After spending our first 2 days in Ecuador exploring Quito and its surrounding area, we were finally heading off to the evolutionary wonder of Galapagos.  We had a very early start with a pick-up at our hotel in Quito of 4:45am.  There was no traffic at this time of the morning and we reached the airport in under 45 minutes, arriving at 5:25am. 
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Our driver, Tony, parked the car in the outdoor parking lot and helped us with our bags as we walked the short distance to the nearby terminal.  The entrance was manned by a security guard who used a handheld digital thermometer to take each of our temperatures before we could continue inside the terminal.  Next, we proceeded to a kiosk to purchase a $20 Tourist Card and provide proof of our negative PCR test.  The number of required documents to enter Galapagos was the most extensive that we have ever had - partly due to their regular processes and then COVID documentation on top of that. While we were waiting our turn in line at the kiosk, Tony went ahead to do our check-in, printed our boarding passes and luggage tags, then took our bags to be scanned.  He stayed with us until our luggage was dropped off at the start of the line for the security check-in. 

The domestic terminal at the Quito airport is a new, modern facility that is easy to navigate and well organized.  We found a comfortable seating area near the boarding gate where we sat for 2 hours waiting for our scheduled flight to board.  Once we were settled onto the plane, we were given a 2nd form which needed to be completed prior to our arrival in Galapagos.  After a short 30 minutes flying time, we landed at Gaudaquyil, a major port city on the west coast of Ecuador, where we picked up more passengers and continued on for another 1 1/2 hours to Galapagos.  After landing and coming to a stop on the tarmac, the overhead bins were opened and sprayed with a disinfectant before we were allowed to remove our carry on and disembark.

The ecological experience of Galapagos begins at Seymour airport on the island of Baltra. The airport was initially set up as a U.S. Airfield during the 2nd World War to defend the South American coastline against Japanese submarines.  A new terminal was built in 2012 and was the first “Green” air terminal in the world.  It was built using recycled steel tubes obtained from drilling operations in the Amazon, uses solar and wind power as well as desalineated sea water. 
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The airport is small and there are no jetways.  Our Airbus 319 was parked at the end of a runway near the terminal building and we disembarked using a portable staircase that was brought to the plane.  We walked across the hot tarmac to the front of the terminal.  Before entering the building, each passenger walked in single file through a canopied “tunnel” about 40 meters in length to be sprayed with a fine disinfectant mist.  At the end of the tunnel, a further spray was applied separately to carry on bags and items. 

​Once inside the terminal, we lined up at the Tourist Desk where we had our temperature taken, submitted our tourist card and presented our customs declaration.  We also paid our mandatory $100 park entrance fee.  Before proceeding to the baggage pickup, all of our hand luggage was scanned to ensure that we were not bringing any environmentally hazardous items into the Galapagos.

After collecting our luggage we made our way outside the terminal where small groups of travelers were gathering to find their respective transportation to Santa Cruz Island.  We found our guide, Jimmy, who was holding a sign for the “Alya”, the luxury catamaran that would be our home for the next 5 nights as we toured the Galapagos Islands.  We waited for the rest of our group to be accounted for, then boarded a small bus that drove us the 10 minutes it takes to get from the airport to the Baltra dock where we disembarked and took a ferry across the narrow channel to Santa Cruz Island.  We left the ferry and boarded another bus that would drive us 45 minutes south across the entire island to Puerto Ayora.

The drive to Puerto Ayora, despite the relatively short distance (42 kms) was a prelude to the geographic diversity that we would experience over the next several days.  As we left from the north at the ferry dock and drove south, we first passed through very dry, desert-like geography with sparse vegetation.  After a few miles we passed through the Santa Rosa farming village where there was an abundance of banana plantations.  From Santa Rosa to Puerto Ayora, the landscape became less harsh, with mature trees and lush, green vegetation.
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We arrived in the once bustling town of Puerto Ayora in early afternoon, but the effects of the pandemic were evident as many of the shops and restaurants that we passed on the way to the dock were closed.  Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the Galapagos with a population of approximately 12,000.   It is the centre of the Galapagos conservation efforts and as such relies heavily on the eco-tourism industry for its economic and conservation survival.

