STM Travel Design - Rachel Baldridge

Swiss Train Escape
8-Day Tour with Globus from St. Gallen to Lake Geneva
Starting at $2,269 per person

This itinerary is such a beautiful way to experience Switzerland. Think charming villages, stunning mountain views, crystal-clear lakes, and some of the most scenic train rides in Europe all built into one trip.

Highlights include:

Riding the famous Voralpen Express
Exploring Lucerne in the heart of the Alps
A guided walking tour through Bern
Time in Lausanne and Montreux along Lake Geneva
Touring the iconic Chillon Castle
Scenic rail journeys throughout Switzerland

If you’ve been wanting a relaxing European itinerary with incredible scenery and easy travel between destinations, this is such a great option.

One of the things I love most about group tours is how easy they make international travel. So much of the planning is already handled for you which means you can focus more on enjoying the experience instead of stressing over logistics.

Hotels, transportation between cities, many tours, and often some meals are included, making it a really seamless way to see multiple destinations in one trip. They’re also a great choice for travelers who want the comfort of having a guide throughout the journey while still having free time to explore on their own.

Group tours are such a great option for travelers wanting to experience Europe without having to plan every detail themselves!

Savor the best of Northern Italy 🇮🇹
If Northern Italy has been on your list, this is such a good way to experience it. This 10-day Northern Italy’s Highlights & Cinque Terre blends all the must-see spots with incredible food and those dreamy coastal views. You’ll go from stylish Milan to the colorful villages of Cinque Terre—with plenty of unforgettable moments in between (yes, including Parmesan, balsamic, and even Ferrari 🏎️).

What’s Included:
• 9 nights accommodations
• Daily breakfast + select lunches & dinners
• All in-country transportation
• Expert Tour Director + local guides
• Guided sightseeing with free time built in to explore on your own

Excursions & Experiences:
• Guided walking tour of Milan (Duomo, La Scala, Galleria)
• Parmesan tasting in Parma
• Balsamic vinegar tasting in Modena
• Visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello
• Boat ride along the Cinque Terre coastline
• Train ride through the Cinque Terre villages
• Sightseeing in Genoa & Turin
• Wine tasting + lunch at a castle
• Choice of a pesto-making demo or maritime museum in Genoa
• Visit to a rice farm with a risotto experience

Special Offer:
• Up to $1,000 off select 2026 departures
• Example: $6,598 total for 2 people on the September 18, 2026 departure
Perfect for: anyone who loves great food, beautiful scenery, and wants to see a lot of Italy without the stress of planning 🍝✨
*Pricing and availability subject to change, promotion ends April 30th

If Germany has been on your travel list, this is such a good opportunity to make it happen.

I have space available on the July 19–26 departure of an incredible tour of Germany, and it’s currently $500 off per person.

This is an 8-day, fully guided tour from Berlin to Munich, and it really hits all the highlights without you having to plan a thing.

Pricing is $4,458 total for 2 people
(Flights are not included, but I can absolutely package those in for you.)

Here’s what I love about this itinerary:

• You’ll start in Berlin with a guided tour of major landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Holocaust Memorial
• Explore the beautiful city of Dresden, including its famous baroque architecture and Zwinger Palace
• Walk through Rothenburg, a storybook medieval town along Germany’s Romantic Road (this one is straight out of a fairytale)
• Visit Neuschwanstein Castle—yes, the one that inspired Disney’s castle
• Stop in Oberammergau, known for its charming village feel and historic Passion Play
• End in Munich with time to explore and even enjoy a traditional Bavarian farewell dinner

Throughout the trip, you’ll have a Tour Director, guided sightseeing, hotel stays, transportation between cities, and built-in free time so it doesn’t feel overly scheduled.

This is such a great option if you want to experience multiple cities, iconic sights, and culture without the stress of figuring out trains, hotels, or logistics.

If Europe is on your radar for 2026, this is one I would absolutely consider—especially with the savings right now.

Message me if you want the full itinerary or to add flights!

Looking for an epic long weekend with your family to celebrate the end of summer? Add Sedona to your list.

Between the red rock scenery, outdoor adventure, and fun downtown vibe, it’s one of those destinations that feels both relaxing and exciting for the whole family. Here are a few things families with older kids will love:

🥾 Hike the Red Rocks
Trails like the one to Cathedral Rock or around Bell Rock offer incredible views and just enough challenge to keep teens engaged. Bonus: the photo ops are unreal.

