Monday, June 29, 2015

10 Things to Avoid Saying to your Travel Agent

I'm sure we've all read at least one of those "Ten things your plumber want you to know" or "Top ten cat breeds for non-cat owners." This is a list that we adapted from a post we read and customized it for Trippin' with Jamie!

1) "I saw this trip for cheap on Groupon!"

Yes, you probably did. But did you look at the fine print? These deals often have blackout dates and other limitations on when you can travel, some are within a certain date of booking. Says it includes airfare? It might, but it's for a 2-layover flight from Houston to Mexico City and you live in DC. Tips, excursions, drinks, not included. Many times even trips that are advertised as all-inclusive still have limitations that would not otherwise apply if you booked through a travel agent. There is a reason the trips advertised on Groupon are so cheap.

2) "Why should I use Trippin' with Jamie when I can just book it online myself?"

If you're talking about ONLY domestic airfare, you're right. Those prices are fixed and a travel agent cannot provide much added benefit. However, if you're flying to a destination and then need a hotel or resort, rental car, excursions, or any other add-ons, using a travel agent CAN provide extra assistance. Trippin' with Jamie are your travel experts. Just like you are perfectly capable of filing your own taxes, many people still choose to use a tax accountant to make sure everything is done properly and nothing slips through the cracks. A travel agent is an expert in the field of travel. We make sure you get the most value for your money and that nothing slips through the cracks. Are you capable of booking your trips online on your own? Yes. But give us the chance to use our expertise to help you maximize the value of your trip and take care of the little details.

3) "I get a discount because we're friends, right?"

Remember, Trippin' with Jamie does not change anything extra to help you plan your trip. While there may be a booking fee for complicated itineraries, that fee will go toward the total cost of the trip. When we book you a trip, the commission that normally would go back to the companies providing your services comes to us as your agent. We do not charge you extra for our services, and because of that, if we were to give a discount, we would have to cover the difference ourselves. We are often able to find you better value than you might on your own because we have access to agent-only deals, so consider that our gift to you!

4) "I am willing to spend $XXX on airfare and no more."

Okay, we will do what we can to find you a flight for that price, but sometimes what we want is not available. Flights with layovers are typically cheaper than non-stop which can save money. Being flexible with departure or destination cities can also provide options to help you save money. However, if you want a non-stop flight from a specific city to your dream destination, there is only so much we can do.

5) "Do you travel all the time?"

We do enjoy traveling! If we didn't like to travel we wouldn't be in the business! That being said, no, we are not taking your calls from a beach resort in the Caribbean. We spend our time in front of a computer focused on our search engines to find you the best deals. Many times we get ideas for our own travel based on the trips that we book for you!

6) "My dream trip is a cruise around Australia and New Zealand with a stop in Hawaii on the way home. I want everything included, and I can spend $3000 total for a family of 5."

Good luck. We are travel agents, and we will do our best to find you the best deal, but we cannot create discounts that are not realistic. If your dream trip and your budget don't line up, then you either need to adjust your expectations or save for a bit longer. We want to help you, but we have not yet found the destination where money grows on trees. Until then, we can only do so much.

7) "I just want the cheapest price."

We are not looking to up-sell you or try to get you to spend more money for no reason. If we suggest something that may not necessarily be the cheapest options, ask us why. Remember, Trippin' with Jamie is about the best VALUE for your money. The cheapest hotel may have really bad reviews, a bed bug problem, and be in a bad part of town. If you're looking for the lowest price, we can certainly book it for you, but there might be another hotel 5 minutes away for not much more that is a much nicer option. We want you to enjoy your trip, so we are looking for value that fits in your budget.

8) "All these custom fees, tips, and luggage charges are ridiculous. There's no way I'm paying that!"

If you don't want to pay luggage fees, don't check a bag. If you don't want to pay daily resort tips, don't choose an all-inclusive resort. If you don't want to pay customs fees, don't travel internationally. There are certain fees in the travel industry that are non-negotiable. We do not set them and cannot change them. The airlines, resorts, and countries set these fees. If you don't want to have to pay these extras, you will need to choose a trip that avoids them.

9) "Can I have your personal cell number so I can contact you whenever anything goes wrong?"

We want you to have the best vacation possible, and we will do everything we can during the planning to ensure your trip goes smoothly. However, we realize that things can go wrong. Trippin' with Jamie will give you an emergency number that can be used to contact us if there are major problems. However, please do not call us for every little issue. Remember, when you are on vacation, you are onsite. We are still in our home office. We want to help as much as we can, but often it is easier for you to talk with the hotel manager yourself.