At the dock, we waited for the pangas (zodiacs) to take us to the Alya which was moored several hundred metres out in the harbour.  The harbour was dotted with moored fishing boats, sail boats as well as the catamarans and yachts that are normally making excursions around the islands.  At this time, there were only 2 catamarans (the Alya and its sister ship Galaxy II) and four diving boats that were actively providing tours.  None of the other dozens of tourist boats were sailing. 
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As we waited for the pangas to arrive, we peered into the shallow waters near the dock and observed sea turtles, sharks and sea lions, along with a large number of sea birds diving into the water for fish.  Several sea lions were scattered along the dock, some lounging lazily on the wooden benches that lined the pier. 

​When our pangas arrived, we made the short journey to the awaiting Alya, where we boarded the luxurious vessel that had 8 staterooms on 2 decks with a capacity of 16 guests.  Our stateroom was on the main floor, just in front of the lounge and dining area which was at the aft of the ship.  Our room was bright and spacious, with ample storage space and 3 large windows that looked out onto our private balcony.

​We had lunch in the dining area that consisted of 2 long tables with room for 8 guests each.  While in normal times, lunch and breakfast were served buffet style, pandemic protocols meant that all meals were plated and served to guests at the table.  As well as this safety measure, masks were mandatory in all public parts of the ship, except while dining.  Today’s lunch consisted of fish, rice and salad. 

During our first lunch on board we met the rest of the passengers that would be joining us on the trip.  Of the total 15 guests aboard this particular cruise, 11 were ex-pat Americans who had taken up residence in Ecuador, 2 were a couple from Ecuador and Kim and I who were the only guests from outside the country.  After lunch, we once again boarded the pangas that took us back to the docks at Puerto Ayora.  We were about to take our first excursion! 
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At the dock we boarded our small tour bus and drove out of Puerto Ayora to the highlands just north of the town where we would get a chance to see the Pancita Tunnel Lava Tube.  Lava tubes are formed as the result of the outer layer of the lava flow cooling and crusting while the inner layer continues to flow.  The result is an underground tunnel that can be up to several kilometers long.  The Pancita tunnel lava tube is approximately 400 meters long and is quite large and cavernous at the entrance.  We walked down a set of stone steps into the tunnel, which was lighted by a string of incandescent bulbs hanging from the ceiling.  The tunnel curved in snake-like fashion and the walk was relatively easy for the most part.  Our guide told us that there are sections of the tunnel that are quite tight and which require crawling on your hands and knees to get through.  This is a requirement if you decide to go from the entrance (where we came in) to the exit at the other end.  We walked a couple of hundred metres from the entrance and then returned the way we came.

​We came across a large group of ten or so that were semi-submerged in a pond of muddy water.  We also followed one solitary male who was apparently the largest on the reserve, weighing nearly 500 pounds.  We spent more than an hour watching and walking with the tortoises before it was time to head back to Puerto Ayora.

​When we arrived in Puerto Ayora we stopped at a Pharmacy in order to stock up on sunscreen and insect repellant as there would not be any facilities once we left the harbour.  Kim was suffering from a migraine when we got back on the Alya and elected to skip dinner and go to bed.  I ate in the dining room with the other guests and enjoyed a meal of fresh red snapper and casava, a root vegetable similar to potato which was served with a mayonnaise sauce.  The chef prepared a small meal for Kim which included soup which I took back to the room.  Both of us slept well after a long and exhausting day and we were looking forward to the next part of our trip.

​We had an early pick-up from the NH Collection Hotel on our second day in Quito.  Our guide, Alejandro, met us in the lobby at 7:30am.  We would be heading out of Quito today a drive across the western Andes to one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world - the Mindo Valley - where 3 major rivers converge in the midst of cloud forests and lush agricultural lands.
 
