When I started writing about my travels and pressed “publish” on this blog.  I had no idea how my life would change from that action – the blog has helped me overcome sudden loss, connected me with new friends in London and around the world and has been my creative outlet during my job transition.  Suddenly I was sharing stories, photos and tips outside my circle of family and friends and receiving feedback from strangers that I would get to know and start to call friends and fellow travelers.  I remember the first time I received a “thank you” and how amazing it felt to play a small part in someone’s trip.  Whether it was a restaurant recommendation, a secret sweet treat or a favorite hotel, someone tried it and liked it too.  I remember when someone said “I booked my stay there next month” and then worrying for a month whether or not they would like it.  After years of suggesting where to go, what to do and helping people plan their journeys, I’m now relaunching, Arden Road Travel.

The reason for the relaunch is simple, my personal travel agent retired last year after 30 years of me emailing or texting her a city with dates and her reply was “pick between these two and tell me which credit card to use”.  I was spoiled as a solo traveler to have an awesome travel agent when I needed one.  She didn’t book all of my travel but was someone who knew me and what I liked.  While she didn’t make a boatload of commissions from me, I did recommend her to everyone over thirty years so she was able to add new clients that spent more than I did.  The replacement agents she recommended wouldn’t talk to me because their minimums spend is $5,000 per person.  I don’t spend that kind of money when I travel.  I liked access to my agents hotel benefits  (e.g. breakfast, $100 property credit and other perks) which is awesome for a solo traveler to access.  She also helped me understand the lowest price wasn’t the best value overall as there were nuances to every aspect of the trip. I then had a cruise travel agent fail me when he wasn’t happy to submit a future cruise credit of $1,000 when the cruise repriced as it affected his commission.  I didn’t expect him to do a daily watch (that’s what the Facebook group is for), but he should have realized that the price difference was a big deal and in providing good service that this is part of that.  All of this to say I was grumpy and hope to do better for you.

It’s time to reclaim the personal side of travel planning and be available to everyone that wants to travel (if I’m not right fit, I can refer you to someone who is).  Full disclosure: This won’t be my full time job but rather my side gig on nights and weekends.  I want to help you plan that Broadway weeknd in NYC, figure out what to do with your points if you want to book yourself, consult and collaborate on travel inspiration and destinations you hadn’t considered or book your trip to my favorites London & Paris or on a fabulous cruise. Visit my new website for more information or reach out via my Fora Travel profile. If you just want access to Fora & Virtuoso hotel benefits like I had with my travel agent, that’s fine too.

FIN

The longer version:

I’ve created Arden Road Travel to help collaborate and curate travel experiences – if you can dream it, I can plan and now book it for you.  I was asked recently “Do travel agents still exist?” and I laughed said, “We’ve evolved and are now your travel advisor, consultant, concierge and therapist all rolled into one”.  I read somewhere that the average person spends time on over twenty websites doing research on where to go, when to go, what to do, how to budget for it and what to pack.  For those who love the thrill of the chase and putting together the DIY puzzle of a trip, you don’t need me but for everyone else, I’m here to help.  You hire experts to save you time, money and provide expertise for all parts of your life why shouldn’t you do so for travel? I recently saw someone say “you can cut your hair but you don’t” when talking about online booking travel on your own vs. using a travel advisor.

My good friend decided to be my guinea pig as my first client after my training (I have years of corporate travel experience but need to qualify with each vendor for their leisure products).

When he tried to crowdsource his vacation (it’s what he does), his group settled on a week sitting on a beach in Cancun.  I laughed when he asked “will I like it there”.  Of course, his social media followers know the persona he puts out there but I’ve known him for over twenty years and know that he a quiet beach will trigger his ADHD so a beach vacation is a horrible fit.  I suggested a cruise on Norwegian from Miami in a studio (solo) cabin.  A cruise allowed him to chase the dopamine needed by tasting different foods, experiencing the all day entertainment and decompressing at the thermal spa or at the pool.  He does best with a busy day and then a chill day.  Knowing what he likes to splurge on (speciality dining, tours, spa) and doesn’t like paying extra for (unlimited drinks, internet) helped me craft a vacation for him on a ship that fit him.  He started texting me the minute he boarded the ship with O-M-G as he explored the ship, I love his spirit and he’s made me smile the whole time.  What a great feeling!

Having spent over twenty years in the corporate, luxury travel space as well as personal travel to over fifty countries, I am now rounding out my travel knowledge in the leisure space.  You’ve been reading this blog for a while to know where I love to go (Europe) and where I return to Paris & Italy more frequently.  You know how I geek out over a good boutique or luxury hotel, enjoy cruises for both the structured agendas as well as the down time in the Thermal Spa.

What you don’t see is the hours of planning behind the scenes and the myriad of questions and decisions made before I book those hotels, trains and tours.  I can help you sort through all the choices in the quest to find the right fit.

I’m still working through all of the changes but am excited to re-open this door to the many possibilities out there to enjoy life as we discover the world together.  I’ve decided to align myself with Fora Travel, a member of Virtuoso to have access to a plethora of vendors, added benefits and expertise around the world.  Last week, I was speaking with local owners in Belize, Chile and Denver crafting experiences for clients and also meeting the Four Seasons reps to learn about their properties (I really want to stay at the Four Seasons Orlando at Disney World!).  It’s been fun having personal contact with folks who know and love their products, service and experiences.  I’m excited to customize a trip just for you and your family/friends/pets.

So I hope you will continue to follow my journey here on PhilaTravelGirl, or on Instagram @philatravelgirl.  You can visit my Fora Profile or start your query via the Fora intake form.

Thank you for your support, words of encouragement and patience with the site changes and posting schedule the past few months.