Lindsay George - Castle Explorers Travel Advisor

08/12/2026

🚨 A quick travel scam PSA 🚨

Unfortunately, there are a LOT of scams making their way around the travel industry right now - including scams targeting travel advisors and their clients.

While I'm not aware that this has happened to me, I’ve heard from other advisors whose clients received emails that looked VERY legitimate at first glance, appearing to come directly from their travel advisor and containing a link to make a payment on their trip.

So, a quick reminder if you book travel with ME:

💳 I will NEVER send you a payment link asking you to enter your credit card information to make a DIRECT payment to a supplier.

All payments for your trip are processed through me. When a payment is due, I will reach out to confirm that you have authorized the payment before I make it on your behalf.

There may be times when I forward a confirmation link or other information from a supplier, but I will never unexpectedly send you a link asking you to make a payment directly to a supplier.

If you work with another travel advisor, I can't speak to their specific payment procedures, but the general rule applies:

If something feels off, stop and verify before clicking or paying.

If you receive an email that seems unusual, a payment request you weren't expecting, or anything that makes you think, “Hmm… is this really from my travel advisor?” - reach out and confirm.

It takes a minute to double-check. It could save you a LOT of money and heartache.
Better safe than sorry! ✈️

08/11/2026

Proof of life. 👋🏼

I kind of disappeared from social media this spring. At first, scrolling through social media felt stressful and overwhelming with everything happening in the world. And then…life got busy.

And when life gets busy, something has to give. For me, that something is usually social media. 🙃

But while I haven't been showing up here, I've definitely been showing up in real life - for my family, for myself, and for my clients. ❤️

I love this business, and I love helping people travel. But I love more that I'm able to put my family, my health, my adventures and my sanity first when I need to.

So, no big comeback announcement. No apology or explanation for my absence. Just popping in to say that I'm still here. 😉

Thanks for sticking around! ✈️🌎

Also, here’s a very abbreviated version of what we’ve been up to, if you're curious (& more proof that I’m terrible at remembering to take pictures 🤦🏻‍♀️):

🌴 Spring Break: My family escaped to Mexico for some much-needed sunshine, pool time and all-inclusive relaxation at an Iberostar resort.

🏎️ I bought my pre-planned midlife-crisis car: Meet Georgette, my 1974 Corvette. She's needed a little more work that I expected, but I have zero regrets. 🛠️

🤸🏼‍♀️ Gymnastics + a family adventure: We headed to North Carolina for my daughter's gymnastics national meet. What started as a short trip for the competition turned into an awesome family vacation - boating, beach time, carnival rides, fireworks and indoor skydiving.

🇵🇦 Panama: My daughter and I traveled to Panama for her school trip, which was an incredible mix of adventure, culture, wildlife and SO many memories together. There was also… a LOT of time on a bus. Totally worth all the Dramamine.

💦 Our local favorites: We've squeezed in some good old-fashioned Wisconsin summer fun at a few of our favorites - Bay Beach, Fondy Aqua Park and Noah's Ark. Because sometimes the best adventures are right in our own backyard

03/04/2026

“Is it safe to travel to ___ ?”

This is one of the most common questions I get as a Travel Advisor, and it’s a fair one.

The honest answer? Risk isn’t zero anywhere, including at home. What matters more than ever is smart planning and good information.

Here’s how I approach it:

First, we look at facts - not headlines or social media commentary. I review travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State (Travel.State.Gov), along with U.S. Embassy and Consulate alerts for the specific destination. Then we make a plan based on verified, current information.

From there, my role is to reduce unnecessary risk through thoughtful logistics. That means recommending reputable resorts and hotels, vetted transfers (not random curbside rides), excursions with strong safety protocols, smart routing, and reviewing travel insurance options - especially medical and trip interruption coverage. I also recommend enrolling in STEP so you receive real-time embassy updates while abroad.

There are also practical steps travelers can take themselves.

Before you go:

✅ check your destination’s advisory level,

✅ enroll in STEP (it’s free and worth it),

✅ review insurance coverage,

✅ pre-arrange transportation, and

✅ share your itinerary with someone you trust.

While you’re there:

✨ keep a low profile (no flashy jewelry or loose cash),

✨avoid unnecessary night driving outside tourist zones,

✨stick to vetted services and main routes,

save emergency contacts, and

✨take any official alerts seriously.

I am not a security expert, a government authority, a travel lawyer, or a guarantor of traveler conduct or outcomes, and I cannot guarantee safety anywhere in the world. No one can.

Where, and if, you travel is always a personal decision. My job is to inform, prepare, and help you think through it clearly so you can travel confidently and responsibly.

There are no guarantees in travel.

But there are ways to plan wisely and reduce risk.

If you ever want to talk through a destination you’re considering, I’m always happy to have that conversation.

02/23/2026

Mexico Travel Update (Cancun + Spring Break Travelers)

I want to share a clear, factual update regarding the recent security activity reported in parts of Mexico.

Mexican authorities conducted a security operation in the state of Jalisco (western Mexico), which led to unrest localized to that region. As a precaution, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a shelter-in-place advisory for several states, including Quintana Roo (the state that includes Cancun).

Here’s what we know right now (as of 9:00am, Monday 2/23/26):
• There are no credible reports of unrest in Cancun
• Resorts and tourism operations in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area are continuing as normal
• The advisory for this region is precautionary

There is a lot of misinformation circulating on social media. I am monitoring updates directly from official sources, including the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Mission Mexico alerts. (I will link these sites in the comments.)

