"Why didn't I talk to you before????"

The other day, I was wrapping up a networking meeting and got to chatting with a fellow community member. I made mention to the fact that we had gone on vacation to Costa Rica and how cool it was and she informed me that she took her family on a cruise. As a curious minded travel specialist, I asked her how the cruise was and the heavy sigh, droopy shoulders and frown on her face said it all. She went on to explain to me that they took their children on this trip so as to be able to spend more time together but she said that her kids were older and ran around the ship without them. She said, "I'd have an occasional child sighting in the hallways." She went on to describe her experience similar to that of being at Wal-mart on a Saturday and that was not what she had signed on for nor had she expected.

These fun folks could very well be on your next vacation with you!

She felt like a cruise would be a great way to keep everyone together and really connect but what she really wanted out of a vacation was to be in the mountains, away from the crowds and allow herself to just really be together with her family. She didn't want a prefabbed mega fun package prescribed to the masses, she wanted more out of  her travels and after this experience, decided that cruising was not the way to achieve that desired outcome.  I listened a while longer and as we began to fill in each others sentences with agreement in how we prefer to travel, she shouts, "Why didn't I talk you BEFORE I planned that cruise?? Give me your card!" I laughed with her and reiterated to her the importance of travel planning and all that goes into making it a success.

As a travel planner/travel specialist/ lover of all things travel, my clients experience matter a great deal to me so I take the time needed to find out just what the heck they want from their journey. I listen. I ask questions. I get to know you because as with everything in life, nothing will work well without a proper relationship in place. Most people aren't looking to have their vacations resemble that of a Wal-Mart on a Saturday but if one doesn't plan accordingly, you may just be find yourself under a "rolling back the prices" sign next to hundreds of other "price buster" lovers.

It should be said that I'm not tearing apart cruises nor cruisers, I'm simply saying that there is never a one size fits all approach in travel. Travel is unique to our interests and personalities and it's important to understand that. Talk with Viva la Vida Travel before you dive head first into your travels. Together, with your ideas and desires, we'll create a memorable experience that leaves you smiling at the end of the day instead of sighing heavily!

Viva la Vida!