🐝 A Note from Darcy
Every July, my family packs up the car and heads to South Carolina.
On the surface, it's a girls' getaway centered around the Spartina 449 Warehouse Sale. We make our annual Buc-ee's stops, laugh more than we probably should, and Dad has officially accepted his role as the designated shopping bag carrier.
There are people who can walk into Buc-ee's for one snack and walk out five minutes later. We are not those people.
But somewhere between shopping, road trips, and our favorite restaurants, the weekend quietly becomes about something much bigger.
My parents met in Beaufort and were married just six weeks later. More than 55 years later, we still here the stories and see the places (where they met, where they lived, and where they went on dates). We've all heard the stories before, and somehow they never get old.
I've realized those stories have become part of our tradition, too.
Some places are beautiful because of what you'll see there.
Others are beautiful because of the memories waiting for you when you return.
I hope this month's newsletter inspires you to revisit a place that's woven into your own story...or perhaps discover one you'll return to for years to come.
Destination Spotlight
Lowcountry Love
The South Carolina Lowcountry doesn't ask you to hurry.
In fact, it quietly convinces you not to.
Spend an afternoon strolling Beaufort's waterfront, where rocking chairs overlook the marina and sailboats drift with the tide. Wander beneath canopies of Spanish moss that seem to stretch for miles. Browse charming local shops, linger over shrimp and grits, or simply sit by the water and watch the world slow down.
Whether you're exploring Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, or Charleston, the Lowcountry has a way of reminding us that the best vacations aren't always the busiest ones.
Sometimes the best itinerary is leaving room to linger.
👀 Looking Ahead
✈️ PASSPORT CHECK
Dreaming about Europe? Canada? That bucket-list river cruise?
Before you get too far into planning, pull out your passport.
Many countries require it to be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, even if it hasn't officially expired.
It's one of the very first things I verify for my clients because it's much easier to renew a passport months in advance than it is to discover the issue right before your trip.
Thirty seconds today could save a lot of stress later. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
🌎 2028 RADAR
Believe it or not, I'm already dreaming about 2028.
Maybe it's a river cruise.
Maybe it's a guided tour.
Maybe it's somewhere completely unexpected.
So let me ask you...
If you could join me anywhere in the world in 2028, where would we go?
Just hit Reply and tell me.
🍯 Sweet Find
PASSPORT HOLDER WITH APPLE AIRTAG HOLDER
I love travel products that make life a little simpler, and this passport wallet does exactly that.
It keeps your passport, global entry card, and credit cards together in one place, plus it includes a built-in holder for an Apple AirTag, giving you one more way to keep tabs on one of your most important travel essentials.
Confession: I'm the person who likes knowing exactly where my passport is at all times. This little wallet just helps me worry about one less thing. PLUS it comes in a range of colors!
Buy it Here → RFID Passport Wallet with Built-in AirTag Holder
A Bit ‘O Honey
ON MY RADAR
Get a taste of what it is like to be a part of The Hive.
🛳️ Featured Journey
The Good Company Cruise - A limited number of balcony cabins have become available again for our Greece group cruise!
This journey is about so much more than the destinations. It's about wandering ancient streets together, sharing unforgettable meals, laughing over dinner, and returning home with new friendships.
Come for the destinations. Stay for the friendships.
If you've been waiting for the right moment to join us, this might just be it.
⏳ Countdown Corner
Ready or not...
🎃 91 Days until Halloween
🦃 118 Days until Thanksgiving
🎄 146 Days until Christmas
The second half of the year has a funny way of speeding up.
If you're hoping to gather with family, sneak away somewhere warm, or finally take that holiday cruise you've been talking about, now is the time to start planning. The best flights, hotels, and cruise cabins rarely wait until the decorations come out.
🐝 Bee in the Know
Between newsletters, you'll usually find me sharing destination inspiration, travel tips, cruise news, behind-the-scenes moments, and so much more.
🫶🏻 This Month’s Match
DARCY’S MATCHMAKING CORNER
If you were scrolling through cruise lines, I have a feeling you'd swipe right on Norwegian Cruise Line.
It's approachable, flexible, doesn't take itself too seriously, and always seems to know where the fun is.
You'll find fantastic itineraries, Broadway-style entertainment, plenty of dining options, and yes...the Champagne Bar is one of my favorite places to celebrate the start of vacation.
If your travel personality says, "Let's relax, explore, and not overcomplicate things," I think you two are going to hit it off.
Compatibility: ❤️ Looking promising.
✍🏻 ONE MORE THING…
Every family has "that place."
The one where the stories get retold.
The one where everyone falls back into familiar routines.
The one that somehow feels like coming home, even if it's hundreds of miles away.
I hope you have one of those places.
And if you don't...
Maybe your next journey is the one where that tradition begins.
📧 Email [email protected] to start your next journey!
Until next time, keep gathering moments worth remembering. 🐝