While I am super happy that the world is opening up and the possibilities for more places to go are growing every day, I would like to share some insights with you. Travel Advisors are here to help you book that vacation we are need right now. We have been training and studying our hearts out to help you make sense of all the craziness and keep track of the protocols that have been changing rapidly. It’s our job and our pleasure to make sure everything is in order and you have everything you need to have a safe and amazing experience. There are “Cheap Deals” coming out of the woodwork, but that doesn’t mean it will be the dream vacation you have been waiting for.

I was talking to a friend the other day and Costa Rica was brought up. I told my friend that in order to travel there, you must present proof of medical insurance – a specific kind – or you will be denied entry. In her research, she was completely unaware of this protocol. Had she not talked with a Travel Advisor, she would have never known. This is just one example of what Travel Advisors can do to ensure you can actually take your vacation. Each destination can require different protocols, entry requirements and documentation. If you don’t know what is required, it can ruin what should be a great vacation.

You owe it to yourself to seek out the services of a knowledgeable Travel Advisor. We have all been under lock and key for a long time and are ready to rock-n-roll. I can’t wait to get out there and travel, there is a lot of pent up travel energy out there. As your Travel Advisor, I want to share a few tips that will make this whole process ruin as smooth as butter.

#1 – Travel is opening up for fully vaccinated people. If you have even a glimmer of hope to start traveling internationally in the near future, please get vaccinated. It will be the only way you can do it. #2 – Please have some kind of idea where you want to go and what you want to do when you get there. If you come to your Travel Advisor and say “Any good deals? I want to go somewhere, anywhere travel is open.” The world is a huge place and there are millions of destinations becoming available. We can find your ‘needle in the haystack’ vacation but be prepared to pay a significant Professional Services fee upfront. The amount of time and research we will be doing for you trying to whittle things down will be well worth it.

#3 – It will be important to pre-book ‘must-do’ tours and excursions. For example, you book a week on Maui and you want to go to the best luau. We can do that for you ahead of time, so you don’t get locked out. Hawaii is still under limited crowd restrictions so booking ahead ensures you secure your space. #4 – Make sure you have a valid passport and that it is valid 6 months past your return travel date. It is taking a bit longer to renew (or get new) passports currently. For first timers, you need to apply in person and that is being done by appointments that are hard to find, so plan ahead. For renewals you can expedite the process, but it will be costly.

The most important thing to remember is this. Your Travel Advisor has spent the entire pandemic preparing to help YOU book your dream vacation in the new world of traveling. Things will not be ‘back to normal’ for a long time – if ever. It is different now and we are here to help. Plan ahead, be flexible and be prepared. Expect to place a small amount down for a deposit to lock your vacation in. The best part of using a Travel Advisor? Once your vacation is under deposit, you can make payments until the final payment is due. Plus, we will keep you up-to-date when protocols change. We care about your vacation experience and want this post-pandemic trip to be THE BEST. Don’t DIY something this important.