spring travel agency

Spring Break 2025

• Air & Hotel Package
• Hotel Only Package
• Party Package
• Cabo San Lucas Mexico

Cancun Mexico

• Las Vegas (Hotel Only)
• Montego Bay Jamaica

Nassau Bahamas

• Playa Del Carmen Mexico
• Puerto Vallarta Mexico
• Punta Cana Dominican Republic

Best Spring Break Packages, Guaranteed!

Are you looking for the ultimate Spring Break Package? Blow it out with your friends for a week of sun and fun this Spring Break. Party poolside to top DJ's in the center of the Spring Break scene. Experience white sand beaches, snorkel in crystal clear waters or or dance all day on our famous party cruises. At night jump to the front of the line and party like a rock star at the top clubs. With STS Spring Break Packages everything is included.

TOP SPRING BREAK DESTINATIONS

Puerto Vallarta

STS TRAVEL PERKS

• Stay at the Most Popular Hotels
• Enjoy Daily Parties and Activities
• Get Your Groove on at Nightly Events
• Group Incentives and Deals
• Flexible Payment Plans
• Dedicated Account Representative

TOP SPRING BREAK RESORTS

Breezes - nassau bahamas.

Grand Oasis - Cancun Mexico

Impressive - Punta Cana DR

Riu Santa Fe - Cabo Mexico

Occidental Caribe - Punta Cana

Villa Vamar - Puerto Vallarta

SPRING BREAK SAFETY

Safety is a prime concern at STS Travel. Spring Break travel packages feature locations and hotels that cater specifically to young adults. In addition staff is on-location in each or destination to assist you throughout your experience. Follow these tips to help have a safer Spring Break Experience.

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Spears Travel

Travel better with your travel expert, your extraordinary vacation begins here.

No matter where in the world you want to go, we can help get you there. Our experienced agents will take the time to answer your questions and listen to your ideas, before making expert recommendations that fit your budget. We believe extraordinary vacations begin with careful planning, that's why we are devoted to ensuring our clients always have the best possible experience—both before they leave and while they're away.

What makes us special?

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Dedicated to helping our clients travel better, our experienced agents are passionate about sharing their industry knowledge and first-hand insights.

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• Xi’an
• Inner Mongolia
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FEATURED TOURS

Special offers, monthly featured tours.

10 Days UNESCO World Heritage

Price: from $1,899 / person

Trip begins at: chengdu, trip ends at: zhangjiajie.

11 Days Zhangjiajie & Guizhou

Price: from $1,499 / person

Trip begins at: shanghai, trip ends at: shanghai.

12 Days Yunnan Minority Discovery

Price: from $3299 / person

Ruby Princess – 7 Nights Alaska Glacier

Price: from $1319 / person

Trip begins at: seattle, trip ends at: seattle, browse our destinations.

Spring Travel was established in 1981, now it has become the single largest private travel service in China with over 4000 employees and affiliate companies and stations in every major tour cities in China and in North America, Europe and Asian countries. We are also the first and only travel company in China to own airline - Spring Airline. We have been honored by the China National Tourism Administration Bureau as the "One of the 100 top travel services" in China in 2018.

EXPERT ADVICE

At Spring, we believe in providing you with our best advice at every stage of your journey with us. We continually provide our teams with opportunities to travel enhancing their experience and knowledge. This way they can pass their insider knowledge on to you. They can provide you with detailed information about your chosen tour and offer advice on which itinerary is suitable for you, helping you customize personalized needs.

NO HIDDEN EXTRAS

We had a group of 15 people including myself take a tour of China. The tour guides are the best, the bus drivers are very safe and experienced, the cities and the tours are unbelievable. Go with Spring Tour! All of our people thought it was worth the price paid.

In 2016, Spring Tour organized our Annual Convention in Wenzhou. The price was very competitive and the hotels were first class. We would not have any language barrier issues with Spring Tour. People in the group are all professional travel writers and photographers, and we took lots of good pictures in the tour.

Personal and Corporate Travel Just Got Easier With Foerster Travel

We are your top and best pick for your next vacation. With industry-leading knowledge and the passion to plan your perfect trip, Foerster Travel agents provide everything you need to experience an amazing getaway.

Plan Your Next Trip.

Romance Travel

Celebrate your love with destination weddings, anniversaries, vow renewals, honeymoons, engagements, elopements, retie the knot ceremonies, babymoons, proposal trips, and an array of other special occasions.

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And many more!

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Simplify Your Travel.

Extensive Experience.

Popular Locations. Experiences From All Over The World.

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All-inclusive European tours.

Let us make your dream come true is croatia your next adventure.

