Incredible Journey Newsletter Issue 9 September 2005
Recently in Sunday newspapers across the nation, syndicated columnist, Ed Perkins informed readers about the value of using travel agents over the internet. As owner of Incredible Journey I know the importance of using a travel professional and agree that a good travel agent is a priceless asset to have when scheduling most trip arrangements. In past newsletters I have stressed the importance of using travel professionals in guaranteeing extraordinary travel experiences; all include using a travel professional at some point in the planning stages.
Succinctly stated, Perkins noted that using a travel agent may still be the best way to arrange air tickets, hotels, rental cars, cruises, tours and other packages. You might pay a few dollars more, but a travel agent can often save travelers time, and keep costs to a minimum, and if things go wrong, then a travel agent is invaluable. Perkins noted several areas consumers can rely on travel agents for help.
Access to the best deals – Suppliers give travel agents specials that are not available to the public. Travel professionals are bombarded with hundreds of weekly specials.
Destination knowledge – Good travel agents know their destinations and what they don’t know they can access through the agency database.
Air ticketing tricks – Internet is great for simple one way or roundtrip tickets, but if you’re traveling overseas or in and out of multiple cities a good travel agent can save you time and money.
Upgrades – Good travel agents can sometimes get upgrades on cruises and hotels based on the relationship they have with cruise lines, hotels and travel suppliers.
Time Saving – How often have you searched on the internet for that fabulous hotel, airfare, or cruise and wound up spending several hours in research? Unless your time has very little value, you could achieve the same result in a five minute call to a travel agent.
Assistance in a pinch – Serious difficulties probably don’t hit you too often, but when they do, you really want an agent working for you. A good travel agent is a life saver in times of crisis.
Perkins advises readers that, “you can find a good travel agent the same way you would find a good accountant, plumber, or auto mechanic – through word of mouth.”
In this Issue Exploring Alaska on a Holland America Cruise/Tour Alaska – The last American Frontier Now's the Time to..... Central America is coming! Ask Endora Featured Property - Hanalei Bay Resort
Alaska – The last American Frontier 
Aurora Borealis, Denali, bald eagles soaring through the air, grizzly bears foraging in their pristine environment all evoke images of Alaska - the last American frontier. In September, master cruise counselor Patricia Ellington and I were given the opportunity to visit a variety of sites in Alaska on an organized trip via Holland America Cruise Lines, one of our preferred vendors. We visited Anchorage, Girdwood,Denali, Fairbanks and Seward. What a truly amazing adventure packed in to just nine days.
Now's the Time to..... 
- Limited space still available for privately owned homes in Hawaii, spring 2006
- Ask about our special Valentine’s Day romantic getaways
- Call Joyce for unadvertised special packages to Tahiti now!
- Don’t forget Disney’s 50th Birthday Bash!
- Reserve privately owned homes for summer 2006 vacations
Central America is coming! 
Central America is coming to Incredible Journey and we are very excited to be sharing this undiscovered jewel with our clients. There are an untold number of ways to explore nature here. Adventurous visitors can bungee jump off a bridge, fly over the ocean, hike fiery craters, scuba dive with sharks, kayak through fierce currents, and meet exotic animals face to face. Culture lovers will find indigenous people living as their ancestors did thousands of years ago and fascinating Mayan ruins to explore. Everyone will enjoy the peace and quiet of walks through rainforests, bird watching tours and miles and miles of sandy, uncrowded beaches. And I haven’t even mentioned the tropical retreats and luxurious spas.
Ask Endora 
This month in order to highlight the thrill of Alaska experienced by two of our outstanding travel consultants I am writing a “Did you know” piece on Alaska. Here I have noted some very interesting facts most of you might not know about our 49th state.
Featured Property - Hanalei Bay Resort 
Named by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top tropical resorts in the world. This is truly the Hawaii of your dreams.
Hanalei Bay Resort is a scenic paradise with awe inspiring views. You'll be surrounded by cascading waterfalls and lush foliage - a mixture of tropical scented flowers so sweet, it will be hard to forget.
Having visited the wondrous state of Alaska a few times, I can understand why it is one of the most popular itineraries in the cruise industry. Spectacular is an understatement. If you’ve always wanted to explore the vast state of Alaska, a cruise/tour experience is an economical way to fulfill your dream. Three days in Alaska’s interior before or after a seven day cruise would provide you with a quality but economical experience. An Alaskan itinerary provides a unique multi-generational experience and is perfect for family celebrations of all kinds. Find out more....
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