Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Hello Friends, I hope this email finds you well.  February flew by, as it always does.  My kids keep asking about leap years, and when the next one will be.  I explain every four years, but they have a tough time grasping why! Peter's hockey season is beginning to end.  I say beginning, because even though our Sunday games are done, we still have a parent-kid game and tournament in March.  Peter's really progressed this season in skating and stickhandling.  Last year, he scored a handful of goals.  This year, it's been too many to count. Sarah finished up her winter swim season with a few meets.  She keeps dropping time and enjoying herself, which is all we want to see as parents.  Sarah also started her yearly Girl Scout Cookie sale.  Here is her video.  If you live in the Madison area, we're happy to deliver to your house.  Or there is the option to ship them if you live farther away.  Sarah set the ambitious goal of 500 boxes to sell.  Any support you can give is greatly appreciated. One Saturday, we went bowling for the first time as a family.  We made a wager - kids vs. parents.  Whoever had the top combined score won and could pick where we went for dinner.  It ended up being a tie, and the tie went to the kids.  They picked Culver's (not a surprise). Over the past few weeks, I've fielded a great deal of questions related to safety in Mexico.  For those unaware, there was a government-led event that took place in the Puerto Vallarta region of Mexico.  Unfortunately, tthe region was placed on a short lockdown.  I did not have any clients in that region at the time.  Nor do I have any clients going in the near future.  My response to everyone has been that I believe most areas of Mexico are safe to visit.  The media exaggerates the safety of travelers, and AI has produced images that aren't real.  As with any travel, you must be aware of your surroundings and make intelligent decisions. March kicks off Spring Break time, and this is typically one of my busiest times of year for travel.  2026 is no different, with clients traveling to Europe, Mexico, the DR, Costa Rica, and Caribbean Cruises.  I can't wait to hear back about your incredible journeys! Looking ahead, if you want to get away later this spring or summer, do not delay in contacting me!  For those looking to travel in the autumn, or even for the holidays next December, now is a great time to begin planning.  If you want to talk, here is my calendar.  And if you can't find a time, let me know, and we'll find a time that does.  I'm always happy to help. Have a great weekend, and don't forget to "spring ahead" Saturday night, Brian Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2026 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Hello Friends, February is here, and I hope you are doing well.  January started with Peter turning 7.  He is by far the funniest person in our family, and his energy level is unmatched.  He wakes up by 6:30 am every day and doesn’t stop until he goes to sleep. Sarah swam in three swim meets and made great improvements with her times.  That is one of the things that I always loved about swimming: seeing my times drop.  It's nice to see the progress happening! And for those who have been reading for a few years, we finally got out on the pond at the beginning of the month and ice-skated. At the end of the month, my wonderful grandmother, whom I called "Mema" died.  She was 100 years old and a beacon of light.  Mema was one of the most unique and amazing people I've ever known.  Her love and consistent presence will not be forgotten.  Sandy said it best, "She was the easiest person in the world to love." When I was considering starting Blue Sea Vacations in 2013, Mema encouraged me.  She even booked my first group trip with "Mema's New Year's cruise 2013-2014".  I will miss her immensely, but feel nothing but gratitude for having her in my life for so long. 2026 began as many years do, with people ready to travel.  As it happens, demand to travel to Europe often peaks at the beginning of the year for those who want to escape this coming summer.  However, it's worth noting that Europe can be particularly great during the shoulder seasons - Spring and Fall.  Over the past five years or so, more people have taken advantage of those seasons. And as always, Mexico and the Caribbean are the perennial favorites for so many of you.  I'm trying to get down there soon to see the resorts.  There's always something new to experience, and I want to make sure I'm doing my part as your travel agent. Feel free to reach out here if you'd like to set up a time to talk.  I'm always happy to help. Have a great weekend, Brian Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2026 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful December and holiday season.  December started busy for our family.  Swimming and hockey filled up nights and weekends.  