Emilie Explores - Travel Advisor

21/09/2026

One of the reasons I love travel has very little to do with checking places off a list. 🌍✈️

Travel has taught me that there are so many different ways to live, experience a community, spend your time, share a meal, raise a family, or simply go about your day.

Not necessarily better. Not necessarily worse.

Just different. 🌏

And sometimes, experiencing that difference changes the way you look at your own life.

I've had trips where the big, obvious moments were incredible—but it's often the smaller moments that stay with me.

A conversation.

A meal.

Something I saw from a vehicle window.

The way a place felt at a particular moment.

And here's the thing: the moment that stays with me may not be the moment that stays with you. 🤝

That's one of the things I love most about helping people plan travel.

I'm not just trying to put together a trip that looks amazing on paper.

I want to understand what you're hoping to experience.

What have you always dreamed of seeing? ✨

What makes you stop and say, “I have to do that someday”?

What kind of moments would make you come home and think, “I'm so glad we did this”?

Because those are the details I want to build your trip around.

Travel isn't just about where you've been.

Sometimes it's about what you come home understanding that you didn't understand before. 🌟

What's a travel experience that has stayed with you long after you came home?

18/09/2026

How much does an African safari actually cost? 🦁🌍

If you’ve started researching an African safari, you’ve probably noticed one frustrating thing: prices can vary a lot.

So what should you actually expect to spend?

The honest answer is that there isn’t one price for an African safari.

For 2026 planning, a comfortable mid-range safari can commonly fall around $350–$800 per person, per day, while luxury safari experiences can reach $1,000–$3,500+ per person, per day depending on the destination, season, accommodations, and level of exclusivity. These are general planning ranges, and international airfare is typically separate.

So what affects the cost?

🌍 Destination — Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia all have different pricing.

📅 Time of year — Peak wildlife seasons can cost more.

🏕️ Accommodation — Your lodge or camp makes a significant difference.

🚙 Private vs. shared game drives — Private vehicles offer more flexibility, while shared experiences can change the overall investment.

✈️ Transportation — Some itineraries require regional flights or charter aircraft.

🦒 Park fees & experiences — These can also be a meaningful part of the total.

And this is where I think thoughtful planning matters.

My job isn't to find you the cheapest safari.

It's to understand what you actually want to experience and help you decide where your travel investment will make the biggest difference.

Maybe that's a private vehicle. Maybe it's a particular lodge location. Maybe an es**rted group is the right fit. Or maybe it's choosing a completely different safari destination.

There isn't one “right” way to experience Africa.

The right safari is the one that fits the experience you're hoping to have.

If an African safari is on your bucket list but you're not sure what kind of investment to expect, send me a message. Let's talk about what you're dreaming of. 🌍

Save this post if an African safari is on your travel wish list.

16/09/2026

I love adventure 🌍✨. I just don't think adventure means being uncomfortable.

For me, the best trips are the ones that give you the opportunity to experience something completely outside of your everyday life—and then give you a comfortable place to come back to at the end of the day. 😊

Maybe it's watching elephants in the early morning light 🐘. Maybe it's sharing a meal and learning about a culture that's completely different from your own. Maybe it's seeing something you've dreamed about for years and realizing, I'm actually here.

And then, at the end of that day, having a beautiful, comfortable place where you can rest and reflect on everything you've just experienced.

That's my kind of adventure.

It's also what I love about helping people plan travel. I don't think everyone's perfect trip looks the same. What stays with me from a destination may be completely different from what becomes a lifelong memory for you.

My job is to listen, ask the right questions, and help you find those experiences that will make your trip feel truly meaningful to you.

So tell me—when you picture your dream adventure, what's the one experience you absolutely don't want to miss?

18/08/2026

☘️ DEAL OF THE WEEK: Escape to Ireland!

Ready to check Ireland off your bucket list? Join this incredible 7-day Irish adventure, March 19–26, 2027, starting at just $2,715 per person!

✈️ Round-trip airfare from St. Louis included!

Experience some of Ireland’s most iconic sights and traditions, including:
☘️ The breathtaking Cliffs of Moher
🏰 Blarney Village & Kilkenny
🌊 A scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry
☕ An authentic Irish Coffee demonstration & tasting
🍽️ A welcome dinner in Dublin

Your package also includes your 7-day es**rted tour, accommodations, 6 breakfasts & 2 dinners!

