Are You "In the Know"?

Think you can find everything you need to know to plan a great trip on the internet?

I just watched a flurry of emails go back and forth between several of my associates at Brownell Travel. One advisor had a question about planning a trip to Patagonia, so she sent out a request for more information. She immediately received replies from other advisors who had either been there recently, or were currently planning trips for their own clients or themselves. (Sometimes we get a reply from an advisor who is currently at a destination – can’t get any more up to date than that!) Patagonia has recently been affected by volcanoes & fires, so the advisor wanted to know about airport and hotel closures. One airport is closed for a few months, and while another has re-opened, an advisor warned her that some airlines were refusing to fly into it. The airline, however, was still allowing travelers to book flights there, without disclosing that they would be landing at an alternate airport and then have to take a 3-6 hr bus ride!

Fortunately, the travel suppliers we work with knew about all this and forwarded the information on so our clients would not have any unpleasant surprises.

This is a great example of how a travel advisor can save you time, money, and stress, especially when traveling to a remote or exotic destination. There is a wealth of information on the internet, but why waste time trying to sort out what is up to date and relevant? We go directly to our local partners in a destination to make sure we have the most current and accurate information, as well as insider tips to minimize hassles and create a one-of-a-kind experience. And should anything go wrong while our clients are traveling, we know they are in good hands with local contacts who know how to quickly and efficiently come to the rescue.
Your time is valuable, and your vacation time is especially precious. So think twice about relying on the internet to tell you everything you need to know to plan a smooth and hassle-free trip. The most valuable information is often not out there for the general public, you have to talk to someone "in the know" - your trusted travel advisor.

Hotel Les Mars: Romance in Wine Country

No matter how much we love our kids, parents need some time alone, too. For our anniversary this past fall, my husband and I escaped to the wine country north of San Francisco. Our favorite place to stay is Healdsburg, because of the charming town square filled with cafes and shops, and the dozens of fantastic wineries just a short drive away. And no matter what time of year we go, the scenery is spectacular, and we never run into the traffic or crowds that are often found in Napa Valley. I personally prefer fall, though, because the weather is mild and the vineyards are showing off their fall foliage.

The choice of where to stay was easy: There is nothing as elegant or romantic as Hotel Les Mars, just a few steps off the main square. A Relais & Chateaux property, it was built from the ground up in the style of a French chateau, so everything from the headboards to the library bookcases were handcrafted to complement one another. We truly felt we were back in Provence, especially with Old World touches like a skeleton style room key on a tassel, which was really an electronic key card.

Our room was absolutely gorgeous. A small foyer led to nice sized room with a canopied four poster king bed. Each room has a fireplace, its own wireless router, iPod station, bookshelves & armoire, TV, and DVD player. The bathroom had a spacious rain shower and, in keeping with the European authenticity, a bidet. Antiques can be found throughout the hotel; in fact the desk in our room was the oldest item on the property.


Rates include a delicious continental breakfast of pastries, yogurt, granola, juice, fruit, and coffee. Each evening we put the room service order form outside our door, and the next morning we enjoyed it in front of our fireplace, lounging in soft, fluffy bathrobes.

The staff was well trained and ready to do whatever it takes to please a guest. We were greetly warmly when coming or going, and they made sure we always left with plenty of bottled water, which we really appreciated after visiting a few wineries. We also enjoyed chatting with them and other guests at the evening wine & cheese reception in the library.
I also want to note an amenity that summer visitors will appreciate when temperatures soar: a swimming pool. It was small, but retained the French ambiance of the hotel, and would be the perfect place to relax at the end of the day.

If you’re planning a romantic getaway, you can’t go wrong with Hotel Les Mars. I am happy to share with my clients my personal wine tasting guide, or for those who would like to do something extra-special or unique, I can arrange a day to remember: a private winery tour, yacht charter, cooking or photography classes, hot air ballooning, and more.

What You Need to Know About Vacation Rentals

This week I received a link to an article about vacation rentals, and it reminded me of some of the experiences I had before I became a professional travel advisor.

