Would you pay extra for Custom Travel Planning
Oct 14th, 2005, 01:22 PM
#21
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Here's a "you-can't-lose" offer... since I (along with countless others here) offer what your travel consultant would presumably provide... and we do it here, for free, all the time.
Of course, the kicker is that we feel no compulsion to specifically answer ALL of your questions, and many of "us" are more interested in your learning the <i>process</i> by wich a plan comes together.
Whether you pay for one hour, six or twelve hours of someone's time... I submit that 50% (if not more) of that time should be spent <i>talking</i> with you, reacting to what (you think) you like or don't care about, answering your questions, steering you in the direction of more information that will help you make more informed choices.
I'll bet that I can do better in one hour than your "average" travel consultant can do in six (although admittedly, your travel consultant <i>might</i> be a good deal better than "average"
.
Let's schedule a one hour telephone conversation together. I'll charge you $75 for one hour. Quit any time during the first 30 minutes (for any reason) and pay me nothing.
And the whole thing will be honor system, anyhow. At the end of the hour, I'll give you my address, and ask you to send me a check.
Besides, you're part of the "club" here, merely by showing up and asking a question - - and you'll be entitled to unlimited free follow-up questions and advice, from me... and everyone else here as well, right up to the day you leave. You may or may not get my undivided attention (or anyone else's) in your subsequent questions (though you can go back to the phone for more "paid time", I guess) - - but the fun and sharing is how this forum works, and the price is always right!
Or get all the same answers and advice for free, the same as everyone else does here - - in bits and pieces, and skip the $75 phone conversation.
My qualifications are more than some folks here - - not as current or specific to your needs as some others. I've been to Europe 24 times; 11 of those with a "group" in some capacity, ranging from 4 to 16 people, as the planner/leader. I have been to Munich and Bavaria four times, Austria three times, Prague (once) the most recently (in 2003, with Cesky Krumlov, Telc, Vienna, Graz and a little bit of Poland). Chances are, I have NOT seen 50-90% of the best of any one place you wish to ask about.
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Of course, the kicker is that we feel no compulsion to specifically answer ALL of your questions, and many of "us" are more interested in your learning the <i>process</i> by wich a plan comes together.
Whether you pay for one hour, six or twelve hours of someone's time... I submit that 50% (if not more) of that time should be spent <i>talking</i> with you, reacting to what (you think) you like or don't care about, answering your questions, steering you in the direction of more information that will help you make more informed choices.
I'll bet that I can do better in one hour than your "average" travel consultant can do in six (although admittedly, your travel consultant <i>might</i> be a good deal better than "average"
.Let's schedule a one hour telephone conversation together. I'll charge you $75 for one hour. Quit any time during the first 30 minutes (for any reason) and pay me nothing.
And the whole thing will be honor system, anyhow. At the end of the hour, I'll give you my address, and ask you to send me a check.
Besides, you're part of the "club" here, merely by showing up and asking a question - - and you'll be entitled to unlimited free follow-up questions and advice, from me... and everyone else here as well, right up to the day you leave. You may or may not get my undivided attention (or anyone else's) in your subsequent questions (though you can go back to the phone for more "paid time", I guess) - - but the fun and sharing is how this forum works, and the price is always right!
Or get all the same answers and advice for free, the same as everyone else does here - - in bits and pieces, and skip the $75 phone conversation.
My qualifications are more than some folks here - - not as current or specific to your needs as some others. I've been to Europe 24 times; 11 of those with a "group" in some capacity, ranging from 4 to 16 people, as the planner/leader. I have been to Munich and Bavaria four times, Austria three times, Prague (once) the most recently (in 2003, with Cesky Krumlov, Telc, Vienna, Graz and a little bit of Poland). Chances are, I have NOT seen 50-90% of the best of any one place you wish to ask about.