10) "Thanks for your help in planning! I'm going to book it online tonight."

While we are glad to help and want you to have the vacation you dreamed of, please recognize that at Trippin' with Jamie, our only income comes from booking trips. If you are not going to book through us, we lose money helping you plan since we are taking time away from other clients. The travel industry is a difficult business since there are so many options available to the general public online. If that is the way you would like to book your trip, you are free to do so. But please do not waste our time asking us to spend time to research options for you, then go book elsewhere.

Of course, there is one thing we always want to hear: "Book'em Dano (Jamie)!"

Things Trippin' with Jamie Wants You To Know About Special Needs Travel

Here at Trippin' with Jamie, our main focus is on helping families with special needs take trips that they may have thought impossible. We do our best to make each trip special, and here are some things we want you to know!

1) We can't make it easy, but we can make it easier.

Anyone who tells you that traveling with special needs is easy has obviously never traveled with special needs. Our goal as your travel agent is to get to know you and your needs. We want to help you plan your trip and anticipate any potential problems so they can be avoided.

2) Know your limits and be realistic.

This goes for anyone traveling, but especially families with special needs. If your child can only manage 4 hours of school before having sensory overload, do not plan to cover Magic Kingdom in a day. You can always add more activities, but a physical or mental breakdown can derail an entire trip. Make sure to schedule rest breaks, plan for the weather (hot, cold, rainy, etc.), and be flexible.

3) Look for value not cost.

This is one of the key vacation planning tips for special needs families. There will always be something cheaper. Instead of focusing on strictly cost, look at what you are getting. Yes, hotels further from Disney are cheaper, but if you have a wheelchair, coolers, medications, and emergency information to carry, is it worth it to use valuable energy just packing and getting to the park? Plus, if you are planning to take rest breaks during the day, staying offsite adds more energy zapping travel to and from. Consider the needs of your family and ask us what options are available. We want you to get the most value for your spending, so ask us how you can save while still getting top value.

4) Be prepared to travel with your special need.

We don't mean packing supplies, we mean be mentally prepared. Whether this is your first vacation as a family or the first since a diagnosis, traveling with a special need can require mental preparation as well as physical. While vacations are often used to escape everyday life, there is no escaping your disability or illness. Recognize that your special need will be coming too and be prepared. It may not be the dream trip you always imagined or the same as vacations used to be before getting sick, but it can still be a great time away as long as you adjust your expectations.

5) Relax and have fun!

Easier said than done, we know, but try! You want this to be a great trip and it can be, just relax. By doing your research up front and allowing Trippin' with Jamie to handle the details, you are free to focus on making memories with your family. Know that things may not be perfect for the whole trip but decide to enjoy whatever comes. Traveling with special needs can be unpredictable, but embracing each moment and celebrating small victories can make any trip special.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Off the Beaten Track: Baraboo, WI

When you think vacation, I'm sure most of us think about beaches or cruises or ski resorts or Disney or something exotic. But have you ever considered some of the hidden gems scattered across the country? We will be doing a series called "Off the Beaten Track" to highlight some unique destinations that may not be on your radar that can provide a great trip whether it's a long weekend or full week of family fun!

Up first - Baraboo, Wisconsin!

In case you were wondering, Wisconsin is located in the Midwest, east of Minnesota and directly west of Lake Michigan. It's capital is Madison which is about 270 miles from Minneapolis, 150 miles from Chicago, and 3920 miles from London, England. I know, you're all ready to hop on a plane today and fly all the way from England...If not, that's okay, we can book you on a transatlantic cruise instead. =)

Anyway, we actually want to highlight a town about 50 miles north of Madison. If you guessed Baraboo, you'd be correct!

Baraboo is located along the Baraboo River in Sauk County and is home to about 13,000 residents. Trippin' with Jamie was recently traveling out to Minnesota, but made a stop in Baraboo. It is a great small town to visit with plenty to keep you busy in the town itself, but also has a wide variety of activities within a short drive for the faster paced vacationers. This post is going to highlight some of what Baraboo has to offer you as a vacation destination.

Town Center:

Like I said, Baraboo is a great town in its own right. If you like the small town feel and enjoy being a part of wherever you are visiting, just walking around will give you an opportunity to relax and enjoy being on vacation. There are many locally owned restaurants and shops. Baraboo is small enough to have a great feel and locally owned businesses, but also large enough to offer a great variety. In the summer, there are concerts, farmer's markets, and activities in the town square. During winter, the town is decorated for the holidays and feels just as cozy even if the weather isn't quite as warm.

