How one couple hilariously recreated their canceled trip to Europe
You know what they say: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And there's an awful lot of lemonade being served due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, which has completely upended the travel industry.
Kaitlyn Brady and her husband, Brian Amaral, are one of countless couples whose trips have been derailed by the global pandemic. But Brady and Amaral didn't just make a pitcher of lemonade — they built the entire lemonade stand.
Visit TPG's guide to all coronavirus news and updates
The couple had been planning a trip to Madeira, one of the Portuguese islands off the coast of Morocco, for a couple of years. They booked flights from Boston (BOS) to Madeira (FNC), and strategically took advantage of TAP Air Portugal's stopover program to have a few days in Lisbon (LIS) on the way home.
Related: The ultimate guide to airline stopover programs
Their flight was supposed to land in Madeira on April 2, which was Amaral's birthday. Plus, Portugal has always had a special meaning to the couple, as Amaral proposed to Brady there.
Once it became apparent the coronavirus was going to wreak havoc on their vacation plans, Brady had to come up with a new way to celebrate.
"I tried to think of ways to make the day special while stuck in our apartment — a big difference from our original plans! One of the big tourist activities in Madeira is riding down the steep, windy streets in wicker toboggans. We were really looking forward to doing this since it's so unique and silly, so I had the idea of editing us into a picture of a basket ride. Then, I kept coming up with other ideas for pictures, thinking of all the things we were excited to do," Brady told TPG.
She continued to research some of the most famous attractions in Madeira, and had fun editing herself and her husband into the photos. She said it provided her with a sense of escape.
"We're living in such strange times, and stuck at home, so the little things that can make us laugh are really important," she said.
On April 2, Amaral's birthday, she gifted him the photos from their virtual Madeira vacation.
New to TPG? Read our Beginner's Guide
Brady recommends that anyone who has had to cancel their vacation plans look at pictures of their intended destination, watch videos or even find a Rick Steves' episode about the location.
She adds that, while she thought it might have made them more aware of what they were missing out on, it was "really fun to pretend they were there."
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
To top it all off? The couple is still continuing the birthday celebration this weekend and getting takeout from a local Portuguese restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island, conveniently named Madeira. Of course, they can't wait to visit Madeira in person whenever they're able to — and recreate the real-life version of the photographs.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees