rick steves travel agency

Travel Expert Rick Steves' Genius Tip For Planning A Successful Vacation

Travel guru Rick Steves has spent the better part of his career helping travelers worldwide travel smarter (and cheaper) through his bestselling guidebooks. He knows the value of thoroughly  researching a new destination , so an unprepared traveler is often inconvenienced in his eyes. Steves cannot overstate how crucial proper preparation is for a hassle-free vacation, especially if you want to sidestep common bothers like adhering to tight schedules and perhaps the number one enemy of travelers everywhere: long queues.

"I always like to say that there are two IQs of European travelers: those who wait in lines and those who don't wait in line," Steves told WABE . To save yourself the frustration of queueing, the "Rick Steves' Europe" host advises extensive research to discover which destinations require prior reservations and which do not. "What the smart traveler these days knows is, if you're going to any big city you should do your reading in advance and figure out which sites need to be booked," he shared with The Seattle Times . "If you're going to Florence, you really gotta book the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David and the Uffizi Gallery in advance. You've gotta book the Duomo [di Milano] cathedral in advance."

However, Steves also insists that the goal of research extends beyond merely avoiding lines. He firmly believes it's also key to feeling more fulfilled in your adventures. "Remember that the more understanding and context you bring to a place, the more you'll enjoy it," he told The Seattle Times.

Read more: Unsettling Reasons You May Want To Avoid Taking A Cruise

Avoid Being Too Caught Up In Shrinking Your Budget

While  Rick Steves is a huge proponent of thrift, offering a wealth of tips for staying within budget , he's also the first to tell you not to worry too much about cost-cutting, as it will only take away the joy of travel. His advice? Keep in mind that time is money, too. For Steves, splurging a bit for convenience is always worth it.

"People sometimes focus on saving money while forgetting that their time is equally valuable, and limited," Steves advised  Business Insider . "If it will save you a half hour, hop in a taxi. Considering the value of your time, even if taking a taxi costs you and your travel partner $5 more than bus tickets, it's a good investment."

If you want the best bang for your buck, consider using a travel agent, too. Travel agents sometimes get a bad rap for unnecessary upselling, but if you find a reputable one, they can help you secure the best deals. "For international trips, I pay the extra fee to have a professional travel agent find me the best value (which isn't necessarily the cheapest) ticket," Steves told Forbes . He also noted on his  website that travel agents can assist you with securing "consolidator" or "discount" air tickets. While these tickets have certain limitations, like excluding frequent flyer miles accrual, they offer considerable savings.

Squeeze In 'A Vacation From Your Vacation'

Whenever you go to new places, Rick Steves advises against cramming as many sights and activities as possible into your visit. "You can't see it all, especially in one trip, and that's a blessing," he told Business Insider. "Enjoy seeing what you can and be thankful you have important experiences left over to enjoy on your next adventure." In other words, pacing is crucial because overloading your itinerary leads to unnecessary stress. You don't want to look back on your trip and only remember a blur of flights and train rides. And besides, it's not like you can't plan another trip in the future anyway.

Instead of forcing a tightly packed schedule, give yourself some leeway to rest easy and slow down mid-trip, especially during extended travels. Steves calls this a "vacation from your vacation," according to  Rick Steves' Europe , and with this strategy, you allow room for unplanned activities and spur-of-the-moment decisions. Sure, a successful vacation involves a ton of planning, but embracing spontaneity can enhance your overall experience.

"Consider building in a few slack days ... two days on the beach midway through the trip; that'll be very nice ... Travel is freedom. It's rich with choices and exciting decisions. That's part of the appeal," he said in one of his YouTube videos . "I like to keep some flexibility in my itinerary — perhaps I'll fall in love with Siena and stay an extra day."

Read the original article on Islands .

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Travel expert Rick Steves says he only flies in economy: 'It never occurred to me that I'm suffering'

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Rick Steves runs a multimillion-dollar tour company but said he still flies in economy.

Steves spoke to The Washington Post about his passion for philanthropy and the rise of his business.

He also shared some surprising views on travel, like how he wishes planes had one cabin class.

For someone behind a company that gains $120 million annually in revenue, it might be surprising to learn that Rick Steves proudly sits in economy class for all his flights .

"It never occurred to me that I'm suffering," the 68-year-old travel writer told The Washington Post . "As long as I've got an aisle and a seat that reclines, I'm happy."

In a profile written by Natalie B. Compton, Steves shared how he grew his business and donated millions toward philanthropy. He also shared a few of his hot takes when it comes to traveling.

