Full Transcript for Ep. 57 - The Elevate Your Escapes Conversation with Eleanor

00:03:21.439 Hi, Eleanor. 00:03:21.840 --> 00:03:23.599 Hi, thanks so much for having me. 00:03:23.919 --> 00:03:25.520 Oh, thanks for being here. 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:26.719 How are you? 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:28.479 I am great. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:33.919 We're about to kick off summer, and I just can't wait to get out there and travel some more. 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:35.360 Oh, absolutely. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:36.159 Absolutely. 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:37.360 I am right there with you. 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:40.719 Travel is one of my life passions. 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:46.960 So I have uh lots of questions for you about elevate your escapes. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:52.159 But let's start out with how did your passion for travel start? 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:56.400 I think I'm just a naturally curious person. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:58.639 And I grew up in New York City. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:11.520 So I had the opportunity to get to know so many people from different cultures and learn about their traditions, their holidays, taste food, and in restaurants as well. 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:23.519 So I think I really took that and wanted to then see the world and you know, visit as many countries as possible or that interest me. 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:28.160 Um and then I I really started traveling a lot in 2019. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:37.360 I went on a few trips and I I always think the more you travel and the more you talk to people about travel, the more you're going to want to travel. 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:44.639 Because when you meet people who have been to really cool destinations, it sounds amazing and you want to go for yourself. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:47.920 So that's absolutely what happened with me. 00:04:48.160 --> 00:04:55.759 I took trips to Portugal, London, and then Costa Rica at the end of 2019. 00:04:55.920 --> 00:04:57.439 And that was my first solo trip. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:04.079 After that, I was absolutely hooked and just ready to get out there and see and do as much as possible. 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:05.680 Oh, that's fantastic. 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:06.800 Interesting. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:08.079 Solo travel. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:14.000 And I interviewed a woman who basically quit her corporate gig and is now traveling the world. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:16.319 And she does it solo. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:20.879 And that's something I have not done a solo vacation. 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:22.879 So that's interesting. 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:24.959 Did you do all three of those trips solo? 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:25.920 No. 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:36.319 So the trip to Portugal, I went with two girlfriends who are actually pretty well traveled because they went straight into a graduate program after college. 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:38.000 So they still had summers off. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:45.680 And, you know, we're getting out there and seeing and doing as as much as possible before joining the corporate world, which I did straight out of college. 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:54.240 So I did study abroad in college, actually, but I I don't think I appreciated it the way that I appreciate travel now. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:58.480 So, you know, that that really wasn't a turning point in my love of travel. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:00.879 Um, and then I went to London with my mom. 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:09.439 And for Costa Rica, I actually found a group travel company for young adults ages 21 to 35. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:12.480 And I was so nervous about it. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:13.839 I didn't know the company. 00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:15.519 I didn't know anyone going on the trip. 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:16.720 You get a random roommate. 00:06:17.040 --> 00:06:28.959 And I sat there and I read hundreds of reviews and everything that I could possibly find on this company online, which, which looking back, I'm just kind of, I think is is silly, but you know, is really taking the the first step. 00:06:29.040 --> 00:06:32.240 And I didn't know even that companies like that existed. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:34.800 They're becoming more and more popular now. 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:42.079 But, you know, this was this was still a time where meeting strangers on the internet wasn't wasn't what we did. 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:42.560 Right. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:44.639 So I yeah, I took the leap. 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:59.279 I I had this really strong urge to see the world and do more, but I always felt like I was wasting time trying to convince my friends to take these trips with me. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:06.000 And, you know, everybody's schedule is different, everybody's budget is different, and it was just becoming really challenging. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:18.959 So when I found this opportunity, I I took that leap, but I'm so glad I did because I also met amazing people on that trip that I'm still friends with and still travel with today. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:20.560 Oh, that's great. 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:23.279 Yeah, I had no idea companies like that existed. 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:39.199 It's it's funny, yeah you're you're younger than I am, but even at my age, after going through a divorce and having disposable income to be able to go travel, it was really difficult because not all my friends had the same freedom that I did. 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:42.959 So I wish I had known that there were companies like that. 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:51.920 And I probably would have done the exact same thing you did is research, research, research, and read because at that point in time I was also on dating apps. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:59.439 So, you know, meeting meeting strangers on the internet still isn't something I'd recommend. 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:02.319 But that is so fascinating. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:08.480 So did you do the bulk of your travel after that through agencies like that? 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:12.720 Or is that when you decided to, you know, go

solo on your own? 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:14.399 Yes and no. 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:22.240 I had such an amazing time on that trip that I then went on about 10 other trips with the same company. 00:08:22.800 --> 00:08:31.759 I always added a little bit of like solo, solo time, like, you know, being on my own before or after the trip just to extend it. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:34.159 And that's what I did on the Costa Rica trip. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:51.200 After the group portion had ended, I rented a car and drove across across the entire country of Costa Rica to the other side and just, you know, wanted to experience a a very different area than we had been in as a group. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:54.559 So I started doing combo trips like that. 00:08:54.879 --> 00:09:04.480 And then as I, you know, started jumping into all of these things, people would ask me, friends, acquaintances, connections, like how I was doing this. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:08.960 And then, you know, some came with me, some also joined companies like that. 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:12.320 And that's actually something that I do with my company now too. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.679 I host group trips. 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:20.000 So I took my first land-based group trip to Cuba in November with a few ladies. 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:30.320 It actually wasn't intended to be a girls' trip, but as I started seeing the registrations come in and it was all women, I decided, you know what, this is just gonna be a girls' adventure. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:32.320 And we had an amazing time. