St. Augustine, a Catholic physician, once quipped, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel have only read one page.''
Of course, St. Augustine, who died in 430, won't encounter the complications that easily deter you from flying in less-than-pleasant skies, such as long TSA lines, canceled flights, and lost baggage. was.
“Travel can be a scary place if you're not familiar with it,” Ponchatoula travel agent Sandy Burns said at the March 5 Hammond Kiwanis Club meeting.
But she's quick to point out that traveling can strengthen family bonds, create a scrapbook of lifelong memories, and even be good for your health, as relaxation has been proven to reduce stress.
Burns outlined a five-step process for travel. He begins with his initial research, which includes the feasibility of the vacation, personal interests, mental and physical limitations, purpose of the trip, etc.
“Advisors help you,” Burns said, adding that she consults with clients for an hour long before planning a trip.
“It tells you what your interests are and what's important to you,” she said.
She said you also need to decide on the purpose of your trip and whether it includes bonding with your spouse or children.
Step 2 involves more difficult decisions such as who is going on the trip, the best or worst times to visit the destination, places to avoid at certain times, budget, and potential travel restrictions.
Season also plays an important role in the planning process. She said it varies by destination, but peak season is always the most expensive.
The off-season is cheapest, but she cautioned that some restaurants and attractions may not be open. However, she added that for her, the off-season is the best time to travel, as that is when locals go out more and enjoy the better flavors of the area.
“Shoulder season is a little bit busier (than off-season), but not as much as peak season,” Burns said. “You're splitting the difference. But restaurants and attractions will be open.”
She also said that each destination has its own nuances depending on the season. She said summer is the best time to visit Alaska, but there are some areas in the state with worse mosquito problems than south Louisiana.
“It’s about the size of a sparrow,” she said with a laugh.
He said the agency should be able to advise on travel restrictions.
Accommodation plays a big role in the third step. Choosing where to lay your head should not be taken lightly. Perhaps the most important factor is the traveler, and it is unrealistic to expect a young child or someone with reduced mobility to walk up her five flights of stairs to the room.
She said accommodations can be booked directly through hotels, online travel agencies such as Expedia and Orbitz, membership clubs such as Sam's and Costco, tour operators and travel agents. Burns had concerns about online travel agencies and membership clubs.
She said “buyer beware” because all online travel agencies are owned by the same company.
“If you have an emergency, you'll be put on hold, but you can call your travel agent and they'll call you back directly,” Burns says.
He also stressed that when booking airline tickets, people should book directly with the airline, without exception, without using an agent.
Burns said he didn't expect ticket prices to be reduced anytime soon because they were too expensive. Depending on your destination, a round-trip bus ride can cost as much as $5,000.
“Don't share (tickets) with anyone,” she said. “When you’re bundling, you’re getting a lot of bottom of the barrel (seat).”
She said these are people who bump into people or don't have seating options, such as not being able to sit next to young children.
“Seven out of 10 times it's okay, but three times it can be disastrous,” she says. “They can make or break your trip.”
She also strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance in a COVID-19 world, which is included along with activity and travel plans.
She said there are many benefits to using a travel advisor, perhaps the most important being the added level of protection they provide. She said the agency not only takes orders but also acts as an advocate.
“We will help eliminate the bad actors on this trip,” she said.
She said the agency plans things like creating itineraries with recommendations for activities, tours, excursions, transfers, car rentals and dinners.
“And in an emergency, we’ll be there for you,” she said.
When choosing an agent, she recommended researching the person and the agency's online presence, references, reviews, and personal travel experience.
She explained that while her agency charges a fee for its services, reputable agencies spend a lot of time and effort and use their own money to travel to the locations they recommend to their clients. .
She said cruises are a great value, especially if you want to relax while getting a broad overview of a particular culture. She doesn't recommend traveling from the Port of New Orleans, she said, and she often travels from Galveston.
“Know your rights when traveling,” she said. “You need to know what you're getting into. It can be overwhelming.”
