We all know that travelling can be difficult, stressful and tiresome. The DESTINATION is what it’s really all about. So why not let someone help you make the travel part of your vacation a little smoother and ensure your full vacation experience meets your expectations, needs, and wants. You worked hard to save money for your trip and you’re using your precious vacation time for something that should be extraordinary and memorable.
I have been on several trips, and looking back I wish we had used a travel agent to help us plan an itinerary that would have been more special and better organized than just flying by the seat of our pants.
Years ago a trip to Costa Rica landed us in the Houston airport for several hours, while awaiting clearance to fly after a volcano eruption near San Jose. This set back our schedule for car pick up and no hotel in San Jose when we did finally arrive late at night. A travel agent would have advised us on the passenger bill of rights and entitlements and booked ahead a secure hotel near the airport or car rental agency after finally landing.
Another trip to Spain was planned poorly on my part because we booked in the rainy season so our apartment in Barcelona near the beach was a waste due to bad weather, and tours to wineries and tourist hot spots were spontaneous, overlooked and not well planned.
A much better organized trip was one to Egypt and Dubai where all flights, river cruise, transportation, hotels, knowledgeable tour guides, and some meals were coordinated ahead of time. Much more enjoyable to just show up and spend time learning and getting to know the people and places around you rather than researching and booking on the go.
Some trips you may not necessarily need a travel agent. Book a flight to Maui, rent a car, rent a condo, done. But you may want to ensure you have the best accommodation booked for the experience you want, a flight that doesn’t land you in a 10 hour layover in LAX and some unique activities you never thought about doing, IF you have the right vehicle. We can help make it better for you.
Maybe you just want to escape to an all-inclusive resort for a week in Mexico. You book what looks like a good deal, a nice resort and a direct flight. But when you get there, the resort is very isolated so there’s nothing to do nearby outside of the resort. There’s no cocktail bars open late. It’s very “family” oriented and you wanted more of an “adult” experience. Half of the a la carte restaurants are closed or needed to be booked in advance of your trip. The beach area for the resort is small and therefore a bit crowded. To ensure you get the right resort, the right cruise line, or the right hotel style and location that meets your needs (making for a great vacation), a travel agent can assist you. Why not minimize your stress and avoid disappointment?
Travel Agents provide:
- Access to places you wouldn’t get on your own.
- An amazing travel experience without spending hours and hours researching.
- Special requests like stopovers and private tours.
- Guidance with foreign restrictions and safety.
- Guidance with travel documents, vaccinations, recommendations, and information you didn’t even think to ask.
- Help and expertise travelling with pets.
- A one stop shop for air, rail, car, transfers, tours and one of a kind experiences.
- Contacts/network for special requests.
- Emergency support to help get you home safely.
Does it cost more to use a travel agent? A travel agent earns money through commissions from suppliers. This is of no extra cost to you, the client. If there are no commissions being paid from the supplier, and your agent is planning a complicated itinerary to get you exactly what you want, then a professional fee may be required for time and expertise in planning – no different than when you pay your accountant, lawyer, realtor, or hair stylist fees for services, or even a server at a restaurant a gratuity for attentiveness. 
As a travel agent, I can book anything that interests you, or that you want/need – flights, cruises, resort getaways, rail, car, tours – but most importantly I can offer insight, recommendations, custom research and value. Need help planning your big bucket list trips or more complicated international trips? It’s nice to know some unique options and suggestions, saving you time, and helping you create an extraordinary adventure.
Maybe you want to be more environmentally conscious with travel now, and book with sustainable, eco tourism companies? Maybe you want to upgrade to a more luxurious vacation for a special occasion, down to the finest details with concierge service?
- Kayak through the Antarctica with whales and penguins, amid glaciers and ice walls.
- Hot air balloon over the Serengeti at sunrise, while spotting herds of zebras, giraffes and lion prides.
- Pick grapes in a family owned Italian vineyard to create your own wine, then pasta making with a local chef in Tuscany.
These are experiences that will last a lifetime. The people you meet, the places you go, the things you do, will resonate forever. Touch your soul, and change you for the better. It may not be tangible, but far exceeds the brief euphoria of any one tangible thing.
“Nothing will really beat watching a small boat load of polished adults behaving like absolute children when they are interacting with a baby gray whale in the lagoons of Baja, Mexico. It is just magical to watch both the whales and the people splashing about with absolute delight.” James Hyde, Undersea Specialist
You want something unexpected and imaginative. You want your precious time spent on something meaningful. You want to escape your distractions and be inspired. Let me help you, so you can just show up and enjoy!
REACH OUT TO ME at krista.hopfauf@travelmasters.ca for any questions you may have, or to set up a phone call or meeting. I would love to help you book your next vacation!
Krista Hopfauf
Travel Agent
