Ellen Hillery - Enchanted Memories Travel

10/31/2024

I always help my clients understand the intricacies of anything that may cause a travel ‘hiccup’ - such as improper travel documents. Did you know the airline may not let you board your flight if your passport going to expire in less than 6 months? Now you can RENEW your passport online! Create your account on MyTravelGov and follow the steps. So easy! Snap your own (unsmiling) 😐 selfie and upload to your online renewal. I received my new passport in less than two weeks! Then - please call me to book your next trip! https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html

10/26/2024

For sure there are travel agents and agencies that charge planning or service fees. Many people think they all do - so they are better booking online. Also, some agents don’t want to let people “pick their brain” only to get ghosted. So agents charge a planning fee so they don’t work for free - because don’t get a salary outside of commission - and to make up for the components of a trip that are not commissioned (airfare, rail, cruise excursions etc.)

That’s not me. I won’t and can’t charge a fee. Not only will I know it will limit any chance to get bookings - It’s not in my host agency agreement to do so. There are many times end up doing work for free. It’s part of the business. It’s the same as any service provider that provides estimates without a fee. It is what it is.

But for the clients for whom I earn loyalty from through for my hard work - they come back to rebook. That’s priceless to me. Two more months left in this year for your travel bookings for now or in the future. I’m trailing behind my goal. I’d really appreciate any new business or referrals. THANK YOU. (Photo of me last year in France.)

10/23/2024

London and Paris - working on this again! Such an iconic vacation choice. Independent travel or a fully escorted group tour? Here’s an independent trip for 1 themed around garden visits:

Okay so your group bailed on you - go alone - I’m here to book, manage, and answer all your questions!Includes:Nonstop flights Boston to London and Paris to Boston.6 hotel nights: 3 in London, and 3 in Paris: 4 star hotels with daily breakfast.One excursion in London and two activities in ParisCan...

10/21/2024

I think today my clients who always book their trips through me are pleased. While they were sitting at the pool having lunch at their beautiful resort in Greece, I was able to take care of booking an inter-island flight and changing their transfers because of unexpected strike with the ferry company. Now I’ll work on the ferry ticket refund.

10/19/2024

Did you miss out on a trip this year? There’s still time. I can’t believe the great pricing I am seeing on a late November river cruise - including a balcony stateroom and free air. If you can make these dates work, let me put it on hold for you. With the post cruise extension in Prague you may even see some of the Christmas Markets.

This sale ends 10/21/24Including airfare, cruise in a veranda stateroom, excursion in every port, insurance, transfers, and 3 additional nights in Prague.

10/16/2024

Today’s feedback. I ❤️my clients.

10/15/2024

Sometimes I am taken aback and feel a bit stung when a stranger asks me what I do for a living - and when I reply, they say something like “oh I didn’t know Travel Agents were still around anymore.” But I know my clients are happy that I’m here - especially those who also know the value I add because I do not charge any planning fees. Try me sometime. No need to go it alone.

Travel advisors continue to show incredible resilience. Through every challenge and obstacle over the past five years, they’ve not only bounced back but emerged even stronger, with sales that consistently surpass expectations.

Thank you, travel advisors, for your unwavering dedication and perseverance. You are the true backbone of our industry. 💙

10/15/2024

Clients just booked yesterday with this great opportunity:

Enjoy 10% off these "lucky seven" adventures, for departures between January 1 and August 31, 2025: Taste of Ireland-Scottish Dream-Taste of Scotland & Ireland-Irish Adventure-Scottish and Irish Dream-Irish Gold-Scottish and Irish Gold.

And this sale includes vacations featuring The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Tours in Edinburgh during August Tattoo season will enjoy reserved seats on the Castle Esplanade for this popular spectacle of music, dance, and light.

https://travefy.com/trip/6yw9rquc4nrwqz2avugtbdbp3epdraq

PLEASE let me be your dedicated agent to book and manage your vacation. Doesn’t cost you extra. I add value.

10/12/2024

https://travefy.com/trip/6yw9rqef2ehsqz2adp8valsjecp6fxa
Locals- do you want to see beautiful Canada and Northern New England in the late summer and fall but don’t want the traditional trafficky 🚙 road trip? Consider an ocean cruise 🚢 from Boston and PLEASE let me be your dedicated travel professional to book and manage it.