Best wishes,
Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
Oct 14th, 2005, 01:35 PM
#22
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to put it in perspective...
going to prague once and bavaria four times is nowhere near enough experience to get paid to organise even a lunch in those places. i have worked and lived in both prague (8 months) and munich (off and on for 2.5 years). i have friends in both places and have been shown around by locals constantly during my time there. i have learnt a great deal about the culture from real people with whom i have worked very closely...not tour guides paid to tell me what they think i want to hear about the place ...but real people.
still, i don't feel that i have nearly enough knowledge to claim expertise on either place and i certainly would never try to charge for my services. even if i did, i would not do it on this board as it is against the rules to solicit.
going to prague once and bavaria four times is nowhere near enough experience to get paid to organise even a lunch in those places. i have worked and lived in both prague (8 months) and munich (off and on for 2.5 years). i have friends in both places and have been shown around by locals constantly during my time there. i have learnt a great deal about the culture from real people with whom i have worked very closely...not tour guides paid to tell me what they think i want to hear about the place ...but real people.
still, i don't feel that i have nearly enough knowledge to claim expertise on either place and i certainly would never try to charge for my services. even if i did, i would not do it on this board as it is against the rules to solicit.
Oct 14th, 2005, 01:52 PM
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With all due respect rex, with all this "expertise", you are intelligent and knowledgeable with respect to this forum (at least you should be by now) to understand that trying to sell yourself or your services here is totally against the rules, so I'm assuming you must be joking. 
Oct 14th, 2005, 02:07 PM
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<<i certainly would never try to charge for my services. even if i did, i would not do it on this board as it is against the rules to solicit.>>
<<trying to sell yourself or your services here is totally against the rules...>>
Actually, here is what Fodors says...
click on "RULES" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/howtoforums.cfm
"...no advertising or commercial promotion are also requested."
or on "HELP" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/faqs.cfm#Q2
"<b>Can I promote my business or organization on your forums?</b>
No, absolutely not. Fodors.com is one of the few major sites where travelers can come for unbiased, independent information about travel. Since our travel writers can't be everywhere at once, it's important that travelers be able to use our forums to get fresh-from-the-field updates and advice from other travelers. Please respect the integrity of Fodors.com and our forums, and find another way to advertise your business or organization."
I am not advertising, nor promoting a commercial service, business or organization. I am offering a one-time conversation... and essentially proposing a "bet" of $75 that it will be "worth paying for"... and making it clear how and why this forum offers the <i>preferred</i> alternative to paying anything to anyone for the kinds of answers and advice that sglw is seeking.
As for my qualifications, I made it clear that...
"My qualifications are... not as current or specific to your needs as some others."
and
"Chances are, I have NOT seen 50-90% of the best of any one place you wish to ask about."
I feel certain I am not proposing to do anything "wrong" here - - moreover, I am contributing to the ongoing dialogue of whether it is "worthwhile" to pay for consultative advice and answers, when fodors is the free alternative.
If someone posted a question "Is it worth $25 to have someone come change my flat tire?" - - and any other Fodorite responded with an offer to go do it for $15 (and teach the OP how to change a tire, in the process) - - I wouldn't think that's a violation of the rules here either.
Having said that... I <i><b>am</b></i> a big fan of "slippery slope" kinds of arguments. If Fodors sees this as a slippery slope, I will ask them to delete my post. I'll e-mail this thread to [email protected] and ask.
<<trying to sell yourself or your services here is totally against the rules...>>
Actually, here is what Fodors says...
click on "RULES" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/howtoforums.cfm
"...no advertising or commercial promotion are also requested."
or on "HELP" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/faqs.cfm#Q2
"<b>Can I promote my business or organization on your forums?</b>
No, absolutely not. Fodors.com is one of the few major sites where travelers can come for unbiased, independent information about travel. Since our travel writers can't be everywhere at once, it's important that travelers be able to use our forums to get fresh-from-the-field updates and advice from other travelers. Please respect the integrity of Fodors.com and our forums, and find another way to advertise your business or organization."
I am not advertising, nor promoting a commercial service, business or organization. I am offering a one-time conversation... and essentially proposing a "bet" of $75 that it will be "worth paying for"... and making it clear how and why this forum offers the <i>preferred</i> alternative to paying anything to anyone for the kinds of answers and advice that sglw is seeking.
As for my qualifications, I made it clear that...
"My qualifications are... not as current or specific to your needs as some others."
and
"Chances are, I have NOT seen 50-90% of the best of any one place you wish to ask about."
I feel certain I am not proposing to do anything "wrong" here - - moreover, I am contributing to the ongoing dialogue of whether it is "worthwhile" to pay for consultative advice and answers, when fodors is the free alternative.