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.080 It was, it was so incredible. 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:44.720 I worked with a local tour operator in Cuba who I had been following for quite a few years before I actually took that leap and messaged her and said, let's do something together. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:52.639 And then I also host group trips on Virgin Voyages cruises, which is a lot of fun for really anyone. 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:55.759 And everybody who attends can kind of choose their own adventure. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:58.879 They don't have to stay with the group the entire time. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:06.879 They can pursue different excursions or onboard activities or really whatever they want throughout their voyage. 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:13.840 There are group fitness classes, there are fun trivia games, pool time, things like that. 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:16.240 But then there's also, you know, the party side. 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:20.960 So it really does work out for, you know, whatever the attendees are looking for. 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:26.240 So I think that's also a lot of fun because it it adds to the flexibility of the trip. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:26.799 Right. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:29.600 And that's one thing I've always loved about cruises. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:33.360 You can go with a big group of people, you can go with one other person. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.679 You could go by yourself. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:43.360 And no matter, no matter what uh large group, small group, there's always something for folks to do. 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:51.679 A couple people will go to the casino while others just want to lay by the pool, and and others may want to go take a sushi making class. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:54.879 And that's one of the things I've loved about cruises. 00:10:55.360 --> 00:11:06.799 I want to, I want to go back a little bit to, you know, you doing a lot of your solo travel, getting that experience through that travel company, and obviously, you know, getting bit by the travel bug. 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:15.679 At what point did you start to consider something like elevate your escapes coming into your life? 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:25.279 Yeah, it it really was 2023 when I started, but before that, I had sat on the idea of starting a travel blog for a few years. 00:11:25.440 --> 00:11:29.120 Actually, the idea came to me when I was in London and having such a good time. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:33.440 And one, I'm an entrepreneurial person, but two, I'm also a very creative person. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:38.320 So I always have to be kind of following a passion project at any given time. 00:11:38.480 --> 00:11:43.440 So I actually started something in 2019 when I got back from London. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:46.159 And I realized that it was just a lot of work. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:48.320 And I kind of said, okay, well, why am I doing this? 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:55.440 Like I want to share like my fun travel tips and photos and stuff, but you know, I don't need to make it into this perfect blog. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.840 Also, that's, you know, out there on the internet, right? 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:05.120 So in 2023, I got to a point where a few things were happening at the same time. 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:09.519 One, I was, I was traveling so, so much. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:15.840 And my job went remote after the pandemic, and I was just kind of picking my laptop up and going. 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.039 And I loved that. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:23.279 So I started seeing so many different places, and I became the traveler known in my circles. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:31.279 And, you know, people were giving their information out to family members to like contact me for travel tips and things without my permission too. 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:43.120 Um, but you know, I had all these people messaging me, asking me for tips, asking me how I started going on these trips, how they could do it, how I afforded to do it, right? 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:48.639 Because I, you know, I'm still in my 20s and budget is not unlimited. 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:51.279 So that was that was a big question too. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:54.080 And people were asking to come on trips with me. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:13:00.080 And wow, you know, I I could invite people along, but I also kind of like my solo thing. 00:13:00.159 -->

00:13:01.200 I like a mix. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:11.039 So I had this idea after I brought a few friends on board with me on virgin, virgin voyages. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:14.879 It's absolutely my favorite travel experience, my favorite brand right now. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.480 Um, so it's such a good time. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:22.720 And this was the second trip that I did in which I brought friends and they all had an amazing time. 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:25.200 They were all ready to plan their next one. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:32.240 And I I kind of started thinking about well, maybe I should monetize this and maybe I should just see where this goes. 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:35.919 My full-time job, the time was really slow. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:40.000 I was very project-based, and it was the summer, actually. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:40.639 Nope. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:46.879 Nope, it was a little bit before the summer, but during the summer, I really had the time to get things moving. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:54.879 And to be completely honest with you, I never ever imagined that I would take my business full time. 00:13:55.200 --> 00:14:03.120 I would not have believed you if you told me, you know, I'd be where I am today, because it really was just a passion project. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:09.840 So as I went on, I would get excited when people would reach out to me for, you know, real, real bookings, right? 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:10.559 Real business. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:19.360 And it was, it was just the excitement of talking to more clients and building my book of business versus the money. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:22.399 So, you know, I kind of got addicted to it a little bit. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:27.679 And I was just enjoying it so much because it's something that I love doing for myself. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.759 So I loved doing it for others. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:36.720 After some time, then, you know, I realized, oh, this is real business and it's snowballing. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:42.720 So, you know, I've had moments along the way where I've also told myself, you know, you need to slow down. 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:53.200 I mean, I've come back to that point a few times, but I'm just so happy about, you know, where where everything has taken me and how my business has evolved since I started. 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.240 Right, right. 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:54.720 Wow. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:55.600 So that's amazing. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:15:03.759 It started with a blog and then word of mouth referrals from folks, and then you just jumping in. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:08.639 When did you make it official and how did you go about that? 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:23.919 Like, did you you mentioned virgin, virgin voyages or, you know, did was there training involved to become, you know, an agent that specialized in their excursions and in their experiences? 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:24.960 Sure. 00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:31.200 So when agents start a new business, most will join what's called a host agency. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:42.480 And the host agency has these relationships with different travel suppliers, like Virgin Voyages and, you know, all the cruise lines you see ads for on TV. