2024 has hit like a ton of bricks. In a good way! I already have one trip under my belt (to my favorite midwestern city, Rockford, Illinois) just in time for a (super) cold snap. The frozen midwest winter does not disappoint.
Newburg and Perryville
I’ve been booking trips to Ireland, Costa Rica, Alaska and Switzerland. And just as January was about to leave us, I was made a Pro Fora Advisor. This means that I’ve worked with a diverse group of clients and logged consistent bookings. This will open up even more training and opportunities to immerse myself in the world of travel advising. I truly love researching destinations and booking those flights, hotels and tours.
I have no doubt 2024 will be a fantastic year for my travel business. I’ve gained 3 new clients in the past week, and continue to work tirelessly (can you say side hustle three times fast?) for my existing clients.
Reach out and email me at amy.barraclough@fora.travel to start talking about your next trip. Where are you headed next? Put your bucket list destination in the comments.
Spreading the word about my travel planning services. I’ve created a selling page on Fiverr. This way you can order itinerary templates for the trip you’re planning. You’ll get 3 lodging options, 2 air itineraries to choose from and dining recommendations. You can choose to book yourself or I can do the booking for you.
Comment below if you’ve ever used Fiverr, either as a customer or as a creator.
I’ve heard you need SEVEN streams of income to be a successful digital marketer. So I’m taking my shot with Amazon. As one of the biggest retailers around, and seeing them break into telemedicine, I’ve been accepted as an Amazon Affiliate which means I can feature products I love in my blog and social media.
As an example (and a popular product). My latest obsession is the echo pop. I have one in my primary bathroom, my kitchen and in my home office. I can ask about the weather, play my favorite music and stream a podcast. If I’m in the mood for hilarity, it’s usually Smartless). If I’m in a learning mood: New York Times “The Daily“. Or when I’m in travel advisor mode, it’s Speedtalking with Fora, of course.
To tell the absolute truth, I’ve never seen Henley Vasquez of Fora without something clever or sophisticated to say, and I’m convinced she would win the “Who’s Who in Hotels” Jeopardy competition, as would many of her Fora colleagues. If you’ve never seen Henley “Shake for Champagne” on a Virgin Voyages Cruise, then you need to go on your own Virgin Voyages Cruise and see what that energy is all about.
Comment below what Amazon product would be a best seller for my storefront.
Each comment will earn FREE travel planning services if you book with Turtle Shell Travel before the end of the 2023. After you comment, click here to input your contact information and we can start customizing your travel plans.
Are you looking for an “easy to plan and enjoyed by everyone” family trip? Look no further than cruising. Ditch the multi-generation family cabin vacation (or bring those generations with you!). Travel on a cruise ship resembles hotel vacations but BETTER. It takes away many of the daily chores for a “family manager” who is also probably the “vacation planner”. No meals to shop for and prepare, no dishes to wash, no clothes to fold.
If you’re the parent of elementary aged kids and preeteens, consider taking your family vacation on a cruise ship, rather than in a vacation rental. On a cruise, your meals will be prepared for you. No filling the fridge with ketchup, syrup and butter for mac-n-cheese. And your activities are literally feet away, with pools, shows, kids activities, AND port excursions. Your days will be full, your kids will be tired, and you’ll watch them having the times of their lives. Share a meal, a story, or an activity with them and you’ll have memories to take home from your getaway in no time.
There are many ways to “house” a family on a cruise ships, from suites, connecting cabins and adjacent cabins, the configurations are limitless. And think about bringing along a friend or two for your kids. Or travel with your extended family. Cruising is great for a multi-generational reunion. And, again, you don’t have to cook the hot dogs and hamburgers…no potato salad to prep or water balloons to tie.
Visit new countries and spend a day at a beach club. Variety is key and you won’t tire of this adventure. Check out my Pinterest Page for Cruising videos and recommendations. Comment here if you’ve every cruised…and what is your favorite cruise line?
My client just returned from her Bachelorette Party weekend in Portland, Maine and her review was a great big smiley face.
And while I’m quite certain she didn’t run around dressed like this…and standing on her toes on the boat, I bed a great time was had exploring the Old Port, eating dinner at some of Portland’s best restaurants and enjoying Casco Bay and the Gulf of Maine.
Summer is truly one of the best times to visit Portland, but don’t count out Fall, either. The fall colors of New England are not to be missed, either.
What’s trending in the world of travel?