10/10/2024

I received an interesting email recently. An unfamilar contact wrote that they usually book their own travel - which is fine - I know many folks enjoy booking online. For simple trips it may be the right choice. But the next sentence bothered me. They “might” consider "leveraging" me for this next trip if I could answer some questions. I thought - I’m not a lever tool. I am number 8️⃣ in sales at my company of 200 colleagues again so far this year. I have a good client base - and you seem to like me because you come back again and again. To take on this request seemed futile to me - the underlying tone was “prove your occupation is valid to me.” I suspect this person copied and pasted this email to other agents. I gave a polite and professional response declining the offer.

10/09/2024

What sets me apart from others? I take it personally and need everything to be perfect for you. Whether it’s a simple cruise or a complicated multi destination trip - you are still going to receive my personal service, (in person if we are local) printed documents, customized private itinerary app, and my cell phone number. You are not alone and I care about you. You don’t have to spend a lot on your trip. I do not discriminate - everyone who books with me receives my full care and attention.

I am an independent travel advisor credentialed under Enchanted Memories Travel of Franklin MA, a travel agency within Travel Leaders Network.

10/08/2024

Today I spoke to two clients who just returned home from their vacations in Europe. I’m going to report back that everything was wonderful! They loved the hotels and tours and all the air itineraries and transfers worked out perfectly. Let me set the table for your next vacation.

10/03/2024

This is the time of the year for me to book your next year Alaskan cruise and land tour.

Please reach out to me - I’ll handle it all.

You can lock in this entire comprehensive journey with a nominal refundable deposit. This is a fabulous favorite trip that I’ve created for so many clients. They love it!

This was a tour a coupletook this year. These were the prices paid, but2025 pricing may be different.PRINCESS CRUISETOUR COST WITH 2 NIGHT HOTEL, TRANSFERS, STANDARD INSURANCE, NORTHBOUND CRUISE WITH PRINCESS PLUS PACKAGE, LAND TOUR WITH MEAL PLAN:Gross Payment Due10,866.98Final Due Date12MAY24Depos...

10/02/2024

If you would like me work on a trip, here’s a link to an easy form I created. It’ll take you a minute to fill it out, and likely by the time you get home from work, I will have a beautiful custom quote emailed to you! (This form is secure and password protected with two factor authentication for me to access it.) Picture for inspiration! https://travefy.com/f/6ws9rqrqwt7qra2uwxzvl5ngaqpnpxk3g2

09/30/2024

Great day today touring the gorgeous Enchanted Princess. I would highly recommend this ship. It’s only 3 years old! Princess Cruises are highly regarded by my clients - and I liked my own Princess cruise last fall. (I enjoyed my favorite virgin mojitos 🍋‍🟩, free wifi, included grats and more with the Plus pricing package - totally worth it.)

09/29/2024

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Jubilee year for Italy and specifically Rome - next year for faithful pilgrims - which is expected to make a popular destination even more crowded. Some say to completely skip travel to Italy next year and focus on 2026 instead.

I say this: I hate to think that we have to discourage travel to Italy next year.

I read that there were unexpectedly unoccupied hotel rooms in Paris this spring and summer. Discouraging tourism to Maui right after the fire has reverberated in all Hawaiian island tourism still being down over a year since.

I’ve been suggesting escorted group tours for a more efficient experience to Italy or trying to go in January, February, and March. Easter is late in 2025 so late winter could be a smart time to go.

I know and - see it every day - people have a travel opportunity, budget, and window to take their trips, and they might not ever have it again. And actively discouraging 2025 travel to Italy is going to make 2026 even more crazy. Definitely lots to think about! Reach out if you’d like me to work with you to book your trip to Italy. (These photos all taken by me during my amazing escorted tour to Italy this past March.)

09/27/2024

Just heard back from a wonderful couple who just returned from Italy. I did my best so they could - and I was aware of the importance of working within their budget! They are very pleased! Attaching screenshots of email - and I was given permission to share.

09/24/2024

Guided tour offerings with 2 for 1 airfare!
Choose from 17 popular tours and experience the landscapes, culture, and history of Ireland, Scotland, England, or Iceland while you save on airfare for two.
Book with me before September 30 and travel next year before July 31st. This is a good opportunity to put one of these trips on your calendar.

