Shoulder Season Europe: What It Is, And Why We're Obsessed

Here's a confession: we know summer has a hold on most families. July in Santorini, August in Rome, that big buzzing energy where everyone's out and the whole city feels alive. We get it, some families have no choice. But if we're being honest, we've never been peak season people ourselves. From the start, we've always been drawn to the quieter windows on either side of it.

Shoulder season.

Late April into early June. Mid September through October. The months when Europe stops performing for the tour buses and just quietly gets on with being its special self. The gelato line is three people, not thirty. Your hotel concierge has time to actually sit with you and talk about that special place they’d love for you to see. You can hear the fountains again.

We stood in the Piazza Navona on a May evening with almost no one else around, and it confirmed everything we already suspected. The "right" time to go was never the busiest one. Who knew? Well, we did.

Ok but why though?

Fewer crowds, obviously. But it's more than that. Hotel rates soften up. Flights may be easier to snag with points or gift cards. The weather does that gorgeous in between thing, warm enough for a coffee outside, cool enough that you're not melting into the cobblestones like a popsicle. Restaurants have tables. Museums have air to breathe in. Nobody is stepping on the back of your shoe. Sweat is not pouring down your face as you climb the Santorini steps.

Here's the part that matters most to us though. When a place isn't overwhelmed, it has room for you. And that means it has room for your kids too, for your parents, for the whole messy wonderful family unit you brought along. No shuffling grandma through a packed piazza. No meltdown in a two hour line at a museum you could've entered in thirty seconds. Just space to actually be together in a place, instead of surviving it together.

That's the whole point for us. We don't sell vacations. We build the conditions for families to reconnect, away from schedules and screens and the usual noise. Shoulder season just happens to be the easiest, cheapest, (and least sweaty) way to do that.

Time it right and you accidentally land in the middle of something amazing

This is the part that took us a while to figure out, and now we can't stop thinking about it. Shoulder season isn't quiet everywhere. Some of Europe's best local celebrations, the ones built for locals, not tourists, sit right in these windows. Skip the peak season crowds and stumble into a centuries old festival instead. No extra planning required, just good timing. We love this for heritage travel too.

Late June is a big one. Florence turns into something out of another century for its Feast of St. John the Baptist, with lantern lit river processions and a wild Renaissance era ball game played in full costume right in Piazza Santa Croce. It's chaos in the best possible way, and completely unlike anything you'd stumble into during peak summer.

Late August into early September, Verona is our favorite. The ancient outdoor arena there hosts an opera festival that even kids who've never sat through an opera find themselves leaning forward for. Something about watching it under an open sky, in a two thousand year old amphitheater, tends to land even with the under twelve crowd. Yes, really.

We're not handing you the full calendar here, there's a lot more going on across Italy, France, Greece, Ireland, and England in these windows, some of it wonderful for families and some of it very much not your kid's bedtime. Knowing which is which, and building your dates around the right one, is exactly the kind of thing we sort out for you.

A couple of places we're low key obsessed with (yes our boys have taught us a few phrases)

If you've been sitting on a "someday" trip to Portugal, late September is doing something special this year with some last minute pricing into Lisbon and Porto that we don't see every season. It's the kind of window that makes a multi-generational trip actually affordable, grandparents included.

And if your family's version of magic is a little more castle and character breakfast than ancient ruins, Disneyland Paris in shoulder season is basically a different park than the one you'll find in July. Shorter lines, cooler days for walking, and a version of the parks where you can actually catch your kid's face lighting up instead of just catching your breath. Pair it with a few days in Paris itself and you've got two very different kinds of magic in one trip. One that we can help with start to finish.

If shoulder season Europe has been living in your someday folder, move it up. Send us an email and let's talk about which window fits your family, your budget, and your idea of time well spent together. Planning for 2027 is even better right now. THIS is the time and the only way to accept the “world upon your shoulder”.

Why Travel Became Our Biggest Investment (Even When Life Was on 1.5x Speed)

When people find out we have three boys, the first thing they usually say is "your hands must have been full." They have no idea. With three kids under one roof, life didn't just move fast, it felt like someone had permanently set the house to 1.5x speed. Meals, homework, practices, family dinners, meltdowns, bedtime, repeat. Marco and I loved every minute of it and also, some days, could barely hear ourselves think.

That's the thing nobody tells you about parenting: it's not that you stop being yourselves, it's that you stop having the space to remember who that is. And we found, again and again, that the version of us who could think clearly, who could actually hear each other finish a sentence, who could remember why we fell in love with this whole chaotic life in the first place, that version of us only fully showed up when we stepped outside our everyday responsibilities. Even for a little while.

That's what travel gave us. Not an escape from our family, an escape into it.

The balcony rule

Somewhere along the way, we made a habit of it: all five of us crammed into one hotel room, no separate space to retreat to, and every evening we'd end up on the balcony together with whatever snacks we'd smuggled from the day's adventures. No screens buzzing, no schedules pulling at us, just one shared day to talk about. Those balcony nights are some of the best conversations we've ever had as a family, better than most conversations we've had at home, if I'm honest, because there was nowhere else anyone needed to be.

Disney, before it was easy

We became Disney regulars back in the early 2000s, and it wasn't for the reason most people assume. Our boys had food allergies, and in those days, very few destinations anywhere in the world were set up to handle that with any real care. Disney was. It’s so amazing that families can now enjoy this same care many places in the world, and we are so grateful to our Disney theme park and cruise vacations for keeping our babies safe for years. That reliability meant we could actually relax instead of white-knuckling every meal, and it opened the door to something we didn't expect: the chance to really watch our kids, closely, trip after trip, and see who they actually were.

What we saw in our kids surprised us in the best way. One of our boys bonded hard with me over something I've never grown out of: keeping the child in you alive, no matter how old you get. He's studying to be a teacher now. Another fell completely in love with the Imagineering side of things, the technology, the engineering, the way a great meal can be part of the storytelling, and he's working toward an AI/ML degree with dreams of building roller coasters one day. And our third learned something on those trips that's followed him well beyond them: how to plan a "perfect" day, watch it fall apart a little, and roll with it anyway. That skill, bending instead of breaking when things don't go to plan, has become one of the ways he manages his anxiety at school today.

We didn't set out to discover any of that. We just kept traveling, kept paying attention, and it revealed itself.

Forever friends, and Nonno e Nonna

Some of our richest trips weren't just the five of us. We traveled often in bigger groups, and for most of our vacations, Nonno and Nonna came along too. There's something about shared adventure, a delayed flight, a rainy day rerouted into something better, a sailing where everyone ends up at the same dinner table, that turns travel companions into forever friends, and turns grandparents into co-conspirators in your kids' best memories.

Looking back, every trip, every sailing, every ordinary balcony evening added up to something we didn't fully understand we were building at the time: trust. A family community our boys can carry with them forever, built on "good times" we actually lived, together, away from the 1.5x speed of everyday life.

That's why travel has been our biggest investment. Not because of where we went, but because of who we became, and who our kids became, every time we went there.

