Travel With Suzanne

19/07/2024

My phone started beeping at about 3 a.m. Thankfully I do not have any clients flying today (tomorrow and the next day and the next day . . . another story).

Flights are delayed. Flights are cancelled. Check your flight status before you head to the airport. If you do find yourself at the airport, please be patient. All of this is frustrating enough for everyone without people being unkind and impatient.

This is being billed as the largest IT outage in history. And, of course, in my work I'm hyperfocused on the impact on travel but the affect on our safety infrastructure is far more devastating.

A major IT outage has grounded planes and sent broadcasters off air.

03/07/2024

This is one of the best, most comprehensive articles I’ve seen about how cruises maneuver a hurricane, how cruise lines compensate their guests, why travel insurance and planning travel buffers are important, and what cruising on the fringes of a storm can feel like. Among many other things.

Of course, there are different considerations if your holiday plans take you directly to the islands or in the Yucatan during the season.

We are just starting to see pictures of the devastation in Grenada, the Grenadines, and Barbados. And in a few hours this beast is going to pass along the south coast of Jamaica.

The hardest part of these storms is not the storm itself. It’s the aftermath when infrastructure, communication, access to the islands, medical care, etc are all challenges.

My heart literally hurts for these islands right now. Yet, I keep flashing back to a visit to Jamaica a few years ago where an employee at a property I was staying at said to me, “Miss Suzanne, is there anything you are celebrating on this trip? No? Nothing? That’s okay, in Jamaica every day is a celebration!” And it’s true. And I know that spirit will prevail no matter what today brings for the island.

Fall is a great time to snag a deal on a Caribbean cruise. But the deals come with a caveat: There’s a chance your sailing could be disrupted by a hurricane or tropical storm.

02/07/2024

Just a little friendly reminder what your favorite travel agent does during hurricane season:

1. She monitors the weather like a crazy women. Analyzing hurricane paths, wind patterns, etc.

2. She looks at all of her cruisers and Caribbean travelers and guesses what might happen to their trips.

3. She hopes you listened to her advice and purchased the travel insurance. And she looks at all of your bookings to double check.

4. She happily answers all of your calls and emails and text messages to calm your fears and encourage you to wait as long as possible to make decisions.

5. She spends countless hours on the phone with airlines, resorts, tour operators, etc. Fixing it as best as she can, keeping you safe and salvaging your holiday.

6. She remembers fondly the newlyweds two years ago whose honeymoon was affected by not one but TWO different hurricanes: like bookends in the first chapter of the story of life with a whole lot of fun in between.

Oh, Beryl! You are one for the record books. My heart breaks for the small, beautiful islands of the Caribbean that I love so much. These direct hits are so hard. And because so many families depend on tourism, back to work immediately they go, with a smile on their face, ready to make your vacation an amazing experience, even though their own home might be without a roof, or even completely destroyed.

Beryl has had quite a ride, so far. Here's the latest forecast on what still lies ahead. - Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com

16/06/2024

I’ve been psyching myself up to go to Antarctica. It’s my last continent. It was surely a sign to walk into the gift shop on the Disney Dream and see this beautiful Mickey Mouse Helly Hansen jacket. I’m ready to go now? Who’s going with me? Travel with Suzanne - The Group

29/05/2024

Who remembers sock guy? Imagine my surprise a few hours ago when I got a friend request from someone that at first it seemed like I had no connection to. It only took about 7 seconds on his FB to realize that he does a podcast and had recently interviewed sock guy. Yes. He's got a name, it's Paul. And for those in the know you will remember that I have a 100 Mile Ultra Trail Race that goes right by my house. A few years ago the park behind the house had a bridge issue and the race was rerouted for the first couple of miles to surface streets including mine. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. I do not run. Ever. Unless a bear is chasing me. And while not impossible, it's unlikely here. I may not run but I am a really good cheerleader and cheering on these absolutely amazing athletes as they run by my house in the morning and then then 20-30 hours later as they hit their last mile of the race, often delirious and sometimes wanting to quit when they are soooooo close, is one of my favorite things each year!

