Simple Journeys Travel

Name: Simple Journeys Travel
Address: Fort Smith, AR, US
Telephone: +14792221023
Rating: 5

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Simple Journeys Travel

Simple Journeys is a travel planning service I started to help people achieve their travel dreams with no stress and no hassle!
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Simple Journeys is an Independent Agent of Dugan's Travels.

01/29/2024

So you’ve decided to hire a travel agent…but how do you find the best one for your trip you have dreamed so much about?

Look for a travel agent that asks a lot of questions

When a travel agent is barraging you with questions about your trip, it really means that they are looking out for you and your interests. They are trying to discern exactly what you imagine your trip to be and to make it happen just that way.

The right travel agent for you will get you the most value

When you go on a trip, you want to get the most you can out of the same price. A travel agent can find all that extra value for you while increasing the costs as little as possible. I worked with a client recently and they already had one quote for their trip. We were able to cut their total costs in half, and even include more in the trip.

The right travel agent for you will have some expertise in the area you are looking for

Some travel agents will have a specific area of expertise that they specialize in, and when they plan a trip within that area, you will get the best possible experience you can. A good example is if anyone has ever booked a Disney trip with Sarah Beth, then you know that she is more than an expert with all things Disney.

To wrap it up, there are a lot of options out there and it can be hard to discern which one to choose. But the right travel agent for you is out there, I promise. This list is a very effective way to narrow it down a lot!

If you want to know more about travel agents and what kind of value we can offer you, you can totally message us anytime, we would love to tell you all about it! If you have a trip in mid and think that we would be a good match for you, then click the link in our bio and get yourself a totally free quote!

12/14/2023

Ah yes, the hotel. Arguably one of the most vital connecting pieces of a traveling experience. They are very important, unless you enjoy sleeping in your car in sketchy alleyways.

But hotels cost money too, so how do we budget for them? Well, there are primarily three things to consider here:

Which hotel do you stay at?

Finding a hotel can be a bit tricky. It’s always best to find one online, in advance. You could just google it, or you could use a site more tailored to this type of thing, like expedia or Funjet.

Which room do you stay in?

Most hotels will have many different room options. A double suite may come with more space and extra beds, and a villa may have the same and a sweet verandah for you to enjoy much better views and some fresh air. Think about what you want your temporary home to provide for you.

Do you want any extra goodies?

This is similar to the first one, just on a smaller, less important scale. Do you want to spend extra money on amenities, like room service, or spend that money on the actual reason you came on this trip. Also think about fitness centers, activities, valet parking, anything that is vital to your ultimate experience.

Bonus advice) Always consider if you have kids with you as well.

If so, you (they) may want to stay at a place that serves a nice breakfast, (a lot of places serve free breakfast) and a swimming pool, so take these things into consideration as well to help to really get the most out of your trip for everyone.

Figuring out hotels isn’t too complicated, but it’s just one more thing to add to the list, which quickly stacks up on you, and that’s a lot to handle.

If you don’t want to deal with planning a trip, then let us do it for you! You can message us anytime to discuss details, or you can click the link in the bio for a free quote!

11/09/2023

Let’s get straight to the point today: we’re gonna talk a little bit more about money.

Traveling is so expensive and there’s good reason for that. Once in a lifetime experiences don’t come cheap and they are totally worth the cash. But not if it will bankrupt you, of course.

Here are a few more tips on ways to make traveling less fiscally damaging.

For starters, try to book packages. When you book with hotel and flight packaged together it can often save money over buying the pieces individually. You can get flights and hotels wrapped up into a very nice little package.

From small amounts shaved off here and there to real steals, you should always look for package deals wherever you can find them.

Next, if those flights are looking more ugly by the day, then you should try turning your attention to Google flights calendar.

This will show you the cheapest dates available, without overloading you with information. Also, when looking at cheaper flights, be careful about booking basic economy or combining two one way tickets on multiple airlines.

Lastly, a wise decision would be to sign up for a flight alert service. These services, such as Pomelo Travel, will search high and low for deals on flights and send you alerts on the best ones.

This makes things far easier for you, as you don’t have to do any searching, and the deals just come straight to you, often much cheaper than you could find yourself.

