Hi there! My name is Alissa Padilla, and I am thrilled to welcome you to Luxury Magical Vacations. I am a Travel Planner with Best Day Ever Vacations, and I would love to share a bit about myself and what led me to this career. Let’s get started!
I was born in Korea, but my life story truly began when I was adopted and raised on the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii. Kaneohe, the small town where I grew up, is surrounded by magnificent mountains and crystal-clear waters. I spent many years exploring the island’s lush forests, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture. I even had the privilege of giving birth to one of my children here, surrounded by the island’s natural wonder.
Later, I moved to Ocean View, which is located on the Big Island of Hawaii. This island is known for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and diverse wildlife. I was fortunate enough to witness these amazing natural wonders up close and personal. I continued to explore the island by living in other places, including Kailua-Kona and Kamuela, where I welcomed three more children into my life. Finally, I settled in Hilo, a city that is known for its lush rainforests and thundering waterfalls. Hilo was my home until I moved to the Mainland.
During my 30 years of living in Hawaii, I developed a deep appreciation for the unique beauty of each of the islands. Each one has its own personality, its own way of capturing your heart. Hawaii is truly a magical place, where the natural beauty is matched only by the warmth of the people. If you’re curious about Hawaii, just ask me. I’d be happy to share my stories and help you fall in love with this paradise, just like I did.
Around the age of 30, I made the decision to pack up our belongings and we relocated to the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas. The transition to this new environment was initially overwhelming, as I was faced with a unique blend of cultures and customs. However, it wasn’t long before I began to appreciate the charm and character of this southern state.
One of the most iconic landmarks that I had the pleasure of visiting was the Alamo. Steeped in history, this site allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of the people who fought for Texas’s independence.
Another highlight of my time in Texas was exploring the breathtaking River Walk. This scenic path winds its way through the city, offering stunning views of the waterway, as well as the chance to indulge in some of the best food and drink that San Antonio has to offer.
And of course, no trip to Texas is complete without a visit to Sea World. As a lover of marine life, I was thrilled to see the incredible displays of aquatic creatures, including dolphins, whales, and sharks.
Overall, my time in Texas is still filled with unforgettable experiences, and I could easily spend hours recounting the many adventures I had. But for now, I’ll leave it at that and eagerly await the day you ask me to share more about my time in this lively and captivating state.
The very first time I met Steven in San Antonio, I never would have guessed that my love for exploring new places was about to be ignited. It all started with weekend getaways to nearby cities like Dallas and Austin, as well as the many charming towns nestled in between. From there, our passion for travel only grew. For our honeymoon, we embarked on an unforgettable road trip up to Seattle, Washington. The scenic drive back down the coastline was truly breathtaking. Over the years, we have been fortunate enough to visit a variety of destinations, including the vibrant states of California and Florida, as well as the charming state of Mississippi and even beyond the borders to Mexico. Despite having experienced so much, we still have an insatiable wanderlust and a seemingly endless list of places in the United States alone that we yearn to explore.
My family and I embarked on a series of unforgettable family cruises with my in-laws, which took us to the picturesque destinations of the Florida Keys, Bahamas, and Jamaica. We chose to sail with Carnival Cruise Lines, and we were amazed by the spectacular sights and excursions that awaited us at every port of call.
One of the best things about this particular cruise line was that it was perfectly suited for our family, especially since we were traveling with our one-year-old son. We were able to enjoy the excursions and the stunning scenery, all while keeping our little one safe and entertained.
Our journey was filled with laughter, adventure, and countless memories that we will cherish for years to come. There are so many amazing stories that I could share about our experience, and I would be more than happy to do so.
After the birth of our first child together, Steven and I were blessed with another child, a daughter, who shares our love for travel and staying at hotels. When she turned one, we decided to take our children to Disneyland, and it turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. We also explored some of California’s other attractions, such as Sea World, Legoland, San Diego Zoo, and La Brea Tar Pits. Our daughter was fascinated by the animals and we spent hours walking around and enjoying the sights. We also visited many other places that we had planned beforehand and discovered some hidden gems along the way. We have shared all the details of our unforgettable journey in our blog, so feel free to read all about it there.