The expert shared some unconventional travel beliefs

Steves leads a multimillion-dollar European tour company, and according to the Post, he spends about three months a year overseas. The trips involve everything from updating travel guides to researching and writing.

To get to the destinations, Steve often takes long-haul flights. And while the Post states that Steves could afford a business-class or first-class seat, he opts for the back of the plane in economy.

It's because Steves has an egalitarian worldview when it comes to flying, the Post reported. In this case, he thinks how you get to your destination should be the same regardless of how much you can spend on a plane ticket.

And if it were up to Steves, airlines would offer just one cabin class.

He also told the Post that he "refuses" to sign up for an airline's loyalty program "because he believes they bully us into complicating our lives."

Steves and his beliefs continue to spark discussions

Outside sharing travel packing tips and encouraging travelers to visit " second cities " or less-touristy destinations, Steves spends time focused on activism and philanthropy.

And his views have often stirred up heated discussions. In 2013, for instance, he posted a video supporting a progressive wealth tax. At the time, Steves wrote that this video generated "more comment than anything else we've ever posted" with plenty of anti-government sentiment.

Fast-forward more than a decade, and today, Steves continues to hold similar views as a progressive Lutheran. He told the Post that he's both anti-Trump and pro-cannabis.

His efforts are also hyper-localized, too. In 2001, he donated $1 million to the arts center in his hometown, Edmonds, Washington. It was part of a political statement when the president at the time, George W. Bush, approved tax cuts, the HeraldNet reported.

He's also donated a $4 million apartment complex to the local YWCA for transitional housing for women and children.

And that just scratches the surface of what Steves has done outside of becoming a leading expert in the travel field.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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I need a new travel agent

Does anyone here have a preferred travel agent in the Northern Virginia area? Looking for someone who can do both traditional airline business but also cruises. Pls contact me off list. Thanks.

Since you have been on this site for a while, I would think that you would recognize that the vast majority here are their own travel agent. With the internet routine airline reservations and cruises are pretty easy to do. Generally travel agents are only useful for very specific reasons. Is there a particular reason you are looking for a travel agent?

I know you can book cruises by yourself but you do often get more and better perks when booking with a travel agent that specializes in cruises.

For airfare I personally don't see any advantage of using a travel agent. However, some people feel that travel agents see more options for flights than they do - possibly because they are not that comfortable with booking their own on the internet, we all have different comfort levels with using the internet.

A good travel agent can be useful. Until ours retired, she booked many trips for us, had good hotel recommendations, found discounts and perks, etc. She maintained all our frequent flier codes and would research multiple alternative itinerary options without prompting. She got us seat assignments when we couldn't, checked in for us when we were overseas, changed return flights on short notice, and most helpfully, arranged coordinated flight itineraries for three couples, flying from and back to different cities. For straightforward basic RS-type travel, yeah, its probably not necessary. Very helpful for cruises - there're a lot of things to know.

As you can see many people doing their own booking make mistakes. Grenada vs Granada. Or don't consider what are reasonable connections, airport congestion, or the downfalls of booking separate tickets. And how often someone comes on the forum and appears not to know about open jaw ticketing, for example.

But the key is a good one. We probably all know someone who decided to take a course to be a travel agent mainly so they could get promised discounts for their own travel. Some of them only know Vegas and Cancun.

The trouble with travel agents is that most of them don't charge you anything (directly, at least), they work off commissions, which means that they tend to book you into whoever pays the most commission, and that's generally the most expensive properties in a particular town.

I never use travel agents, and I never use booking websites. I've stayed in a lot of small towns where a booking website only offered 1/3 to 1/2 of the properties in town, and those were usually the most expensive places to stay (the ones that had enough profit to afford the booking website's commission).

Not that the agents don't earn their money doing what you could have done yourself. But if you want to keep costs down, spend the time and effort and DIY.

Are you a AAA member? We love our agent in Charleston SC. We've used her for 25yrs. We no longer live in Charleston, but still use her and with phones and computers, you don't have to live in the same state anymore. If you are an AAA member, there may be a good one in VA - but 'good' is the crucial word -- as we've had several AAA agents we didn't care for -- which is why we went back to our agent in Charleston even though we now live pretty far from her. PM me if you are an AAA member and want her info.

THANK YOU chinalake67 for being the first poster to actually assist the OP.

People use travel agents for different reasons and serious benefits can be had especially with the cruise industry.