If someone posted a question "Is it worth $25 to have someone come change my flat tire?" - - and any other Fodorite responded with an offer to go do it for $15 (and teach the OP how to change a tire, in the process) - - I wouldn't think that's a violation of the rules here either.
Having said that... I <i><b>am</b></i> a big fan of "slippery slope" kinds of arguments. If Fodors sees this as a slippery slope, I will ask them to delete my post. I'll e-mail this thread to [email protected] and ask.
Oct 14th, 2005, 02:16 PM
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Just some general thoughts about travel planners, since I do that sometimes and am one of the people who advertises on the SlowTrav board:
1. It's absolutely impossible to plan someone else's trip without a minimum of a couple of hours' consultation with the person, getting to know enormous numbers of details about them and the way they travel. I usually have at least an hour's worth of questions I ask before I even get started on organizing the trip. Then there is a huge amount of back and forth as the itinerary materializes.
2. It's absolutely impossible to plan someone else's trip without a truly IN-DEPTH knowledge of an area or country. For example, I've been to Italy about a dozen times, but would NEVER presume to plan someone's trip to Italy. You have to know an area inside out and have plenty of personal contacts there.
3. Most people who hire travel consultants, in my experience, have generous budgets but are short on time. It's not that they couldn't plan their own perfect trip, it's that they don't have the time to devote to that. But they are generally quite demanding and looking for high-end services. Budget travelers don't hire travel consultants. So a good travel consultant has to know how to please people with high-end tastes, even if the consultant doesn't travel that way.
Somehow I can't imagine that any travel agent could "specialize in Custom Travel Planning" generally speaking. And at $25 per hour, I wouldn't trust her services - anyone with real in-depth experience could and should cost more.
Anyway, the bottom line is you can do this yourself with the help of all these Fodorites. Happy planning!
1. It's absolutely impossible to plan someone else's trip without a minimum of a couple of hours' consultation with the person, getting to know enormous numbers of details about them and the way they travel. I usually have at least an hour's worth of questions I ask before I even get started on organizing the trip. Then there is a huge amount of back and forth as the itinerary materializes.
2. It's absolutely impossible to plan someone else's trip without a truly IN-DEPTH knowledge of an area or country. For example, I've been to Italy about a dozen times, but would NEVER presume to plan someone's trip to Italy. You have to know an area inside out and have plenty of personal contacts there.
3. Most people who hire travel consultants, in my experience, have generous budgets but are short on time. It's not that they couldn't plan their own perfect trip, it's that they don't have the time to devote to that. But they are generally quite demanding and looking for high-end services. Budget travelers don't hire travel consultants. So a good travel consultant has to know how to please people with high-end tastes, even if the consultant doesn't travel that way.
Somehow I can't imagine that any travel agent could "specialize in Custom Travel Planning" generally speaking. And at $25 per hour, I wouldn't trust her services - anyone with real in-depth experience could and should cost more.
Anyway, the bottom line is you can do this yourself with the help of all these Fodorites. Happy planning!
Oct 14th, 2005, 02:30 PM
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<<Most people who hire travel consultants, in my experience, have generous budgets but are short on time. It's not that they couldn't plan their own perfect trip, it's that they don't have the time to devote to that. But they are generally quite demanding and looking for high-end services. Budget travelers don't hire travel consultants.>>
Since I have never been a travel consultant (in the <i>business</i> of offering such services), and I have never been "hired", I won't try to refute these points (and I realize that you said "generally"...
But I do wonder about the? a? niche which runs counter to your assertions.
I'd be curious about observations from bobthenavigator (who like you, also advertises on slowtrav) - - hasn't most of his clientele, been relatively lower-end? spending a modest amount on consultative planning?
In that context, I would also challenge
<<It's absolutely impossible to plan someone else's trip without a truly IN-DEPTH knowledge of an area or country.>>
(especially the "absolutely" part) - - extending my flat tire analogy a bit further...
I am quite UNqualified to start a business selling and servicing tires. but I am quite qualified to provide a service... along the same lines of changing a tire, and showing you how.
Since I have never been a travel consultant (in the <i>business</i> of offering such services), and I have never been "hired", I won't try to refute these points (and I realize that you said "generally"
...But I do wonder about the? a? niche which runs counter to your assertions.