BOOK EARLY, TRAVEL SMART: WHAT THE EARLY BOOKING PROMOTIONS MEAN FOR YOUR FAMILY

If your feed looks anything like ours, it is currently full of "Book by Friday and Save!" from every Canadian airline and tour operator under the sun. Air Canada Vacations, WestJet Vacations, Sunwing, and Transat all run early booking promotions this time of year, and they all want the same thing: your deposit, locked in early, while there is still a full season of inventory to sell.

We are not here to tell you early booking deals are a scam. They are not. Booking ahead really can save your family money and get you better resort and room options before things sell out. What we are here to talk about is something we see all the time in this industry. The headline savings number is almost never the most valuable part of the offer. Sometimes it is not even close. Our experience lets us pull out the actual value of these yearly promotion pushes each year.

So let's break down what we actually look at when we're comparing these promotions for our family of clients because once you know what to look for, you will never read one of these offers the same way again.

1. The Discount Is The Easiest Thing To Advertise, And Often The Least Valuable Part of the Promotion

"$250 off per couple" looks great in a headline. But $250 off a $4,000 family vacation is about 6%. Meanwhile, the exchange rate moving, a resort category swap, or a transfer that isn't actually included can eat that "savings" before you even land. A discount is real money, and we will always apply it when we can, but on its own, it tells you very little about whether this is actually the better booking.

2. The "Option" To Change Or Cancel? Why is this the real prize?

This is the one most people scroll right past, and it is the one we pay the closest attention to every single time.

Some early booking promotions come with a genuinely low deposit and real flexibility. The ability to change your dates or destination minimizing your change fees. Others lock you into a much stricter cancellation schedule the moment that deposit clears, where pulling out even a week later than expected means losing a real chunk of your payment.

We see exactly how much this matters every single season. A family member gets sick the week before final payment. A work schedule shifts and your travel dates no longer work. The families who had flexible terms built into their original booking move through those moments calmly. The families who didn't have a much harder time. You never plan for the disruption that's the point. That’s also one of the most important parts of our job and why we are so excited to share that type of promotion. We see it ALL. The option to change or cancel is the thing that protects you before you know you'll need it, and it is worth more than almost any dollar figure on the page in 2026 and beyond. With every changing airline rules with fuel costs and availability, this is how you protect your investment in a memorable family vacation.

3. Seat Selection Inclusions Are Worth More Than They Look

A lot of early booking offers quietly bundle in free advance seat selection. On paper that might look like a minor perk next to a flashy percentage off. In real life, it's the difference between your family sitting together for a six-hour flight to Punta Cana and your eight-year-old sitting three rows back with strangers because seats were assigned at check-in. We have had clients pay more in seat fees after the fact than the "discount" they were excited about in the first place. When you put all of the numbers together, it really starts to make sense right?

3. Knowing What's Actually Happening At The Resort

This one almost never makes it into the promotion at all, and it's exactly why it matters. Resorts go through renovations, soft openings, construction phases, and brand transitions constantly, and a flashy early booking rate on a resort mid-renovation is not the deal it appears to be. We track this through supplier updates, advisory boards, and our own travel, not the resort's marketing photos or social media groups that are more confusing than helpful. Before we ever recommend you jump on an early booking rate, we are checking whether anything is happening on property that would change how that trip actually feels once you're there.

4. So What Should You Actually Be Comparing?

When we sit down with a promotion, we are weighing all of it together: the deposit amount, the change and cancellation terms, what's genuinely included versus what's marketed as included, the seat situation, and what we know about the property itself. The percentage off is one line in that picture, not the whole picture.

That's really the value of working with a travel agent during early booking season. We love a good deal as much as anyone, and we will always tell you when we find one. What we will also always do is tell you the truth about what that deal actually gets you, even when the truth is "this isn't as good as it looks." We'd rather risk a sale than lose your trust.

Quick Answers: Early Booking Promotions

Is the advertised discount the most important part of an early booking deal?

No. The dollar or percentage off is usually the smallest factor. The cancellation and change terms, what's actually bundled in, and the condition of the resort itself typically matter more to the real value of the trip.

What's the most overlooked part of an early booking promotion?

The option to change or cancel. A flexible deposit structure protects you if your plans shift, while a strict one can cost you a large portion of your payment if anything changes after you book.

Does seat selection matter if it's included in the promotion?

Yes. Inclusions of advance seat selection can be worth more than the headline discount, since paying for seats after the fact. This is especially important to keep a family together often costs more than what was "saved" upfront.

How do I know if a resort is mid-renovation before I book?

This information rarely appears in the promotion itself. Travel agents track it through supplier updates and industry sources rather than marketing photos, so it's worth asking before committing to an early booking rate.

Should I still book early booking promotions?

Generally, yes booking ahead can mean better pricing, room categories, and availability. The key is comparing the full terms of the offer, not just the advertised savings.

If you've got an early booking offer sitting in your inbox right now and you're not sure if it's actually worth jumping on, send it our way. We will go through it line by line before you commit a single dollar and help you to book an amazing vacation at an amazing value.

Safe travels!

The Finocchis

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FROM DREAMING TO DOING: WHAT A TRAVEL AGENT BRINGS TO YOUR TRIP

So, you found the destination in your feed. It’s amazing, breathtaking, fun, relaxing, or thrilling. But…what now? Let us show you just a few ways we take it from there.

Guys, we are as guilty as anyone of falling down a travel rabbit hole at 11pm. I mean Tik Tok is full of fun places to explore. A cruise ship gliding into a European port. A family sprinting toward the entrance of Universal Orlando. A cobblestone street in Paris that makes you want to book a flight before you even finish your coffee. Travel content is wonderful and we genuinely love that it gets people excited to explore the world.

What we want to share is what happens next. Because once that spark is lit, there is a whole world of planning between "I want to go there" and "we are actually going." That is the part we live for.

We Check In Before You Leave Home

One of the things our families tell us they appreciate most is that they never have to wonder if everything is taken care of. Before your trip we reach out, walk through every detail together, and make sure you are leaving home feeling completely ready. Not anxious. Not digging through emails at midnight. Ready. Documents, dining, transfers, and what to expect when you arrive. You have already trusted us with the planning, and the least we can do is make sure you feel great about every bit of it before you go.

Everything In One Place

As parents, the most stressful times on vacation is when the kids are needing something and you can’t find the documents, or travel tip that you need in that moment. Every family we work with gets a personalized digital travel package right on their phone. Resort details, show times, excursion bookings, dining reservations, transportation info. After helping you book them all, we have all of it, in one place, in order. Whether you are timing your day around a Disneyland Paris parade or figuring out which port stop is which on a cruise, your whole trip is right there. No hunting through a dozen confirmation emails when you are standing in an airport at 6am. We update the package if anything changes and we let you know the moment it does.

We Know The Suppliers BEHIND The Trip

Throughout the year we attend in-person industry events and spend time building real relationships with the resort teams, cruise lines, tour operators, and destination partners who host our clients. It means that when your family arrives somewhere, there is already a connection on the other end. And when something needs sorting quickly, we know exactly who to call. That is one of those things that is hard to put a price on until the moment you need it. You have a whole network rooting for you!

