Part 20 of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

Part 20 of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

 I will be writing a more in depth piece on Travel Insurance in the future; however, I had a recent situation whereby, two clients were in another country where some political unrest was taking place; their inter-country flights had to be changed, as well as their itinerary. Also, one of them fell slightly ill and had to get medication prescribed. Obviously, the moment I heard of the political unrest via my Tour Operator, I emailed my clients to assure them that we were aware of the situation, and were ready to do whatever was necessary to assist them while they were abroad. Fortunately, while there were some changes that were made, my clients still had an enchanting holiday in one of the most intriguing places in the world, and thankfully they had Travel Insurance.

As a travel professional,  I never want to hear any stories of my clients not having the most perfect trips; however, in this day and age, there is so much that we have no control over, that it stands to reason there are going to be moments of uncertainty, changes and down right frustrations during travel. The good thing about working with a travel professional is that the traveler is never alone and on their own. They have an advocate who is accessible to assist in some of the most bizarre circumstances (think: Iceland Volcano), and that is peace of mind that anybody would want while they are traveling.

Clarifying the Fine Print - Your travel agent can advise you of all the cancellation penalties and restrictions hidden in the fine print of your travel documents.
Detailed Itineraries - Your travel expert can help you plan your trip out day- by- day to give you a good mix of fun and relaxation.
Advice on Activities to Book Beforehand - A travel expert can forewarn you of any activities that tend to sell out early so there are no unexpected disappointments when you are there. For example, character dining in Disney sells out months in advance.
General Ideas on Where to Go - A travel expert can offer excellent trip advice based on the details of what type of a trip you want to take. Internet booking sites tend to require a destination up front.
A Trip to Nowhere…Sort of - Want to take a trip to get away to somewhere that is really not a normal vacation hot spot? Your travel specialist can help you find that perfect place.
Great Single’s Trips - A travel agent can help you to match you with help find you an exciting singles’ trips and cruises.

*Source: American Society of Travel Agents

www.chicksthattrip.com

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Wishing you all a relaxing day.

Chicks That Trip

www.chicksthattrip.com

*photo used from: http://images.cdn.fotopedia.com/flickr-107360969-hd.jpg

Hotel Spotlight: Fairmont Olympic Hotel - Seattle, WA

Circular Drive into Hotel

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is located in one of the easiest areas to navigate in the Seattle area. Anybody who has read my blog before knows that I have specific hotel requirements, and while the Fairmont is a lovely property with an understated elegance, it is not totally "me." I say that with the utmost respect.

Located in a premier area surrounded by such high-end retailers like Louis Vuitton, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is in good company. What I appreciate the most about this location in general, is its easy walking distance to great restaurants, shopping, wine shops, Pike Place Market, Nordstrom, the theater district and additional shopping. Also, other delicious and trendy hotels are located well within the same area like, the 'W' Seattle, Hotel 1000 (two of my favorite hotels in Seattle, by the way), the Hotel Monaco, and many more.

You can valet at the hotel or park around the corner at one of the parking garages. Like every major downtown area, parking is not an inexpensive proposition. Even with the slightly discounted rate you receive by having the charges billed directly to your room key, you are still essentially paying $30 a day for parking. My strong recommendation would be to avoid parking at all cost and take either the Gray Line service into Seattle, a shuttle service, or a private car service, because even at a private car service rate, once  you throw in the cost of the rental car and parking, you would still be paying about the same price, if not slightly less by having a private car service, and obviously with the Gray Line and shuttles being approximately $15.00 or so each way, this is definitely the least expensive route. Once you are in Seattle, parking is not only atrociously expensive, but if you are not use to hills and slanted parking, you are in for a rude awakening. This was the first trip I've ever driven myself in Seattle, and I can tell you right now, I will not be repeating this mistake ever again.

Sitting Area Entering Hotel From Valet

There is no shortage of doormen as you enter into the hotel; they are all polite and attentive. The first lobby area upon entering the building by the valet court is a simple and elegant sitting area. It is a bit worn for wear, and I think that the entire property could use a face lift. There were no blatant items that were in need of immediate repair; yet, the property did not leave me with a "WOW" factor. The check-in process was much like any check-in at a major hotel. They were sufficiently staffed, and the total process took approximately five minutes; including my waiting, giving her my credit card and obtaining my room key.
 
The elevators are conveniently located off of the main lobby, so you will not find yourself roaming  randomly throughout the property in an effort to locate an elevator. Also off of the main lobby are comfortable seating areas, as well as the seating for The Georgian restaurant, where high tea is served and the happy hour, served Monday - Friday.