I volunteered multiple times at the ice arena concession stand.  Sandy did a great job keeping us all organized! The weekend of 12/19, we took a family trip to the Twin Cities in Minnesota.  With our family (well, Peter and I) enjoying hockey more, we planned the weekend around seeing the Minnesota Wild take on the Edmonton Oilers.  The game was awesome.  Everyone enjoyed it, even Sarah, who said beforehand that she didn't really like hockey.  We visited some great museums, especially the Minnesota Science Museum.  There was a wonderful Italian food euphorium, with an authentic bakery and gelato cafe.  Overall, a great trip! The holidays were quiet for us this year.  We went to church on Christmas Eve, where our family lit the Advent candle.  On Christmas morning, we opened gifts and then hung out most of the day.  By the 26th, we were all going a little stir-crazy.  We had a full weekend of going to museums in Illinois and visiting friends in Milwaukee. For New Year's Eve, Sandy and I attended a party at a friend's house.  It was a nice way to ring in the New Year.   From the travel side, 2026 has started as many years do, with people eager to get away!  The first three months of the year are known as "Wave Season" among travel agents.  It tends to be our busiest time of year.   If you are even considering going to Europe this coming summer, please let me know soon.  You can use the "Contact Today" button below or use the link here. If you can't find a time that works for you, please let me know, and we'll figure out a time that does. As we begin the new year, I am again reminded and grateful for your support.  Many new businesses fail within the first five years.  To be still doing this in 2026 is amazing.  As a reminder, even if you aren't able to travel, your referrals mean the world to me.  I'm never too busy to speak with your friends and family. Have a great weekend, Brian Contact Today See previous monthly emails here.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, I hope this December finds you happy and healthy. My family had a nice November, where things slowed down a little.  It started with Sarah and me running in her Girls on the Run 5K.  She did awesome!  I was so proud of her! Peter’s hockey season began and got up to speed quickly.  He’s had mostly practices, and then the first tournament was last weekend.  Peter loves being on the ice and is having a blast.  He also loves to run his mouth, so I have to remind him from time to time to be a good sport. We snuck in a trip to Chicago, where Sandy and other moms went out to an "Early Dance Party" that ended at 10 pm.  When I asked why it ended so early, I was told, "Because moms have stuff to do in the morning!" Thanksgiving was a low-key holiday.  Sandy and I actually went out for a nice dinner on Thanksgiving Eve - our first time out that night in 17 years!  I took the kids swimming in the morning.  In the afternoon, Sandy's parents drove in from Michigan, and we made a nice ham.  On Saturday, we were hit with our first big snowstorm of the year.  It made for a good weekend between hockey games and playing outside.   I want to highlight one other resort from my time in the Dominican Republic this past October.  Actually, it's two resorts that are next to each other: Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana and Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana.  A refresher - Ziva has four letters like the word "kids".  Ziva is a family resort.  Zilara has six letters, like the word "adults".  Zilara is adults only. Every time I have clients return from these resorts, they rave about the experience, especially the food.  When I take tours of resorts, I typically don't see many restaurants.  This time, the tour guide insisted we check them out.  And I'm glad we did!  They were some of the most unique restaurants I've seen at an all-inclusive resort.  Even the buffet looked great. The resort and grounds were beautiful, with nice pools.  And a small detail I noticed was that there was a sunscreen station by the pool.  I always advise clients going to a warm destination to bring their own sunscreen, as it's often overpriced when you arrive.  To have it provided by the resort was a shock! Looking into 2026, if you want to go on a spring break trip, we’re pushing it, but I can still help.  Or feel free to come on a spring break cruise.  Now is the perfect time to look into traveling in the late spring or summer.  And it isn’t too early to plan a nice trip in autumn 2026. As 2025 draws to a close, I would like to take a moment and express my gratitude as your travel agent.  Whether you’ve booked one trip or many, I appreciate your trust and support.  Here’s to a fantastic 2026! Have a great weekend, Brian Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2025 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, How are we already in November?!  