All of this may seem a tad exhausting and overwhelming, and that’s fair. Trying to set up a trip will often be exhausting, no getting around that…unless someone else (like us😁) literally sets it up for you!

If you have some questions about all of this, then please message us, we would love to help out and hear all about your trip ideas. If you want us to plan a trip for you, then click the link in our bio and you will find a beautifully free quote within!

11/06/2023

Money is important and necessary, and traveling can be excruciatingly damaging to your wallet. A big reason to say no to travel is because it costs too much.

There is truth in the statement that traveling, in general, is expensive, that will never change.

However, you don’t have to be rich to travel. You don’t even have to empty your bank account.

Here are some tips that can help with managing the heavy prices of traveling. (These are just a few, we will look at more later!)

1: Save up for it. This sounds super obvious, but it can be really easy to look at the money you have and say “well, there’s just not enough money for that right now”. Keep that up, and you will never have enough.

Set aside some spare change, or the few extra dollars that you know you’ll never use. The money under the cushions or in the laundry, a tiny percent of your paychecks. Small portions at a time, all going into that fund.

2: Research! Once you decide where to go, research the heckfire out of that place to see how much everything costs and where the best deals are at.

Dinners, parking, hotels, admissions fees, everything you want to do, check the prices so you can accurately budget.

3: Lastly, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make the trip so grandioso. It doesn’t have to be two full weeks in London or a fancy resort.

Even just a weekend away can be everything that you want and need on a trip. Travel in smaller, bite sized sections if you need to.

It’s not about spending the most money. It’s about truly getting that special, once in a lifetime experience.

If you want to travel real bad, then know that we also want you to travel real bad. Feel free to message us with any questions or concerns you may have about it! If you are ready to get something started now, then click on the link in our bio for a totally free quote!

11/03/2023

The world is totally awesome and you don’t want to miss out on all the cool stuff out there!

Makes sense for sure, but the problem with traveling and curing that horrendous case of Fear Of Missing Out is that there are things chaining you down and keeping you from your awesome experience.

Life moves on at home and you just don’t have the time, or it’s scary and you just don't want to go alone.

Well, let’s start by getting one thing out of the way: FOMO is real, it can be rooted in some anxiety, but there is some reason to it. No, it’s not practical to always be traveling, but if you never travel then you WILL miss out on all of the amazing sights and experiences you will get nowhere else.

Travel FOMO is fair, there are things you really should see!

“But what if I don’t have the time?” Life is not about a checklist of milestones, but about full, rich experiences. Sometimes, it takes admitting that you not only need a break, but taking a bigger step to admit that you actually DESERVE a break to go travel. Which is true.

It’s worth making time for, because the memories that you create will be forever etched into your mind, reminding you that you took a big, healthy step and had that decision bore no regrets.

Now, if you are scared of going alone, then that is also fair. It’s kind of a fundamental rule in life that good things are only good if we have people we love to share them with.

So take your loved ones with you. Be brave and ask your friend or sibling or spouse to go with you.

Good places make good memories. Good people make cherished memories.

If you want to travel, we want to help make that happen. You can message us any time to get something going, or you can click the link in our bio for a free quote!

11/01/2023

You planned an entire trip costing thousands of dollars, you’re gonna see everything that Italy has to offer! But then, you get sick, and you realize that your non refundable trip is over before it starts. All that money, down the drain.

The risk could make a person not want to even plan a trip!

Travel is a very large investment and can be a scary commitment to make. If you are scared of something going wrong and taking a huge loss on everything, then listen up.

If you have fears of this happening to you, then you should really consider travel insurance.

Travel insurance could be useful if you lose your bags, if there’s a medical problem that your medical insurance won’t cover, you can hit every base with some cancellation for any reason.

For any reason that you would need or want to cancel, or if anything gets in the way and interrupts, then you can get some nice coverage to save buckets of money.

It is also quite customizable, so you can choose what you want to add to the plan and what not and make it as specific or all encompassing as you want.

This is especially good for those more expensive trips, because it won’t add too much in the grand scheme of things, and is well worth the peace of mind. Far better than spending your week off in Italy stressing out that something will go wrong and you will lose all your money for nothing.