I'd be curious about observations from bobthenavigator (who like you, also advertises on slowtrav) - - hasn't most of his clientele, been relatively lower-end? spending a modest amount on consultative planning?
In that context, I would also challenge
<<It's absolutely impossible to plan someone else's trip without a truly IN-DEPTH knowledge of an area or country.>>
(especially the "absolutely" part) - - extending my flat tire analogy a bit further...
I am quite UNqualified to start a business selling and servicing tires. but I am quite qualified to provide a service... along the same lines of changing a tire, and showing you how.
Oct 14th, 2005, 02:48 PM
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I would never pay to have someone do custom travel planning. That's MY job. But I'm a planner.
The only thing I'm confused about is how you can KNOW what you want but not be able to pull it together. That's half the battle, if not more.
If you have a list of what to see, find some guide books (Rick Steves, Fodors are both good, but I like RS the best), and write down their hours, cost, location, and how much time it'll take.
Now, bust out a city map (or buy one), figure out what neighborhoods things are in and plan them accordingly.
Tweak. Tweak it some more. Post it here for ideas.
I changed stuff for our last trip down to the last couple of days as I ruminated over other options and other suggestions, including those I got on this board.
For example, when we were in Paris last month, I scheduled "must see" stuff for the morning so we could beat the crowds and be fresh for touring. I scheduled extra items like smaller more obscure museums and sights for the afternoon, with everyone having the flexibility to pick and choose, or do nothing at all.
There is no reason why you have to pay someone (although $150 for 6 hours would be useful if you did a good job of giving her your wish list that included more than just a city name and the dates you'd be there).
I'm just sure if I hired someone to tell me what to do and where to go, I'd just be forced into mutiny out of principle.
Jules
The only thing I'm confused about is how you can KNOW what you want but not be able to pull it together. That's half the battle, if not more.
If you have a list of what to see, find some guide books (Rick Steves, Fodors are both good, but I like RS the best), and write down their hours, cost, location, and how much time it'll take.
Now, bust out a city map (or buy one), figure out what neighborhoods things are in and plan them accordingly.
Tweak. Tweak it some more. Post it here for ideas.
I changed stuff for our last trip down to the last couple of days as I ruminated over other options and other suggestions, including those I got on this board.
For example, when we were in Paris last month, I scheduled "must see" stuff for the morning so we could beat the crowds and be fresh for touring. I scheduled extra items like smaller more obscure museums and sights for the afternoon, with everyone having the flexibility to pick and choose, or do nothing at all.
There is no reason why you have to pay someone (although $150 for 6 hours would be useful if you did a good job of giving her your wish list that included more than just a city name and the dates you'd be there).
I'm just sure if I hired someone to tell me what to do and where to go, I'd just be forced into mutiny out of principle.
Jules
Oct 14th, 2005, 02:55 PM
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Before paying someone here on Fodor's for Prague advice - I would talk to the Czech tourism board who could probably refer you to Prague locals who live there (unlike a certain someone, who has only been once to Prague - right rex? ). And it won't cost you $75.
Oct 14th, 2005, 03:09 PM
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I love to plan trips so no I don't think I would pay money for it. This Custom Travel Planning Agent- how many times has he/she been to Prague and Bavaria? Is this person really a "specialist" at any given city in Europe? The thing I love about the web is that you can get so much info from so many different sources. I suppose I think of one person doing it all like putting all of your eggs in one basket. I don't think you ever really know if you have planned enough but if you have a rough draft of what you want to see, reserve where you want to go, and have some working knowledge of public transport or road maps(if you rent a car) then leave the rest to common sense and adventure.
Oct 14th, 2005, 03:13 PM
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sglw,
Congratulations on taking the plunge into planning your own trip!
Here are some resources that were helpful for me in planning our 2004 trip to Prague and upcoming November trip to Germany:
<b>Prague</b>:
Jason Cholt's guide to Prague:
http://www.livingprague.com/index.html
Elaine's Prague file:
[email protected]
Elaine is a frequent poster and generously offers her comprehensive city files to other posters as described below (put Fodor's request in the heading or do a separate post here):
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34681406
Search on Elaine's name as well as ThinGorjus and AHaugeto along with "Trip Report" for excellent, and recent, Prague trip reports. (If the Fodor's search function is wonky--which it most likely will be--go to Google's advance search function and plug in those terms.)
