In order for us to help you find the best vacation value for you, there are a few things that we recommend you do to ensure that the planning process goes smoothly.

1. Dates

Choose your travel dates.  Prices for the same vacation can vary drastically between high and low seasons.  During winter and spring breaks, prices tend to be higher, whereas Europe peaks in the summer months.  When kids are out of school, prices are at a premium.  Wondering when the best time to travel to a particular destination is?  Ask one of our travel consultants!

2. Passports

Apply for your passports, or if you already have them, ensure that they are valid for 6 months past the date of your return.  Wait times vary depending on the demand at the time.  If you need any help with this process, please let us know.  For forms and the most current instructions to obtain or renew your U.S. passport, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

3. Budget

Set a realistic budget.  As with any other purchase, you get what you pay for.  Airfare has recently been at an all-time high.  We want you to have a stress free, memorable vacation.  If the sheets were scratchy, the ac didn’t work, and you were crammed on a bus with 50 other people for that bottom dollar tour of wine country, how happy are you going to be?  We will help you find the best experience for your budget, but please keep in mind that luxury comes at a price.  How bad does a cheap vacation need to be to make it ok?

4. Priorities

In an ideal world, we would all have disposable income to make sure that every last detail of our vacation is top of the line superb.  If your budget does no allow for this, what is most important to you?  If you are going to an all-inclusive resort would you rather have gourmet food at a sit down restaurant every day or are individualized day excursions more important to you?  While we strive to ensure that every area of your vacation exceeds your expectations, it helps us to know what your priorities are so that what is most important to you is most important to us when putting your customized vacation together.

5. Insurance

Accidents happen.  Lost luggage happens.  Sickness happens.  We don’t plan on it but we hope that you prepare for it.  Take the risk out of your vacation and get the insurance.  Our travel consultants will help you find the coverage that you need.

No request is too big.  We want you to have a vacation that you can get excited for and later brag about to all of your friends and family when you get home.  Get prepared and give us a call!

1.  Start planning your trip early for the best selection and to get early booking discounts.  You may get a great deal on that dream hotel in the South Pacific, but unfortunately, you waited until the last minute and all of the flights are sold out!  If, however, you are the adventurous type and are not particular where you want to go and you have a flexible schedule, waiting until the last minute may be the way to go for some great deals.

2.  Keep your options open when it comes to destinations.  Paris sounds great in the spring, but unfortunately you will probably be spending the majority of your vacation taking in the sights from the comfort of your hotel room because the weather is usually cold and wet.  Talking to a travel consultant and doing a little research on your own can help you figure out where to go for the best experience that you will be able to take full advantage of.

3.  Maybe you prefer cold rainy weather and your heart is set on Paris in the spring.  Make sure you pack accordingly.  Although the shopping may be great in the city of love, you will want to check the weather forecast before you go so you know what to expect.  This will also help you pack light.  With airline fees today, it is a wonder more people don’t attempt to stow kids in their luggage since the cost to travel with conventional bags can be close to the cost of a ticket itself.

4.  Knowing a few words in the language of your destination goes a long way with the locals.  Visit a foreign language assistance website to master some useful phrases.  The site also contains sound clips so you know you are pronouncing words correctly.  www.travlang.com/languages

5.  Did you know that in Russia it is considered lazy not to maintain good posture, rude to have your hands in your pocket and chew gum outside with your mouth open, and unacceptable to whistle indoors? (The whistling brings poor financial performance).  There is a wonderful travel etiquette site on how to behave when you are out of your element.  Check it out to save yourself some international embarrassment.  www.traveletiquette.co.uk

6.  We maintain auto insurance coverage for unforeseen events but many people do not insure their vacations, which for some may be equivalent to a year or two of hard earned savings.  Vacation insurance is peace of mind in the event that something happens before or during your trip.  In this day and age, most of the time airfare and vacations are non-refundable.  Vacation insurance will protect you and your investment should anything happen.

7.  Are you looking for the best deal period?  Or are you looking for a personally customized, planned with your interests and expectations, and guaranteed support should anything go wrong best deal?  If you are looking for the latter, meeting with a travel consultant would probably be your best bet. A 15 minute consultation costs nothing, and could be the difference between the trip of a lifetime, and a lot of regret.  Remember, your travel consultant will be there if something goes wrong.  The “travel gnome”, however, doesn’t take calls so you’re on your own.  Call us. We can help make your travel dreams come true.