I hope you are doing well and enjoying the autumn weather. I can't remember a fall season as busy as we've had this year.  There are too many events that happened, so here are some highlights. For activities, Peter did soccer this fall.  This was the first time I wasn't his coach.  It was nice to be on the other side as a regular parent.  Although Blue Sea Vacations did sponsor his team again. I didn't make it out of the fall without coaching, though.  I was Sarah's Girls on the Run coach.  It was a learning experience for me, coaching 10 girls through a season of running, team building, and self-discovery. In mid-October, Sarah turned nine.  How is my Peanut nine?!  She's really turning into a wonderful person.  Sarah had five girls sleep over for her birthday, so I took Peter to a Wiscnosin Badgers football game.  They aren't having a good year, so we were able to get great seats for cheap a few hours before kick-off.  They didn't win, but we had fun. A highlight from the fall was going to Gleam.  This is a nighttime light show at Olbrich Gardens, one of our favorite places.  Sandy and I have been in the past years, but this was the first year we took the kids.  Both kids loved the experience. Another highlight was volunteering.  In early September, Sarah and I volunteered, handing out drinks at Ironman Wisconsin.  One Sunday afternoon in October, our whole family measured dry ingredients and put them in bags for an organization called Food for Kidz.  As our kids get a little older, volunteering our time and energy is something I hope we can keep doing. And last, but certainly not least, we celebrated Halloween last weekend.  Sarah went as a witch that lit up, and Peter was a Creeper (from Minecraft).  Of course, we ended up with too much candy! October brought us to New York for my grandma's 100th birthday party.  It was a special day, celebrating an amazing woman.  Most of my family lives in New York, and we don't get to see each other often.  When we get together, we always have a good time. Straight from New York, I flew down to the Dominican Republic for four nights.  I always tell people that these aren't relaxing trips.  My first full day there, I toured ten resorts.  It's definitely beneficial to see the ins and outs of where I might want my clients to stay.  The rest of the time was spent at a conference with travel agents, learning trends, best practices, and getting updates. On our last day there, our group did a "give back" service project through the charitable arm of the consortia I belong to, CXCARES.  We went to a small two-room schoolhouse, installed fans, painted, did landscaping, and donated supplies to help the students and teachers.  I can safely say that the impact it had on me was life-changing.  To look at our problems versus what those kids and teachers had was eye-opening.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to help. Over the next month or two, I want to highlight a few of my favorite resorts from the Dominican Republic.  The first is the resort that hosted us for the conference, Secrets Playa Esmeralda.  This resort is located in the Miches area of the Dominican Republic, about 1.5 hours from the airport in Punta Cana.  Driving to the resort, it goes from the more built-up area of Punta Cana to greener countryside.  Truthfully, a site to be seen! The resort itself is beautiful.  It's brand new and has some nice features.  It was easy to navigate, and some nice pools and restaurants.  The rooms were big and spacious.  Although we were in the conference for most of the time, I did get to jump in the pool one day during some downtime. As for trips, many of you begin traveling in the next month, and then things pick up strongly as we head into the winter and spring break times.  It isn't too late to book something if you are still on the fence!  Feel free to reach out anytime. Have a great weekend, Brian Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2025 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, I hope you are doing well as we settle into September.  School started this week, and the Pittelli family is back on our routine. That being said, August was filled with fun activities and trips for our family.  We spent five days in upstate New York visiting my family.  It’s always nice to visit, and especially for Sarah and Peter to see their cousins. A highlight of the trip was taking a day to visit Camp Fowler.  This is the summer camp where Sandy and I worked and met in 2005.  We all agreed it was one of the best days we had all summer. The rest of August was rounded out by hikes, street hockey, museums, and enjoying every last bit of summer. When I stepped on the plane to New York, I realized that it had been my longest break from flying since the height of the pandemic in 2020-2021.  Luckily, I’ll be making up for lost time in the second half of the year. I know I've mentioned this in the past (basically every month!), but book your spring break trips now.  