Welcome to Spring Travel

For over 25 years our expertise in organizing vacations to these fascinating countries has been unsurpassed. Croatia and all these wonderful places to travel are a spectacular paradox of landscapes and lifestyles, a rich mosaic of scenic variety and cultural diversity. In a land where each region has such distinctive individuality one feature remains constant – the endearing charm and welcoming nature of the people.

We specialize in unique, exclusive, personalized travel planning to Croatia in addition to many surrounding countries. We design individualized journeys, various large and small groups trips, luxury private guided group tours, wine and cuisine tours, various sport tours, musical tours, and deluxe tours suited to each client based on years of personal experience, ongoing and current research, relationships, and professional expertise.

We can create a custom-tailored travel package according to your wishes and your budget. For city tours and excursions, you can opt for private guides or small/large group tours. Before and during your trip Spring Travel is there to make sure everything runs smoothly and that you have an amazing vacation.

So, when you think travel . . . think Spring Travel! We are your full-service travel specialists for both leisure and corporate travel.

​Let us help you plan your holiday so that you receive the best value for your vacation dollar and create life-long awesome memories!

Choosing the right travel company to book your next vacation is the very important.

Tours and Excursions

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Testimonials, mark vuksan, president of hamilton croatia soccer club, allan perin, hamilton, ontario, mary lubanovic, julia perin, catherine bobesich, oakville, on., wanita kelava, oakville, on, mary, diane, nina, annie, branko and visnja, croatian group prelo committee, darlene gustin bsc nd., bronte natural health clinic. oakville, on., cathie & brian kelemen, burlington, on., zrinjka reeves, group president - oakville, on., edward john mavrinac, popular destinations.

Croatia is extraordinary, most recognised and the safest country to travel in the world with intense blue of sea and deep greens of pine and olive groves.

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At Springboard Travel we work to maximize your most valuable asset; time spent with family and friends. 

Springboard Travel can help you sift through the multitude of travel choices and details found on the internet that can be overwhelming. With access to the Virtuoso network of resources, our firsthand knowledge, and our own personal connections, we can help you plan the most seamless, unforgettable experiences. We have vetted partners all across the globe which means you get the best value for your time and money by securing you special benefits and unique experiences that are not available to the general public. 

Let us help you plan your next dream trip or weekend away so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the memories made with family and friends! 

Hi! I am the president and founder of Springboard Travel! We are an independent affiliate of Travel Experts in New Canaan, CT. We are part of the prestigious Virtuoso Network of agencies-which means more perks and extras for you, our clients!! 

I grew up in Maine and my love for travel came from my adventurous parents who took me to far off places like Russia, Poland and East and West Germany, even before they were cool! I've got this insatiable wanderlust to see everything and my bucket list seems to grow daily. 

Now that I am a parent myself, I aim to give my children those same experiences. I think the time we spend as a family is so important. It's time when we can detox from our phones and just be present. 

For your own vacation, we’ll communicate directly about everything from destinations to accommodations to flights and everything in between so you have the perfect itinerary, designed just for you...wherever your wanderlust takes you!

Virtuoso offers the "Best of the Best" hotels worldwide. With over 1400 hotels in our portfolio, you are sure to find something to suit every travel style; intimate retreats, sustainable safari camps, gorgeous beach resorts … and so much more. 

Each property is individually vetted for quality, location, service, and exclusivity before it receives the Virtuoso stamp of approval. 

When you book a stay through Springboard Travel,  you’ll receive:

• Preferred rates and availability
• Room upgrades (if available)
• Breakfast daily for two
• Dining, resort, or hotel credits
• Early check-in and late checkout (if available)
• Exclusive amenities and experiences

We are happy to steer you in the right direction, but if you already know where you want to stay, you can simply click here and still receive all of the great benefits above! 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR VIP STAY  

I am certified in the following areas:

* African Specialist with Abercrombie and Kent

* Switzerland Travel Expert

* Certified Journeys Specialist with National Geographic

* Backroads Certified Specialist

* Certified Charleston Specialist

* Hawaii Destination Specialist

* Florida Keys

* Accor Hotels

* Certified Aruba Specialist

* Sanibel/Captiva Expert

* Montreal/Quebec Specialist

* Antigua and Barbuda Specialist 

* Virtuoso Certified Travel Advisor

* United States - Hawaii, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, California, New England

* Costa Rica

* Caribbean

*South America

*Antartica 

"Help Wanted Signs Point to Big Summer Travel Problems"

Enlighten Excursions

Authentic travel for a deeper experience, our travel philosophy.

Enlighten Excursions travel agency specializes in international travel. 

We believe authentic travel has the ability to promote cultural understanding.