Why the OP wants to use a travel agent is NO one’s business and the OP certainly doesn’t need to be put down for using one; no matter how long she/he has been on this forum. And cost is NOT an issue with many travelers on this or any forum. While some may search to the ends of the earth to save 50 cents on a room, many do not as other factors are much more important to them then price. My first 3 factors are: location, location, location, followed by quality of the hotel and rooms. Only then do I consider price (of course, all things being equal I’ll take a $400 per night room over one for $600). And in that regard a travel agent can be very effective. For many time is worth money. For many ease of process is worth money. For others comfort is worth money.

I need one too.

I lost my travel agent due to COVID stopping travel. She was doing a lot of cruise bookings which apparently pay travel agents a decent commission. Because no one (in their right mind according to her) are going on cruises, her income has stopped. She will continue to work until all the travel she has booked currently for her customers is done, and then retire and do her own traveling again. She has been there for me for 30 years. She was our official agent at American Express travel when I was working my previous career. She went solo when AmEx mostly got out of the travel agent business. Her assistance during the Icelandic volcano travel interruptions helped me get to my RS tour in Ireland only a day later than I had planned because she somehow found the only flight from London to Dublin on the day the tour started that was not blocked by the volcanic ash and got me on it.

When I asked her if she could suggest another travel agent who might provide even a portion of the hands on service she provided, she just laughed. And laughed, and laughed, and laughed. She probably is still laughing. She told me that the era of "good" travel agents is passed.

Good luck finding someone.

Onefastbob, you didn't actually answer the OP's question or assist him/her. Irony eh! ; )

has anybody read the OP's profile? If so, you would have seen that she is no newbie.

She has travelled previously - a fair bit.

She is entitled to decide if she wants a travel agent.

Sorry, I don't know any or I would share.

Hi Wanderlust58 - I just sent you a message with some of my suggestions. Good luck in your search! Jeanie

PS - A good travel advisor will charge you fees to book your travel so they don't rely on commissions. Far too many are struggling in this economy. According to an industry report, about 75% of them will be out of business by 2021. It saddens me that so many people in this industry will be unable to support themselves.

Guess we have to wait to hear back from the OP responding to the very good posts in response to the OP's original question.

Why was I looking for a new a travel agent? Onefastbob and Nigel are absolutely right in saying that it’s no one’s business why I do, and I appreciate their saying so. Folks, I don’t need to be chastised for it. It’s not nice to be snarky.

But, for those of you who are so concerned/critical, do allow me to explain why I asked for leads for a new TA. Travel agents who are experienced, pleasant, and hard-working are hard to find. While I plan quite a bit of our travels, there are tedious things I don’t like doing, and airline reservations are one of them. My TA (who, alas, retired and her replacement pales in comparison) knew exactly what we like: which airlines, seats, taking care of handicap access issues, special meals, getting the frequent flier stuff right, arranging for drivers and/or car rentals, etc. She knew I liked options and she provided them, saving me time in searching out deals. I don’t need to park myself in front of the computer to do this kind of stuff. Paying a small fee for that service is worth it to me. (She didn’t work on commission.)

We also cruise quite a bit, and I have found that a good TA is your best friend in booking, getting upgrades and perks, and the like. Personally, I was very happy with the generous bar set-up and chocolate covered strawberries she had delivered to our stateroom on the first day of each cruise. Over the years, she had a few excellent suggestions for pre- and post-cruise accommodations, and restaurants, which I appreciated. It’s not always about money. Comfort, convenience, and service are important to us. And, bonus, years ago I learned from her to book a future cruise onboard, get all the goodies that go with booking then, then move the reservation to the TA and collect on her services and perks as well. Seems reasonable, doesn’t it, to pay a few dollars for service like this?

No one agent knows it all. The good ones realize this. For travel to the areas with which she was less familiar (Egypt, Antarctica, and China) she provided me excellent contacts to get started in planning those trips. Without that, I would have been shooting in the dark.

In addition to the helpful ideas here, some people have contacted me via private message (aka off-list). Their thoughtful and helpful messages have given me a few excellent options, and I appreciate them very much.

I agree with you 100%. 😊😊😊 Good luck

Our AAA agent gets us AAA discounts on all our European hotels, so we actually save money booking with her over booking on our own. She lets us choose 3-5 star hotels, so the prices aren't higher as one person mentioned. AAA can get discounts just about at any hotel. She also 'has our back' if/when anything at all goes wrong. While we don't use her for everything, she certainly saves us money when we do. We even use her here in America as she saves us money on places like WDW, Universal, the National Parks, tours, etc. There are also AAA discounts at many restaurants as well as hotels. We have had a few TA we didn't like, but once you find one who works hard on your behalf, they are invaluable.