Ireland is calling—and at this price, it’s a great time to go. 💚 Space and pricing are subject to availability, so don’t wait if this trip has been on your wish list!

📲 Call or text 573-651-0088
📧 [email protected]

Message us for the full itinerary and details! ☘️✈️

11/08/2026

This Greece deal is almost too good to be true! 🇬🇷🇬🇷

10/08/2026

Nobody tells you these things before your first safari — until now. 🐆🌍 Swipe for 5 tips covering everything from lodge etiquette to why patience can beat a long lens every single time.

And if “go on safari” has been sitting on your bucket list, this could be your sign! ✈️ Join 1st Class Travel on our next es**rted group safari to South Africa with National Geographic Journeys. Experience incredible wildlife, unforgettable landscapes, Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, and more — all while traveling with a group and an es**rt from 1st Class Travel.

🦁 Ready to make “someday” happen? Learn more about the trip and how to sign up here:
https://natgeo-cape-kruger-10day-8ypas39.gamma.site/

Send this to the friend you’d want sitting next to you on the safari vehicle! 🐘🦒

04/08/2026

Who's ready for an African Safari?! 🌍🦒

This week's Travel Tuesday deal is a National Geographic Journey through South Africa that you won't want to miss! ✈️🌍 This all-inclusive package takes care of just about everything - your flights from St. Louis, rides from Cape Girardeau, places to stay, most of your meals, and every incredible guided experience. July 29-August 10, 2027, from $8,399 per person or single occupancy from $9,599 per person. 🐘🦓 Limited spots available and roommate matching offered!

Stop by our office on August 25th at 6PM for a travel presentation on this amazing trip! Ready to book now? Call/text (573) 651-0088 or email [email protected]!

04/08/2026

Travel with me to South Africa!

Who's ready for an African Safari?! 🌍🦒

This week's Travel Tuesday deal is a National Geographic Journey through South Africa that you won't want to miss! ✈️🌍 This all-inclusive package takes care of just about everything - your flights from St. Louis, rides from Cape Girardeau, places to stay, most of your meals, and every incredible guided experience. July 29-August 10, 2027, from $8,399 per person or single occupancy from $9,599 per person. 🐘🦓 Limited spots available and roommate matching offered!

Stop by our office on August 25th at 6PM for a travel presentation on this amazing trip! Ready to book now? Call/text (573) 651-0088 or email [email protected]!

28/07/2026

Who needs some sunshine before winter descends on us in the Midwest? 🌴🌺

What's this week's Travel Tuesday Deal? 🌴

Your dream Hawaii vacation! ✨
We've put together an amazing package for December 3-9, 2026 starting at just $1,299 per person from St. Louis. 🚀

You'll get round-trip airfare, 5 nights on beautiful Oahu, airport transfers, AND the Grand Circle Island Tour that covers everything from the Halona Blowhole to North Shore's legendary surf spots. 🌊

Everything is taken care of so you can just enjoy paradise! ☀️ Pricing is subject to change based on availability, so don't wait!

Message us today to secure your spot! 📩

28/07/2026

What if I told you there are only 12 spots available for the adventure of a lifetime?

Our South Africa Safari with National Geographic Journeys is officially open for booking! This is the kind of experience that travelers dream about—4 days on safari searching for the Big Five, exploring Cape Town and Johannesburg, visiting a cheetah conservation project, and choosing between whale watching or w**e country. Every moment is designed to immerse you in the magic of South Africa.

Here's what makes this extra special: we'll be es**rting this small group of just 12 travelers throughout our entire journey from July 29 through August 10, 2027. This intimate group size means personalized attention, deeper connections, and an experience that feels truly meaningful. Families are welcome too—ages 7 and up can join, making this perfect for multigenerational adventures!

With only 12 spots and deposits due by September 30, this opportunity won't last long. If you've been waiting for a sign to book that African safari—this is it! Comment "SOUTH AFRICA" below or send us a message to receive the complete itinerary and pricing. Your adventure awaits! 🦁✨