1 Simple Step to The Perfect Family Getaway

Did you ever have a vacation where it seemed everything went south? Maybe you all came home a little grumpy, tired, and wishing for a do-over? You can't seem to figure out what went wrong. It looked amazing on paper! Friends or family may have recommended the destination/idea and can't believe you didn't have an equally good time. 

Here's a little (not-so) secret: All families are different and have different travel profiles. 

Yep, a Travel Profile. And it doesn't take long to discover yours. 

A Travel Profile outlines all the things that are valuable to everyone when you travel together and allows you to get to know your family better. This simple process can save you from the "but-it-looked-great-on-paper" trip disappointment.

The best way to learn your family travel profile is to sit down with your family and ask them what they like about the way their trips have gone so far – both the successes and the failures. If you can work out why a trip went wrong, then you can avoid it happening again, or at least find a solution that works now but will be different from the original idea. You'll avoid going down blind alleys, which are much more frustrating than blind spots.

1. List your most fun memories of trips you've taken. 

Are there any themes? You can't replicate even the best vacations. And you don't necessarily need or want carbon copies of past trips. However, you can use those more significant ideas to guide your plans. Should you decide to step out of your comfort zone, you'll have valuable ideas on how to make moments meaningful and memorable. What activities did you all enjoy? Was quiet time essential? How about the weather? Did you make the most of rainy days? When you build on these elements and put them into your vacation, you're more likely to return home energized and restored. 

2. Ask the Right Questions

Once you've worked out what your family likes about their trips, you can move on to asking what they don't like. Doing this will help you identify what kinds of things they want to avoid and need to avoid in the future. Be prepared, as this might get difficult. Some people have strong feelings, good or bad, about trips that happened in the past. Not all of this is about you – some of it is just what they liked and didn't like about their experiences – but some of it will be about you. People might point out that a trip went wrong because something was different from how your family typically does things. They might blame you for bad experiences or put the responsibility on your shoulders for good ones - this is normal. The trick is to keep in mind your goal: working out what kind of trip works well for your family. You'll want to discuss these issues openly so that you can identify the common attributes of your successful trips and make sure that your next trip will be like them.

Remember: you're looking for patterns.

3. What do you do to relax, unwind, have fun, or re-energize when you're not on vacation? 

Are you active – enjoy hiking, running, water sports, tennis, etc.? Do you like the bustle of the city? Or do you prefer to relax and read a good book? Yes, these seem like silly questions, but you'd be shocked how often someone books a family vacation filled with activities that others may not enjoy or are set at a pace either too slow or too fast. 

4. What is the purpose of your trip? What do you want to take away? 

Travel broadens and deepens our horizons – culturally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Looking to change things up and make new memories with the kids? Do you want to immerse yourself and your family in a cultural experience? Maybe you're looking for a service-oriented trip? Plan your trip around that kind of experience and emotional takeaway.

5. Do you prefer to be in control, or are you relieved when someone else takes the wheel? 

Some people THINK they love being in charge of everything. But then the reality sinks in, and the fun fizzles when faced with all the details involved (before, during, and even AFTER the trip). Whether you LOVE to be in charge, are tired of being responsible for it all, or prefer someone else taking over, you'll always get the best balance between autonomy and assistance when we work together on your trip. You'll be able to maximize fun, relaxation, and adventure with less stress. 

--------------

When you take a little time to know how you travel best, your vacation can be more than just fun; it can be truly fulfilling. You'll come home refreshed, energized, and brimming with great new memories. 

Have you ever created a travel profile? Or have you done something similar? Share in the comments. 

Are you ready to start planning an unbelievable experience for yourself or your whole family? Contact me today and let me help you get there!

Conquer Vacation Information Overload with 1 Click

You've been planning for days… maybe weeks (seems like F-O-R-E-V-E-R). This vacation is supposed to be just a straightforward trip. Perhaps you bought a couple of books (or maybe e-books) about your destination. You've spiraled down that rabbit hole of websites and social media -- where to vacation, when to vacation, how to vacation, why to vacation, and now you're feeling some 

INFORMATION OVERLOAD! 

This fatigue makes planning your travel not only time-consuming but stressful and frustrating. 

What if you needed to plan for a multi-destination trip? Where do you start? What do you look for? So many questions!

You are just one click away from eliminating that stress and anxiety. 

