Melissa Rhodes - Simple Luxuries Travel

10/17/2026

🎃 TRAVEL SHOWDOWN: Who wears Halloween best?

In one corner, we have Universal Studios, bringing the creepy, the disturbing, and more than a little bit of nightmare fuel. 💀

In the other, Magic Kingdom, where even the scarecrows are not so scary.

Two theme parks. Two VERY different approaches to Halloween.

And I'm not picking favorites. (At least not publicly. It's like asking me to choose between my children — there is always a favorite, it just changes day to day. )

So tell me — who wears it best?

💀 Team Universal — bring on the scares!

🎃 Team Disney — give me all the festive fall fun!

Let the Halloween showdown begin! 👻

10/16/2026

❤️ The little things that made me fall in love with Adventures by Disney

Yesterday, I told you that Disney does guided vacations around the world.

Today, I want to tell you why I fell in love with them.

And no, it wasn't one big, spectacular moment.

It was the little things.

The hotel check-ins that were already handled. No lines, no confusion, no fuss. Just show up and enjoy.

The Adventure Guides who turned what could have been a boring bus ride into entertainment with trivia, stories, and just enough sass. (I won a tiny bottle of hot sauce because I was "on fire" with all my right answers. 🔥)

The moment we pulled into Lucasfilm and the Star Wars theme started blasting through the bus speakers.

Because OF COURSE IT DID. And my little nerd heart realized it had reached Nerdvana.

And the stories! Not just dates and facts, but the stories behind the places we visited. The people, the inspiration, the little bits of history that brought everything to life.

Disney is a storytelling company. And with Adventures by Disney, the destination becomes the story.

When weather canceled our bike ride along the Presidio, our guides didn't miss a beat. We took a different route, stopped for hot cocoa near the Golden Gate Bridge, and came away with some pretty spectacular photos and some of the best hot cocoa in California.

Want a recommendation for a drink after a long day? Our guide had three suggestions for three different groups, based on what each group actually enjoyed.

And then there was lunch.

We walked into a restaurant, sat down, and the food started arriving. Platters and dishes to share. No fuss.

But what impressed me was how our guides handled food allergies.

They already knew who needed to avoid what.

One guest had a nut allergy. Another couldn't have seafood. The guides knew which dishes were safe, which weren't, and had already arranged alternatives.

And when one guest couldn't share several of the dishes, they didn't just bring out a separate plate.

They brought enough of the alternative for everyone to enjoy.

Nobody had to feel like the difficult person at the table.

There were two Adventure Guides, too. So when someone lingered to take pictures or needed a little more time, they weren't left behind or forced to miss the stories.

And THAT is what stayed with me.

Not simply the destinations. Not just the activities.

The details.

The little moments when you realized someone had already thought about what you might need before you even knew you needed it.

That is truly a simple luxury.

That's what made me fall in love with Adventures by Disney.

And honestly? That's the kind of travel experience I want for my clients, too. ❤️

10/15/2026

Wait. Disney does WHAT?!

When I tell people I specialize in Disney Destinations, they think I walk around in sparkly Minnie ears all day.

Okay, fair. I've spent more than my share of time at Disney World.

But here's something that surprises people.

Disney does guided vacations. Around the WORLD.

Not theme parks. Not cruises. Actual adventures exploring places like Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, and Australia.

It's called Adventures by Disney, and if you've never heard of it, you're definitely not alone.

And no, you don't spend the whole trip following Mickey Mouse around Rome. Although there is that questionable guy in Times Square... I digress.

You explore real destinations, experience local cultures, try new things, and have Adventure Guides taking care of the logistics.

Oh, and before you ask — you don't need to have kids to go. There are adult-exclusive departures, too.

I've had the opportunity to experience Adventures by Disney myself, and there are some very specific reasons it won me over.

But that's a story for tomorrow. 😉

For now, I'm curious.

Did you know Disney did this? Or did I just surprise you? 🌍

10/14/2026

What's your vacation personality?

Some people can spend an entire week on the beach with a good book and absolutely no plans.

I am not those people.

I say I am those people. I lie. 😂

I want to explore every corner of a destination, find the little places tourists miss, and come home needing a vacation from my vacation.

And then there are the people who plan their entire trip around what they're going to eat.

Okay, in all fairness — also me.

I mean, do the things. Eat the food. Sleep. It's a pretty solid combination.

Now, I'm not disparaging the first type of traveler. Like I said, I say I am those people. That's aspirational.

Relaxation! Ah, never met her. 🤷‍♀️

But that's one of my favorite things about travel. Two people can visit the exact same destination and have completely different experiences — and both can be incredible.

So which traveler are you?

🏖️ Beach & relaxation

🥾 Adventure & exploring

🍝 Food & culture

Or are you a little bit of all three?

10/13/2026

🌺 MAHALO to the “W Family”! 🌺
Two iconic destinations, one incredible adventure ahead!

From the unmistakable Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to the beautiful beaches and laid-back island vibes of Oahu, this family has a wonderful vacation to look forward to in 2027!

Thank you for trusting me to help bring this special family getaway together. I can't wait for you to experience the magic of Hawaii and make memories that will last a lifetime!

And looking at these photos has reminded me it has been entirely too long since my last trip to either destination. For new photos, obviously...❤️

Where would you rather start your adventure — San Francisco or Hawaii?

10/12/2026

Before the holiday madness… unwind. 🌴
This week’s deal: 6 nights at Sandals Royal Bahamian for two adults, including all-inclusive dining, drinks, and round-trip airport transfers, starting at $6,546.60.
https://conta.cc/4j6sCa1

Email from Simple Luxuries Travel, LLC Where you stay can shape far more of your vacation than you think.   Sometimes the best luxuries in life, are the simple ones October 8, 2026 Hello October! Witc

10/09/2026

Oceanfront or extra space? Walkable or quieter? Resort amenities or easy access to everything else? The best hotel isn’t always the fanciest one — it’s the one that makes sense for this trip.
https://conta.cc/4j6sCa1

Email from Simple Luxuries Travel, LLC Where you stay can shape far more of your vacation than you think.   Sometimes the best luxuries in life, are the simple ones October 8, 2026 Hello October! Witc

10/06/2026

Thinking about waiting to book that vacation? Here’s your friendly reminder that travel pricing doesn’t always move in your favor.

Two weeks ago, I priced this 7-night Mediterranean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas at $3,863 for two adults in an Ocean View Balcony Guarantee.
Today?

$4,630.84.

Same sailing. Same cabin category. Same number of travelers.

That’s a difference of $767.84 in two weeks.
Booking early isn’t always about getting the absolute lowest price. It’s about giving yourself the best combination of price, availability, and options before those choices start disappearing.
And if the price drops later? Depending on the supplier and fare rules, we may be able to take advantage of that too.

Moral of the story: if you know you want to go, waiting isn’t always the bargain you think it is.

10/02/2026

It’s October, which means I have officially entered my “everything should have pumpkins, spooky music, and at least one mildly dramatic witch” era. 🎃
(It's me, hi. I'm the witch. It's me.)

Disney does Halloween ridiculously well, and I will hear no arguments at this time.

What’s your favorite Disney Halloween thing: the decorations, the treats, the parties, or the general spooky-season chaos?

10/01/2026

Happy Spooky Szn! 🎃
If you aren’t watching Hocus Pocus today, I’m not sure we can be friends.