If this sounds really complicated and like you don’t want to try and deal with it, then you could always use a travel agent and just tell them what you want covered and they can take care of it for you!

If you have any questions about this or anything else travel related, then you should totally message us! If you want a free quote, then click on the link in our bio!

10/23/2023

This world is massive and full of an infinite number of possibilities, such that it can be difficult to decide what you want.

We can experience the beauty this world has to offer by finding that perfect thing for you that resonates and just makes you feel right.

But what is right for you?

Well, ask yourself, “what do I like?”

The solution can present itself to you that easily. Travel based on your interests. Let’s take this step by step.

🛶Let’s say that you love the serenity of the outdoors. You want to live in nature, be one with it. You want to push into that adventurous, undying spirit and see things that most never get the pleasure of seeing.

Then look for places where you can do this. Explore South American jungles in Brazil. Go to the African safari. Hike in the Alps. Go to places that are open and just waiting to show you amazement and intrigue.

🌋Let’s say that you are more of the adrenaline ju**ie type. You like doing the fun stuff, going on swings that make your stomach drop and most importantly, going fast.

There are zip-lines inside of trees in Costa Rica and volcanoes in Jamaica. Things that you may need to exert yourself a little more to see, things that make you see things that only the brave have the heart to see.

⛰️Maybe you are a little more like me and you want to see all the beautiful sights this world has to offer.

Then consider the gorgeous island towns in Greece, bathed in blue and white. The gorgeous mountain top views in the Rockies. The oceans before you on the cliffs of Ireland. True, natural beauty.

The world has things that you need to see. Decide what you love and go see it. Yes, it can really be that simple.

If you want to travel like this, and you want some help setting it up, then message us, we want nothing more than to see you take that step to see this gorgeous and exciting world! Or you can click on the link in our bio for a totally free quote!

10/16/2023

Fear is a powerful motivator, and it grows deep within us when we are confronted with the unknown. Being lost, stranded without help, all alone and no one to point you the way home.

It can be pretty easy to decide not to travel because you don’t know anything about the country and you don’t know how to navigate that area.

Navigating it by yourself is scary, that’s for sure, so how do you get people to help you out? Well, there’s a few options.

Group Tour: You can get a group tour to another country, which will mean that you will have a guide tell you where to go and how to get there, and you will almost never be alone. This is one of the safest ways to travel.

Professional Guide: You can get a single guide who knows everything there is to know about your destination, and they can take you places, ensuring that you will never get lost or left alone. This is a more low-key option for those who aren't a fan of the group dynamic.

Experienced Friends: You may know someone who has a lot of experience and knowledge in that country and figure out a way to convince them to go with you. This method may be harder to actually make happen, but will be cheaper and potentially more fun and getting a professional.

Keep in mind also, that while you can’t take a travel agent with you to another country, they can provide a lot of helpful tips and knowledge about a given country, and can remain on call to help out if something were to go wrong.

The main thing to keep in mind if this is a fear that you struggle with, is to know that there are people who can guide you and help you along your journey and make it simple. Guided tours may not be for everyone, but they are an easy way to stay on course, safely.

If you have any questions about this, we would love to answer and discuss your travel fears, dreams, and plans! If you want a free quote, then click the link in our bio

10/13/2023

Your plane takes off, soaring through the sky with a mighty roar, aiming for the clouds at the highest of speeds. As you watch the plane, you happen to notice that you are not on it.

That’s a fair reason to panic.

What are you gonna do if the flight gets canceled or if you miss it?

Well, stay calm, this is doable. Let’s look at the different options and situations:

✈️ If the airline cancels your flight, then it’s not your fault, it is theirs. It will be the Airline’s responsibility to get you on another flight. Talk to a ticket agent and see what you need to do for a new ticket.

They should work something out with you, but there is no guarantee that it will be same day. If it’s not, then you need to prepare and find somewhere to stay.

✈️ You can ask if the airline will give you a voucher to stay at a hotel for no cost to you, but there is no guarantee that they will give one to you. It depends on airline and situation, but it’s ALWAYS worth the ask.

✈️ Once that is settled, call up your primary destination, (A resort, theme park, etc.) and let them know you will be a day late. They most likely will not reimburse you for the night missed, but you don't want them to cancel your reservation as a whole. You will want to do the same for any transportation bookings you have made.