We believe that improved cultural understanding has the power to transform lives and facilitate peace .

That’s why at Enlighten Excursions, we aim to inspire travelers to experience, connect and engage with the world in meaningful ways that shift perspectives for the better.

We know that remarkable travel experiences can change lives beyond imagination because our lives have been changed too.

-Enlighten Excursions Travel Agency Team

Choose Your Path

DESTINATION WEDDINGS

ROMANCE TRAVEL

GROUP TRAVEL

CULTURAL TRAVEL

LUXURY TRAVEL

Our Travel Experience

Our industry recognized travel agency in Silver Spring, MD, has been a member of  ASTA  since 2009.

Our expert consultants hold multiple travel product and destination certifications.

We partner with the most respected travel suppliers worldwide to bring you even more expertise and value.

We traverse the globe to gain first-hand knowledge of many of the destinations, resorts and experiences that we offer.

We care about you. We care about your travel experience .

LEARN MORE »

Your Travel Dreams

Our travel agency consultants design extraordinary vacations for busy professionals and discerning travelers like you who need expert travel advice and assistance.

We take your wish list and vision for a perfect vacation and use it to design creative itineraries that result in unique memories .

What type of vacation are you dreaming of?

Just let us know.

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Let's plan your next life-changing adventure.

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Experience Guardian Travel - Your Travel Specialist

1137 n. battlefield blvd, chesapeake, va 23320.

In addition to our finest collections of relaxing  Mexico experiences ,  all-inclusive packages ,  spa vacations , and  European excursions , plunge your way into  adventurous & active travel ,  independent vacations , and even customized getaways that you specially design the way  you  want it. Also, we have an  international air specialist  that can speak a few different languages for those who can not find an agency that will satisfy your needs. Guardian Travel is a friendly environment that  will  take care of all  your  personal needs to make your vacation so pleasing, that you will want to come back just for the service. Whatever  you  are looking for, we can help narrow in on the perfect trip. Choose what  you  would like to do from cruising to shopping, hiking to horseback riding, and Guardian Travel will help you decide where to go. Our travel packages offer a wide range of activities and destinations - which means you are  guaranteed  to find the perfect escape from everyday life. We are looking forward to making your next vacation a memorable and enjoyable one. So what are  you  waiting for?  Contact us   today  and get packing! Our Travel Agency is located in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, and all of the Hampton Roads' area.

Apple Vacations Halfway to the Holidays Sale

9-Night Cruise to Egypt & Arabia

14-Day Luxury Cruise to Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

Who is Cruise & Travel Experts

We are your dedicated team of travel experts ready to plan a personalized trip for you.

Cruise & Travel Experts, Inc. puts the personal touch back into travel planning. Headquartered in Spring Lake, Michigan, we offer customized vacation travel services and business travel solutions for savvy travelers. Our experts get to know you and your inspirations to match you with the most ideal land vacation, cruise, or vacation package. We’re passionate about what we do and we aim to delight our customers one travel experience at a time.

World Cruises

The ultimate world cruise.

Travel around the world and visit exotic destinations you have only dreamed of seeing in person! The best part? Unpack just once and visit more ports on one trip than you have ever seen before.

Specialty Cruises

Special occasion cruises.

Check out extended voyage option to a particular region of the country you want to explore in-depth.

Grand Voyages

Pick a region of the world and spend a longer time exploring the ports and inland highlights

Exotic Destinations

Our experts have hand-picked these voyages to far-flung destinations

River Cruises

See the breathtaking scenery go by as you sit on the top deck and enjoy local music and wine

Popular Destinations

Most popular destinations in the world.

Alaska Cruises & Tours

Caribbean Cruises & Resorts

Mexico Cruises & Resorts

Europe Cruises & Tours

Canada & New England Cruises & Tours

Why choose us, why book with cruise & travel experts.

• We handpick the best cruise & land package deals every week just for you & often have exclusive perks or bonuses that other agencies don’t have.
• Our cruise experts average over 20 years of experience so can easily recommend the perfect trip, hotel, cruise, flight, excursion, restaurant, and more based on your needs and budget.
• We know cool things like what cruise ships just came out, what new resorts have been built, when is the best time of the year to visit certain destinations, and what countries you need a travel visa to visit.
• We care about you and your vacation – and we are always here to help whenever you need us.

Meet Our Advisors

Our expert travel advisors.

Shannon Nelson

Cruise expert.

Shannon has always had a passion for culinary and wine destinations and usually finds herself signing up for the cooking class, wine tasting/culinary shore excursions along with trying all the specialty restaurants onboard cruise ships.