About an hour into our drive we made a minor detour from the main road and entered the southern tip of the Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve.  While the park was open, there were no vehicles in the parking lot at the entrance to the reserve.  We walked about 200 meters from the entrance to a lookout with a spectacular view of the crater of the Pululahua Volcano.  Expecting to see a typical rocky, barren crater, we were totally surprised by the vista of lush, cultivated fields surrounding a village of approximately 800 people.  In fact, the Pululahua crater is only one of 2 volcanic craters in the world that are inhabited, and the only one that is farmed for agriculture.  The self-sustaining community made a decision at the beginning of the pandemic to fully isolate, and as a result had no incidents of Covid infections.

​Leaving the reserve, we continued our scenic journey for 2 hours travelling on a well paved road winding around the mountains and through the valleys of the Andes.  As we approached the town of Mindo, we left the main highway and bumped along a dirt road for about 5 miles before we stopped at the entrance to Tarabita and Mindo Waterfall Sanctuary.  Prior to being allowed to enter the parking lot, our car was disinfected by a park attendant with a tank sprayer (yet another example of how seriously Ecuador was taking the Covid pandemic).  

​Alejandro purchased our tickets to the sanctuary and we began our hike down a narrow trail through the cloud forest on our way to the waterfall.  The 30 minute hike to the falls was mostly downhill and Alejandro pointed out some of the native plants and flora along the way.  We were also fortunate to spot colourful toucanets perched among the treetops.  

We arrived at the falls which spilled into a shallow, rocky river that wound through the valley.  After spending some time enjoying the cool mist coming off the falls, we crossed over the river and continued along the trail.  The river was at the lowest point of the trail and as we looped back towards the starting point the rest of the hike would be uphill.  ​

​The trail eventually stopped at the top of a mountain overlooking a deep ravine.  The final leg of the trek would be via the Tarabita cable car which crosses the ravine at a height of 150 metres and offers breathtaking views of the valley, mountains and cloud forest.  

​We exited the cable car at the entrance to the sanctuary and made the short drive into the quaint and colourful town of Mindo.  Alejandro took us to a small local restaurant where we enjoyed a traditional Ecuadorian lunch of crab and shrimp ceviche accompanied with plantain chips. 

​After lunch we visited one of the special attractions of this area, the Mariposario de Mindo, a family owned Butterfly garden that focuses on the conservation of these beautiful and delicate insects.  As well as the nearly 40 species of butterflies that the garden houses, there are also an array of stunning orchids and countless flitting hummingbirds.  

​We spent quite a bit of time meandering with the butterflies.  Several stations were lined against one netted wall of the garden where pupa were in various stages of transformation prior to emerging as majestic butterflies.  There are nearly 1200 mature butterflies in the garden and it seems almost magical to be able to walk amongst them as they dance about.  Some would land briefly on our shoulder before darting off again and Kim was able to have one perch on her hand.  

​Just a few metres up the street from the Mariposario is another favourite spot in the town of Mindo - Yumbos Chocolate - an artesanal chocolatier that takes you through the process of making chocolate from bean to finished product.  The entrance takes you into a small storefront which displays a large variety of chocolates and chocolate based products.  We walked through the store and emerged into an outdoor area with several sorters and roasters set up where we were instructed on the 40 day process to convert cocoa beans to chocolate bars.

After our lesson, we walked into a forested garden where several large tables were set up for chocolate tasting.  Here we sampled several versions of hot chocolate, chocolate treats ranging from 60% to 100% cocoa and brownies. Afterwards, we went back into the store where we purchased a couple of packages of our favourites to take home with us.  

