https://www.disneytravelcenter.com/ms3b49ce9a/, https://www.disneytravelcenter.com/msf4b2f5ba/, https://www.disneytravel

Alie Hansen: Wand & Compass Travel Co., Orlando, FL (2026)

10/23/2026

“Every great adventure starts with a little curiosity, a bit of planning, and the courage to follow your compass.”

-Alie Hansen,
Wand & Compass Travel

10/17/2026

Ok Disney fans. Where am I?

09/28/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞

As one of Florida’s largest and oldest cities, Jacksonville is full of historic neighborhoods, Civil War-era landmarks, and a few ghostly residents who never left. From theaters to cemeteries, Jacksonville is a city where history and hauntings walk hand in hand.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞 – This 1927 movie palace is stunning inside, but staff and performers say a former projectionist still lingers, watching shows from the shadows.

𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭. 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞’𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 – Dating back to the late 1800s, this former hospital turned museum is rumored to still echo with the energy of its patients.

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 – One of the largest cemeteries in Florida, with graves dating back to the 1800s and countless reports of eerie apparitions.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 (𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡) – This historic 1920s oceanfront hotel is glamorous by day, but guests have reported ghostly figures and unexplained noises at night.

𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 – Known for tragic stories of yellow fever victims, this historic cemetery is tied to chilling ghost sightings and mysterious orbs.

Some of these spots you can explore on your own, while others are best uncovered on a guided ghost tour through Jacksonville’s historic districts.

So if your fall travels bring you to North Florida, Jacksonville is more than beaches and city lights—it’s also a place where haunted history still whispers after dark.

09/27/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 – 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐!

If you're dreaming of a European getaway, tropical island escape, or a trip back in time — you might not need your passport just yet. Florida has even more spots that feel totally international, and they're perfect for your next vacation:

▪The Ancient Spanish Monastery (North Miami Beach) – Originally built in 12th-century Spain, this real monastery was shipped and rebuilt in Florida. It feels like stepping into medieval Europe.

▪Mount Dora – A charming lakeside town with English tea rooms, cozy inns, and antique shops. The vibes? Very "quaint English village."

▪The Ringling Museum of Art (Sarasota) – Venetian-style architecture, a marble courtyard, and world-class art — it’s giving Italy.

▪Pelican Grand Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale) – Breezy porches, beachfront views, and elegant architecture transport you to the Bahamas or Bermuda.

▪St. Armands Circle (Sarasota) – This upscale island shopping district feels like a blend of the French Riviera and an Italian piazza.

▪The Breakers Palm Beach – A luxurious resort inspired by Italian Renaissance palaces. If you’ve ever dreamed of a European royal vacation, start here.

▪Islamorada (Florida Keys) – Island life at its finest with Caribbean-style resorts, clear turquoise water, and laid-back tropical energy.

▪The Kampong (Coconut Grove, Miami) – A peaceful botanical garden with exotic plants from Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. It feels like Bali in the heart of Miami.

▪Ca’ d’Zan Mansion (Sarasota) – This waterfront mansion was designed to look like a Venetian palace. Grand canal vibes in the Gulf Coast sunshine.

▪Bimini (via Ferry from Miami) – Okay, not technically Florida, but a quick ferry ride lands you in the Bahamas — an easy international add-on to any Florida vacation.

✈️ Planning your next trip? Florida offers more variety than you might think — one trip can feel like five countries in one state.

Which one are you visiting first?

09/25/2026

𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞

Known as a lively college town today, Gainesville also has a darker side filled with ghost stories, haunted landmarks, and eerie legends. From historic theaters to mysterious cemeteries, this North Florida city has plenty to keep ghost hunters curious.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

𝐇𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞 – Built in 1911 as a post office, today it’s a theater where actors and staff have reported unexplained footsteps, shadows, and voices when the building is empty.

𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐧 – This Victorian-era inn is beautiful by day, but some guests have claimed to hear phantom footsteps and see shadowy figures roaming its halls.

𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Once a key part of Gainesville’s cultural life, it carries eerie tales of ghostly performances and lingering spirits of actors long gone.

𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 – Preserving Gainesville’s past, but some claim its old buildings still echo with the energy of those long gone.

𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥’𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 – A natural sinkhole with a haunting legend; locals say it was once used for sinister rituals and still carries an eerie energy.

Some of these sites are free to explore, while others are best experienced through local tours and events that bring Gainesville’s haunted history to life.

So if your fall travels take you through North Florida, Gainesville offers more than just game day excitement—it’s also a city where history and hauntings go hand in hand.

09/24/2026

Beneath the glamorous streets of Paris lies a world that feels straight out of a ghost story—the 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬.

In the late 1700s, Paris faced overcrowded cemeteries and a health crisis, so millions of remains were carefully relocated underground into a vast network of tunnels. Today, more than six million souls rest here, stacked in hauntingly beautiful patterns of skulls and bones.

Visitors say the Catacombs are more than just a macabre museum. Cold drafts with no source, footsteps echoing in empty tunnels, and the feeling of being watched are common. Some explorers even claim spirits reach out to those who wander too far.

The Catacombs stretch for miles, though only a small section is open to the public. Still, even that portion is enough to give you chills as you realize just how many lives are memorialized here.

It’s eerie, it’s fascinating, and it’s one of Paris’s most unforgettable travel experiences.

Would you dare descend into the city of lights… and shadows?

09/24/2026

👋 Anyone can book a trip — not everyone can create an unforgettable vacation. When you work with me, you're getting an experienced professional who knows how to transform ideas into seamless, extraordinary travel experiences.

Message me today to learn more about how I can support you 🫶

09/22/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 #𝟏𝟒𝟏: 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐎 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃

Planning a fall getaway to the mountains or countryside? You might picture quiet little roads, scenic drives, and hardly any traffic. Not necessarily.