Most Recent Trip: Regent Seven Seas Brand New Grandeur Lindblad Expeditions Cruise in France and Ireland

Travel Expert

Tina’s most rewarding part of her job is seeing the excitement in her client’s eyes as they tell stories from their recent vacation. She has over 20 years of experience serving travelers in a variety of roles in the travel industry.

Most Recent Trips:

Silversea expedition cruise to antarctica rocky mountaineer luxury rail trip.

Michelle Boots

Meeting new people and hearing about their life experiences is Michelle’s favorite part of being a trusted travel expert. She loves working with all different types of clientele, offering them suggestions to make their travel plans runs seamlessly.  

Every time Lynne gets back from a cruise, she says it is her new favorite trip because she is always so excited about what she has experienced. She has over 25 years of experience selling luxury cruises and tours and facilitating group travel.

Most Recent Trip: Cruise to Iceland on Windstar Cruises

Jennifer Walters

Jennifer loves matching her client’s interests to the perfect vacation spot. She has 21 years of experience as a travel consultant and enjoys helping clients plan their honeymoon, destination wedding, romantic getaway or family vacation.

Brand New Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Silversea Expedition Cruise to Antarctica Rocky Mountaineer Luxury Rail Trip

Mary Ellsworth

Mary loves finding the perfect vacation fit for her clients to help them take away special memories. She loves building relationships with all types of clients such as luxury, groups, families, singles and both new and experienced travelers.

Most Recent Trip: Brand New Regent Seven Seas Grandeur Virgin Voyages Cruise New Celebrity Ascent Cruise Lindblad Expedition Cruise in France and Ireland

Lory Horrevorts

Lory knows how to match her clients with the best vacation to suit their needs with her 30+ years experience in the travel industry. She specializes in selling luxury travel, escorted group travel, cruises, honeymoons, destination weddings, all-inclusive vacations, and Disney vacations. 

Most Recent Trip: Canada & New England Cruise on the Regent Mariner

Deb enjoys sharing her clients’ enthusiasm for their upcoming trips. She really likes talking to them about what they are looking for in a trip, and hearing where they have been and what experiences they have had in the past. 

Most Recent Trip: Intensive Learning Experience at Walt Disney World

Debra Dickerson

Debra loves to hear the excitement from her clients of what they got to do on a trip she had planned. Debra sells a lot of world cruises, adventure/expedition cruises and Alaska cruise tours.

Most Recent Trip: Brand New Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Windstar Cruise around Iceland Virgin Voyages Cruise New Celebrity Ascent Cruise

Vickie Grysen

Vickie’s favorite part of her job is talking to her clients after they return from their vacation, wedding or honeymoon to hear all about the memories they created. Vickie has over 40 years of experience assisting both leisure and corporate travel clients.

Jamie's favorite part of her job is hearing the joy in her clients’ voices and faces when they return and talk about the trip and new experiences they enjoyed. She has over 10 years experience as a leisure and corporate travel agent.

Most Recent Trip: Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Equinox

Testimonial, what our clients say about us.

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The Travel Magazine

Within each issue of Ultimate Experiences Online, you will enjoy a collection of articles, slideshows and videos that will inspire you to make your travel dreams a reality.

Ultimate Experiences

The Travel Magazine Online presents a unique collection of articles, photos and videos to help make your travel dreams a reality.

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Serving valued travelers since 1980.

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Find a travel advisor.

Ready to embark on your extraordinary adventure? Your journey begins with one of our experienced travel advisors. They’ll uncover your travel desires and craft itineraries that perfectly align with your interests. Expect exceptional service and unmatched expertise to transform your travel dreams into unforgettable realities. The world awaits - let's start your vacation planning today.

Group Travel

Yearning for adventure, but not the hassle of planning? Our group tours offer the perfect blend of independence and camaraderie. Explore iconic destinations alongside like-minded travelers who share your passion for discovery. Our meticulous planning ensures a seamless experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in new cultures and create lasting memories. This isn't just a trip, it's an opportunity to connect with new friends and forge unforgettable experiences together.

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EXPERIENCES

Pearl Travel has been a member of the travel community in the greater Cleveland area since 1980 – we are happy to offer our collective knowledge and expertise to help plan your next vacation.

CONNECTIONS

As part of the Travel Leaders Network, the largest agency group in North America, we have forged relationships with hundreds of the travel industry’s leading suppliers across the globe. This exclusive access allows us to offer our clients unparalleled access to some unique travel opportunities.

Staying on top of the ever-evolving travel trends and options is important to us!   We regularly participate in advanced training programs and on-site inspections so that we can offer our clients the most up-to-date information.

Luxury Vacation Experts

Peppy’s Amazing Vacations is New York’s luxury vacation leader.