We used Wittman Tours for a private tour of Terezin which was informative and meaningful. They offer an aray of tours of Jewish sites as well as general tours of Prague and its environs:
http://www.wittmann-tours.com/
Once you get further along w/your planning and have an itinerary, I'd be glad to post restaurant recs, sights, etc.
<b>Germany</b>:
http://www.bensbauernhof.com/
This is a site for independent travelers to Germany and includes great trip reports. (The music might make you nuts...or run for a beer...but there's a lot of great info there.)
Most of the German towns/cities have terrific tourism offices: type www.city.de into your browser and then click on "tourismus". Many towns that I've researched have some info in English and most will send you brochures listing special events, lodgings, etc.
For our November trip we're renting an apartment in Trier and staying in a hotel in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and neither required a deposit or credit card, which is different from our rental experiences in most other European countries that we've visited. I get the sense that this is the norm but again this is our first trip to Germany so others here could advise if that's unusual.
I look forward to seeing your trip as it progresses.
Good luck!
Congratulations on taking the plunge into planning your own trip!
Here are some resources that were helpful for me in planning our 2004 trip to Prague and upcoming November trip to Germany:
<b>Prague</b>:
Jason Cholt's guide to Prague:
http://www.livingprague.com/index.html
Elaine's Prague file:
[email protected]
Elaine is a frequent poster and generously offers her comprehensive city files to other posters as described below (put Fodor's request in the heading or do a separate post here):
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34681406
Search on Elaine's name as well as ThinGorjus and AHaugeto along with "Trip Report" for excellent, and recent, Prague trip reports. (If the Fodor's search function is wonky--which it most likely will be--go to Google's advance search function and plug in those terms.)
We used Wittman Tours for a private tour of Terezin which was informative and meaningful. They offer an aray of tours of Jewish sites as well as general tours of Prague and its environs:
http://www.wittmann-tours.com/
Once you get further along w/your planning and have an itinerary, I'd be glad to post restaurant recs, sights, etc.
<b>Germany</b>:
http://www.bensbauernhof.com/
This is a site for independent travelers to Germany and includes great trip reports. (The music might make you nuts...or run for a beer...but there's a lot of great info there.)
Most of the German towns/cities have terrific tourism offices: type www.city.de into your browser and then click on "tourismus". Many towns that I've researched have some info in English and most will send you brochures listing special events, lodgings, etc.
For our November trip we're renting an apartment in Trier and staying in a hotel in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and neither required a deposit or credit card, which is different from our rental experiences in most other European countries that we've visited. I get the sense that this is the norm but again this is our first trip to Germany so others here could advise if that's unusual.
I look forward to seeing your trip as it progresses.
Good luck!
Oct 14th, 2005, 03:16 PM
#32
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I have no idea what Bob The Navigator's clients are like - you'd have to ask him. I'm just speaking from my own experience. And I'm not suggesting my clients get billed huge amounts - it's usually $200-$300, with some notable exceptions for, e.g., one group that literally wanted me to write out every move they would make for 8 days ("leave the hotel and turn right. Walk four blocks to the Jussieu metro stop.....".
As for the in-depth knowledge comment, I personally wouldn't feel confident planning someone's trip to a country I didn't know backwards and forwards, or where I couldn't ring up a friend and ask where's the best place to rent a motorcycle was or how to arrange a visit to a private cheesemaker. Just being able to look stuff like that up on the internet wouldn't make me feel like an adequate consultant. When you plan someone's trip for them, you're responsible - and people do call you up from overseas when they encounter a problem, and you have to deal with it. I'd never want to have to say to someone "Well, it looked great on the web.....sorry!"
Maybe that's not what you were suggesting, but I still maintain you need a lot more than just good research abilities to be a good travel consultant.
.As for the in-depth knowledge comment, I personally wouldn't feel confident planning someone's trip to a country I didn't know backwards and forwards, or where I couldn't ring up a friend and ask where's the best place to rent a motorcycle was or how to arrange a visit to a private cheesemaker. Just being able to look stuff like that up on the internet wouldn't make me feel like an adequate consultant. When you plan someone's trip for them, you're responsible - and people do call you up from overseas when they encounter a problem, and you have to deal with it. I'd never want to have to say to someone "Well, it looked great on the web.....sorry!"
Maybe that's not what you were suggesting, but I still maintain you need a lot more than just good research abilities to be a good travel consultant.
Oct 14th, 2005, 03:29 PM
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I agree that the tourism board (Czech Republic, or Prague, but also any other destination... is a fabulously useful resource). And there are differences in what a person knows who has lived in a place (lifelong), versus traveled there, versus relocated there, as an outsider.
In that context, with specific reference to Prague, the website of Jason Holt (formerly jasoncholt.com - - now) www.essentialprague.com provides the in-depth expertise of a local, with information an expatriate would think about (and a true indigenous local might not).
In that context, with specific reference to Prague, the website of Jason Holt (formerly jasoncholt.com - - now) www.essentialprague.com provides the in-depth expertise of a local, with information an expatriate would think about (and a true indigenous local might not).
Oct 14th, 2005, 04:36 PM
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6 days in Bavaria with an area of over 70,000 sq. km. and hundreds of towns and cities seems a bit out of balance with 6 days in just one city, Prague. Do you mean 6 days in Bavaria and 6 days in the Czech Republic, or do you have a particular reason for 6 days in the city of Prague?
Driving in Germany is easy if you have good maps and can read them.
Driving in Germany is easy if you have good maps and can read them.
Oct 14th, 2005, 08:25 PM
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thanks rex, I'm glad to see that in fact you WERE only joking (or betting?) with that $75 offer! It's fantastic to discover that you do have some sort of sense of humor after all!
sglw- you have gotten some wonderful advice here, and will probably get more when posting specific questions while planning. I don't think $150 for hours of expertise and research is too much, I just wonder if it's really necessary, because you already seem clear on the basics of your trip.
If you buy a guide book to assist (Rick Steves targets an audience of folks with exactly this same issue, so he's probably the one to go with) you can use the money you save towards a hotel, or a wonderful meal during your trip. Best of luck to you.
sglw- you have gotten some wonderful advice here, and will probably get more when posting specific questions while planning. I don't think $150 for hours of expertise and research is too much, I just wonder if it's really necessary, because you already seem clear on the basics of your trip.
If you buy a guide book to assist (Rick Steves targets an audience of folks with exactly this same issue, so he's probably the one to go with) you can use the money you save towards a hotel, or a wonderful meal during your trip. Best of luck to you.
Oct 15th, 2005, 01:13 AM
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the reason why it might be so cheap is that you are probably dealing with an amateur. at least this is the case with the two examples referenced in this thread. and i really don't mean to offend with this...i have the utmost respect for anyone who can start a small business to suppliment retirement or as a diversion from their normal job. also, these two are very upfront about the fact that it is a sideline business so you know what you are getting.
i can cook pretty well and people often tell me that i should become a chef...likewise, my partner is great at putting together a room...and people often ask .."why don't you do this professionally?". we shyly just say thank you but realise that these people don't have any idea what it takes to be a real chef or a designer. my point is that it is one thing to become good at planning your own trips but quite another to have the breadth of experience (including things that don't particularly interest YOU) to offer these services to a wide range of non-specialised customers.
i would imagine that the most successful (and useful) "cross-overs" into the travel business would be those who have a very specialised knowledge and a great amount of experience living (or native) to an area. for example a professor of architecture from italy or who has lived their many years offering tailor made itineraries or tours of italian architecture to those with a more than casual interest in architecture. that sort of thing would be worth the money.
on a related but slightly different topic, i was very interested to read about the personalised tours in france. these tours seem almost exactly like our experiences when we visit friends around the world. we stay at their house, they take us around, we all cook dinner together, we meet their neighbors, etc. it's all very personal. i'm wondering if the guests or you ever feel that it is a bit strange having such a personal experience in the context of a customer/business relationship.
in a way it almost seems like the US italian restaurant chain the replicates the italian family dining experience...this replicates a houseguest/friend sort of arrangement.
i am not putting it down. i know nothing of this type of business and i'm just curious how you separate the business in such a personal arrangement.
