One of Warren Buffett’s most famous quotes is, “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.” This is true with everything in life, there is no secret deal when it comes to travel. If an experience is on a deal, buyer beware; there is probably a reason. Leave the guided choices to the experts to help you decide what option is best for your family. Almost every time I am checking into a hotel I hear people next to me complaining at the front desk that they thought their room would have a different view, or have two beds. Again, you get what you pay for.
The key difference is the price is random and value is the foundation of what you will experience when you are on vacation. Hmmm, this is not the turn you thought this article would take, is it? The key thing you need to know is that it is important you can find the difference between cost (price) and value (experience) when you are going to travel. What is important to you? What do you need to have? What will make your family more comfortable when you travel?
Monica Falco20/04/2024Karen was so nice and helpful. She was very responsive to our questions. When we arrived in our cabin, there were some nice gifts of cruising essentials. Overall, a wonderful experience! Photo to sum up our girls trip...lol!
Casey Ludwig16/04/2024A wonderful travel agency! So kind, helpful, and responsive. Took a cruise to Nassau and Cozumel. Although the ports were not our favorite, we still had a wonderful time. Will definitely be booking through Guru again!
Frank Chappetto08/04/2024Tammy Chmelik did an amazing job with planning a family vacation to Aruba . After getting to know our wants and needs for the week Tammy put together an itinerary that was cost efficient and spot on in relation to the beach, dining, casinos and the beach . Did I mention the beach? Man . I received numerous emails detailing the official policies when traveling outside of the country. The transportation between the airport and hotel was effortless.As was all reservations made by Tammy . Thank you Tammy Chmelik can’t wait for my next vacation !
KT Marie05/04/2024I recently had the pleasure of working with Tammy Chmelik from Guru Travel to plan an unforgettable trip for our group, and I can confidently say that Tammy exceeded all expectations. From the moment we began discussing our travel plans, Tammy demonstrated unparalleled dedication and professionalism. Tammy's attention to detail was evident from the outset as she meticulously planned every aspect of our journey. From arranging airport transportation to coordinating daily activities and securing hotel accommodations, Tammy left no stone unturned. Our adventure began in Amsterdam, where Tammy had arranged for us to spend four enchanting days exploring the vibrant city and its iconic tulip gardens. Her recommendations for activities and dining options were spot-on, ensuring that we experienced the best that Amsterdam had to offer. After our memorable stay in Amsterdam, Tammy seamlessly coordinated our journey to Paris via train, where we spent another four days indulging in the beauty and culture of the City of Light. Once again, Tammy's expertise shone through as she arranged captivating walking tours and made reservations at fantastic restaurants, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the Parisian experience. Throughout the planning process and our travels, Tammy's organization and communication skills were exemplary. She remained accessible and responsive, addressing any questions or concerns that arose promptly and efficiently. Her dedication to ensuring our trip was flawless was evident in every interaction we had with her. I cannot recommend Tammy Chmelik and Guru Travel highly enough. Her passion for travel, meticulous planning, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction make her the ideal choice for anyone seeking a truly unforgettable vacation experience. If you're considering your next adventure, look no further than Tammy - you won't be disappointed.
S M03/04/2024Kelly put together a great all inclusive in Cancun for our group, we had an amazing time!
Christine Chmelar28/03/2024We recently returned from our Spring Break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where we stayed at Dreams Flora Resort & Spa. During the planning process, Kelly provided multiple destination and resort options, all specifically chosen based on the ages of the family members, as well as activities we wanted to participate in. This resort was PERFECT! The communication did not stop once the vacation was booked, receiving information on resort amenities, airport transfers, what to pack, etc... We even received emails during our stay checking in to make sure everything was running smoothly. This trip was a long time coming, as we were initially supposed to vacation in March, 2023. Unfortunately, due to passport issues, we were forced to cancel. While Kelly was amazing at planning our Spring Break 2024, she was even more amazing and a life saver in helping to navigate through the cancellation of a year ago. I would recommend Guru Travel without hesitation, and will be working with Kelly and team to plan the next getaway!!
Ann Fisher28/03/2024Kelly Ortiz and Guru Travel give top knotch customer service from beginning to end! From the initial proposals to keeping in touch throughout our travels, Kelly was super knowledgeable and made sure we were happy all along the way. HIGHLY recommend!
Crystal Gesiakowski15/03/2024Tina @ Guru travel arranged our group trip to Mexico. She was extremely knowledgeable. Very helpful when choosing our resort and flights. We even messaged her the morning we were leaving with questions, and she responded promptly. I highly recommend her for all your travel needs.
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” (Milton Friedman) We are approached to quite a bit to fixed poorly planned vacations. This makes us feel bad because we cannot pull people out of issues we did not create. We often find this is just a lack of education in terms of understanding what a real Professional Travel Advisor offers.
A Professional Travel Advisor does exactly what is in the name, we advise. Our job is to listen to what you are looking for and make recommendations based on your needs. While we are not in the practice of advising you to spend more than you wish, we are here to educate you on what you are getting and possibly add enhancements to make your stay more magical.
For example, one of my first clients who booked with me was looking for a Walt Disney World Vacation, easy, that is my specialty. She was telling me this is a redo trip from one they took a couple of years ago. She said they booked with a big box store to save a couple of bucks by receiving a gift card to shop in the store for booking travel with them.
That was mistake number 1, if they are giving away what they are paid, then you will not be getting any service.
She proceeded to tell me that her husband hated their trip because it was too much work, and he could not even get a good night’s sleep. I asked her, “why?” She then told me the beds at Disney are way too small. I thought that was a bit strange, so I asked her where they stayed. They stayed at a value resort.
Mistake number 2. There’s nothing wrong with value resorts at Disney, I stay at them as well. But her husband was 6 ft 6 and at the time, these resorts only offered two double beds or one king but with a family they could only get a room with two double beds. What she told me is that she was on a budget but had she been told about the beds she would have made it work to stay in a moderate resort.
I am not here to place blame on anyone involved here. What I am here to ask you is, “How much do you value your vacation?” Had my client originally booked with an expert who could listen and guide her through what will make her trip perfect, she would not have had the experience she did. For the extra savings of an in-store gift card, her trip was ruined, and her husband was not happy.
For the record, trip number two was fantastic, and they have been long time clients ever since.
The bottom line is a deal is not a deal. Work with a Professional Travel Advisor to help guide you through your vacation choices. There are a ton, there is a fit for you, and we want to keep you within your range. If we do, this is good for us and good for you. We are not a call center; we do not give rebates. What we do is listen to you, craft your trip, and love every minute of planning with you.