Cleveland’s Boutique Travel Planners

Pearl Travel is pleased to offer unparalleled personal service via our dedicated team of travel advisors! We are able to share an amazing wealth of collective experience and expertise. The use of a personal travel advisor will be sure to enhance your travel experience – we specialize in all forms of travel from all inclusive resorts that are laid out for ease to custom travel that allows for the most unique of adventures.

Bella Italia

The charm of Italy, one of our specialties. The food, the culture, the people - it's simple magnifico!

Warm Beaches

A romantic sunset or a fun-filled family vacation, being at a beach is fun for everyone.

River Cruising

River cruising is a travel experience like no other. Get up close and personal to all that Europe has to offer.

Distinctive Voyages

Our distinctive voyages hosted cruise collection elevates your cruising experience by providing you with a special set of complimentary bonus amenities from our agency, these rewarding touches create a cruise experience that is a true departure from the rest., meet pearl travel.

BARBARA MAZZOLA

Barb believes traveling is gathering experiences, bonding with friends and family, and introducing a new culture into your life. Wherever you want to go, she will make it unforgettable!

LISA MCDERMOTT

Travel Advisor

Lisa loves travel and especially helping others have the wonderful experiences that she has had. A group specialist she puts together and travels with many groups especially on Cruises.

TAMMY TURPIN

Tammy’s family led her to Disney World, Disneyland and Disney Cruise and introduced her to travel planning. Family and Luxury Travel are her specialties and she can offer you her insight into these special travel categories.

Spotlight Vacations

Our team are specialists in a number of destinations or types of vacations. Below are just a few of the vacations we specialize in.

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Destination Weddings

Family Vacations

Greece & The Greek Islands

Barb has helped us travel all over the world. She finds unique opportunities like dinner under the stars in Uluru and cooking dinner with an Italian family in their kitchen. Char, North Olmsted

Our Rhine River Cruise was Fabulous! All of our Questions were answered promptly by Barb. Anna, Cleveland

Our multigenerational family trip with planning for us all in different states Barb made it easy and was a great help. Her experience and knowledge added to our experience. Sandy, Murrieta

Pearl Travel’s Happy Clients

Office Closed Good Friday 2024

Our agents adventures, 2024 office hours, office hours:,   monday through friday , 9:00 am - 5:00pm.

or by appointment please call 215 643 7074

Spring House Travel is a full service leisure travel agency located in Spring House, Pennsylvania. The agency was established in 1972. Many of our original clients still rely on our services, along with their children and now, their grandchildren. We believe in the full service attitude.  There are eleven agents in our office, all with different interests around the world. We all work together very well. We would like you to become one of our loyal clients and we will become your loyal travel agent. Please save this page to your favorites, and keep in touch.

Sunny Vacation Destinations

Artistic and cultural destinations, destinations for the adventurer, we're here to get you traveling.

StarTribune

Short on time have special requests a travel agent may be just the ticket..

When Debbie Reynolds embarked on a whirlwind trip last fall it nearly turned into a disaster, but her travel agent saved the day.

She was flying to Amsterdam to meet family and continue on to Africa, but another passenger had a medical emergency. The flight was delayed five hours and Reynolds missed her connection to Tanzania.

"That gets really complicated when you're trying to rebook flights and connections and do it on your cellphone," the 75-year-old St. Louis Park resident said. "The travel agent figured out how to rebook me and I didn't have to do a thing. I was able to join my family a day later."

Once thought to be on the brink of extinction due to digital platforms, travel agents are enjoying a revival.

Travel agents say they see more older clients seeking assistance as travel has become more complex — with considerations like foreign visas, tourist taxes and travel insurance. In addition to serving as an anchor during an emergency, they can save you time, reduce stress and help meet older travelers' special needs — from dietary restrictions to hotels with elevators to wheelchair accessibility.

"Travel has changed quite a bit over the past four years," said Erika Richter, spokeswoman for the American Society of Travel Advisors. "[Travel advisers] leverage a network of travel suppliers they know and trust. People place more value on that type of advocacy these days. There are so many things that can go wrong."

As post-pandemic leisure travel exploded, many travelers turned to one of the more than 66,000 travel agents nationwide. Nearly three-quarters are home-based independent agents and many market through social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. The number of travel agents is expected to grow through 2032.

Teri Waataja, a travel consultant at Preferred Adventures Ltd. in Mounds View, with 27 years of experience, estimates that 60% to 70% of her clients are age 50-plus.

Travel agent clients tend to be older and wealthier than the average traveler, with 72% over age 40 and 55% with annual incomes of at least $100,000, according to a report by tourism research firm Phocuswright Inc.

