February in Montana is a time of year when I start to dream of visiting warm destinations. The days begin to stretch out and I can feel spring just around the corner … but let’s be honest, there is still a lot of winter left until we can enjoy the warm, sunny days in Montana.
Last year, my family escaped winter to enjoy time in Fiji. We were living in New Zealand at the time so Fiji was just a short three-hour flight away.
We had been saving up and hoping to visit a South Pacific island, but with work and school schedules up in the air, we weren’t sure when we’d be able to go. When we finally got time-off confirmations, we realized we were a bit late to the planning party. Airfares were climbing, and accommodation prices were high.
Travel Advisor Tip: Last-minute trip? Don’t let rising prices stop you. A travel advisor can help you find creative solutions within your budget.
As we started looking at options, we were quickly overwhelmed. With more than 30 island nations in the South Pacific alone, we were drowning in choices.
Travel Advisor Tip: Feeling overwhelmed by too many options? Start with a simple comparison.
Suffice it to say, there were many dreamy destinations and pacific-island cultures that were catching our eye, but the reality was we didn’t have all that much time to get moving and book something. We wanted to make the most of our trip, so that’s when I found travel advisor Valerie Edman.
Travel advisor tip: Every traveler is unique, and their vacations should be too. A great travel advisor will take the time to understand your preferences, creating a fully customized itinerary tailored just for you.
I’ve always been leery of working with a travel advisor because my husband and I typically don’t like cookie-cutter travel experiences. But, after meeting Valerie and learning more about her approach I was grateful to have someone to help me narrow down our choices and assemble an amazing itinerary.
First, we started with a spreadsheet comparing three of our top destinations. (You had me at spreadsheet, Valerie!) seeing our choices laid out and the pros and cons of each made the choice to visit Fiji super clear. It was close to New Zealand (and shared the same time zone – yay for no jet lag!), it was family-friendly and it had lots of outdoor adventure opportunities.
Once we selected Fiji, Valerie went to work researching options for us. Fiji has more than 300 islands in their country and they cater to pretty much any style of travel from luxury island resorts to hopping on and off a boat backpacker style.
Travel Advisor Tip: Not all resorts are created equal, travel advisors don’t just rely on the internet. We ask a lot of questions behind the scenes so you know what you're really booking.
Based on Valerie’s research of what we might like, we ended up selecting two islands to visit: both of which were diving destinations. The first place was like stepping back in time.
Valerie described it as “the real Fiji.” No cell phone service, only one place on the property where you could check email or send a WhatsApp message, and no markets or towns nearby.
We loved it because from the moment you arrived (small airplane on a very adventurous landing strip and then a boat ride to the resort), you were fully present.
We had five amazing days of playing games, being silly on the beach volleyball courts, swimming, snorkeling, visiting waterfalls and being welcomed into a local village. My husband had plenty of dives out to the local reef and we even had a few bonus dolphin sightings.
Meals were enjoyed family style with the other guests staying there and even though my son was the only young kiddo there, he had the freedom to run around the property to play and explore without concern.
Travel advisor tip: With so many incredible destinations and endless information online, decision fatigue is real. Instead of second guessing vacation choices, a travel advisor provides expert insight helping you confidently select a destination and experiences that align with your vision.
The second island we visited was a true dive resort, with guests primarily there for scuba diving. Again, not exactly a “kid-focused” place, but my son still had a blast.
This resort was in high demand during peak season, and Valerie worked some serious magic securing our reservations. Even with time zone differences and internet challenges on the resort’s end, she stayed on top of it.
Travel advisor tip: Travel advisors do the heavy lifting and advocate on your behalf.
One of our favorite parts of the second location was the highly accessible snorkeling. One quick jump off the end of the pier you were floating atop a very beautiful reef and rocks teeming with colorful fish and underwater wonders.
Once again, WiFi was minimal, so our family spent our days cliff jumping, swimming, snorkeling and playing Harry Potter Uno with other guests we met. My husband took the opportunity to get certified as an advanced diver and even got to do a night dive as part of that training.
Our departure back to New Zealand was part of the fun.
While we waited for our domestic flight back to Nadi we shopped for local handicrafts at the airport shop. My son purchased a dolphin necklace as a memento for his first dolphin sighting!
I truly don’t think I could have planned a trip like this on my own! I was so grateful that Valerie had fully vetted and recommended two unique stays that fit the bill in terms of what we were after. Our family often talks about our Fiji trip where we formed so many core memories and had 10 days without the distractions of our modern lives.
So, my advice to you … if you are looking to escape winter in Montana do yourself a favor. Start planning early! Your future Montana self will thank you.
Valerie is a detail-obsessed architect of seamless travel experiences. Her itineraries are like a well-fitted suit, meticulously crafted to match her client's unique travel style. Ready to plan your next vacation? Reach out to Valerie today! https://culturedtravelllc.com/ | hello@culturedtravelllc.com.