Travel - You Can't Take It With You

I just spent a delightful hour with a client who is in his 80’s, bubbly personality, and so full of life he is fun to work with.   He and his wife came to one of my travel lectures a few years ago and since then, he visits us at the agency a couple of times a year.  Together, we started their bucket list of places to go and we are working away at sending him all over the world.  Each time they visit me at the agency, we give them some brochures to, as I put it – read in bed – because, as I say, we don’t just sell travel, we weave your dreams into an itinerary.  The brochures will help plant the seed of a future journey, and we plan it together.  Before he met me, they took one trip a year.  Now, they are taking several since we keep an eye open for any specials for destinations which are perhaps on his list.  This visit, we are working on a tour of Iceland.

We do everything for him: transfers to and from airports, VIP service, they don’t touch a suitcase, special notice to their hotels, (quiet location, close to the lift) plus the amenities from our affiliation with Signature Travel Network -free breakfast, a room upgrade.  We have them taken to the appropriate gate at the airport by shuttle cart, since I hate to have elderly people walk 28 gates before they get to their flight.  At their destination, we  select a tour which handles everything for them.  The only thing he has to make sure of, is that his wife is always with him- she carries the passports!

I rang him in January to wish him Happy New Year, and he sounded down in the dumps.  He said so many of our friends are dying, and the holidays have been a sad time.  I told him – you can’t take your money with you, so look at the latest travel magazine on line which I have just sent you, or go on our web site www.allhorizonstvl.com and see what destination tickles your fancy.  It worked, the next week they had a couple of choices for us to check on deals.

Already visited on their list,  Australia, Battlefields of France, New Zealand, South America to just name a few.  Future plans are for Eastern Europe on an Insight Tour, and a river cruise down the Rhine on Uniworld.  The cruise industry gave us a myriad of choices last year, with free airfare, two for one pricing, $500 shipboard credit, free airport transfers, free hotel stays, and it certainly helped someone who was watching their budget, enjoy more luxuries while travelling.   Living on a pension isn’t an obstacle to travel;  we always have the bottom line in mind when recommending options.

He said that so many of his friends are “walking dead” and a visit to the grocery store is the highlight of the week for them.  Being wealthy is not an issue, it seems that so many people don’t take an interest in life anymore, and changing your locale is a wonderful way to recharge your appreciation for home.

We just sent a 86-year-old client on an Antarctic expedition.  Traveling solo is not a difficulty, in fact,it can be an advantage since the tour operators or cruise staff pay particular attention. Because of the extra special service they give to our clients, our clients feel secure with our recommendations.  On a scale of 1-10, she told us it was a 20 because of the VIP service and breath taking destination.  One trip which surprisingly sells out quickly is a trip around the world by private jet.  This is an expensive holiday, and many who go are single travelers – always a limited, small group, from all walks of life and surprisingly, all ages, but united with a common zest for travel.

Today, using a wheelchair or a cane is not a deterrent to a person taking a holiday. We now have a wonderful selection of cruises out of San Francisco, which makes the journey a lot easier than it use to be.  There are ADA accessible cabins on every ship, but they do get booked quickly.

I have been giving lectures for travelers with handicaps at the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital:  I was delighted last week to have a chap come in with his wife to book a cruise after attending one of my presentations.   We are able to get them a veterans credit with the particular cruise line.

Where would you like to go to? 

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel  at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.