Like to travel with friends and family?
Like to travel with friends and family?
April 2021

Dear Traveling Friends,


The world slowly is beginning to return to normal as vaccines increase across the world and cases decrease. My work with clients has certainly increased! There is a pent-up desire to get out of town and even out of the country. Bookings in March included Israel, Antigua, the Mississippi River, Saint Lucia, Alaska, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Rhine River, and the Florida Keys. What a cross section! 

We have also added two new group trips for 2022 – one is a Backroads private bicycle trip to Tuscany in late April and the other is a Rocky Mountaineer train ride and tour departing from Vancouver in late August and exploring the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the national parks around Jasper, Banff, and Calgary. Read further for more info! 

Hope you have a blessed Easter and will have a wonderful Master’s Week – how weird to have such few fans in our beautiful city! 

Happy Travels,

Lauren

Like to Travel with Friends and Family?


Trip Quest Travel specializes in group trips! Want to travel with a group of friends or family? We’ve got that! Don’t want to travel solo but would rather meet new friends and have the security of enjoying traveling with a group? We’ve got that! 
In 2021, we have forty going to the Holy Land departing on November 1. Come join us as we walk where Jesus walked and understand the geography, culture, and history of all and new as we explore this wonderful country. There is an optional add-on extension to see Cairo and the ancient pyramids in Egypt! This is an excellent value as one price covers airfare, hotels, and most meals! (Although this trip is now full, I have established a waitlist for those who are interested in case of a cancellation).
In 2022, we have three group trips planned:
April/May
Explore Tuscany with a small group on bicycles. Backroads will be our tour guides as we enjoy the scenic byways of this unique area of the world. How does sampling Chianti and other wines sound right in the vineyard where they are grown? We will stay in exquisite inns and sample unique foods as we move from town to town over this one-week itinerary. E-bikes are an option that will make enjoying this adventure travel easier!
 
August
What a special time to see Canada via rail! We will depart from Vancouver on The Rocky Mountaineer luxurious rail car on August 19 and experience majestic landscapes that most will never get to see. This eight day itinerary includes three days on the train to arrive in Jasper. From Jasper, we will explore the Columbia Icefields, Banff, Lake Louise, and finally Calgary. Although designed as a "Girl's Getaway," we welcome all who’d like to experience this special place!
October
We will set sail on an Viking Ocean cruises from Italy on a unique “Adriatic Antiquities” voyage. On this elegant small ship, we will experience included tours in each port. Sailing through Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro will allow you to enjoy fine foods, wines, and culture from each area. This group trip is certainly one for the bucket list, but availability is limited as this is one that was rescheduled from 2021. We have six more spots available for this one.
 
If you’d like pricing or a detailed itinerary for any of these trips, contact us today! If you have an idea for a group trip and a few who want to travel with you, contact us and we will craft a journey you won’t soon forget.

Taking a vacation to a new destination gives you a chance to take in new surroundings and have some fabulous experiences. Here are 5 tips as you prepare for any vacation:

1. Find out the Cancellation Policy 
When it comes to booking hotels, transportation, or things to do on your vacation, it is important to know the cancellation policies. If you change your mind about some parts, you may be liable to pay for them anyway or at least forfeit the deposit. Planning well ahead can often give you some wiggle time on changing arrangements before cancellation policies eat up a good bit of your travel budget.
2. Consider Buying Travel Insurance
My dad used to tell me not to risk more than I can afford to lose – wise dad! Travel Insurance can provide protection in case your trip is cancelled due to weather or other issues unrelated to your personal circumstances. Often insurance is not that expensive to purchase and can give you much peace of mind that you can cancel if you or a loved one falls ill. One factor I always look for in travel insurance is the medical coverage provided in case you get sick or injured while traveling…particularly in a foreign country. 
3. Understand Your Phone Coverage
It goes without saying that data plans can get pricey especially when you are out of the country. Check with your carrier before you go – often you are able to do this by accessing your account on-line. You can just add the extra international plan for the dates that you are traveling!
4. Know Your Transportation Options
Transportation costs and logistics can make or break a great vacation. Do you need someone to meet your plane and take your privately to your hotel? That is available and wonderful if you are flying internationally. Alternately, your travel agent can arrange rental cars, trains, or bus transportation. 
5. A Travel Agency Can Help
If you are looking for more than the annual trip to the beach, consider using a travel agency such as ours. We can assist you with planning, making sure that all aspects of your trip are addressed to have the best experience for the best value.
If you take the time to do these things as you plan your next trip, you will find that your next vacation is more relaxing and you will return home with wonderful memories!
Although I have, unfortunately, become too astute at making and cancelling travel plans for the last full year with many cancellations extending into summer for some cruises, I am optimistic for my business leading into the second quarter of the year. I have automated some processes such as secure credit card collection and the ability for us to work on more complicated quotes together. I also have three agents currently working with my company. Although Gail and Mary work parttime in the business, Liza works both in my home office as well as quoting and booking wonderful trips for her clients. Feel free to contact any of them!
The company that I have worked with since its inception, Travel Planners International, also has a new elite consortium that provides many perks to my clients such as free hotel breakfasts, on board credit, and possibly upgraded hotel stays.  All of these fancy words just mean that although I am your travel consultant, standing behind me is a fabulous professional company that provides on-going education and uses their buying power to get my clients the best in pricing and benefits. I have also busied myself with coursework during this past year earning a Certificate of Achievement as a Signature Travel Expert and am registered through ASTA (The American Society of Travel Advisors) as a Verified Travel Advisor. So…when I call myself the Doctor of Travel, you can believe it! 

Please take the time to visit us on our new Facebook Page, Trip Quest Travels, and Like us! We'd appreciate a review as well if we have planned a trip for you in the past.
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Trip Quest Team
Liza Dozier
Gail Pendergrast
Mary Rogers

About Me!

I am Lauren Williams, partner in Trip Quest Travel Services for the past six years. Moving from three decades in education to becoming a travel consultant has caused me to shift from “The Doctor of Education” to “The Doctor of Travel.” My clients are often just like me – they want a rejuvenating vacation that teaches them about the world and the cultures around them. I love beautiful scenery, exploring new places, and learning something new every day! Aside from travel, I stay busy with my husband, Steve, and our four children and thirteen grandchildren. Staying active in the church and in our community feeds our souls as well. I love to play tennis, pickleball, and bridge when I am not helping clients plan that perfect trip! Because our world is so much smaller now, I am happy to work with clients wherever they might live…but by referral only. Hope you enjoy my monthly newsletter – let me know if there is something you’d like to know more about!
706-726-9159               lauren.williams@tripquesttravel.com
www.tripquesttravel.com
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