June 2026

6/5/2026

Hello Friends,

I hope this email finds you doing well and enjoying life. We’ve had a good two months since I last emailed. There were plenty of highlights all around.

After a season off from coaching, I jumped in and volunteered to coach Peter's soccer team. I had a fun group of kids to be around. Blue Sea Vacations sponsored the team. It's been nice to see the progress that Peter and these kids made throughout the season.

This past week, both kids started their summer swim team. It's Peter's first year, and he's bringing his energy to the practices. The verdict is still out on whether Sarah likes having him around, but she's been a good sport so far.

I took a big trip to Las Vegas to see Phish at the Sphere. It was an incredible experience with four other friends. I tell people that if you have the chance to attend an event, go. It's hard to put into words what it was like, because it was so unique.

Sandy finished up a two-year-long process of working towards her National Board Certification. This is a certification that is considered one of the most prestigious for teachers to attain across the country. She put in hundreds of hours of work over the past two years.

In early May, we went and saw the Yankees play the Brewers in Milwaukee. The Brewers crushed the Yankees, and my Wisconsin friends were happy. We also went to the new professional women's soccer team in Madison, called Rally. We all had an awesome time, and will definitely attend more games.

The months were rounded off with two grandparent visits. Including meeting Benny, my in-laws' rescue Chihuahua-mix. Needless to say, the kids were head over heels, and are constantly asking when we're getting a dog. I tell them not anytime soon.

In May, I also went to Mexico for a travel agent FAM. FAM stands for familiarization trip. I was lucky to join three other agents from my team to visit 14 different resorts. Over the next few months, I'll highlight some of my favorite resorts.

The first resort that we toured ended up being one of my favorites. It was the Xcaret Arte. This is an adults-only property located in the Riviera Maya region south of Cancun. Visually, the resort is stunning. Beautiful flowers, buildings, and art are plentiful. This is the type of resort where you can really feel yourself getting immersed in the culture of the region. Even though we only toured there, the buffet was one of the nicest I've ever seen. And for those that don't know my saying about food at resorts, "If the buffet is good, most likely the rest of the food will be good."

A benefit of booking at Xcaret Arte is that you have access to the Xcaret Theme Parks. These can cost hundreds of dollars per person, and they are included when you stay. There is an all-ages resort called Xcaret Mexico, which we did not see, but I've heard is equally as amazing.

A number of you have reached out to begin planning trips for next winter and spring break. Thank you! Right now is the perfect time to get started. For those in the upper-Midwest, charter flights have been released for Milwaukee, Chicago O'Hare, and Rockford. Now is the time to book them before they sell out! Feel free to set up a time to speak here. As always, the biggest compliment you can give is a referral, which I greatly appreciate.

May is when I celebrate founding Blue Sea Vacations in 2013. As I reflect on the past 13 years, I have nothing but gratitude to all of you, my wonderful clients for your support. Many thanks.

Have a great weekend,

Brian

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See previous monthly emails here.

April 2026

6/5/2026

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Hello Friends,

I hope this email finds you well. Spring seems to be trying to arrive here in Wisconsin, but winter isn't going down without a fight. We went from 75 degrees to 30 degrees in two days this week.

Peter's hockey season officially ended with the annual parents v. kids hockey game and a tournament. I especially loved playing against Peter on the ice! Sarah had a month off from swimming, and I could tell by the end she was getting antsy to get back in the water. She kept busy selling Girl Scout cookies at cookie booths around the area. If you are interested in purchasing some, here is the link to order. I don't think I attached it last month. Sorry! If you live in the Madison area, we'd be happy to drop them off.

At the end of the month, my family went on the Blue Sea Vacation's 4th-ever Spring Break Cruise. We sailed for seven nights on the Carnival Mardi Gras. Carnival tends to be a little more "fun" focused, which our kids loved. They spent time each day in the kids' club, enjoyed all the performances and activities, and, of course, plenty of ice cream.

I enjoyed the variety of food options and the fact that the kids actually liked going to the kids' club. It provided Sandy and me a chance to relax and read in the adults-only area every afternoon.

A highlight was our day in Grand Turk. We took a tour that included snorkeling, petting sting rays, watching people dive down 30 feet for conch shells, and eating fresh conch salad from said conches. I'm not a huge ceviche fan, but I really enjoyed the conch salad! After the tour, we stopped to fulfil one of Peter's dreams and drank from a coconut.

As spring break season winds down, many people's focus turns to summer and autumn. Now is the time to book those trips. But it's also a great time to book something for next winter. Especially if you want to go away over the holidays, feel free to set up a time to speak here. As always, the biggest compliment you can give is a referral, which I greatly appreciate.

I'll be away at the beginning of May, so we'll pick up the next update in June.

Have a great weekend,

Brian

Contact Today

See previous monthly emails here.

March 2026

4/2/2026

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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

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See previous monthly emails here.

February 2026

4/2/2026

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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

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See previous monthly emails here.

January 2026

1/19/2026

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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

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See previous monthly emails here.

December 2025

12/5/2025

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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

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November 2025

12/5/2025

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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

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September 2025

9/5/2025

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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

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August 2025

8/1/2025

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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!

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July 2025

8/1/2025

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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!

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