Sadly, this year I will be in Quebec during the race. Hopefully the 'hood will hold down the fort and hand out the beer and free hugs. Although I'm generally the only one willing to give out a hug to a sweaty runner . . . so maybe don't count on hugs this year!

Give a listen to the interview! Thanks, John Voso Jr for finding me and sharing it!

Paul is a real estate attorney by day, working the behind-the-scenes tile work for Ryan Homes and their affiliate. Ultras are anything beyond regular marathon and Paul and his group they do hundred milers. In 2023 he finished the Midwest Super Slam. Five 100 mile races from Wisconsin to Ohio, starti...

28/05/2024

16 year old me had to make a double connection to fly to Copenhagen to study for a year. It's still often a double connection from many US gateways OR a connection in Schengen which adds a lot of time to the trip. Starting next week though, AA has a direct flight out of Philly.

I haven't exactly had much opportunity to keep up with Danish but I do remember how to say I love you (Jeg elsker dig) and a few swear words. That should be just fine for a visit!

And I still think King Frederik is just as cute today as I did when he was a Prince and I was an exchange student. ♥

Probably time to go back . . .

Philadelphia will soon have direct access to Copenhagen with a new flight from American Airlines. Service to Copenhagen's CPH airport launches June 6 on Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

28/05/2024

How about an even smaller boat? I have one room left on my yacht charter. Sail with me from Split to Dubrovnik next summer!

https://www.travelwithsuzanne.com/croatia2025

25/05/2024

That’s. A. Wrap. Looking forward to sailing with these folks again on the Rhine in October!

Thank you, Kathy, Anna, Scott, Phyllis, and Mary for a fun ten nights at sea.

08/05/2024

I agree. I think it's going to be a real deadline in 2025. If you fly domestically, or plan to fly domestically, you are going to need a REAL ID drivers license. May as well get the ball rolling, collect what you need and get in line at the BMV.

A few notes.

A REAL ID is NOT the same as an enhanced DL. Enhanced DLs are only available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington and may be used to drive over the border to Canada.

You will NOT be allowed to drive over the border to Canada with a REAL ID. Only with the enhanced DL from those states.

For TSA details on REAL ID: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs

Applying for a REAL ID requires some additional documentation. See your state's BMV for exact details.

You might have heard about the Real ID deadline before but this time, DHS says it's legit: You'll need a Real ID license by May 7, 2025.

26/04/2024

Many of my Detroit clients use Air Canada. Take note. If you want to sit with your travel companions, you need to pay for your seats in advance.

25/04/2024

It's called Travel With Suzanne for a reason! I do love planning individual trips for my clients. But my passion is traveling WITH my clients. I love introducing them to my favorite places and experiencing new places together. In 2024 I will be visiting Portugal and Spain, Ireland, and The Rhine River with clients.

In 2025, I've a private yacht charter in Croatia. There are two rooms left? Is one of them yours? Details are here: https://www.travelwithsuzanne.com/croatia2025

And, I've just opened booking for an October sailing together on The Danube River. Come sail away with me! We'll ride eBikes, sample the fine wines of the Wachau Valley, visit Melk Abbey, and indulge in some Sacher Torte in Vienna. Among other things!

Book by the end of the month for an additional $125 per person off of your cruise fare: https://www.travelwithsuzanne.com/danube-explorer

24/04/2024

Pro Tip: Double check for ammo. And be wary of residue too: ammo and THC. Pocket knives and scissors are a problem as well. But those aren't going to land you in foreign jail.

An Oklahoma City metro couple, coming home from a dream vacation, has been caught in a Caribbean nightmare.

24/04/2024

Good news for travelers who experience delays or cancellations for their flights. Automatic refunds are coming for domestic flights delayed 3+ hours and international flight delays of 6+ hours. Airlines have 6 months to implement the changes.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the new rules Wednesday.

