Real Talk Travels with Susan

06/21/2024

06/20/2024

Is Maderia Portugual on your radar for a Fall for your couples getaway how about a girlfriends getaway or even a solo adventure for yourself?

If so, The Views for more of a modern spin and an amazing view.
Yet for more of a Boutique Hotel Quintinha SaJoao with its quaint but elagant with class hotel with their beautiful gardens. Both are

My clients just booked it, and here‘s why it‘s a must-visit:

➡️ Perfectly situated for day trips to explore Funchal
walk the promenade right down into the Old Town of Funchal.

➡️ The Views offers a breathtaking view of the city of Funchal.
Quintinha SaoJoao has amazing views as well in the pool area and top deck.

➡️ The cuisine is simply exquisite- a definite for seafood lovers and try orginal Portuquese food.

➡️ And a huge perk: it‘s a driect flight on Saturdays from Toronto and only 20 minutes away from the airport, so no long transfers.

Who else would love to stay here? 🙋‍♀️

One tour for sure you must do is the Maderia Side Car... you will love the tour, the views and the knowledge the guys have to offer!

06/18/2024

Summer bucket list

Summer is here, and my travel bucket list is ready to go! 🌞✈️

As a travel advisor, I’m always dreaming about the next adventure.

Here’s what‘s on my radar, both near and far:

🌴 Exploring hidden caves two hours away

🍷 Spa weekend in wine country and wine tasting (of course!)

🏞️ Hotel visits in Toronto and Peelee Island this July

🏛️ Lots of beaches and lake time with friends

What’s on your summer travel bucket list?

06/07/2024

I’ve got my eyes on Maderia Portugal!

I’m headed there in June to
explore sites, see the landscape and connecting with my travel industry network in the destination so I can get to know more about this beautiful island between Morocco and Portugal.

I’m really looking forward to seeing the many natural pools like this one Porto Moniz.

Do you have any questions about Maderia ? Don’t hesitate to ask, I’ll be there in person soon, so my tips and advice will be fresh!

06/03/2024

I'll be honest. I don't know why so many people put up with the endless Google searches, Internet reviews and overall chaos and confusion that comes with planning trips themselves.

Especially people who don't really enjoy doing all of the nitty gritty.

Because the alternative is so much better, call up a great travel advisor!

What you need friend is a travel advisor who can:

🏨 Serve up resort or hotel options that match your trip.

🌊 Help you get clear on what activities and experiences are worth doing in the destination — or maybe none. Sometimes all you need is time to starfish on a beach lounger.

🔎 Research and book everything for you so you don't have to lift a finger

✨ Jump in and assist if you have any challenges on your trip.

It can absolutely be that easy! Ready when you are to start planning, it all starts with a DM.

05/26/2024

Guess where I am sitting with Swiss Airlines.
It definitely will be a good flight.

05/26/2024

Well...I know I haven't posted all my beautiful journeys..
It is with mixed emotions to leave the Italian soil and flying with an airline I have never tried before. SWISS Airlines.
On my way to Zurich then off to Toronto.
See you all later.

05/09/2024

How long does it take to plan a fantastic honeymoon/family getaway/trip to Europe?

And we're not talking average — we're talking a trip with a perfectly balanced itinerary, a great hotel or resort, personalized recommendations for what to do, the best tours and experiences, etc.

The answer is WAY too long when you can simply just pick up the phone (or send me a DM) to plan that trip for you!

We kick things off with a quick and easy complimentary planning call where I get to know you and the trip you're looking to take.

Once we chat and figure out if we're the right fit, I get to work planning your itinerary — finding the flights, hotels, the right tours, etc.

It's all presented to you in a personalized itinerary, and from there, I book it or we make modifications then book!

And just like that, you've got a trip minus the 20-30 hours it takes to pull it all together.

Get in touch when you're ready to simplify and elevate your travel planning!

04/26/2024

This could be your view? Ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Seeing the Big 5 in their natural habitant.
Staying in a luxury tent with 5* service! A great luxury honeymoon travel experience. Start making memorable memories today! DM me to start talking and planning.
Let's get you there! ⛺️🐘🐃

04/25/2024

Close your eyes and picture yourself wandering the streets of Lisbon...🌆
Imagine the sights.

The sounds.

The delicious cuisine.

Ok, back to reality!

