Alison Ebbs - Travel Consultant

19/06/2024

Planning on flying with Westjet in the next few days? Be sure to check your flight status before you head to the airport 🛫

If you have the Westjet app on your smartphone, load your trip there for additional details 📲

If you’ve hired a Travel Agent, they will be your first point of contact. We will work with the airline as your advocate, getting you the best rebooking options possible 💪

PAXnews.com

The WestJet Group has started cancelling and consolidating flights in anticipation of its aircraft maintenance engineers and other tech ops employees going on strike. Between Tuesday (June 18) and Wednesday (June 19), roughly 40 cancellations are expected, affecting around 6,500 travellers.

17/06/2024

Our stay in Jordan was made richer by our incredible accommodations - they were simply top-shelf! 😍

We stayed at three gorgeous properties and dined at a fourth:

🏨 Crowne Plaza Jordan - Dead Sea Resort & Spa, outside Amman on the Dead Sea;

🏩 , in Wadi Musa near Petra; and

🏨 , in Aqaba and on the Red Sea

All offered clean rooms, unending charm, fantastic staff, and amazing meals…I will happily stay all all again

Our gala night was hosted at the stunning , again on the Dead Sea. The sunset views were unparalleled 🌅

Planning on exploring Jordan? You should, and here are four spots to help you enjoy your journey even more 🇯🇴

As always, big thanks to , , , , and for our entire experience ✨

📍Jordan

12/06/2024

One of the big highlights of this entire week was hearing our keynote speaker,

Anyone who follows me, knows how much I love , the company Bruce started back in 1990. I took my first tour with them in 2009, and Jordan was my sixth (but by no means my last)

G has a philosophy and an ethos about travel that is remarkable, brave, and and beyond admirable. I’m a better traveller - and Travel Advisor - because of them. They are changing the world and making it better, one tour at a time. When I send my clients on their tours, it’s with 100% confidence they will have a fun and life-changing experience

All this to say, I’m a fan, and have been for years. After an already-incredible week in Jordan, meeting Bruce was the icing on top. I would like to say I was cool, calm, and professional throughout, but the pics tell the truth…it was all just very, very cool

📍Aqaba

11/06/2024

A summary of my time in Jordan. It was fast-paced, full-on, and fantastic 🤩

After a travel day of 30+ hours I’m home, but will continue to share snippets of the trip

Jordan is a magical country - the people are incredible and welcoming, the food is delicious and plentiful, and above all else, it’s safe. Never not once did I feel wary or unsure. That’s the benefit of traveling with a company like G Adventures…they have the personal safety of their travellers top of mind, always 💪

I am looking forward to going back and seeing spots we simply couldn’t fit in: Amman and Jerash to start, and then another jaunt to Petra, Wadi Rum, and more time in Aqaba. There is so much to see and do here 💯

I’ve said it already but it bears repeating: I am beyond thankful to The Travel Agent Next Door, Visit Jordan, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Atlas Tours and Travels, and my travel friends and colleagues. You helped create an opportunity to explore, learn, and share…and it was EPIC! ✨

PAXnews.com

The Travel Agent Next Door’s 2024 “Trailblazers” conference and 10-year anniversary wrapped up on Sunday (June 9) in Aqaba, Jordan, with an invitation to look at travel differently. G Adventures' Founder Bruce P**n Tip left attendees inspired as the event's keynote speaker. Here's PAX's recap ...

11/06/2024

Wadi Rum. I had no idea what to expect but it took my breath away✨

Stark and stunning, it’s packed with history and the set for a few different films. Tours with G Adventures includes an overnight camping stay here under the stars. Yes please! ✔️

We were a convoy of 60 vehicles and that was a sight to see. Bumping around in the back of one of these will have you running to your chiro afterwards, but it is 100% worth it 🙌🙌

Jordan just keeps on surprising…and we’re only scratching the surface. I cannot wait to return to see more of this beautiful country 🇯🇴

📍Wadi Rum


The Travel Agent Next Door Visit Jordan

09/06/2024

Petra part deux. We trekked back into Petra later that day for a fabulous (and private) light show ✨