If you are coming home from a trip and you’re delayed, make sure to call anyone who may be house sitting, watching kids or pets, etc. and make arrangements for one more night.

If you are scared of missing your flight, then you may want to look into travel insurance, as it may cover some of these extra costs, depending on what plan you purchase.

Of course, if all of this sounds very overwhelming, then you can always book with a travel agent, and if something goes wrong, then you can just make your agent do all the work!

If you think this information has been useful, then save this post and use it as a reference if you are ever stuck in a situation like this, and shoot any questions you have!

10/12/2023

The jungles of Central America rise up around you, a sea of lush, green colors running on for miles. The sun scarcely reaches the ground, only in thin shafts of golden light, raining down upon this healthy land.

All you have on you is a small bag equipped with your phone, wallet, and backup deodorant.

The heat kicks in and your skin flares up as you begin to question many life choices.

Over exaggerated, maybe, but there is still something very important that needs to be considered here: what do you pack for a trip to central America?

It’s a different climate down there with different requirements, especially if you’re going to explore some awesome jungles and those cool pyramids they have hiding in the mountains.

Here are some essentials to pack for a trip like this.

1: Reusable water bottle. If you want to travel, get a very nice bottle for drinking water and take it with you EVERYWHERE. Especially when you’re gonna do a lot of hiking and walking around. When you travel, it’s hydrate or diedrate.

2: Bug spray! When you go out into the wild, it will be filled with mosquitoes and ticks, which can carry diseases. Bug spray is essential to maintaining your health in forest and jungle environments.

3: Hand sanitizer. Things aren’t the cleanest in the wild; surfaces don’t get disinfected, there are no public restrooms, and animals can’t use soap. Using hand sanitizer, particularly before you eat or touch your face, is a fantastic way to stay healthy and protected from any foreign bacteria.

These are the big three that you definitely want to bring with you. Ranked just under them are things like sunscreen, sun glasses, and flexible, comfortable clothing.

A jungle expedition is undoubtedly a lot of fun, but there are small dangers that can be easily prevented with a little bit of basic preparedness. If you have questions about anything travel related, then send us a message, we got you! Or, if you want to go on an awesome trip, then click the link in our bio for a free quote!

09/22/2023

If you are looking for places to travel to in Europe, then Ireland should definitely be on your radar. It’s a little bit smaller than other options out there, but it’s also a good deal different than what other countries have to offer you.

Let’s take a moment to see what an experience in Ireland would be like.

A gorgeous castle lays before you, the stone walls full of strength and longevity, containing a thousand tales within. Inside, you find the Blarney Stone, Which is the object of countless legends, and they say that if you place a single kiss upon the stone, you will be blessed with a grand eloquence.

Imagine standing on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, the ocean seven hundred feet down below, crashing violently into the face of the cliff. The smell of salt is carried in by the fresh air, and the seas open themselves up to you, revealing an endless sight of blue and white.

What if you felt like a king for a night? Or, more accurately, ate like a king for a night? In Bunratty, a medieval banquet is prepared for you. You feast on ancient dishes revived from a time long past, and whilst you dine, Lords and Ladies themselves will serenade you with old music and instruments, opening the portal to the past.

These are just a couple of the big things you can do in Ireland. The cities are full of unique Irish culture, like authentic pubs and the sort. The scenery will be breathtaking on this once in a lifetime trip to Ireland.

If you want to know more about Ireland, then message us directly, we would love to help out however we can! If you want to see a quote for a trip to Ireland, then comment “Lower the gates!” down below!

09/21/2023

Traveling can get complex fast. You may think everything is fine, but all it takes is one oversight for everything to kind of fall apart.

Let’s say you just got off your plane in Ireland and you know you want to go straight to Blarney Castle, but you suddenly realize something: how are you going to get there?

You never thought about getting from the airport to the castle or even your hotel, and now you are stuck in an airport in a different country with no transportation.

Itineraries are vital to making a good trip happen. There’s a LOT of things that need to be considered when traveling, and having a good itinerary helps everything work together.

But making a good itinerary is easier said than done. There are plenty of small things that are often forgotten when making an itinerary, and they are small, yet important.

