Lauren Copeland - Certified Travel Advisor

21/03/2024

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck ❤️⁠
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Happy Thursday, friends!

19/03/2024

Taking a break from talking about River Cruising today (maybe 😉) to talk a bit about Portugal.

If you're part of our newsletter family you got an in-depth glimpse of Portugal just a couple of weeks ago, and saw why it's such a magnificent travel destination. (If you're not part of the newsletter, comment and I’ll send you the link to join!) Beaches, wine, mountains, history (so much history) & culture are just a few words that help to paint a picture of what you'll experience here.

And really, I can't talk about Portugal without mentioning River Cruising.. because you can do what few get to, and river cruise on the breath taking Douro. With so many ways by land & water to experience Portugal, no matter what your travel style is there's an option that can be tailored to you.

But WHEN to go? Let's talk about it.

🌸 Spring (March to May) & Summer (June to August): Spring in Portugal offers mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, and fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season. The famous Cherry Blossom Festival in the town of Fundão is a highlight during this season. Summer is the peak tourist season in Portugal, especially along the coastal areas. Expect warm & dry weather making it an ideal time for beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, and those looking to experience the vibrant atmosphere of local festivals, such as the Festas de Lisboa in Lisbon and the São João Festival in Porto.
⛰️ Fall (September to November): Fall in Portugal brings pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, and beautiful autumn colors in the countryside. It's an excellent time to explore wine regions like the Douro Valley or take leisurely walks through the historic neighborhoods of Lisbon & Porto. The Festa da Uva (Grape Festival) in the Douro Valley is a noteworthy event during this season.
🏛️Winter (December to February): Winter in Portugal is mild, particularly in the southern regions. Historic cities, museums & indoor attractions offer a cozy and authentic experience. The Carnival celebrations in February, particularly in places like Torres Vedras & Loulé, are lively events worth experiencing.

Have you ever even thought about Portugal as a place you'd like to experience?

13/03/2024

We’ve all been there. You‘ve got your coffee in one hand, mouse (or laptop) in the other, and your determination hat on.

Your mission?

Plan the ultimate getaway. But as you tumble down the Google rabbit hole, you realize you‘re in for a wild and overwhelming ride.

Who knew researching what the all the best European hotels, restaurants and sites are, could lead to a crash course in various European cultures? 🫠

So, let’s make this journey a little less chaotic, shall we?

If you’re planning to galavant to Europe in the near future, here’s how I can help:

→ Giving your clarity on where to go, and when, and how much time to spend at each place.

→ Laying out your itinerary and getting everything booked so you don’t have to go down the rabbit hole.

→ Tailored suggestions and personalization to make the trip uniquely your own.

→ Hands on support along the way and customized details.

You keep sipping the coffee, but slide that to do list right on over here so I can get that trip planned for you.

Link in bio, friends! Simply submit your quick trip form, and we can schedule your discovery call for next week, when I return from Amsterdam! ✈️

14/02/2024

So proud for our agency and hitting an exciting milestone! 🎉🙌🏻

Exciting Milestone! Briar & Main Travel is now a U-Preferred Agency with Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations! 🎉✨

This recognition is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and achieving sales excellence. Your trust empowers us to continue providing top-tier travel experiences so thank you!

Congrats to our amazing team at Briar & Main®️ and thank you to our valued partners at Universal for this recognition!

There’s so much coming to the parks, so please don’t hesitate to start planning your Universal adventure with us!⚡️

www.briarandmaintravelboutique.com/contact

01/01/2024

Holy cow y’all! Happy New Year!

This morning I’ve got some serious brain fog from all the sugar I’ve had over the last week 😅 but that is not stopping me from just reflecting and being so thankful for so many things in 2023.

We closed the store in February and I got back to travel planning full time with an awesome new agency, and it just went on from there. I am truly so thankful for each and every one of you and every one of my clients who made 2023 so much fun!

I cannot wait for what 2024 is going to bring. Every year is full of highs and lows, but there is just so much joy in our hope, and doing life with people you love is one of the best gifts ❤️

Happy New Year, friends!!!

