Experiences, Not Things, Make Us Richer

As a travel professional, I value great experiences. The moments spent in awe of a beautiful view, a priceless piece of art or the wonder and pure joy on the face of a child as they experience something new and exciting are worth far more than the price of admission.

We all have a limited amount of time and money, and we are often faced with the dilemma of what is the best way to spend – or to invest – both of those resources.

We can choose from an endless assortment of high-tech gadgets, sparkly things, and material luxuries that will impress our friends and family… for a short time at least. Our children have lists of the gaming systems, toys, and fashion labels they want for their next birthday or holiday gift.

But once we’ve bought the latest iPhone or the expensive shoes, how long do they last? How long will they continue to bring joy? And how likely are they to be truly treasured by those around us after we are gone?

Compare that to experiences… sure, they are short-lived, but they enrich our lives in ways a new flat screen TV just can't. Sure, watching the big game or the cliffhanger of your favorite tv show in 82" of 4K vivid-color awesomeness will be fun but is it likely to make a difference in your life? How about standing with your family above the clouds at the summit of a dormant volcano in Hawaii – the milky way sparkling above in the inky darkness when you first arrive and then watching as the first dot of red light first appears in the eastern sky and ribbons or red, yellow and orange light begin to flood the crater of the volcano in front of you till the sun fully rises and you can look out into the distance and see the beautiful and rugged coastline of the Big Island of Hawaii peek out from the clouds that are breaking up in the morning light?

 Or what about spending the day wandering the European town or village your ancestors called home? Taking a cooking class in the home of a native of the town and learning to prepare a local delicacy… laughing with your family as you attempt to speak phrases from the language or at each other with flour on your faces as your hands roll out the sticky dough.

Maybe you are more the adventurous sort, and your family dreams of trekking to see Dian Fossey’s beloved mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Having the unforgettable experience of sitting with them, hearing them communicate with each other and looking into their eyes. Following that up with a safari to see “the big 5” in their majestic natural habitats and maybe even ending the trip with a relaxing stay on one of the most picturesque and idyllic beaches on the spice island of Zanzibar.

Those experiences may be short-lived themselves, but they change us for the better. They create memories that will live in our hearts and minds forever and will live on as our loved ones say “remember when…” long after we are gone.

That’s a pretty tall order for an Apple watch that is going to be outdated in 2 years!

Even if your family’s vacations aren’t as elaborate as these, the time you spend together relaxing and enjoying each other’s company without the distractions of everyday life will be worth far more than any gadget ever will. The memories you create will be truly priceless and will be treasured more dearly than any physical possession ever will.

FAQS Of Working With A Travel Professional

When I meet new people and tell them that I work as a travel professional, there are often a lot of questions to come up. From asking “do travel agents still exist?” to hearing stories of vacation disasters that were easily preventable, I’ve heard it all.

What I have realized is that there are a lot of misconceptions about working with a travel professional, and I’d like to set the record straight! Here are just a few of the questions, and misconceptions I hear most often…

Do travel agents still exist? Can't I do it all myself online?

The internet has brought all kinds of fantastic information right to our fingertips, and for the most part, that can be an awesome thing… but sometimes you still need a professional!

It may sound crazy to say, but I feel like the internet is part of the reason why travel professionals are not only still relevant but can make the difference between a plain vanilla vacation and a swoon-worthy dream vacation.

It's easy to fall into information overwhelm or to discover too late that the information you relied on when planning your trip is hopelessly outdated and just plain wrong. Travel professionals know better!

We have a saying among travel experts… the internet is for looking, but travel agents are for booking.

Doing some homework online is a great place to start but working with a travel professional to plan all of the details and get your vacation booked is the best of both worlds. It will save you hours and hours spent sorting through info online and will make sure that you are getting the best value for your vacation dollars.

It’s sort of like the difference between using Web MD or going to visit your doctor. The information online is a good start, but you need a professional to truly get the best advice.

When does it make sense to use a travel professional?

All trips are not created equal and yes, there are times where it may make sense to do-it-yourself.