Well, we are AAA members, although we haven't used them for travel in years; we have it mostly for roadside service. However, I am currently planning a trip to German/Austria/Switzerland for an indeterminate time in the future, so I will go to a AAA office and see what accommodations they can find for us for our itinerary.

After some preliminary searches over the last few days, using the AAA website and my membership number for discounts, I have found that: 1. AAA does not offer many properties in Germany/Austria/Switzerland. About half the towns I will be staying in on this next trip (and most of the towns I have stayed in before) do not have properties offered by AAA. 2. Those properties they do offer tend toward the multi-star properties, which I kind of think are overpriced. I can usually find perfectly fine, less expensive accommodations by using town websites or Google Maps and booking direct. 3. I'm planning to stop in Lindau, Germany, which has some big, beautiful 3 & 4 star hotels on the harbor there. None are offered on AAA. In fact, AAA offers no places on the island, itself.

I always find a lot more choices on town websites or Google maps wherever I go in Germany/Austria than are offered on a website like Booking.com. AAA offers even fewer. Despite what Booking claims, I can almost always get a better deal booking the same place directly with the hotel rather than with a booking website.

I'm not a very experienced traveler ... or is it tourist? I even check bags. So I almost always get a travel agency in the location I am heading to to assist me. I find names on LinkedIn and research the hell out of them. Then of after a dozen emails and a few phone calls if they seem to be in tune with me, they get my business. I used one for my current trip and it was an excellent decision.

I can't help you as I live in Canada, but just wanted to tell a funny story. About 23 years ago, I booked, through an agent, a flight to the UK ; arriving at Heathrow, and leaving from Glasgow. Then a few days later, I saw the exact trip advertised in the paper, with a free rental car included in UK trips.. So, I went back to the travel agent to ask that she add on the car. She said she would, then called me later to say that we were not eligible for the car as we were flying home from Glasgow. Puzzled, I said that Glasgow is in the UK; and she argued with me that no, it was in Scotland. Huh?? It took some convincing to get our car, but we finally managed to get her, a travel agent, to concede that Glasgow was indeed in the UK. I've never used a travel agent since for land based travel, only for cruises.

Glasgow might not be in the UK much longer. I understand a lot of Scots are unhappy with Brexit and want Scotland to exit the UK so they can rejoin the EU.

S J inspired me, and this would qualify as a hi jacking of the thread, except it is a back handed compliment for the many services of AAA. I let that membership go because one of my credit cards offered "free" road side service. 3 months later my fan belt broke in stop and go rush hour traffic in Omaha. Called the free roadside number... the representative asked me for the name of the nearest large town. I repeated Omaha. She said "ma'am, I can't help you until you give me the name of the nearest large town."

The next day I called AAA, apologized for my fickleness, and begged them to take me back.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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Rusmania • Deep into Russia

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  For decades Soviets and then Russians have been visiting subtropical Sochi for some summer sun on the Black Sea coast and for winter skiing holidays in the mountains of Krasnaya Polyana just outside Sochi. In recent years Sochi has also been gaining some fame abroad. It all started in 2014 when the Winter Olympics were held in the city, a somewhat strange choice considering that it is actually the warmest part of Russia. The games though were considered a great success and completely transformed the city through the construction of new transport infrastructure and world-class sporting venues and skiing facilities. At the same time, the classical Stalin-era architecture was preserved in the city, especially its large sanatoria for workers. Sochi’s international recognition grew further in 2018 when it hosted matches of the FIFA World Cup.

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Sochi travel agency (english speaking) - Greater Sochi Forum

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Sochi travel agency (english speaking)

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Anyone used an agency to book the tour? All that I see online is Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

3 replies to this topic

SO could I arrive with my visas and sit down with a Russian Travel Agent to book my train tickets with stop overs? . I will book my own hotels at the stops and sightseeing trips.?? I am an experienced traveller and NOT a group tourist traveller.

Thank you for your time and all considerations.

Oops, sorry this was not a Russian travel form...

