With the wealth of travel information available on the internet, what is the advantage of working with a travel advisor? The great thing about the internet is the amount of information it provides. Unfortunately, the bad thing about the internet is the amount of information it provides.  An effective travel advisor sorts through it all to help you make brilliant travel decisions whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, a family or with a group. Here are three ways I can make planning your next trip a breeze.
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Personalized Planning and Expert Guidance

• As a travel advisor, I don’t just provide answers. I ask questions too! I want to get to know you, your vacation style and preferences so I can make tailored recommendations for your trip. My primary goals as a travel advisor are to exceed your expectations and assist you in the event something does not go according to plan.
• ​My clients can always reach me when they call. With other travel agencies, clients are directed to a  help desk. When you are my client, you never wait on hold. You can call me, text me, email me, Facebook message me, etc. and receive a reply instantly. Booking with a travel agent like me will end up saving you time in the end!
• Everybody loves an insider! Being a frequent traveler myself and well connected within  the travel industry, I'm always ready to recommend interesting things to do, unique places to visit and amazing restaurants to eat at.
• One of my favorite parts of being a travel advisor is planning a vacation package with my client's precise needs and desires at heart. I work with you until you are 100% satisfied with your travel plans. If you come across a vacation package on the internet that looks interesting, send it my way and I will help ensure it’s reputable and has a high level of value.

I have clout in the travel industry

• I personally contact the manager of the accommodations where my clients are staying to confirm reservations and request complimentary extras. There is no guarantee, but I’ve seen this result in room upgrades, gift baskets, bottles of alcohol, chocolates, etc. About 80% of my clients say they've received upgrades because I’ve been their travel advisor.
• Since I have clout, that means my clients have clout. This helps ensure my clients have the best travel experience. Not only am I a member of Travel Leaders Network, my host agency is well known and has built strong relationships within the travel industry.

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Most importantly, I care

• Whether you are planning a road trip around the country, need a secluded private cabin or want to stay in a private house near the beach, I'm invested in your happiness. My job as a travel advisor is to get you where you need to be, with minimum speed bumps along the way!
• Good Travels Advisor certified - Good Travels Advisors are trained in the basics of good travel, giving and volunteering.
• I'm a member of Pledge 1%. This means I donate 1% of my time to volunteer for worthy causes and give 1% of my revenue to charity.

As a travel advisor, I am here to take the hassle and guesswork out of your vacation and ensure you make the most of your time away from home. The service I provide helps to makes sure my clients travel investment creates wonderful experiences and lasting memories. This is just the start of my philosophy in crafting meaningful journeys.

Calling all food and wine enthusiasts!

Takeout from your favorite international restaurants is delightful, but it’s not the “real thing.” Deep down inside you want to taste curries in India, tapas in Spain, empanadas in Argentina, salmon in Alaska, dim sum in Hong Kong, wine in France and tequila in Mexico. It’s time to reclaim those lost experiences and celebrate a world of gastronomic delights on a cruise from this Culinary Collection.

These special cruise vacations feature demonstrations from world-renowned chefs, complimentary wine, chef's table experiences, wine tastings, and delightful meals focused on regional cuisine — making you feel like the ultimate culinary connoisseur. And some of these departures are in our agency’s Distinctive Voyage program, where you will receive additional amenities at no extra charge. These indulgences may include the services of a Distinctive Voyages Host, a Private Welcome Reception and an Exclusive Shore Event.

Enjoy these Culinary Cruise Voyages and other Exclusive Perks when you book through Matt Travel. Flip through this complimentary magazine now, choose where and when you wish to cruise, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

Coming up on my 8-year anniversary as a Travel Advisor, I've seen my fare share of mistakes travelers have made over the years. Sometimes, they even come to me after they have planned a trip themselves hoping I can come in and fix it. Please contact me before you make your travel plans so I can help ensure your money is well spent and your plans go off without a hitch.

In the meantime, here's a guide to help you avoid the most common mistakes travelers make.

​Click Here to Get Your Free Copy of the 10 Mistakes Travelers Make and How to Avoid Them

This holiday season, give your loved ones (and yourself!) the gift of epic adventures, bold flavors, incredible vistas and amazing people — give them a travel experience they will cherish forever! Whether it’s celebrating Walt Disney World® Resort’s 50th anniversary, touring Italy in comfort and style, falling in love with Los Cabos or the Hawaiian islands, seeing glaciers up close on an Alaska cruise or relaxing in paradise at an all-inclusive resort, you’ll find exceptional offers below to make your gift a reality.

