Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise DelVecchio.
Hi Denise, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey to travel planning started with an unexpected plot twist – literally. In 2014, I was running Little Snowflakes Cottage Bakery, specializing in custom cake design. I loved the creativity and even volunteered with Icing Smiles, creating celebration cakes for children with terminal illnesses. But a CrossFit shoulder injury changed everything, making the physical demands of baking impossible.
Around the same time, my husband Stephen had been laid off from his 15-year career in the tech industry. After a magical Disney World trip together, he decided to pivot into travel planning and started booking trips for friends and family. When my bakery closed in April 2014, I joined him at Magic Destinations Travel the following month.
What started as a necessity became my calling. I discovered that the same skills I used in custom cake design – listening carefully to what people want, adding personal touches, and creating something memorable – translated beautifully into crafting dream vacations.
Over the past 11+ years, I’ve become the face of the agency, handling everything from marketing and sales to training and client relationships. Stephen focuses on Disney and Universal bookings behind the scenes, while I’ve developed expertise in ocean and river cruising, European travel, all-inclusive, and multi-generational trips. We’re especially known for our Galveston cruise expertise here in Texas.
This past July, I finally took the leap to work full-time in the agency after years of balancing it with retail management. It’s been incredible – in my first week alone, I completed six bookings and sent out multiple quotes. Turns out, when one door closes, the whole world opens up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not – and I think anyone who says entrepreneurship is smooth sailing hasn’t really done it! The biggest challenge came during the COVID-19 shutdown. Overnight, our entire industry came to a screeching halt. Clients were canceling trips, cruise lines were suspended, and the phone that used to ring with excited vacation planners went silent.
There were days when the depression was so heavy that I just wanted to sit at my computer and escape into Candy Crush instead of facing the reality of what was happening to our business. I’d worked so hard to build Magic Destinations Travel, and it felt like it was all slipping away.
But I gave myself permission to feel those feelings – and then I brushed myself off and asked, “What do my clients need right now?” The answer was clear: people were afraid to fly, but they were desperate to get out of their homes and explore. So I completely reinvented our services and started planning road trips across the United States.
I researched scenic routes, hidden gems, quirky roadside attractions, and safe accommodations. I helped families discover their own backyards in ways they never had before. It kept us afloat during the darkest time in travel history, and it taught me that adaptability isn’t just a business skill – it’s a survival skill.
That experience made me a better travel advisor. I learned that our value isn’t just in booking trips; it’s in truly understanding what our clients need and finding creative solutions, no matter what the world throws at us.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Magic Destinations Travel is a boutique travel agency based in Midlothian, Texas, specializing in creating personalized, stress-free travel experiences for couples, singles, and multi-generational families. Our tagline says it all: “You pick the destination, we make it magic!”™
What sets us apart is our white-glove, relationship-first approach. In an era of discount booking sites and MLM travel agents, we’ve built our business on something those platforms can’t replicate: genuine expertise, personalized service, and support that extends before, during, and after your trip. About 90% of our clients come from referrals, which tells you everything you need to know about the experience we deliver.
We specialize in several key areas:
Galveston cruises – We’re the go-to experts for Texas cruisers sailing out of Galveston, from first-timers to seasoned sailors
Ocean and river cruising – Personalized itineraries that match your travel style and budget
European travel – Custom itineraries for couples and groups exploring Europe
All-inclusive resorts – Perfect for romance, relaxation, or family fun
Disney and Universal – My husband Stephen is our Disney and Universal specialist
Group travel – Whether it’s a multi-generational family reunion, incentive trip, or friends’ getaway
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is the trust we’ve earned. We’re not just booking trips – we’re building relationships. I get to know my clients’ preferences, their travel dreams, their budgets, and even their quirks. When someone calls me at 2 a.m. because they missed a connection in Europe, they’re not getting a voicemail – they’re getting me, ready to solve the problem.
We also offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation where we get to know each other and discuss your travel vision before any commitment. Once you decide to work with us, we handle every detail – from flights and accommodations to shore excursions and dinner reservations – so you can focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure, not the logistics.
What I want readers to know is this: Travel planning shouldn’t be stressful, and you shouldn’t have to settle for cookie-cutter packages or navigate confusing booking sites alone. Whether you’re planning your first cruise, a milestone anniversary trip, or a complex multi-destination journey, we bring the expertise, the personal touch, and the peace of mind that turns a good trip into a magical experience.
And if something goes wrong while you’re traveling? You’ve got us in your corner, ready to fix it. That’s the Magic Destinations difference.
How do you think about luck?
I think luck is really just opportunity meeting preparation – but I’d be lying if I said timing and circumstance haven’t played a role in my journey.
The “bad luck” that turned into the best thing: My shoulder injury ending my bakery career felt devastating at the time. I loved baking, loved the creativity, and had built something I was proud of. But that injury forced me into the travel industry, and looking back, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Sometimes what feels like bad luck is actually life redirecting you toward your true calling.
The good luck I’m most grateful for: Having a partner like Stephen who took the leap first. When he was laid off from his tech career, he could have panicked or played it safe. Instead, he explored travel planning, and that opened the door for me to join him when my bakery closed. We’ve built this business together, and I don’t take for granted how rare it is to work alongside your spouse successfully.
The timing factor: Starting in 2014 gave us several solid years to build our foundation before COVID hit. If we’d launched in 2019, I’m not sure we would have survived the shutdown. That established client base and the trust we’d earned kept us afloat when we pivoted to road trip planning during the pandemic.
But here’s what I’ve learned about luck: You can’t control when opportunities or challenges come, but you can control how you respond. Bad luck taught me resilience and adaptability. Good luck taught me gratitude and the importance of not taking success for granted. And both taught me that the real “luck” is being willing to show up, do the work, and keep going even when the odds feel stacked against you.
So yes, luck has played a role – but I like to think we’ve made our own luck by staying committed, staying flexible, and always putting our clients first.
Pricing:
- Complimentary 30-minute consultation – No obligation, get to know each other and discuss your travel vision
- Planning fee: $150 per trip (increasing to $200 in 2026) – Covers comprehensive research, custom itinerary creation, and booking coordination
- Included at no extra cost: 24/7 emergency support while traveling, ongoing assistance via phone/text/email, price monitoring, expert guidance, and access to exclusive supplier perks not available to the general public
- Trip costs vary widely – We work with all budgets, from $2,000 weekend cruises to $30,000+ European adventures
- Our value: You’re not just getting a reservation – you’re getting a dedicated travel advisor, insider expertise, and peace of mind every step of the way
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magicdestinations.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicdtravel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicDestinations
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/magic-destinations-travel-llc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/magic-destinations-travel-midlothian-3
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g4WnwB98BWow7TMV8
Image Credits
All photos are the property of Denise DelVecchio