23/04/2024

I’ve been doing this for over eight years. I’ve attended dozens and dozens of industry events and thrown my business card in every drawing. I never win. Tonight though it wasn’t about luck- the Irish Tourism Board was in Cleveland with several amazing vendors, many of whom I’ve booked with over the years. No drawing here. No luck of the Irish. We had a timed quiz. And this girl won it all! I’m going back to Ireland to visit some new places, and I can’t wait! 🍀

06/04/2024

Friends, I am really excited to share my second "Travel with Suzanne" opportunity for 2025. I will be hosting a Danube River Cruise Group from October 26-November 2, 2025. Join me on the Emerald Dawn as we sail south along the stunning Danube river from Munich to Budapest.

Pricing for the cruise starts at $2945 per person. But, there are some amazing additional promotional offers:

1. Pay in full by December 15, 2024 and take an additional $1000 off PER PERSON.
2. Book by the end of April, and take an additional $125 PER PERSON off.
3. Sailed with Emerald before (or sailing with me this coming October?) - That's an additional $200 PER PERSON off.
4. And, because there is an eclipse and my PURDUE BOILERMAKERS are playing in the Final Four: submit your booking form by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, April 8, and I will offer you one complimentary optional excursion per person.

Got questions? Don't bother me during the game! But, feel free to email me on [email protected]

Details can be found here:

https://www.travelwithsuzanne.com/danube-explorer

24/03/2024

I’m exhausted. Everything hurts. I lost my voice. And, I’m way behind in my social media posting. But, I’m almost home, I know a lot more about European River Cruising and I just spent $10 for 30 minutes in the leg squishing massage chair and my new yellow suitcase has some Dutch cheese in it. So life isn’t too bad.

Stay tuned for a little 2025 Danube River Group news! Who wants to sail the Danube with me?

11/03/2024

First big trip of the year! Headed to Amsterdam for the international river cruise conference. Then I will be doing a seven night cruise around the Netherlands and Belgium on the Emerald Dawn, which coincidentally the ship I will be sailing with 22 clients in October on the Rhine. It’s not too late to join the group!

08/03/2024

There are few places in the world that don’t take credit cards and it’s one of the safest options for payment when traveling. But when you are out of the country, you will often get asked if they should run your card in the local currency or your home currency. The answer is: local. Always local.

Why?

1. Currency Conversion Fees: If you choose to pay in dollars, the merchant may apply their own exchange rate, which is often less favorable than the rate provided by your credit card company. This can result in higher costs for you due to additional currency conversion fees or inflated exchange rates.

2. Credit Card Issuer Rates: Credit card issuers usually offer competitive exchange rates for transactions made in foreign currencies. Opting to pay in the local currency allows your credit card company to handle the currency conversion, typically at a more favorable rate than what merchants may offer through dynamic currency conversion.

3. Avoiding Double Conversion: Paying in USD through may result in double conversion. The transaction may first be converted from the local currency to USD by the merchant, then converted back to your home currency by your credit card issuer. This double conversion can lead to higher costs for you.

14/02/2024

What’s not to love about love! May today, and every day, be full of love for you, my friends!

04/02/2024

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. ♥

25/01/2024

I cannot agree more.

04/01/2024

High praise indeed! It’s funny, but it’s true. I will be there for you if you are my client! ♥️

28/12/2023

There are some places that just have my heart and when I plan trips for my clients to these places it keeps a perpetual smile on my face. Ireland is one of those places for me and a lot of it is the humor of the Irish. Some day I'm going to take a DNA test and I'm not going to be surprised one little bit if somewhere in there amongst the known British and Scottish and Norwegian ancestry there is some Irish blood. I always say, "These are my people!"

This video is just so true. Every word.

Want to experience it for yourself? With me? I have two rooms left in my October 2024 group. Is one of them yours? Join me for a week of Irish food, fun, scenery, and laughs!

Link to details on the trip in the first comment. Or join Travel with Suzanne - The Group

There's something special about Ireland. Speak to anyone who has been here and they’ll always have something special to say, so why not fill your heart with ...

31/10/2023

The sweet village of Lindos on Rhodes has winding streets with shops and dining and a steep set of stairs lead up to the Acropolis where you can find a temple to Athena and the most beautiful vistas of blue water. Well worth the trek.

14/10/2023

Bedbugs? Paris?

