Going Beyond the Ordinary

I propose services that are tied to my clients’ interests and will bring those interests to life through authentic travel experiences. That is what today’s travelers are looking for.

In order to distinguish ourselves from the competition, we need to personally familiarize ourselves with companies that are able to provide bespoke travel experiences.

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Here is a case in point. I recently embarked on a Baltic cruise vacation that included a visit to Prague. I arranged my transfers and some private guided tours through a wonderful local company, Daido Travel. When I exited the baggage area, I immediately saw a person holding a sign with my name on it.

Even after my 26 years as an agent, I still breathe a sigh of relief when I see that sign after a very long flight.

Kamila, our guide, provided us with an excellent private tour of the city. The highlight, however, was a visit to Terezin, the concentration camp where Jews were sent before being transferred to such gas chamber camps as Auschwitz.

It was a sad and moving experience, but what made it even more compelling was that Daido arranged for a 91-year-old camp survivor to accompany us. Doris was sent to the camp when she was 15 years old. She was separated from her family and assigned to care for the sheep that grazed in the camp’s fields.

Because she was excellent at handling the animals, the Germans did not transfer her to Auschwitz with her family. Only one brother survived the Auschwitz internment.

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We saw the memorials to those who perished, images of the living conditions and children’s drawings. But what had the greatest impact on me came when we happened upon a group of Czech school children who had been touring the compound. Doris talked with the children, answering all of their questions.

They were conversing in Czech and Kamila translated, but it wasn’t really necessary. Seeing the look of interest and caring on their faces, along with the tears rolling down Doris’ face as she spoke, left a lasting impression on me—one I will cherish forever.

Walking around Terezin on my own would have been a memorable experience, but I would never have felt the full impact of the visit had I not shared it with a survivor from the camp.

This is what I seek to provide for every client I book and every tour I sell.

"I propose services that are tied to my clients’ interests and will bring those interests to life through authentic travel experiences."