Fall is harvest season, which means some of those same roads are suddenly packed with people heading to:

🍎 Apple orchards
🎃 Pumpkin patches
🍷 Wineries
🌽 Fall festivals
🚜 Farms and farmers markets

A road that is normally a peaceful scenic route can become surprisingly congested on a Saturday in late September and through the entire month of October.

And if you're trying to make it to a timed attraction, dinner reservation, scenic train, or tour, that extra traffic can really throw off your plans.

My tip? If you're visiting a popular fall destination, don't assume a short drive means a short travel time. Check local events, farm attractions, and weekend traffic when planning your day—and give yourself some extra time.

Because sometimes the biggest traffic jam on your fall vacation isn't on the highway...It's getting to the pumpkin patch. 🎃

09/21/2026

🕯️ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧… 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞. 🕯️

Halloween isn’t just about haunted houses and ghost tours—sometimes the spirits live right where you sleep. Across the U.S., there are historic hotels with creaky hallways, flickering lights, and ghostly guests who never checked out.

Here are 13 haunted hotels you can actually stay in (and I've been to 3 of them!):

👻 The Stanley Hotel – Estes Park, CO
Echoes of laughter, piano music with no pianist… Stephen King’s The Shining was inspired here for a reason.

👻 Hotel Monteleone – New Orleans, LA
A grandfather clock said to move on its own and ghost children who love to play in the hallways.

👻 The Queen Mary – Long Beach, CA
This retired ocean liner turned hotel is home to phantom footsteps and mysterious splashes in empty pools.

👻 The Menger Hotel – San Antonio, TX
Famous for sightings of Teddy Roosevelt’s ghost recruiting Rough Riders at the bar.

👻 The Crescent Hotel – Eureka Springs, AR
Once a “cancer hospital,” now one of America’s most haunted stays.

👻 Omni Parker House – Boston, MA
Home to ghostly tales, whispers in the hall, and Charles Dickens himself (allegedly still hanging around).

👻 The Jerome Grand Hotel – Jerome, AZ
Former hospital turned hotel, with guests who hear rolling gurneys in the night.

👻 The Pfister Hotel – Milwaukee, WI
MLB players swear they’ve seen and heard things they can’t explain here.

👻 The Marshall House – Savannah, GA
Civil War hospital-turned-hotel where ghostly soldiers still wander.

👻 The Driskill – Austin, TX
Known for its haunted mirrors and playful child ghost.

👻 The Sagamore Resort – Bolton Landing, NY
A luxury lakefront stay where not all guests are living.

👻 Hotel Del Coronado – San Diego, CA
Kate Morgan checked in in 1892 and never left… her spirit lingers to this day.

👻 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa – Arkansas
Nicknamed “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” Enough said.

Would you be brave enough to spend the night in one of these legendary haunts? Or are you keeping the lights on and booking the nearest Holiday Inn? Tell us in the comments about a reportedly haunted hotel you have stayed in.

09/18/2026

🌿 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚: 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧

There are places you visit, and then there are places that make you feel like you've stepped into another time.

Sitting along the shores of Lake Dora in the charming town of Mount Dora, Lakeside Inn is one of those places.

Established in 1883, Lakeside Inn is Florida's oldest continuously operating hotel. Long before Central Florida became known for theme parks and sprawling resorts, visitors were coming to this little lakeside community to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

And you can still feel that history today.

The grand old buildings, wide verandas, towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss, gardens, lake views and quiet corners give Lakeside Inn a character that simply can't be recreated in a newly built resort.

It's not polished into perfection—and that's part of its charm.

The inn has welcomed generations of guests over the decades, including notable visitors such as President Calvin Coolidge, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and President Gerald Ford. It has survived hurricanes, changing times, economic hardships and the transformation of Florida around it.

And somehow, it remains.

That longevity is what makes a stay here feel different. You're not simply checking into a hotel; you're becoming a tiny part of a story that has been unfolding for more than 140 years.

And, naturally, a place with that much history has accumulated a few stories of its own.

Lakeside Inn is also known for its haunted folklore, including tales of a little girl named Amy, who is said to have disappeared near the lake in the late 1800s. Guests and staff have reported seeing the apparition of a young girl in a red dress around the property.
There are also stories of mysterious footsteps, unexplained scents, and other unexplained happenings throughout the historic inn.

Are they ghosts?

That's something each visitor can decide for themselves.

Personally, I think that's part of the fun.

Because the appeal of Lakeside Inn isn't that it's supposedly haunted.
It's that it is genuinely historic.

The ghost stories simply become another layer in a place already filled with them—stories of travelers, families, celebrations, quiet afternoons overlooking the lake, and generations of people who have walked through those doors.

And that is what I love about historic places like this.

They're reminders that travel isn't always about finding what's new.

Sometimes, it's about slowing down long enough to appreciate what's still here.

A rocking chair on a shaded veranda.

A glass of something cold overlooking Lake Dora.

A stroll through Mount Dora's picturesque streets.

The sound of an old wooden floor beneath your feet.

Spanish moss moving gently in the breeze.

And perhaps, if you're lucky—or unlucky—you might even catch a glimpse of someone who has been enjoying the view for a little longer than the rest of us.

Lakeside Inn is more than a place to stay. It's a little piece of Old Florida that time hasn't managed to erase.

And honestly?

Those are the places I want to discover. ✨

📍 Lakeside Inn | Mount Dora, Florida

Alie Hansen: Wand & Compass Travel Co.

10/23/2026

10/17/2026

09/28/2026

09/27/2026

09/25/2026

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

09/22/2026

09/21/2026

09/18/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request