Trained For Your Trip, Not Just Ours

This one is close to our hearts. It’s one of those things that drives me crazy on the social boards and groups when people ask questions and get the “preference” answers. What is the best food? What is the best time to…? Will my kids be bored? Is it safe? When we travel for professional development, through supplier programs and tourism board training, we are not just experiencing a destination as ourselves. We are learning it through the lens of every type of traveler who might go there. Safety and logistics play a big piece of that. Something that doesn’t “sell” well on the socials.

Take Sandals resorts as an example. There are over a dozen properties across the Caribbean and every single one has its own personality. Some are made for couples who want total seclusion. Others are lively and social, with a scene that goes all day. Some are ideal for a milestone anniversary, others for a first big trip together as a couple. The resort that is absolutely perfect for one couple could genuinely be the wrong fit for another. Knowing which is which, and being honest about that, is a big part of what we do.

The same is true whether we are helping plan a river cruise through France, getting a family ready for Disneyland, building a trip around a once-in-a-lifetime European Soccer event, NFL ticket excursions, or sending newlyweds somewhere that will take their breath away. We learn every option so the advice we give is built around you, not just what happens to be popular.

Travel inspiration is everywhere right now and that is genuinely a wonderful thing. We love that people are dreaming bigger and asking "what if we actually did that?" Our job is to take that feeling and turn it into something real, planned well, and completely right for you. That is what we have been doing for almost ten years. And we would love to do it for you.

Travel is how we love, The Finocchis

Why We Keep Coming Back to the Winona Peach Festival - And Why It Means Everything to Us

If you live in our lush part of Ontario, you know that every August, something happens that reminds us exactly why we do what we do. The Winona Peach Festival comes around, we set up our booth in the Commercial Exhibit area, and within minutes the community finds us!

This year the festival runs August 28, 29 and 30, 2026 at Winona Park on Barton Street - just a short drive from our home in Grimsby, and we are already counting the days. The Winona Peach Festival is one of Ontario's top 100 festivals, completely free to attend, and entirely run by volunteers and not-for-profit organisations. Parking may come at a small cost, but there are shuttles in addition to parking at Puddicombe farms and various stops nearby. That spirit of community giving? It's exactly our kind of place.

IT'S ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN PEACHES

Yes, the peach sundaes are legendary. Yes, the peach pies and cobblers and ice cream are worth every single calorie. But what keeps us coming back year after year isn't just the food it's the people. Our kind of people.

Over the years, the Winona Peach Festival has become one of our favourite ways to meet families from all across Ontario. Families from Hamilton, Toronto, Burlington, Fonthill, and everywhere in between all gathered together in one beautiful, unhurried place. And yes, those peach sundae lines are absolutely worth the wait. We've had some of our best conversations with future clients while standing in line together, peach in hand, nobody in a rush. Just like a vacation, people come to slow down. To be with each other. We don’t know how long these kinds of festivals will last, but we hope it’s forever.

EVEN THE VENDORS BECOME FAMILY

One of our favourite things about returning to the Commercial Exhibit area each year is the vendors we've come to know and love. What started as neighbouring booths has grown into genuine friendships. These are the kind where you pick up right where you left off, year after year. There's something beautiful about that. Just like our Italian routes, the idea that the people around your table, or in this case your booth, become your extended family. That's what the Peach Festival has given us. Thank you SO much if you are one of our tried and true booth buddies!

COMMUNITY, CHARITY, AND PEACH PIE

What makes this festival truly special is its heart. The charitable peach pies and ice cream showcases are delicious (and iconic), but they also represent something we deeply believe in: that food, community, and generosity belong together. The festival is run entirely by many local not-for-profit organisations and every volunteer shows up because they love what this weekend represents. We feel right at home. Some of them have become dear clients to us too. We absolutely adore you guys!

COME FIND US FOR A GIVEAWAY TOO!

So, if you're heading to the Winona Peach Festival this August, come say hello at our booth in the Commercial Exhibit area. Every year we run a giveaway that includes a night's stay in Niagara Falls Canada, a carry-on bag, and other travel goodies. Just visit our tent and fill out a 2 line ballot in person. We'd love to meet you, talk travel, and maybe share a peach sundae. No pressure, no sales pitch, that’s not how we role, or what the festival is about. We will always love a conversation about where your family might go next though.

THIS IS WHY WE TRAVEL AND WHY WE HELP YOU DO THE SAME

At the end of every Peach Festival weekend, we drive home full of peach pie, a little sunburned, and genuinely happy, because we spent three days surrounded by community. By connection. By families enjoying each other.

That feeling of being together, and of the world feeling a little warmer and slower is exactly what we try to create for every family we send on a trip. Community at its core. We hope to see you at the festival folks! Is this up your alley, or do you prefer checking out local businesses in different ways?

Travel With The Finocchis · Grimsby, Ontario · finocchi@playcationtravel.com

Gamers, Get Your Warp Pipes Ready: Super Nintendo World is Coming to Epic Universe! Let's-a Go!

Universal Orlando lovers the rumors were true, the anticipation was real, and now it's finally happening!

To all of the Mario mains, Yoshi enthusiasts, and Donkey Kong devotees – prepare to jump into a world of pure Nintendo fun, because Super Nintendo World is landing at Universal's Epic Universe in 2025! That's right, it's time to dust off your overalls and polish your shells, because we're about to warp into a land bursting with iconic characters, thrilling rides, and delicious treats.

Buckle up Ontario, because we're about to take a victory lap through the three epic attractions that await:

• Yoshi's Adventure: Saddle up on Yoshi's back and embark on a whimsical quest atop Mount Beanpole. Help Captain Toad track down those elusive mystery eggs – who knows what fantastical treasures they hold?

• Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge: Get ready to rev your engines and throw some virtual banana peels! This high-octane ride throws you right into the heart of a Mario Kart race against the infamous Team Bowser. Put your drifting skills to the test, collect coins, and aim for that coveted Golden Cup!

• Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness: Calling all thrill-seekers! Join Donkey Kong on a wild mine cart adventure that's guaranteed to unleash your inner banana-hoarding primate. Hold on tight and get ready for a bumpy, but unforgettable, ride!

But wait! No theme park experience is complete without some truly epic eats. Super Nintendo World will tantalize your taste buds with three unique dining destinations, each serving up themed treats that will have any Nintendo fan cheering for more:

• Toadstool Cafe: Fuel up for your adventures with delightful dishes inspired by the Mushroom Kingdom. Who knows, you might even get a glimpse of Princess Peach!

• Yoshi's Snack Island: Take a break and recharge with refreshing treats that are as adorable as Yoshi himself.

• Turbo Boost Treats: Need a quick sugar rush to keep you going? Turbo Boost Treats will have all sorts of energizing goodies to keep you on top of your game.

So there you have it, folks! The Finocchi family is booking their own Epic adventure for next year, will you be joining us?

We are super confident that Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe is shaping up to be the ultimate destination for gamers of all ages, so come one and come all!

Mark your calendars, grab your Power Stars, and get ready to experience the magic of Nintendo like never before! See you in 2025! Let's-a go Canada!