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:45.519 We have land partners, insurance companies. 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:49.279 Like we have amazing connections all over the world. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.600 And, you know, the host agency really matters. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:54.080 So I took the time and I did my research. 00:15:54.320 --> 00:16:00.399 And again, being very entrepreneurial, I was very strategic about the way in which I was building my business. 00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:06.240 Now, of course, I made mistakes and there were things that I didn't build early on. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:13.039 Again, because this was just kind of a passion project at the time that I absolutely should have, but didn't and learned later. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:16.559 And, you know, I spent a lot of time going back to fix. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:22.720 But, you know, I have these amazing relationships and partnerships because of my host agency. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.279 Now Elevator Escapes is my own company. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:35.840 It is, you know, an LLC, but I have, you know, the the connections to suppliers and lots of back-end support from the agency as well. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:40.000 Is so Virgin Voyages is your host agency? 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.559 No. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:48.639 Uh my host agency is called Outside Agents, but you know, it's not something that is really so hands-wide. 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.440 Yeah, right. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:49.759 Right. 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:52.159 Because I, my own independent business. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:57.519 I'm an independent consultant and I do own my own LLC and everything filters through me. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.360 So it's a little bit your escapes. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:02.000 But Virgin Voyages is a supplier partner. 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:03.919 And I know you asked about training. 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:19.440 They do provide training for people who are looking to sell the brand, but everybody has to be, you know, like a certified, if you will, agent through one way or another, many coming from host agencies. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.400 Gotcha. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:20.880 Gotcha. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:30.000 Yeah, I was gonna say it seems pretty daunting to just, you know, with great travel experience, a passion for travel, and all of this word of mouth. 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:41.440 I'm like, there has to be something a little more structured behind that to help navigate the, I want to say, not so glamorous side of travel planning. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.480 So Right. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:50.640 Well, I'm I'm glad you recognize that and you brought that up because a lot of people just see the glamour and the

excitement, right? 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:53.279 They see me traveling all over the world. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:18:04.880 But what they don't see is me in the conference room from nine to five, learning and listening to supplier presentations and networking and all of that. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:07.680 You know, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes. 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:16.400 And it's it's been a little bit of a rough road too, because I did start my business when I had a full-time job and I was really working around the clock. 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:18.319 I still sometimes, to be honest. 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:28.559 And even when I'm traveling, I think my friends don't realize how much I work and how important being connected is because I am in client service, right? 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:33.359 So not everything is an emergency, but some things are timely. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:37.519 And I always strive to provide the best service to my clients. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:54.960 So even when I'm traveling, like I'm back in, if I'm on a ship in my cabin or room or whatever, answering emails late at night or waking up before my friends or before a conference or something earlier in the morning so that I can get to emails or or tasks before I start the day. 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:57.359 So there really is a lot behind it. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:19:08.799 And I think in travel in particular, we're starting to see some host agencies pop up that have really great marketing, attracting, especially a younger person. 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:16.000 You know, Gen Z is all about the side hustles and you know, so are early millennials because life is expensive. 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:21.680 Um, they're kind of promising this build a business as like a side hustle type of thing. 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:37.759 And I, you know, I could tell everybody travel is not a side hustle unless you have two or three clients because there's there's always something new happening in the world, you know, with airfare and fuel prices and the new Europe entry-exit system. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:41.599 Like, if you're a professional, you really need to stay on top of that kind of stuff. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:59.759 And yes, you can do it on the side while you are working a full-time job, which I did, but it it definitely is a much larger lift than you know, a lot of these pop-up host agencies or MLM type companies are marketing. 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:12.240 Years ago, back when I was in my 20s, you know, eons ago, when the dinosaurs roamed the world, I looked at do becoming a travel agent as a side hustle. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:20.880 And when I looked at, I don't even know if Saber is still the system of use, but you had to learn the Saber system. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:25.680 This is back when there were paper airline tickets, different things like that. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:34.799 And I went, yeah, it just seems like an awful lot of work for very little, very little bang for your buck. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:38.319 And and it wasn't that I was going to start my own travel agency. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:51.839 It was maybe I'd, you know, work part-time for Garber travel or, you know, one of the one of the chain travel agencies that I could do, maybe a couple nights and a weekend day and just a little extra pocket cash. 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:56.240 And I went, oh, way too much, way too much for me. 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:56.880 It is. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:01.440 Yeah, there's a lot of back-end work, but with that, there's also a lot of responsibility, right? 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:08.400 Because if you enter in a date or a time or whatever it is wrong, you're on the hook for that, right? 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.440 Oh, yeah. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:10.720 Oh yeah. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:11.519 Yeah. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:23.039 So I think I'll, you know, it's it's not as widely known, but uh, there is a very strong level of professionalism that comes with being a very successful business owner. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:28.799 And I think there's there's a lot of people who start out that then never continue, which is unfortunate. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:39.920 You know, it's it's nice that they are trying, but you know, I think there needs to be more preparation uh and learning and growth before taking the first steps. 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:40.480 Yeah. 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:44.319 There's an awful lot to learn and an awful lot to do. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:50.559 Especially, I mean, you're in you're you're in client facing services, you're also in hospitality. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:59.759 And when people are talking about going on vacation, are planning to go on vacation to the level that you provide. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:15.920 That white glove service, I can only imagine the expectations become that much higher and harder, especially if something, you know, something happens outside of your control. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:26.160 I mean, I can think of the TSA lines and and you know the high cost of fuel now and how that might, you know, be affecting travel. 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:32.000 What are some of the, what are some of the current challenges that you're dealing with outside of those things? 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:39.119 Yeah, I think with travel, there's there's always things that can and will pop up, right? 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:46.880 And you just described a few situations, you know, traffic, flat tires, and things like that happen. 00:22:47.119 --> 00:23:06.799 I mean, I had one situation a few months ago where I booked a group on a cruise, and I also booked them on a private experience, a private tour of the area after the cruise. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:10.160 So the tour was meant to pick them up at the port. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:19.279 Now, the cruise line then let us know that the ship was going to operate out of a different pier. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:29.200 And that is very

