It started with the name. Legends say that Aquamarine - the treasure of mermaids - was carried by traders and ancient sailors to protect them from the perils of the sea. It continues with the passion to travel and all romantic, enlightening and addictive aspects of it. It culminates with the service. Contrary to what you might think, I am a Travel Consultant, not a salesperson, for I don't have any specific product to sell.
I see my business as helping people to make the right travel planning decision. The whole idea is more like using a skilled CPA or a financial analyst because making the right choice can be quite time consuming and the consequences of making the wrong choice can be quite costly or even dangerous. Yes, any experienced and intelligent people are perfectly capable of doing it themselves, but they would have to spend twelve hours a day reading and processing tons of information - this is, after all, a very dynamic industry.
One must research suppliers, test tour operators and service providers, inspect properties, observe the countries political situation, watch over weather reports and be aware of the airlines financial status.
I see my business as helping people to make the right travel planning decision. The whole idea is more like using a skilled CPA or a financial analyst because making the right choice can be quite time consuming and the consequences of making the wrong choice can be quite costly or even dangerous. Yes, any experienced and intelligent people are perfectly capable of doing it themselves, but they would have to spend twelve hours a day reading and processing tons of information - this is, after all, a very dynamic industry.
One must research suppliers, test tour operators and service providers, inspect properties, observe the countries political situation, watch over weather reports and be aware of the airlines financial status.
Services
It is half-way between anything and everything: from Paris to Marseille, from North to South, from the peaks of the Rhone Alps to the Mediterranean Coast.
Ask anyone anywhere in the world to name the main city in France and their likely answer is indisputable: Paris.
Well, anywhere else in the world, maybe, but here in Lyon the response might not be so obvious.
Residents of Lyon are certain that their city would give Paris a dose of healthy competition.
Lyon has its own Notre Dame, called the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, and its own smaller version of Eiffel Tower, modestly named Metal Tower here.
Ask anyone anywhere in the world to name the main city in France and their likely answer is indisputable: Paris.
Well, anywhere else in the world, maybe, but here in Lyon the response might not be so obvious.
Residents of Lyon are certain that their city would give Paris a dose of healthy competition.
Lyon has its own Notre Dame, called the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, and its own smaller version of Eiffel Tower, modestly named Metal Tower here.
You may have noticed that in my travel stories I rarely mention a specific hotel - unless, of course, it is so unique that it can be considered a destination onto itself.
In this case, this particular hotel is so classy and elegant, so full of history and legends - and it's not the Ritz - that it might even be worth traveling over the pond to experience it personally.
Allow me to take you there for a short tour and you might agree with me after all.
First, let's set the place and time.
Place - the heart of Madrid at Plaza Neptuno, close to the iconic Plaza de Cibeles and just steps away from the legendary Prado Museum.
In this case, this particular hotel is so classy and elegant, so full of history and legends - and it's not the Ritz - that it might even be worth traveling over the pond to experience it personally.
Allow me to take you there for a short tour and you might agree with me after all.
First, let's set the place and time.
Place - the heart of Madrid at Plaza Neptuno, close to the iconic Plaza de Cibeles and just steps away from the legendary Prado Museum.
Do you like going to the dentist?
No, hold on, please don't shoot me yet, it's not sarcasm or a bad joke.
I'll rephrase my question: would you like to take a vacation?
Yes, a real one: relaxing on the beach, listening to the soothing sound of waves, or taking an adventurous hike to the volcano's crater.
Does that sound better?
Can I stop hiding?
Now, let me try this: how would you like to have a great time vacationing in a tropical country and get some dental work done on the way back?
Yes, it can be put into one sentence.
No, hold on, please don't shoot me yet, it's not sarcasm or a bad joke.
I'll rephrase my question: would you like to take a vacation?
Yes, a real one: relaxing on the beach, listening to the soothing sound of waves, or taking an adventurous hike to the volcano's crater.
Does that sound better?
Can I stop hiding?
Now, let me try this: how would you like to have a great time vacationing in a tropical country and get some dental work done on the way back?
Yes, it can be put into one sentence.
Every travel adviser owns an extensive collection of cruise passengers' complaints: the waves were way too loud to sleep, the sand on the beach was the wrong color, there was nothing to look at from the ocean view stateroom balcony except for the ocean.
One of my all-time favorites though: there was too much food in the cruise ship buffet, which, of course, resulted in a few extra pounds by the end of the week long sailing.
I really should resist the temptation to point out that nobody obligated anyone to eat everything at the buffet and the sole purpose of the abundance of choices is to provide a good selection for us picky eaters.
One of my all-time favorites though: there was too much food in the cruise ship buffet, which, of course, resulted in a few extra pounds by the end of the week long sailing.
I really should resist the temptation to point out that nobody obligated anyone to eat everything at the buffet and the sole purpose of the abundance of choices is to provide a good selection for us picky eaters.
Among the countless reasons my clients travel, one reason clearly stands out: to celebrate a distinctive - once in a life time - moment or event that deserves recognition.
After many years as a Travel Professional it finally became my forte and a favorite genre.
There is so much in life to be celebrated: milestone birthdays, personal achievements, wedding anniversaries (this one automatically qualifies as a personal achievement after 5 years), and so forth, and travel provides the perfect mood and scenery to make the celebration worthy of the event.
After many years as a Travel Professional it finally became my forte and a favorite genre.
There is so much in life to be celebrated: milestone birthdays, personal achievements, wedding anniversaries (this one automatically qualifies as a personal achievement after 5 years), and so forth, and travel provides the perfect mood and scenery to make the celebration worthy of the event.
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