ACCIO ADVENTURE! These are the top 3 reasons to visit Ireland for a Harry Potter fan!

Accio Adventure! Top 3 Reasons Ireland is a Harry Potter Fan's Dream in 2024

Calling all witches, wizards, and muggles alike! You KNOW that Travel with the Finocchis are magical at creating the perfect Universal Orlando Resort vacation. But we also help you visit the places that inspired these magical books. J.K. Rowling's magical world wasn't just conjured from thin air. The Emerald Isle, Ireland, played a huge role in inspiring the landscapes, locations, and even atmosphere of the beloved Harry Potter series.

For your travel inspired pleasure here at Playcation Travel Ltd, Marco and I have brewed up the top 3 reasons why Ireland should be your 2024 vacation destination for the ultimate Harry Potter fan:

1. Walk Where the Magic Began: The Cliffs of Moher

Remember the breathtaking opening scene of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"? The windswept, dramatic Cliffs of Moher on Ireland's western coast served as the backdrop for this iconic moment. Imagine channeling your inner Harry as you stand where he once did, feeling the invigorating sea spray on your face and gazing out at the endless horizon. Who knows, you might even spot a creature soaring in the distance that could have sprung straight from the pages of a Hogwarts textbook!

2. Step into Hogwarts at Ashford Castle

Ever receive your Hogwarts letter in your dreams? Well, step into a real-life castle that directly inspired the magical school itself! Ashford Castle, a luxurious 5-star hotel nestled in County Mayo, boasts a rich history and an uncanny resemblance to Hogwarts. With its winding staircases, grand fireplaces, and sprawling grounds, it's easy to imagine sorting ceremonies taking place in a majestic hall or students dashing through hidden corridors on their way to class.

3. Explore Magical Villages and Landscapes

Ireland's magic extends far beyond these specific locations. Explore the charming village of Killarney, rumored to be the inspiration for the whimsical Hogsmeade. Visit the enchanting Glendalough valley, with its ancient monastic ruins that could easily be mistaken for hidden corners of Hogwarts grounds. Throughout your journey, keep your eyes peeled for quaint shops and local folklore that might spark your imagination and remind you of your favorite wizarding world moments.

Beyond the Spellbinding Sites

Of course, no trip to Ireland is complete without indulging in a frothy Butterbeer (minus the magical effects) at a cozy pub and immersing yourself in the rich history and culture that continues to inspire countless stories.

Let Us Craft Your Unforgettable Irish Adventure

Travel with the Finocchis specialize in working with fun guided tour itineraries and adding little tips for the ultimate Harry Potter fan. Contact us today and let us help you plan your dream Irish vacation – it'll be an experience that's guaranteed to leave you saying, "Mischief Managed!"

Reflections of the past 18 months, AND sharing our new adventure!

Reflection and New Adventures!

As many of you know by following our Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok channels (@travelwiththefinocchis), we were set to travel RIGHT before the pandemic began.  Literally set to arrive March 12, 2020.

That time was traumatic for so many of you reading along, and it was no different for us.  While our son sat severely ill from the virus at our local children’s hospital, we managed the business as it collapsed, and our lives all changed in an instant.

As we begin our journey on our first international trip since that gloomy week, we’ve chosen to reflect.  And reflect we have.  

It’s been a HOT minute, but we are thrilled to share that our son recovered and that our family is still booking travel for families across the country.

As we reflect, we realize how many times that we could have walked away from the business. Many Ontario travel agents understandably HAD to walk away as paychecks stopped, and wouldn’t start until families travelled again.  Travel agents in aren’t paid until families return from travel.  That meant a very long road ahead for Canadian travel agents!

So, we had to decide what to do. Assign our families to the good hands of others at Pure Magic Vacations to manage?  Encourage people to cancel and move on to others and just move on to a different industry?

Well, we just couldn’t do that.   It felt like we were leaving family. The people that are in our lives everyday, some of you booking 3 and 4 trips a year with us meant that we spoke to you weekly!

We’re not saying that there weren’t moments. There have been and if we are honest, with long hold times, cancellations, and constant change, we still have them (although fewer and far between). We have just refused to let this destroy our passion for helping families re-connect through travel. 

SO many of you small business owners KNOW what we are talking about. So many families affected. You have been our inspiration. You’re dedication encouraged ours.

THAT passion has never changed.  So we hung in there and made a commitment, just like each family does when they commit to travelling together and making memories from amazing adventures. It’s not always without challenges, but the reward is INCREDIBLE.

Now, the light is at the end of the tunnel!!!  We can see it.  With slow, safe, steady steps we have decided that now is the time for us to venture out into the world again, at the same time that you are beginning to visit our email inbox :)

Our adventure this first time is “just us two”.  Our kids are already booked on two vacations for next year, but this year, we needed a MOMENT.  Can I hear an Amen families?!

A moment to focus, a moment to re-connect, a moment to feel the excitement again of boarding the plane, stepping foot onto a cruise ship, smelling the sea air, dining with friends, and finally, experiencing the magic and thrills of our beloved theme park vacation.

There will be new challenges, there will be learning curves, but this time around we feel prepared, and we are determined to learn so that your family has the best level of service going forward in the future.

We hope that you follow along on social media with us.  We LOVE to interact with you, so send us your DMs, comments, and questions.  Let’s make this fun for ALL of us!

To start, we’ll share what will be in store for us this month.

During this vacation, you will Travel with the Finocchis on social media as we: 

• Complete our antigen tests necessary to fly from Toronto, to the US, and also required to board the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

• Head to YYZ for our Air Canada flight to Miami Florida, using the Arrive Can app and other forms

• Fly into Miami, and stay overnight at a Miami airport hotel

• Sail with Royal Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale for 2 nights, 3 days on the new Odyssey of the Seas

• Complete our PCR tests on ship and included with our cruise to return to Canada

• Visit COCO CAY, and show you all that we can

• Rent a car to begin our journey to Orlando!

• Stay overnight at Cabana Bay Resort, at Universal Orlando, with videos of the Holiday celebrations with the Grinch and in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and adding Express Pass to our tickets

• Head to Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort where we will use the Disney Genie+, buy Individual Ride Selections (hopefully) for Rise of the Resistance and Ratatouille. 

• Flying home from Orlando to Toronto with Air Canada again, using the ARRIVE CAN app and other forms necessary

This is the time to ask us questions, follow our channels and take part in the fun! If you haven’t done so yet, remember sign up for reminders to your inbox, so that you can also get an updated on new promotions and offers that we do our best to send weekly.

Thanks for taking the journey with us.  We miss you all, and can’t wait to work with you soon,

Michelle and Marco

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Weekly Round Up! October 29, 2021

Boy was there A LOT to share this week! We are excited to share some of the changes from the Government of Canada and the United States. It doesn’t disappoint!

Government of Canada Lifts Travel Advisory

Last week the Government of Canada lifted it’s non-essential travel advisory. The level 4 Cruise advisory is still in place, although we hope to see some change on that this November.