i can cook pretty well and people often tell me that i should become a chef...likewise, my partner is great at putting together a room...and people often ask .."why don't you do this professionally?". we shyly just say thank you but realise that these people don't have any idea what it takes to be a real chef or a designer. my point is that it is one thing to become good at planning your own trips but quite another to have the breadth of experience (including things that don't particularly interest YOU) to offer these services to a wide range of non-specialised customers.
i would imagine that the most successful (and useful) "cross-overs" into the travel business would be those who have a very specialised knowledge and a great amount of experience living (or native) to an area. for example a professor of architecture from italy or who has lived their many years offering tailor made itineraries or tours of italian architecture to those with a more than casual interest in architecture. that sort of thing would be worth the money.
on a related but slightly different topic, i was very interested to read about the personalised tours in france. these tours seem almost exactly like our experiences when we visit friends around the world. we stay at their house, they take us around, we all cook dinner together, we meet their neighbors, etc. it's all very personal. i'm wondering if the guests or you ever feel that it is a bit strange having such a personal experience in the context of a customer/business relationship.
in a way it almost seems like the US italian restaurant chain the replicates the italian family dining experience...this replicates a houseguest/friend sort of arrangement.
i am not putting it down. i know nothing of this type of business and i'm just curious how you separate the business in such a personal arrangement.
Oct 15th, 2005, 05:58 AM
#38
walkinaround: "<i>at least this is the case with the two examples referenced in this thread. and i really don't mean to offend with this...i have the utmost respect for anyone who can start a small business to suppliment retirement or as a diversion from their normal job. also, these two are very upfront about the fact that it is a sideline business so you know what you are getting.</i>"
I understand exactly where you are coming from. Just to clarify my situation (and no, I don't solicit business on fodors or anywhere else on-line for that matter). I have been giving travel seminars, community college classes and talks at local libraries for many years. In fact I even gave travel talks about the UK to OAP clubs and WI's when I lived in England. It has always been more of an avocation than a business. But gradually I acheived a certain "name" in my local area and organizations started paying me more and more for my speaking engagements.
people started asking me to plan their trips for them (after attending my talks). I charge a nominal fee because I don't need the money. But as I said - about half of them pay me more than I ask (Which I find gratifying but weird). Even though I have been to many other places I only deal w/ the UK.
A few local travel agents call me when their clients have specific questions about the UK.
I personally don't think a "general" travel consultant w/o a LOT of in depth knowledge about a place would be all that useful since presumeabley they would just do on-line research like anyone else.
I understand exactly where you are coming from. Just to clarify my situation (and no, I don't solicit business on fodors or anywhere else on-line for that matter). I have been giving travel seminars, community college classes and talks at local libraries for many years. In fact I even gave travel talks about the UK to OAP clubs and WI's when I lived in England. It has always been more of an avocation than a business. But gradually I acheived a certain "name" in my local area and organizations started paying me more and more for my speaking engagements.
people started asking me to plan their trips for them (after attending my talks). I charge a nominal fee because I don't need the money. But as I said - about half of them pay me more than I ask (Which I find gratifying but weird). Even though I have been to many other places I only deal w/ the UK.
A few local travel agents call me when their clients have specific questions about the UK.
I personally don't think a "general" travel consultant w/o a LOT of in depth knowledge about a place would be all that useful since presumeabley they would just do on-line research like anyone else.
Oct 15th, 2005, 06:10 AM
#39
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sglw - I say 'go for it!' Last year, I planned our (husband, uncle & myself) 15 day trip to Germany, Switzerland & Austria. We had a great time, but in retrospect, we might have done some things differently. That doesn't mean that it wasn't a great trip. We had so much fun we're going back in March.
Don't stress too much about the 'perfect trip' or 'perfect itinerary'. There is no such beast.
In my humble opinion, you will enjoy the trip more if you plan it yourself, and you will have a sense of accomplishment.
By the way, I would have to say that for Germany, some of the individual town websites were the most useful. If you get to a site that's only in German, highlight, copy and paste to www.freetranslation.com, and you can get a general idea of what it says. I learned quite a few German words this way. I'd also suggest getting a few german language CDs for your car and listen when you can.
Keep us posted!