common in cruises because also the cruise line doesn't have any say over where the port puts them or allocates them, right? 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:32.319 Because there are so many different ships coming in of different sizes. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:36.160 Also, things change with weather or customs or whatever. 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:39.839 And sometimes ships don't go to the port that they were intended to go to. 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:47.839 But the private tour that we had organized was meant to pick up the group in golf carts. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:51.279 And the golf carts then couldn't get to this second pier. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:58.240 So, you know, this is this was a great learning for me because it's it's never something that I thought about. 00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:04.000 It was not something that even my tour operator on the ground ever considered. 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:09.279 And I really rely on the tour operators to, you know, be more flexible. 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:25.680 And he was, however, he was then incurring a separate cost because he had to hire then a van to bring the passengers from this pier to the downtown area where they were always meant to disembark. 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:29.519 So that was probably my biggest learning. 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:33.440 But I think flexibility really matters. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:37.039 It matters across the board because things are going to change. 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:49.680 I have been so lucky that for the most part, my clients are really nice, very excited people because they're gonna go on an amazing vacation. 00:24:50.160 --> 00:25:18.000 And I will say, if I am talking to somebody and I pick up weird vibes or, you know, it that our personalities are a little bit different in a way that I can't service them the way that I do service them or service my clients, then I will decide not to to work with someone just as much as I would hope that they would feel the same to not hire me if they don't feel as though I'm a good vibe fit for them. 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:26.960 So, you know, there's there's always this level of flexibility, and we we have to also like remember that as we go through our travel. 00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:32.000 As much as possible, we try to provide absolutely seamless experiences. 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:45.920 And I have the right contacts on the ground that when something does change, like that peer changes, we're gonna find the plan B and we're going to get you where you want to be and get you on the tour you signed up for. 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:50.400 But we might have to send a minivan instead of a golf cart. 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:52.160 Right, right, yeah. 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.839 No, that's that's good. 00:25:54.000 --> 00:26:00.319 And and I like that, you know, you're screening your potential clients as much as you hope they're screening you. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:19.759 Because I do think, you know, to have a memorable experience, one of

the criteria has to be you've got to be a good listener to hear what's important to me and sometimes even read between the lines so that I get that extra, oh my God, what a fantastic experience. 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:23.599 Let's talk about some of the fun stuff. 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.839 And I know it's not all fun. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:34.079 I did business travel for years, and if I had a dime for every time I heard, oh, you're so lucky, you get to travel everywhere. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:36.240 It's like you don't understand. 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.039 Right. 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:47.680 Business travel and vacation travel, two completely different animals that yeah, I I do get to see places, but I really don't get to see them. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:52.400 I see them from the inside of a convention hall or a hotel room. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:27:00.480 Right now, what are you seeing as the hottest trends in travel, given the economy and everything else that's going on? 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:02.480 What are the hot trends? 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:05.519 So luxury travel is growing. 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:20.559 And the word luxury means something different to everybody, but we are seeing people, and I'll sort of say Americans, because I live in the US, we live in the US, and I'm servicing mostly American travelers. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:25.680 So Americans are still very much traveling despite the costs. 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:31.119 Now, there is some hesitation, and I've definitely seen that over the last two years. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:42.160 You know, when we start to see some uncertainty or costs rising, we see people being a little bit more hesitant around booking something further in advance. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:55.359 But once things level out a little bit, and I don't know if I can even say that things have leveled out more recently, but to some extent, once we're feeling a little bit more comfortable, then we see people booking and traveling. 00:27:55.599 --> 00:28:07.359 We're also seeing this idea of luxury and these luxury cruise lines, for example, you know, they're they're not as posh as they used to be. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:10.400 And that is not what people are looking for anymore. 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:20.400 In the past, people would think, oh, luxury is crystal chandelier, it's dressing up for dinner, formal night, captain's dinner, all of that. 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.880 And that is not what people are looking for anywhere. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:27.359 They are looking for flexibility and to be themselves. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:39.759 And if that means, you know, they've been out on an excursion all day in Alaska and, you know, they powered through some rain and got dirty and, you know, did whatever, and they just want to have a chill dinner. 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:43.440 Well, they can go back and hopefully shower and change, hopefully. 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:47.119 But, you know, they can go to dinner and what they are comfortable wearing. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:50.000 They don't have to go put on a gown to go to dinner. 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:58.400 And we're seeing some of even the higher end cruise lines uh pull back on their dress codes based on client feedback. 00:28:58.880 --> 00:29:08.640 And that's actually something that has changed on one cruise line, Regent Seven Seas cruises in the last year because I was on Regent last May and we did have a dress code. 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:15.440 And now it has relaxed very much so because you know, people really want that flexibility. 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:23.440 And then also to a lot of people, luxury means, you know, having a more personalized, more relaxing experience. 00:29:23.599 --> 00:29:37.759 They don't need to be weighted on hand and foot with butler service, but they want to know that there is somebody either on the cruise line or at the resort that they can go to to ask for what they might need. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:49.359 So for some people, it's just the luxury of not having to cook dinner for themselves and not having to clean up after their dinner that they're just really excited to go to the dining hall and be served. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:52.640 So, you know, we're definitely seeing luxury travel on the rise. 00:29:52.799 --> 00:30:04.480 We are also seeing river cruises rise, which is exciting for me because I'm definitely not the current demo for river cruises, but I really enjoy them. 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:22.400 Yeah, I really enjoy them and I think they're just an awesome way to travel and see multiple places without having to pack and repack and get on trains and all of that, which is a lot of the type of travel that I have done over the last several years, but it's exhausting. 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:30.400 So, you know, if you can calmly sail down a river and see, you know, these really small towns that you probably would not have seen otherwise. 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:38.079 But then you also see the the bigger highlight cities like Vienna and Budapest and Paris and Amsterdam. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:41.200 It's I I think it's an amazing way to travel. 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:47.440 And we're seeing current river cruise lines expanding on the waterways, Avalon waterways. 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:54.559 And then we're seeing newcomers in the space like Celebrity, known for their ocean cruises, now coming to the river. 00:30:54.799 --> 00:31:08.319 So there's probably going to be a lot of ships on the European rivers, but also the Mekong and Vietnam, the I forget the name of the river in Colombia, but that's starting to become popular as well. 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:16.720 And there are also, which I didn't fully realize until recently, river cruises within the US, the Colombian Snake River and the Mississippi River. 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:21.759 And those are gaining in popularity too, because there are some people who just want to stay in the U.S. 00:31:21.839

--> 00:31:29.440 or closer to home or, you know, for whatever reason can't get out there and take a 10-hour flight to another destination. 00:31:29.599 --> 00:31:31.440 So we're seeing those grow as well. 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.160 Yeah. 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:35.200 I I was most familiar with Viking River Cruises. 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:40.640 As a matter of fact, I interviewed with them years ago to do customer service training here in Boston. 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:46.799 And I looked at some of the some of the uh cruises that they offered. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:53.200 And if I had gotten a job, I would have qualified for two free river cruises a year for training purposes. 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:56.079 So I definitely have my fingers crossed for that one. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.839 But it didn't work out. 00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:10.160 And at the time they were talking about, and I think they did, I don't know if the pandemic affected them, but I think they did get into the ocean cruise side of things because they actually started as the river, river cruises. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.599 They did, yes. 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:14.799 And Viking is a major player in the space. 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:24.240 But what I think is interesting is there are so many newer companies popping up to now compete with a Viking that's always really had that market share and just being known for the river. 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:33.119 And there are some lines too that are shaping up to cater to a younger or more active audience. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:43.680 Um, a line like Emerald Avalon now has adventure guides on all of their ships doing biking and hiking and a lot of things I don't care to do on vacation. 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:45.680 But people that sounds like work to me. 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:48.079 Yeah, active people do like to do. 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:50.960 I like to do it on my own, on my own time. 00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:55.119 Yeah, with my own uh level of energy, right? 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:58.000 Because if I don't want to do the full hike, I'm not gonna do the full hike. 00:32:58.079 --> 00:33:02.079 Maybe I'll get halfway and decide that the view is enough and and come back. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.559 But there's there's a lot of exciting things happening. 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:10.160 So I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what's what's gonna have been in the space over the next couple of years. 00:33:10.400 --> 00:33:24.319 Yeah, I uh I you know I was I was pretty surprised by the new definition of luxury travel because for me, luxury travel, I'm picturing chartering a yacht like what I watch on below deck. 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:27.839 To me, that's a luxury travel. 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:32.480 But, you know, I really like the new definition of luxury travel. 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:44.160 And it really is a luxury to have a point person to take care of the little details, especially if the little details don't fall into

place. 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:49.200 That's, you know, it's aggravating in real life when things don't go according to the plan. 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:54.240 I feel like I lose time when it happens, you know, on vacation. 00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:58.240 I don't get upset about it because I'm on vacation. 00:33:58.400 --> 00:34:09.760 So, you know, things could be a lot worse, but it is nice to know that there is somebody there and that it is a luxury to have somebody that can smooth those rough edges out for you. 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:10.480 Sure. 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:15.199 Yeah, there's a lot of things that travelers don't realize will pop up along the way. 00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:26.159 And even when I get out there and travel on my own, you know, especially in new destinations, you don't think about how long point A to point B is going to take. 00:34:26.239 --> 00:34:33.599 And, you know, you might misjudge how the subway works or metro works in any particular city if if that's what you're doing. 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.000 Right. 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:44.239 Um, so yeah, so I help a lot in the planning process from all the way to from the start, like where are you going and how what's your mode of transportation? 00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:47.840 How are you going to do that, all the way through those, those little details. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:54.880 But my favorite part, and I think where I do provide the most value is the destination expertise. 00:34:55.119 --> 00:35:11.599 I have been a lot of places and still even invest in traveling to places or uh with suppliers, cruise lines, et cetera, that I am not personally interested in, but I know my clients are or will be. 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:27.039 So, you know, it's it's just that feeling of, you know, where you're not super sure about any particular destination you're going to, and then you have someone there to talk to you about what it's like to be there, how you do get around if you are moving independently. 00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:30.320 Because I will say, not everybody books that package tour. 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:30.639 Right. 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:42.559 Or not everybody hires me for services pre-cruise, post-cruise, or pre-river cruise or pre-package or, you know, whatever it is. 00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:48.079 And I try to lean in as much as possible that makes sense, but some things are just, you know, kind of out of scope. 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:55.760 But I do help clients then, you know, create their own more DIY itineraries, which are more budget-friendly for some travelers. 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:56.079 Yeah. 00:35:56.320 --> 00:36:05.199 And I talk to them what it's like to be in different cities, how you can navigate around the cities, what my favorite highlights, sites, restaurants, bars are. 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:07.360 So, you know, there's a lot that goes into that. 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:09.119 And I'm so passionate about it. 00:36:09.280 --> 00:36:11.199 I like

