05/07/2026
My Spring Break
Be a Travel Advisor, Even if the Client is Me
The rush was on to start planning.
First thing? Get support for my son while I am away. I called Liz, a young woman who comes one or two mornings a week so that I can run errands. She told me that she would be available the week of May 16-23. I had a target date.
Next: How do I want to feel? What do I want to do? What is the purpose? The dream? These are crucial questions that I ask my clients when they come to me.
Most people have a destination in mind. But most important is the purpose and the dream. That leads to the destination.
I knew I had to be somewhere close to our home. It had to be a beautiful and elegant place (part of my dream). And it had to be easy to plan and execute. I make decisions all day long, both about our business and about our life. At the moment of my life decisions are overrated.
What I want: 1. Make as few decisions as possible. 2. Rest a lot, but also have something to do, in case I get bored with all that resting. 3. Be close to home. 4. Be in a beautiful place.
Close to home is important because, well…life!
Last year I had a chance to go to Italy. My family was all for it. We had a plan, they were cheering me on, I was all set. Then my husband landed in the hospital. That episode showed me that going far away wasn’t realistic.
But because we are in San Diego, which is such a beautiful city, it isn’t difficult to find a gorgeous place close by.
I narrowed down my choices to the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, or the Grand California hotel in Disneyland.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines is, what can I say, an amazing place. The hotel is exquisite, I could get room service delivered if a wanted, I could go to the spa. What’s not to like? But the problem is that if I decide that I am tired of resting, there isn’t a lot to do close by. I am not a golfer or much of a sports person.
The Grand California at Disneyland is one of my favorite places in the world. It is magnificent. The lobby is stunning, and I can sit and listen to the piano player for hours. I also can go to the spa, and I can visit the parks or Downtown Disney if I get tired of so much beauty.
Disneyland is almost like home. For many years we were annual passholders. We would take our grandchildren and have a great time. I am not much into rides, but I know the placed well. I know where the best food is. I know where the shady places are. I can sit and people watch all day. The grounds are whimsical and beautiful. It can be elegant or funky, take your choice.
The bonus, the train ride from San Diego’s iconic Santa Fe station to modern Anaheim station is lovely. The train hugs the coast. The view of the Pacific is relaxing.
I was narrowing down my choice. Until I remembered a conversation with a friend a few months back. It was about another iconic place, beautiful and relaxing, and a short distance from San Diego. There was another great option.
Stay tuned.
