Instagram story viewer> @wanderandrestore> Posts

Stephanie • ✈️ Travel Advisor | 🎥 Travel Content & UGC

@wanderandrestore

2.3K

followers

342

following

Adventure travel with kids ✈️
Trip planning tips & inspo 🎒🛫⛵️🚃
Still wandering 🌎 Breast cancer survivor 💕
📧COLLABS: [email protected]

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Am I too late for this trend? A friend I went to law school with but haven’t spoken to in years just called me to ask for guidance on her breast cancer diagnosis. I am introduced to 1-2 young women a month who are struggling with this diagnosis, with treatment, struggling to raise young children and put on a brave face. I am so angry this is happening to yet another woman.

But I told her. It will get better. It will never be the same. At least for me, it will always be different. Life before cancer vs. life after. But as long as there is still life, we can work to find the joy, the love, the gratitude in the most mundane places.

I was 40 and my children were 2, 5 and 6 when I was diagnosed with ER / PR +, HER2 - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma—breast cancer—despite having no symptoms of cancer, no breast cancer history in my family, and genetic testing which indicated I didn’t have any of the genes predisposing me to cancer. After a double mastectomy, chemo, 30 rounds of radiation, 2 more reconstruction surgeries, and now monthly shots and daily AI pills which put me into menopause and hopefully keeps the cancer from returning—I sit and wonder what to do next. Most days I try to pretend it didn’t happen. Move past it. But unfortunately, the monthly visits to the infusion center, scans, check ups and constant fear that the bone pain isn’t just “bone pain” but metastasis – keeps it lingering around in your head.

So I turn to travel. Traveling has always been a passion of mine and now post-cancer, it has also become my form of therapy. For me, traveling—whether across the globe or somewhere nearby, gives us the opportunity to interact with new people, get out of our heads and connect. That is what grounds me. As cliché as it sounds, cancer also taught me to embrace the YOLO philosophy 🤣 We do not have an infinite amount of time so don’t put off your bucket list!

Thank you to the women who openly shared their stories on social media—it helped me more than you can imagine. And thank you to the many women who privately shared their stories and became my dear friends. To anyone else going through this, I send you my love & support. 💕

#breastcancer #travel by @wanderandrestore

168

67

9 months ago

Let the kids stay up late and experience Semana Santa in Seville! The jet lag will actually work in your favor!

Holy Week (Semana Santa) takes place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. For 2026, Semana Santa will begin March 29 and conclude on April 5. It is most famously and elaborately celebrated in Spain (especially in the southern Andalucía region), as well as parts of Latin America and the Philippines.

Involving children in Semana Santa is a culturally immersive experience that allows kids to actively participate in traditions like:

🕯️Making Wax Balls: Children hold wax balls (bolas de cera) and ask the hooded penitents (the Nazarenos) to pour hot wax from their candles onto their wax balls. Kids compete to see who can make the biggest and most colorful wax ball. Oftentimes, the balls are saved and added to year after year!

🍭Collecting candy from procession participants—a tradition rooted in community, generosity and keeping children engaged during long, solemn processions. Besides candy, small tokens, Holy Cards, and other religious items may be handed out.

🥮 Eating seasonal treats like torrijas (a richer version of French toast), pestiños (honey-glazed pastries), and flores de Semana Santa (fried, flower-shaped pastries).

My eldest was making her First Communion the year we took them to Seville for Semana Santa. Even if you are not Catholic, however, it is a beautiful cultural event and very family-oriented. Children learn patience, reverence and a respect for new cultures and traditions. My kids were fascinated by the various costumes worn. Many women wear black dresses with a black lace veil (mantilla), especially on Holy Thursday / Good Friday, as a sign of mourning over the death of Jesus. The processions also include hooded penitents (the Nazarenos) from various Catholic brotherhoods (hermandades). The pointed hoods (capirotes) are believed to date back to the Spanish Inquisition and was/is designed to conceal the identity of the wearer, allowing them to repent in anonymity.

Comment SEVILLA below if you would like our itinerary with kids for this beautiful city!