Over 2000 lights illuminate both the two km route and the Treasury. The show runs three nights weekly, and if you are anywhere near, make a point of going. It’s fabulous

This would never have happened without the seamless planning of , , , and

The Pinch Me Tour continues…

📍Petra

09/06/2024

In case you thought our conference here in Jordan was flying under thr radar…

The Jordanian news agencies know we are here and are happy to host. Be sure to check out www.jordannews.jo and search for The Travel Agent Next Door

📍Jordan

https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-109/News/The-Dead-Sea-Hosts-The-Travel-Agent-Next-Door-TTAND-Tenth-Annual-Conference-36019

09/06/2024

Petra. I never actually thought I would ever see it and it still hasn’t sunk in ✨

Petra is far more than just the Treasury you know and see in pictures. There is so, so much more to see and explore…although I suggest you do it in cooler weather 🥵

The walk to the Treasury is roughly two kms and is stunning to see on its’ own

I’ve started calling this the ‘pinch me now’ trip. There is so much to see and explore in Jordan…I can’t wait to return 🇯🇴

📍Petra

06/06/2024

Oh what a night! Jordan really put on a show and our Bedouin-themed party was off the charts! 🕺

It was also stinking hot 🔥 Jordan is currently experiencing a mini heat-wave and temps were pushing 40 well into the evening. No matter, it only made the Petra beer taste that much better 🍻

SO much food, fun, dancing, and incredible memories. I am still pinching myself that I’m here

Massive thanks to The Travel Agent Next Door, G Adventures, Crowne Plaza Jordan - Dead Sea Resort & Spa, and Visit Jordan for such an incredible evening, and to Mary Carr for her photography prowess 📸

PS is you’d like to see some videos, check out my IG page: https://shorturl.at/XUTDK

📍Dead Sea

06/06/2024

Fantastic article about how and why I’m here in Jordan 🇯🇴

If Jordan is on your must-see list (and if not, it should be) then be sure to reach out…your next great adventure awaits! 🛫

PAXnews.com G Adventures The Travel Agent Next Door Visit Jordan

It was a big high, from the lowest point on earth. Applause filled the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar in Jordan Wednesday (June 5) as The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) honoured its best at an awards gala that coincided with its national conference and 10-year anniversary. The multi-day tourism symposium, w...

06/06/2024

Switching my thoughts to Normandy today, on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings

I was fortunate to visit Juno Beach again in January, and I recall how stunningly peaceful - and beautiful - it was. No carnage, no mayhem, no screams…just the quiet sounds of waves hitting the shores

In gratitude and with immense thanks, we will remember them 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇺🇸

05/06/2024

The rest of day 1: the obligatory mud bath and Dead Sea dip (my skin really did feel incredible afterwards). Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get a chance to do this 😍

This was followed by the best way to beat het lag: the White Night Welcome Soirée. This was a great event, giving us a chance to meet and re-connect with industry leaders and fellow travel colleagues

I’m still pinching myself that we’re here and can’t wait to share with you all that Jordan has to offer 🇯🇴

04/06/2024

Straight off the plane and to Beit Khairat Souf بيت خيرات سوف for an incredible meal and welcome to Jordan ✨

Beit Khairat Souf is a Planeterra project supported by G Adventures, one of 85 similar projects and enterprises around the globe. Bringing employment opportunities to women and the local area, Beit Khairat Souf is not to be missed and is features on several G itineraries in Jordan 💪

I am humbled to be here and thrilled I was able to experience this wonderful spot 🇯🇴

PS I didn’t get any pics if the meal as I ate it too quickly. Seriously, the food here is incredible!