Some of my clients is making their dream come true and will be heading to Portugal in a few weeks.

I couldn‘t resist sharing a sneak peek into the itinerary I’ve been crafting for them.

Here‘s a glimpse:

They‘ll be staying at the Acores Lisboa, known for its great breakfast, being close to the Metro and surrounded by parks. Carefully chosen for its being close to the famous shopping areas on Rossio Square.

My client is big on history, so their itinerary includes some tailored experiences like visiting the Palace of Marquises Palacio Fronteira, Castle of Sao Jorge and many medieval villages they will be able to get out to explore.

And, if I‘m honest, that‘s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to exploring this area in Portugal.

Is Portugal on your list of places to visit this year?

My DM‘s are always open for your questions.

04/23/2024

Nothing will hit quite like a trip that's been on her mind that YOU surprise her with.

Now if you need a co-conspirator to get that trip planned, I'm your travel agent.

Send me a DM, the countdown to your Special Romantic Getaway! Set your Date today!

04/22/2024

Summer trip inspiration incoming ☀️

What are the best islands for summer getaways to the Caribbean?

It’s hard to choose favorites. There are so many things to se and do on every island, but these three are my particular favorites during the summer months.

Belize - Spend a week hiking, swimming with the whale sharks, visiting the Mayan ruins, seeing the monkeys and enjoying snorkeling on the second barrier reef.

St Lucia - I always book the hike up the Pitons and snorkeling/diving for my clients, and they come home raving about it.

Dominica the Nature Island - hiking to the amazing waterfalls, visiting the movie places where Pirates' of Caribbean were filmed along with whale watching is a must-do in the Caribbean.

Yet, both island you can relax and get rejuvenated for your mind, body and soul.

Which island is your style?

04/12/2024

The way we travel is changing.

I mean, we’ll always love the beaches and hot sun, but more and more, I’m seeing unique requests like:

✨ Astro-tourism: Watching the stars in a clear night sky or chasing the northern lights.

🧘 Transformative Retreats — Trips designed around self-reflection,

✈️ Skip-gen travel — Grandparents traveling with their grandkids.

I love that travel is becoming more unique and personalized. People are setting the intention for their travels then looking for experiences and destinations that will fit what they truly want.

If you’re interested in unique trips and personalized travel planning, you’re in the right place. Send me a message so we can chat about your travel goals and how we can bring them to fruition.

04/08/2024

Hey Foodies 👋 How can you make sure you don‘t miss out on the best food spots on your next big trip?

It will all come down to a few key factors:

➡️ What comes to mind when you think of a great food experience?

Is it indulging in gourmet meals? Exploring local cuisine? Or are you more of a hands-on person who would love to learn how to cook traditional dishes? Decide what you like so you can prioritize it in your itinerary.

➡️ How long is your trip?

Do you have lots of time to explore, or just a few days? Depending on how long you‘ll be at your destination, you‘ll want to make room for the best recommendations but leave space to stumble upon spots that may not be on Google.

➡️ Have you consulted anyone else?

Some of the best spots are found through word-of-mouth. I‘m a bit of a foodie myself, and I love researching and connecting with locals to find the best spots for my clients‘ adventures. And they loved it.

Find this helpful? Follow for more travel tips and tidbits and when you’re ready send me a message and let‘s start planning your culinary adventure.

04/03/2024

I'm the travel planning fairy over here, ready to wave my magical wand and turn all of those browser tabs, notes, and Pinterest boards into an actual vacation. ✨

Travel planning doesn't have to be stressful, and it doesn't have to mean hours and hours spent down the Google rabbit hole only to come up for air with no more clarity than when you started.

It can be easy! Send me a DM to inquire about my travel planning services, or if you're ready to take the leap. 🙌

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03/26/2024

Say hello to your new travel planning life saver!

Or am I being too forward?

Let me introduce myself.

I’m Group Travel By Susan a luxury travel honeymoon / Destination Wedding expert based here in Canada.

When I’m not off plotting great escapes for my clients, you’ll find me learning and exploring local and far always areas to help me understand the countries and customs so I can pass that information on to my clients.

