 | Trish DeDamos
is Owner and Travel Counselor at Just 4U Travel. She has operated Just 4U Travel in Wichita since 1991. Originally from Northeastern Wisconsin and graduating from The University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1986, Trish is a certified specialist for many states and resorts; including Hawaii, Nevada, and Florida. Resort certification includes Sandals (CSS), Beaches, Super Clubs, Outrigger Resorts in Hawaii, Disney Resorts and Theme Parks. Trish is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), frequently visiting cruise ships for inspection of major cruise lines like Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. Trish believes service is the number one reason her clients return and send their family and friends to Just 4U Travel year after year. You may visit the web at www.just4utravel.com or contact Trish by phone @ (316) 729-8589. |
Travel
2003-05-01 11:49:00
Vacation....where to start
: I am looking for a vacation and have no idea where to go. Where do I start?
ANSWER: A great vacation starts with great planning. Your choices are many, the right travel consultant can help you narrow down your choices. Researching your trip online is fun, but it can take you hours. When it comes to small details of your all-important vacation, the advantages of working with a travel consultant are numerous. Travel consultants can offer you the benefit of their globetrotting experiences; the scoop about the weather you can expect; package deals including air and a range of itinerary options; one-stop shopping for air, car, attractions and hotel reservations; and, last but not least, peace of mind. They are your saviors and advocates when travel plans go awry. Not every travel consultant is great. Some destinations may not be their specialty. Here are some points to help you find the travel consultant of your dreams, your “soul mate agent” if you like. Good consultants are patient, ask lots of questions, maintain rigorous quality standards, are forthright about a destination's drawbacks, and have a genuine interest in clients' feedback. Good consultants will entertain your dreams with an open mind and present a range of options. Good consultants have many repeat clients. Seek out someone who feels like a kindred spirit; their opinion will jive more closely with your likes and dislikes. After all it is your hard earned money, right? -Start planning well in advance. I recommend 9-6 months depending on destinations. If your travel dates are around a major holiday start 10 months in advance. - Consider length of stay, weather, budget, the dates you will travel, number of people taking the trip and type of room you want. Is an ocean view or balcony very important? Can you stay a week or 3 nights? - Gather basic information about your possible choices. Talk to friends, relatives, visitor's bureaus, or visit web sites. Keep in mind destinations and resorts change. - Think you have it narrowed down? Call a travel agency to get general prices and more details. You may call a travel agency about your budget. You may have a $3000 budget, but your “dream trip” will cost a lot more. A good travel consultant can tell you where you may be able to go with your budget. - When shopping around, look for service NOT price. If you called 3 times and your calls are not returned find better service. -Does the agency have convenient hours for you? -When shopping compare “Apples to Apples“; A 6 star resort on the beach with great airline connections is not the same as a 3 star across the street from the beach with poor airline connections. - Most travel agencies can match any price with in reason. Of course the “Apples to Apples” rule applies. - Don’t forget to make a deposit. A small deposit will hold your space and price from increases. Availability and prices are subject to change until the deposit is paid. Sales end and you don’t want to miss them. Some of the media has suggested no one is traveling but that is not the case. -Ask your travel consultant about cancellation fees. ALL tour companies and travel agencies will charge you a small cancellation fee, if you need to cancel your vacation. It is rare for any package made with a travel agency to be 100% non-refundable. The exception: reservations made within 14 days of departure. - Make sure you have proper proof of citizenship for your travel plans. Passports can take up to 6 weeks. You need an original birth certificate for a passport to be issued. Your travel consultant will help you get these documents if required, but is your responsibility to bring the required proof of citizenship to the airport when you travel.Remember, a good travel agency and great travel consultants will help you with all of this and more. Have a great trip!