​Yumbos was our last stop in Mindo and we headed back on the 2 1/2 hour journey to our hotel in Quito where we arrived at 6:30pm.  After getting changed we walked one block up the street to La Briciola, a highly regarded Italian restaurant where we had a 7:00pm dinner reservation.  Like the Gloria restaurant where we ate the night before, there were only a few other patrons in the restaurant.  The exposed brick archways and walls, coupled with the wooden chairs and red table coverings give the restaurant a warm ambiance.  We ordered a shrimp appetizer followed by mains of ravioli stuffed with ricotta and seafood farfalle.  The freshly made pasta was mouthwatering with rich and vibrant flavours.  We enjoyed the restaurant and food so much that we made a reservation for the following week when we would be returning to Quito prior to our flight home.  It was certainly the perfecting ending to an busy day.

​Continue to Day 3 - click here

One of the fascinating aspects of our walk through the colonial downtown during this phase of the Covid pandemic was the strict adherence to Covid health protocols.  As Canadians visiting this Latin American city we were impressed and relieved to see the protocols were followed by everyone.  In Canada, wearing face masks outside was extremely rare.  In Quito, as well as the rest of Ecuador, masks were worn by everyone, all the time.  Prior to entering any church, museum, or restaurant we had to go through a disinfection process where we were sprayed and then walked through a foot bath to disinfect our shoes.  Following the disinfection process our temperatures were taken before we were allowed to enter any venue.  ​

From the Basilica, Alejandro drove us to the TelefériQo Cruz Loma, a gondola lift that starts from the edge of the city centre and rises nearly 800 metres up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma. It is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world taking about 15 minutes to reach its maximum height of nearly 4000 metres above sea level.  It was incredible to see mountain bikers carrying their bikes on the gondola in order to ride down the extremely steep trails from the top of the volcano.  A couple of amateur bikers lost their nerve before beginning the descent and we saw them reload their bikes on the gondola to take the much safer route back down the mountain.  The air is extremely thin at this altitude, and it was somewhat difficult to breathe as we tried ascending an incline to get a better view of the valley below.  Kim had begun to get a headache and Alejandro suggested we stop at the café to get cocoa tea which helped to alleviate the pain.   ​

The Museum de Sitio Intinan is a small, but unique attraction.  It provides an interactive experience and most of the artifacts and activities are outside or in grass covered huts.  Our tour through the museum started with an Amazon discovery – our guide walked us through an open building where we watched as indigenous artisans worked on handmade crafts and clothes.  We then moved on to another area which displayed a traditional tribal home, hunting weapons and a variety of jungle wildlife including a gargantuan tarantula.  The most unique, albeit unsettling display, was of shrunken human heads, an ancient religious tradition in the Amazon.  It was believed that by shrinking the heads of enemies, their souls would not be avenging their death. 
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After passing through the Amazon display, we ventured to a large outdoor, rectangular area.  A tall pole, embedded in a concrete block marks the spot where the equator was originally thought to be.  A thick orange line leading away from the marker serves to divide the northern and southern hemisphere.  This is the popular spot to have a photo taken where you have one foot on either side of the equator.   ​

Our trip to Ecuador and Galapagos started with a lot of unknowns.  Since this was our first travel experience since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, we weren’t sure of what to expect, especially once we got to the airport.    ​

We arrived at Terminal 1 of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport well ahead of our 11:30am departure.  As we pulled into the passenger unloading area it was already evident that things had changed.  There were less than a dozen cars scattered along the length of the terminal.  We unloaded our luggage and proceeded into the sprawling terminal which seemed eerily empty save for small clusters of passengers at a handful of the check-in counters that were open. 

We had opted to fly Business Class given that the Covid related discount was equivalent to normal economy rates, so we took advantage of the expedited check-in and made our way through the deserted terminal to security.  Security was just as empty as the rest of the terminal and we were able to get through in no time at all. The only additional step was a contactless temperature check.   ​

Once through security, we took advantage of another Business Class perk and made our way up to the Star Alliance lounge to spend the next hour. The lounge had been reconfigured so that there were only single seats spaced the required 2 metres apart.  Arrows on the floor guided the direction of traffic flow and despite the fact that there were only 6 other people in the lounge, we followed the arrows, picked a seat and proceeded to the breakfast area where we were provided with prepackaged yogurt along with fruit parfaits and granola bars.    ​

We woke up early on our last day in Rio (and, unfortunately, our last day in South America) so that we could go back to Mount Corcovado for a better look at the iconic Christ the Redeemer (and the unparalleled panoramic view of the city) than we were able to glean yesterday.  From our hotel window, we could see that this morning the bright blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds and we were hopeful that we could make it to the top of the mountain before the clouds gathered around the giant statue.  
 