Some of my travel superpowers:

🧳 Fitting a week of clothing in a carry-on

🏨 An uncanny ability for matching clients to the perfect resort

📌 The perfect system for keeping track of every single travel detail

Now that you know me just a little bit more I hope you’ll think of me when you’re ready to treat yourself to someone else planning your trips — it will be nothing short of magical. ✨


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03/23/2024

Where is your travels going to take you?
How about here Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort?
You can have some family fun, a romantic getaway or your Special Destination Wedding!
Let's talk today! DM me.

03/22/2024

The Spring trips my clients have planned are BEYOND awesome.

Get inspired by their trips.

Dreams Resort in Cancun area, for the amenities.

Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica for their awesome Destination Wedding.
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana for their family vacation and fun.

I won’t lie, I’m having a little bit of FOMO, but I can’t wait to take my own trip to France and Italy.

What’s your next trip?

03/19/2024

The truth about working with a travel advisor? It isn’t for everyone.

It comes down to how you like to travel. So, how do you know if a travel advisor is the right fit for you?

If you’d rather be talking directly to a human about your travel plans than leaving it up to the search bar on a website.

And

If you want someone who will take the time to understand your preferences, interests and goals for your trip.

And

If you’re tired of endless online searches and just want someone to give you clarity and a finished itinerary based on your travel preferences.

Then, you’ll appreciate the personalized and tailored approach travel advisors take to planning trips, the expertise, and the personalization.

Curious about working with me? Don’t hesitate to send me a DM or email with your travel plans to see if I can assist.

03/18/2024

Does anyone else feel like there aren‘t enough days in the week to get everything done?

And to top it off, now you have the task of planning a destination wedding/honeymoon/family getaway on your to-do list.

But here’s the thing, I went ahead and created systems for the whole travel planning process and the only thing you need to do is slide that travel to do list over here.

First, we start things off with a discovery call where I get to know you.

Second, I start designing your trip based on all of the intel you’ve given me in our first call.

Third, I present your custom itinerary and start coordinating the details once you give the thumbs up.

And lastly, you pack your bags and take your trip! I’ll be there every step of the way if you need anything while you travel.

Questions about planning trips with me? Drop them in the comments!

03/09/2024

Have you ever experienced hotel views that make you question if you accidentally booked a seat in heaven‘s VIP section?

That’s my goal when I recommend and book resorts and hotels for my clients who put the views at the very top of their travel wishlist.

Right now I’m planning one of those trips for a client to Dominica & St Lucia and here’s what I’ve put on the hotel shortlist:

Wonderlust Resort in Dominica has a breathtaking views which were made famous with the Privates' of the Caribbean. Plus, Jungle Bay in your own little private villas surrounded by the lush greenery foliage and sea views.
This one will come as no surprise, Jade Mountain. It overlooks the iconic Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. I also love Jade Mountain for its peaceful and romantic atmosphere.

Which of these views would you choose?

03/08/2024

Not nearly enough travel blogs and influencers are talking about the fact that when you book your trips online, you’re leaving a ton of value on the table.

An influencer may get the red carpet rolled out for them, but what about people who don’t have thousands of followers?

The quickest way to more perks, room upgrades, special pricing, etc, for that Caribbean getaway/cruise/couples trip is to work with industry insiders.

That’s me, friend!

I have a personal relationship with countless hotel managers around the world, access to those special perks I mentioned above, and the inside track on the latest information at different hotel properties — because nobody wants to pick accommodations that are undergoing renovations.

Have questions about planning and booking travel with me? Fire away in the comments, or send me a DM.

03/05/2024

Check it out for an opposite to win a trip to Bali.
Enter today.

TourRadar offers travelers the opportunity to read reviews and book tours from hundreds of tour companies, offering thousands of different tours.

03/05/2024

Does anyone else feel like there aren‘t enough days in the week to get everything done?

And to top it off, now you have the task of planning a destination wedding/honeymoon/family getaway on your to-do list.

But here’s the thing, I went ahead and created systems for the whole travel planning process and the only thing you need to do is slide that travel to do list over here.

First, we start things off with a discovery call where I get to know you.

Second, I start designing your trip based on all of the intel you’ve given me in our first call.

Third, I present your custom itinerary and start coordinating the details once you give the thumbs up.

And lastly, you pack your bags and take your trip! I’ll be there every step of the way if you need anything while you travel.

Questions about planning trips with me? Drop them in the comments! Or DM me.