King Size Bed

My room was large, clean and suited my needs. Again, given the type of property the Fairmont Hotel proclaims itself to be, I was not blown away by the room; which contained a King size bed, an armoire, a desk area, closet with an in-room safe, and a well stocked mini bar (sidenote - there is a mini market located directly across the street behind the 'W' hotel and connected to the parking garage, where you can buy water, wine and snacks). The bathroom was spacious and clean, and they also supplied Miller Harris bath products.


All in all, it is a nice property and the main reason I likely would not stay there again is simply because it's in close proximity to other properties in Seattle that I prefer more and fit my personal taste. With that being said, if I knew someone or had clients who were visiting Seattle, and they wanted a laid back, quiet and simple elegant property, I would recommend the Fairmont Olympic property without hesitation. They have several restaurants on the property to suit various tastes from the Georgian, the Georgian Tea, Shuckers, the Terrace, and of course, in-room dining. I did not eat at the Fairmont because there are so many restaurants I love in Seattle, that I simply did not have sufficient time to check out their restaurants.

Seating in Room

Armoire & Desk Area

*photos taken by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com

Sit and Relax

Sit and Relax

It is easy to get stuck in a rut; be unproductive; kvetch about what is not going right, versus reveling in what is going right - the list is endless. What I do know, is that this type of behavior is counterproductive and does not help to further your goals. I know this, because I had been having a moment of the "blahs" recently too, but imagine my surprise when a simple bagel, and chicken salad (with a glass of wine) helped to brighten not only my day, but my outlook on everything.

I ventured into a Denver neighborhood haunt, Zaidy's Deli, located in Cherry Creek, Colorado. Zaidy's has been around for years, and if you crave a bagel with chicken salad, or a delicious pastrami sandwich with tons of pickles and sauerkraut (or any kind of sandwich), delightful breakfast, or scrumptious and embarrassingly large desserts, then Zaidy's will hit the spot.

On this particular afternoon I could not decide what I wanted to eat, so I decided on an everything bagel with a side of chicken salad. I sat on the porch that faces a relatively busy street (1st avenue), but since it is set back in the tiny strip mall where it is located, it is not as if I was huffing diesel fuel as cars passed me by. My waitress brought me my delectable bites and I was immediately transported to the days when I was a child, and my mom would bring me a special treat of chicken salad on a pumpernickel bagel. I smiled and relaxed as the sun hit my face, and I felt all of the stress and annoyance ease out of my body. I sipped my wine and simply enjoyed my food. No rush. No fuss. I read several articles from Travel Leisure magazine and actually forgot about all of the issues and worries that had been forefront on my mind.

The act of simply sitting seemed to rid me of my negative energy. After I finished eating (and yes, I munched away on every last bite), I remained seated and soaked in the fresh air with no pressing sense of urgency to be or do anything - I simply relaxed.

Hoping you find your own special place; wherever that may be, so you can also sit and relax.


*photo used from: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/69006224_2ad4ea995c.jpg

www.chicksthattrip.com

Concerts, Music & Fun in the Sun

Concerts, Music & Fun in the Sun

I have a love of music - I always have, and I always will. If I am having a lousy day, nothing can make me feel better than listening to some good music. I can move between a lovely concerto; to hip hop; to big band. Regardless if it's Eric Clapton, Mtume, Kenny G, Maxwell, Rod Stewart, Kanye, Tu Pac, Carrie Carpenter, U2, Van Halen, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Kelly Clarkson; the list is endless, because I simply appreciate music and all the aspects of it.

During this time of year I start looking for the outdoor concerts and seeing which ones may fit my tightly packed schedule. The summertime makes me want to be outside, so I am fond of venues where the concerts are held out doors, and the closer to the beach or wine country they are - the better. California is flush with concerts throughout the year, but one of the big ones is the Playboy Jazz Festival, held at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. If you've ever been to this concert, you know that it's a cornucopia of top performers in the jazz industry. There are a host of other concerts held in the Los Angeles (or surrounding) area - it makes me a bit envious that they are stocked piled with the some of the best concerts and venues.

Despite the fact that (in my opinion) California is one of the best places to attend outdoor concerts, there are a host of other cities and that have fantastic concerts throughout the year; for instance, here in Colorado they have an awesome Winter Park Jazz Festival. My advice is to get online and check them out in your area, so you can take a break, sit back, and sip on a nice beverage of choice and enjoy a relaxing day or night of music and fun.