The United States Government and the CDC lift their travel restrictions for the land border onNovember 8, 2021. PCR tests are still required to return into Canada for all travellers by air and land. Antigen tests are required to fly to the US.

NEW ONBOARD CREDIT OFFER FOR DISNEY CRUISES BOOKED BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2021!

2023 Winter itineraries are available to book with Disney Cruise Line and Pure Magic Vacations is excited to offer an onboard credit for all new bookings between October 20 and December 31, 2021!  Valid for any sailings between now and 2023.  This is a great opportunity to ease the cost of gratuities, help with excursion costs, or shopping! *terms and conditions apply

During Guests’ next visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they can share a first look at the new Disney Cruise Line exhibit now open at Walt Disney Presents.

This one-of-a-kind gallery space features never-before-seen artifacts and photos from the making of the Disney Wish, the newest ship that sets sail in summer 2022.

Some of the unique items on display include:

• A life-size maquette of the Cinderella statue that will grace the Grand Hall;

• An intricately detailed, 5 1/2-foot scale model of the ship;

• Replicas of the Disney Animation maquettes that will adorn the dining rooms at 1923, an elegant family restaurant inspired by the golden age of Hollywood; and

• A scale concept model used to design the larger-than-life stern statue of Rapunzel.

Jamaica makes booking PCR tests less expensive!
Those families staying at resorts will continue to take tests on site by booking an appointment at check in. Details on pricing are available at time of booking and are subject to change. We do not share exact pricing for CoVid tests during the quoting process as things change quickly.

Beginning Oct. 15, DISNEY PIN trading mystery boxes and Mickey-themed boards are introduced as a new, interactive and fun way to trade official Disney Trading Pins. 

Guests can hunt for pins honoring their favorite characters, attractions and so much more on the Mickey-themed pinboards, or be delightfully surprised by choosing a numbered pin from one of the mystery boxes.  If you are booked to travel and are interested in Pin Trading, please let us know and we will update your package information to include details of this new and fun experience.

Favorite Disney characters and Disney Parks icons will soon come to life in immersive new ways at Walt Disney World Resort, as Disney PhotoPass Service and Snap are continuing their collaboration with new augmented reality photo moments!

Combining camera technology developed by Snap with beloved Disney stories, the latest Disney PhotoPass Lenses will be available directly through the My Disney Experience app as part of the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, launched on Oct. 19, 2021. A select sampling of these lenses will also be complimentary through the Snapchat app.*

Your family can ring in the holiday season while sailing through the heart of Europe along the Danube River with Adventures by Disney!

Adventurers will travel to seven unforgettable destinations in three countries on an 8-day/7-night Adventures by Disney vacation. This exclusive sailing with AmaWaterways—a leader in luxury river cruising—will make Guests’ holidays very merry.

Guests can book now and save $500 per person on the Dec. 20, 2021 Holiday Danube River Cruise. This adventure must be booked by Dec. 6, 2021 and availability is limited. Please note that this last-chance offer excludes suites and category E staterooms, is valid on new bookings only and is not combinable with any other offers or promotions.

To learn more, please reach out to us. This is a premium Disney travel experience.

One of Guests’ favorite holiday season traditions is curling up in front of the television to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Disney Cruise Line’s brand-new cruise ship float embarks on its maiden voyage in New York City as part of the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Guests should be sure to gather their friends and family and tune in to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC-TV on Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones.

A few months ago, Disney Cruise Line shared new details about the epic “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” show they are developing for Worlds of Marvel, the fleet’s most ambitious dining experience ever, premiering aboard the Disney Wish next summer.

At Worlds of Marvel, your family will be part of a real-life Avengers mission as they watch some of their favorite heroes in action: Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as The Wasp, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Kerry Condon will also reprise her role as the voice of F.R.I.D.A.Y., and actor Ross Marquand will lend his villainous vocal skills to Ultron.

The show will follow Ant-Man and The Wasp as they host a presentation of the most powerful Super Hero technologies in the world, including a hands-on demonstration of the latest and greatest Pym Tech using
specially designed immersive cinematic technology, including hundreds of screens and special effects embedded throughout.

The Disney Wish first sails in the summer of 2022

New Universal Orlando Resort Promotion! Buy 3 Days Get 2 Days Free! What a fun way to experience Mardi Gras as a family, and with great value too. If you are hoping for an late winter or early spring visit, this is a must! *this promotional ticket is only available as part of a vacation package purchase- it cannot be purchased ticket only.

Valid if travel is booked 10/20/21 – 5/5/22 and travelled 1/13/2022 – 12/15/2022

Dreams Resorts are offering a quarantine period at no additional cost

This is subject to change at any time. A great offer, in combination with a last minute promotion saving families up to 40% on some dates.

Have a spooky Halloween everyone!

Marco and Michelle

Weekly Round UP 4 - October 7, 2021

Well hello gorgeous!  Thanks for joining us on this week’s round up with the Finocchis.

Before we begin, ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’ is available on Disney+ today.  We’ve added a link to the trailer at the bottom of this post for you to enjoy!  We’ve also included a link to a fun Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat Cornucopia craft for Thanksgiving!

This week the update will include: 

• Major additions and magic for Walt Disney World Resort guests

• Links to get a quote and/or more information on the Star Wars:  Star Cruiser experience (Booking begins on October 28, 2021!)

• Cruise line updates

• Government of Canada update to entry/exit requirements

• Tips on booking All Inclusive resorts with regards to pricing and protocols

Government of Canada Entry/Exit Requirements

• Starting October 30, 2021: To depart from Canadian airports or travel on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, travellers will need to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller. This will also apply to travellers on cruise ships when the cruise season commences in 2022.  www.travel.gc.ca

• The US Government will begin their proof of vaccination requirement at all borders in November.   Currently, we await information and updates from the CDC to confirm of mixed vaccinations will be acceptable to cross into the US.

• Travelling to the Caribbean or beyond?  We can share entry and exit requirements with your family once you have decided to book with Pure Magic Vacations.  At this time, specifics on entry and exit requirements are shared at time of booking.  Due to each resort and hotel chain having different options, it is impossible to detail with every quote, as each resort, country and even region has their own list of specific requirements. Once you have narrowed down your choice, we can send the specifics at time of booking.

Walt Disney World Resort

As most of you know, October 1st marked the beginning of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebrations.  If you are hoping to book for winter and early spring, please reach out soon.  The resorts are filling fast due to vaccinated international travellers from Europe and the UK arriving into the United States beginning this November.

Are you wondering what has changed or has been added to Walt Disney World these days?  Well, let’s take a look!

• Virtual Queue for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Begins Oct. 1

• Muppets Haunted Mansion is celebrated at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.  Check out the spooky activities here: https://bit.ly/2YtZPVN

• More information to come on this one. Walt Disney World is to debut “Hey Disney” in a partnership with Amazon in each resort room.  It’s a custom assistant, using Disney stories, characters  – all built on Amazon’s Alexa technology. - Whether Guests are at home or in one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms, soon they’ll be able to use an Echo device to interact with their favorite Disney, Pixar or Star Wars characters. - Guests can expect a few surprises!

