Kayla Renee Travel

Kayla Renee Travel Travel professional helping clients create memories one magical vacation at a time. Especially while also juggling everyday life.

Personalized travel planning for families and couples who value expertise, thoughtful strategy, and trips that actually fit them. I have been a travel professional since 2017, but my love for planning vacations started long before that. I started my travel journey focusing on Disney Destinations, as I was previously a Cast Member at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. While I still love all thi

ngs Disney, I have spent the last few years learning as much as I can about a variety of different destinations around the globe. I recognize that planning a vacation, no matter the destination, can be extremely overwhelming. Finding the right accommodations for your family, planning all of the details, and making sure you know what activities you need to book on what day can be a LOT to handle. My goal is to make sure that my clients are able to be as hands-off on their vacation as they'd like, so they can just show up and enjoy their trip. I'd love to help your family plan your next great adventure! Send me a message or fill out the trip request form on my website to get started!

My whirlwind August trip has finally come to an end. I started with an extremely delayed flight and lost luggage, and am...
09/02/2026

My whirlwind August trip has finally come to an end. I started with an extremely delayed flight and lost luggage, and am ending extremely exhausted, but with my heart so full.

I realized last week that I’ve only been to two concerts this year (if you know me, you know that is a VERY small number), but I’ve also done a LOT of traveling.

This most recent trip is likely to be my last long trip of the year, but it was also very eventful.

I am very much looking forward to sitting at home and not leaving for a few days, because I hate to leave the house but love to board a plane!

If you’re wanting to plan a trip to Disneyland between now and the end of 2027, I have good news for you! Today Disney r...
08/25/2026

If you’re wanting to plan a trip to Disneyland between now and the end of 2027, I have good news for you! Today Disney released packages for the Disneyland Resort through all of 2027!

Remember that a $200 deposit is all you need to get a package secured, with final payment due 30 days prior to check in.

Booking now means making sure your dates are locked in.

Know your spring break dates and want to do Disneyland over that week? This is the perfect time to book!

Reach out if you’d like to talk through options for your next trip.

I've been posting podcast episodes but realized I haven't been filling all of you in on my European adventures! OK, so l...
08/10/2026

I've been posting podcast episodes but realized I haven't been filling all of you in on my European adventures! OK, so let's get into it.

In June I spent ~3 weeks in Europe. I was specifically going for a wedding in Italy, but decided to make it a whole big trip. I'm a firm believer that if I'm taking a long flight, I'm going to make the most of my time.

Flew from Philly to Dublin, spent a few days there, then flew to Venice entirely too early in the morning. After Venice, took the train to Verona. After Verona was a private transfer to Malcesine, which is a beautiful town on Lake Garda where the wedding was happening. After the wedding, it was time for the Disney cruise! We took the train from Verona to Rome (Verona was the closest major city to Malcesine) and spent the night there prior to leaving on our nine night cruise.

On the cruise, we went to Greece, Croatia, and Malta. Mostly new destinations for me, which was SO exciting. After the cruise, we spent a few more days in Rome before heading back to Philly.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip! But then I came home for a few weeks and then went to Colombia for nine days. And then I came home for a few weeks and now I'm heading to the west coast for a few weeks.

As you can tell, my summer has been a busy one! But I owe all of you an update, because I know y'all love to live vicariously through me when I travel! So, I'm going to have some posts about Europe sprinkled in along with hopefully updates in real time while I'm on the west coast.

What are you most excited to hear about??

I’m so excited to be heading to California tomorrow! I’m hoping to check out the new coaster at Universal before heading...
08/10/2026

I’m so excited to be heading to California tomorrow! I’m hoping to check out the new coaster at Universal before heading to Anaheim for D23 Expo!

I can’t wait to share it all with you over the next week!

I fear I have been trying to do too many things, while also resting, and it is catching up with me.If you didn't know, b...
08/04/2026

I fear I have been trying to do too many things, while also resting, and it is catching up with me.

If you didn't know, being a travel advisor is not my full time job. I wish it could be, but I'd need to be booking a LOT more travel in order for that to be the case.