to think of this example. 00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:36.480 I was in Paris a few more than a few years ago, and I learned on a walking tour from my guide about how to take the river evening cruise along this end, how to take it the just the right time to experience daylight and nighttime, to turn around Notre Dame with the sunset behind it. 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:44.800 And, you know, that's that's something you maybe, if you're really digging, can find in thread or trip advisor, whatever. 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:50.239 But that's something that most people know or, you know, would be able to plan for. 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:59.840 So it's those special moments and those special tips from my personal experiences that I love to weave into my client itineraries to make it truly special for them. 00:37:00.159 --> 00:37:00.559 Yeah. 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:09.199 And I was gonna ask, how do you design travel experiences that feel exclusive and deeply personalized for each one of your clients? 00:37:09.280 --> 00:37:12.639 Because I'm assuming they can't all want the same experience. 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:14.000 No, they don't. 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:15.519 Every everybody's different. 00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:22.639 I work with destination management companies that are experts in their given destinations, right? 00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:30.960 So some only service particular cities and some service countries, some service multiple countries, but usually not too many. 00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:38.480 And they have access to all of the people on the ground and these experiences that you're not going to see when you're searching online. 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:43.440 So, for example, um I know you mentioned uh yacht charter. 00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:46.800 I've actually done that and I've helped clients plan for that. 00:37:46.960 --> 00:37:55.840 I work with a company called Via Croatia, and they have set up a picnic with a Michelin-starred chef at a national park. 00:37:56.000 --> 00:38:04.079 They've set up personal oyster tastings on a oyster farm that you have to take a private boat to. 00:38:04.800 --> 00:38:11.199 And that those are just some examples of these really curated experiences that you can't find on your own. 00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:11.920 And you know what? 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:14.000 They sound expensive and they are. 00:38:14.400 --> 00:38:33.039 Um, but you know, I also work with some clients who aren't maybe looking for an entire luxury trip, but they need a special moment or day to be um really special because of an anniversary or a proposal, or it's their honeymoon and they really want to invest in like one particular day. 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:39.440 So, you know, I do work with clients with budgets of, I don't want to say all, but a lot of types. 00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:51.840 So, you know, I really try not to discourage people from reaching out to see how we can work together because I think sometimes the word luxury, you know, really can can deter people from reaching out, right? 00:38:52.000 --> 00:39:01.679 Even sometimes when I look at these ultra-luxury destination management company or suppliers that I partner with, I'm like, whoa, I know the price tag on that and what that's going to be. 00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:03.920 But it really can be more flexible. 00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:08.480 And like I mentioned, you know, we can plan for one specific, very special moment. 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:14.800 And then maybe the rest of your trip is DIY or um piece together in a in a more of a budget. 00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:20.559 And then I also like to help my clients figure out where to splurge and where to save. 00:39:20.719 --> 00:39:22.400 And that's how I travel personally. 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:30.400 And, you know, with my budget growing in, you know, being a business investment, I do tend to splurge a little bit more than I used to. 00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:34.880 But I remember what it's like to travel on a very tight budget. 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:45.280 And still, you know, I look for hotels in Europe that cater to solo travelers and have, you know, very small rooms with one twin bed. 00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:51.760 And a lot of times that's fine for me because I would rather splurge on a foodie experience or a cool tour. 00:39:52.000 --> 00:40:02.960 Whereas on the other side, if I am going to a resort and spend all of my time at that one resort, I'm gonna want a really nice resort and that's what I'm going to invest in. 00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:06.000 And then maybe I take the bus to the airport to get there. 00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:14.159 So, you know, there are a lot of ways to save and splurge within particular itinerary, and that's what I help people do. 00:40:14.400 --> 00:40:29.039 Oh, I think that's amazing, especially now, you know, with the economy being what it is, the uncertainty that's out there for what the future holds for us, you know, as a country, let alone as individuals and as families. 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:31.280 I think that is huge. 00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:40.400 And I'll be honest with you, the last place I would think a travel agent could help me would be to save money. 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:44.719 So that is that's actually really refreshing to find that out. 00:40:45.119 --> 00:40:45.519 I do. 00:40:45.679 --> 00:40:51.119 And and I know how to navigate things to find better pricing. 00:40:51.440 --> 00:40:58.719 I also, for cruises in particular, almost always have a deal that is better than booking yourself online. 00:40:59.119 --> 00:41:15.840 So it it really is very advantageous for clients to at least see what I can offer them at any given time because especially for cruises, I have lots of very close partnerships with the different lines, but I also am part of preferred networks. 00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:32.320 So we talked a little bit about my host agency, but I'm part of preferred and exclusive groups based on my sales volume, but also, you know,

I've I've been recognized by suppliers for being a good partner to them and servicing my clients very well, that they are also more flexible for me. 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:36.159 So, you know, it's it's not always going to cost people more. 00:41:36.239 --> 00:41:43.760 I will say a lot of times I do charge a planning fee for, you know, these customized in-destination experiences. 00:41:44.079 --> 00:41:50.000 But that's also because, you know, I need to protect my time and get paid somehow. 00:41:50.159 --> 00:42:03.119 So anyone who is looking for a customized trip, at the end of the day, I like to think I have saved you m so much money and so much time that my fee was nothing compared to the experience you had. 00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:03.679 Right. 00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:05.440 Now, what do you do? 00:42:05.599 --> 00:42:17.519 And you don't have to give away business secrets, but what do you do to really tap into a particular client and what what would really appeal to them and what would give them a wow moment? 00:42:18.079 --> 00:42:21.119 Well, I'm a gabber and I love to talk to people. 00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:34.960 And sometimes I get my clients on the phone for hours and just, you know, talk about what they've liked on past trips, what they didn't like on past trips, what their vision is, what they'd like to see. 00:42:35.199 --> 00:42:41.679 Some will come to me and they've already started researching, you know, XYZ sites in a city and things like that. 00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:49.199 But then I really try to understand their goals and how they're trying to make their trip special. 00:42:49.440 --> 00:43:02.400 I then take that and depending on how we're moving ahead, either build them a custom itinerary myself or work with a destination management company to add, you know, these different experiences in. 00:43:02.719 --> 00:43:09.119 You know, I help people with things like hot air balloons, you know, and they didn't even need to mention that. 00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:17.199 But if that's something that is really special to that destination that they may not have even heard about, I might add that in. 00:43:17.360 --> 00:43:21.440 I might also ask them beforehand, well, what do you think about hot air balloons, right? 00:43:21.519 --> 00:43:22.559 Because not everybody's gonna love that. 00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:24.000 Not everybody likes loves heights. 00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:25.679 And that's just one example. 