Most definitely, cruises. I’ve booked two this summer. And absolutely cannot wait to go on my next Virgin Voyages cruise in 2024! All travel advisors are anxiously awaiting the release of the Virgin Voyages sailing for summer of 2024 and Greece is definitely on my mind.
Also popular is Hyatt’s takeover of the Caribbean All-inclusive Market. Many deals are to be had if you’re looking to travel before the end of 2023. Check out my Pinterest Page for details of Hyatt’s current promotions. And if you’re not sure where you want to travel? Reach out to my FORA travel advisor page to start a conversation and I’ll start researching.
This month has been full of marketing efforts to promote my travel advising business and expanding my knowledge about cruising.
As an independent travel advisor with Fora Travel, I have a vast network of expert travel advisor to tap when needed. And Fora provides wonderful opportunities to meet suppliers and learn about destinations. Just this month, I was able to sail on the Scarlet Lady, hosted by Virgin Voyages. I have so much information to pass onto you over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for tips for traveling this new and exciting cruise line, which will welcome two new ships this year.
The Sea Terrace Cabin
Sea Terrace Cabin on Virgin Voyages
My other effort this month has been to increase my marketing efforts to reach more client and grow my business. I’ve started a Tik Tok account for higher visibility for my reels. I’m hoping this will bring in leads via e-mail with trip inquiries. And since there aren’t many local travel agents listed with a simple google search, I’ve engaged Yelp to market Turtle Shell Travel to those looking for traditional travel agency services – airfare, hotel, tours, cruises. I love working on all of these types of travel.
So, if you’re from Yelp – welcome! Send me an email at amy.barraclough@fora.travel or fill out my Fora profile inquiry form and we’ll start planning your next trip. Also looking for groups and businesses needing travel planning services. With summer coming, I have lots of time to turn those fall and winter plans into reality.
Cruising to escape, and to return home: a transatlantic repositioning cruise
Now We’re Voyaging Campaign
Photographer: Alberto Oviedo
Studio: Christian Schrader, Kathy Boos
Brand: Billy Bohan
Virgin Voyages is bringing a new way to cruise to the US and Europe. As an independent travel advisor, I’ve been given an inside peek at the depth and breadth of what Virgin Voyages has to offer, and I must say I’m impressed. New cruise ships, an adults only approach, and special offerings not seen before on cruises will likely bring in new passengers.
The Virgin Voyages training reminds me of the Virgin Records roots and connection to music. These new ships have actual vinyl record stores, which will appeal the generation of 80s and 90s kids who spent time at the mall culling through albums, and then did the same in second hand stores in college.
People doing yoga at B-Complex Balance
Group Yoga classes and healthy, customizable meals will be a draw. I’m especially looking forward to taking a 2 week repositioning cruise from Europe to Miami, where I can do sunrise yoga in the morning, enjoy a healthy salmon rice bowl by the pool in the afternoon, nap in the hammock on my terrace, and enjoy a bottle of wine with my husband in the evening and not worry about driving home. On Virgin Voyages, gratuities are included, as are tea, coffee, sparkling water. Add a good book or two and there you have the perfect vacation. And Virgin Voyages ships are made to be carbon neutral. That’s something you can feel good about
Food and drinks on a table at Extra Virgin.
UK Photoshoot / Atlantis
Shoot Dates: Sept 27-30, 2021
Usage: Full Buyout
Goal: Food & Beverages
Deliverables: images, gifs, and videos
TEAM
Photographer: Scott Grummett
https://www.scottgrummett.com
Agent: Terri Manduca
Food Stylist / AD: Elisa Merlo
CD: Christian Schrader
Art Buyer / Producer: Kathy Boos
If you’d like to see what sailings are available for you, click here. This is my affiliate booking page with Virgin Voyages. I know you’ll have questions, too. Leave them below in my comments chat, or message me through my FORA page
This is not a paid ad, but I do earn commissions on bookings made through my link above.
Treating yourself to a travel advisor for Summer 2023 travel planning…
Some people say “yes” to the dress. My challenge to you is to say “yes” to a travel agent. Do you have a complicated itinerary in the works, or a simple booking with flights and hotel? A travel agent can help you will all of that, and more.
In the past three months, I’ve booked travel to the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Midwest US, San Juan Islands and Glacier National Park. I also have a client coming to Portland for her Bachelorette Party in August! She and her friends will have a blast. Now is the time to reach out to have me work with you to plan your summer adventure.