You need to include major things, like flight schedules, hotels you’re staying at, major events and places you will be visiting.

But there are small things that can be easily overlooked, such as the ride from the airport to the hotel. Ground transportations can be easily overlooked when planning.

What if something goes wrong that’s completely out of your control? Did you consider travel insurance? It’s usually worth it to buy, and can save you from unforeseeable circumstances.

The point is, if you are going to travel, write up a travel itinerary. When you do, just walk yourself through each, tiny step of the trip and ask questions like, “How will I get there from the airport? What am I going to eat? What could go wrong here?”

Writing your own itinerary can be very difficult and quite overwhelming, but it is so important to have. Of course, if that sounds like it’s out of your wheelhouse, then come to us!

It’s literally our job to write up your itinerary and we would love to help with that. If you want to see what that would look like, then click on the link in our bio to get a free quote, which will come with an itinerary!

09/14/2023

The most difficult thing about traveling is without a doubt the research. Looking up where you want to go, and where you can stay, and what it costs, and planes, and cars and there’s a lot to look at.

It gets extensive really fast, which can get exhausting😪

So I guess that means that planning travel is always going to be boring and forever exhausting for you…

Unless you have us just do it for you. That’s our whole job. We do the boring part of traveling, and you do the fun part: the go and ride all the roller coasters part.

“Let them do the searching. They make it easy!” - Penny J.

I think that sums it up pretty well! We will do the work, and you will not worry about it. We love doing this, making things easier for you. It’s what we are all about.

If your life is too busy to be planning trips, or if you just know nothing about planning one, then just let us do it. We would love to help whoever we can, serving others by making their journeys simple. It’s what we do; it’s in our name, after all.

If you want help planning a trip, we got you. Click the link in our bio and we can get you started on a completely free quote. If you have any questions about travel, please message us, we would love to talk it over with you!

09/13/2023

Last week I gave some tips for safety while traveling, but I was unable to cover all of the subjects and tips that I wanted to, so today I am back at it again to give the rest.

Here are some more tips to help maintain safety in other countries:

If you get lost and need to look at a map to see where you are, don’t just do so in the middle of the street. Step inside a cafe or some place like that with a lot of people, where you will be a little less isolated.

If you use a taxi, snap a picture of the license plate before getting in. This is for safety and to help retrieve anything left in the taxi.

There are a lot of people who are looking to scam tourists. Be on the lookout for people asking for signatures. They may have you sign something for “free”, then demand money.

Some may try to help you carry your bags, then ask for outrageous amounts of money for doing so.

Sometimes, street performances will be set up to keep your attention while a pickpocket goes around, stealing your valuables. This is not always the case, of course, but if you watch one of these, do be on guard.

People may also offer to take a picture for you, then demand lots of money for that as well. It’s really best to find another tourist to take a photo for you. Just be sure to be nice and offer to take one for them as well!

If concern for safety has been holding you back from traveling, these are not tips to increase angst, but tactical steps that you can take in order to protect your belongings, yourself, and your loved ones.

If you have any questions about these topics, feel free to message us directly, we would love to talk with you! If you think these tips are helpful, then save this post so you can reference it for your next trip!

09/11/2023

No travel stuff today. I encourage you to take a moment to remember those lost and give thanks for the loved ones around us.

09/08/2023

Imagine that you are lost in a foreign city, scared, alone in the dark, your money taken from you, your phone dead, and no one around you can be trusted. You don’t know what to do, but just hide until the sun crests over that dark horizon.

Okay, that is a little dramatic maybe, but it is fair to be scared for your safety when traveling to another country. If your safety worries you, then here are some tips for maintaining safety.

Prepare: Before going to a specific location, do some research. Look into what areas will be safe to just hang around in, and which ones are a little less safe and a little more mugger-ish. Read reviews, make copies of your passports and itineraries, and store them in each bag and phone.

Too Much Caution: See to it that your hotel has an in-room safe to keep your valuables in, and put whatever electronics you don’t NEED to go with you, your extra cash and your passport.

Carry a safety device, like pepper spray, pocket knife or a whistle. Just know that if you do bring something like that with you, be sure to check TSA guidelines on bringing dangerous objects as carry-ons and checked luggage.