So you may have counted 6 kids up to now and I said we had 8. When I married my best friend I have been blessed to be able to watch my newly two bonus sons grow up from teenagers to the amazing young men that they have grown up to be today.
In December 2018-January 2019, our family decided to commemorate the academic achievements of two our our children graduating from College, one with her associates in Science and the Other got his master’s, by going on a cruise together with all of our children. Yeap all 8. We wanted to make this trip a truly special experience for everyone, so we took the time to carefully plan our itinerary by not only taking the adventures of Carnivals port of call adventures but also by reseaching and booking us a private tour. My best friend and her son went along with us so traveling with 12 people required careful planning and organizing.
After much research and consideration, we chose to travel with Carnival Cruise Lines on the Carnival Vista, departing from Galveston, Texas. Our chosen route took us through the Caribbean, with stops in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel.
In the Cayman Islands, we got up close and personal with some of the most beautiful marine life we had ever seen. We also visited Stingray City, where we had the chance to interact with the friendly stingrays that call the area home.
Finally, in Cozumel, we explored the dolphins, and other amazing sites along the way. We also learned about the rich history of the region. We also took some time to relax on the beautiful beaches, walk around the beautiful area, and enjoy the warm, tropical weather.
Overall, it was an unforgettable trip that brought our family closer together and provided us with memories to last a lifetime. We have posted some images from our journey on a blog page, and we hope others can experience the joy and wonder of traveling with loved ones. This was truly one of our very planned and organized Trips.
In July of 2019, my partner Steve and I embarked on a month-long trip to Florida to celebrate our anniversary. We drove around the state, soaking in the beautiful scenery before finally boarding the Carnival Cruise Ship, the Horizon – a sister ship to the Carnival Vista. This time, we opted for a luxurious Spa Cabin, wanting to pamper ourselves with the ultimate relaxation experience.
The ship departed from Miami port, and we set sail to explore some of the most breathtaking destinations in the Caribbean. Our first stop was the stunning Turks and Caicos, where we were spellbound by the turquoise waters and white sand beaches. We then visited Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao, and finally, Aruba. Each place was unique and had its charm, and we were thrilled to explore these vibrant locations.
On the ship, we indulged in some much-needed relaxation at the spa, getting treated to some of the best spa treatments we’d ever experienced. We met some incredible people on board, who enriched our journey with their fascinating stories and experiences. We made lifelong friends in the comedy club of all places, and did some fun offshore adventures 4 wheeling together.
All in all, it was a trip of a lifetime, filled with unforgettable moments and memories that we will cherish forever. After this Cruise, we visited Disney World, Universal Studios, Hard Rock Cafe and so much more. I can’t wait to share more about this incredible journey in my blog.
In September of 2020, our family celebrated a significant milestone – our oldest daughter, Julie, turned 21! To commemorate this special occasion, my husband and I planned a trip to Las Vegas. It was a long-awaited adventure that we had been looking forward to for months.
We started our journey in Vegas spent a few days enjoying the sights and things to do. We then continued the trip by driving to California for a few days. Along the way, we visited some incredible places and had a lot of fun. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to be cautious and avoid crowded places. Nevertheless, we made the most of our trip and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the delicious food, and the relaxing atmosphere.
After spending a few days in California, we headed back to Las Vegas. The city was bustling with excitement, despite the pandemic. We stayed at a luxurious hotel on the Strip the Venetian, and we were amazed by the magnificent architecture and the vibrant nightlife. We spent our days exploring the city, visiting some of the most iconic landmarks, and trying out different restaurants and cafes.
Overall, our trip to Las Vegas was a fantastic experience. It was a perfect way to celebrate our daughter’s 21st birthday and spend some quality time together as a family. We can’t wait to plan our next adventure! You need to see what my husband had set up for her as a surprise to both of us it was amazing and epic but you have to read about it and see the photos in the blog about that trip.
Back in May of 2021, my group of friends and I decided to take a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. This time, we wanted to focus on exploring the city, enjoying the nightlife, and making unforgettable memories.
During our stay, we had the opportunity to witness one of our friends hit the jackpot on a slot machine. The excitement of the win was contagious, and we all rejoiced in the moment. This trip was special because it was a reunion of sorts – these were members of my glitter family that I made through my Glitter Business. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, and this was the perfect opportunity to catch up and spend quality time together.
