Second Star Travels

10/13/2026

When you plan a vacation, you're investing more than just money.

You're investing time in the planning, precious vacation days, and a whole lot of anticipation. There's an emotional investment, too.

And then you finally arrive. You take that deep breath you've been holding and think, We're here. Vacation has officially begun!

Most of the time, the story continues with a favorite meal, an incredible beach you discovered, or that perfect little spot you can't wait to tell everyone about.

But sometimes, things don't go according to plan.

An accident, an unexpected illness, or, as in our case last week, a hurricane can bring your vacation to an abrupt end.

You never want these things to happen, but how you prepare and how you respond can make a big difference in how you remember the experience.

Before we left for Sandestin, I knew there was a potential tropical threat. I even called the resort that morning to check on conditions.

Based on the information we had, we decided to go. We knew we had travel insurance, and because we were driving, we could head home if necessary.

Of course, being a travel advisor, I had to laugh about who I was supposed to call for help. Myself?

But it also reminded me of something I tell my clients. When travel plans change unexpectedly, it helps to have someone who knows what questions to ask, what options to explore, and where to turn for answers.

Even with all my years of experience, I couldn't change the circumstances. But I knew what steps to take next.

Was I disappointed when we had to evacuate less than 24 hours after arriving? Absolutely!

But instead of looking at it as a completely ruined vacation, Jon and I have been able to laugh about our "shortest vacation ever."

We enjoyed what little time we had, made some memories, and now have a pretty good story to tell!

And Sandestin? Well, now we have a great reason to go back.

My travel tip: You can't control everything that happens when you travel, but you can prepare for the unexpected. Understand your options, consider appropriate travel protection, and give yourself a little room for flexibility.

Sometimes the best travel stories aren't the ones we planned.

10/13/2026

This is a good reminder.

REMINDER!
If you renew your passport online, your current passport is immediately canceled when you submit your application. That means you cannot use it for international travel. Only renew your passport online if you have no travel planned for the next 6 weeks. Get step-by-step instructions and everything you need to know about the online renewal process here: travel.state.gov/renewonline

10/12/2026

We didn't get the week we'd planned, but we certainly enjoyed the little time we had!

On our first (and only!) evening in Sandestin, we wandered around Baytowne Wharf, a charming village filled with shops, restaurants, entertainment, and even an adventure zone.

We were staying in the Le Jardin neighborhood, so everything was just around the corner from our townhouse. Perfect for an evening stroll!

Bailey loved exploring and making lots of new "friends," and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner sitting by the water.

What I really loved was the small-town feeling. It's clearly a gathering place where there's always something happening, but it still feels welcoming and relaxed.

And with Halloween just around the corner, the decorations were already up! 👻🎃

I can only imagine how wonderful it must be during the Christmas season or for a New Year's Eve celebration. Now I have even more reasons to go back!

Have you visited Baytowne Wharf? I'd love to hear what you enjoyed most.

10/09/2026

Well, that wasn’t quite the vacation we planned! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Remember how excited I was to explore Sandestin, Florida, for the first time?

We made it! And for the very short time we were there, we were having a wonderful time.

We started the morning with a walk with Bailey, Jon took a bike ride around the resort, and we headed out for an afternoon of golf.

While we were on the golf course, we heard there was an evacuation order because of Hurricane Isaias. We weren’t sure what that meant for us, so when we finished playing, we stopped at the resort’s front desk.

That’s when we learned the evacuation was mandatory.

While we were packing, resort staff were going door to door delivering evacuation notices. There was no question about it. Our vacation was over before it had really begun!

Less than 24 hours in Sandestin and approximately 13 hours of driving to get there and back.

Not exactly the relaxing week we’d planned!

We’re home safely, and although I’m disappointed we didn’t get to explore more, we certainly made the most of the little time we had.

Sandestin, I barely got to know you! I guess we’ll have to try this again.

Have you ever had a vacation take a completely unexpected turn?

10/08/2026

Good morning from Sandestin! Last night we had a great time wandering around Baytowne Wharf. It’s so cute, welcoming and dog friendly 👍🏻👍🏻. Going to check out one of the golf courses this afternoon. Then we’ll see what happens with Hurricane Isaias and what that means for the rest of our vacation. Follow along for the adventure 😄

10/06/2026

Where are you going next?

This week, Jon and I are heading somewhere completely new to us — Sandestin, Florida!

We’re taking a week of vacation, but you know me… I’m definitely going to do some exploring while we’re there.

We’re hoping to spend plenty of time on the beaches, check out a couple of the golf courses, explore the different areas around the resort, and see what the town center has to offer.

I can’t wait to experience somewhere new!

Follow along this week and see Sandestin through my eyes. I’ll share what we find, what surprises me, and of course, what I think you should know if you’re considering a trip there.

Have you been to Sandestin? Tell me what we shouldn’t miss!

10/02/2026

The sea, the sunset, and the horizon all decided to work in perfect harmony this evening — and Silver Spirit was there for every second of it.

10/01/2026

There's a version of coffee for every hour of the day, no matter how it's spent.

Quiet in the morning on the balcony, easy in the afternoon at the Arts Café, dressed up before dinner at S.A.L.T. Bar, and still going after dessert at Silver Note ☕️

10/01/2026

The Kimberley in Western Australia is 1.7 times the size of the United Kingdom, and most of its coast is unreachable by land.

On the opposite side of the country stands the Sydney Opera House, the first major building in the world that computers had to design.

Both are within reach with Silversea. 🚢🌊

Visit http://www.SecondStarTravels.com to learn more.

09/30/2026

Two Silversea ships, Silver Moon and Silver Nova, crossing paths off the coast of Japan. Turns out the ocean isn't as big as it feels.

Click here here to learn more: http://www.SecondStarTravels.com