#semanasanta #seville #sevilla #familytravel #travelwithkids taken in Seville, Spain by @wanderandrestore

31k

581

8 months ago

The Guna Yala Islands, formerly known as the San Blas Islands, are a stunning archipelago of islands off Panama’s Caribbean coast. The archipelago is made up of over 365 islands, most of which are uninhabited, meaning you could visit a new island every day for an entire year!! 🏝️

The islands are home to and governed by the indigenous Guna people who fought and won against the Panamanian government for autonomy a little over 100 years ago. The name change from San Blas to Guna Yala Islands occurred in 2011 when the Panamanian government recognized the Guna people’s request for their territory to reflect their own language, heritage and identity.

Known for pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant Guna traditions like the intricate and beautiful Mola textile art, the region offers a unique glimpse into a well-preserved indigenous lifestyle.

Thankfully, you will not find large, luxury resorts due to local Guna community regulations – keeping the islands rustic and authentic.

⛵️ To explore these islands, sail with ULU (I Travel by Boat) @ulusailing and let her know Stephanie @wanderandrestore referred you! (This is NOT a paid ad!! I just genuinely loved this experience and company so much 😍) Estefania, founder and sailor, has been living in Guna Yala since 2012. My husband and I and our 3 children (ages 4, 6 and 8 when we were there) spent 7 nights sailing with Estefania on one of her boats. Her catamaran chartering company promotes an eco-sustainable, immersive approach to exploring Guna Yala, rooted in nature, community, conservation and artistry. This is the kind of adventure that stays with you long after you return home. This is your sign to slow down, unplug, restore and connect with the rhythm of island life in 2026.

Send to someone who would want to explore these beautiful islands! Let me know in the comments👇 if you have any questions and follow @wanderandrestore for more adventurous travel inspo for you and your family 🌎❤️🌊 @ulusailing
.
.
.
#gunayala #sanblas #sanblaspanama #ecotourism #transformativetravel taken in San Blas Islas - Guna Yala by @wanderandrestore

187

18

9 months ago

Happy Father’s Day to this man. I didn’t have a father growing up so it was always sort of a sad day for me. What an incredible privilege it is to have my best friend to share all my adventures with—even the bad ones. ❤️

#breastcancer #familytravel #fathersday #cancer #parenthood by @wanderandrestore

80

41

4 months ago

Nothing to see here! 👀 Just me having a panic attack about all the places I still would love to experience plus all the places I’ve already been but want to re-experience with my husband and kids.

While also trying to be chill and embrace slow travel 🫠

So, got any other suggestions for me to add to my anxiety producing travel list??

#familytravel #traveltherapy #travelaftercancer #bucketlisttravel #travel by @wanderandrestore

30

8

4 months ago

Do not follow me for Disney content! See my 📌 comment👇for who to contact to plan your Disney trip!! Hint, it’s @amanda_atouchofmagictravel

I’ll be the first to admit that I much prefer (& my kids have all said they prefer) an adventurous trip to Hawaii or abroad vs. Disney. But Disney is still magical & something we wanted our kids to experience. ✨ We’ve visited twice with our children. The 1st time we stayed at the Yacht Club & LOVED it!! The most recent time we stayed at the Polynesian. Between the two, the Yacht Club was hands down the clear winner for our family! Travel is subjective but here is where we landed on the pros/cons:

💦Pool: Yacht/Beach Club wins for better pool per my kids! The Stormalong Bay pool has a lazy river, sand-bottom pool & awesome water slide (although a con is you have to leave the gated pool area to get to the slide entry). Polynesian has an amazing pool as well & if my children were still toddlers, I might prefer it. The Polynesian pool is not as spread out as Stormalong Bay so it could be easier to keep tabs on little ones & beginner swimmers.

🎢 Park Access: Everyone loves the monorail, but I found it really claustrophobic with frequent long wait times. We really liked being able to walk to Epcot from the Yacht Club, as well as take a boat to Hollywood Studios. You have to take a bus to Magic Kingdom, but I preferred the bus to the monorail! If you have younger kids that still nap in strollers though, the scale might tip towards Polynesian or another resort on the monorail since you don’t have to collapse strollers like you do for the bus / boat.

🍽️ Character Dining: We much preferred the character brunch at Beach Club’s Cape May over Polynesian’s ‘Ohana! The food was fresher, the dining area brighter with more natural light & the character interactions felt less rushed. Of course, you could stay at the Polynesian and still book breakfast at Cape May and vice versa, but there is nothing like rolling out of bed and grabbing a meal at the resort you are staying at, especially if you are planning a relaxing non-park pool day!

Which is your favorite resort at WDW?

#waltdisneyworld #disneyresort #familytravel taken in Walt Disney World Resort by @wanderandrestore

53

14

4 months ago

🥾The Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail, is a beautiful, easy-to-moderate coastal hike on Kauai’s south shore. The approximately 4 mile out-and-back trail stretches from Shipwreck Beach (near the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa) to the secluded Punahoa Point, taking about 2 hours to complete.

You can park at the public lot at the end of Ainako Street and start your hike at the eastern end of the beach.
The trail offers varied unique terrain, passing through coastal dunes, hardened limestone cliffs, the edge of the Poipu Bay Golf Course ⛳️ (watch for stray golf balls!), and ends near the ancient Makauwahi Cave and Māhāʻulepū Beach. There are several spots where the trail diverges into multiple paths and we got pretty off track for a while so my suggestion is to stay closer to the cliffs / follow the coastal path.

🧢☀️💦There is little to no shade so make sure to bring hats, sunscreen and plenty of water! My kids also wore their swimsuits but the water was too rough to swim the day we hiked. There are multiple tidepools along the way, however, so waterproof water shoes / hiking sandals are perfect for letting the kids explore them!

🐎 We unfortunately didn’t have time for this activity but came across CJM Country Stables along the hike! CJM has been family-owned and operated since 1985 and offers small personalized horseback rides on Kauai’s South Shore. It is definitely on our list the next time we go back to Kauai! @cjm_stables @cjmcountrystables

We ended the day with dinner at Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa which offers upscale Hawaiian cuisine in open-air thatch huts over a koi filled lagoon. @tidepoolskauai @grandhyattkauai We went back to our lodging for a full shower but there are basic, cold-water outdoor beach showers for rinsing off at the trailhead (Shipwreck Beach) as well as public restrooms to get changed.

✅ Save this post for your next trip to Kauai and follow @wanderandrestore for more family adventure travel suggestions & inspo! ❤️🌎

#familyhike #kauai #hawaiihikes #poipu #travelwithkids taken in Maha'Ulepu Heritage Trail by @wanderandrestore

725

35

5 months ago

Buckle up buttercup! It’s going to be a busy summer apparently! 📚🤣

Jokes aside, I can’t believe it’s the last day of preschool today for my BABY!!! 😭

How does this relate to travel? It doesn’t really. But I’ll try to make a connection. Almost as much fun as the trip itself, is getting my kids ready for the trip by involving them in the planning and learning about the destination. Take them to the library and let them check out books on the places you’ll be going, activities you might be doing, animal species in the area etc. Everyone has more fun when they feel a part of the process!

#summer #preschool #funny #lastdayofschool #summerschool by @wanderandrestore

26

9

5 months ago

They don’t call it the Garden Isle for nothing! 💚🌧️🌈

Kauai is nicknamed the Garden Isle for its lush tropical rainforests, emerald valleys made green by abundant rainfall, and vibrant, undeveloped landscapes. The North Shore of Kauai sees the most amount of rain, however, it is usually just passing and clears up quickly. And the best part about these afternoon showers? They bring rainbows and waterfalls! ☔️🌈

And whether it’s sunny or pouring rain, you can always get some shave ice at Wishing Well in beautiful Hanalei! 🍧 @wishingwellshaveice
.
.
.
.
#kauai #princeville #hanalei #familytravel #travelwithkids taken in North Shore, Kauai by @wanderandrestore

2k

61

5 months ago

Live a life you will remember ❤️✨
.
.
.
.
#travelwithkids #familytravel #bucketlisttravel by @wanderandrestore

36

7

5 months ago

Experiencing Stone Town, Zanzibar is a MUST before heading to the beaches. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a striking contrast to the island’s beach resorts, blending Swahili, Arab, Indian & European influences.

