2 minute read
GO! Travel pros take the stress out of vacation planning
By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske Photos courtesy of Terri Henderson and Kathy Barkauskas
Travel. Whether you are looking to fill up your passport or find a quiet spot to sit in the sand, there is one thing for certain. The time to plan is now.
The first few months of the year are always a busy time for Terri Henderson of Geneva Travel and Cruise, but after more than 33 years of experience in the travel industry, she said this year is already off to one of her biggest yet.
“There is a lot of pent-up demand for travel,” Henderson said. While it’s possible to book an entire vacation from one’s phone, there’s a renewed interest in seeking a travel professional who can research and book air and hotel reservations.
“With all my years of experience in doing this, and I travel as often as possible, I think that firsthand knowledge can be very helpful,” Henderson said. “My team and I are there before, during and after your travel.”
While tropical locations like Mexico, the Bahamas and Hawaii remain popular destinations, Henderson said she’s seen an increased interest in Europe for 2023, with Italy as one of the top locations. Her team can help a client whether they’re interested in an escorted tour through the ruins of Pompeii or a visit to a Tuscany winery, and even find experiences, like making fresh pasta.
An internet search of resorts in Riviera Maya can list dozens of results. Kathy Barkauskas, concierge vacation planner and owner of Teddy Bear Travel, LLC, said she can help her clients find the one to best match their interest, whether it boasts great water parks for the family or a quiet resort with great dining options.
One of Barkauskas’ favorite itineraries is helping families plan their Disney vacations. As a child, she grew up going to Disney World each year for a family vacation. It was after taking her own children to Disney World that she realized the opportunity to change careers and follow her passion for travel and travel planning.
She’s quick to point out Disney travel today is far different than the experiences of her childhood, and a travel professional can be a great asset, from navigating accommodations with more than 30 on-property hotels to helping a family plan experiences like meals with characters or special activities. She often sets her alarm for a 4 a.m. wake up to book her clients dining reservations.
“Having a travel agent is a nice luxury,” she said.
The past few years have rocked the travel industry and if there’s one lesson to be learned, it’s say yes to travel insurance, Henderson said.
“We’ve always recommended it, but more so now after COVID,” she said.
Travel insurance can provide cancellation protection, medical coverage while traveling and some plans even provide protection if one needs bed rest, quarantine or to extend a trip due to illness.
“Not all travel insurance is created equal,” Barkauskas said. “Shopping for travel insurance is almost as important as shopping for the trip itself.”
For international travel Henderson said it’s important to check passports and make sure they are valid at least six months after the date of travel return. She said processing for passports appears to be back to normal, but she encourages anyone applying or renewing to do that as early as possible to avoid stress.