Circus World Museum:

Did you know Baraboo is home to the Circus World Museum? Did you even know there WAS such a things? It is also the former home of the Ringling Brothers and the Ringling Brothers Theater is located in the town square. This museum is a great (don't tell your kids) educational and fun activity for the whole family. In the summer, the town also hosts the Great Circus Parade. The museum is fully accessible and located close to the river walk along the Baraboo River which also is accessible for those in wheelchairs.

Ochsner Park Zoo:

While not a San Diego Zoo, the Ochsner Park Zoo provides a fun opportunity for families to see animals in a cozy zoo set in the Ochsner Park along the Baraboo River. It is home to a variety of animals, such as monkeys, bears, llamas, multiple species of birds, and more. Admission is free and the zoo is open year round. After you finish the zoo, the park offers lots of green space and trails for hiking, picnics, and enjoying the outdoors. There are paved paths throughout the park that are wheelchair accessible, however, some require stairs to reach. There are picnic tables, benches, grills, and covered shelters for families to enjoy on a summer evening (or winter if you're really brave).

Devil's Lake State Park:

For all the outdoor enthusiasts, Devil's Lake is a state park just south of Baraboo and is the largest state park in Wisconsin. There is a visitor's center that highlights the history and geology of the park and has an amphitheater that is used in the summer for various events and concerts. There are small American Indian mounds located throughout the park which highlight some of the history of the Wisconsin tribes. Approximately 41 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to very difficult terrain provide views of the lake for all levels of fitness. In addition, there are multiple trails that are wheelchair accessible for the entire family to enjoy. Devil's Lake is a destination of its own offering various opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. There are two swimming beaches located at Devil's Lake as well as kayaks, row boats, and paddle boats available for rent to use on the lake. In the winter, snowshoeing and cross country skiing are available for those brave enough to face the cold.

Mirror Lake State Park:

Another outdoorsy option with a twist. Mirror Lake is home to fully accessible cabins with roll-in showers and some cabins include hospital beds. In addition to offering similar outdoor activities as Devil's Lake State Park, Mirror Lake also offers adaptive kayaks and sit-skis for cross country skiing. It is located just 15 miles from Baraboo and a great option for families looking to get a camping feel while still being able to travel with family members that may require some accommodation.

Wisconsin Dells:

About 18 miles north of Baraboo is a town called the Wisconsin Dells. For all the adventure seekers, this is the place for you! The Wisconsin Dells is one of the largest tourist destinations in the Midwest. It offers many indoor and outdoor waterparks and is home to the largest waterpark in the USA, Noah's Ark. In addition to water activities, the Wisconsin Dells also has go-karting, mini golf, zip lines, horseback riding, and more! Thanks to the many indoor waterparks and other indoor activities, the Wisconsin Dells is a great year-round destination. Great Wolf Lodge offers zero entry pools, and Medusa's Indoor Water Park at Mt. Olympus has a chairlift at the warrior pool to allow the whole family to enjoy the action!

We had a great time visiting Baraboo, and would definitely recommend it as a vacation spot! If you'd love to get away but not sure you're ready for a cruise or resort, check out some of the "Off the Beaten Track" places that you don't even have to leave the country to enjoy!




Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Why use Trippin' with Jamie?

Some people think the internet has made it possible for anyone to plan a trip.  If all you want to do is go from point A to point B, that is probably true.  But, if you want to maximize your family experience and get the most value for your vacation investment, you would be wise to use an expert. Someone who lives and breathes travel.  Who knows which deals are really good and which deals will really not save you money after all.

And the best part is, you can have this better experience for no additional expense!  Travel agents are paid by the travel companies.  If you book a trip yourself, the travel company simply makes more money, but enlist in the services of a travel professional and you will get their expertise and have someone watching out for your best interest.

Most people don't have the time to learn all the ins and outs of a constantly changing travel industry. Even if you enjoy planning the trip yourself, having a travel professional review and do the final booking will ensure you haven't made any non-refundable mistakes.  After hours of surfing the internet, IAD and IND may look a lot alike, but these airports are more than a 6 hours drive apart!

For those that need more convincing, here are more reasons to use an agent.

FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE A FAVORITE SPOT TO VISIT EVERY YEAR:

We have resources for you! While you may already have a time share, or figured out where you will stay, what about excursions nearby? Even traditional family trips can be spiced up with some new adventures. Maybe you've always wanted to try parasailing, or have been dying to visit the local amusement park, whatever it may be, Trippin' with Jamie can help you add some excitement to your relaxing family trip.