Many begin their vacation planning online. People use online booking sites regularly to plan their travel and vacation. The booking sites have made it easier for anyone to book any or all aspects of their trip.

That's not the click I mean. 

The click I'm talking about is the one that connects you to a Travel Advisor. 

Travel Advisors are in hot demand after all the issues and problems travelers experienced with online booking engines after the pandemic brought vacations to a halt. Plus, while there's a lot of information and options available, it can become confusing to see what is relevant and what is not.

Using a Travel Advisor like myself will save you time, energy, money, and stress before your departure and during your trip. I watch trends and keep up with the constant changes in the travel industry. I know what to look for, where to find it, and how to use it to YOUR advantage. I make sure I listen to your needs and wants and customize your travel to suit you and only you. I am all about making you happy, and that is something a booking engine cannot do. 

11 Benefits of Using a Travel Advisor: 

1. Less anxiety. The stress of planning your trip can be exhausting. 
2. Close all those browser tabs and reclaim time for your family and friends. 
3. Cost savings. As you've already discovered, finding places that fit your exact needs can be difficult and time-consuming. Lost time is lost money!
4. More cost savings. You may end up paying for stuff you don't need, which could be better used elsewhere (like souvenirs!).
5. You are more organized. Know exactly where you have to be and when. Have everything you need at your fingertips with personalized e-docs provided by your travel advisor. 
6. You will make more informed decisions so that your trip goes more smoothly, giving you the best experience possible. Travel advisors provide accurate information about your destination, including the quality of hotels, restaurants, and other attractions. Yelp and Google reviews may contain skewed reviews. That hotel on Expedia has a terrific price, but is it in a reputable, safe area? Are the rooms dated?
7. You will save time and money by avoiding unexpected problems that may distract you when you should be enjoying time with your loved ones.  
8. Travel advisors have relationships with destination liaisons and can reach out directly to the appropriate reps for assistance if necessary. 
9. You may likely end up with better or exclusive options because of those relationships.
10. A travel advisor can help you find the perfect trip for you that not only fits within your budget but how to work it into your family's style. 
11. Peace of Mind. Travel agents must adhere to a code of conduct and have professional liability insurance.

The world is big and ever-changing, and you need up-to-date information about your destination. I want to help you explore the world and create incredible memories for you and your loved ones. I care about you, and I will go that extra mile to make this a unique experience for you.

Your friends and family will be impressed with your trip and want to know how you did it. Think about the peace of mind you will have: knowing that all details are taken care of before you leave and that trip is arranged and on track. You can relax and enjoy your vacation.

Are you traveling soon and would like to have a stress-free vacation? See just how I can help you with your plans.

Just click!

When To Plan Your Family Vacation: A Simple (But Complete) Guide

To Plan or not to Plan? That is the question.

When planning a vacation, you may be thinking: "Well, I don't want to book ahead of time because I'd rather go with the flow and allow for more spontaneity." 

But when you want to guarantee a GREAT vacation, planning well ahead of time is the best way to do it.

Reasons to Plan Ahead:

1. If you're trying to save money on your vacation, booking early is one of the best ways to do it. You have more opportunity for planning and comparing options. By booking far in advance, your choice will be wide open and more competitive pricing may be available. It will give you time to find the best price on airfare, lodging, and activities. It also helps you to take advantage of "prime time" rates, which are generally lower than what you'd expect to pay after a hotel has sold out its room inventory.
2. Time to get/renew passports, and (if traveling internationally) learn a little about the language and culture.
3. If you're planning to go away with friends, this gives everyone time to make sure they sort out the travel dates and time off work.

“OK OK, you’ve convinced me to take the time to plan my trip, but now what?” you ask. 

How far in advance do you need to plan? And when is the best time to start? I've got you covered! Use this handy guide for the best times to start planning your family vacation.

12-18 Months or more ahead:

It’s wise to book your cruise, hotel, and/or vacation packages 12-18 months in advance. Choices and availability are MUCH better when booking the following well ahead of time:

• Seasonal travel: Winter & peak season (depending on your destination)
• National Park lodges & hotels
• Honeymoons (18+ months ahead is recommended)
• Family Reunions
• Cruises
• Safaris
• Group tours for families (due to their limited size, these specialty group tours sell out very quickly)
• Accommodations with great locations (like near Disneyland or Universal Studios. Or maybe you’d like something within walking distance to the port before your cruise)

6-12 Months in advance

For other big and quintessential trips, start planning 6-12 months in advance. 