For our first trip to Alaska, I did most of my research using tourism brochures I ordered through the mail. We needed a place in Fairbanks for a few nights before and after a backcountry tour, someplace where we could safely leave our car. We found a B&B that was in a good location and was reasonably priced. On arrival, we learned that in Alaska, pretty much anybody could rent a room out of their house, provide a can of juice and a packaged muffin, and declare themselves a “Bed and Breakfast.” Our host was also a man who was, well, an interesting character. I will just leave it at that.

The day before we were to depart on our tour, we were informed that he was able to book the room for more money from someone else, so we were asked not to return. We weren’t too keen about returning either, or leaving our car there, but now we had less than 24 hours to find alternate accommodations & parking before leaving for a 2 week trip! Soon we found ourselves at a payphone on the corner, calling the tourist information hotline for help. Fortunately we found a very lovely inn, which was every bit the B&B we had imagined, and were able to continue on our vacation with peace of mind.

(Now to be fair, I have to mention that in Seward our B&B was the spare room in the basement of a home owned by an elderly couple. But in this case they were truly lovely people, and in the morning, we were ushered us to a table in a waterfront room where we were served a delicious homemade breakfast.)

Our Alaska experience also came to mind when we were driving through Provence this past spring. I was amazed at all the B&B signs along roads which led to accommodations which looked quite questionable. I wondered how many unsuspecting tourists, pleased at getting a “great deal” for a bed & breakfast in France, showed up only to find that their “quaint” or “charming” rental was not quite what they had pictured.

Another memorable incident was when we booked a condo in Lake Tahoe for Christmas through an ad in the paper. I spoke to the owner on the phone, who was very friendly and answered all my questions. I had a good feeling, so I mailed off a check. We planned to drive up late at night a few days before Christmas, and then family was flying in from around the country on Christmas Eve.

We arrived at the condo well after 10 pm, and looked for the key where the owner said she hid it. Nothing. We spent a frantic half hour searching with a flashlight, then the realization began to hit that we could be victims of a scam. How easy it would be for someone to advertise a non-existent rental, take your money, and then just disappear! It was bad enough worrying about where we were going to sleep for the night, but we also had to figure out what to do with 10 other people arriving on Christmas Eve!

I was finally able to reach the owner by phone, and fortunately she had a relative with a spare key who lived about a half hour away. It turns out that the condo had been put up for sale, and the key was being kept in the management office. We were supposed to go there to pick it up but that message had never been delivered.

My point is not to scare anyone away from renting a bed & breakfast, villa, or private home. My point is to use caution and due diligence. The safest way to book is through a local realtor or management company, who has personally inspected all the properties and can recommend one that is the best fit. (This is especially important when traveling with very young children, when you need to ask very specific questions about safety hazards such stairwells, decks, unfenced yards, etc.) Or contact a professional travel advisor who works with multiple agencies, and can also tap into their network of contacts who can recommend hidden gems they’ve discovered through their own travels.

For help with planning the family vacation of your dreams, contact me at suzette@family-treks.com.

Five Resolutions for the Family Traveler

1. Make sure you have a valid passport – If it expires this year, get it renewed early, as many destinations require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the last date of travel. Getting passports for children is a good spring break or summer task, since they have to be present, and most passport agencies close by 3 pm. I made the mistake of procrastinating, and ended up having to take my kids over Thanksgiving break which made a busy time even busier. And I had to go twice because I didn’t read the instructions thoroughly and forgot some required documents! Even if you’re planning a trip that doesn’t require a passport, like some cruises, it’s still a good idea to carry one, as I’ve discussed previously.

2. Create a travel roadmap - Kids grow up fast, and their abilities and interests change with each passing year. If like most families you are limited to taking your trips during school vacations, that means you can only fit in 1-2 trips a year. So make your travel wish list, then think about the ideal age for your kids to experience it. For example, a trip to Washington DC or Gettysburg is more appreciated by kids who have studied American history. A cruise is a great way to experience Europe with very young children, since you don’t have deal with challenging travel logistics. Though Alaska is one of my favorite destinations, I have been waiting until my kids are teenagers so that we can have an authentic backcountry experience. Your roadmap doesn’t have to be etched in stone, but I personally find it less stressful to have some idea of where I am going over the next couple years, rather than trying to figure out where we are going only a few months ahead of time. And you almost always save money planning earlier rather than later….which leads to the next resolution.

3. Don’t chase travel deals – There is nothing wrong with trying to find the best value , but only after you’ve made sure you have planned the trip that is truly right for your family. And it can be very risky to procrastinate on booking your trip because you want to see if some “last minute” deal comes up. If your family vacation time is as precious as mine, you won’t want to take the risk of not getting what you want. Trust me, you aren’t missing some amazing travel deal by booking early. In fact, there is a good chance you missed a great affordable place to stay because the savvy travelers/travel agents know about these places & book them up early. (This is very true for Europe.) Also, the lowest rates are not necessarily on the internet. There are many unadvertised packages & promotions available through travel professionals who have preferred relationships with suppliers. For example, this holiday season a hotel was offering free nights & free breakfast on their website. A traveler who booked with me would have paid the same rate, but also received an automatic upgrade to Club level accommodations, and have stayed in a room hand-picked by the sales manager. So how do you find out about these deals and get VIP treatment?


4. Find a trusted travel advisor – If you plan to make travel part of your lifestyle, take time to research & interview travel advisors. By building a relationship with a professional you trust, you will save time and money in the long run. A good travel advisor takes time to get to know you and your family, so they understand your “travel personality.” No more wasting time trying to sift through the vast amounts of information on the internet (which can be unreliable or outdated). Instead you can relax & let your travel advisor tap into his or her industry network to find the hotel, cruise, tour guide, etc. that is the best fit for your family. And because you have shared your travel roadmap with them, they can keep an eye out for opportunities to make your travel dreams come true.

And last, but absolutely not least:

5. Buy travel insurance – Or at least buy it when the amount of money you could lose due to a last minute illness, injury, death in the family, cancelled flight, etc., is more than you care to stomach. A good policy from a reliable company is very reasonable, and the peace of mind you’ll have is priceless.

Happy New Year and Happy Travels!

Cool Things to Know About Germany

There are 33 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

1.5 million gallons of beer are consumed at Oktoberfest.

Germany represents the largest ethnic community in the US, and there is a website dedicated to exploring German heritage.
AMA Waterways is the only river cruise to offer internet access in every cabin.

Erfurt’s Christmas market is 161 years old.


The Museum of Military History will open in Dresden in October.

The supposed relics of the Three Kings, or biblical Magi, are housed in a golden shrine in Cologne.

Dusseldorf’s beer festival in July has more visitors than Oktoberfest in Munich.

Porsche’s can be rented exclusively from Avis. (And 2011 marked the 125th anniversary of the invention of the automobile.)

Mt. Zugspitz is the highest mountain in Germany at 9700 ft, offering skiing November through May. The summit is accessible by cogwheel railroad and cable cars.

Why is Germany a great destination for families?
• It’s inexpensive compared to other European countries, for both accommodations, food, and sightseeing.
• It’s easy to travel by car or by train, so you can plan a flexible, stress-free itinerary.
• You can enjoy both city sights and the countryside in one trip. Many cities make a great base for fun day trips, but the country is small enough you can combine multiple destinations.
• There’s something for everyone, from art museums & historical sights, to kid-friendly castles and theme parks. Teens and young adults like visiting the BMW and Porsche museums, and they even offer special tours for younger kids.

I'd love to help you plan a fantastic family vacation! Contact me at suzette@family-treks.com

3 Must-Do's When Planning a Cruise Vacation

This week there were reports of travelers left stranded when cruise ships were forced to set sail early due to Hurricane Irene. These events reinforced three key things that I have stressed over and over again to clients planning a cruise:

1) Purchase travel insurance - Each cruise line handled the situation differently. Some took care of the passengers accommodations for the night and arranged for them to fly to the ship the next day. Another only helped clients who booked their air with the cruise line, and told the others they were on their own because it was a weather-related incident.

If you think the cruise line is required to make good, you'd better re-read the fine print in the cruise contract. They generally have it pretty well covered that they can change anything without notice, especially when it’s due to bad weather. Instead of spending your time on hold with the cruise line trying to argue about the fairness of it, you can be on the phone with the insurance company’s customer service department working on your alternate arrangements. And you can submit a claim to get your extra expenses reimbursed, including hotel stays and transportation to the ship, subject to the policy’s terms & conditions. 2) Arrive in the embarkation city at least one day early – When a ship’s schedule is moved up, passengers arriving the same day have a much shorter time window in which to absorb schedule changes. Traveling can be nerve-wracking at times, but when schedules are packed too tightly, the slightest mishap can send stress sky-rocketing. This week, even if the ships were going to leave at the scheduled time, inclement weather could have caused flight delays into the port city. Arriving the day before is always a good idea, even if your destination is just a short flight away. Imagine the airport being completely shut down because of a bomb threat, a hazardous chemical leak, etc. Unless you are able to drive yourself to the port at short notice should flying become impossible, you should fly in at least a day early. For travel across an ocean, I’d suggest 2-3 days early.

Now you may say, “I was smart & bought insurance, I’m covered if my flight is delayed.” But did you read the fine print to know if there a minimum delay time required for insurance to kick in? For example, your policy might require a delay of at least 5 hours before they will cover you for missing your ship. What if your flight was only delayed 3 or 4 hours, but your schedule was so tight that you still couldn’t make the ship? You may be out of luck. 3) Carry a valid passport (and make sure it does not expire for at least 6 months beyond the last day of your trip) - Some cruises, such as closed loop itineraries which sail to & from the same US port, still allow travel with only a birth certificate and photo ID. But a prepared traveler ALWAYS takes a valid passport. During Hurricane Irene, passengers that were trying to reach their ship needed to fly to the next port. But if they didn’t have a passport, they were out of luck, a birth certificate is not acceptable ID for air travel outside the US.

Similarly, what if something happened that required you to come home early, such as illness, injury, or family emergency. Or what if the ship had mechanical problems and was forced to unload passengers in a foreign port? You will be scrambling to contact the nearest embassy in order to get home.

Whether or not a cruise line acted fairly is not the issue here. When you’re traveling and things go wrong, you want them fixed ASAP so you can get on with your vacation. Even if someone could guarantee you that your travel supplier was wrong and you were owed compensation, that’s no comfort in the moment, when all you want to do is go on that family vacation you have been dreaming about. Be proactive, and do everything you can to minimize stress, delays, and expense when something goes wrong, by following these three rules.

Back to School Tip: Old Luggage Tags

When my kids were young, they had a variety of after-school activities. I worried how they would remember that on Tuesday and Thursday they had Homework Club, or every other Wednesday was Spanish Club. Because my kids rode a school bus, it was important they did not forget and take the bus home, or else they could be dropped off at an empty house.

I was wracking my brain to think of how I could give them a note that would last the duration of the school day in a visible place. A Post-It just wasn’t going to cut it, and pinning a note to their clothes would have just been mean.

As I worked in my office one afternoon putting together documents for a client, the idea came to me: luggage tags!

We had a surplus of luggage tags from our travels, as well as ones I have picked up over the years from travel trade shows. Using a Sharpie marker, I wrote the name of the activity and the location on the back of the address card, or if that wasn’t suitable, just flipped over one of my business cards.

I made one tag for each activity, and simply attached it the backpack on the appropriate day. My kids NEVER missed an activity. They were always reminded of where they had to be as they packed up their backpack at the end of the school day.

My kids don’t need this system anymore, but I have been seriously thinking of reviving it to remind ME when I need to do something. Pick up the dry cleaning, buy a birthday gift, take the dog to the vet, ... Now where's my Sharpie?

As the school year begins, it's time to think about planning holiday trips, spring break, and even next summer's vacation. Don't miss out on a great family trip because you got so busy with work, volunteering, or chauffering kids around that you didn't have time to plan. Contact me at suzette@family-treks.com to get a head start!