Ask Gary, The Travel Expert

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Jason from Merrick asks:
With the internet making it so easy for the consumer to book travel, is there an advantage to using a travel agent?

Jason, the answer to that is an unquestionable YES. The benefit of working with an experienced, reliable travel professional will enhance your travel experience in every respect. Speaking for our agency, not only can we obtain the most competitive rates, we often find additional savings through our contracts, programs and affiliations and provide many benefits one would not get booking on their own. These perks to the traveler vary depending on the trip type but can include complimentary room upgrades, free breakfasts for two, early check-in/late check out, onboard cruise credits, pre-or-post cruise hotel stays, special savings on international air and business class, and so much more. Besides those important perk benefits, a great agent is a true travel consultant – one who will guide you from the idea stages in planning and creating itineraries all the way through that special call to welcome you home. It’s helping you zoom in on the right choice for your particular getaway needs and being on top of your trip even while you are away to ensure everything is meeting and exceeding your expectations. Being up to snuff on the latest travel trends, what’s hot, what’s not, renovations and new openings, what hotel rooms or ship cabins to stay in and what to avoid, up and coming places soon to be on the radar, there is so much knowledge from first-hand experience an agent will advise a client on. And of course troubleshooting any problems - we are a traveler’s advocate – the go to person when there are weather delays and you need to get on a flight. The agent is there as your champion and representative for any customer service issues encountered wherever your travels take you. It’s all in a day’s work for us – it’s what we do. We are problem solvers and that alone is an invaluable asset. Sure you can book travel online. But in cyberspace you won’t find the kind of assistance a great agent provides.

Karen from Huntington asks:
I’m getting married this summer and still deciding on the honeymoon. We’re thinking of an exotic trip maybe to Tahiti or Fiji but my fiancé really loves the idea of a cruise. What do you think is the better choice?

Karen, there’s no reason you can’t do both. One of the most romantic ways to experience the Polyniesian islands is by ship, combined with a stay in a resort hotel on an island such as Bora Bora or Moorea. The ship I am referring to is the glorious 332-passenger Paul Gauguin – intimate, newly renovated (they spent $25 million in 2009) and built especially for sailing the waters of the South Pacific. Summer months are the ideal time to go but depending on the date you are thinking about, there’s various itineraries of different lengths to choose from (7 to 14 days) each incorporating different island groups and regions of the destination. With that in mind, there’s nothing more romantic than combining the cruise with a stay in an over-water motu (bungalow) for a couple of nights. A honeymoon of pure bliss guaranteed!

Fran from Long Beach asks:
What’s your favorite place that you traveled to?

Fran, I am often asked that question and it’s tough to answer with one favorite specifically because there are so many incredible places that have a left a mark, whether it be because of a special experience or event while there, or the people I have met, or the sheer beauty of the destination, etc. For example, experiencing the French and Italian Riviera for 2 ½ weeks in a combination of sailing and hotel stays was one of the most exciting and unforgettable trips I ever took. I was on Star Clipper, an authentic 4-mast clipper ship (and one of my personal favorite cruise lines), sailing to St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Portovennere, Portofino, Corsica, Sardinia and more in this amazingly beautiful part of the world. Onboard I met people from many countries who have remained good friends and the memories of this trip will last forever. Everywhere and anywhere in Italy rates on my “top” list – although the Amalfi coast and Positano captured a very special place in my heart. Along with the Greek Islands. I loved visiting Scandinavian capitals such as Copenhagen and Stockholm and breathtaking St. Petersburg, Russia with its vibrant colors and majestic palaces. And I must say that driving the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper) totally and unexpectedly blew me away as one of my favorite week’s of travel. I also got to visit many cities in India on a trip in 2009 that completely captured my soul. I was enraptured by the spirit of the people and India is truly one of the most magical places I have been. You can view my article and see pics of the trip here[LINK} So for me it is hard to define an overall “one” favorite place as so many cities, countries, islands, and regions have been unique and special experiences.