Are you planning to go to your cousin’s wedding in Dallas and all you need is a hotel room near the ceremony and reception (no activities, dining recommendations, other travel arrangements required)? That sounds like the perfect time to turn to the internet!

Planning to spend two weeks touring London and Paris this summer and you've never been there before? That calls for a professional! Someone who can direct you to the best places to stay, the "can't miss" dining locations the locals love, arrange private tours without the long lines and crowds to the must-see attractions, and make sure that your time (and money!) are spent experiencing the "best of the best" while you are there.

Think of it this way… when you are planning a Saturday spent running errands and maybe seeing a movie at the local cinema, you do your hair and makeup yourself. But if you are invited to a black-tie event or special occasion, you’ll plan on having your hairdresser do something special for you and may even book an appointment with a makeup artist to be sure you are looking your best, right? It’s the same with travel plans. When all you need are the basics, going the do-it-yourself route is fine, but for something special… you’ll have a better experience working with a professional!

You may even find that you enjoy the extra attention to detail and service you receive from a trusted travel expert so much that you allow him or her to take care of all of your travel planning, no matter how simple it seems!

Do travel agents have access to things that I don't? Sold out events… better rates at beautiful hotels… airline tickets I can't find online?

The answer to this one is yed es… and no.

Travel professionals develop relationships within the industry that can often open doors that, at first glance, may appear to be closed. They may be able to find tickets to a sold-out event… but don't wait till the last minute and expect those tickets at rock bottom prices!

Through our partnerships, we often have "buying power" that an individual consumer can't match. Sometimes that means better rates at the resort you are interested in, sometimes the price may be the same, but we can get access to upgrades or included amenities that are not available to the general public!

Quite often we can get our clients options like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, room credits, free transportation or other "extras" all for the same price you would have paid if you booked it yourself.

It's crucial to understand travel agents don't own the resorts, entertainment venues, cruise ships or airplanes. They sell available inventory (rooms, tickets, spaces on an excursion, etc.), but they can't create new inventory if it doesn't exist. If your heart is set on an overwater bungalow at a resort that only has 20 available, or orchestra seats to see Hamilton on your anniversary, it's always best to plan well in advance and give your travel professional time to pull all the available strings in your favor!

What happens if something goes wrong? Does having a travel agent mean I can’t get things fixed right away?

Quite the contrary! When things go wrong, having a travel professional means having an advocate in your corner to help get things sorted out as quickly as possible.

We are often aware of potential “hiccups” in a travel itinerary before you are. It’s not uncommon for a travel professional to have already worked out a solution before you know that a problem exists.

When flights get delayed or canceled most travelers will be standing in line frustrated and stressed waiting to get their flights rebooked. Savvy travelers who booked with a travel professional will be relaxing at dinner while their agent works behind the scenes to rebook their flights and rearrange all of their planned activities to accommodate the schedule change. Which sounds more enjoyable?

Since we work with large numbers of travelers, our travel partners often give us access to priority service and make sure our clients are taken care of quickly.

Does it cost more to book my vacation with a travel professional?

The short answer to this question is no. While travel professionals are paid a commission from the suppliers we use to book your vacation, that commission is based on published pricing and fares. In plain English, that means the price for your vacation is the same whether you book it yourself or you use the services of a travel professional.

As with any expert service, your travel professional may charge a nominal professional fee. When you consider the time you will save on planning, the extra level of service and the security of knowing you have someone in your corner should the unexpected occur, and savvy vacationers find this to be money well spent. 

In fact, because of our connections and relationships, travel agents are often able to find a better value for your vacation dollars than what you see on your own. Whether it is a more beautiful resort for the same pricing or complementary upgrades, you might find your budget goes further when working with a travel expert!

When is the best time to contact a travel professional?

As soon as you are serious about planning your trip. The sooner, the better. Whether it's last minute or planned 18 months in advance, the more time you can give us, the better!

You'll need to be sure of a few details such as the dates (or date range) you wish to travel, the number of people in your travel party including the ages of any children going with you, your anticipated budget, and an idea of what you'd like to experience. Your travel professional will be happy to recommend specifics based on the information you provide.

