From salmon tossing at Pike Place Market to fireworks over Sleeping Beauty’s castle, our Ul-TRI-mate USA famil was packed with wow moments, deep dives into local culture and plenty of behind-the-scenes industry insights.
Three very different destinations – Seattle, Flagstaff and Anaheim – each brought something incredible to the table.
Seattle, Washington State, was the perfect city to begin our journey. Set against a backdrop of mountains and water, it offered a dynamic mix of nature and culture.
Some standout highlights:
# Pike Place Market, yes – it was flying through the air and I caught it! I officially took part in the iconic Pike Place salmon toss! An experience I’ll carry with me forever. It was also unreal to soak up the atmosphere of this famous and historic marketplace.
# Visiting the Space Needle, with panoramic views that stretched from Puget Sound to Mt. Rainier – breathtaking!
# The Argosy Cruise through the Ballard Locks gave us an amazing look at how Seattle connects its waterways, while also learning about the city’s maritime heritage.
# The Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition was a visual masterpiece – bold, colourful glass art that left a lasting impression.
Flagstaff, Arizona, gave us a completely different experience filled with culture, science and rugged natural landscapes.
Key highlights included:
# Visiting Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater where we explored ancient Indigenous dwellings and dramatic volcanic terrain.
# A truly unforgettable trip to the Grand Canyon. No photo can capture the feeling of standing on the edge and taking in its vastness – one of the most humbling and awe-inspiring moments of the trip.
# At Lowell Observatory we gazed at distant stars and planets, learning how Flagstaff has played a critical role in astronomical discovery (Pluto was discovered here!).
Anaheim, California, offered high-energy experiences, play, connection and fun.
The highlights included:
# Disneyland – from thrilling rides to fairy-tale moments around every corner, the magic was real from the moment we walked through the gates.
One of the most unforgettable highlights was having breakfast with the Disney characters. Sitting down to a delicious meal while being greeted by Minnie, Goofy and friends felt like stepping straight into a childhood dream.
The characters didn’t just stop by for a quick photo – they interacted, danced, posed and brought genuine joy to everyone in the room. It was the perfect mix of fun and nostalgia.
# An LA Angels baseball game, where I got to experience a slice of American sports culture – complete with stadium snacks, fan chants and a lively atmosphere. LOVED IT!
# Exploring Anaheim’s craft breweries, where we relaxed and enjoyed the local scene, sampling creative brews and seeing how these small businesses contribute to tourism in their own way.
Happy surprises along the way and life-long memories
What surprised me most was how vastly different each destination felt, even though they’re all part of the same country.
Seattle was urban and deeply connected to nature. Flagstaff surprised me with its rich Indigenous history and space science focus. Anaheim was buzzing with high-energy and big-scale entertainment.
The variety across such a short trip was eye-opening.
Learnings and reflections on a truly epic famil
This Ul-TRI-mate famil has been truly transformative for me both professionally and personally.
As an agent, having first-hand experience in Seattle, Flagstaff and Anaheim means I can now sell these destinations with far more confidence and authenticity.
I understand not just the popular attractions, but the stories, culture and unique experiences that make each place special.
This insight allows me to better tailor recommendations to client’s interests and create more meaningful travel plans for them.
On a personal level, the trip deepened my appreciation for the power of travel as a way to connect people, cultures and ideas.
Meeting new people, experiencing diverse environments and stepping outside my comfort zone helped me grow in empathy, curiosity and adaptability.
Overall, this experience reminded me why I love working in tourism and inspired me to keep exploring and learning both for my clients and myself.
Mel Sherry – MTA – Mobile Travel Agents – Redhead – Home