05/12/2023

T’is the season for gifting, friends! But let me ask you, if you could gift yourself a dream trip, what would it be?⁠
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Over the last year or so, Patton and I have been talking about Bali, so it's high on my "if I could gift myself a dream trip" list. ⁠
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The gorgeous beaches sound divine, the fishing and hiking sounds adventurous, but most of all... getting to experience a unique culture for the first time is what sounds most exciting.⁠
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What is your current dream trip? Share it with me in the comments!

02/11/2023

Imagine having access to ALL of your travel details, confirmations, emergency numbers and more in one place while your traveling... and you don't have to spend even ONE second inputting that information yourself.⁠
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Did you know that when my clients travel, they have access to all of their information in a special travel app? 📱⁠
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While this app can also be used when we are in the initial planning stages of their trip, it really gets to shine when it's travel time, and I am so glad I get to offer this to my clients!⁠
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You are able to review all of your travel documents, flight and transfer times, travel tips and soooo much more right in one place. There is no scrambling back through emails to try and find the pick-up time or a confirmation number while feeling like everyone is breathing down your neck (Isn't that the worst feeling ever?!)⁠
It's all in one place.⁠
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I am all for making travel as STRESS FREE as possible, friends. And the app we get to use really makes that possible.⁠
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This is the kind of cool stuff that makes my job as an advisor easier, while also making my client's lives simpler! And I love it! 😍 ⁠
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Be sure to slide through the photo to see some of the things I get to include in the app for clients. (And yes, it's customized to every trip, every time.) 🙌🏻

31/10/2023

At some point you realize that you only have 5..4...3...maybe even just 1 or 2 summers left with them before they leave to begin creating their own lives.⁠
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And it makes a mom's heart tug pretty hard.⁠
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Life is too short, too valuable, to spend it worrying about trip details, searching through endless options or figuring out where to go next.⁠
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Some of my family's own favorite, funniest and most memorable moments are the unexpected ones we've had while on vacation. Those trips are valuable, and even those sometimes grumpy teens care and will remember what they got to experience with you. ❤️⁠
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If you want help crafting your next vacation so that you can leave behind the stress and just focus on the people that matter, let's talk, friend!⁠
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We can schedule a discovery call for this week and get the exciting stuff started! 🥳 Click the link in bio to submit your form and then you'll get my calendar link to select a time to chat.⁠
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And tell me, what's been your favorite vacation with your family so far?

26/10/2023

This week I've had St. Lucia on the brain, so let's forget about the sports schedules for a minute and escape to the beautiful Cap Maison Resort & Spa, friends. ⁠
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🌊 If you love turquoise waters and boutique style resorts, this one is for you.⁠
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is an elegant luxury hotel set along the St. Lucia coast, and also offers private villas. Here you'll find a secluded sandy beach, a passion for food and wine, and the ability to be as active or relaxed as you want to be. It's private and secluded yet near to the chic Rodney Bay area, which is in one of the most sought after spots on the island!⁠
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Even with just that tiny glimpse, can you tell why it's high on my list of favorites?⁠!

Have you experienced St. Lucia yet?

25/10/2023

I might be completely biased but I really do feel travel is the best gift you can give yourself.⁠
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It can be a journey of self-discovery just as much as it is a journey to explore a new place. You get to leave behind the sports schedules and daily rush and in exchange get to take in something completely new.⁠
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It’s a such a great way to shake things up, reset and refocus.⁠
One of my favorite trips to date was mine and Patton's week spent in Scotland. ⁠
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There’s something about strolling along cobblestone streets, walking through crumbling ancient castles or simply cruising across a loch while you take in the misty mountains that just makes life seem that much more beautiful.⁠
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After returning from a fun long weekend with my mom and daughter, I'm just so thankful for the memories and connection that travel creates; and find myself thinking about past trips that really left a mark on my memory.⁠
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💛Do you have any travel experiences that have made you feel this way, friends?