• We’re not crossing land borders just yet, but look at what Southwest airlines is up to!  Southwest Airlines unveiled a very special 737-700 — dramatically pixie-dusted, nose to tail, in colorful graphics commemorating the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort. That’s the photo that you saw in today’s email :)

• MagicBand+ is coming to Walt Disney World Resort in 2022.  MagicBand+ will be available for purchase beginning next year, including a discounted, pre-arrival price for Disney Resort hotel guests as well as new and renewing Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Current MagicBands will continue to be available (*additional cost now applies), too, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices.

• Calling all Marvel Fans! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, will debut in 2022 at EPCOT.  It’s a family fun adventure “story” coaster experience with the ability to turn 360 degrees!

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a revolutionary new 2-night experience where you and your group will embark on a first-of-its-kind Star Wars adventure that’s your own. It’s the most immersive Star Wars story ever created—live a bespoke experience and journey further into a Star Wars adventure than you ever dreamed possible.⁣

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝘀: 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:⁣ https://www.disneytravelcenter.com/eb0f54f9ba/

2-night stay in a cabin or suite⁣

🔸Ongoing, immersive and interactive entertainment, where choices determine your experience*⁣

🔸Food and beverages on the starcruiser (excluding alcoholic and specialty beverages) and a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or other select locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios**⁣

🔸Admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for your planetary excursion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge⁣

🔸Valet parking⁣

🔸Exclusive Star Wars: 🔸Galactic Starcruiser databand (known on your home planet as a MagicBand)⁣

Room types include:⁣

🔸Standard Cabin - sleeps 4 to 5⁣

🔸Galaxy Class Suite - sleeps 4⁣

🔸LIMITED Grand Captain Suite - Two bedroom, sleeps 8⁣

Pricing varies by season, but this IS a premium experience.  Your family budget will be similar to a one week stay at Walt Disney World for this incredible adventure!⁣

If you are interested in more information, please click this link  We'll send pricing samples, and more details on your personalized experience.

www.finocchiatputemagicvacations.ca/starcruiservoyage

Cruise Line Updates

• Disney Cruise sailings will not include the dining rotation on the Key to the World Cards.  Once onboard the ship, Guests will be encouraged to check the My Plans section of their Disney Cruise Line (DCL) Navigator App for all dinner details, including their restaurant rotation, arrival time, table number, menus and recommended attire.  Don’t worry, we’ll explain it all before you sail!

• Conde Nast Traveler Readers Recognize Disney Cruise Line as the Best 10 Years in a Row

• The Disney Wish will include TWO new magical experiences at Disney’s Oceaneer Club aboard the Disney Wish next summer: Star Wars: Cargo Bay and Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck! 

• Royal Caribbean extends their reduced final payment window, and offers promotions to sail for 2022

All Inclusive Tips for late Spring and early Summer

• Hoping to travel to the Caribbean or Mexico in late spring/early summer of 2022?  Here’s what we know: 

1. Testing opportunities and quarantine costs have a high likelihood of changing before then.  Many are changing this month!  If you are on a super tight budget, it may be best to wait until you know more.  Right now, we can’t take a guess as to what a covid test or quarantine will cost during those months.  If you have some flexibility in your budget, it’s a great time to secure your spot.  www.travel.gc.ca

2. People are booking.  Most Canadian suppliers have flexible cancellation policies when you purchase their travel protection.  

3. Not all locations are “fully” open.  Much of Cuba, some of the Dominican Republic, and some of Mexico are not being serviced just yet by every airline.  

4. Cuba is still on our preferred “do not book” list.  They are still struggling with some civil unrest issues and haven’t become super clear on what happens during a quarantine.  Most hotel brands have separate divisions for their Cuban resorts, so what applies in one country at their hotel may not apply in a different country

5. Most resorts do not cover a quarantine period if you test positive for Covid.  Some of the ones that say they do, only do so for American guests.   Many resorts have reasonable rates for a quarantine stay, so we are currently quoting all resorts, whether they cover the cost of the quarantine or not.  More updates to come!

That’s it for this week! As we head into our holiday weekend, here’s a little quote that helps us get into the spirit of Thanksgiving.

“The more you are in a state of gratitude, the more you will attract things to be grateful for” - Walt Disney 

Don’t forget to check out the awesome Cornucopia craft link below, and the Muppets Haunted Mansion trailer.

Wishing you a weekend full of magic, health and happiness.  As always, we are grateful for YOU.

The Finocchis 

Weekly Round Up 3 - September 24, 2021

US Border requirements change, Spotlight on the Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line updates it’s testing policies, Royal Caribbean extends their cancellation options, Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary updates, and more!

It's that time again! 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱-𝗨𝗽! ⁣

Baha Bay Water Park - Bahamas

This week we start our round up adventure in the Bahamas.

On Nassau (mainland) the very anticipated Baha Bay water park is open and thrilling guests. There are 24 total slides, two uphill water coasters, and a FlowCurl surf simulator, 2 infinity pools, and 30 cabanas. Guests not staying at one of the 3 Baha Mar properties may have access to the water park for a fee. It’s a much needed addition to the Bahama.

Margaritaville Beach Resort - Nassau

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁, with its own water park and entertainment complex is also now open! You won’t be running out of things to do with your tweens and teens at this resort.

On Paradise Island the Comfort Suites have some renovated suites . Maybe more importantly, registered guests of Comfort Suites Paradise Island will be able to enjoy access to the amenities of the three Paradise Island SAFE ZONE properties including the Atlantis Casino, Marina Village, Ocean Club Golf Course, Aquaventure Waterpark and Mandara Spa⁣

𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, Canadians will need to show Covid19 vaccination records and a negative antigen or PCR test to enter the United States if travelling by air ⁣. Land borders remain closed until Oct. 21, 2021.Those who have the negative test and proof of vaccination will not have to quarantine/isolate upon arrival⁣ Currently, Canadians with mixes of MRNA and AstraZeneca vaccines are not considered fully vaccinated by the US Government. ⁣ Remember to always check www.travel.gc.ca for Canadian requirements. Our clients travelling within 2021 will get an update as soon as the government has released the details on their site.

Disney Cruise Line

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 adjusts their Pre-Cruise testing to say: The pre-trip COVID-19 test should be a NAAT test, rapid PCR test or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen and antibody tests are not accepted.⁣ If you are cruising or thinking of cruising click here for the KNOW BEFORE YOU SAIL real time updates

𝗥𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗻 has extended the popular Cruise with Confidence program to bookings confirmed on or before October 31, 2021 and sailing through April 30, 2022. ⁣ This program adds cancellation flexibility, and a Best Price Guarantee up to 48 hours before you sail *terms and conditions apply **subject to change

🏰𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝟱𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭!⁣

The Virtual Queue for 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝘆’𝘀 Ratatouille adventure begins October 14⁣, 2021. This means that guests must add themselves to the virtual queue before boarding the attraction. Stand by queues will not be available at first. What is a virutal queue at Walt Diseny World Resort? The virtual queue system allows theme park Guests to join a line right from their My Disney Experience app when boarding groups open each day.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹 at Walt Disney World Resort is now celebrating the 50th Anniversary with a limited time menu. Click Here ⁣for the updated dinner menu!

