I'm Outta Here Travel

09/01/2025

At least this is what I'm hoping for. Who's with me? 🤣

09/01/2025

Think you can't get a taste of South Africa in just one week? Think again! I just created a brief itinerary. It, sadly, excludes Cape Town, but you'll get a hint of urban as well as a hint of safari. Don't write off this magical destination!

(Link in comments below)

08/01/2025

My heart goes out to those near the Palisades fire and I'm hoping y'all are OK. If you need a place to stay and can't find a hotel, reach out to me -- my connections may be able to find an available room. Completely free of charge to anyone who may be affected.

Be safe, and be well.

08/01/2025

Are you on Pinterest? I am! Find trip reports such as this one, and other curated travel info, at Im.Outta.Here.Travel on Pinterest.

07/01/2025

Cruise promo just for learning more about Virgin Voyages -- no strings attached!

Virgin is offering four 30-minute webinars throughout the month, telling current and future sailors about everything new offered in 2025. *In addition to* the already great deals VV is offering up at the beginning of the year, those who attend one of these four webinars will receive an ADDITIONAL $200 onboard credit.

People often say that VV is their favorite cruise line; why not get the Virgin experience with less out of your pocket? :)

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register for one of these fantastic events!

06/01/2025

Wave season's comin' in hot!

The first few months of each year is like an extended Black Friday for the cruise industry. Most -- if not all -- cruise companies offer their best deals at this time of year. Whether you're looking to take a cruise in a few months or next year, you can probably get your best deal now!

Interested? Reach out to me, even if you don't have solid ideas, and we can discover the best cruise for you!

06/01/2025

Thank you, Tricia, for the fantastic review! So glad that you and your family enjoyed your cruise. 😀

04/01/2025

Barely a few days into the year, and I've already booked one client! They are going to the Vegas Strip next month for big birthday celebrations. :)

Whether you're celebrating an occasion, or the occasion is "let's get out of town", I can help you find the best deal in the perfect place. Let's talk about making your travel dreams come true!

03/01/2025

New Itinerary Time! I used my amazing 2017 experience in South Africa to create a two-week itinerary, suitable for couples and families.

This is more extensive, so it is behind a (small) paywall. I will write up a shorter version that costs $0 soon!

A trip to South Africa is a sensory delight, weaving together vibrant cultures, stunning landscapes, and rich histories. From the golden savannas of K...

01/01/2025

Maybe you aren't a geography nerd like I am -- you don't really care how international borders came to be. But the first part of this video wonderfully describes the reason that the Balkan States divided up the way they did after Yugoslavia broke up.

In this video I cover some border oddities across the world. --------------------------------------------------------------♪ Biscuit (Prod. by Lukrembo)Link ...

31/12/2024

What are your travel goals for 2025?

I will certainly go back to Istanbul to stay in my apartment. But, I do try to diversify every year. I want to make the most of my Southwest Companion Pass this year: Kentucky Bourbon Trail or Texas BBQ are high on my list. As for a new (to me) international location -- I am open to almost anything! Albania and Tunisia are ranking pretty high.

Let's make this a great travel year! If you want to explore more, feel free to reach out -- let's talk travel.

23/12/2024

Saving big $$ on travel doesn't always involve miles and points! Look at these numbers -- pretty big savings.

I have a membership to 24 Hour Fitness subsidized by my health insurance plan -- a great deal at about 50% off. This gym chain has a program where they give you points per visit, when you exceed a certain number of visits per month, etc. I'm going to work out, anyway -- so I rack up these points.

While I've been using points primarily to try new restaurants and cafes (BOGO or big discounts for 5-10 points, and I get 3 points per gym visit), I just started playing around with their hotel offerings. And look what I found!

Even if you aren't into the credit card game, you may have everyday activities that give you travel discounts. Want to learn more about low cost travel strategies? Reach out!

22/12/2024

Why book with a travel advisor like me, when you can find the same deals on Booking.com or Hotels.com?

Because despite what you see, my deals are BETTER deals than they could ever provide! The listed price of the room might be the same, but I can often get you benefits that these large consolidators cannot -- such as included breakfast and upgraded rooms.

The suppliers like us -- the small boutique agencies -- better than the big sites. So, they give us perks! To be listed on Booking, Expedia, etc the suppliers need to pay a bigger commission than with small folks like me. I pass my rewards onto you, the customer!

21/12/2024

Hot off the presses -- my first published guide on Thatch, a home for unique travel guides and itineraries written by those of us who have been there.

I am sharing some of my favorite places to eat and drink near my Istanbul apartment! Enjoy.

(This guide is free. I will be writing some paid guides in the future.)

Istiklal Street, nestled in the heart of Istanbul, pulses with vibrant energy, where the modern and traditional seamlessly blend. Cobblestone paths ar...

21/12/2024

Wouldn't it be nice to have *this*, rather than some old, worn-out sandwich, as a layover meal while you're waiting for your next connection?

I can show you how to access airport lounges! No more sitting in cramped chairs at the gate, while you wait to sit in another cramped chair in the sky.

Reach out to me to learn all about lounge access!

📍 Capital One Lounge, DEN

20/12/2024

One of my travel hacks that, sadly, often comes true: something goes wrong enough that you receive travel credit, therefore the trip is cheaper.

Tongue firmly in cheek, of course. But a reminder to speak up about any issues -- best case, you get a little sumthin' for it; but I view it as fixing a problem before it's passed on to the next customer.

Case in point:

Recently, we rented a car from Memphis Airport. (We should have known better, since it hadn't received maintenance in its first year of service). The check engine light lit up when we were too far away to trade it in (of course). Luckily, when we scanned the code at O'Reillys, it wasn't a crucial problem -- but we notified the company when we returned the vehicle. Mostly so they knew to fix it up before sending it out again, but we got a nice little voucher for our next rental.

This is one of many examples I've experienced as a seasoned traveler. Remember that you don't have to be a pain in the butt, but if you kindly speak up, you may get some nice compensation.

19/12/2024

POV: a cruise where the second sailor gets a hefty discount is the perfect gift -- you can go, as well! Get a Virgin Voyages Caribbean cruise for your partner (at 80% off second sailor)... and YOU! Win-win, both of you take advantage of this gift.

(And no searching for wrapping paper, paper cuts, etc.)

This deal is limited -- only until 9pm PST tomorrow, 20 Dec. Reach out to me NOW if you want to know more! Text: 206-659-9391

18/12/2024

Coming from I'm Outta Here Travel in 2025: itineraries and guides to plan your very own trip! First up will be South Africa (including Johannesburg, shown in these photos) along with a German Christmas Market tour. Dedicated to make off-the-beaten-path destinations accessible to all. Watch this space for future announcements!