03/04/2024

Is Safari on your radar? Here are the top things to consider:

➡️ Start planning 12-16 months in advance. Most safari lodges are small and intimate so if you have a very specific one in mind, planning in advance will get you what you want. There are lots of places to “safari” so planning your adventure can also be flexible.

➡️ Be choosey with your dates. I work with my clients around the rainy seasons and weather patterns to pick the perfect time to go.

➡️ Narrow down your region. Would you prefer East Africa, Southern Africa, and South Africa? Narrowing down the area makes it so much easier to move forward in the process of picking the best country, lodges, etc.

Ready to finally check that safari off your bucket list? Give me a DM so we can start to chat about your safari adventure.

02/19/2024

Mexico and the Caribbean are completely different regions but they have one thing in common — endless choices for resorts, hotels and things to do.

And in a maze of those endless choices, personalized recommendations from a pro is the one thing that will cut through all the noise and get you to that vacation you want.

Getting to know you, your travel preferences, and the trips you’ve loved in the past (and the ones you’d rather forget!), so my resort, hotel, and activity recommendations are on point and personalized to you.

And naturally, I also consider all of the places I’ve visited and loved, as well as reviews from clients who fit a similar travel style as you.

A “great” trip is different for everyone.

All that is to say that a personalized approach to all-inclusive trips really is the secret sauce.

Agree or disagree?

02/13/2024

You ABSOLUTELY want this for your next Caribbean getaway 👇

A personalized itinerary!

There are dozens of islands, thousands of resorts and hotels, and so many experiences, tours and activities you can book for your honeymoon, family getaway, or group trip.

A personalized itinerary from Group Travel By Susan is the best way to…

✅ Not waste hours of your time down the internet wormhole trying to piece together a trip

✅ Get an itinerary tailored to your needs, interests, and travel style — Without 17 browser tabs being open at any given time trying to research.

✅ Make sure you don’t miss out on must-see spots, experiences, restaurants, etc.

✅ Waste time on over-priced, underwhelming tours or end up in tourist traps

If all of the above sounds like how you’d like your next getaway to go, I can help!

I plan trips to the Caribbean/Mexico/Europe, Australia, Asia & even Antarctica and It all starts by taking a couple of minutes to tell me about the trip you have in mind. Let's get you there!

02/12/2024

Tours and experiences in the Caribbean Islands

Let‘s talk about it for a minute ⏰

Because nobody likes an overpriced, underwhelming tour or experience that leaves you feeling like you wasted valuable time on your vacation.

When my clients visit [insert destination], I always recommend things like…

🍹 A rum tasting tour to off-the-beaten-path bars on the island

🏝️ A catamaran to a gorgeous secret beach

🌊 A private chef’s dinner on the beach

Now, there are dozens of tour operators you can book these experiences (or similar ones) with. But if you want vetted and trusted options — or someone to tell you straight whether a tour or experience will or won’t deliver on your expectations , you can ask for my suggestions

And PS, I’ll also coordinate the rest of your trip — flights, hotels, transport, and all, so planning is absolutely no stress.

01/15/2024

Truth bomb: you can absolutely book a vacation online and probably find a decent deal too BUT, here’s the thing…

👉 If having your travel tailored to you

👉 If having a travel expert in your contact list you can call for advice

👉 And if knowing that you’re not taking a chance when you book a place you’ve never been to

is important to you...

Then I’m the travel advisor for you. I take so much pride in helping my clients make the most of their trips and experiences. You only get so much time away from work, and it’s important to me that you make the most of that time.

And I’ll be bold and say that you just won’t find this level of care with an online booking platform.

So if you’re curious about how I can elevate your travels, let’s chat. Book a complimentary call DM me today.

01/03/2024

The truth about traveling in 2024? It’s going to be even busier than 2023.

And you’ll spend about 20-30 hours planning each trip, only to end up at the same 10 places everyone goes to.

And with the endless hotel/resort, food and tour options, you’re going to have some serious decision fatigue.

There are so many things that go into the right trip — the perfectly located hotel, the knowledgeable local tour guide, things to do and things to skip. You just can’t find all of this information in a Google search.

But what if you could trade in the second-guessing and stress of planning for access to vetted, insider information on destinations?

What if a perfectly planned trip was as simple as heading to the link in my bio, and booking a call to chat about your travel plans?

It can absolutely be that easy.

Link in bio, friend. Future you will thank you!