Ever stood in front of a famous painting and wondered, “What am I supposed to do here?”

In this first episode of my new Wander in Wonder series, I’m diving into how to truly appreciate art — even if you don’t consider yourself an expert (I certainly don’t!). Inspired by a class I took at Notre Dame on Theology, Art and Beauty and my professor Dr. Sarah Maple (https://sarahelizabethmaple.academia.edu/), I share simple, thoughtful ways to engage with a work of art beyond just snapping a photo and moving on.

You’ll learn:

• A powerful question to ask beauty itself
• How to slow down and see a painting (including what to look for)
• The difference between what the artist intended and what the piece says to you
• How to turn a museum visit into a deeper, more meaningful experience — solo or with your kids
• My favorite immersive art experience and why you should try one near you

Plus, I’ll walk you through how I’ve put these tips into practice — from the Louvre to my local museum with my 21-year-old son — and how it changed the way we both see art.

RELATED:

• VIDEO: THE LUME Indianapolis at Newfields: Van Gogh Starry Night Immersive Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dq9MF9JL7Y
• Episode 176 | How I'm Learning Italian Inspired by My Travels

👉 Grab my free checklist of what to look for the next time you visit a museum: SecretsOfATravelJournalist.com/art

✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Chad Pennycuff (My DVC Points Podcast), we’re diving deeper into Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park: Epic Universe — and there’s so much more to explore!

This episode covers:

• 🍕 The best food in the park (hello, truffle pizza, mango cornbread & that Frankenstein pretzel)
• 🧛‍♂️ The incredible Dark Universe land featuring Universal Monsters — and why Monsters Unchained might be the most underrated ride in the park
• 🐉 Chad's favorite land, Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon), plus the family-friendly Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and must-see live show
• 🎢 What we thought of Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, and whether Yoshi’s Adventure is worth the wait
• 🧢 Why the Power-Up Bands matter — and how Universal turns Super Nintendo World into a real-life video game

We also share final thoughts on:

• Express Pass strategy
• Touring tips for different ages
• Why this park truly is epic — and may even deserve an entire trip on its own

Resources:

• My DVC Points Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Chad Pennycuff of the My DVC Points podcast to break down everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park, Epic Universe — starting with where to stay, what to skip, and how to save.

We also recap Chad’s incredible theme park tour across Asia, including Shanghai Disney, Universal Beijing, Tokyo Disney and more. Hear what Disney is doing next level overseas and how it compares to the new Epic Universe experience.

Then we shift to:

• Hotel options at Epic (including pros/cons of Stella Nova, Terra Luna & the ultra-pricey Helios Grand)
• A deep dive into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic — the ride, the land, the queue and the details you don’t want to miss
• Tips on wait times, Express Pass strategy, early entry and how to use points to cover your Universal trip
• What we loved (and didn’t) about Celestial Park and its headline coaster, Stardust Racers

🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epic

Want the full Epic Universe breakdown (plus my photos + member Q&A)? It’s inside the Club. Join --> SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Club

Resources:

• My DVC Points Podcast
• My Video Tour: Stella Nova Resort - https://youtu.be/BvQIJ3Vjs9g