⁣Have a fantastic weekend everyone!⁣

Weekly Round-up 2 - September 17, 2021

There are so many updates this week! From changes for riding Rise of the Resistance to construction continuing on Universal’s Epic Universe Park, and Royal Caribbean announcing a new ship, let’s get started!

Depending on your interest, we’ll start with the Disney Destinations, move to Universal, All Inclusive resort and family tours, and finish with the Cruise lines Just scroll down to where you are interested most!

Walt Disney World Resort

• NEW and highly anticipated restaurant opening at EPCOT this September. Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT: More Details and Menus Revealed. Walk up reservations will be taken until September 27, 2021 when Advance Dining Reservations will available via My Disney Experience : CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

• EPCOT will be introducing their new fireworks display on October 1, 2021. This is the beginning of the 50th Anniversary Most Magical Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. Bringing the Global Music of ‘Harmonious’ to Spectacular Life on World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT can be found HERE

• Experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Like Never Before at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Beginning September 23, 2021, use of the virtual queue will be paused at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. A limited stand-bye queue will be available, and changes are anticipated again once Walt Disney World implements the Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ this fall

• It’s Like Coming Home! Cirque du Soleil Artists Thrilled to Be Together and Rehearsing for Drawn to Life at Disney Springs . You can watch a fun Behind the scenes on this new Cirque de Soleil experience here . Booking tickets for this experience is part of our services to you, so please reach out and let us know if you are interested in seeing this amazing show.

• Replacing MouseGears, we welcome Creations Shop, EPCOT’s New Flagship Merchandise Destination. Club Cool, where you can experience the sodas from around the world has also re-opened in a new location at EPCOT. Fresh paint, new merch, and lots of fun things to explore. The layout looks a lot closer to the shopping venues at Disney Springs with open spaces.

• Disney is updating the Finding Nemo Musical Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park The show will re-open in 2022

• Are you hoping to watch fireworks in that perfect location without sitting in a crowd? Enhance Your Evening with New and Returning Dessert Parties and Dinner Packages at Walt Disney World Resort. Booking these experiences is also included in our services, and should be included in your requests at your Disney Dining booking date 60 days before your arrival

• First Look: Steakhouse 71 Menus, Opening Soon at Disney’s Contemporary Resort! Replacing the Wave restaurant a new and updated experience is sure to make a steak lover feel the magic! Click here to view the menu

• Beloved ‘Candlelight Processional’ Returns Nov. 26 for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

• Disney Cruise Line’s Pre-Cruise PCR COVID-19 Testing Option review. Cruising updates should be reviewed on a monthly basis. The rules and regulations are changing rapidly, and the rules differ for Canadians and Americans. Please contact us if you would like an update to your cruise vacation. We can only share updates with clients booking or currently booked at this time due to ever changing regulations.

• Safe Access Oahu Program at Aulani a Disney Resort and Spa. Effective Sept. 13, 2021, all Aulani Resort food & beverage outlets, including quick service and takeaway, will be restricted to resort guests only. Per City & County of Honolulu guidelines, they will require proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours for all guests ages 12 and older dining on property. We will be updating our Hawaii specialist program as we begin to book Hawaii again for this coming spring season. Click here for a short glimpse into the magic that is Aulani

Universal Orlando Resort

• Construction Resumes on Universal’s Epic Universe. Home to Orlando’s first Super Mario Land, How to Train Your Dragon, Classic Monsters and Fantastic Beasts will all have a home at this new theme park slated to open in 2023

• Strike a Pose & Dance With Your Favorite DreamWorks Characters in “Dreamworks Destination” Guests can meet, greet and dance along with their favorite DreamWorks characters in an incredibly-themed location that brings the high-energy fun of the franchise’s most popular animated films to life.

• The Bourne Stuntacular live show has started! THE CHASE IS ON.

All Inclusive Vacations

• Cuba reduces their entry requirements. Civil unrest is still an ongoing issue.

• Many countries and resort chains will begin to offer their own travel insurance, and ensure vaccination of their employees in order to protect tourism rates in their countries.

• Sandals Resorts is offering limited time quarantine and testing options at their own cost

Cruise Lines Updates

• MSC Divina Begins Cruising From New U.S. Homeport Port Canaveral

• Royal Caribbean introduces a new ship in 2022. The Oasis class ship will be named “ The Wonder of the Seas”. She wills ail in March of 2022 from Fort Lauder dale for a few weeks, and will move to Europe from there.

• Royal Caribbean offers 60% Off the Second Guest, 30% off the 3rd/4th Guest, and many more promotions for the month of September. If you would like a quote for a Royal Caribbean Sailing please click here

As you can see, this week was a busy one. We’re always here to be of service to your vacation planning needs. Concierge services, experienced, no fees, and easy to reach.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Marco and Michelle

finocchi@puremagicavacations.ca

Avengers Campus Opens at Disneyland Resort

There isn't much to say beyond how thrilled we are that this is even happening.

Our family is a decidedly Marvel Universe loving family. These movies and shows are our go to when we are celebrating, feeling sad, or just want to get pumped up (Thor Ragnarok, we're looking at you!)

So to know, that once again Disney parks has offered a place to visit and soak in the Marvelness of our dreams, well, our family can't wait to experience it all! A new Spiderman attraction, revisiting the Guardians of the Galaxy's version of the Tower of Terror (Rocket is the star here!), eating at Pym's kitchen, watching Dr. Strange teach some fantastic moves and finally, learning to FIGHT alongside The Black Panther's Dora Milaje!!!

We're here for it Disney. We're here for it. Check out the grand opening video with a more detailed description of the experience and a little shawarma surprise at the end 😉⛩️🐉

May the Fourth be with you🌟

Did you know that the term May the Fourth be with you actually originated from an ad campaign Margaret Thatcher's team created for her government in 1979?

From then on it was widely used on May 4 to bring everyone together in their love of Star Wars!

Check out this video we have to get you excited for the BIG day!

Walt Disney World Opens 2022 package Bookings Four Months Early!

That’s right. Disney has opened booking for the first half of 2022 four months EARLY.

As of today, February 16, 2021, families can book a Walt Disney World Resort package for stays up to July 1, 2022. Normally, we are able to book the next year’s packages beginning in the summer, but with the pandemic changing EVERYTHING about travel, Disney has once again plussed the magic and given us a late valentine.

There are things you should consider to make things easier to decide on whether or not your family should book a Disney vacation right now.

All that is required to book your vacation is a refundable, and movable $200 USD deposit. This makes an onsite Walt Disney World vacation one of the most flexible to move and book for your family. A flexible deposit policy is SO important during these new times.

Promotions can be added to your vacation when they are released at a later date based on availability. That is one of the ways having us work for you saves you time and money! Disney doesn’t release promotions when they release rates. Those usually become available a few months before you arrive. We always advise your family to book a vacation that you can afford before the promotion. That way, now matter what happens, you are ready for it, and extra savings just mean more fun while onsite.