Over the course of 5 days, we explored the city, visited popular tourist spots, and ate at some of the best restaurants in town. We also enjoyed the vibrant nightlife that Las Vegas is famous for, partying until the early hours of the morning.
This trip was different from our previous visits to Las Vegas because we wanted to take things at a more relaxed pace. We didn’t want to rush from one attraction to the next – we wanted to take in the sights and sounds of the city and truly enjoy our time there.
In the end, our trip to Las Vegas was a huge success. We made unforgettable memories and had a great time exploring the city with each other. It was a laid-back, yet exciting.
In the pleasant month of June, we embarked upon a delightful trip to Albuquerque, accompanied by our beloved kids. The purpose of this journey was to meet some dear friends from my glitter family and to introduce our little ones to some of the city’s enchanting highlights. At the time, we were residing in Midland, Texas, which made the trip a short and comfortable drive. We cherish these occasional getaways that allow us to spend quality time with our kids. During our visit, we explored the vibrant city of Albuquerque, basked in the stunning views from Sandia’s Peak, and indulged in the cultural richness of Santa Fe.
In July of 2021 we went to Mississippi to see friends and meet their families. Yeap you guessed it Glitter Insanity ladies. We took the kids to see Gulf Port, Vancleave, Daulphin Island, and Visited Gulfport Sportsplex with the kiddos. We ate amazing food a total bonding experience.
During the month of September in the year 2022, my friends and I had the delightful opportunity to visit the captivating and vibrant city of New Orleans. We planned this trip to celebrate one of our friend’s birthdays, and it was a weekend getaway for us. We had the chance to explore the city’s rich history, indulge in mouth-watering local cuisine, and simply have a great time bonding with each other.
We visited several iconic landmarks. We were blown away by the city’s vibrant atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and the warmth and hospitality of its people. We also took a stroll through the famous Bourbon Street, where we witnessed the bustling nightlife and enjoyed live music performances.
One of the highlights of our trip was the food. We got to taste some of the most delicious Cajun and Creole dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys. We also had beignets at the famous Café du Monde, which were simply divine. Even brought home t-shirts, mugs and beignet mix to make our own at home.
The scenic beauty of New Orleans was also a sight to behold. We took a relaxing walk in the City Park, where we saw a stunning collection of ancient oak trees and beautiful sculptures.
Overall, our trip to New Orleans was an unforgettable experience. It was a great opportunity for us to bond with each other, explore a new city, and create memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.
After visiting Houston several times, we fell in love with the city’s vibrancy and diverse culture. The hustle and bustle of the downtown area, coupled with the laid-back charm of the suburbs, made us decide to pack up our family and move to Sugar Land, Texas, which we now call our home. From the beautiful parks and nature reserves like Brazos Bend State Park and the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, to the incredible museums like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Space Center Houston, we are constantly discovering new and exciting things to see and do in Houston. The city’s diverse culinary scene has also blown us away, with amazing restaurants offering a range of cuisines from all over the world. We are really enjoying our time here in Sugar Land, and we feel grateful to have the opportunity to explore all that Houston has to offer. If you have never visited Houston, we highly recommend it – there is truly something for everyone in this amazing city.
“Our journey has just begun and we are excited to explore new, uncharted places and document our experiences through my blog. We aim to take you on a virtual tour of some of the most breathtaking locations around the world, through my vivid stories and stunning photographs. With us, you will get the chance to witness the culture, the people, and the beauty of these places, as if you were right there with us. Our blog is more than just a collection of travelogues; it’s a source of inspiration for you to pack your bags, grab your family and hit the road to explore the unknown. We believe that travel is not just about ticking off destinations from your bucket list, it’s about creating everlasting memories that you can cherish for a lifetime. Our blog is dedicated to providing you with useful tips, recommendations, and insights that will help you plan your next family vacation with ease. So, embark on this exhilarating journey with us and let’s create some unforgettable memories. Keep visiting our website for constant updates, and follow our Facebook group to stay up-to-date on our travels and exciting specials that the companies we partner with offer all the time.”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1087656862235520
