Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday in 2026 which sounds perfect... until you realize it lands right in the middle of a regular weekend. Blink, and it’s over.

But this year, there’s a smart travel trick hiding in plain sight: Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 16 — giving you a built-in long weekend. Add just one PTO day on Friday, February 13, and suddenly you’ve got a 5-day window to take a proper romantic escape.

Whether you’re craving sunshine or snowflakes, here’s how to turn a typical holiday weekend into a mini-vacation you’ll both actually remember.

When I read this recent Business Insider article about a first-time travel advisor client planning a family trip to Paris, I found myself nodding the entire way through.

Because while she didn’t expect to be “converted,” the author walked away with a truth I hear from clients all the time:

“Working with a travel advisor didn’t just make our trip easier — it made it better.”

For years, I dreamed of visiting Europe’s Christmas markets. It was something my mom had always wanted to do, but never got the chance. So when I finally booked the trip, it wasn’t just about ticking off a bucket-list experience… it was personal.

We picked Prague because it was already on our travel wish list, and in December, the city transforms into a true winter fairytale. What better way to experience the markets than wrapped inside a city that’s already filled with charm?

We booked a last-minute trip to Amsterdam. No big plan, just a shared feeling that we needed to go. My boyfriend had never been. I hadn’t been in years. But I’d been holding onto a quiet promise that someday, I’d return.

The first time I went, I was studying abroad. It was spring, tulip season - vibrant, fresh, alive. I fell hard for the city. For a while, I dreamed of moving there. But then life happened. My mom got sick. The pandemic hit. That version of the dream faded.

So this winter weekend? It felt like more than a trip. It was a return, not as a student, not as a would-be expat, but as someone who plans meaningful travel for a living. And someone who still believes in last-minute magic.

It’s been one year since I launched Booked by Alex, and while I started it with the goal of helping couples plan stress-free, meaningful trips, I never imagined how much I’d grow in the process.

If you’re running a business solo, or thinking about starting, these are five lessons I didn’t expect to learn, but I’m so grateful I did.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, you’ve already got a lot on your plate — travel logistics, guest details, and making sure your big day feels special and smooth.

But there’s another big question that often comes up for couples:

Should you go straight into your honeymoon after your destination wedding, or wait a little while?

If you're the kind of traveler who picks your vacation based on where you'll eat (same), you might assume cruising is off the table. Buffets? Assigned seating? Limited options? No thanks.

But here’s the good news: not all cruises are created equal. In fact, there are several cruise lines that are built around incredible dining experiences. Think wine-paired tasting menus, chef's table exclusives, sommelier-led pairings, and restaurants that rival what you’d find in major food cities.

If you’re in the thick of planning your honeymoon, you’ve probably asked yourself: “How much should we spend?” or “Is it really worth it to go bigger?”

The truth is, the difference between a $5K and $10K honeymoon isn’t just about nicer hotels or upgraded flights. It’s about the kind of experience you want to share and how much breathing room your budget gives you to be fully present in it.