Kim had arranged for an Uber that would take us to the base of Corcovado from where we would board the Corcovado Rack Railway, also referred to as the Cog Train, to make the journey up the mountain.  It took just 15 minutes from the JW Marriott on Copacabana beach to the train entrance and we arrived shortly before the first scheduled departure at 8:00am.  

​There are 3 trains that make the trip to the base of the statue with scheduled departures every 20 minutes.  Each train has 2 cars with the ability to transport up to 180 people per trip.  There was quite a long queue by the time we reached the ramp leading up to the ticket office but we were able to get on the first train to make the 20 minute climb up Corcovado.  Most of that time was spent travelling through the lush Atlantic Forest that covers the mountain.

​We arrived at Christ the Redeemer before 8:30am and while clouds had already started forming above the statue we had a full, unobstructed view of the magnificent monument.  We were so glad we had made the return today after our rather disappointing try yesterday.  Not only was the weather more agreeable, there were quite a few less people here today, undoubtedly due to our much earlier start.  We took in the amazing views of the sprawling city below and saw some of the places we had visited yesterday, including the Maracanã Stadium, Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach.  

​We spent about 45 minutes walking around the statue and taking in the various viewpoints of the city below before we decided to head back to make our return trip on the train.  Kim used the WIFI connection in the restaurant at the base of the statue to book an Uber that would meet us at the exit to the train.  We were back at the hotel before 9:30 and were in time to have a late breakfast before heading out to the beach.
 
After breakfast, we donned our swimsuits and flipflops, then walked across the boulevard directly to the expansive beach.  The hotel had a designated area for guests where we were able to get complimentary lounge chairs, umbrellas and towels.  Since it was only mid-morning, the white, sandy beach was still relatively quiet, although there were a considerable number of booths open that were selling food and beverage, souvenirs and crafts.  It is easy to see why Copacabana is considered one of the world’s best beaches.  It is located in the South Zone of the city and stretches 4 kilometers from south to north. 

​The warm sun, combined with the cooling breeze off the Atlantic could not have made this relaxing morning any more perfect.  We had a great view up and down the beach with Christ the Redeemer peering down on us from behind the hotels.  Kim arranged for a surprise leg message and we each had a featured cocktail from one of the nearby vendors.  We did take an occasional dip in the water, but the breaking waves were quite rough and the force of the current around our legs and feet was a bit unsettling.

​As it was approaching noon, we reluctantly left the beach to go back to the hotel.  Our initial check-out time was 12:00 o’clock, but we had a late-night flight back to Toronto and we still had one more excursion planned for the afternoon.  We paid for an extended check-out that would allow us to use the room until 6:00pm.  We changed into our street clothes and went back to the lobby to wait for our guide and driver to take us on our last excursion in South America - a walking tour of one of Rio’s hundreds of favellas.
 
We were picked up at 1:00pm and joined by about a dozen other people in the van that drove us to the starting point of our tour.  Our guide was a wiry, grizzled gentleman in his 50’s who had been born and raised in the Rocinha favella where we would be doing our walk.  He had been raised by his grandmother and without the benefit of a formal education, had taught himself English and spent his youth reading. Throughout our tour he talked with passion and pride about his neighbourhood and the enduring people that made a living and raised their families in its confines.  Despite the run-down appearance of the structures that had been built over the decades, he portrayed a vibrant community of people who made the best of their meagre circumstances. 

