views AGENTS’
Sarah Hart, Hays Travel “I knew Kissimmee was
on the doorstep of the major theme parks but I didn’t realise how much else there was to do, from bike rides and quirky museums to airboat excursions and pretty towns. It’s a fantastic place for families.”
Sam Griffiths, Cruise1st “Clients might worry about
feeling crammed in on a ship the size of Icon of the Seas but I can now see they don’t need to. The designers have done a superb job of maximising passenger flow and ensuring guests can navigate it easily.”
Katie Longstaff, Cruise118 “I’ve been on
a couple of Celebrity cruises, but with Beyond’s larger size, I really noticed how much more space you get, as well as the luxury and attention to detail you’d expect. It’s an ideal ship for couples who want to do as much or as little as they like.”
Lavinia Chew, Hays Travel “Virgin Atlantic’s
premium economy cabin is a step up, with priority boarding, extra legroom, upgraded meals and that added layer of luxury. I felt far more relaxed after boarding – the extra space and quieter ambience makes it a little more special.”
were greeted in style at private terminal Aether, more often frequented by celebrities and luxury travellers. As details filtered through, the excitement began to build – and by the time we’d reached Kissimmee, everyone was firmly in game mode. The first scavenger hunt began in the entertainment district of Sunset Walk in Margaritaville, as a series of photo challenges came thick and fast via cryptic messages from a certain ‘Agent Unknown’. One minute I found Tim Harden from Harden
Holidays snapping a photo of himself in a classic British phone box; the next, I spotted Vidya Kesavan from InteleTravel trying to discover how far Cancún was from Sunset Walk. The pace picked up as we explored Kissimmee
– first in Disney-built Celebration, then among the shops and restaurants of Disney Springs and finally by answering trivia about the 2,000-plus cars on display at entertainment hub Dezerland Park. As agents racked up points, it became tight at the top of the leaderboard. The only thing hotter than the competition was the weather itself, as temperatures soared above 30C.
FLORIDA FUN That’s not to say the competition was always full throttle. Strategic pauses allowed the agents to catch their breath and to explore sun-drenched corners of Kissimmee, with a leisurely bike ride through sleepy Celebration and its leafy surroundings, as well as an airboat ride in the
34 17 JULY 2025
33As keen as the competition had been, everyone was cheering for each other – and all considered themselves winners
Everglades in search of alligators and great blue herons. It was a welcome reminder that Kissimmee is not only suitable for theme park fans and families but also for couples and friends looking for outdoor activities. After a busy day cracking clues, the agents retreated to their luxury villa in Encore Resort at Reunion – somewhere that would also work well as a base for clients. “The size of these villas, with a large kitchen and a bathroom for every bedroom, mean they are ideal for multigenerational families,” said Leanne Rudd from Travel Counsellors. “And they are close to the theme parks.” With the Kissimmee challenges completed, it was time for Destination Unknown to move to a new location. The anticipation quickly built as the agents recharged on the three-and-a-half hour Brightline train journey from Orlando to the next destination: Miami.
ROYAL VISIT
With many of the finalists being cruise specialists, the next chapter of Destination Unknown brought them to more-familiar surroundings.
travelweekly.co.uk
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