School has started, and people are making plans. These are my busiest weeks of the year, with more clients traveling in the 3-4 weeks between March and April than at any other time.  Check out my  2026 Spring Break Cruise if you are in the market for an affordable, fun option for the family. Another option for you to consider is a family trip to Europe for 2026.  Over the past two years, I've planned amazing summer trips to Europe for families - specifically to celebrate graduating seniors.  Reflecting on it, I went to Europe with my family in the spring of 2001 as a high school senior, and it was a life-changing experience. I'll be traveling at the beginning of October, so we'll pick back up in November.  Please reach out with any questions, travel needs, or referrals.  I'm always happy to help. Have a great weekend, Brian Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2025 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, August has arrived, and summer is still going 100 miles per hour in the Pittelli House.  I hope you are getting outside and having a great summer. We began July by spending Independence Day weekend with family in Michigan.  It was great spending time on the other side of Lake Michigan, where we went swimming, saw friends and family, and ate a lot of soft-serve ice cream. Peter’s swimming is improving rapidly this summer.  He's taking lessons twice a week, and has a super instructor who is pushing him.  We bought a summer membership to Urban Air (an indoor trampoline/activity park), and Peter’s taken to the laser tag area.  We visited twice in July, and he spent the whole time playing laser tag with kids twice his age.  He has no fear. After weekly meets throughout July, Sarah's summer swim season concluded last weekend.  Sarah made the conference championship team and had a wonderful experience at the final meet.  She had a great season, with improved times, deepened friendships, and most importantly, a lot of fun.  Sandy and Sarah spent a weekend at Girl Scout camp, where they enjoyed the outdoors (while camping inside).  Sandy even led a session on how to make a campfire.  She put her camp counselor skills to good use! Last, but certainly not least, I snuck down to Chicago for three nights to Phish with good friends.  I also ended up trying my hand at announcing during Sarah's last home meet.  I enjoyed it more than I expected, but I'm not sure if people liked my dad jokes! There has been a decent number of you reaching out to plan your winter and spring trips.  Thank you!  My constant reminders must be working!   It’s not even too early to begin planning trips for next summer.  I’ve received a few inquiries, and to be honest, I’ve seen favorable pricing for some higher-end luxury resorts.  I normally don’t like to use the word “deal”, but these prices are surprisingly good. Lastly, I might not mention it enough, but the highest compliment you can give is a referral.  I’m never too busy to help out your friends and family. Have a great weekend, Brian PS -  I'm planning a 2026 Spring Break Cruise.  Let me know if you are interested! Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2025 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, I hope you are doing well.  You are receiving this update one day early due to the holiday tomorrow.  This is the first time in five years of sending this monthly email that I've sent it out a day early! Summer is here in Wisconsin.  June was spent mostly outdoors for our family.  Sarah’s swim season is in full swing.  Her times are improving, and she’s having fun. We are keeping Peter as busy as we can with swim lessons, soccer, and his most recent way to burn energy - running laps around our house.   Both kids finished school the second week of June, but they haven’t slowed down their reading.  There is a great summer reading program through our local library that the kids participate in. Sandy and I went to the American Players Theatre with friends one Saturday night to see “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.  Although I’m not typically one to pick Shakespeare, it was a hilarious show, and I’m glad we went.  The environment is breathtaking.  The theatre is in the middle of the woods. We also celebrated our 13th anniversary and had a wonderful dinner at the Madison Club, where we became members earlier this year. On the travel front, many of you have been taking your summer trips all over the world.  Several families crossed the pond to Europe.  Others flew to the West Coast and sailed on Alaskan cruises.  And of course, down to the Caribbean to enjoy some R&R.   It might be summer, but now is the best time to begin planning your winter and spring trips for 2026.  In my experience, once school begins in the fall, rates start going up, and flights and resorts begin to fill up.  You might get sick of me saying it, but I'm planning our fifth Spring Break Cruise for next March.  