Whether they're world nomads or people on their first international trip, many don't have the time or inclination to research, plan and book itineraries. Others are overwhelmed by the online options. Phocuswright data shows the top reasons people frequent travel agents are a personal relationship (34%), customer service (34%) and expertise (28%).

Here are five ways travel agents can help travelers.

They sweat the details.

Laurie Johnsrud, a travel adviser with Travel Leaders Market Square in Rochester with 40 years of experience, has noticed that some older adults aren't comfortable booking online or are wary of inputting their credit card information.

"Many times, we can get a better deal for them," she said. "We can think of things they don't think of such as they book an air-and-hotel package and forget to look at transportation between the airport and hotel."

They're experts.

Nowadays, travel agents often specialize in certain parts of the country or world, such as Europe, or in certain types of travel like adventure and family travel. Phocuswright data shows that ocean cruises are the most common specialization (63%), followed by Disney (59%) and tours/packages (53%).

Charuta Fadnis, senior vice president of research and product strategy for Phocuswright Inc., also thinks travelers increasingly will turn to travel agents for luxury travel to "ensure that a high-cost, luxury vacation goes off without a hitch."

Minneapolis resident Beth Hawkins began working with a travel agent a few years ago when she found an airfare deal to Bali, but felt "so out of depth for how to prepare for that trip" that she contacted a travel agent referred by a friend.

"The travel agent arranged a number of tours for us with bilingual guides" and booked a three-bedroom villa with a kitchen and a pool "that I never would have imagined we could afford," Hawkins, 59, said.

They handle complexities.

As 50-plus travelers book complex bucket-list and adventure trips, travel agents can advise them on where to go and stay, what to do and ensure that special requests are conveyed to the travel provider, Fadnis said.

On a more recent trip to New Zealand trip this past winter with her 21-year-old autistic daughter, Hawkins was short on time so once again she turned to a travel agent.

"The travel agent was a godsend with the New Zealand trip because I have aging parents [both in their 80s who live nearby] and literally did not end up with time to figure that trip out," she said. In addition to planning and booking the whole trip, the travel agent also helped obtain their visas and replace a lost passport.

Some travel agents also help you determine if you need travel insurance, what type and file a claim for you.

They troubleshoot emergencies.

Waataja, who is available by cellphone 24/7 for emergencies, recalls once taking a 3 a.m. call when her clients' flight was canceled in Europe. Over the years, she has helped handle the death of a client in Cambodia, arrange an airlift to the United States from the Costa Rican jungle for a woman with an aneurysm and rebooked travelers who went to the wrong hotel.

"I have some clients who are very seasoned travelers," she said. "Regardless of if they book something on their own, they always book their airfare with me because if there's a schedule change or they miss a connection, they have somebody to call and help them work through it and fix it."

They can access deals and discounts.

Travel agents' buying power and network lead to services, such as free upgrades, free Wi-Fi or spa credits, that travelers can't get on their own, Richter said.

Some travel agents don't charge a fee for their services, usually if they're getting paid a commission by a tour operator or preferred partner such as a resort. (Airlines and railroads don't pay commissions.) Others charge a service or booking fee, depending on the trip length, number of people and services required, but others don't. Some charge a flat fee for services like booking hotels or obtaining visas.

"The power of access is really what you get when you're working with a travel adviser if you're willing to spend the money," Richter said. "If you want to camp on an iceberg in Antarctica, they can make that happen."

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I booked a weeklong trip to a mystery destination. I had a lot of fun, but I'd do a few things differently next time.

• I booked a solo  trip to a mystery destination with a company that planned everything for me.
• I traveled to Lisbon and enjoyed group tours and activities — as well as some alone time.
• It was fun to step outside my comfort zone, but I would have liked more time to explore by myself.

When traveling, I prefer leaving things to chance, as many of my most memorable moments typically happen on less-crowded streets or when I'm chatting up strangers at a restaurant.

That's why when my friend suggested I check out Journee — a travel company that specializes in mystery tours and plans everything, including your destination — I couldn't resist trying it out for a solo trip .

Companies like Journee have become more popular in recent years as more travelers lean into the idea of having a trip planned for them. In fact, a survey of 27,000 travelers by Booking.com found that over half of the respondents would welcome the idea of a trip to an unknown destination.

I was excited to see what all the hype was about and book a surprise trip of my own. Here's what it was like to travel to an unknown destination with Journee.

The company asked me questions about my travel preferences and sent clues leading up to the reveal

When booking my trip, the company provided me with an in-depth travel questionnaire that asked about my interests, curiosities, risk tolerance, well-being, and overall travel philosophy. It also dug into the "why" of my trip, the safety criteria, and logistics and budget.