The one thing every travel professional will ask is that you are serious about the trip you are asking us to plan. Everyone loves to daydream about exotic and luxurious travel, but we dedicate significant time to each itinerary. No matter how far out the travel dates are, we respectfully ask that you only ask us to begin planning for travel you intend to book soon.

How can we get started?

Ready to start planning your next adventure? The perfect vacation begins with scheduling your complimentary consultation. Click here to request a time for us to meet. We'll discuss the details and what you are looking for in your dream vacation. I'll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams.

Why Should You Use A Travel Professional?

“Do people still use travel agents?”

It’s a question I hear often, and my answer is always the same…

ABSOLUTELY! At least, the smart ones do.

While the internet is chock full of information about every destination under the sun and there you will find a multitude of web sites dedicated to allowing you to book your vacations yourself, travel professionals still provide a valuable service for today’s savvy vacationers.

A quick Google search will put hundreds, if not thousands, of articles, blog posts, reviews, trip reports, photos and more at your fingertips. It can be more than a bit overwhelming!

How do you know what information is up to date and correct? Can you be sure those reviews are accurate and unbiased? Are those photos current and unedited?

And if you’ve ever said to yourself that you would never book with a travel agency because you prefer to do it all yourself, let me fill in on a little secret…

Those web sites you are using to search for the best price? They are all travel agencies.

Not only that, they typically have more restrictions and fees than working with a personal travel advisor should you need to make a change or cancel your vacation unexpectedly. And then there is the issue of customer service, or in the case of many of these big online agencies, “customer no-service.”

Take a moment and compare the cancellation policies of your favorite travel discount website with those of the airline or resort directly. You’ll usually find them to be rather unforgiving. When you work with a travel professional, we typically have multiple travel partners we can use to customize your vacation, and we will take their cancellation and change policies into consideration in selecting the best option for your family.

And what about payments? Most of the time you will need to pay for your vacation in full when you book with an online discounter. A travel professional will be able to book your trip with a deposit and in many cases will allow you to make multiple payments on your vacation if you'd like to spread the cost out before you travel.

As a travel professional, I work with my clients providing them with top-notch service from the time they reach out to me until well after they return from their vacations.

I take the time to listen to their vacation wants, needs and expectations. I get to know them. I ask lots of questions to help make sure that the recommendations I make are right for them.

Sure, some of my clients come to me knowing exactly what they want down to the specific details, but more often than not what they've found either isn't the right option to meet their expectations, or it isn't the best value for their hard-earned vacation dollars. I am able to use my personal experience and vast industry network to recommend options tailor-made to meet their wants, needs, expectations, and budget.

Once we've found the perfect destination for them, I make sure that the options that go into their itinerary are the best value for their budget. I've spent years cultivating a network of relationships within the travel industry, and as a result, I am often able to secure additional perks or upgrades for my clients that they would not have been aware of had they planned their vacation themselves.

The services of a travel professional don't end once you book your vacation. In fact, that's often where the essential services begin.

It's often the small details that make the difference between a good vacation and a well-planned, well-executed, outstanding vacation. Knowing that all of those little details are taken care of and have been double and triple checked by a professional means you can relax and enjoy your time knowing everything is taken care of for you.

You can also relax knowing that if anything should go wrong, you’ve got a professional in your corner helping to solve any problems and advocate for you should the need arise.

Whether it’s transportation delays or an issue at your resort, you need only contact me, and I will be working behind the scenes to resolve the situation. Because of my connections and the resources available through my travel partners, I can often facilitate a resolution sooner than you might expect.

Working with a travel professional is like having a personal concierge dedicated to ensuring that your vacation is expertly planned and customized to your family’s unique expectations. Allowing someone else to take care of the details and eliminate the stress and overwhelm of planning is a luxury you deserve to experience.

Planning the perfect experience begins with scheduling your vacation consultation call. Click here to request a time for us to meet. We'll discuss the details and what you are looking for in your dream vacation. I'll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams.