Carey-ed Away Travel

06/20/2026

If you want to get your summer tropical vibes on locally, be sure to check this place out. I am LIVING for their Pineapple Whip. If you’ve been, what’s your favorite?

☀️ NEW SUMMER TEA MENU IS HERE! ☀️

Vacation mode: ON 🌴🍍😎

Our summer teas have officially arrived and they’re packed with all the fruity, refreshing flavors you need to survive the heat. Whether you’re headed to work, the ballfield, the lake, or just trying to make it through a hot day, we’ve got a tea for that!

Stop in, check out the new menu, and let us know which one you’re trying first! 👇

📍 Pink Elephant Nutrition
Mon–Fri: 7 AM–4 PM
Sat: 9 AM–2 PM

06/20/2026

It's West Virginia Day! Happy 163rd Birthday to the only state born out of the Civil War. Believe it or not, we are, in fact, a totally separate state from Virginia. We are not simply "Western Virginia".

If you like your history with a side of fierce independence, you've gotta love how the Mountain State came to be. Back in 1863, while the rest of the country was fighting in the Civil War, my ancestors decided they’d had quite enough of Virginia’s secessionist plans. They broke away, did their own thing, and Abraham Lincoln officially signed us into the Union as the 35th state.

If you haven't explored West Virginia lately, your travel bucket list is seriously missing out. From heart pumping outdoor adventures to world-class luxury, here is just a taste of what our incredible state has to offer:

America’s Newest National Park: Head to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve to see the iconic bridge, hike the stunning Endless Wall Trail, or tackle world-class whitewater rafting.

Mountain Majesty & Wilderness: Catch the amber glow of Blackwater Falls, stargaze in the pristine Dolly Sods Wilderness, or scale the breathtaking rock fins of Seneca Rocks.

Charming Small Towns: Take a slow-paced stroll through historic Harpers Ferry, or explore the local artisan shops, cozy cafes, and mountain magic tucked into places like Lewisburg, Thomas, and Wardensville.

Resorts & Hidden Lakes: Treat yourself to world-class luxury at the historic Greenbrier Resort, or sneak away to the pristine, turquoise waters of Summersville Lake (the "Little Bahamas of the East") for kayaking and pontoon boating.

Some call it "Almost Heaven" but I just call it home. 💙💛

👇 Drop a comment below: What's your favorite WV hidden gem

06/19/2026

Today, we take time to observe and celebrate Juneteenth—marking June 19, 1865, when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word of their freedom, more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

It is a day of reflection, celebration, and an important moment to acknowledge that the journey toward true equality, justice, and systemic change is far from over. There is still so much work left to do in our communities, our workplaces, and our hearts.

History isn't just something we read about in books. Travel has a unique power to open our eyes, deepen our empathy, and connect us to stories that shape our world and our lives. From walking the historic trails of Civil Rights landmarks to supporting Black-owned businesses, our journeys can be an active part of learning and growing.

Let's commit to traveling with purpose, listening to diverse stories, and continuing the work of freedom and equality wherever our paths take us.

Happy Juneteenth! ❤️💛💚🖤

06/19/2026

‼️JUST BOOKED: JAPAN 🇯🇵

My clients are heading to Japan in late September for a 15-day trip that blends the best of the country’s culture, food, scenery, and pop culture, from Tokyo to Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, and Takachiho.

This trip has a little bit of everything: Tokyo temples, markets, Ghibli, shopping, anime, and omakase vibes; Hakone hot springs and Mt. Fuji views; Kyoto bamboo groves, tea ceremony, temples, and Gion; plus Osaka food, Nara deer, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Kumamoto Castle, and a finale at Takachiho Gorge.

This is exactly what I love about custom travel.

It’s not just getting from city to city. It’s building a trip that actually feels like the people taking it, with the right mix of food, culture, scenery, history, downtime, and a few “we’re really in Japan” moments.

Ready to get Carey-ed Away? Let’s build the trip you’ll be talking about for years.

06/19/2026

I’m very excited to share that I have finally hired help!

This business has grown so much because of your trust, your repeat bookings, and your referrals. I can't tell you how grateful I am every time someone sends a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor my way.

This has unfortunately caused some growing pains, and I know there have been times recently when my response time has been slower than usual. I genuinely appreciate your patience and understanding as I work through inquiries, quotes, bookings, payments, documents, supplier calls, and all the behind-the-scenes pieces that go into making your trips happen.

My new assistant will be helping me with administrative tasks, organization, follow-ups, and the back-end details that keep everything moving smoothly. It will take a little time to get her fully trained and onboarded, so I’m asking for just a bit more patience during this transition.

My goal is to create better systems to ensure faster communication while maintaining the same personal attention you’ve come to expect from Carey-ed Away Travel.

Thank you for continuing to trust me with your vacations, honeymoons, cruises, family trips, group travel, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Your support has allowed this little business to grow into something bigger than I imagined, and I am so incredibly grateful.

06/13/2026

‼️Long Post Incoming‼️

For years, I’ve helped families plan vacations, cruises, road trips, and adventures around the world. And while I absolutely love travel, one thing I’ve learned along the way is that the memories that we keep aren’t always the biggest or most expensive ones.

It isn’t about how much money you spend. It’s about the moments you spend together.

A safari in Kenya is incredible. So is a day at Kings Island. So is a visit to Heritage Farm. So is a movie, lunch, and a few uninterrupted hours together.

The destination may change, but the memories we make together stay with us.

Some of our kids’ biggest core memories aren’t from gifts they received. They’re from the experiences we’ve shared together. The road trips, the theme parks, the random side quests, the “remember when?” moments, and, thanks to my moody teen Jacey, what has now become an ongoing family series called 1,001 Places to Scowl Before You Die. It’s ridiculous and hilarious and somehow those photos and memories have become part of our family story. And that’s what inspired me to create something new.

This summer, Carey-ed Away Travel is launching Passport to Possibility, a community initiative focused on helping local families create experiences, adventures, and memories together.

Maybe that’s a day at Camden Park. Maybe it’s Cedar Point. Maybe it’s Otherworld, a zoo, a museum, a state park adventure, a concert, a play, a sporting event, skating, or even just a movie and lunch together.

Because this isn’t really about attractions. It’s about connection. And research consistently shows that shared family experiences contribute to stronger family relationships, communication, and overall family well-being. But most parents don’t need a research study to tell them that. We know it when we see it and we know the value of hearing our kids laugh. We know how much a single good day can matter when life has been heavy and that’s what Passport to Possibility is all about.

Not vacations. Not tickets. Not destinations. Moments. The kind that become stories and traditions and our best core memories we talk about for years.

Here’s how it works.

Throughout the summer, Carey-ed Away Travel will contribute 20% of all commissions earned to the Passport to Possibility fund. I’ll also be accepting donations and community partnerships to help make these experiences possible.

I’m looking for:

• Cash donations
• Attraction tickets and admissions
• Hotel stays
• Restaurant gift cards
• Gas cards
• Concert, theater, and sporting event tickets
• Zoo, aquarium, and museum passes
• Family activity packages
• Sponsorships and partnerships

If you have connections to hotels, restaurants, attractions, tourism organizations, sports teams, entertainment venues, or businesses that may be interested in helping, I’d love to talk with you.

I’ll also be accepting nominations throughout the summer. You can nominate a family or you can nominate yourself. And before anyone hesitates, let me say this: there is absolutely no shame in needing a little help. Life gets hard and circumstances change. Unexpected expenses happen and sometimes good people find themselves carrying more than they can manage. With today’s economy and struggles, it’s difficult for families to figure out the basics much less the “extra” needed for a fun day with the kids.

All nominations will remain private and confidential. I have zero interest in putting anyone’s struggles on display. I’m not looking to embarrass anyone, publicize their struggles, or create feel-good social media content at someone else’s expense.

I just want to help create opportunities for families to spend more meaningful time together.

I’m starting small this summer to see what kind of impact this can make as a community. If Passport to Possibility proves successful and sustainable, my hope is to eventually expand it into a year-round initiative and potentially explore creating a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families access experiences, opportunities, and memory-making moments they might not otherwise have.

For now, though, I’m starting with one simple idea: Every family deserves something to look forward to.

So if you’d like to nominate a family, nominate yourself, donate, partner with me, sponsor an experience, or connect me with someone who might be willing to help, send me a message.

Let’s create some possibilities and maybe a few unforgettable memories along the way.

P.S. If you’ve ever said, “Someone should do something nice for that family,” this is your sign. Let’s be the someone.

06/02/2026

This is your sign to stop saying “someday” about Europe.

I'm putting together a Mediterranean cruise experience for June 13-20, 2027, and I would love for you to find a way to come with us!

Not in a high-pressure, “book this or else” kind of way. More in a "life is short, the kids grow up, anniversaries pass, birthdays come and go, and sometimes you have to stop waiting for the perfect time and make the memory" kind of way.

This trip is built for people who want to experience Europe but don’t necessarily want to figure it all out alone.

Norwegian Gem

June 13, Venice, Italy
June 14, Dubrovnik, Croatia
June 15, Kotor, Montenegro
June 16, Corfu, Greece
June 17, Katakolon, Greece, for Olympia
June 18, Mykonos, Greece
June 19, Santorini, Greece
June 20, Athens, Greece

It’s Europe with structure, support, and freedom. You can do group activities, explore on your own, celebrate with your people, or just enjoy knowing there’s someone (yours truly) available to help guide the process.

CURRENT PER PERSON PRICING:

Double occupancy (based on 2 adults sharing a cabin)
Interior: $1,980
Oceanview $2,098
Balcony $3,198

Triple occupancy (based on 3 adults sharing a cabin)
Interior $1,618
Oceanview $1,705
Balcony $2,438

Quad occupancy (based on 4 adults sharing a cabin)
Interior $1,443
Oceanview $1,508
Balcony $2,058

These prices include NCL's Free at Sea program:

Open bar for adults 21+
Specialty dining
Wi-Fi
Shore excursion credit

Deposit of $500 per cabin is required to book. You can make payments in any amount at any time toward your balance, so long as it's all paid in full no later than February 13.

A quick note on pricing: prepaid gratuities and package charges can vary based on occupancy, age, and guest eligibility, especially for third and fourth guests. I’ll price your cabin based on the actual travelers going but this is a general guide to current pricing options. If you're not interested in the unlimited beverage package, this can be removed and you will save $199.50 per person being used toward the gratuities on the drink package. Airfare is not included.

If you'd like to add a pre-cruise stay in Italy or a post-cruise stay in Greece after the cruise, I can absolutely arrange that for you. You can keep it simple or make it a full European adventure! But if this trip is even tugging at you a little, don’t talk yourself out of it too quickly. You don't have to have every detail figured out today. You don't have to know every excursion yet. You don't have to be an expert traveler.

You just have to decide that maybe, this is the year you stop scrolling past everyone else’s Europe pictures and start planning your own. If you’re interested in joining us, just complete my intake form and we can get the ball rolling!

https://www.careyedawaytravel.com/quote

06/01/2026

Travel teaches you pretty fast that there isn’t just one “right way” to live your life. There are different cultures, traditions, beliefs, families, and different love stories all over this big, beautiful world. And that’s exactly what makes it worth exploring.

This Pride Month, I’m celebrating the people who have fought for the right to live openly, authentically, and without apology. The world is a lot more interesting when people are free to be themselves.

Here’s to seeing more of it, learning from each other, and creating a travel industry where everyone feels welcome.

Happy Pride Month from Carey-ed Away Travel🏳️‍🌈✈️❤️🏳️‍⚧️

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer, backyard cookouts, or long weekends. It’s a reminder that the freedoms we often take for granted came at an unimaginable cost for so many families.

As someone who helps people explore the world, I’m always reminded what a privilege it is to move freely, experience new places, and create memories with the people we love. That freedom exists only because others sacrificed everything to protect it.

Today, we honor those who never made it home, and we hold space for the families who carry that loss every single day. ♥️🤍💙

05/14/2026

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” — Mark Twain

A friend sent this photo to me today and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Maybe part of the reason our country feels so divided right now is because so many people have never experienced anything outside of what’s familiar to them. There are so many different cultures, religions, foods, ways of living, and perspectives out there.

About half of Americans don’t even own a passport. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with loving your hometown or staying close to home, but there’s something powerful about realizing the world is much bigger than the version of it we grow up with.

Travel teaches empathy in a way the internet never can. It’s really hard to demonize people once you’ve shared meals and laughed with them, explored their cities, listened to their stories, their music and realized they want many of the same things we do — to live comfortably and safely with our families, have our basic needs met and still have a little money and time for fun.

Travel doesn’t just show us the world. Sometimes it helps us become better humans in it.