The Most Magical Travel Moments Money Can't Buy

Sometimes, the best moments in travel aren’t the ones planned to perfection or booked with a hefty price tag. They’re the ones that sneak up on you, unexpected and unforgettable. These are the experiences that remind us why we travel; not just for luxury or adventure, but for the magic that unfolds when we least expect it.

A Stranger’s Kindness in a Foreign Land

There’s something profound about the kindness of strangers when you’re far from home. Maybe it’s the local who helps you navigate a confusing train system with a smile, the shop owner who insists you try a treat “on the house,” or the fellow traveler who shares their last bit of sunscreen when you’ve underestimated the sun. These small acts of generosity create connections that transcend borders and languages. I would have to say, for me, was our experience during the Adventures by Disney: Enchanted China visit.

During our time in Beijing, a visit to the Hutong included spending time with a local family learning calligraphy, paper cutting into beautiful designs, knot-tying into beautiful ornaments of luck. I gave our host’s grandmother a huge laugh, as she sat down with my fingers with hers, following the string until I could finally create my first knot. She could see that I wanted to be able to do it, but my hands said, NO. She quickly made it for me. Every year, when I decorate my tree I look at it, and hope that she and her family remain in great health. Even sitting here thinking of her hands holding mine and that laugh brings a tear to my eye.

Stumbling Upon a Hidden Gem

Sometimes the best meals, the most breathtaking views, or the most enchanting streets aren’t found in a guidebook. They appear when you take a wrong turn or follow your curiosity instead of your itinerary. A quiet café with the perfect espresso, a bookstore filled with stories waiting to be discovered, or a secluded beach where the only footprints are your own—these moments feel like little gifts from the universe. Ironically, I think the best manicotti I have ever eaten was in PARIS! Greg and I were just walking around one night and we found an Italian restaurant where the aroma was flooding the street. The manicotti came in a baking dish that could have fed an entire family. It was delicious. The ironic part is while eating, the neighboring table, of course… American as well, chuckled at the pan. We all talked and I admired the squid ink pasta they had ordered. I am not a seafood lover, but I can appreciate a fantastic plate. We actually shared part of the manicotti for a sample of the pasta. It wasn’t bad, but just like that, in Paris sharing pasta with fellow Americans.

A Sunset That Stops You in Your Tracks

No matter how many destinations you visit, there’s something universally magical about a perfect sunset. Whether it’s watching the sky explode into color over the Serengeti, the amazing glow in the sky of Maui, or illuniating behind the skyline of a bustling city, these moments remind us to pause, breathe, and be fully present. This time it takes me back to Santorini. After a gorgeous day exploring the island… incredible wine in Oia, and before that treacherous walk down the stairs of Santorini… was the time stopping sunset of Santorini. You could feel the warmth of the sun on your face as it fell beneath the horizon giving way to the lights of the island. BEAUTIFUL.

The Unscripted Laughter of Travel Mishaps

Not every trip goes as planned, and sometimes, those hiccups turn into the best stories. Maybe it’s the time you ordered something completely unexpected from a menu you couldn’t read, or when you got caught in an unexpected downpour and had to dance through the streets. In the moment, these mishaps might feel frustrating, but they often become the memories that make you laugh for years to come. Of course, you know I have a million. Not only because I usually have something happen because i’m a klutz, but the randomness that makes me… well me. I think the best would be once again in China. On the Li River, they offered some of the best delicacies for them during our journey. Remember the part earlier, when I said I don’t eat seafood. Well, there is a video of me consuming a live river snail that may have been a few inches long. The video includes left eye closing, and my right eye spinning about like a cartoon. Everyone in the group erupted in laughter, thinking I wouldn’t do it. One thing I try not to do, is say no when experiencing other’s cultures. I should learn to say it politely, because next involved me biting the head off a fish, and then the whole group seeing a not pleasant moment off the side of the boat. I tried, I failed.

Meeting Someone Who Changes Your Perspective

Every journey brings encounters that challenge the way we see the world. Maybe it’s a conversation with a local who shares their life’s wisdom over tea, or a fellow traveler who inspires your next great adventure. These moments remind us that travel isn’t just about places—it’s about people, stories, and perspectives that broaden our understanding of the world. Again, here we go to China. She would have to be adventurer, turned friend, turned stand-in mom, listener, all-of-the-time tough love giver… but the one who encourages you to, “Just try it.” I don’t know if it’s the fear that Fern might actually inflict pain if I don’t, or because she really wants the world to become a better place, one taste at a time. I don’t care for dark meat, but I can say Peiking Duck is amazing. Even she was like WOW… when I discovered I love eating jellyfish. It’s more about food though. I lost my mom when I was a kid. Fern fills that void a lot. She doesn’t intend to AT ALL… but she does. She listens, offers advice, and will tell you you’re being a jackass when you are. I know meeting both Fern, but her HYSTERICAL husband Chet made my life better, I can only hope to be a half of the good people they are. OMG, I am having emotional moments this morning as I type this.

That Feeling of Pure Freedom

There’s a moment on every trip when it hits you: the realization that you are somewhere new, untethered from the routine of daily life. Whether it’s stepping off a plane, cruising through open water, or waking up to a city that’s just waiting to be explored, that feeling of boundless possibility is priceless. This time we are off to Maui. The ABSOLUTE MUST-DO THING in Maui, is planning to see the sunrise on Haleakalā. My personal recommendation would be to purchase your tickets as soon as you can, if not joining a group. We decided also to go our first morning of waking up in Maui, since we were still on east coast time. In dark of night, driving on switch back roads to the top of a volcano isn’t for the faint of heart. There were many times I was said, the edge is there.. I can’t see it. Ahead, you could see the lights of other vehicles like they were that car from Harry Potter that flies. HOWEVER, arriving at the top, bundling up… YES ITS VERY COLD AT 10K feet, and listening to a man sing a Hawaiian Prayer as the sun peaked its warmth through the clouds was probably the most breathtaking thing I could ever wish for. Realizing you are standing above the crowds, with people in a moment that share the exact same emotion with the smells of eucalyptus and the sounds of the island just change you. Please in your life, go to Maui… and watch the sunrise.

It’s easy to measure a trip in luxury stays, Michelin-starred meals, or bucket-list attractions, and we have and loved them… but the real magic of travel is often found in the unplanned, the unexpected, and the beautifully imperfect. These moments remind us that no matter how much we plan, the best memories are often the ones we never saw coming. I am so blessed to not only experienced them, but with some of the best people in my life. The one thing money can’t buy. Life changing friendships. I am now in full tears. To each person reading this today, thank you for letting me be a part of your journey of life. I hope I can be like Fern, sharing insight… like grandma helping you create beauty, even when you are just knotting your fingers together. When you take a bite of something, and think…. BEST BITE EVER, even the next time you close your eyes to mentally photograph that beautiful vista of light in your mind.

So, think to yourself —what’s a magical travel moment you’ll never forget?