*photo used from: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4717546367_205f975f7f.jpg

www.chicksthatrip.com

Part 19 of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

Part 19 of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

Have you ever been in the process of researching the purchase of a car, and all of a sudden that one model you've looked at seriously starts popping up every where you go? You can be in a mall parking lot, at a gas station, grocery store, freeway; just about any where, and you are seeing that car. Well, I've been feeling that way about travel; more specifically, stories about travel agents and their "resurrection." Five years ago, the inevitable extinction of travel professionals was being touted everywhere as being the "last of a dying breed." OUCH!

I am happy to report that the trend is now being reported in the opposite direction (like I didn't know this already). It seems not everybody feels that travel professionals are going the way of the dinosaur; in fact, I was recently reading an article in the Washington Post, whereby the author is extolling the virtues of using a travel agent, and how many people are going back to their preferred travel agents to book their trips. You can read the full story here at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/travelers-turn-back-to-travel-agents/2011/04/25/AFZcLM8F_story.html.

It doesn't surprise me at all, and as a matter of fact, there are more and more people I've been coming into contact with that indicate they don't mind doing some research on their own, but ultimately when it gets down to the final recommendations for lodgings, activities, and "must see/do" items, they still prefer working with a travel professional. I have said it once, but it deserves repeating; you can have 100 people who prefer to only do online banking; however, you will always have another segment (although it is a smaller percentage) that will want to have that face time with a banker. Also, for those who prefer 24/7 online access, they will still come across situations where they need to speak with a real, live person. Travel is the same thing. Yes, there is a lot of information out there, but a lot of times people like the idea of contacting one person to help them plan everything and be done with it; versus spending hours and hours trying to out beat the lowest price. There are individuals who see the value in not expending their time doing something that they can have done by someone else.

Is the Upgrade Worth It? – Your travel expert can help you save money by helping you decide if certain upgrades at hotels are really worth the extra money.
Difference in Days to Save Money – Instead of playing around with dates on the internet for hours your travel agent can advise you on any changes to your travel dates that might save you hundreds of dollars.
Staying In-the-Know of Daily Promotions –Travel agents get emails and faxes of daily money saving promotions.
Enhancing the Trip with Extra Amenities – Your travel specialist may be able to arrange for those little extras like a bottle of champagne to be waiting in your room when you arrive.
Using Clout in Impossible Situations – Whether it is air line seats, cruise reservations, or overbooked activities travel experts have more buying power than the average consumer.

*source information provided by ASTA

www.chicksthattrip.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Wishing you all a wonderful and special day!

Chicks That Trip

*photo by That Chick Té

Ode to the Bartender!

Ode to the Bartender!

I must (shamefully) confess! Bartenders are the ying to my yang. While I can't say that every bartender I've met has resonated with me; most have been wonderful treasures that have touched my life in a positive way.

Bartenders are forced to listen to the most inane banter of drunk, clueless individuals; while still maintaining a smile on their faces (well, if they want tips that is). Even for those customers who don't drink, bartenders are still attentive and appreciative of the business. Rarely do they take themselves too seriously (although there is that rare breed of class conscious ones who may); and they are always willing to lend an ear, a shot of tequila, or in some cases a kiss - to make you feel everything will be alright in the world.

In my travels, I have been fortunate to meet some of the best bartenders in the world. They are creative, funny, oftentimes attractive, witty, smart and always interesting. It doesn't matter if they are male or female, they are a group that should never be forgotten nor dismissed arbitrarily. In our society there has been a loss of the appreciation for those in the service industry, so in this small way, I wanted to send a "shout out" to bartenders around the world.

In order to protect their privacy, I will not list their place of employment, but I will list a few names of some of the best bartenders I've come to know and appreciate: 2 Justin's (one of my uber favorites), 2 Dan's, Greg, Brock, Juan, Oscar, Amanda, Jessica, Corey, Brian, John, Errol, and Julio. I've met these individuals at my local haunts, as well as on my numerous travels. For all of you - have a shot on me!


*photo by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com

Hotel Spotlight: La Concha Renaissance Resort (A Marriott Property) - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Hotel Spotlight: La Concha Renaissance Resort (A Marriott Property)
San Juan, Puerto Rico

I was recently in San Juan, Puerto Rico for an International Destination Expo/Conference. Despite the fact that I was occupied everyday with various networking events, speaker presentations and evening events; I was still able to sneak away and enjoy the island.