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Krasnaya Polyana

Krasnaya Polyana is an urban locality in Krasnopolyansky Settlement Okrug, which is under the administrative jurisdiction of Adlersky City District of the City of Sochi in Krasnodar Krai, Russia. Population: 4,598; 3,969; 3,300.Located in the Western Caucasus, it is home to the new Rosa Khutor alpine ski resort, with a base elevation of 560 meters along the Mzymta River, 39 kilometers from its influx into the Black Sea in Adlersky City District of Sochi. The lift-served summit climbs to 2,320 meters, giving a vertical drop of over a mile at 1,760 meters. The resort hosted the Alpine and Nordic events of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, having previously hosted World Cup alpine events from February 2012, two years earlier.

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Krasnodar Krai Travel Guide: All You Need To Know

Krasnodar Krai, often referred to as Krasnodar, is a federal subject (krai) of Russia located in the Southern Federal District. It is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Black Sea coastline, fertile farmland, and the Caucasus Mountains. The administrative center of Krasnodar Krai is the city of Krasnodar. Here’s some information about Krasnodar Krai:

Places to Visit in Krasnodar Krai: Sochi: This coastal city on the Black Sea is famous for its subtropical climate, beautiful beaches, and the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Visit the Sochi Arboretum, Rosa Khutor Alpine Ski Resort, and the Black Sea coast.

Krasnodar: Explore the largest city in the region, known for its parks, cultural attractions, and the Krasnodar Stadium. The Krasnodar Park and Safari Park are popular.

Anapa: A popular seaside resort town with sandy beaches, historical sites, and a mild climate.

Caucasus Mountains: Hike and explore the stunning landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains, including the Sochi National Park and Krasnaya Polyana.

Adler: A city near Sochi, known for its beautiful beachfront and proximity to the Adler Arena Skating Center.

Abrau-Dyurso: Visit the famous Abrau-Dyurso wine estate, known for its sparkling wines, and enjoy wine tasting.

Best Time to Visit Krasnodar Krai: Summer (June to August): The summer months are ideal for visiting Krasnodar Krai, especially the coastal areas, as the weather is warm and beach activities are in full swing.

Spring and Early Autumn: Spring (April to May) and early autumn (September to October) are also pleasant, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds.

Things to Do in Krasnodar Krai: Beach Activities: Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, water sports, and beachfront promenades along the Black Sea coast.

Outdoor Adventures: Explore the natural beauty of the region, including hiking, mountain biking, and winter sports in the Caucasus Mountains.

Cultural Exploration: Discover local traditions, museums, and historical sites to learn about the region’s rich heritage.

Wine Tasting: Visit vineyards and wineries in the region to sample local wines.

How to Get Around Krasnodar Krai: Public Transportation: Public buses, trams, and trolleybuses serve the major cities in Krasnodar Krai. Sochi, Krasnodar, and Anapa have well-developed public transportation networks.

Taxis: Taxis are readily available and can be used for short trips within the cities and for transportation to more remote areas.

Car Rental: Renting a car can be a convenient option for exploring the region, especially if you plan to visit various locations.

Domestic Flights: Major cities like Sochi and Krasnodar have airports with domestic flights connecting them to other Russian cities.

Where to Eat in Krasnodar Krai: Local Cuisine: Savor traditional Russian and Caucasian dishes, including shashlik (kebabs), borscht (beet soup), and local seafood in coastal areas.

Cafes and Restaurants: Explore cafes and restaurants offering international cuisine, including European, Asian, and Middle Eastern dishes.

Street Food: Try local snacks and street food from vendors in markets and along popular tourist areas.

Where to Stay in Krasnodar Krai: Krasnodar Krai offers a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, hostels, and resorts. The coastal cities, such as Sochi and Adler, have a variety of lodging choices to suit different budgets and preferences.

Travel Tips for Krasnodar Krai: Language: Russian is the primary language spoken in Krasnodar Krai, so having some knowledge of the language can be helpful, especially in more remote areas.

Currency: The currency used in Krasnodar Krai is the Russian Ruble (RUB). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, but it’s a good idea to carry cash for smaller establishments and markets.

Safety: Krasnodar Krai is generally safe for tourists, but, like in any travel, be cautious with your belongings and personal safety.

Climate: The climate in the coastal areas is milder compared to the mountainous regions. Be prepared for seasonal temperature variations.

Local Customs: Be respectful of local customs and traditions, particularly when visiting cultural or religious sites.

Transportation: Familiarize yourself with the local transportation system, and consider using taxis or ridesharing apps for convenience.

Krasnodar Krai offers a mix of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures. By following these travel tips, you can have a memorable and enjoyable visit to this diverse and scenic region in southern Russia.

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