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World Traveler 🗺 Wife 💍 Dog Mom 🐶 Travel Agent for 417 Travel 🏝

Wellness Specialist
Europe Specialist
AMResorts Master Agent
Certified Sandals Specialist
LGBTQ+ Travel

06/01/2026

GOURMET GREECE is officially almost here 🇬🇷✨

This trip has lived in my brain for so long that it honestly feels weird it’s finally happening.

In just a few days I’ll be wandering through Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini eating way too much feta, drinking wine with views that don’t look real, and fully leaning into my Greek mythology obsession.

I’m especially excited for:
• the food
• the history
• late dinners by the water
• island hopping
• seeing if Greece is actually as beautiful as everyone says it is

Come follow along because I already know this is going to be one of those trips I never shut up about

05/29/2026

A day on excursion in Curaçao with my wellness group 🇨🇼🌿

One of my favorite days from hosting my wellness group in Curaçao was a full island excursion that showed us just how much this destination has to offer.

We started at the National Park water cave and blowhole, which felt completely different from the beaches. More rugged, natural, and a reminder of how diverse the island really is.

From there, we explored Turtle Beach for snorkeling, and getting in the water with sea turtles was such a surreal moment. Calm, clear water and one of those experiences you don’t forget. One of the sea turtles even swam right up and touched me.

We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant, Playa Forti, which is always one of my favorite parts of any day like this. Fresh, simple, and so good. Full fresh fish and great drinks. Plus, you can go cliff jumping there—some of our group did!

Later we made our way to the Curaçao distillery tour where we got to learn (and taste) a bit of the island’s history.

We ended the day shopping in the Willemstad markets, which are full of color, local vendors, and so much personality.

What I loved most is that it never felt rushed. It was the perfect balance of exploring, experiencing, and still having space to just enjoy the moment.

This is what wellness travel looks like to me. Not just slowing down, but actually experiencing a place in a meaningful way

05/28/2026

Curaçao summer pricing update 🇨🇼✈️

Since I’ve been talking about Curaçao vs Aruba this week, I wanted to share a real example of what it actually looks like price-wise right now.

🌴 Zoëtry Curaçao
📅 Aug 3–8
✈️ St. Louis flights included
💰 Around $2,500 per person

🌴 Riu Palace Antillas
📅 Aug 3–8
✈️ St. Louis flights included
💰 Around $2,800 per person

Both of these are great choices, but they give very different experiences.

Zoëtry is more boutique, relaxed, and wellness-focused. It’s a quieter stay if you want something low-key and more intimate.

Riu Palace Antillas is more lively, social, and resort-style with bigger energy and more activity.

What you’re really paying for here is something a little different.

Curaçao feels like a hidden gem in the Caribbean. It’s less crowded than Aruba, super colorful (Willemstad is unreal in person), and has that mix of Caribbean culture with Dutch-European architecture that makes it feel really unique.

The beaches are more tucked-away coves, the water is unbelievably clear, and it’s a great island if you like to explore instead of just staying at the resort.

It’s one of those destinations that surprises people because it doesn’t feel overdone yet.

If Curaçao has been on your list, this is a great time to start looking at summer dates

05/27/2026

Curaçao vs Aruba 🇨🇼🇦🇼

I get asked this a lot, and honestly, they’re more similar than different. Both are beautiful Dutch Caribbean islands with European influence, reliable weather, gorgeous beaches, and that easy Caribbean vacation feel.

The biggest difference?

Curaçao feels more like the hidden gem.

Aruba is the island everyone knows, so it tends to be more crowded and often a bit more expensive, especially during peak travel times. It’s also usually easier to get to since it’s more popular and has more direct flight options.

Curaçao feels a little less discovered. It’s more relaxed, less crowded, and has a really fun mix of Caribbean culture and Dutch-European architecture. Willemstad looks like a postcard with its colorful buildings right along the water, and the island feels great for exploring beyond just the resort.

The beaches in Curaçao are also more tucked-away coves with unbelievably clear blue water that almost doesn’t look real.

One thing to know with Curaçao is that flights can sometimes take a little more planning. Depending on where you’re flying from, you may need to get more creative to avoid overnight layovers or double connections.

Both islands are beautiful… it really just depends if you want the more popular classic or the hidden gem 🇦🇼🇨🇼

05/26/2026

Let’s talk about Curaçao 🇨🇼✨

I felt like I was on another planet. The water is insanely clear and bright blue in a way photos don’t even do justice.

It’s one of those islands that surprises people. Locals learn multiple languages in school (often 4–7), so there’s essentially no language barrier, which makes getting around really easy and comfortable.

