My parents were educators, so our family trips mostly consisted of driving across the country. Each of us would have an assigned color for a bowl, glass, plate and silverware. Mine was green. For breakfast we would have cereal and some fruit. Lunch was a stop a roadside park or rest stop with peanut-butter jelly sandwiches, chips and an apple. Dinner would be out at a nice restaurant.
One year we drove through Georgia and my mom bought peaches from a road-side stand. They were the best peaches ever – we ate a box in a few days, with juice dripping from our chins. We still talk about those peaches! That trip was also my first experience with Disney World. I was smitten!
I studied German in high school and my school had a sister school in Dusseldorf, Germany. For two years my family hosted girls for three weeks, Tanja and Meike. My first really big trip came when I went to Germany. There were not enough students that year that were interested in going to Dusseldorf, so my friends, Jean and Nikki, joined me on a great adventure.
We stayed for 6 weeks with hosts from Humbolt Gymnasium. Jean and I would meet each morning at school and then it was off to adventures exploring the Aldt Stadt (old city). My favorite spot was the French Bakeri. Jean and I would get croissants. Jean would pick the weiss (white filling) and I would get the scholakolade (chocolate). We would ask the baker to cut them in half and trade. I loved those mornings with Jean.
While we were in Germany, Iraq invaded Saudi Arabia. It was 1990. Suddenly the world seemed very small. We worried that we would be targeted by terrorists on our American Airlines flight back home. At the German airports, it was strange to see security guards walking around with automatic rifles. For the first time you could not be met by family at the gate. My friend Nikki had bought a water gun to take home as a souvenir and was surprised when it was confiscated. This experience prepared me for the future of airline travel.
I loved my time in Germany so much that I went back after college graduation and again with my husband, Chris, at the turn of the century. My parents’ love of traveling across the United States and my first adventure overseas brought out the family “wanderlust” gene.
I received my degree in Hotel Restaurant Management and then spent a few years working at a chamber of commerce and newspaper in Texas. In 1999, after my husband completed his service to the Army, we moved to Kansas where I worked in planning special events for a local blood center and university.
I took a few years away from traditional employment to stay home with my daughter and son. My husband was often greeted at the door with my daughter dressed up in a pink tutu and I dressed up in my bridal gown. I loved those days of dancing in the living room, playing trains and cars, and going to the park. We had small family vacations–an overnight at the Omaha Zoo, a stay in a yurt in Colorado, a car-trip to St. Louis, a drive to see family and friends in Texas and a very fun train trip to Chicago.
In 2010, our family visited The Walt Disney World Resort. I started reading a blog and quickly recognized I needed the advice of a specialized travel agent. I contacted a nationally known provider and was given advice about where to stay and some minimal assistance with dining. The travel agent recommended a website and a book to read and my obsession began . . .
We had a wonderful trip and I immediately found myself wanting to go back. I realized that with my background in special event planning, my love of travel and my obsession with organization, I would be a perfect travel agent. Thus began my dream of helping other families have amazing vacations.
Since 2013 I have assisted more than 300 families with amazing trips and over 100 couples with romantic get-ways.
For my clients, I provide complete itinerary planning services, as well as support prior to and during travel For my full-service travel services, my income is earned through commissions from the companies NOT my customers. I do offer fee-based services for clients who need specialized help which we can discuss if needed.
I believe first-hand knowledge is what my customers expect from me. Since 2014, I have been to Disney World Resort (seven times), Universal Studios in Orlando (three times), Jamaica (twice). In Mexico, I have stayed and done resort inspections in Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Isla Mujeres and Puerto Vallarta areas. I have also been to the the Dominican Republic (twice) and the Bahamas (twice). On these trips I gather important tips and tricks for navigating the area including recommendations for dining, traveling with children and larger groups, the quality of the hotels and customer service. It is a hard job, but someone has to do it!
I know how limited families are on time. It is hard to squeeze in time to just be together between practices, games, school work and everything else that interrupts our lives. I value the trust families place in me for facilitating their family vacation or helping them carve out time for a couples only retreat. My goal is to plan a trip where you can relax and focus on each other, make memories and enjoy laughter.
May your travel memories last a lifetime–
Amanda