H
Don't stress too much about the 'perfect trip' or 'perfect itinerary'. There is no such beast.
In my humble opinion, you will enjoy the trip more if you plan it yourself, and you will have a sense of accomplishment.
By the way, I would have to say that for Germany, some of the individual town websites were the most useful. If you get to a site that's only in German, highlight, copy and paste to www.freetranslation.com, and you can get a general idea of what it says. I learned quite a few German words this way. I'd also suggest getting a few german language CDs for your car and listen when you can.
Keep us posted!
H
Oct 15th, 2005, 07:03 AM
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sglw
To address your questions:
1) Is it necessary to make hotel rez in small towns in low season?
A: Let's say that small town celebrates a special local festival (Feast of the Order of Our Lady of Scheduled Departures, whatever) at the time you plan to visit, and everything is booked when you arrive. A friend of mine once spent the night in her rental car; it wasn't great, she said, but she was willing to do it, especially since everywhere else, she found accomodation at the last minute with no problems. Now, I'm particularly risk averse where accomodations are concerned, so I book everything in advance. No fear, if you google on the town in question, even if small, you will very likely find a hotel if one exists, and even if there aren't hotels for that town listed in your guidebooks. Nowadays, with fax and email , it's never been easier to book. Hoteliers usually understand at least enough English to book a room for you, provided you keep it simple.
2. Is it easy to navigate by car whilst not knowing German?
A: We did. I do suggest you learn a few key words of German (e.g. Ausfahrt) to help in navigation, not to mention the usual courtesies (bitte, danke, etc.) Also see viamichelin.com, mappy.com, maporama.com for driving directions. By the way, many Germans know English.
3. I am afraid my time will not be used wisely.
A: You found this site, people can review your itinerary. Fodors and Rick Steves also are particularly good guidebooks for helping you plan you time.
4. When do you know you are fully prepared.
A: That's easy. You won't know. But if you have a credit card, an ATM card, a passport, your air ticket, a moneybelt, a good map and/or printouts of driving directions, you can do just about anything.
Is paying someone else worth it? I don't know. It's almost worth paying it just to find out - but still do your own homework and booking, into the bargain. Personally, were I to use a travel agent, I'd actually prefer one whom I paid directly by the hour, as opposed to being sold expensive hotels so she can earn a living through commissions.
My guess is that given how carefully you've phrased your questions, you are as compulsive as the rest of us here. Welcome aboard.
To address your questions:
1) Is it necessary to make hotel rez in small towns in low season?
A: Let's say that small town celebrates a special local festival (Feast of the Order of Our Lady of Scheduled Departures, whatever) at the time you plan to visit, and everything is booked when you arrive. A friend of mine once spent the night in her rental car; it wasn't great, she said, but she was willing to do it, especially since everywhere else, she found accomodation at the last minute with no problems. Now, I'm particularly risk averse where accomodations are concerned, so I book everything in advance. No fear, if you google on the town in question, even if small, you will very likely find a hotel if one exists, and even if there aren't hotels for that town listed in your guidebooks. Nowadays, with fax and email , it's never been easier to book. Hoteliers usually understand at least enough English to book a room for you, provided you keep it simple.
2. Is it easy to navigate by car whilst not knowing German?
A: We did. I do suggest you learn a few key words of German (e.g. Ausfahrt) to help in navigation, not to mention the usual courtesies (bitte, danke, etc.) Also see viamichelin.com, mappy.com, maporama.com for driving directions. By the way, many Germans know English.
3. I am afraid my time will not be used wisely.
A: You found this site, people can review your itinerary. Fodors and Rick Steves also are particularly good guidebooks for helping you plan you time.
4. When do you know you are fully prepared.
A: That's easy. You won't know. But if you have a credit card, an ATM card, a passport, your air ticket, a moneybelt, a good map and/or printouts of driving directions, you can do just about anything.
Is paying someone else worth it? I don't know. It's almost worth paying it just to find out - but still do your own homework and booking, into the bargain. Personally, were I to use a travel agent, I'd actually prefer one whom I paid directly by the hour, as opposed to being sold expensive hotels so she can earn a living through commissions.
My guess is that given how carefully you've phrased your questions, you are as compulsive as the rest of us here. Welcome aboard.
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phyllis_stein
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