I was back in Puerto Vallarta in September helping with arrangements for my cousins destination wedding. I've been on a couple of cruises recently and plan to go on a couple more in the very near future. ​​​It's probably the best way to travel right now. The service levels are amazing compared to other forms of travel at the moment. There are capacity caps in place which means the staff to guest ratio is really high. Plus, where else in the world can you go right now where 95+ percent of people are fully vaccinated? On top of that, the sanitization protocols have been greatly enhanced. Some cruise lines, such as Celebrity, will even fly you home on a private jet if you get sick.

If you want to learn more about what it's like to cruise these days, email me at matt@matt.travel and lets talk.

Often times, we get stuck in the busy game of life. A whole year passes by and we barely even notice. At some point, we have all felt burned out, whether it’s a stressful career, hectic family life or you simply need a break from reality. My solution? Travel! It's important to take time away from the day-to-day to indulge in a vacation, reflect, and
most importantly, have some fun!

You don't have to go far if long-distance travel makes you anxious. If Italy or Japan are too far for comfort, California Wine Country and Las Vegas are great places to explore near the west coast. If you're on the east coast and love whiskey, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail might be right up your alley! If you love food as much as I do, check out this BBQ road-trip. You may also want to consider a river cruise on the Mississippi or even a Caribbean cruise out of Florida. Your travel options are limitless!

I've helped travelers plan hundreds of trips and vacations throughout the years as a certified travel advisor. I love helping my clients create long-lasting memories from all around the world! Click here for some of my favorite travel itineraries. I hope it inspires you to enrich your life with experiences this year and for years to come. Now, let’s get traveling!

We put together this Digital Guide to help you plan your next family vacation. Whether you have a family with young kids, tweens, teens or a multi-gen extended family with grandparents, this guide can be used as a resource for to explore the broad range of family vacations available and identify what vacation type best fits what you are looking for.

Inside you’ll find overviews on family vacations featuring:

• All Inclusive Travel
• Cruising
• Theme Parks
• Adventure Travel​

Are you a planner or do you prefer spontaneity? Do you make to-do lists to tackle each day or do you take things as they come? Does having a color-coded calendar system bring you joy or make you anxious? Many of us rely on itineraries and plans to bring order to our daily lives. Others see planning as too much work and not enough fun.

When it comes to travel, a little planning goes a long way. That’s why the professional expertise and experience of a Travel Advisor is a must.

I’ve worked with both types of clients, the planners and the spontaneous types. They both want a vacation that checks all of their boxes, and it usually starts with what’s on their bucket lis​​t.

Speaking of which, when was the last time you revisited your travel bucket list? If it’s been a while or you don’t yet have a bucket​​ list, ask yourself these questions to get started: 

• Which destinations have you always wanted to see?
• What experiences have you dreamed of?
• Which places have you been that you want to revisit?

Your bucket list can be as long as you want. Once you’ve put all your ideas down, go back and star or circle the top three to five items on it that are your top priorities. Then, set a goal for when you’d like to cross off that experience!

Click here for a handy worksheet to help you create your bucket list!

I’d love to see what you come up with. Maybe you’ve always wanted to do a sunset horseback ride along the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to take a river cruise through Burgundy & Provence and taste local wines. The options are endless and as a certified travel advisor, I’m here to help make them happen.
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Let’s start planning now, so you can make it a reality in the future! I’m currently planning trips for 2022 and 2023! Not sure which of your bucket list items are doable right now, or when you want to travel? I can help you understand your options so that you can feel safe, comfortable and prepared with your future travel plans.

Here’s to shortening your bucket list so you can add even more to it later!

As fall returns and we usher in increased schedules and routines, now is a great time for relaxation. Discover seven properties below with featured wellness and spa offers. From Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, or Arizona, SELECT has a stay to satisfy your wellness needs and capture some moments of zen.

Whether you are an experienced traveler or first-time cruiser, river cruising appeals to a wide range of travelers with cultural engagement, culinary exploration and authentic moments. This guide encourages you to explore the broad range of experiences river cruising offers and to identify the river and cruise line that best fits what you are looking for.
 
Inside the guide, you will find an overview on River Cruising with helpful details on:
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• Why You’ll Lover River Cruising
• Ocean vs River Cruising
• Rivers of the World
• River Cruise Partners