The company then sent me a trip proposal, which provided a few clues about the city I'd be traveling to. There was no pressure to book and the proposal itself was completely free.

Once I committed, they built up the suspense by gamifying the pre-trip content, slipping fun facts and clues into my WhatsApp DMs.

I challenged myself (and my friends) to rely on our brains (no Googling) to figure out where I might be going, which led to many meaningful conversations about travel.

The company also provided a high-level packing list , which included items like a bank card, phone, charger, passport, and comfortable walking shoes.

The destination reveal turned out to be pretty underwhelming

On the day of departure, I added some euros to my carry-on before taking an Uber to Newark Airport. In the car, I found myself daydreaming about my destination, secretly hoping it was somewhere I'd never been.

My plan to film a reveal video at the airport was quickly foiled when my driver informed me that Newark has two international terminals.

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Because the tour company didn't note the terminal information on the envelope, I had no choice but to open the card in the car, which was underwhelming.

However, I was excited by the location listed on my card — Lisbon.

Along with the destination, the envelope included a detailed itinerary with daily pre-booked excursions, including an e-bike tour and a sunset cruise, with one free day to myself.

The company did a great job arranging my accommodations and activities

I arrived in Lisbon mid-morning after my basic-economy flight . I was relieved to find the company booked me a studio apartment with a sweeping balcony overlooking the street.

I liked being in a residential area, and the proximity to a metro hub and grocery stores made it feel like I had moved abroad.

My first group excursion turned out to be a one-on-one personalized e-bike tour of the city when folks bailed because of the rain.

My city guide took me on a two-hour tour along the Tagus River waterfront, and I ended up taking that same route several times throughout the week.

I also enjoyed the other trips Journee booked for me, including a drive along the countryside to a small village southeast of the city. Here, my group dodged the rain to visit a Stonehenge-like megalithic complex dating back 7,000 years .

One of the last curated events of the trip was visiting the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Feeling utter tranquility in the cloisters was worth the 90 minutes I spent waiting in line.

As the week went on, I started veering from the pre-planned schedule

Although I enjoyed the group excursions, I worried that I wouldn't have enough time to explore the city on my own. That's why I decided to skip my third-day excursion to wander off the beaten path.

I weaved through the Alcântara district, stopping at the LXFactory, an old industrial textile complex turned food and art hall.

I also biked to explore the Mouraria and Alfama districts, filling up on bacalhau, Lisbon's salted codfish tapas. I even spent a few hours at the Fado Museum , an interactive and immersive cultural arts center where I learned about the history of Portugal's soulful music.

I loved being able to explore another side of the city, which hadn't been in my original itinerary.

I enjoyed the trip, but would make a few changes next time

Overall, it was exciting to step outside my comfort zone and hand over the travel planning to someone else. I loved the surprise of not knowing the destination and visiting historical sites off the beaten path.

Next time, I would book with a friend and have a more direct conversation with the tour company about having more time for independent exploration.

Watch: Marriott International's Tina Edmundson tells Insider that the travel mindset has changed since the pandemic

• Main content

Try this pro trick for an affordable and stress-free summer vacation

• Travelers are facing high prices and crowds this summer.
• The best way to get around the high prices and crowds: Be flexible.
• There are ways to become flexible during the busiest travel season of the year, from planning your trip to the tools that get you there.

Life is full of compromises, and that will never be more true than when you're traveling this summer.

Flights will be packed. Just before Memorial Day, the Transportation Security Administration set a new record for most air travelers screened. It checked nearly 3 million passengers on May 24, surpassing the previous record set last Thanksgiving. U.S. airlines are projecting a record summer . They expect to fly 271 million passengers in June, July and August, up 6% from last summer.

Roads will be jammed. GasBuddy’s latest summer travel survey predicts 76% of Americans plan to take a road trip sometime between Memorial Day and Labor Day – up 18% from last summer.

Check out   Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

Hotels are full, too. Average hotel occupancy will rise to 63.4%, the highest level since 2019, according to the consulting firm HVS .

Learn more: Best travel insurance

There's only one way to get around the high prices and crowds: Be flexible.

"With peak season prices, crowds, flight delays and more, your itinerary should be in pencil − not pen," said Bill Smith, CEO of Landing , a company that offers flexible rentals. "Being flexible can help to minimize your travel spend while maximizing your adventure this summer."

There are ways to become flexible during the busiest travel season of the year, from planning your trip to the tools that get you there. Being a more flexible traveler also means thinking about travel a little differently − bending but not breaking.

