Rachelle Petrie - The Travel Agent Next Door

07/06/2025

Trip of a lifetime!

35% off or free upgrade, message for more details

Check out Hurtigruten's 2025 Expeditions. (2026 available, just ask) Solo supplements available and some cruises have solo supplements waived. Message for more info!

HX_US_Brochure_25-26_zMag

05/28/2025

LADIES TUSCANY 2025
September 18-26, 2025

Message me if you're interested. Single or double occupancy.

9 day escorted tour

Montecatini serves as your home base from which to venture out to explore the surrounding landscapes of breathtaking Tuscany and getting to know its culinary and wine traditions. You’ll indulge in picturesque scenery, world-class local wines, traditional cuisine, and cultural discoveries. From the rolling hills of Montalbano to Vinci and beyond, we’ll take you through bountiful vineyards, olive groves, and chestnut trees. You’ll even visit the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci to experience the Renaissance master’s life and art. Traveling through some of the most stunning and lush natural landscapes in Italy, you’ll embark to visit idyllic spots, including the gorgeous Chianti Valley and the Etruscan Coast. As you visit quaint wine shops, cafes, historic estates, and museums, you’ll feel immersed in the history and traditions of each destination. In addition to sampling the local gourmet Tuscan fare, you’ll also be treated to an Italian cooking lesson. You’ll prepare an authentic Italian dish inside a rustic Tuscan farmhouse where you and your travel companions will enjoy your culinary creations—complete with master-chef prizes. You’ll also learn the art of Italian dessert making at your hotel and get to taste some of the celebrated Chianti and Super Tuscan wines right where they are produced. You’ll revel in the beauty of becoming familiar with a single destination of Montecatini while making priceless discoveries of locales that are off the beaten path.

05/25/2025

2027 Volendam Grand World Voyage! Message now before the voyage sells out!

129 days
6 continents
28 countries
53 ports
7 overnight ports
81 Unesco sites
19 treasured ports, only available on a Grand Voyage.

Reserve the 2027 Volendam Grand World Voyage and to receive up to USD $9,900 in Credits & Amenities.
Reserve a 2027 Volendam Grand World Voyage Segment and receive up to USD $500 Onboard Credit.
Book by June 15, 2026

05/10/2025

Visiting Rome?

Trevi Fountain: The Rules You Didn’t Know (But Should Absolutely Read Before You Go)

Rome is tired of tourists disrespecting its most iconic fountain. That’s why rules are now being strictly enforced — and there’s a new way to visit in 2025.

🚫 What You Can’t Do at the Trevi Fountain:

Sit or Climb on the Fountain
You’ll be fined. The edge is not for resting or posing. Police patrol the site constantly.

Eat or Drink Near the Fountain
No snacks, no gelato, no drinks. Keep the area clean and elegant — it’s not a picnic spot.

Enter the Water
Even dipping your toes can cost you €450. Yes, they fine people for this regularly.

Throw Anything Other Than Coins
Paper notes, flowers, or other objects are forbidden. Only coins — and yes, they go to charity.

Be Loud or Disruptive
No yelling, no speakers, no crowd games. This is a cultural landmark, not a theme park.

Enforcement Is Real
Local police are always on duty. Fines range from €160 to €500, and there are no warnings

What’s New at the Trevi Fountain in 2025?

If you’re heading to Rome this year, don’t expect to walk straight up to the Trevi Fountain like you used to.

In 2025, the city has introduced new rules to control crowds and protect the monument — especially with millions of visitors expected during the Jubilee Year.

From 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, access to the main viewing area is now limited and regulated. Only around 400 people are allowed in at a time. You’ll follow a one-way walking route: enter through the central stairs and exit on the side near Via dei Crociferi.

City staff are on-site to guide the flow, and yes — you might have to wait a bit during peak times, especially in the afternoon.

It’s still free to visit, and after 9:00 PM, the barriers are lifted and access returns to normal. But if you’re planning a daytime visit, it’s best to know what to expect!