09/22/2024

Today I’m thinking about Ireland. 🇮🇪

Ways to visit:

•Self drive (they drive on the left - make sure to take extra insurance)
•Fully escorted and guided tours
•City based stays with day trips

Ireland at a glance:

•Currency-Euro (Sterling in Northern Ireland)
•Tipping-Optional 10-12% on dining
•Avg.Summer Temp-68° F
•Avg. Winter Temp-46° F
•Peak Tourist Season-July & August
•Languages-English & Irish

Must-have souvenirs:
•Irish whiskey
•Aran sweaters
•Waterford crystal

Local lingo:
•Craic (fun)
•Banjaxed (broken)
•Sláinte (cheers!)

This past summer during the peak season, I had folks take escorted tours and self drives as well as city stays - and I coordinated everything for them! I’m looking forward to working on more Ireland vacations! It’s best to book early.

You can also get nonstops from major East Coast cities. However, keep in mind that airfare is pricing relatively high and there’s not an expectation that fares will drop. Every plane is full from the United States to Europe - for example - my husband departed last night for a business trip to Scotland. Not peak season - first day of fall. The entire jumbo jet was full. Every single seat was taken. It’s simple supply and demand. When planes filled are airlines really don’t have any incentive to mark down fares. It’s best to book those airline tickets early and secure your assigned seats so you can be together.

However, once you step off the plane you’ll find that your destination is a good value vacation - and the Irish have mastered the art of fáilte, which means welcome. You will love exploring the Emerald Isle! 🍀

I hope you’ll contact me to plan your next vacation: you know my services are free, and I provide professional expertise.

Take a task off your list - use a

09/20/2024

Hi - I have some news regarding last minute travel promos for travel THIS YEAR. I can add these incentives to a trip that I arrange for you!

Gifts to you from our agency owner:

Your clients can earn cash or on board credit today!

Book now to October 31, 2024 for travel in 2024 qualify for the following:

Land Vacations:
$5000 or more = $100 gift card

(Gift cards paid upon final payment. Gift cards are able to be redeemed domestically)

Cruises:
On board credit added before sailing:
Inside Cabin =$25
Ocean View = $50
Balcony = $75
Suite/Concierge = $100

Let me know if you have any questions!

09/19/2024

Trips booked this week so far include Hawaii, Italy escorted tours, and Greek Isles cruises.

I’ve also sent lovely custom proposals for vacations to the Keys and Caribbean Islands to my clients.

Tasks I’ve worked on this week included mailing travel documents, meeting with clients about to travel, working on final payments, and one of the big jobs was today at 5:45 am: making dining and special event reservations for a client’s vacation to Walt Disney World. I still book Disney for my clients - and one of my services is being up to be able to get the reservations my clients request during the very tiny window they become available 60 days prior to the trip.

What can I do for you?

I’m always accepting new clients and I truly appreciate any referrals you send me. I also would love any reviews that you could share either on this page - or my listing - https://g.page/r/CaupCncDW2neEBE/review - or at my consortium - https://agents.travelleaders.com/Reviews/agent_review.aspx?agt=NjE0MDM1

Post a review to our profile on Google

09/14/2024

POV - you are shopping online for flights and hotels and get a rough idea of what you think you can afford and then reach out to me to arrange a trip for you. I provide an expert proposal - and you are shocked at the cost and decline to book.

Happens often.

The issue is that you are only using a search engine - maybe not plugging in your true dates. You are only seeing the airline cost for one basic economy ticket, not 4 main cabin or first class seats. You are seeing a nonrefundable hotel rate for off season without coming to the total for your true dates including taxes and fees.

And often when you book on your own you are paying many separate invoices at different times and may not be really aware in general of just how much you are spending on your self-booked vacation.

With me it’s transparent - you see the total cost in the full trip proposal. Sometimes there’s only a small refundable deposit to be made, not a sunk, nonrefundable, nonchangeable charge to your credit card.

There’s no doubt about it - a well planned vacation is an investment. If you want one, my planning and booking services are free. I’m on your side - I’m not gouging you. I’m finding the same - and sometimes better prices as you. I’m curating and choosing vacation products to best fit your needs and protect your vacation investment. I add value.