FOR FAMILIES THAT KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO GO:

When you have a specific destination in mind, a travel agent can be a valuable resource in helping you finalize the details of your trip. We have access to deals that are not available in normal searches, and often can find or create packages for your and your family for your chosen vacation. Whether you want the full Disney experience, a cruise to Alaska, or a relaxing all-inclusive in the Riviera Maya, give Trippin' with Jamie a call to see what specials are running and packages we can bundle for you.

FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

Whether you have a family member on the autism spectrum, need wheelchair accessibility, have significant food allergies, or any other special needs, Trippin' with Jamie wants you to know that travel IS POSSIBLE. It may not be easy, but with the help of our experienced consultants, we CAN help make it easier. Give us a call to talk about what options are available and what type of trip may best suit your needs. If you have specific concerns about a bucket list trip you have always wanted to take but thought it was not an option, we can help make it happen!

FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE ELSE:

Don't worry, we didn't forget about you! We can also help with planning just about any type of trip you can imagine, from cruises to skiing to safaris. We help plan honeymoons, destination weddings and vow renewals as well as multi-generational family reunions.  We book rooms for business travel, and coordinate hotel accommodations for out of state medical care. Whatever your travel needs, Trippin' with Jamie is here to help! Give us a call so that we can discuss your particular needs.

For those of you that read the first paragraph and now skipped to the bottom, I'll summarize what I said above. Regardless of your needs, Trippin' with Jamie can make your trip planning easier. Give us a call to find out how we can help with your specific plans!

www.TrippinwithJamie.com
TrippinwithJamie@gmail.com
703-973-1334

Friday, June 5, 2015

Introducing Trippin' with Jamie!

Thank you for visiting! We hope to hear from you soon to book your next vacation. In the mean time, let me introduce you to the face behind Trippin' with Jamie.

Jamie began Trippin' with Jamie after leaving a long corporate career in in risk analysis and management in the mortgage industry.  She wanted to take her love to travel and use it to make a difference in the lives of others.  Her goal as a travel agent is to help families build stronger bonds and lasting memories that include all family members regardless of their special needs.

A mom of two adult children, she has been planning vacations since her children were small. She continues to plan family get-a-ways, that now include her son-in-law. With trips to more than 20 ski resorts, all-inclusives, cruises on multiple cruise lines, dude ranches, beach and lake house rentals and of course Disney, she has a breadth of understanding in the industry.

Her passion for special needs grew after her daughter struggled with a mystery ailment for many years that included, among other things, severe allergic reactions.  Vacations became complicated with a great deal of pre-work required.  Still determined to enjoy family trips, Jamie found ways for her family to travel even with their special needs. As she became more integrated into the special needs community, she wanted to leverage her knowledge and experience to help those families experience what many others take for granted. While she knows that travel with special needs may not be easy, she aims to make it easier by reducing the stress of planning and coordinating details to find the best value for her clients.

When she is not booking trips (call today!) or traveling herself, she enjoys distance running and triathlons, spending time with her husband and 2 dogs, fostering dogs for a local rescue organization, and chocolate!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Welcome to Trippin' with Jamie!

Whether you just stumbled across this blog or you came here looking for info, welcome! I hope you will find this blog informative and entertaining, but most importantly, I hope it gets you excited for your next trip!

Trippin' with Jamie is a travel consulting agency that wants to make planning your next trip easier for you and your family. Whether you are interested in a river cruise in Europe, an all-inclusive resort in the Riveria Maya, or a dude ranch in the southwest, Trippin' with Jamie can help!

In addition, we also have a focus in helping those with special needs family members find a way to travel that accommodates everyone in the family. From wheelchairs to service dogs, feeding tubes and more, Trippin' with Jamie can help you coordinate whatever extra supplies, equipment, or accommodations you may need to make your trip possible.

In order to provide you with the best options for your family, Trippin' with Jamie holds multiple certifications:

Graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge
Royal Caribbean Expert Plus
Certified Accessible Travel Advocate
Autism-Friendly Certified
Princess Commodore
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Ecuador Specialist

As your travel agent, Trippin' with Jamie has access to hundreds of vacation resources such as Funjet, Apple Vacations, GOGO Vacations, Southwest Vacations, VAX Vacations, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Viking Cruises, Travel Impressions, Globus, and many more. There is no cost to use Trippin' with Jamie, in fact, you will often pay less than you would by booking on your own since she has access to travel agent deals and promotions!

Whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation on the beach, a family reunion in the mountains, an exciting adventure in Europe, or just want to get away for a while, give Trippin' with Jamie a call!

Visit us at www.trippinwithjamie.com or call 703-973-1334.