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Ways to become more flexible this summer

So, how do you become more flexible? Here are a few examples:

• Fly to another city. Sometimes, the place you're trying to visit is too popular − and expensive. That's what happened to Phil Strazzulla when he tried to visit Milan last summer. Airline ticket prices were more than $1,000. But he could fly to nearby Zurich for less. So he did. "Not only did this save us more than $300 for each ticket, but the drive over the mountains was spectacular," said Strazzulla, who runs a software review company. "Travel flexibility can result in cost savings − and a unique experience."
• Go off the beaten path. Being truly flexible can mean getting outside your comfort zone. "Instead of Rome, Italy, go to the Puglia region," said Lynna Goldsby, a cruise planner with Travel With Lynna. "Instead of London, try Normandy or Bath." Trying these alternate destinations can still satisfy your travel itch but also reduce your expenses for lodging, restaurants, tours and transfers, she said.
• Take a detour. Airfares are often less expensive if you fly out of the way through an airline's hub. Don't waste that opportunity, said Linda Robert, a travel coach with Back in the Groove Again. Airlines such as Icelandair, Qatar Airways and Copa have stopover programs that allow you to enjoy a day or two at their hubs before continuing to your vacation destination, often at no extra cost. "This strategy enriches your travel experience and offers a cost-effective way to see more places," she said. 

Here are a few useful flexibility tools

There are a few new ways to be flexible. 

For example, Landing, which is a favorite of digital nomads and location-independent workers, rolled out a new tool this week. Its 12-month Flex Stay program offers renters the opportunity to save up to 30% on monthly rates by committing to living with Landing for a year, which has locations in more than 375 cities.

"This new offering gives members the freedom to roam throughout our nationwide network of fully furnished apartments as much − or as little − as they’d like throughout the year," Smith said.

Another newish feature is Airbnb's flexible dates search , which lets you select a period of time rather than a specific date, to see more options. Airbnb introduced the feature during the pandemic, and it can help you save as much as 20% on vacation rental accommodations.

One of my all-time favorite tools is available on almost every self-respecting online travel site. It's the ability to search for airfares or hotel rates based on a more flexible schedule. Google Flights and Kayak are great at showing you more flexible options. Pro tip: Don't limit your flexibility to dates; select a region you want to visit, which may include an alternate airport.

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You can also be flexible when it comes to the rate you pay, said Virginia Tech hospitality and tourism professor Mahmood Khan. Hotels cut their rates by about 20% if you pay upfront. (But you have to be sure you're going because those lower rates are usually nonrefundable.)

"At times, selecting a hotel away from busy destinations, yet comfortable for commuting, helps in finding an economical deal," he said.

But how do you put it all together this summer, including the flexible itinerary and the tools? Funny you should ask.

What are some more ways to increase your travel flexibility?

There are also new strategies to increase your travel flexibility, which can help you save money and a big headache when you're on the road. 

"A critical skill is knowing how and when to put white space into your itinerary," said Stephanie Chastain, owner of Infinite Ireland Travel, a boutique travel consultancy. "A too-rigid schedule leaves travelers vulnerable to travel hiccups that disrupt well-intended plans."

What is white space? It's literally that − a blank page on your itinerary. An empty afternoon with free time. A leisurely breakfast instead of getting up at the crack of dawn for an all-day tour. It's a rest day every two or three days, to prevent yourself from vacation burnout and to give your schedule some wiggle room.

Even the experts keep relearning the lesson of flexibility. For example, I had to fly from Anguilla to Miami at the last minute recently, and the flights were crazy expensive − around $800 for a one-way ticket. Just as I got ready to book, I realized that Anguilla is a short ferry ride from St. Martin, which has more flights. 

Total savings: $200. 

Being flexible means thinking about travel differently from everyone else. It's the belief that there are many ways to get to your destination and that if you don't get there on the exact day your vacation starts, it's not the end of the world. Travel companies love sticking it to you when you absolutely must be in one place at a fixed time. Be a contrarian. But don't go too far.

Bend so you don't break

Some of the best travel advice for people who want to be flexible comes from veteran travel adviser Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips , a travel agency. She told me lowering your expectations is one of the best ways to stay flexible.

"Life isn't perfect," she said. "Your trip will likely involve unforeseen and unpredictable events."

One more thing: Being too rigid is a recipe for a terrible trip. I've made that mistake before, and believe me, it's no fun.

You don't want to take it too far. By all means, schedule your flight on a weekday to avoid high fares. Try booking your flight by using one of the flexible fare features on Google Flights or Kayak, or check out Landing's new flex program. 

But if you make too many compromises, it won't be much of a vacation. You'll end up staying in a motel in the suburbs, far away from all the attractions, and missing all the fun. Be flexible, but be smart. 

Bend − but don't break.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

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