05/06/2025

Why Book with a Travel Agent?
In a world full of travel websites and booking engines, working with a travel agent is still the smartest way to plan your perfect getaway. Here’s why:

✈️ Expert Guidance
We take the guesswork out of planning. With insider knowledge, first-hand experience, and destination expertise, we help you make informed decisions—no more endless scrolling or second-guessing.

⏳ Time-Saving Convenience
Leave the research and details to us. From flights and hotels to tours and transfers, we handle it all—so you can focus on the excitement, not the stress.

💰 Exclusive Deals & Perks
Enjoy access to special rates, room upgrades, early check-ins, resort credits, and more—extras you won’t find on public booking sites.

📞 Personalized Support
Travel hiccups? We've got your back. Whether it's a missed flight, weather delay, or a last-minute change, we’re here to assist before, during, and after your trip.

🌍 Customized Travel Experiences
No two travelers are alike. We design trips that reflect your interests, style, and budget—whether it’s a relaxing beach retreat, a family adventure, or the trip of a lifetime.

🧘 Peace of Mind
Travel confidently knowing you have a real person in your corner—someone who cares about your experience and is committed to making it seamless.

Let us turn your travel dreams into a reality.
Your journey starts with us—reach out today!

05/01/2025

If you're planning a family vacation to Mexico, be sure to bring documentation to prove your relationship with your kids. This reform still needs to go to the Senate but they do not forsee any objections.

April 30, 2025 Mexico City, Mexico — The Chamber of Deputies has approved reforms to combat child s*x tourism by requiring service providers to verify the parental relationship of tourists traveling with minors. The measure, passed unanimously with 451 votes, aims to strengthen protections for children and prevent exploitation.

04/16/2025

Families traveling to the US:

US Customs agents at ON land borders have been turning back passengers who have children with only one parent in the cars without a notarized letter from the other parent.
Also, mothers with different last names need to have the long birth certificate as well as the child's passport to prove she's listed on the birth certificate as the Mother!

04/16/2025

Port Colborne getting ready to welcome back cruise ships!

Now that the Welland Canal has re-opened, cruise ships will soon return to Port Colborne.
This year, the city will welcome more than 70 cruise ship visits from Viking, Victory, Pearl Seas, and Ponant between April 23rd and October 27th.
A 30 per cent increase in visits is being seen in all Great Lakes ports, with more than 700 total visits this year and a $230-million economic impact to the Great Lakes region as a whole.
While all of the 17,000 cruise passengers transiting the Welland Canal will be able to see Port Colborne from their ships, those on Viking, Victory and Pearl Seas cruises will have the option of easily exiting the ship to take a guided tour of the city.

Message now for information on these exciting itineraries!

02/25/2025

It’s official—I’m up and running on a brand-new platform! 🎉✈️

I’m thrilled to share my website with you:
🌍 https://www.rachellepetrie.thetravelagentnextdoor.com/ 🌍

You can browse & book directly or reach out to me anytime for personalized travel advice. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, a bucket-list adventure, or a family vacation, I’m here to help!

Plus, I just received a fun box of goodies from The Travel Agent Next Door’s marketing team—so the excitement is real! 🎁✨

I’d love your support—please visit, share, and let me know how I can assist with your travel dreams! 🌎💙

As a Global Journey Curator, I specialize in crafting personalized travel experiences tailored to your dreams. From hidden gems to iconic destinations, I handle every detail so you can explore the world effortlessly and create memories that last a lifetime.

02/23/2025

Traveling with Sunwing PLEASE READ!!

Continue to check the Sunwing website for any new Travel Advisories - https://www.sunwing.ca/en/travel-alerts

Please download the latest version of the Sunwing App before they travel, and to sign up for our “flight alerts” - https://www.sunwing.ca/en/sunwing-airlines/flight-status-alerts

Customers who need support while in destination should log a ticket with Sunwing Cares https://www.sunwing.ca/en/sunwing-cares using the “I am currently in destination” button.

Upon returning home, if clients have any comments or questions, they must submit a “post travel” ticket in the Sunwing Cares system.

Check the status of your flight by searching for your route and original flight date. Flight status alerts are updated as new information becomes available.

01/30/2025

01/27/2025

Just a little hint for flying!