Transform Your Next Trip into an Extraordinary One
(42 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Ted Blank
Woodbury, MN
Tailor-Made Journeys
You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf.
Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, atten...
You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf.
Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, attention to detail, experience, and insider knowledge.
Are you looking for a travel adviser who possesses the expertise, education, intuition, insider knowledge, and connections to turn your vacation into the trip of a lifetime? I open new doors for discerning travelers like you looking to follow your own path to the world’s extraordinary destinations.
As a specialist in privately guided, tailor-made vacations and luxury cruises, you’ll enjoy highly personalized service and expert recommendations during the planning process. As you travel, you’ll come to appreciate being well looked after from wheels up on departure to wheels down on your return, giving you the freedom and confidence to be your best travel self wherever you go.
Through my extensive worldwide travel experience, an intuitive sense of possibilities, careful attention to detail, and a broad network of carefully vetted supplier partners, you can enjoy vacations that others only dream of to destinations in Europe, Asia, Australia and Oceania, South America, Africa, and beyond.
Please click on the links on this page to email me to schedule a complimentary introductory discovery session where we’ll get better acquainted, discuss your travel dreams, and begin to carefully craft the first of many explorations of this wonderful, fascinating world we share!
Can Be Reached At
1-651-964-8245
One of Greece's Beautiful Islands
None of us ever seems to have quite enough time to travel as much as we’d like. Time always seems to be against us, whether it comes in the form of professional responsibilities or personal or family commitments. Americans in particular seem particularly prone to this affliction, with study after study showing that the majority of earned vacation days aren’t ever used.
It’s important, then, to make the most of the vacation time we have available. Here are five suggestions, from my experience as a travel advisor, that can help you make the most of your time and can transform an ordinary trip into an extraordinary vacation.
Private Experiences
Authentic local experiences and private guides are expensive, and many travelers will choose instead – for reasons of budget – to explore an area on their own or as part or a larger group. I will tell you from firsthand experience, and from feedback received from countless clients, that even budget travelers should invest strategically in these experiences. Whether it’s an afternoon in the Louvre with a retired museum curator, a sunset cruise along the walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia, a market tour with a chef – perhaps followed by a private cooking class, or a wine tasting in the private cellars of a small French chateau, these experiences are the ones that define a vacation. You and you traveling companions will remember them forever.
Non-Stop Flights
Yes, connecting flights are often cheaper than non-stop ones, and sometimes they are the only option. But, it’s important first to reflect on how much time is lost through connections. Plan for an additional three to four hours in each direction, robbing you of valuable vacation time. Secondly, connecting flights offer double the opportunities for disruptions, such as flight delays, missed connection, and misdirected baggage. Finally, connecting flights may result in additional security or customs screening, visas, or reclaiming and rechecking baggage. If a non-stop flight option exists for your itinerary, it’s well worth the extra cost.
Pace Yourself
I often find travelers who bite off more than they can chew when they travel. Three nights here, two nights there, a quick one night stop along the way…it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-scheduling when there is so much to see. Instead, slow down and remember, it’s a vacation, not a race! Moving from city to city is time-consuming, stressful, and tiring. I encourage my clients to consider one or two “home bases” and use day trips to visit the surrounding areas. Or, for those who do want to see more, I encourage them to consider an ocean or a river cruise, which allows you to visit more places without packing and unpacking all of the time. Take this advice and you’ll return home both fulfilled and relaxed.
Airport Transfers
Getting from the airport to your hotel can be one of the more stressful parts of travel. After a long flight, your first experience of a new destination is often spoiled by the challenge of finding a reliable way to get into town. Public transportation? Taxi? Shuttle? Add in a language barrier, jetlag, and the fear of being ripped off, and it’s far better to have your airport transfer pre-arranged. Imagine instead being one of the lucky folks whose name is on a driver’s clipboard, and is whisked away without the typical franticness. Sure, it costs a bit more, but it’s well worth the investment.
Use a Professional Travel Advisor
No matter where you’re planning to go, and no matter where you are in the process, a travel advisor can add value and insight, helping you get the most out of your vacation time. My experience, connections, expertise, and personal service will truly transform your next trip into an extraordinary vacation!
Contact me to schedule a complimentary introductory conversation, and together we'll plan an extraordinary vacation for you!