Any chance you get to travel and see new places and spaces is magical by virtue of the fact that you get to enjoy people, places, and things that are new to you. 

Traveling to beloved destinations you’ve seen time and time again can be magical, too, thanks to the store of memories you’ve built up over the many experiences you’ve had there. Magic and whimsy are everywhere if you know how to look for them, but what if you want to enhance and magnify that fairy dust into a fully fairytale experience?

How to Turn Any Trip Into a Fairytale Experience

Well, you’ve come to the right place! Here, we specialize in the dreamy and ethereal, and I’ve got the A-Z of how to transform even your shortest trip into a fairytale experience that’s enchanting enough to make into a leather-bound book.

Your Fairytale Travels

Travel Like a Queen

In the absence of an actual pumpkin that can reinvent itself as a carriage (oh, how I WISH this were an option!), traveling like a queen gets a modern makeover: traveling by private jet.

Nothing in the world could ever be less enchanting than someone else’s toddler kicking your seat for hours on end or sitting next to an armrest hog! Travel like the king or queen you are, and use this opportunity to spoil yourself with private jet charter flights.

Flying private has a leg up on commercial flights in so many ways: It’s a customizable experience, it’s customer-centric, it’s luxurious, and opulently comfortable. Private flights will set the bar for the rest of your travel experience, so start strong!

Choose Storybook Locations

If your travel mindset is one searching for the magic in every moment, then you’ll want to find storybook locations to explore. Sure, a trip to LA, Bangkok, or Tokyo might have its own kind of magic, but it’s probably not what you’re searching for.

You’re looking for something a little bit more old-world, with charm and history. Somewhere you can wander cobbled streets, lose yourself in ancient woods, stare in wonder at waterfalls, and may even see a castle or two if you’re lucky…somewhere off the beaten path. Somewhere like:

• Annecy or flower bedecked bridges over turquoise canals set against an alpine backdrop.
• Positano for dramatic, stunning seaside cliffs, charming homes, and bougainvillea wherever you look.
• Sintra for ethereal and ancient castles and lush gardens, mist-swathed hills and hidden paths.
• Gruyères for medieval charm and charming, cobbled lanes, alpine views, and an actual castle.

Stay in Your Version of a Castle

In some cases, you might actually get to stay in a castle (look to Germany, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, and the UK for this experience), but failing that, choose the next best thing for a true fairytale experience.

Your accommodation should be one fit for a queen and have the amenities, comfort, and luxury befitting that station. It should also, and most importantly, have a visual appeal and charm that takes you back in time to when knights and fair maidens roamed the lands.

Look for boutique hotels, standalone Airbnb rentals, and even high-end inns or bed and breakfasts. Major chains typically lack the personality you’re looking for, so choose carefully!

Indulge in Magical Moments

Yes, going to the store (if you opt for self-catering) or jumping into an Uber are necessary and not so magical moments, but if you plan well, you can use those to support some truly spectacular experiences. Instead of traditional sightseeing, you could opt for a coastal stroll to a viewpoint at sunset.

Instead of a traditional restaurant dinner, you could book an after-hours experience at, say, a botanical garden and have a moonlit picnic. Take a lantern-lit walk through the old part of town, treat yourself to a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh ride, or a boat ride on a sparkling lake.

Slow down to enjoy these things instead of speeding through a shopping spree or taking a traditional sightseeing tour.

Dress for the Job You Want

There is no rule anywhere that says “you can’t wear a ballgown to breakfast”, so wear whatever makes you feel most special! Yes, I admit it may be a challenge to cram a ballgown into your suitcase, but it’s the mindset that matters!

Fairytale dressing means different things to different people, but keep the goal of your trip in mind when you pack. Choose outfits that represent your fairytale fantasy: pieces that reflect princess motifs with flowing skirts and dramatic sleeves, pieces that reflect a knight motif with structure and chainmail-like knits. Choose drama, but never forget that comfort is key when exploring your destinations.

Capture Your Story

Last, but never least, capture your experiences on film, digital, and video. Shooting “content” is now a part of most trips for a number of age ranges and demographics.

Whether these videos and photos are just for you to remember the experiences you had or to share on social media, don’t let anyone tell you there’s anything wrong with making that content or even making it a priority. Make lists of all the loveliest, magical spots at every destination.

Plan outfits that will work well with these locations and add half an hour to your itinerary for a stop at each spot to give you time to find the light and the best angles.

Do remember to keep these moments in perspective: remember that the journey is more than the snapshots! Also, remember that sometimes the most unassuming moments can have their own kind of magic: a quick kiss, a cute table setting, the bedding drenched in golden sunlight. Find the magic in the small moments, too, as they often make the best memories.

And Most Importantly? Be The Main Character

This is your trip, so remember to make sure you enjoy it! You’re the main character in your own fairytale, so take the time to enjoy every moment of it in a way that makes you the happiest.