Splurge vs Save-Invest Wisely In Travel

It’s easy to get carried away when planning your vacation, from luxurious resorts and five-star restaurants to once-in-a-lifetime tours in places you’ve only dreamed of. If you’ve ever wondered where you should splurge and where you should save, this is for you. Invest wisely in travel when planning your next big adventure.

invest wisely in travel

Upgrading to Business / First Class

Maybe you’ve always wanted to be on the other side of the curtain aboard your plane, and you think now is your chance. While it is tempting, paying thousands more for a business class seat can drastically eat into your overall travel budget. An option that straddles the line between splurging and saving (although leans heavily towards a splurge) is checking last minute at the gate if there are any seats available in business class at the time of departure. If there are empty seats, some airlines will sell them off for less than what they sell them for online – although it can still end up being a hefty sum. Instead of stretching your budget to reserve business class, consider asking your travel advisor to book you bulkhead seats with extra legroom, or in the premium economy section.

Verdict: Save

Direct Flights

Unless you enjoy layovers and transfers and sitting on tarmacs for any length of time, splurge for the direct flights. A splurge can almost always be seen as worth it if it significantly reduces your hassle while traveling, or if it gives you back your time.

Verdict: Splurge

Travel Insurance

Since COVID19, we’ve all heard horror stories of non-refundable trips gone wrong. Never before has travel insurance been so important, with rules and regulations changing rapidly from country to country.

Verdict: Splurge

High-End (read: overpriced) Souvenirs

It can be tempting to want to pick up beautiful ceramics, local pieces of art, or even tasty treats from your favorite destinations. But think again. The run-of-the-mill tourist shops that feature these goods get them in bulk from a fraction of what they’re selling them to you for, without any real story behind them. Visit a local market for artisan-made goods, and snag local delicacies at-where else? The local grocery store! While the treats won’t be as delicately packaged, they’ll be extra authentic, after all – they’re what the locals eat!

Verdict: Save

Hotel

This is a tough one to call, and ultimately really comes down to your travel style. For some, a vacation includes 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and prompt room service, while others simply want a place to rest their head after a day of explorations and adventure. Ultimately what matters most is location, location, location. Wherever you choose, make sure it’s accessible to attractions you’d like to visit and activities you’d like to partake in.

Verdict: It’s a Tie

Bucket-List Experiences

I’m talking about the stuff travel dreams are made of. A hot air balloon ride at sunset in Cappadocia, a private driver on the Amalfi Coast, and a private safari experience in Kenya. Whatever is on your dream list, if your budget can allow it – definitely make it happen. Life is short, you’ll never regret a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

Verdict: Splurge.

Whether you’re splurging or saving, I’d love to help make your travel dreams come true, and help you invest wisely in travel! Get in touch with me here.

How to Work with a Travel Advisor – A First Timer’s Guide

You’ve found the perfect travel advisor, and now’s the time to put them to work on your dream trip! If you’re new to working with a travel agent, here are a few things that you can do to help make the process run smoothly.

Having been described as the travel industry’s ‘matchmakers’, a great client-travel advisor relationship is worth its weight in gold. From personalized attention everywhere you go. Perks and upgrades that only come with being the client of an esteemed advisor. The benefits of using a travel advisor are significant, but how do you go about building that valued relationship?

how to work with a travel advisor

Be Honest About Budget

Of course, you want your dream trip, with all of the bells and whistles. However, it does both you and your travel advisor an enormous disservice to not be upfront about your actual budget.

Going one step further, once you establish your budget, identify what’s high on your priority list. If you are focused on your accommodations, your travel advisor may recommend Marriott Timeshare Rentals. You would prefer to have mind-blowing travel experiences in every destination you’re visiting. You may also discuss with your travel advisor your transportation preferences such as an airplane charter or car rental. This helps your travel advisor not only build your dream trip but decide how and where to allocate your budget.

Trust Their Expertise

A travel advisor’s job is just that – travel. While the photos on a hotel website may have you ready to book, your advisor may know that it’s on a congested motorway or next to noisy construction. Trust them.

Great travel advisors go out of their way to familiarize themselves with destinations. Know the properties, and various tourism suppliers the world over. It’s our job to get to know you and match you with suitable experiences that just fit.

Collaborate

As a travel advisor, I am here to save you time. If you have a dream destination, experience, or property in mind – tell me! A great trip is a collaboration between enthusiastic clients and a knowledgeable travel advisor.

In the vein of saving time and collaborating, don’t be afraid to ask that I look into a particular property. Research specific activities for your family, or even work on restaurant reservations. At the end of the day, I am working for you!

Accept Advocacy

For those of us with can-do self-sufficient attitudes, this can often be a hard pill to swallow. As your travel advisor, I am your advocate, especially when you’re traveling on the journey that I built for you.

If something goes wrong, accept help and grant me the opportunity to fix it. This may mean biting your tongue at the hotel manager if something goes wrong, and waiting on your trusted travel advisor to work some magic. It will be worth it in the end. Try to remember, travel advisors have valued relationships with hotels and tourism suppliers. You can request to stay at your preferred Flagstaff hotels.

Build Your Relationship

Let your travel advisor get to know you. The more that you and your advisor connect on a personal level the better your trip can be tailored precisely to you.

Unique, personalized trips are where travel advisors shine. By opening yourself up and sharing parts of you (and your family) with your travel advisor, you’re only improving the chances for a beautiful, custom-made journey. Remember, the best relationships only get better with age. A long-term travel advisor is someone you will want in your corner for years to come.

Are you ready to start working with a travel advisor to plan your dream trip?

Contact me today to get started

Packing Tips To Make Travel Easier

Airline travel can be a royal pain these days; here are some packing tips to make travel easier. These tips can also help you avoid checked bag fees by just taking a carry on bag if you are going on a trip of less than 5 days.Find the right suitcase. Purchase a carry-on that will fit the bill as your only piece of luggage. Make sure it is designated as a carry-on and meets airline standards to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Have a packing plan. Think about the activities you will do each day and pack accordingly. Check on current weather conditions and what is recommended, or that you need to bring for the activities you have booked. Less is more. Most of us over pack (me included), so limit yourself. A good rule of thumb is to lay out all of the clothes you want to bring, and remove 2 items.

Roll your clothes. This takes up less space in your suitcase. Consider your footwear. Wear the bulkiest shoes when you travel to save precious space in your suitcase. Pack wrinkle-free clothes to save you precious time and the hassle of having to iron on your vacation. Who wants to iron on a trip? I certainly don’t. packing tips to make travel eaiser Don’t forget to pack your must have electronics and all the charging cords you will need. Know your airline luggage rules regarding checked bag fees and carry-on items. Many airlines are selling fares that do not allow access to the overhead bins; know upfront what you are paying for. I hope my packing tips to make travel easier will help you on your future adventures.