00:43:26.159 --> 00:43:34.480 But usually in a conversation, I can gather whether they would be interested in like walking tours or uh tuk-tuk tours or food tours, things like that. 00:43:34.559 --> 00:43:42.079 And then I build them something a lot of times also based on personal experiences and things I've enjoyed and things I have not enjoyed. 00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:42.800 Yeah. 00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:46.400 Uh what do what do you find the biggest mistakes travelers make? 00:43:46.559 --> 00:43:50.960 And and how can how can folks avoid making those same mistakes? 00:43:51.280 --> 00:43:59.360 I would say the number one mistake is jamming way too much into an itinerary, trying to see and do everything and multiple. 00:44:00.320 --> 00:44:01.519 Multiple destinations. 00:44:01.679 --> 00:44:08.880 I think a lot of Americans don't realize how far apart different cities are in Europe. 00:44:08.960 --> 00:44:09.920 Like, yes, they're close. 00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:15.760 It's kind of like going to a different state for us, but would you jump to four different states in one week? 00:44:16.000 --> 00:44:16.239 Right. 00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:18.159 By plane or train? 00:44:18.400 --> 00:44:19.360 Probably not. 00:44:19.599 --> 00:44:23.280 And, you know, a lot of people, they are taking very special trips. 00:44:23.519 --> 00:44:30.239 I work with a lot of people going to Europe for the first time or who hadn't haven't been back in 20 years or, you know, whatever. 00:44:30.320 --> 00:44:32.320 And they they do want to see as much as possible. 00:44:32.400 --> 00:44:33.360 And that is great. 00:44:33.599 --> 00:44:49.840 But a lot of times if they would move forward with an itinerary that they were envisioning, they would have spent four days in or on transportation between getting to an airport, being at the airport, going through security, customs, what have you, going on the plane. 00:44:50.000 --> 00:44:52.239 And, you know, that's just not an enjoyable experience. 00:44:52.320 --> 00:44:54.239 That's not the vacation you want to have. 00:44:54.559 --> 00:45:04.960 So almost always when I talk to some of my Europe travelers, I am talking to them about paring down what they are looking for in a trip. 00:45:05.360 --> 00:45:07.599 So they can actually enjoy it more. 00:45:07.840 --> 00:45:08.239 Exactly. 00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:10.480 And not spend their whole time travel. 00:45:10.960 --> 00:45:12.239 Absolutely, 100%. 00:45:12.559 --> 00:45:30.639 And we do still have, you know, very full itineraries, but there's so much to see and do in the particular cities that they're looking at that there's no reason to spend all that time going for a train ride or plane ride because they're, you know, the opportunities are are there in these particular cities. 00:45:30.800 --> 00:45:32.800 And they might just not know about them yet. 00:45:32.960 --> 00:45:56.239 And it's always really important to build in buffer time between different activities or just relaxing time or shopping time, all of that, because we don't want a traveler to get home and say, well, I didn't even get to shop for olive oil in Italy because I was just running from one thing to another, or, you know, that they feel it was really enjoyable because they constantly felt like they were running. 00:45:56.400 --> 00:45:58.719 So, you know, these are things that I help clients balance. 00:45:58.960 --> 00:46:00.000 Yeah, nice. 00:46:00.320 --> 00:46:00.960 Nice. 00:46:02.079 --> 00:46:13.440 What are some of the under the

radar luxury destinations that are worth exploring right now if folks are considering, you know, taking a trip with the family this summer? 00:46:14.079 --> 00:46:19.440 We're seeing the classics really, you know, continue to be strong. 00:46:19.679 --> 00:46:22.880 Rome, Barcelona, Paris, London. 00:46:23.199 --> 00:46:29.920 But we're also seeing smaller cities and types of different types of travel popping up. 00:46:30.079 --> 00:46:36.639 So Norway has become very popular in Northern Lights travel, especially over the last couple of years. 00:46:36.719 --> 00:46:41.679 And that's something I've done over the last few years, the fjords over the summer as well. 00:46:41.840 --> 00:46:52.400 So I'm seeing that more operators are coming to Norway, more travelers are definitely going to Norway, and more of my clients are asking about destinations like Norway. 00:46:52.559 --> 00:46:55.280 Um, Iceland has been on the on the circuit for a while. 00:46:55.599 --> 00:46:58.960 Uh Croatia has definitely come up in the last several years. 00:46:59.679 --> 00:47:00.480 Beautiful islands. 00:47:00.800 --> 00:47:00.960 Yeah. 00:47:01.119 --> 00:47:01.360 Oh. 00:47:01.599 --> 00:47:01.840 Yeah. 00:47:02.079 --> 00:47:03.679 Especially because of Game of Thrones. 00:47:03.920 --> 00:47:10.639 We're seeing that also a lot of TV shows and movies do impact where people are traveling, right? 00:47:10.719 --> 00:47:13.440 Like the White Lotus effect and Sicily. 00:47:13.679 --> 00:47:14.800 Yeah, that's that's huge. 00:47:14.960 --> 00:47:16.480 Sicily is also coming up. 00:47:16.719 --> 00:47:32.639 We're also seeing some of the airlines start nonstop flights into what we don't consider, you know, the most travel destinations, but for example, United just started a nonstop Newark to split Croatia this year. 00:47:32.800 --> 00:47:36.079 And a lot of people are traveling out to Croatia. 00:47:36.400 --> 00:47:49.039 Delta has started JFK to Sardinia, which is a beautiful Italian island that I think is really going to be going to surge in in popularity soon. 00:47:49.199 --> 00:47:52.000 It is such a beautiful place. 00:47:52.480 --> 00:47:56.800 The water is just this amazing turquoise color. 00:47:57.039 --> 00:48:06.320 People are very friendly and they're not experiencing over tourism, whereas, you know, the Amalfi coast, Tinqueter, like those are places are jam-packed. 00:48:06.480 --> 00:48:09.679 But I I think Sardinia is going to be really hot soon. 00:48:09.760 --> 00:48:20.480 And I had the chance to get out there last summer, and I'm starting to uh send my clients there now because it's it's just such an incredible destination. 00:48:20.800 --> 00:48:21.760 Interesting. 00:48:22.159 --> 00:48:23.119 Interesting. 00:48:23.599 --> 00:48:24.159 All right. 00:48:24.400 --> 00:48:31.360 I have two bucket list destinations, and I want you to plan, you could you could do one of them. 00:48:31.599 --> 00:48:34.079 I want you to plan a seven-day trip for me. 00:48:34.159 --> 00:48:40.400 Maybe it would have to be 10 for the amount of travel, but my two bucket list places are Bora Bora. 00:48:41.440 --> 00:48:47.119 And I must sleep in a hut over the water at least once. 00:48:47.440 --> 00:48:50.000 And cruising the Greek islands. 00:48:50.320 --> 00:48:50.639 Oh. 00:48:51.199 --> 00:48:58.800 So I, you know, there's and and I would like to visit Albania during that Greek island trip because I'm part Albanian. 00:48:59.119 --> 00:48:59.840 Oh, amazing. 00:48:59.920 --> 00:49:03.599 Yeah, we're starting to see Albania really pop up and travel too. 00:49:03.760 --> 00:49:14.239 I actually thought it would become more popular faster because a lot of people are now seeing it as an amazing alternative to again what they're picturing. 00:49:14.320 --> 00:49:15.920 They're picturing the Greek islands. 00:49:16.079 --> 00:49:27.840 Um, a lot of people are picturing Croatia, but Albania is uh more untouched, very much so than than Greece, which is you know surging in popularity, as well as you know, Croatia has become super popular as well. 00:49:28.000 --> 00:49:30.559 So I'm I'm definitely excited about Albania. 00:49:30.639 --> 00:49:34.239 I have not been there, but I really, really want to go. 00:49:34.320 --> 00:49:50.239 I'm trying to figure out when I can possibly add it to my personal travel because, you know, unfortunately, unfortunately, because it's fun and I have met a lot of really cool people, but I spend a lot of my travel time in work situations. 00:49:50.400 --> 00:49:56.960 I actually just today got my luxury group's travel schedule for next year. 00:49:57.199 --> 00:50:00.480 So it's it's a little tough sometimes to plan personal travel around that. 00:50:00.639 --> 00:50:03.199 But the Greek islands are absolutely incredible. 00:50:03.360 --> 00:50:06.960 Greece is hands down number one, my favorite country ever. 00:50:07.199 --> 00:50:13.039 It's funny, a lot of people ask me like what my favorite country is, and I just say Greece, and you know, no question about it. 00:50:13.280 --> 00:50:18.239 And you know, I think people are expecting me to be like, well, you know, I really enjoyed this and this and this and this. 00:50:18.400 --> 00:50:27.679 But no, I know that Greece and the uh incredible experience that I have had there, it it just does not compare to to anywhere else. 00:50:28.000 --> 00:50:30.880 And just based on my interests and what I like to do. 00:50:30.960 --> 00:50:37.039 So I am so excited for you to eventually get to to that trip and be on the water in Greece. 00:50:37.199 --> 00:50:39.119 It's it's just so magical. 00:50:39.360 --> 00:50:39.599 Yeah. 00:50:39.679 --> 00:50:42.800 Well, uh, what are some of the things that you would plan for me? 00:50:44.000 --> 00:50:50.719 So Santorini number one, and that is another destination that has been experiencing over tourism. 00:50:50.960 --> 00:50:58.800 The government in Santorini has actually started to tax cruise ship