• Theme Parks (like Disney & Universal) booked at least 9 months in advance often retain the better pricing and are more likely to have more availability for the preferred rooms (those larger rooms and/or rooms closer to transportation and dining). And in the case of Disneyland or Walt Disney World, there are “hot dates” that need to be observed and followed for a magical trip. (Read more about that in an upcoming post – or contact me for all the details if you are planning your Disney trip today). 
• International Travel - Generally, travelers are required to have at least 6 months remaining on their passports before expiry when traveling overseas. This means your passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond your departure date. Additionally, and even more important, every member of your family - including kids (no matter their age) - will need a passport for international travel by air. If your child does not have a passport, apply for one well ahead of your trip as processing takes time. If your child is under 16, you’ll need to apply at a local passport agency in person, and your child is also required to make an appearance. When applying, bring along all necessary supporting documentation to speed up the process. Also inquire about getting your passports expedited. If you need to get a new passport, you can find all the necessary information here.

1-6 Months in Advance

• Yes, you can still have a fantastic vacation with less planning, particularly for shorter vacations (like long weekends). Don’t forget that there are many different things that are considered “travel” – like visiting family in another state or country or even those college visit tours. 

Bottom Line: 

When you want to stay in the best place, in the best location, for the best price, it pays to plan way ahead. The ideal and popular places always fill up early. There are typically good alternatives, but they are often farther away or they cost more.

If you don't yet know where you'll go, let me help you narrow down possible destinations.  Ask about the significant advantages with one option over another and how we can still add spontaneity to your trip. Take advantage of my knowledge and experience. Ask me anything! 

Contact me today to help you get started. 

Travel restrictions won’t last forever. Where are you dreaming of going?

Having to stay home during the pandemic hasn’t been easy for anyone. Even if you’ve enjoyed the slowed pace or are finding unexpected joy in new hobbies and interests — this time can still be a time of restlessness, uncertainty, and anxiety. You probably know someone (maybe yourself!) who had to cancel a destination wedding, a summer vacation, or a trip they’d been anticipating for months or even years. 

If you’re someone who loves to travel, all these restrictions can feel especially discouraging. 

Travel isn’t just about going places. 

It’s about the entire experience, the anticipation, the joy, about who you are and who you become when you visit someplace new. 

There can be a real sorrow in the letting go, especially amidst so many other changes and unknowns. One thing I’ve heard a lot of people saying is, I wish I hadn’t put off taking that trip I always wanted to take. 

But believe it or not, now is a great time to be planning your post-COVID-celebration trip. 

There are a few reasons that this downtime is the ideal time to give me a call and get started planning the vacation of your dreams. 

1.      The travel restrictions won’t last forever. I know how it feels when your biggest excursions were to the grocery store! But this is an event with an end. The vaccine is rolling out and people have been heeding the calls to mask up. Beginning to dream and plan now can be a wonderful way to nurture hope and excitement, and to keep your mind focused on all the good things that will be possible again.

2.      There are many deals to be had. All around the world, resorts and venues and restaurants and parks are just as eager to have you return as you are to get out into the world again. Destinations and airlines and resorts have instituted extreme cleaning protocols. They want you to visit, and they are ready to offer incredible deals. As your Travel Advisor, I will have access to discounts, promotions, and VIP perks that these businesses are waiting to offer.

3.      It’s easy to build in travel protections when you book. You don’t have to worry about losing money if something comes up. Many airlines and resorts are offering no-fee cancellations or adjustments. They know these are unusual times, and they want to be as flexible as possible. Remember: they want your business!

4.   Post COVID Travel planning will be intense. Which destinations have testing? Will it be free or cost extra? Which will require the COVID vaccine before entry? What documents will you need? How much time will you need to dedicate to traveling safely (pre-departure testing, post-departure testing, fever checks, transportation, etc.). Get ahead of it all by planning as early as possible. Then allow me to sift through all the paperwork and help you tick off the checklists. 

One of the many amazing gifts of traveling is that it teaches us resilience, curiosity, and how to find joy in the little things. 

Wherever you are right now, I encourage you to embrace this moment and let's start planning your next adventure. 

As we emerge again, imagine the new appreciation we’ll have for things like bustling cafes, sunlit beaches, and just being able to interact face to face again. There are so many beautiful things ahead.   

If you’re ready to get started, I'm just a click away. I can’t wait to hear from you!