The La Concha Renaissance Resort is located in the Condado area of Puerto Rico, and is approximately 30 minutes (in good traffic) from the San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The property is discretely ensconced on the "main drag" in Condado, situated on the most pristine, azure colored beach you can imagine.

Prior to visiting the property, I did cruise through Trip Advisors (which I rarely do), to check out some of the comments on the property. One of the main names that kept resonating within most of the comments was about the valet named Felix! I was able to meet him, and let me tell you, he was personable, helpful and always had a bright smile on his face, even though they were always busy in their car court. There was a wedding party, a conference, and other activities that kept the front desk and valets hopping; but I can tell you, they never missed a beat. All of the staff members were quick, efficient, and always willing to assist you (especially for those of us who always look like we are lost).

The lobby area is a wide, open space with various seating arrangements to accommodate individuals, small and large groups. Every evening, I would find myself on their outdoor patio in the Solera bar area enjoying a late night cocktail, and a bevy of people watching opportunities; especially since the lobby area turned into a quasi night club at night.

I stayed in both a double queen room, as well as a single king room during my stay. It is great to be able to experience several types of rooms during a visit, so that you can compare size, configurations and general space of the rooms. Both the double room and the king size rooms had ample space. Each room had a large desk area, comfortable chairs, large HD television and ample closet space, as well as a nice sized bar area. The bathrooms were clean and well laid out. There were no bathtubs in either of the rooms I stayed in; however, the shower was easily big enough for two people, ummm, not that I know that from experience! The bath products they provided were Aveda, and they replenished them on a daily basis, and I never ran out of towels.

The La Concha has a nice selection of restaurants from their Komakai Sushi Bar, Voga Italian Grill, Solera poolside restaurant, Sidewalk Café, and their signature restaurant Perla, located in the large Conch Shell facing the beach. I was constantly on the go, and had evening events to attend, so I was only able to have two meals while I was on the property. I split a burger and fries with my business partner, That Chick Dawni, and my last morning there, I also ate at the breakfast buffet they provided every morning, located at Voga. The buffet was an affordable $20, with a large selection of pastries, meats, potatoes, cereals (hot & cold), juices, fruits and an omelet bar too. I felt the price was good, considering the varied selection of items they had to chose from.

The property is a solid 3 - 4* property. I would recommend this resort to anyone traveling to the San Juan area that likes to be within walking distance of a lot of nightlife, restaurants, bars, high end shopping since the property is located mere steps from Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, and countless other small boutiques, and a place that simply never seems to sleep! Oh, and I forgot to mention, there is even a Casino on the property!

Valet/Entrance AreaLobby Seating Area

Room w/2 Queen Beds

Desk Area in Room w/2 Queen Beds

Shower

Bathroom

King Room

Living Room Area in King Room

Divine Pool Area

Relaxing Beach

Beds Overlooking the Beach!

*Photos by That Chick Té

www.chicksthattrip.com

Part 18 of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

Part 18 of Series: 101 Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

I have been working with a client recently, and in one of our numerous conversations, I was discussing some things she should be aware of for her trip, as well as other general travel tips. After the conclusion of our conversation she said, "Thank you so much for all of the information. I've been searching on the internet, and I am in information overload; yet, you have given me clear, concise information, and I feel confident now going on my trip. People may not realize this, but planning a trip is a lot of work, and I'm glad to have you planning my trip!"

This is what I enjoy the most about my work. It's when the people I am working with understand, and value the time and work that I put into making their trip special, fun, and accommodating to whatever their budget may be. I do caution people that you truly DO, "get what you pay for," so while sticking to a budget is important for most of us, sometimes there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration too, and sometimes when you are embroiled in the process, you may skip those important factors.

What You Can Buy Later - New airline restrictions make packing for long trips hard. Travel experts can give you advice on what you might be able to purchase while you are on your trip to avoid having excess weight in your luggage beforehand.
Advice on Where to Go if You Get Sick - If you happen to be unfortunate enough to get hurt or fall ill while on your trip, your travel agent can help to you find you somewhere clean and safe for medical attention.
Trust - If you should have any questions after booking your trip you know how to reach your travel agent and can avoid the FAQ section on a website.
You Know How to Reach Them When You Need Them - Problems at the airport? Reservation issues at the hotel? Your travel agent is a phone call away from getting your problem solved.
Tips and Tricks - How early do you really need to be at the airport? What are the quickest ways to get through security? Your travel expert can advise you of the airport security levels the day of your trip and any new security checkpoints you may have to worry about.

photo from: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/101152162_a59da9b562.jpg

www.chicksthattrip.com