We had the opportunity to sit down with Noël Zanvettor, Travel Consultant at Noël 4 Travel, LLC (an affiliate of The Travel Connection, LLC) to talk about utilizing a travel agent to book your honeymoon. Read below to see what she had to say!
In March of 2016 I had the privilege to meet Noël for the first time. We started talking and I knew I had to ask her to share with my blog readers her advice for honeymoon planning so here we go…
Why should you use a travel agent to book your honeymoon?
- Travel agents have connections at so many properties and will make sure you are well taken care of in some cases you might receive extra amenities or even an upgrade
- A travel agent will keep you well informed about the destination you are visiting. Do you need a passport, a visa, vaccinations, tourist card, entry and exit taxes for the country you are visiting, currency exchange, electrical difference (converters), wifi accessibility and more.
- A travel agent’s knowledge of a destination should not be discounted. We make suggestions about excursions, restaurants and so much more. We will help you in avoid making mistakes, for example visiting a destination during the least desirable time of year. This will save a significant amount of time, research and aggravation.
- A travel agent adds personal touches. We care about the outcome of your honeymoon and really want to make it as special as possible. Additionally, we are your advocates and will make sure that your planning is as stress free as possible and that you spend more time enjoying your special vacation vs. fixing problems or over-sites.
- It does not cost you a penny more to book your honeymoon with a travel agent, so why would you waist time, energy and angst doing it on your own.
What special services do travel agencies offer?
Many travel agencies offer concierge services such as I do. Occasionally, there is an extra charge for this but it is minimal comparatively to the service you receive. Of course this service is optional. Most seasoned travel agents are upfront about any fees.
What does not cost you extra is the knowledge, tips/suggestions and personal service travel agents provide. Good travel agents will see that their clients are well taken care of from the beginning of the planning process of the honeymoon until they return.
What are the most popular destinations for 2016?
Hawaii and the Caribbean/Mexico continue to be top destinations for Honeymoons. Many couples are also exploring Europe, Italy being one of the top European destinations, Fiji and Morea and Bora Bora. If you have not hired a wedding planner that saves you a ton of time and stress in planning your wedding, I do not suggest taking on a very adventurous honeymoon destination. You will burn out and not enjoy your very special time away together.
What are some steps that should be taken to ensure a safe trip to and from a destination experiencing unrest?
Hire a travel agent. We will keep you informed as to the status of travel advisories and help make adjustments/reschedule flight/hotel/excursions when needed. A smart consumer will always purchase travel insurance no matter where they are traveling. You never can plan for the unplanned. You save yourself money and angst when you purchase travel insurance. I always say, “it is nothing when you have it and everything when you do not”. This goes especially for visiting areas of the world that are experiencing unrest.
Will it cost you more to use a travel agent than booking online?
It absolutely does not cost you more to use a travel agent than to book online. Most often you save money. Sometimes not necessarily in the price which is obvious, but in time spent planning, money saving tips and expert advice that helps avoiding costly errors. Buyer beware when you purchase online. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Make sure to read the fine print and understand what you are signing up for. The last place you want to end up on your honeymoon is in a destination during rainy season overlooking the dumpsters at a property or a vacant dilapidated neighboring property. This happens more often than you think!