Rocinha is the largest favella in Brazil with a population of about 100,000 residents.  It is located in the South Zone of Rio and only 1 kilometre from the nearest beach.  Much like the shantytowns in South Africa, favellas in Rio originated from the influx of rural and migrant workers who set up makeshift housing along the outskirts of the city.  As more and more migrants arrived, the favellas expanded into the metropolitan areas and evolved into distinct neighbourhoods.  

​As we drove from the exclusive hotel district with its wide avenues and modern buildings into the favella, there was a noticeable change in general surroundings.  The streets were much narrower with far more pedestrians than other areas of the South Zone.  The buildings were primarily brick and concrete, many covered in graffiti and local pop art.  Rocinha is built on a steep hill and our driver took us to the highest part of the neighbourhood.  We got out of the van and walked through the favella towards the bottom, where the van would pick us up.  We walked down countless steep steps through narrow, dark alleys that took us past dozens of tiny apartments built next to, and on top of each other.  Many had openings for doors and windows that were missing making privacy almost non-existent.  Most of the houses have only basic sanitation, plumbing and electricity (masses of tangled electrical wire were dangling overhead and strung from building to building).  

​Rocinha has more infrastructure than many of the other favellas and has hundreds of businesses including banks, pharmacies, and its own TV channel making it relatively self-sufficient.  The tour of Rocinha is an eye-opening experience that emphasizes the wide disparity that exists between the poor neighbourhoods of Rio and the wealth that is evident in the affluent areas little more than a kilometre away.

​After leaving the favella, we elected to walk to our hotel instead of taking the van back with the rest of the group.  The late afternoon sun was still quite warm, and we wanted to enjoy a bit more sunshine before the bitter cold that would welcome us back in Canada.  When we got to the hotel, we finished packing up, checked out of our room and dropped our luggage off at the front desk to hold for us until we left for the airport.  
 
There was an outdoor Italian restaurant in the hotel next to ours that we had decided to book for dinner.  It was a great spot overlooking the boulevard and the beach beyond.  We ordered a couple of homemade pasta dishes - Kim had a hearty Stuffed Ravioli, while I opted for a freshly made Fettuccini Alfredo.  We lingered over our meal while we enjoyed the evening ambiance and mood of Copacabana.

​With mixed emotions we finally left the restaurant to pick up our bags at the hotel and booked an Uber to take us to the airport.  We had been away for a full 3 weeks and had visited 4 countries in South America - Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.  Our trip had included some incredible memories and several of the most amazing sites in the world.  We also left with the knowledge that there were still some South American destinations on our bucket list including Galapogos, the Amazon and Machu Piccu and that we would be back.  

How people are travelling is changing. Previously if you wanted to see sights in a foreign country you either had to go it alone or for those not comfortable navigating on their own, join a large bus tour. Those aren’t the only options anymore. With new standards in place for travel and the desire to be in a group of your own for health reasons - private tours have become that much more popular. There are so many companies that offer personalized, private tours. These are some of the benefits:
 
EXPERIENCE: Travelers are now looking for a more authentic experience that can be achieved with a private tour. If you are in a small group of your own or even travelling solo, having a personal, local guide makes all the difference. Guides will share their culture, customs and background with anyone who is interested. This makes for a far more fulfilling tour. Of course you see all the sights and main highlights but you see them from a local’s perspective with all the interesting folklore and insider facts included.
 
FLEXIBILITY: Being in a small group or on your own gives you far more flexibility. Is the weather not cooperating at the beginning of your tour – then you can ask to leave something on the itinerary until later in the day when the weather is improved. See something along the trail that interests you – you have the option to make changes to your plan based on your own interests.
 
CUSTOMIZATION: Many tour operators will have suggested itineraries however if your tour is private it can often be customized to include other areas of interest. Since you are not dealing with a large bus load of people, it is much easier to visit additional locations where you decide how much time at each spot.
 