04/06/2024

Scenes from a plane 🛫

I can’t thank the team enough for such a great and memorable flight

Everything was top-notch, from the service to the food (I’m still thinking about the truffle ravioli 🤤)

Currently servicing Toronto and hoping to expland, I will happily fly with them again

31/05/2024

Leg one starts…I’ll be flying on this beauty to YYZ, where I will catch up with the incredible Mary Carr

Some wine may be involved 🥂

31/05/2024

This. A year of planning and it’s just about here. This is what I’ll be doing next week 🥳

Excited doesn’t aptly describe what I’m feeling…gratitude mostly, with a dash of ‘pinch me’

I will be sharing highlights of our conference, our supplier partners, and most especially Jordan itself…stay tuned

Massive, unending thanks to The Travel Agent Next Door, G Adventures, Visit Jordan, and Royal Jordanian Airlines for making this all happen 🙌🙌

PS…I’m out of my office but always working. I have my laptop ready and will be working throughout to provide seamless service to you, my valued clients ✨

See you in Jordan 🇯🇴

PAXnews.com

The Travel Agent Next Door’s 2024 conference and 10-year anniversary event departs Toronto Pearson, for Jordan, this Sunday. “We wanted to do something epic…and this is epic,” says company founder Flemming Friisdahl. Here's what to expect from the jam-packed week, which PAX is covering on lo...

29/05/2024

Sounds about right 🪄

Pima Air and Space

28/05/2024

As a Travel Agent, what am I currently working on?

Over and above prepping for Jordan, it is a really exciting week:

🦘🌴 Helping my clients return to Australia after 30 years, with a relaxing stopover in Fiji en route, thanks to

🐫🍝 Curating the perfect (and exciting) itinerary for a young couple to Morocco and Rome with

🧘🚢 Putting the finishing touches for a girls’ trip to Vancouver Island with

🦁🦓 Reviewing the final details of an African Safari trip with *very* excited clients (again with G Adventures)

🏯🍣 Collaborating with clients to continue planning their trip to Japan with and

🚀⚾️ Confirming hotel reservations in Houston thanks to

🛳️ 🥂 Connecting with the amazing team at an event hosted by .global and .luxurycruisestours, learning more about their small-ship ocean and ricer cruise itineraries

🛫🛬 And as always, several corporate air reservations with

And that’s not even all of it! I love my job because I love helping people travel…and I get to travel vicariously with them! ☺️

Where is your next great adventure taking you? Be sure to reach out so we can start making it a reality!

📸 | Unsplash

27/05/2024

Looking for something to do in Porto? Be sure to check out WOW 🍷

I wandered through here back in January and it is incredible. Great eats, wines, a bit of shopping, and a great view of the city…what’s not to love? 🥂🇵🇹

Lonely Planet

This Cultural Wine District in Porto, Portugal, Has 12 Restaurants and Immersive Drink Experiences — Here's How to See It

24/05/2024

🧳

Have a great weekend everyone!

Travel Talks

23/05/2024

Another happy customer ☺️ Thank you Joy, for putting your trust in me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wanting to travel and don’t know where to start? 🤔

Hire a Travel Agent…we have the knowledge and expertise, to make it easy 💯

Wanting to travel and don’t have hours and hours to spend online navigating options? 🤯

Hire a Travel Agent…we have the agent and supplier networks established, saving you valuable time ⏳

I love my job because I love helping people travel. Questions? Send me a note at [email protected]…lets start planning your next great adventure! 🛫

22/05/2024

This is why you should keep your seatbelt fastened at all times 💺

This is scary stuff…wishing a speedy recovery to those injured, and condolences to the family of the deceased

PAXnews.com

The CEO of Singapore Airlines has apologized after a flight on Tuesday (May 21) endured "severe extreme turbulence,” killing one person and injuring dozens. The plane had 211 passengers – including two Canadians – and 18 crew members on board when it hit rough turbulence, dropping more than 6,...

17/05/2024

Go big or stay home? Lets go big! Jordan big 🇯🇴

I am *beyond* excited to *finally* be visiting this incredible country for our annual agency conference in early June. Jordan has been on my bucket list for years and I’m still in a state of disbelief that it’s actually happening 🤩

Our amazing leadership has teamed up with , , and Visit Jordan for a conference/tour combo that will hit all the hot spots: Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, and thriving Amman. I’ll be experiencing it all with over 250 of my agent colleagues, industry leaders, and suppliers

It will be a whirlwind trip packed with history, learning, updates, networking, and a whole lot of fun. Be sure to follow me on both Instagram and Facebook for updates and inspiration ✨

My next great adventure awaits! 🛫

📸 | Unsplash

15/05/2024

Italy is always a good idea, and Puglia may be its’ next ‘must-see’ spot 🇮🇹

I’ve had my eye on Puglia for a while now and cannot wait to explore the region myself. A little more unknown and a little less crowded, there is still so much to see here ✨

Is Puglia on your list? Or perhaps you have another wee gem that you’re hoping to visit? Where is your next great adventure taking you? Comment below 👇

Lonely Planet

Our thorough guide to one of Italy's most alluring regions.