Lucky for me, I haven’t had any clients in Paris since Fashion Week!

I’m going myself in a few weeks though.

From the beginning, I’ve thought this was like every other drama that affects travel to certain destinations. Overhyped. Doesn’t mean it’s not real. Just means it’s overstated.

So what’s a girl to do when she’s traveling to the City of Lights?

1. Don’t panic.
2. Learn how to check your hotel room for bedbugs. (You probably should do this everywhere you go!)
3. Pay attention while you are there!
4. Have fun!
5. If you are me, call your dad. (Inside joke for anyone who knows us, he’s a retired Purdue University entomologist!)

Here’s a really good read. Although, I am left to wonder if Scientific American ever had to use the word “influencer” in a title before? https://tinyurl.com/creepyparis

10/10/2023

It’s been awhile since I got to talk about a travel vaccine that wasn’t Covid related! But today’s the day! I had to get a yellow fever vaccine for an upcoming trip. Any guesses where I’m going? Also, huge shout out to for squeezing me in today and saving the day! 💉

09/10/2023

Like the rest of the world, I woke up Saturday to the heartbreaking news of war in Israel. I look at these kinds of world events through lots of lenses: the human lens that worries for families and children in the region, the lens of a citizen of the world that wonders if this is the brink of a World War, and also the lens of my job.

As far as my job is concerned, I am constantly reading, thinking, analyzing the value (and toll) of tourism in various parts of the world.

I also have to think about the safety of my clients.

The truth of the matter is that ten days from now I'm getting on an airplane to fly to Europe to step onto a cruise ship that was to set sail to both Israel and Egypt. Two bucket list destinations that I was very much looking forward to visiting. Obviously I will not be visiting Israel on this trip. Egypt, yes, unless something changes, and I'm very well aware that it could.

The other truth of the matter is that I have clients whose dream trips to the Holy Land in the next few weeks are going to need to be canceled. Every travel agent in the world is working furiously to find out what the options are for our clients, hoping to salvage dream trips, but knowing that ultimately, a trip is not what is important here.

Peace is.

30/09/2023

♥End of the month gratitude post!♥

September isn’t usually a big sales month for me. But this month was my biggest month of the year. And it’s almost my biggest month ever! (Feel free to call today and book a trip today to tip me over!) I am so grateful to my clients who entrust me with their vacations and adventures. Thank you! ♥

As I grabbed my coffee this morning and looked at my wrist, I can’t help but be grateful to some of the people who got me here. On Valentine’s Day this year, my friend, and industry mentor, passed away unexpectedly. His motto in life and in business was “Do it scared.” I’ve taken some big risks to grow this business this year and I hope I will see the benefits of that as time marches on. Will in my ear whispering, “do it scared, beautiful” kicks me in the butt to take a deep breath and go for it some days when I’m too scared to function. ♥

So, to life and success and good coffee and doing it scared! My “do it scared” bracelet and a photo of Will and I this week, four years ago, when he hosted his very first Destination Wedding University retreat. I am today and always will be grateful to the learning and community that that class and retreat and group of women (plus Will) brought into my life. ♥ Please excuse the hot, sweaty mess, Will threw a helluva party! ♥

28/09/2023

Ya'll are always asking me about deals. So here's one:

I have some group space available for The Fives Beach Resort in Playa del Carmen. The rates are better than you can find anywhere else and only available with my agency. So, if the idea of a warm getaway with family or friends from Jan 2-6 sounds like a good idea, shoot me an email today: [email protected]

My swim up rooms are $2384 for the four nights, two adults. Flights, travel insurance, transfers to and from the resort are not included but I can help you with these as well. Booking direct these rooms are currently pricing at $3029.

I do have other room categories available and there is a possibility of extending the number of nights, based on availability.

I’m only holding these rooms for another week, so grab them now!

11/09/2023

It’s exciting enough to find a puffy pink envelope in my mailbox. But, when it comes with a sweet note like this from a friend who traveled with me to Greece this year (after a trip to England and Paris with her husband), I am reminded again about how much I love my job. 💕