I was actually laid off from my previous full time job in March and have spent the last few months focusing on what I want to do next. Travel is something I really love, and I am so lucky that I've been able to do a significant amount of traveling since March.

I did a quick trip to Walt Disney World in March to crash a trip with some friends, I went to the PNW to visit friends and family for a week and a half in April, followed by a solo trip to Disneyland, and then attended an email marketing conference in Long Beach after the Disney trip (that's the industry I've been in for the last decade).

Did another quick trip to Orlando to visit Epic Universe in May.

Spent most of June in Europe, going to Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Croatia.

Just got back from 9 days in Colombia, which was my first trip to South America (and absolutely AMAZING).

I've also made two trips down the shore in the last month (that means I went to be beach, but I have to say it like they do here in Philly).

On top of all of this, I'm still busting my ass with trying to find a new full time job, going through a breakup, and attempting to start back up my marketing business that I had in 2020.

All that to say, I have been BUSY but also feel like I'm neglecting my social media accounts.

I recently rebranded, but I'm still very much working as a travel advisor with KTTC. I just also have my podcast and wanted to consolidate my social presence.

How has everyone else's summers been?? I'm ready for things to calm down a little over here, but not anytime soon. D23 Expo is coming up, and I've got Noah Kahan at the end of the month in Seattle! 🤣

Verona was a logistical stop — the closest train connection to Lake Garda. Two days later it was one of my favorite plac...
07/15/2026

Verona was a logistical stop — the closest train connection to Lake Garda. Two days later it was one of my favorite places of the entire trip. Here is the practical breakdown.

Getting there: Train from Venice, about two hours in premium class. Pack light — European train storage is limited and other people's oversized bags become your problem fast. We each had a carry-on roller and a backpack and were fine. We took a private water taxi from the JW Marriott to the Venice train station (110 euros, 30 minutes) and would do it again without hesitation.

Where we stayed: Moxy Verona, right outside the train station. Small rooms, minimal amenities, bar at the front desk, welcome drink on arrival. Great if you are there to explore. Not the right fit if you need a quiet space to decompress. Ten to fifteen minutes on foot to the center of the city.

What to do: Terrazza Bar al Ponte for a drink with a view of Castel San Pietro — house white and charcuterie for 35 euros total, get on the terrace list even if it is full. Then up the funicular to the castle at sunset for about a dollar. The Valpolicella w**e tour is a half-day well spent — two w**eries, Amarone, and a good group of strangers who all end up at a piazza together after.

Where to eat: Espresso at the counter at Caffè Borsari for three euros. Sandwiches from Focacceria La Figaccia. Dinner at Caffè Monte Baldo — Amarone risotto that I am still thinking about, bottle of w**e, dessert trio, espresso.

The thing I kept doing that worked: asking locals not just where to go but what they actually order when they get there. Every time I did this I discovered something I would not have found otherwise.

Verona is affordable, walkable, and easy to get to by train. Add it to your Italy itinerary.

Verona was not supposed to be a highlight. It was a logistical stop — the closest train connection to Lake Garda, where ...
07/13/2026

Verona was not supposed to be a highlight. It was a logistical stop — the closest train connection to Lake Garda, where we were headed for a wedding.

It ended up being one of my favorite places of the entire three-week trip.

Here is what two days looked like:

We arrived around 3 PM, dropped our bags at the Moxy (literally outside the train station, 10 minutes to the center of the city), and walked straight to Terrazza Bar al Ponte — a bar on the river with a direct view of Castel San Pietro. Terrace was full. We sat inside, got put on the list, moved outside halfway through our charcuterie and house white. Total bill: 35 euros. In the US that buys you the w**e or the food. Not both.

Then up the funicular to the castle at sunset. Then back to the hotel, where I asked the bartender where to order delivery from. He told me Nosh. I asked what to order. He said he and his girlfriend always get the pad Thai and the popcorn chicken. So that is what we got. Brian said he was not hungry. Brian inhaled the popcorn chicken.