I recommend spending 2 nights at Emerson Spice Hotel. A lovingly restored Merchant’s House, this gorgeous multi-storied small boutique hotel boasts a tranquil inner courtyard and 11 unique high ceiling rooms. The rooftop Tea House hosts one of Stone Town’s most renowned restaurants with a stylish ambiance, 360 degree views of the city & Indian Ocean, amidst the sound of the calls to prayer from the surrounding mosques. @emersonzanzibar @emersonspicezanzibar

🚪Book a guided walking tour or wander at your own pace around the labyrinth of alleys & admire the iconic wooden doors of Stone Town—centuries-old, hand-carved masterpieces that serve as symbols of the island’s rich Swahili heritage. They seamlessly blend African, Arab, and Indian architectural influences, with details that historically advertised the original owner’s religion, wealth & occupation.

🌶️ Explore the vibrant, bustling street markets offering an authentic glimpse into local life, most notably Darajani Bazaar and the Forodhani Night Market. Consider booking a spice farm tour.

⛓️‍💥Visit the former slave market. This is a sobering experience that provides essential context for understanding Zanzibar’s past as a major hub for the East African slave trade. Note, if traveling with children, decide based on their age & maturity whether this is something that may be too upsetting (& claustrophobic).

⛵️🐢 Walk along the waterfront harbour and consider taking a half day boat ride to Prison Island to see the Giant Aldabra tortoises! Although, full disclosure, this can be quite crowded and better swimming and snorkeling is found elsewhere so if heading to a beach resort after your stop over in Stone Town, this is something I would skip if short on time. The tortoises, however, can be a huge hit with kids!

Save this post if planning a trip to Africa! We loved tacking this on after our safari in Tanzania! 🐘🦒🦓

#zanzibar #stonetown #tanzania #travel #africa taken in Stone Town, Zanzibar by @wanderandrestore

236

13

5 months ago

📣LEAVE THE RESORT!! There is so much to see on the islands and why fly all the way to Hawaii just to stay at the hotel pool / beach!?

If you are planning a stay in Poipu on the south shore of Kauai, save this day trip itinerary! ✅

🚗 Pack a lunch & start by driving to Waimea Canyon. The drive itself is gorgeous and takes approximately 40 minutes from Poipu. But note the roads are winding and when you combine it with the altitude, I recommend drinking lots of water and bringing motion sickness medicine. One of our kids wasn’t feel too great at first, but was fine after some chewable kids dramamine tablets. (I’m not a doctor, consult your physician, etc. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

🏖️ After exploring Waimea, head to Salt Pond Beach which is on the way back to Poipu. We LOVED this beach! No hate but we really didn’t enjoy Poipu Beach. At least when we visited, it was VERY crowded, rocky with sharp coral and rough waters. We much preferred the wide open sandy and relatively empty beaches at Salt Pond. We went back to this beach several times for the laid back feel. We also were able to spot Hawaiian monk seals each afternoon we went! 🦭

Next, check out📍Hanapēpē which is only a 6 minute drive from Salt Pond & approximately 25 minutes from Poipu. Known as Kauai’s Biggest Little Town, Hanapēpē is a historic plantation village that is a completely different vibe from touristy resort focused Poipu. There are several art galleries & unique shops, along with numerous Lilo & Stitch murals as Hanapēpē served as the real-life inspiration for the town in the Disney film!

I recommend going to Japanese Grandma’s Cafe for lunch or dinner, which specializes in traditional Japanese food using fresh organic & local ingredients. (And had plenty of gluten free options for me!) @japanesegrandmascafe

📸 Take some photo ops by the Lilo & Stitch murals and cross the swinging bridge before browsing some of the shops and art galleries. My favorite shop was lū.lā. which has a beautifully curated selection of handcrafted jewelry, Hawaiian clothing & fine art. Def check out if you visit this town! @lulakauai

#kauai #familytravel #waimeacanyon #hanapepe #hawaii taken in Kauai, Hawaii by @wanderandrestore

5k

139

5 months ago