If You’re Currently in Destination
• Follow guidance from your resort and local authorities
• Stay within resort areas unless advised otherwise
• Consider enrolling in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) for direct updates (I will link this site in the comments.)
• Reach out to me if you need anything

At this time, travel operations in the Cancun area remain normal.

For My Spring Break Travelers (including myself)

I am actively monitoring official channels and will be reaching out over the next week to check in with each of you.

Our supplier partners are currently focused on assisting travelers who are in destination. Because of that, they are not processing changes for future trips until those high-priority reservations are handled. I appreciate your patience as they work through those immediate needs.

Please know: your safety and peace of mind matter to me - I don’t take that lightly!

⚠️ I am not a security expert, a government authority, a travel lawyer, or a guarantor of traveler conduct or outcomes, and I cannot guarantee safety anywhere in the world. What I can do is monitor credible, official sources and provide factual updates so you have the information you need to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out - I’m here.

02/16/2026

Spring Break & Summer Vacation are right around the corner - are you ready to travel?

Here are a few important things to check off your list before you go:

1. 📘 Passport Renewal
If your passport is expiring within 6 months of your travel date, it's time to renew! Processing times can vary, so don't wait until the last minute.

2. 🌍 2026 - A Great Year to Get Your First Passport
With international travel booming and processing times improving, now is the perfect time to apply if you don't already have one. Open the door to the world!

3. 🪪 Is Your Driver's License a Real ID?
Starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license is required for domestic flights. Check for the star in the corner of your card - if it's not there, visit your local DMV!

4. 🛡️ Get Travel Insurance
Protect your investment! Travel insurance can cover trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and unexpected delays.

5. 📋 Check Visa Requirements
Every destination has different entry requirements. Research well in advance so there are no surprises at the border.

6. 📁 Make Copies of Important Documents
Keep digital and physical copies of your passport, ID, and travel insurance - stored separately from the originals.

7. 📲 Enroll in STEP
As shared in our last post, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is free and keeps you connected to the nearest U.S. Embassy while abroad.

While I love sharing travel tips here and with my clients, it is ultimately your responsibility as the traveler to ensure your documentation is ready. When in doubt, check official sources like travel.state.gov! 🗺️

02/13/2026

Traveling abroad?

STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) is a free service that keeps you connected to your nearest U.S. Embassy and alerts you to any safety updates in your destination. Worth it for any international trip!

You asked for it and now it’s here! Group enrollment is now available for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This should simplify the sign-up process for families, school groups, travel arrangers, and many others. Sign up before every trip at step.state.gov to receive alerts from the U.S. Embassy while you're abroad.

01/09/2026

What was your biggest WORRY the last time you tried to plan a vacation?

🐕 Some of my clients need to arrange pet-care.

🦼 Some of my clients have a family member with limited mobility traveling with them.

💻 Some of my clients work 65 hours a week and rarely take a vacation.

🤕 Some of my clients have a family member that is home ill and they just feel like they cannot leave for very long.

🗺️ Some of my clients have never been out of the country and want to travel abroad for the first time.

One thing I take seriously is preparing travelers for real-life travel, not just best-case scenarios.

Part of how I serve my clients is helping them understand what’s normal, what’s avoidable, and what’s worth planning around before they ever leave home. We come up with a plan; I help them find the best dog daycare, arrange for accessibility, provide options for the best use of their time away, etc.

Preparation changes the entire experience.

👇🏻What was your biggest WORRY the last time you tried to plan a vacation?

01/07/2026

How many options did you look at the last time you planned a vacation yourself?

Something I partner with you to do is narrow down your options.

I aim to send no more than 3 options to my clients to choose from.

But, don't freak out! Because they're the BEST ONES that match what you've told me you want during our consultation call.

The internet is great at giving endless options to the point of confusion and exhaustion... I mean, at what point can you really make the RIGHT decision?

My job is helping people understand which option actually makes sense for them. If that doesn't work, then we talk a little more and narrow it down AGAIN.

I spend time learning the differences that don’t always show up in reviews - things like location trade-offs, timing issues, and what feels great in photos versus real life. That’s why my recommendations are never random. They are JUST FOR YOU.

So... for reals, how many hotels did you look at last time you did this on your own?

01/05/2026

When I say LUXURY, what’s the first thing you think?

Luxury travel isn’t about price tags or labels, and luxury isn't one size fits all with price either. It’s about how the trip feels.

For me, that means things like thoughtful details, quality service, and experiencing places without feeling rushed. It’s also about knowing where upgrades actually matter and where they don’t.

That’s why I define and plan 'luxury' trips differently than what you’ll find online. My goal is to make travel feel effortless FOR YOU. There is just something so luxurious about easy planning.

I know that vacations aren't perfect; neither I nor you can control every factor - but... I do my best to really give you a 5* experience with me as your guide.

So, it helps me to know - When I say LUXURY, what is the first thing you think? Tell me in the comments 👇🏻 - don't overthink it - what's the first thing that pops into your mind?

01/03/2026

EDITED 1/4/26: Caribbean airspace restrictions have been lifted
___________________________________

Due to the fluid situation in Venezuela, air space surrounding many destinations is closed temporarily. See list for affected airports.

If you are traveling soon and may be affected, it is advised to contact your airline for rebooking options and the most up-to-date information. Additionally, most airline and airport websites and social media are updating their pages regularly.