Picture it, summer vacation 2025! (and if you caught the Golden Girls reference – 10 bonus points!) The excitement of planning a much-needed vacation fills the air. Thoughts of sandy beaches, fiery sunsets and new adventures dance in your mind, fueling a sense of anticipation that’s hard to contain!

Then you dive into the logistics.

• Choosing the perfect destination
• Researching things to do, restaurants, places to stay
• Booking flights
• Booking hotels
• Plotting how to get from “A” to “B”
• Piecing together itineraries
• Details! Details! Details!

The thrill of planning quickly morphs into a wave of overwhelm and the joy of travel feels overshadowed by the weight of organization and decision making. Recognizing the complexities of planning your trip, it becomes evident that seeking the help of a travel consultant for guidance and support could make your vacation a reality without all the stress!

Research & recommendations that save your time (and sanity)!

Travel consultants LOVE destination research. For the many itineraries I have planned, one of my absolute favorite parts is diving into which destinations offer the most value and amazing experiences for my clients! I’ve been known to find myself in the wee hours of the morning on my computer, hiking in the Highlands of Scotland or exploring the incredible food scene in Vietnam-taking notes, capturing ideas and in general keeping a never-ending list of the things I want to experience, and things my clients would like to experience! For me, it’s part of the joy of travel and it’s one of the reasons I do what I do! Is it for everyone? Nope! There is a wealth of information out there and it can become overwhelming and stressful just trying to figure out what is legit and what is internet glamourized!

Travel consultants spend our days (and sometimes nights) devouring destination research, exploring places to stay, things to do and delicacies to eat! Vacations are not one size fits all and a travel consultant has the breadth of knowledge to take your idea of a perfect vacation and narrow down the possibilities to fit your way of travel! Consultants can offer suggestions on hotels, restaurants, activities or if a spot is good for Families or Solo Travelers. Often times, we have been to the destination you have in mind and know how to get around, know the best-kept secret spots and one-of-a-kind activities and can make personal recommendations. This means you save the time and stress of starting from scratch and making comparison after comparison! (and you’ve got the inside scoop!)

Perks

Travel consultants have relationships with vacation suppliers all around the world. We know tour guides, and hotel managers and restaurant owners and more. That means we are sometimes able to access perks that aren’t available to the general public. Whether that be a reduced rate, an upgrade, a welcome gift or exclusive VIP access, your travel consultant is likely to be in the know.

Planning & Itinerary

Travel consultants see vacation routes and tours day in and day out and are familiar with hundreds, if not thousands of different itineraries around the world – that makes us uniquely positioned to put together an amazing vacation experience for clients that makes sense, doesn’t have you backtracking and gets you where you want to go! We also understand that every client is different and will plan your itinerary to match your style of travel – whether you want to see as much as possible, or have some downtime for local exploration, a good travel consultant has got you covered!

There is nothing more satisfying that presenting a client with a (reviewed and approved) vacation itinerary knowing that everything they need is documented. A well-documented itinerary means you have all your travel information – destination, hotel, modes of travel, planned activities, booked restaurants, insurance info, confirmation numbers – anything you might need to reference for your trip- all in one neat little package. Yep, I geek out over a good itinerary!

Support

Nothing ever goes wrong when traveling, right? Oh, if only that were true, but we live in a world with humans, weather and technology (among other things) which means sometimes things don’t go to plan! A travel consultant supports you before, during and after your trip. We can address and resolve issues such as flight cancellations, changes in travel restrictions or accommodation issues, minimizing the stress on you! We’re also here with assistance and guidance in case of emergency.

A travel consultant will think ahead to plan the most seamless trip possible for you, but if life happens and there’s a hiccup, you have someone to call for help! This means you can leave for your vacation with peace of mind.

So much more

These are just a few of the benefits of hiring a travel consultant, really the pluses are infinite – but overall, the personalized service you receive in every aspect of your trip really makes it worth your while. Consider a consultation before you begin planning your next trip. The payoff may surprise you and you may just find yourself one happy traveler!