passengers as they're coming ashore. 00:50:58.960 --> 00:51:05.199 They've tried to limit the number of cruise ships and the size of the cruise ships coming into the crater there. 00:51:05.679 --> 00:51:11.599 But it is one of the most exquisite places you will ever see. 00:51:11.760 --> 00:51:28.880 You know, Santorini is this like volcanic rock with this amazing crater with these ginormous cliffs that are just kind of unbeatable to look at from both on top, you know, the the different cities like Fira and Ia, you know, and walking along. 00:51:28.960 --> 00:51:31.840 I actually did the, I think it's seven miles hike. 00:51:31.920 --> 00:51:36.719 It's not really a hike because it's it's flat, but it is definitely very strenuous in the sun. 00:51:36.880 --> 00:51:42.159 I've done that walk along the entire crater, which is absolutely stunning. 00:51:42.239 --> 00:51:46.159 But there are places, you know, you can grab a taxi or or go to in the various cities. 00:51:46.320 --> 00:51:48.079 And then from below the crater as well. 00:51:48.159 --> 00:51:51.840 So the catamaran tours that that go there are just so much fun. 00:51:51.920 --> 00:51:58.400 And that I will say that the catamaran in San Germany is the best day uh that I've ever had in my entire life. 00:51:58.639 --> 00:52:01.039 It was everything I could literally ever ask for. 00:52:01.119 --> 00:52:03.599 And I just had such a fun time. 00:52:04.159 --> 00:52:06.000 But there's, you know, other amazing islands. 00:52:06.239 --> 00:52:15.440 Milos has become more popular, but still isn't on the circuit that is traveled by most, most travelers around Greece. 00:52:15.599 --> 00:52:18.559 So it is still a bit untouched and more authentic. 00:52:18.719 --> 00:52:29.840 For example, my hotel front desk lady did not speak a word of English, which was a little bit stressful for me at the time because I was not very well traveled when I went there in 2021. 00:52:30.079 --> 00:52:33.840 And, you know, Uber and ride chair is not a thing there either. 00:52:34.000 --> 00:52:39.760 So I was hoping that the front desk could arrange some transportation and tours and things for me once I got there. 00:52:40.000 --> 00:52:41.519 And that was not the case. 00:52:41.760 --> 00:52:42.159 Oh no. 00:52:42.320 --> 00:52:43.039 Which was fine. 00:52:43.199 --> 00:52:52.079 You know, I figured it out, you know, and you kind of have to be savvy if you don't partner with a travel advisor that's already handled all of that for you. 00:52:52.320 --> 00:52:54.880 But, you know, there's there's plenty of ways to get around the island. 00:52:54.960 --> 00:53:00.480 And I just hoped for the best and hoped the company would come pick me up once I called them on the phone, and they did. 00:53:00.639 --> 00:53:01.920 That was one of my favorite places. 00:53:02.079 --> 00:53:05.920 Paros is another absolutely incredible island. 00:53:06.159 --> 00:53:10.880 I feel like that was kind of like my woe moment when I went to

Greece. 00:53:11.039 --> 00:53:13.039 You know, I had already explored Athens. 00:53:13.199 --> 00:53:20.159 I had gone to some smaller islands, Hedra and a few uh Agena, some smaller islands closer to Athens. 00:53:20.239 --> 00:53:24.400 And then once I got to Paros, I was like, wow, this is what I've dreamed about. 00:53:24.719 --> 00:53:37.280 I had, you know, the classic family style, amazing Greek dinner spread with all of the very, very fresh seafood, cheese, salad, like everything so fresh there. 00:53:37.440 --> 00:53:46.880 And watched the sunset, and then, you know, experienced the the nightlife with the wine and the beautiful hanging string lights above our heads. 00:53:47.119 --> 00:53:49.119 It was just exactly. 00:53:49.440 --> 00:53:51.599 I've experienced some of that too. 00:53:51.920 --> 00:53:55.840 But yeah, it was just it was just the the most amazing experience. 00:53:55.920 --> 00:53:58.000 And I I love sending travelers to Greece. 00:53:58.079 --> 00:54:04.639 Actually, one of my very good friends, I helped her plan her Greece honeymoon, and she's leaving in about 10 days from now. 00:54:05.039 --> 00:54:11.360 So I'm I'm really excited for her to go and and experience everything and and come back with stories to tell. 00:54:11.679 --> 00:54:16.239 So, what does the future hold for you and elevate your escape? 00:54:17.360 --> 00:54:19.360 I wish I could tell you, honestly. 00:54:19.599 --> 00:54:28.800 My my business has just changed and evolved so much since I started, like all in a good way, because I am learning and growing every day. 00:54:29.119 --> 00:54:33.119 I've been in business for about three and a half years now. 00:54:33.440 --> 00:54:40.079 And just the amount of learning and and traveling that I've done is just absolutely unreal. 00:54:40.320 --> 00:55:00.320 Where I would personally like to take my business, and this isn't really a client-facing answer, but an entrepreneurial one is I want to get out of the weeds in my day-to-day because what I enjoy is the interactions with my clients and helping them sort out what they want to do and and where they want to go. 00:55:00.480 --> 00:55:11.199 And I've also enjoyed learning so much about the different experiences that I can plan for them in destination or different cruise lines. 00:55:11.280 --> 00:55:21.119 Because even if someone knows they want to go on a river cruise, well, you know, there are 10 really strong contenders that, you know, you're even if you're you're on your own, you're looking at, you're like, well, what's the difference? 00:55:21.360 --> 00:55:32.480 And I've spent all the time and all the money doing getting out there and yeah, but even experiencing for myself and going to seminars and conferences and getting to know my sales reps from these companies. 00:55:32.639 --> 00:55:40.400 Um, so I'd really like to be more of the face of the brand and less of the admin back side of the brand. 00:55:40.639 --> 00:55:40.960 Yeah. 00:55:41.199 --> 00:55:42.480 Great, great. 00:55:42.719 --> 00:55:46.320 And Eleanor, where can folks find you? 00:55:47.039 --> 00:55:51.440 So my blog and website is elevateyourescapes.com. 00:55:51.840 --> 00:55:58.559 I am also on Instagram, which I am trying to grow, but really haven't prioritized yet. 00:55:58.880 --> 00:56:00.880 I have plans to post something else today. 00:56:01.119 --> 00:56:10.000 And I uh will be launching soon a new YouTube channel, which will be under my brand ElevateYour Escapes. 00:56:10.320 --> 00:56:10.800 Perfect. 00:56:10.960 --> 00:56:12.719 I will keep an eye out for that. 00:56:12.880 --> 00:56:17.039 Well, Eleanor, I cannot thank you enough for all of your time. 00:56:17.199 --> 00:56:25.440 I have loved learning about your journey in a space that is very near and dear to my heart, which is travel. 00:56:26.559 --> 00:56:30.400 And I've just, you've only been in business for three years. 00:56:30.719 --> 00:56:49.280 And to be in this business, looking back over the past three years and all of the travel challenges that you've had to face on behalf of your clients, it's just mind-boggling to me that you did far more than just tread water. 00:56:49.519 --> 00:56:51.599 You actually made tracks. 00:56:51.679 --> 00:56:53.280 And I think that's phenomenal. 00:56:53.440 --> 00:56:55.760 So I wish you the best of luck. 00:56:55.840 --> 00:56:58.559 And again, thank you so much for all your time. 00:56:58.960 --> 00:56:59.440 Thank you. 00:56:59.519 --> 00:57:00.880 I really appreciate that. 00:57:00.960 --> 00:57:08.800 And the more joy that I can bring to the world and my clients and anyone who reads my blog around travel, I'm I'm going to do that. 00:57:08.880 --> 00:57:14.639 And I love sharing um, you know, all of the special moments that that travel has created for me. 00:57:14.719 --> 00:57:17.360 So I just want others to be able to do that as well. 00:57:25.760 --> 00:57:28.400 What a go-getter Eleanor is. 00:57:29.039 --> 00:57:36.960 As we talked, I was so struck by how knowledgeable she was about anything and everything that had to do with travel. 00:57:37.440 --> 00:57:57.280 Understanding the business, keeping an eye on industry trends, staying in tune with what each specific client needs and wants in a vacation experience, plus building her network to ensure she's got all the tools and resources to address anything that doesn't go according to plan. 00:57:57.760 --> 00:57:59.920 She really handles it all. 00:58:00.559 --> 00:58:06.559 With all the travel I've done, I've never used a travel consultant to plan or execute a trip. 00:58:06.800 --> 00:58:19.920 I've loved all of my trips, but now I'm wondering if I got the best bang for my buck or if I left some amazing experiences on the table because I had no way to know about them. 00:58:20.320 --> 00:58:26.239 Rest assured, when I'm ready to cruise the Greek islands, Eleanor will be hearing from me. 00:58:26.800 --> 00:58:32.400 Jump down to the show notes to read her blog and connect with her website and socials. 00:58:32.639 --> 00:58:36.239 And while you're there, don't forget to connect with me. 00:58:36.480 --> 00:58:38.639 All my socials are linked as well. 00:58:38.880 --> 00:58:45.599 And something I don't promote much, you can buy the podcast a coffee on Buy Me a Coffee. 00:58:45.840 --> 00:58:52.880 It's a small way to help support the podcast, and a hundred percent goes right back into the podcast. 00:58:53.360 --> 00:58:58.480 As always, thanks for listening, and I'll see you in two weeks.