Park availability is not guaranteed for entry due to new and safe capacity restraints, so your family will be guided into booking Park Pass reservations within 24 hours of booking your vacation. Don’t stress. We guide you through it! It’s not super tough, and one of the first things that we do as your travel planner is begin to figure out what parks you may want to visit. We look at alot of factors, so make sure to have a quick conversation with us after you book to make the decisions.

Our services are at no cost to you. When you look at pricing online, you’ll notice that it’s exactly the same as when we send you a quote. This is because travel suppliers include the commission in their pricing. You’re literally paying them to do all of the work when you book direct. But when you book with us, you're getting years of travel and Disney travel experience, helpful hints and more ALL based on YOUR family’s preferences.

How do our services work? We will send you a quote, book your fast passes, plan transportation to and from your resort, and help with every part of the planning that we can for you. Magical express isn’t available for 2022, so we’ll look at those options for you closer to your vacation as well. We have many relationships with transportation suppliers in the Orlando area and can take that stress away from you wherever possible.

Flights cannot be booked by us at this time. We’re going to wait until Canada removes those restrictions to get a better look at policy and procedure for 2022 flights.

Please read the Know Before you Go section for information on the current safety protocols for a visit to Walt Disney World. As of now, masks in the park will be required for a 2022 visit. This can change at anytime. We’ll keep you updated, but there is no point in guessing how Disney will be managing the pandemic next year (let’s just pray that it will be over lol). Book knowing that there could still be some restrictions to the experience in some ways, and added magic in others.

The Disney Dining Plan is still unavailable at this time. If it becomes available, we will request the addition to your package. Ya, we’re just like you guys, we want it back, and we want it bad. Disney and food are literally married. It’s a thing.

Walt Disney World is celebrating its 50th ANNIVERSARY in 2022! Stay tuned for extra magical experiences and fun additions as we get closer to your stay. And in true Disney fashion, we have NO doubt that the magic will be CRAZAY awesome for 2022.

Don’t forget to request a quote here: www.finocchiatpuremagicvacations.ca/requestinfo or just send us a quick email: finocchi@puremagicvacations.ca

It feels like a new beginning for travel. I hope that we can be a part of the fun with you when you’re ready!

The Finocchi Family brings Epcot home with Poppin' Cookin’

Our newest video is up on You Tube! As we try to beat the lockdown blues, we are enjoying some of our favourite Epcot finds from the Japanese Pavilion store at home this month. This video is for the family, so sit back with the kids and enjoy. 🇯🇵

How to “up” your vacation photo game

Last night we had a super fun chat with 📸 @𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 's Jamie Hamilton. She gave us a few great tips on how to take better vacation photos with our families!⁣ ⁣

1. Crouch low with your camera to make the kids more comfortable⁣ ⁣

2. Take pictures of the kids watching fireworks or that perfect beach sunset instead of the event itself⁣ ⁣

3. Don't stress! Be in the moment and move on if your little one (or teens) aren't into it!⁣ ⁣

I may just share a few of my favourite tips too!⁣ ⁣

Check out the full interview below and don't forget to subscribe for more family travel tips!⁣ ⁣

Straight outta Hogwarts!

This week we are focusing on Universal Orlando, and our beloved Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter.

Our middle child has been obsessed with Harry Potter since he could read, and he asked that we make a homemade BUTTERBEER recipe. This is on the agenda this week, so make sure you are following us on instagram and facebook for videos (wish us luck!) while we create this fun recipe.

Click Here to find the easy BUTTERBEER RECIPE we love

Delish.com has a simple recipe to follow!

For the thrill seekers in your family, you have to try the #universalathome activities. This site hosts many of the favourite Universal Orlando attractions that we love and allows you to experience the VIRTUAL RIDE versions of them! This may be the only way I try Rip Ride Rocket! Visit Universal Orlando’s site here: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/universal-orlando-resort/universal-at-home

Universal’s Rip Ride Rocket - blog.universalorlando.com

Wizardingworld.com is one of our favourite sites to visit as fans of this awesome franchise, but first things first! We have to DISCOVER OUR HOGWARTS HOUSE. You will have to create a login for this very popular experience, but we think the site is worth it! If you don’t want to create a login, Buzzfeed has a fun quiz too. By the way, I belong to GRYFFINDOR. My husband and two of the kids belong to Hufflepuff. Finally, one of the kids belongs to Ravenclaw. We’re a mixed bunch, just don’t look here for any Slytherin members…although, we could all do with more Professor Snape in our lives :)

Click here to DISCOVER YOUR HOGWARTS HOUSE

Photo from Businessinsider.com

If you are a big Harry Potter Fan, or Potterhead as many call themselves, you HAVE to check out this new experience. The books are where it all began, and the Wizarding World site has AMAZED us with the Daniel Radcliffe himself reading the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Many other celebrities will lend their voices as well.

Make sure to have your books with you. What an amazing experience to have with your favourite Harry Potter fans! CLICK HERE for the reading of “The Boy Who Lived”

Image from CNN.com

We still have a stay booked at Universal Orlando resort for later this summer. While we wait to see how this “virus that shall not be named” continues, we’ll keep following along with our favourite Harry Potter activities at home. How have you brought your favourite Universal experience home with you? Let us know in the comments!

May The 4th Be With You!

Today is Star Wars day, and we have put together some fun activities to try with your family for the rest of the week!

Our family with Chewbacca at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

Who loves to colour? Do activity sheets? Check out these amazing options that we’ve added to our Pinterest page. If you can’t find what you like, there are many many more to find on Pinterest.

Baby Yoda Colouring pages!

How many of you have been lucky enough to build a Droid from the Droid Depot in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge? Well Disney has done it again, and boy is this exciting with a new interactive app that will bring those Droids to life in your home! Haven’t had a chance to build one yet? There’s some fun to be had for you too! Click the button below to find out more details from the Disney Parks Blog.

For those of you who love to paint, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library is hosting a live video with Create with Kasia today at 4pm.

Let’s paint Baby Yoda together today!

• If you love to bake, we were inspired by our visit to the Station One Coffee House in our hometown of Grimsby, Ontario last year! We even won a contest because we showed up wearing something fun that represented Star Wars. Want to try baking those Star Wars cupcakes this week? Here is one way how: STAR WARS CUPCAKES HERE

Station One Coffee House

If you are a trivia geek, you CANNOT miss playing some fun Star Wars Trivia this week on Kahoot! You’ll have to create an account to play this (check with the kids, many of them use this at school with their teachers!). There are tonnes of Star Wars Trivia options, and if you get REALLY good, you can even create your own to play with your friends and family online! To play Kahoot Star Wars Trivia, CLICK HERE

A Fun Trivia Site/App!

We hope that this has inspired you to have a little fun today and maybe even for the week! If you have any fun Star Wars activities you’d like to share that would be great to share with other families, please comment below!

Answering YOUR top 5 FAQs about booking Future Travel during the Coronavirus Pandemic

We’ve been compiling your TOP 5 questions about how and when to book future travel during the Coronavirus Pandemic. These are our opinions based on years of experience, and knowledge obtained before May 1, 2020.