Our Planning Process: From Dream to Departure

I’ll be honest here: I spend a lot of time online, and not just because it’s my job. When I was a first-time mom with a newborn, it was so easy to spend the few bits of free time I got just scrolling through reel after reel of perfect, Instagram-ready moms with expensive strollers full of smiling kids. I couldn’t help but think—if they could bake bread from scratch every morning, walk the kids to school, and be home in time to cook dinner from scratch, why did making it through a day without scrubbing spit-up out of my hair suddenly feel like an accomplishment?

I felt like a bad mom. The longer I went without sleep, the more I longed for a vacation (or even just a nap!) so that I could finally sit down. You know things are dire when you’re actively missing the “comfort” of a budget airplane seat.

So, to my fellow moms: stop scrolling and start planning. You deserve a break, and whether that means asking your spouse to take on diaper duty so you can sleep in or taking the trip you’ve always wanted, I’m happy to help. Here, I’ve laid out each step of our planning process, designed to make travel feel easy, exciting, and perfectly-personalized to your family.

Because we believe that great vacations start with great conversations—not forms or endless research rabbit holes.

Step 1: The Dream Trip Chat

Every great trip begins not with logistics… but with a story.

In our 20-minute Dream Trip Chat, we go deeper than dates and budgets (though we cover those, too)! I want to understand your family’s travel style, the memories you want to create, and the moments you’re craving more of.

We talk about things like:

• What were your most meaningful travel experiences—before kids or with them?
• What stresses you out about planning (be honest—everything is fair game)?
• What kinds of memories do you want to make with your kids?

This conversation is just as much about making sure we’re a good fit for each other as it is about the destination. Travel planning is personal, and you deserve someone who “gets” your family and supports the way that you want to travel. If we both feel aligned, it’s on to the next step!

Step 2: Choose Your Planning Package

Once we decide to move forward together, we’ll talk about the support you want.

Maybe you need a shortlist of best-fit hotels so you’re not drowning in tabs.
Maybe you want full-service itinerary design so you can show up, suitcase in hand, and start making memories.

Either way, we recommend a planning package that matches your destination, your travel style, and how hands-on (or hands-off) you want to be.

Once you’ve chosen your package and submitted payment, your trip is added to our proposal queue.

Step 3: Your Personalized Proposal

Within about a week, you’ll receive a customized proposal that truly feels like you—your pace, your preferences, and your family’s needs.

If we’re working with one of our trusted in-country partners (also called DMCs), this stage can take a little longer, but that extra layer of local expertise is worth every second. The proposal isn’t just about hotels—we map out the foundation of your trip, recommend destinations to include, and offer structure that will support your dream location.

Step 4: Secure Your Stay

Once you’re happy with the plan, we book your accommodations and take care of all deposits. No long hold times, no frustration—this is usually the moment moms say, “Oh wow… this is really happening.”

And that’s when the fun begins!

Step 5: Tours, Transfers & Flights

No more Googling “best things to do with kids in ____” or trying to figure out whether the rental car comes with the right-size car seat.

We handle:

• Meaningful, kid-friendly tours and activities
• Private transfers (no more worrying about car seats or directions!)
• Flights, either by helping you book directly or advising you on routes and miles usage to make sure you can focus on your trip, not travel costs

This is where your trip starts feeling like an experience—not a to-do list.

Step 6: Dining Reservations

Ask any Disney-loving parent: dining can make or break a day.

For Disney destinations, we secure restaurant reservations that fit your schedule, your kids’ tastes (even for picky eaters!), and your energy levels.

Step 7: Your Customized Touring Plan

Because family travel shouldn’t feel like a military operation—we build in breathing room, curiosity, and space for magic.

If You’re Doing Disney…

We design a beautifully balanced touring plan with:

• Must-do experiences
• Planned breaks (for naps… or sanity)
• Lightning Lane and Fastpass strategy
• A rhythm that matches your family’s pace

If You’re Doing Europe (or beyond)…

Think of it as a “choose your own adventure” storybook:

• Mornings with meaningful activities
• Afternoons with options: explore, rest, or wander
• Flexibility built in so real life—and real kids—can happen

Planning family travel should feel joyful. Exciting. Inspiring. And with the right support, it is.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. With insider tips and a network of local contacts all around the world, I handle everything—from flights to reservations—so you can focus on relaxation. Schedule a call today and we can work together to make the most of your next family vacation!

Who is Christina?

Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists.  After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!

She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.