Travel is not just something she does for fun but also her vocation and part of her family legacy, so it’s meant to be that she  carries on a legacy of being a third generation travel agent. That’s a unique detail about Diane! My lovely, dynamic, and driven friend and I share  in common a love for travel. We have plans on the horizon that curious travelers will want to look out for so more TBA on that! She recently invited me along on a resort site inspection in the Caribbean. It was interesting to watch her at work, asking all the right questions with professional standards and chatting up our manager tour guide in her interested, personable way.

You have a unique background in travel being a third generation travel agent. Tell me about that legacy.

My grandparents started the third travel agency in Oklahoma. There was already a Johnson Travel so they named their’s World Travel in the early 1960s.

What inspires you to continue this travel agent vocation?

I grew up traveling with my family so around the dinner table that’s what we discussed; travel things. We talked about where clients were going and latest destinations. My dad is a huge golfer so I’ve been to every major golf resort in the U.S. and Caribbean. I love travel and I definitely have travel in my blood.

You told me once you were a Francophile but now consider yourself a “Prague-phile”. Explain that. 

My favorite place in the world is France but when I went to Prague last summer, I fell in love with it. It’s a walkable city and I love the Czech people and the pride they have in their country. The history is fascinating. I love walkable cities!

I also think of you as a Phil-Hellene because of your reaction to your cruise of Greek islands …and your unique ability to handle the intrepid aperitif called Ouzo. What was it about your Greece trip that affected you so emotionally?

I remember when we were on the cruise and we woke up in Santorini. I almost began crying because I couldn’t believe I was there. It was the first time I went out of my comfort zone with my family and went somewhere unfamiliar. I want to show my kids the world….and there we were!

What are your specialties in booking trips? Your strengths?

I’ve done this for years so I’m experienced. My knowledge, background, and extensive travel are my strengths. I only use vetted sources to book things. Instead of looking on the internet for your hotel or Trip Advisor…those are just general opinions and people sometimes give fake reviews. The companies I use go out personally to research hotels and tour guides. They know what they’re talking about. I use them time after time and I trust them. A trend I see now alot is that people book BnBs but you don’t know if it’s a fake advertisement because anyone can post fake photos.

What’s the craziest thing that ever happened to you on a trip?

On our Greece cruise, our ship picked up a sinking sailboat of 130 Syrian refugees. They boarded our luxury cruise ship.

What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a travel agent?

When my clients tell me what a great time they had! My response time is really good and I’m fast. I can expedite things. For example, my clients in Rome had a trip to the Vatican cancel because the Pope was going to be conducting a mass. At 6 p.m., I was able to tell them in advance about the cancellation because I also work out of my house and not just my office.

What’s the best advice you can give your customers or potential customers?

When you go to a city for the first time, wherever you land in Europe, always arrange for transfers ahead of time from airport to hotel because it’s very reassuring when you’re tired. The first day you’re tired but you have to force yourself to get out of your hotel and not sleep. I always recommend taking a Hop Off / Hop On bus because you can see a whole city that way and then you know what you want to go back and look at . (For example, if you have three days to see Paris.)

What are the best improvements that have happened in travel, travel devices, etc.?

Everything is electronic! It makes things easier and paperless. The apps that are out there–use them. Google Translator, Euro conversion, Rick Steves…..

You have been to many countries. What are your bucket list destinations?

Bali! I want to go there someday. My grandparents traveled to over 300 destinations (countries and islands) and Bali was my grandmother’s favorite.

What are  your specialty trips?

Cruises, Europe, Hawaii, Alaska and Caribbean.

Luxury only?

No! I’m good at finding bargains. I had someone call me yesterday and say they wanted to spend around $1,000. I found one for $1025 and it was an inexpensive trip package to Mexico. I find there’s information overload on the internet. People are coming back to travel agents because they want to talk to a real person.

Do you have a favorite travel quote?

“Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before.“- Dalai Lama

 

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