If you are looking to understand a destination at a deeper level than think about booking private tours.  It really can change your entire vacation experience. I specialize in creating customized experiences so contact me to ask about what options may be available for your next trip. Reach out for a complimentary travel consultation.

Our rainforest drive was aboard a raised platform on top of a flatbed truck with wooden bench seats and railings along both sides and the back.  It sat roughly 30 people plus the guide who was perched on an elevated seat just behind the cab window.  We followed a dirt trail that wove 7 kilometers through the dense jungle from the Visitor’s Centre to the edge of Devil’s Throat canyon where we would be disembarking for the jet boat ride.  We were on the lookout for the colourful tucans that are quite plentiful in this area and tend to perch on the treetops.  The heavy overcast skies made it difficult to spot them, although our guide tried to point out one or two which she was able to discern in the distance.  We did see a variety of other birds and many more mammoth spiders which hung across the trail in their delicate webs just above our heads as we passed underneath them.  ​

​Many people have ideas of places they want to visit or bucket list destinations that are on that “some day” list.  The only way to make those dreams come true is through planning and hard work to make it actually happen.

It is never too early to start planning a dream vacation.  Particularly if the trip is costly.  It may require you to start putting aside funds early to reach the goal for making the trip.  For instance, my family often decides on our travel goals 2-3 years out. We begin the preliminary process of understanding what the general costs would be for our family of four to take a specific trip. Once we understand how much money is required, we started putting money in a savings account on a monthly basis so that we have the funds allocated when it comes time to start booking – we also include any extra streams of income such as income tax refunds, part time job income, etc.  Having funds available is the #1 reason why people don’t go on their vacations of a lifetime. Just like any other major purchase in your life – you need to plan for it.
 
Once you have decided on a specific destination. Start collecting data – read travel blogs, gather inspiration from Instagram, Trip Advisor, save magazine articles and talk to people that have already been there. Make sure to keep all this information in one place so that when you are ready to book, you can discuss with your travel agent your ideas for the trip.
 
Get some professional advice. The best thing you can do when planning a big trip is to work with a travel agent.  They are going to know things that you don’t and can help to make sure you have a trip of a lifetime.  You don’t typically purchase large items such as a car or house without consulting an expert so why wouldn’t you follow this same process for a signficant trip? They are a wealth of knowledge and can save you both time and money.  
 
It is time to stop thinking about it and start putting the wheels in motion.  The world is a big place and there is no time like the present to start planning.
 
Call me to start the discussion about your dream vacation.

With the internet providing a vast amount of knowledge about destinations and many tour operators selling direct to consumers, some people are feeling confident that they can book their own vacations.  Why should you use an agent?  There are many reasons.
 
VALUE: The best value for your travel dollar.  Agents inform you about all your choices, let you know about special promotions and can advise on the quality of a particular product. We work for you, not the supplier.  Our only objective is to get you the best value and satisfy you completely.
 
PEACE OF MIND: Experience problems during or prior to your trip? Agents assist you in resolving concerns.  They are your advocate and can help with navigating vendors and understanding your options. Agents can resolve issues so you can continue on your trip.
 
ONE STOP SHOPPING: An agent can create a full package for you and work within your outlined budget. They will also provide costs in your currency (or identify upfront if they aren’t) so there will never be surprises with exchange rates. They will think of all the necessities and ensure you never have anything left undone.
 
PROFESSIONAL: Travel Agents work with people to understand their individual needs and desires. Our job is to make sure you get to where you need to go, at the best price and in the most pleasant way possible.  We get to know you and what you value in your travel experience. 
 
EXPERT GUIDANCE: Agents can provide assistance with understanding a destination – best times to visit, when you will have challenges with weather, is there a major festival taking place, will things be closed due to holidays? These are all important factors to understand to make the most of your holiday.
 
Next time you are planning a vacation, discuss it with an agent. With travel becoming more complex nowadays why not work with someone who knows the industry, vendors and promotions available. Your time is precious and your money is valuable – ensure you put both in good hands.

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