You’ve been checking out options, thinking about where you want to go, and now it’s time to plan that vacation you’ve been dreaming about. What’s your next step? You can buy some guide some books, spend time perusing the internet, and make reservations. Or you can find a boutique travel agency, and choose one that seems the best fit for you. We suggest the latter.
Let’s take a look at why a travel agent, and agency, is the best way to go when you want your vacation to go smoothly.
Destination Expertise and Affordability
You want a travel agent who’s a destination expert. That person knows how you can best navigate the highlights, while directing you to the secret spots. You also want to find someone whose personality and interests align with yours, or, at the least, are sympatico. You’ll spend time with this person, and you want the relationship to be a happy one. Hopefully, you’ll find someone you can use many times in the future—that’s the best!
An agent who is knowledgeable about a destination knows the heartbeat and soul of that region. Imagine sitting around a fire in a reindeer camp in Norway and listening to tales that are a window into the hidden side of Scandinavia. Perhaps you’d like a walking tour of Uluru with a Aboriginal elder, hearing creation stories that are 50,000 years old and discovering their art. An excellent destination expert can put that sort of experience together for you.
Many travelers are surprised to learn that using a travel agent doesn’t cost extra money. As a matter of fact, agents may not only save you money, some offer flexible payment plans with zero or little interest charges. Assure yourself by looking for an agent or agency with a good Better Business Bureau Rating and read reviews from real clients. All in all, an agent who is aware of the sensibilities and pleasures of a country, as well as offering cost-friendly travel, is your best bet.
Local Experiences and Culture
When you travel you want to dive deep and experience the culture and natural beauty of your destination. When you come home, you’ll know you’ve really been somewhere and have the best keepsake of all—a lifetime of memorable moments. Here’s what you do not want: Cookie cutter travel. A good travel agent should be willing to customize your itinerary in such a way that your experience is unique. This includes a combination of lodgings and experiences that give you an insider’s view into your destination. (You should also be able to request the length of time of your vacation.)
Would you like to take a family trip and find your roots? That’s a favorite choice for many who are looking for intergenerational travel. Let your expert know what parts of a country, perhaps Ireland, Scotland, or Italy, that your family came from. They’ll take it from there. Sometimes people are able to connect with family members across the ocean. That’s cause for celebration!
Private cooking classes, camera safaris, wildlife viewing, sports lessons, adventuring, language classes, wine tasting in a vineyard, art and writing classes… Inspirational itineraries should give you a sense of possibilities. Whether you are taking an exclusive small, guided vacation or one that’s customized specifically for you, expect your travel agent to do the research, planning, and booking so you can relax and feel the wonder.
Emergencies
If an emergency comes up when you’re on vacation, you should be able to contact your travel agency at any time and reach a local advisor. They’ll have in-depth knowledge, as well as travel tips, to get you through. Expect 24-hour, no charge, worldwide travel aid for delayed flights, weather information, or medical issues. If that’s not offered, use a different travel agent.
Lodgings
An experienced travel agent uses historic castles and manors, luxury hotels, ranches, spas, boutique hotels, cozy cabins, condos, eco-friendly inns, bed and breakfasts that have all been vetted for ambiance, cleanliness, and service. When available in your destination, every lodging should be rated as having four or five stars.
At the end of the day, you want to relax in accommodations with excellent service. Most importantly, you want to know what you’re getting. You’ve worked hard for your vacation time and money, and you don’t want to be disappointed when you arrive at a place that looked great online or in a guidebook, only to discover that it’s in a state of disrepair and operating with only half the staff!
Transportation
When you arrive at your destination, it’s comforting to be taken care of from the time you land at the airport. Do you want to rent a car and enjoy freedom of the road? Excellent. A good travel agent will set up a rental car, with a GPS if you choose, so you’re all set—no hassles at the car rental window. That’s particularly important if you’re in a country where English isn’t the first language.
Many people would like to have a combination of transportation methods on their vacation. This might include a rental car, a chauffeur who enjoys off-the-beaten path rambles so can simply enjoy the countryside, trains, a luxury touring coach, ferries, small flights to pristine areas by helicopter or airplane, sail boats, and skiffs.
There’s no reason to leave the details of your vacation up to chance. A good travel agent builds strong global ties and relationships over time. With that, and a history of superior service, you can rest assured that your lodgings, experiences, and transportation are designed to give you the vacation of your dreams at a price you can afford. It’s time to see the world again!
Relax. Let a trusted travel agent do the research, planning, and booking to create a vacation that’s every bit as unique as you are.
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