Day two: espresso at the counter at Caffè Borsari for three euros, sandwiches from Focacceria La Figaccia, then a w**e tour in the Valpolicella region with a Canadian couple, a German couple, and three guys from England. Two w**eries — one a small family operation that has been at it for generations, one slightly larger with beautiful artwork throughout. The whole group ended up at a piazza for drinks after.

Dinner at Caffè Monte Baldo. Amarone risotto. A bottle of w**e. A dessert trio. One of the best meals of the trip.

Go to Verona. Ask your bartender what they actually order. Get the risotto.

Can we please have a moment for this STUNNING hotel room at the JW Marriott Venice??? Y'all, it was bigger than my apart...
07/09/2026

Can we please have a moment for this STUNNING hotel room at the JW Marriott Venice??? Y'all, it was bigger than my apartment. And the terrace was HUGE. I could very comfortably live there.

If you're planning a trip to Venice but the idea of being in the middle of everything stresses you out, this is the place to be.

Venice is crowded. It is loud and the streets are narrow. Being able to hop on a boat and head back to the private island that the hotel sits on what amazing. Some people want to be in the middle of all the action, and I respect that. But ya girl gets overstimulated and it was so nice to have silence when I was in my room.

This is honestly in my top 5 hotel stays of all time. What would you say is your top hotel stay???

Venice was not on my list. I went because it made logistical sense and because I figured I should probably go before it ...
07/07/2026

Venice was not on my list. I went because it made logistical sense and because I figured I should probably go before it is underwater. I went in with neutral expectations.

I left liking it more than I thought I would. Here is the honest version.

We stayed at the JW Marriott Venice, which is on its own private island, 15 minutes by boat from the main city. Used Marriott upgrade awards to get into a junior suite with a soaking tub and a private terrace. If you have nightly upgrade awards sitting unused, this is the property to use them on.

Getting there from the airport via private water taxi was amazing. Small wooden boat, luggage handled, flying down a water highway. People kept calling it a James Bond moment and they are not wrong.

Day two was three islands. Torcello for history and a very cute cat. Burano for the colorful houses, lunch, and watching an 86-year-old woman make lace by hand. She has been doing it since she was 10 and has never taken a break. Murano for glassblowing, and a personal moment: Dale Chihuly, who is from my hometown of Tacoma, trained here. Seeing where that tradition comes from was honestly SO cool.

Last night: Harry's Bar. Birthplace of the Bellini. Open since 1931. €200 for two. The Bellini was 22 euros and probably not 22-euro good. The Cipriani Vanilla Meringue Cake, marshmallowy meringue on top of vanilla sponge and cream, absolutely was.

Venice is crowded and complicated and worth it. Walk it at night when the day-trippers are gone. Go to Burano. Get the dessert.

Dublin was not on my list. We went because the flight from Philadelphia was cheap and it made sense as a starting point ...
07/03/2026

Dublin was not on my list. We went because the flight from Philadelphia was cheap and it made sense as a starting point before three weeks in Italy and the Greek Isles. No real expectations. Just a practical decision that turned into one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.

We landed at 6:00 AM after an overnight flight with zero sleep, breezed through passport control, and were checked in by 8:00 AM. We napped, ignored our alarm, and got up at 1:30 PM with zero regrets.

The day turned into an accidental Guinness deep dive. Coffee and focaccia at Fumbally first, then the Guinness Storehouse (crowded, overwhelming, absolutely worth it for the top floor views), then the Experimental Brewery behind it — which most people skip and really should not. Cola radler, pink wheat sour, oyster stout. Yes, the oyster stout has actual oysters in it. Try it anyway. Then Roe & Co Distillery across the street, where I had a frozen Irish coffee I am still thinking about.

Day two: wandered Temple Bar (think Bourbon Street — I get it, just not my thing), shipped a wool sweater home and learned US tariffs on international shipments are very real right now, and had dinner at The Church — a 300-year-old converted church with stained glass, live Irish dancers, and a bar where the pews used to be. I wanted the Sunday roast. Sold out at 6:30 PM. Still not over it.

Go in with low expectations. Spend more than two nights. Bring your umbrella and actually use it.

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