Curaçao is also very LGBTQ+ friendly and has a really welcoming, open feel overall.

It’s a Dutch Caribbean island, so you’ll notice the European-influenced architecture, especially in Willemstad, which is colorful, charming, and honestly one of the cutest port areas I’ve ever seen.

Another big plus: it’s outside the main hurricane belt, which gives it a different kind of year-round stability compared to other Caribbean destinations.

It’s also super easy to rent a car and explore on your own, which I highly recommend if you go. The beaches, coves, and viewpoints are all over the island and worth getting out to see.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day weekend always feels like the unofficial start of summer ☀️

This is usually the weekend where everyone starts thinking about beach trips, long weekends, pool days, and finally taking that vacation they’ve been talking about for months.

Airports get busier, summer energy kicks in, and people start realizing how fast this year is already moving.

Whether you’re traveling somewhere fun this weekend or just enjoying some extra time at home with family and friends, I hope you get a chance to relax and enjoy it ❤️

05/22/2026

I love Mexico. You really can’t beat the service. Your drink is never empty, the staff is smiling, and they genuinely go above and beyond. It’s honestly one of my favorite all-inclusive destinations.

Mexico also has a lot of variety, which is part of what makes it so popular. Everything from family-friendly resorts to adults-only to very adults-only, plus budget-friendly spring break spots and high-end luxury. There’s truly something for almost everyone, which is why the deals are often so good.

The downside is that because it’s so easy to get to and has so many options, it can start to feel a little familiar if you go often.

That’s where Jamaica feels different.

It’s still relatively accessible compared to some smaller Caribbean islands, and you get those beautiful Blue Mountains, great coffee, and really good food. But the experience feels more laid-back and less structured.

The locals are friendly in a different way too. In Mexico, they want to give you the best possible experience, and you can tell everyone takes real pride in their job. In Jamaica, locals feel more like friends than service providers. They’re warm, relaxed, and genuinely happy to connect. They share their secrets, their humor, and their rum freely.

05/21/2026

Jamaica tips people don’t think about 🇯🇲⬇️

Get off the resort.

The island is beautiful, there is so much to see and do, and the locals are incredibly welcoming. Some of my favorite moments in Jamaica were outside of the resort.

Bring cash in smaller bills. It makes things easier for small purchases, tips, and local stops along the way.

And choose your resort location intentionally. Jamaica isn’t one-size-fits-all, and where you stay can completely change the feel of your trip depending on what you want out of it.

Jamaica has a lot more to offer than just the resort itself, and it’s worth experiencing both sides.

05/20/2026

So what does it actually cost to go to Jamaica? 🇯🇲✈️

Here are two really solid summer deals right now from STL:

🌴 Riu Palace Aquarelle (Family Friendly)
📅 July 13–18
✈️ Roundtrip Southwest flights included
💰 Starting around $1,850 per person

Great for travelers wanting a fun all-inclusive atmosphere, beautiful beach time, and a more social resort vibe.

OR

🌴 Couples Swept Away (Adults Only)
📅 July 13–18
✈️ Roundtrip Southwest flights included
💰 Starting around $1,900 per person

Perfect if you want a more laid-back, adults-only Jamaica experience with one of the best beaches in Negril and a more relaxed atmosphere overall.

Jamaica has such a fun energy to it. Beautiful beaches, great food, warm locals, rum punch, and plenty to do if you want to explore outside the resort too.

Travel protection is not included but can absolutely be added.

Message me if you want details, room options, or help deciding which resort is the better fit for your travel style 🇯🇲

05/19/2026

My favorite Jamaica moment 🇯🇲⬇️

It was probably our day with Kingsley.

He’s a local guide we’ve known for years, and spending the day exploring Jamaica with someone who actually knows the island makes such a difference.

We started at YS Falls, then did the Appleton Rum Estate tour. The tour itself was just ok, but the rum tasting at the end was fun and definitely the best part.

But the food might have been the highlight of the day.

We stopped at a local restaurant for lunch where I had a whole lobster and my husband had a whole fish with veggies, and it was SOOOOO good. One of those meals you still think about later.

And on the drive from the airport to our resort, Kingsley took us to Border Jerk, which might be the best jerk chicken I’ve ever had.

That’s one thing I loved about Jamaica. Some of the best experiences weren’t the fancy ones, they were the local moments, the food, the music, and the people.

Address

5335 S Campbell Avenue Unit A
Springfield, MO
65810

Telephone

+14177202645

Website

https://417travel.com/courtney-tapken/

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