefront. Commissions from sales keep Turtle Shell Travel afloat. Thank you, as always, for supporting my small business.

    And are you looking toward the future this time of year? I’ve been looking ahead and designing my joyful life for 2026. I don’t know what it will look like. 2025 has brought so many changes for our family and my parents. I’ve been remembering the “simpler” days of young children and summertime. Those kids are now in college and that cat is long gone (but forever in our hearts, Clyde). Bless them on their paths.

    Happy holiday season to my followers. If you’re planning a trip, complete my contact form and we’ll start the process.

  • Looking forward to 2026 travel

    I’ve reached a point in my travel advising career where I’m looking forward to my clients’ travels more than my own. Here’s what I’m working on for 2026

    • Maine getaway
    • Italian Honeymoon
    • Hawaii celebration
    • Key West Getaway
    • St. Lucia Honeymoon
    • Ireland family vacation
    • Watching cruise pricing
    • Black Friday promotions

    With Black Friday just around the corner, here are links to my top travel and wellness products, ensuring you score the best deals of the year.

    Are you whipping up an itinerary that’s all about train travel in Europe? Well, you might want to hop on over to Trainline. Seriously, it’s like having a magic backpack—your passenger info gets saved, making booking smoother than a barista’s foam art when you’re bouncing around various countries. Plus, all your train tickets are cozy and snuggled up in one spot, so you won’t end up playing hide and seek with them in your luggage or on your phone! You can also book Flixbus trips through Trainline. Check it out!

    Keep all of your tickets in one place

  • It’s getting chilly: November update and what I’m working on as a travel advisor this month

    Highs in the 40s are coming our way in Maine, and the weather radar is giving us a frosty welcome—probably sending snowflakes to knock on our doors any minute now! Winter is sneaking up like an uninvited guest, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Bring on the holiday season and those cozy evenings where we can pretend the chill is good for our character!

    In the past month, we’ve played host to some friends from the midwest, and boy, did we pick the right day for our adventure! We bought same day tickets for the Cog Railway and rode to the summit of Mount Washington on a lovely (and surprisingly warm) fall day. It was the last day the visitor’s center was open, and we literally hopped on the last train out of there. The Mount Washington Summit is now covered with snow, as can see on their live webcam.

    For those of you who have yet to experience the stunning top of Mount Washington – I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Maine (or New Hampshire or Vermont)! The view is simply breathtaking and pleasantly surprising, especially for a “flatlander” like me from Illinois. If the weather cooperates (and trust me, it makes all the difference), it’s an unforgettable adventure. On our journey back home, we enjoyed a delightful Mexican dinner in North Conway that added to our wonderful day!

    Also in the past month, we joyfully participated in Tufts Family Weekend, and I had the chance to fly home and visit my parents, who are settling into the assisted living facility not far from their cozy condo in Rockford. Although the adjustment comes with challenges, we are committed to caring for Mom and Dad with as much love and support as possible, ensuring they are safe and enjoying plenty of good meals. Being part of the sandwich generation certainly has its ups and downs, but being a caregiver to a parent also brings moments of unexpected joy and growth. I’m grateful to be back in the Midwest, especially during this time when the corn and beans are being harvested and the sunsets stretch beautifully for miles. I returned home to a stunning fall evening in Portland.

    In the past month, I’ve researched winter island destinations in Spain and a Key West escape for January. I’ve also scheduled a follow-up call with a client organizing a remarkable Maine getaway in 2026. If Maine is on your bucket list—or any list—for 2026, now is the perfect time to start planning your adventure.

    This recap may resemble a holiday letter, so I’ll wrap things up here. In celebration of our holiday this month, I proudly express my gratitude for my friends and family who have stood by me through the challenges of caring for aging parents. I also extend my appreciation to my travel clients; your support for my small business means the world to me.

    Finally, I want to enthusiastically share my experience with the Design your Joyful Life course I’ve been part of this fall! It’s perfect for anyone eager to reflect on their professional journey and envision their future. You can purchase the book here, but participating in this guided class has truly inspired me to identify what fuels my passion and my aspirations for the next 5 years. The group of participants has been incredibly supportive and open-minded. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed connecting with thoughtful individuals from across the US who are embracing new experiences. And the course leader, Lisa, brings such a calm and vibrant energy to the experience. I highly recommend it!

Verified by MonsterInsights