Feel free to reach out if you are interested. Lastly, just a friendly reminder to check your passports.  Sometimes the expiration dates can sneak up on you. Have a Great Independence Day Weekend! Brian PS -  I'm planning a 2026 Spring Break Cruise.  Let me know if you are interested! Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2025 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, I hope you are doing well.  May had plenty of activities for my family, but we also found time to slow down. Peter's soccer season came to a close. Overall, another successful season.  Peter had fun, and he's excited to move up to the next age bracket in the fall. Sarah started her summer swim team, the Piranhas.  This team is more geared toward fun, and she loves it.  Beginning this week, they've been swimming outside.  The coaches do a great job of keeping the kids moving in the cold water. I had the opportunity to volunteer as a Watch D.O.G. (Dads of Great Students) at the kids' school in the middle of the month.  I've done it the past two years with Sarah, and this year I was able to do it with both kids.  It's truly one of my favorite days of the year.  Each child was thrilled to have me around and help out in their class. We took a Saturday and went up to Devil's Lake for a hike and picnic.  I brought my suit and jumped into the cold water when we finished the hike.  It felt refreshing and fantastic.  We rounded out the month with a Mother's Day trip to a farm, a Brewers game, and another time at the Madison Symphony. From the travel side, I always like to say that cruising moves in waves (pun intended).  Right now, interest is high.  What you might not know is that you can also book cruises far in advance.  For all-inclusive resorts and Europe, I tend not to recommend booking too far out.  Think 10-11 months.  For cruises, it's not uncommon to book 1-2 years out.  For example, I'm working with a private group that is looking to travel in November 2026. As always, if you have any travel questions, don't hesitate to let me know. Have a Great Weekend, Brian PS -  I'm planning a 2026 Spring Break Cruise.  Let me know if you are interested! Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2025 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.

Greetings from Brian

View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, I hope this message finds you happy and healthy.  April came and went in a flash for our family.  When I sit down to write these monthly emails, I like to look back at our family calendar.  I don't think I've seen one as packed as April in a long time! The spring soccer season began, and I'm coaching Peter's team.  Even though Blue Sea Vacations sponsors the team, I always like the players to agree on a team name. This season, we are known as the "Pickle Dogs".  The team has a ton of energy, and most importantly, we're having fun. The big news from Sarah is that she had braces put on her teeth at the beginning of April.  So far, Sarah's had wires pop out and brackets fall off, but she's put on a good face (no pun intended) and taken it all in stride. Our family spent a Sunday afternoon in April seeing the "Elephant and Piggie" musical.  We've spent the past 8 years reading these books to the kids, so it was a unique experience seeing the characters come to life on the stage.  Sandy and I also got away (on a school night!) to see an organ concert by the Madison Symphony's organist.  The show featured the organist, a brass quintet, and a drummer.  Sandy and I agreed that it was amazing and we had a wonderful time. Easter was a nice holiday.  We had an early morning Easter egg hunt outside.  Followed by church and a wonderful brunch with friends.  My mom visited for the weekend.  We all enjoyed having company. From the travel side, I'm noticing many people are planning last-minute trips for this summer.  Please be aware that the longer you wait, the less is available and prices go up.  If you are interested in going away next fall or winter, this is the perfect time to begin planning.  For next spring break, we're still a little too early, but it doesn't hurt to begin the conversation. I haven't mentioned it in a while, but a friendly reminder that I always recommend purchasing travel insurance for your vacations.  This covers you for situations like cancelled flights or lost luggage.  But it can also provide medical coverage if you are out of the country. Lastly, I tend to get a little sentimental in May, as it was this month 12 years ago that I started Blue Sea Vacations.  I'm nothing but grateful for the experience of being able to help you plan your trips.  Thank you for supporting Blue Sea Vacations. Have a Great Weekend, Brian PS - in case you missed it last month, I'm planning a 2026 Spring Break Cruise.  Let me know if you are interested! Contact Today See previous monthly emails here. Copyright © 2025 Blue Sea Vacations, All rights reserved.