“Travel marks milestones. It becomes part of the family history. Stories are told about trips taken and things seen, about the unique experiences that can only come from going somewhere. It brings people together,” says Helene Singer, veteran travel agent and president of Singer Travel, Wyomissing.
When it comes to important trips, particularly those that take travelers outside the country, most travel sources advise using an agent rather than putting together a do-it-yourself excursion. Singer agrees with this advice, as do her Berks County colleagues at Boscov’s Travel, president Pat K. Cinfici and vice president, Janet Papilla, as well as Sandy Green, manager of Berkleigh Travel, Kutztown.
“A travel professional does a far better job and offers more options, and experience, than a website. The [trip-planning] process can be very complicated and sometimes expensive. If there’s trouble, and you’ve done it all on your own, there is no one to help you get home. We’re there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to keep people – and their travel dollars – safe,” says Cinfici.
While it may be tempting to book your whole trip online, those interviewed said websites are often misleading, and, since agents do not charge fees for their services and can often find even better deals for clients, a pro may get you more for your money. Like using an accountant, lawyer or realtor, having a professional on your side often offers benefits that DIY travel sites cannot.
“There are no agent fees involved. The only exception to this is with the purchase of an airline ticket, which does include a small carrier fee, but with that the client gets that 24/7 service. For example, when the Icelandic volcano was erupting and disrupting flights all over Europe not long ago, people who used an agent had someone working around the clock to bring them home. Many of those who booked their own flights online ended up sleeping in airports for days,” explains Cinfici.
Another bonus is first-hand experience with the destination. Agents travel all the time, all over the globe, and can tell you where to stay, which sights not to miss, which restaurants offer the best dinner for your money, and what to take with you.
Professional advice also enables travelers to book a trip designed specifically for them. These can be custom vacations or pre-packaged ones, and the pros say there is no rule when it comes to choosing one or the other.
“Packages can be confusing, especially online, because some don’t include tax and fuel charges, and people are surprised when they go to book a trip and the final cost is much higher. Agents can get creative. We can access agent-only offers from hotels, airlines and cruise lines so that a custom package can end up costing less than a mass-marketed one. In other words, there is no rule on this; each trip is different. People should have a budget and destination in mind and we’ll work from there,” says Green.
While the Caribbean, Disney resorts and Alaskan cruises remain ever-popular, some of the hottest destinations are truly one-of-a-kind, memory-making places. These include eco-tours of the Galapagos Islands; tropical Central American resorts in Belize, Cost Rica and St. Vincent; and the historic sights of China and Tibet. Other currently trendy trips fly Americans off to the Italian countryside made famous in the film Under the Tuscan Sun; to hip, burgeoning European capitals like Budapest, Prague and Vienna; and, the fastest-growing travel trend, on European river cruises.
“Cruising today offers so many options. Whether people are looking for adventure, history or relaxation, there is literally something for everyone. We can help them find what’s best because one size does not fit all,” says Papilla.
There are no absolute trip-planning rules, since there are so many vacation variables. In fact, Green says fares for seats on the same flight – even in the same row – can be sold for different prices depending on the time of day you buy. She adds that agents constantly monitor these variables and can book when the price is right, much like stockbrokers.
Even without hard guidelines to follow, there are some basic tips that can make travel easier. For instance, pros say it is best to fly mid-week to get cheaper fares and find fewer people on board. Also, renting a car can be cheaper than paying for taxis and trains, but each rental company and location (even within the U.S.) has varying requirements. For example, renters must usually be 21 years old and have a credit card in the States, but in some places – like Washington, D.C. – the minimum age is 25, while others – like New York and Michigan – allow those who are 18 to rent a vehicle. Bottom line: check before you go.
Another key point: know your destination’s high season. You can save by avoiding the peak tourist times. For instance, Europe’s busiest time is from June through October. By going during low season – January through March – or “shoulder season” in April and May, you may find lower prices and lighter crowds. This can also result in additional savings on sight-seeing, meals and shopping.
One way to help ensure bargains and get what you want is to book in advance. Making reservations as much as a year ahead can offer substantial savings and guarantee that you get to see the sights most important to you, at the times you want to travel.
Travel pros always underscore the need for travel insurance. For a comparatively small fee, a policy can cover a wide array of common – and not so common – travel problems. From lost luggage to illness and injury, from canceled flights to hurricanes, insurance can offer reimbursement, medical care, emergency flights home and, most of all, peace of mind. Particularly for important trips, think of it as a necessity.
Passports are a must for travel in much of the world, even for infants. While there are exceptions, even neighboring countries like Mexico and Canada may require one for travel to certain regions. In fact, according to the U.S. State Department’s website, even U.S. citizens flying home from Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean need a valid passport for re-entry to the States. It can take weeks to get a new passport, or have one renewed (they expire every 10 years), so this must be planned, and is mostly done online. There is also the travel visa, another type of document that is also necessary in certain situations. Best advice: keep a valid passport at all times, even for children.
Even in these difficult economic times, the agents interviewed all said business is up from a couple of years ago. They say that while people are booking in advance and taking fewer vacations, the overall numbers are on the rise.
“Travel enhances life, and we’re seeing more people wanting more out of their lives, even if it is one trip a year. Don’t wait; go while you’re able,” Singer says.
RESOURCES
BOSCOV’S TRAVEL Pat K. Cinfici, president Janet Papilla, vice president Local HQ: Reading Mall, 4500 Perkiomen Ave., Reading | 610.779.8640 or 800.755.8020 boscovstravel.com BERKLEIGH TRAVEL SERVICES INC. Sandy Green, manager 230 S. Baldy St., Kutztown | 610.683.8880 or 800.845.8008 berkleightravel.com SINGER TRAVEL Helene Singer, president 18 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing | 610.378.1610 or 800.634.9709 singertravel.com
