Why Your Travel Agent is Your BFF
Traveling to a new location can be scary on any trip. When it comes to your honeymoon, you don’t want to doubt your confirmations and question your excursion guides. Here’s why you should trust your travel itinerary to an expert.
Why should I hire a travel agent?
Those “low-cost, all-inclusive, time-limited” honeymoons online may seem attractive, but they’re bound to come with hidden fees, taxes, and charges. One thing they don’t come with? A knowledgeable agent who will be on-call to answer questions every step of the way.
A lot of people don’t realize that travel agents don’t charge for their services! Because they work directly with the resorts, they can get you the best deals, discounts, and packages at no cost to you! Plus, they know the ins-and-outs of the area and can recommend hidden gems and fun excursions you might not find on your own.
Making travel arrangements can be stressful and overwhelming – especially if you’ve never visited the destination before. Handing all of that responsibility over to a travel agent will free you up to focus on other wedding details. They’ll organize all of the confirmations, arrangements, activities, and details so that all you have to do is relax and enjoy your vacation.
How should I prepare for a meeting with my travel agent?
Go into the meeting with a clear idea of what you’re looking to spend. It’s okay if you haven’t picked an exact location, but let your agent know whether you’d like a beach resort, European villa, a cruise escape, or a snowy mountaintop; they can help pinpoint a place that will enchant you and pacify your wallet. If there are certain activities you know you’ll want to experience – like horseback riding on the beach or dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower – be sure to let your travel agent know. They can book or recommend the best (and cheapest!) options for you. The more specific your destination and activity wish list, the less time you’ll waste on imagining fantasies that are beyond your budget.
What should I ask my agent during our meeting?
Important details to consider include airport connections, foreign currency conversion, customs you should know – like tipping, language, and government-issued travel advisories. You should also ask for a toll-free number to use for emergencies as well as the number to the US Embassy. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have about the destination you’ll be traveling to! Are there any phrases you should know (like “Where is the bathroom?”, and “How much is this?”)? Is there a type of souvenir that is valuable from the area, like turquoise or cedar wood items? What restaurants do they recommend? Do they have any packing tips or items you should remember to bring with you? Make sure you feel comfortable with their level of knowledge about the location, as you’ll rely on them to make your experience memorable.
Unlike the ceremony, there are no rehearsals for the honeymoon. And let’s face it, your honeymoon is a time where you should be looked after! A travel agent can make sure your vacation is as close to perfect as it can be, from start to finish. You’ve spent a lot of time, energy, money, and sanity planning your wedding. Let someone else take on the stress of planning this trip so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and revel in your new marriage.