What about fees? My fees range from $100 – $400 depending on the size of your group, and destination (US & Caribbean vs Europe) and length of trip.
I can make your travel planning effortless and will leverage my relationship with hotels and travel suppliers to bring you the best experience during your getaway. I’ve grown my business considerably over the past 4 months. Help me reach my goal of doubling my clients and bookings in 2023.
Type in the comments where you’re looking forward to traveling in 2023. If you would like to receive my newsletter, leave your email in comments, or DM it to me on IG @turtleshelltravel
I have been asked, “Do you sleep?” by well meaning friends when they hear about my multiple PA jobs AND my side hustle as a travel advisor for FORA. The thing is, I love sleep. I nap every day when I’m not working (as a PA) and faithfully get 7 hours of sleep a night. So, yes, I sleep.
How do I get my housework done? I have help, from cleaning ladies and an awesome co-parent/husband who understands that my passion for travel necessitates an irregular schedule. The dog goes to daycare once a week so I have time to get the house in order without her underfoot (cute as she is).
Always by my side
One of the pandemic finds I’ve embraced is grocery delivery. I’ve tried most of the services offered in my area, and have settled on Instacart. I’ve found their deliveries to be much quicker (and more available same-day), and I can use a variety of stores, both grocery and otherwise (even Staples). The convenience of having groceries delivered to my door, on my schedule, saves me hours of time per month. It also saves me from making those impulse buys – hello dairy-free ice cream and smartfood popcorn, my latest loves! If you want to save $20 on your instacart order, use my code ABARRACLOUGH1C21BF.
This grocery delivery hack gives me more time to work on my blog and travel advising. Now, I have to place my order so I can make Vegetable Yakisoba from NYT Cooking tonight!
David Malosh: @dmalosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews: @simoncooks
What household hacks have you incorporated to make life easier?
Aaaaand we made it to 2023! Nice work, everyone. Happy New Year to you and yours. Kiss, kiss and all that jazz. Now let’s look at how my travel planning business, Turtle Shell Travel, is progressing.
Let’s Recap
Where we started: Let’s just say Omicron. That kept me busy in January, February, so forth and so on. I diversified my PA work life, now doing a mix of ER, Urgent Care and College Health.
Then the fun began. In February, I signed on with FORA travel to be a travel advisor. I made my first booking in March and planned football weekends for my husband for September and October. Since then, more and more travel planning business has come my way.
I attended the FORA Live Forum in November in Brooklyn and met FORA’s HQ staff and many kind and inspirational advisors on the FORA team. I have to say, we are a chatty bunch. I wish the Forum were twice as long as it was, and look forward to attending the next one in October 2023. We met with suppliers, asked questions, shared ideas. I started my FORA newsletter and grew my mailing list. Stayed at the Hoxton in Brooklyn and cannot wait to return!
Hoxton Lobby: perfect for co-working or meeting up with friends
I learned that a travel advisor is just a modern name for a travel agent (think rebranding). My biggest booking to date has been to Jamaica. And my Guide to a Girl’s Getaway in Portland, Maine as one of FORA’s Top 22 advisor-curated Travel Guides of 2022. Living in a destination city has been such an inspiration for my travel work, and I love any opportunity to share travel ideas in and around Maine. This past week, I even planned a breakfast meeting for a local business at a local hotel restaurant. I love connecting people with great experiences.
Personally, I’ve enjoyed family time, friend time, cousin time, and more family time. All the things that make a year a great memory. It’s been a collection of great car rides with music from WCLZ. Great times up at Bowdoin, and lots of time walking with the dog. And of course, always snacks. It’s not pictured here, but Dunkin’ Donuts has been a frequent stop on my way to and fro. But Starbucks is a close second.
What’s up for 2023? I plan to make a splash on LinkedIn … connect with me here. I’ll continue my newsletter and book more great trips for clients. Pinterest is my new obsession – creating pins and using their marketing tools. Check out my Instagram stories to see my view from the front porch, pics of the dog and my morning mood on my commute.
I plan to finally take that train trip to South Carolina, Mississippi and New Orleans. And you’ll probably find me in a window seat or two writing in my journal. I’ve have United Silver and American Gold status for 2023, so I’m hoping all of my seats will have lots of leg room.
I hope you have great plans, too. Over the past 2 years, I’ve learned the that you can’t predict the future. Control is nearly impossible with most things. So you must trust the unfolding of each day. I’m happy I get to do this with you. What are you looking forward to in 2023?