You can also purchase special articles of clothing, like scarfs, with secret slots in them that can hold extra cash and valuables.

You should also get a pretty small wallet to keep one of everything in. So one id, one credit card, and a little cash. This way, if the wallet is stolen, then you only lost a little bit of stuff, and you can easily shut down the credit card.

These are just some small, practical ways to keep your things safe. Honestly, I only scratched the surface here, but there are plenty of other things that you can do to stay safe, which I may address in another post.

If you have some questions about safety, if you would like to learn more about it, you can message us directly, we would love to talk it over and answer any questions! Or if you want to go on a trip, just click in the link in our bio for a free quote!

09/07/2023

THURSDAY 9/7/23

Simple Journey’s Travel is about making your day. We want you to have a good time, to have the adventure you have always been looking for. Seeing you get that experience is what gives us purpose and feels fulfilling.

We want to give you an easy experience, being as easy to work with as we can. Our heart is to serve others and make their lives easier. To make them Simple. (Like the name if our thing)

“Traveling with Simple Journeys is simply fun! Not only do you get a fun sweet person to work with, you get excellent service! Simple Journeys pays attention to the details and has a big heart too!” - Tracy S.

Our heart is geared towards serving our clients, and giving you the best experience that we can. The details are what you want out of your trip, what you need to make it the optimal experience.

I know that Sarah Beth is sweet and fun and I sure as heckfire try to be. We want you to enjoy working with us and we work hard to see to it that it happens. We make it easy, fun, and simple.

If you think that you can benefit from our service, then click the link in our bio to get started on a free quote! Or if you just want to discuss travel with us or get some questions answered, message us directly, we would love to serve you however we can!

09/07/2023

If Europe has been on your wish list lately, then listen up, this is perfect for you! There is a deal available right now that will allow you to fly to Europe, round trip, for as little as $255.

Sounds too good to be true? It’s not.

The deal can only take you initially to London, Oslo or Paris, but you have free range from there. So if England, Norway and France aren’t on your radar, that’s okay. They can start as a stepping off point for a multi-country trip.

Pricing, depending on where you are wanting to go, will be anywhere from $255 to $378. If you don’t know much about flying, then just know that this is a fantastic deal, as a flight to Europe can cost up to $1,000 or $1500.

The deal won’t last long at all, and needs to be booked soon. The trip would have to be either during September or October of this year, or anytime during January through March of next year.

This deal is also to fly out of a major city, which means you may have to fly to one of the available options from where you are now.

This deal is a huge steal, and access to it will end on September 13th, so if you want to get in on this, then the time is now!

If you want in on this deal and would like a quote, then leave a comment down below that says “I gotta see Europe!” and we will get with you to discuss the quote and your next, awesome trip to Europe.

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http://www.simplejourneystravel.com/

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What is Simple Journeys?

Simple Journeys is an idea that came out of conversations with friends and family about travel. I’ve always loved traveling, and even more I love planning the travel. It never occurred to me that other people may not enjoy that part as much until talking to some friends about how they just don’t have time to travel, or don’t like planning trips, or don’t feel capable of planning a trip. I thought, “What if I could get paid to help people in these areas – doing what I absolutely love??” And thus Simple Journeys was born. In short, I plan trips. The longer definition is that I offer an option for anyone that feels incapable of planning a trip, that feels like they can’t afford it (I can help you figure out how!), or that doesn’t have time to plan travel. I offer an opportunity to have the experiences they crave without the hassle.

Why choose Simple Journeys?

Simple Journeys is a unique option for travelers that want a personalized experience with a caring service. My goal is for clients to feel at home with me, to experience a relational and personal atmosphere with someone they can trust. I continually strive to exceed client expectations in all areas, particularly in customer service through caring, personal interactions, and attention to details from the day of booking and continuing even after the trip is over.

If you identify with any of the statements I mentioned earlier (you don’t enjoy planning, you don’t feel capable of planning a trip, you don’t have time to plan trips, you don’t think you can afford it) then send me a message and let me know! If you don’t identify with any of those statements and prefer planning your own trips, that’s fine too! Feel free to check out my website and blog, and subscribe to my mailing list for updates, trip ideas, planning tips, and lots of other resources along the way. Hope to hear from you soon!