🚙 Take a Pink Jeep Adventure
One of the most iconic things to do in Sedona is a ride with Pink Jeep Tours. You’ll climb rugged red rock trails, learn about the area, and get a little adrenaline rush along the way.

🚲 Mountain Bike the Trails
Sedona is a mountain biking paradise. Rent bikes and explore the family-friendly trails around Red Rock State Park — older kids especially love the mix of scenery and adventure.

🛍️ Explore Uptown Sedona
Spend an afternoon strolling through Uptown Sedona where you’ll find fun shops, local art, and plenty of spots for ice cream or a casual dinner with a view.

🌅 Catch a Sedona Sunset
End the day watching the red rocks glow at Airport Mesa — one of the best sunset views in Arizona and a perfect way to wrap up a day of exploring.

✨ Even better — the price right now is amazing:
I found a 4-night stay August 6–10 for a family of 4 for just $1,303 total. That includes:
✔️ Daily breakfast
✔️ Free parking

For a destination like Sedona, that’s an incredible long-weekend value.

Sedona is one of those places where you can hike in the morning, explore town in the afternoon, and watch a sunset that feels like something out of a movie. 🌄

If you want the details on this deal or want help planning a quick summer getaway, send me a message — I’d love to help you make it happen! ✈️

White washed walls, iconic blue roofs, meandering through alleyways, historic cities, and unforgettable experiences: This sums up a mediterranean cruise experience!

On the blog today, one of our members, Rachel Baldridge, shares about her dream trip onboard the Sun Princess with Princess Cruise Line. The ports were the star of the show, and you'll love reading about her favorites and why she chose this itinerary specifically.

Link in the comments below!

*Meet Rachel Baldridge*

Rachel is a Senior Travel Advisor, Platinum Top Producer, and Top 20 Agent for Share The Magic Travel. She loves designing travel for families and couples, and specializes in Mediterranean cruises, all inclusive resorts, European travel, and theme parks.

Here are some of Rachel's favorite things about travel:

*Favorite destination to plan*

A favorite destination I plan is Mediterranean cruising, which has become a niche I truly love. I’ve learned so much about the variety of ports, and anytime I see itineraries that include the same stops I experienced on my own cruise, I encourage clients to jump on them. The Mediterranean is the perfect combination of history, sea, and relaxation.

*Memorable client trip*

I recently had clients take a three-week trip through Europe, spending time in multiple cities before embarking on a two-week Mediterranean cruise, then heading to Dublin at the end of their journey. It was a complicated itinerary with lots of moving pieces, but seeing their photos and hearing their updates was a highlight for me!

*Where to next?*

Our family visits Disney World once or twice a year, but the next big trip on the books for me is my hosted river cruise in March 2027 with AmaWaterways. We’ll be sailing the Rhine through Amsterdam, Germany, France, and Switzerland. I have a wonderful group joining me, and I’m especially looking forward to a bike tour in Strasbourg, viewing dozens of castles as we cruise along the river, and standing in awe of the Cologne Cathedral.

To connect with Rachel for future travel plans, head to: https://www.stmtraveldesign.com/about-rachel

I'm excited to share that I have officially launched my newsletter! I've been doing a trial run this past week to my current client base and I'm ready to launch it to the rest of you!

I hope to share helpful travel tips, personal stories of my own travel or from my clients trips, occasional exclusive promotions (I will not spam you!), and insight into the travel industry as someone who has over three years of experience.

I'd love for you to read and share with anyone who might enjoy it as well! My next email is all about my favorite stop from my cruise last May: Mykonos!

To subscribe, use this link: https://travelwithrachelbaldridge.myflodesk.com/e9o5exroc5

I am excited to share that I am stepping into a new division within the agency I have proudly called home for the past three years. STM Travel Design is a specialized division of Share the Magic Travel, a nationally recognized travel agency.

As a Senior Travel Advisor and top-producing Platinum Advisor, my passion for designing meaningful, well-crafted travel experiences has continued to grow. Over the past year, my focus has increasingly shifted toward creating globally inspired journeys that clients will treasure for a lifetime. When the opportunity arose to partner with this new division, I embraced the chance to deepen my expertise, expand my brand, and strengthen the supplier partnerships and added value I bring to my clients.

I will continue working with the trusted suppliers I have always partnered with, including theme park destinations and all major cruise lines. In addition, I am now offering a more curated, elevated level of service for travelers seeking experiences beyond the familiar—whether that means off-the-beaten-path destinations or comprehensive support for international travel planning.

If you are ready to explore travel beyond the United States and venture into new global destinations, I would be honored to partner with you and help bring your travel dreams to life.