13/05/2024

Everyone here knows how much I love river cruising. Smaller ships = less crowds, and overnight sailings = more time in deatination to explore. Add to this the relaxed dress codes, incredible food, unique excursions, and arriving right at heart of history…well, it’s tough to beat ✨

And a reminder: everything is included…meals, drinks, excusions, port fees, and in some cases, gratuities and airfare. Everything!

There are several excellent cruise lines offering all sorts of itineraries in Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Eastern Europe, Asia, and Egypt. It’s a perfect way to see these countries like never before 🗺️

Curious? I’m here to answer your questions and make travelling easy. It could be that a river cruise is part of your next great adventure 🚢

https://shorturl.at/hFMN8

Condé Nast Traveler Condé Nast

Plus what to know before setting sail.

12/05/2024

Cheers to all the mums, aunties, grannies, and those in mum roles today. Cheers also to those still wishing for the chance, and to those mums who have lost. Today is about you, but really, everyday should be about you 💐

This is my mum, the incredible Elizabeth Ebbs, who, in the last nine months, has truly demonstrated inner strength through adversity. She is the very personification of ‘keep calm and carry on’, a beacon for our family, and a lot of fun to be around ✨

We love you mum…enjoy your day! ❤️

09/05/2024

*cues opening scene of Love Actually

Travel Talks

08/05/2024

Fancy a drink? 🍸

One of the best aspects of travelling is finding the hidden gems that help you capture the character of the destination, and create a lasting memory

(and if it serves wine, even better) 😉

Cheers! 🥂
bit.ly/3UCYdnd

Travel + Leisure

These Are the Best Hotel Bars in the World, According to Luxury Travel Advisors

22/12/2023

Sliding into the Christmas week on a high note 🎉

I *loved* helping Mindy and her multi-gen family travel to Scotland, with the majority of their time spent in my favouite city, Edinburgh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We worked together to create an itinerary that included a mix of organized touring and independent travel, so they could make the most of their time there. They experienced the outer islands, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and all points in between 💯

Having visited this incredible country myself, I was able to advise on what to see, what to avoid, where to eat, and where to find the perfect spot for a wee drink 🥂

No online travel booking site or AI can do this for you. None. By working with an experienced Travel Agent, Mindy and her family had someone who was there for them, every step of the way 💪

I’m so thankful to all of my clients who put their trust in me to assist with their travels…it’s the greatest feeling knowing I’m helping them have the best experience possible ✨

21/12/2023

The holiday travel season is upon us again and while *no.bo.dy* wants a repeat of the issues that plagued airports in 2022, sometimes life (and bad weather) happen 🌨️

As such, here are a few reminders if you are traveling in the next few days:

✅ Arrive at the airport earlier than normal, so you have plenty of time to get checked in and though security 🛃

✅ Be sure and have travel insurance that provides the coverage you need, and will compensate for delayed or cancelled flights; Manulife has a great product called ‘Flight Assist’ that does just this (DM me for details)

✅ Add an air tag to checked bags for piece of mind, even though the airlines have really pulled up their socks, ensuring they arrive with you 🧳

✅ BUT pack a spare pair of un**es and your toothbrush in your carry-on, just in case your bags are delayed 😉

✅ Please remember that nobody is trying to delay your flight, or make your travel experience a nightmare. Please practice patience

Finally, lets remember that only three years ago we were all grounded and desperate to travel anywhere. Travel isn’t perfect because we are not perfect. I encourage you to enjoy the experience for what it is: a privilege ✈️

I wish you all safe and smooth travels as always, and a warm and wonderful holiday season 🎄

📸 Pim de Boer / Unsplash