Sharlene Earnshaw

My family’s Adventures by Disney trip to Italy was one of our most incredible vacations to date, but day one of our journey was one of the longest days of …

Without a doubt, Italy has certainly taken center stage in many of my own wondering thoughts. Recently, my daydreams finally became a reality as my family joined Adventures by Disney on the Italian tour of a lifetime, their nine day Viva Italia experience.

I love being in the middle of a moment and recognizing that it will make the highlight reel of life. I am talking about the moments which become fond memories that are retold at family get-togethers for decades. Last summer, my kids and I added several highlights to our memory reels while visiting Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

Brain Head is the best little mountain town for families that most folks have never even heard of. Located at the doorstep of Cedar Breaks National Monument, this sleepy mountain town is sure to steal the hearts of visiting families no matter the season. My husband and I visited Brian Head with our kids as part of our Spring Break tour of Utah. Truth be told, I had never heard of the resort and initially looked at it as more of a stopping off point in between the National Parks of Southern Utah and skiing in Park City. What I didn’t know was that Brian Head would turn out to be a destination unto itself.

Funny thing about vacations- sometimes they don’t always go as planned. Take for instance my family’s recent pilgrimage across the desert to combine our love for baseball with our affinity …

My family’s trip to Peru definitely sold me on Adventures by Disney. From the moment our Adventures by Disney backpacks showed up at the front door to the farewell dinner we enjoyed together in Lima, my family was treated like gold.

When I asked my kids to share their favorite part of our trip to Peru, they answered “Everything!” From rafting the Urubamba River, to movie night at Sol y Luna Resort, exploring Ollyantaytambo, shopping, and of course, Machu Picchu, it was hard to pick.

Our week in Peru was filled with firsts. It was the first time my children had been to a developing nation. It was the first time my husband and I had ever been south of the equator, let alone the Andes.

After a week at Lost Valley Ranch my well-traveled children asked if they could move to the ranch. They have never asked to move anywhere. Lost Valley is that special.

Like a kid waiting for Christmas, I was eager to explore Jardin des Glaciers a complex filled with high tech multimedia presentations and various outdoor pursuits centered around the effects of glaciers on this part of Canada.

This August my family is embarking on what is sure to be one of our grandest adventures to date, a trip to Peru with Adventures by Disney. I am so excited I am can barely stand it. Peru, home to Macchu Picchu, the ruins I vowed to visit from the moment I first saw them on the cover of National Geographic decades ago. Home to wooly alpacas and brightly colored textiles woven into masterpieces from their wool by Inca natives. Yes, that Peru will be our home for six glorious days.

Last summer my family spent some time in the rainforest. No, I am not talking about the jungles of Hawaii or the Amazon, but rather the rainy yet temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest. Washington’s Olympic National Park is home to forests filled with towering spruce and fir dripping with moss as they reach up towards a sky thick with waterlogged clouds.

There are few places on the planet more isolated or biologically diverse than the Hawaiian Islands. The islands were built by volcanic activity and the very volcanoes that formed the islands still dominate the landscape.

For one week every summer, my home is invaded by teenagers- and I love it!   I am lucky enough to be the aunt of two wonderful teens who actually don’t …

Southern California is one of the theme park capitals of the world, and for families trying to do it all (or all it’s possible to squeeze in before dropping in …

The reason why I love Disney travel so much is that there is truly something for everyone and every budget!  As a Disney travel agent, I get asked all the …

Jackson, Wyoming is one of those rare vacation destinations that just seems to have it all: small town charm, breathtaking scenery, fine dining, and family-friendly activities around every corner, ski corral, or hitching post.

Usually lauded as a premiere ski town, Jackson is not to be outdone (even by itself) in the summer months. We spent a memorable 4th of July exploring the area this past month, and were never wanting for something to do.

Jackson’s city center is located along three to four main blocks on and around Cache Street, known for its bleached-by-the-sun elk antler archways, high-end shops, and fun eateries. The town is very pedestrian-friendly, so to save on those precious parking meter quarters, I suggest driving down Cache Street to Snow King Drive and parking in the large, free lot belonging to the Snow King Ski Resort. From there, you’ll have both the mountains (behind you) and the town (before you) at your disposal.

What to do: If you’re like us, you’ll spend your first five minutes arguing about whether the official city name is Jackson or Jackson Hole, and for good reason: locals seem to use the two interchangeably (To save you some time, here’s the scoop: the city is called Jackson, whereas the valley in which it resides is generally referred to as Jackson Hole.).

My family loves the laid back vibe and natural beauty of the North Shore, so no trip to Oahu is complete without a day exploring the mellower side of the island. Want to add a trip to the North Shore to your next Hawaii vacation but don’t know what to see and do? Check out Trekaroo’s top picks for North Shore exploration: