From the monthly archives:

February 2010

Expert Travel Planner…Kelly Spinks wins Jetset National award…again!

by admin

in Best Travel Advice,Best Travel Packages,Travel Planning Tips

Kelly Spinks-"Award Winning Travel Planner"

"A big thankyou to all my clients"

Kelly Spinks can certainaly be considered an expert travel planner after recently being awarded the the top revenue consultant for Jetset in Australia for the 2nd year in a row.

Kelly and her team at Jetset Albany have won many awards over the years in recognition for work well done. But this one was extra special so…

To celebrate I cooked a special lunch which we shared as a team.

Kelly is not one for the spot light, in fact I consider her a rather modest person who has achieved incredible results for her clients since she became a travel planner just over 10 years ago. So when I said I wanted to feature her along with a photo and video…well let’s just say Kelly agreed!!!

When Kelly was approached recently by a local newspaper reporter and asked what is her secret, she said it is simple really…PASSION... “I love travel” and everytime I help clients I think of  how can I make this travel special.

Kelly goes on to say…let face it anyone can book travel…however, what I love to do is create an experience…something that you will be excited to talk about for years to come.

Kelly’s passion and love of travel stems from her own extensive travel experiences gained in places like Antarctica, Africa, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Eygpt, Canada, USA and Europe…just to mention a few places dear to Kelly.

Travel Planners are expert at asking questions.

Next, she says you must ask the right questions while listening carefully to your responses. Many times people come in thinking they would to do one thing and then end up choosing something completely different. Because through Kelly’s expert questions and knowledge they discovered an even more rewarding option.

Has this ever happened to you while researching your travel plans…if so please feel free to share. We would love know more.

I could go on but really I just wanted to say that we are so proud of Kelly and what she does for her clients.

Thanks for allowing me my little Kelly indulgence…I just could not keep this to myself.

Until next …

enjoy good things.

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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Expert Travel Planner shares his personal Valentines wish…and how you can use it to change your life next weekend!

by admin

in Best Travel Advice,Ecotourism,Little Known Travel Secrets,Travel Planning Tips,Travel Tips

I want to start right off and say I may risk offending you by posting a Valentines message…SORRY…that is not my intention.

There are times in our lives when…well we simple don’t feel like putting too much meaning to Valentines Day.

http://www.youtube.com/v/0h_3b9elHQg

That’s perfectly fine. I understand.

But don’t let this be your reason to leave without watching the video…this is not about a romantic message to our loved one…well there is just a brief mention. Rather though, I am sharing with you my personal experience over the weekend which has several messages on how anyone even you can gain more from travel…it includes:

The Commissioner Of Police, a delightful hidden restaurant on a main highway and enjoying life now!

Perhaps the best part to me is that most of us think of travel as a major event on our calender…it need not be such and it can still bring much satisfaction and enjoyment.

My video was inspired in part by The Commissioner Of Police and in part from the quaint beautiful surrounds of the Old Kent River restaurant location

You are probably wonder why would I have video camera with me when I go to restaurants. Well we don’t for local…but if we are heading out of town then Nilla and I like to keep our eye out for unique interesting locations so we can shot travel tips that tie in with the setting.

Travel is not a job to us…it is our passion as is sharing what we have learnt to make a difference to your travel.

In coming posts Nilla and will share many life changing stories we have personally experienced as well as numerous one’s from client’s.

Of course it does not stop here…oh on…we want your story or if you don’t have one…then tell us what you would like to experience from travel. You never know we just be as we have in many others lives the catalyst that makes it happen for you.

OK…if you haven’t yet please go and check out the video…then leave a comment.

My aim today was to share with you how anyone can get some powerful easy to apply insight’s for life…within a short drive from your home.

it works for me…what about you?

Until next time…

enjoy good things.

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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This travel agent really loves Machu Picchu, South America and thinks you would too.

by admin

in Best Adventure Tours,Best Travel Advice,Best Travel Packages,Little Known Travel Secrets,South America Travel,Travel Planning Tips,Travel Tips

Peru, South American

"I think I will stick to being a travel agent"

Hello again great to see you back…you have probably read my first introductory post telling you a little about my journey.  If not just go back and have a read….

Now that you know a little bit more about me, I will continue my story so you will have a better understanding of  who I am and the reason why I am so passionate about  travel.

My story continues…

Back in 2005  I was in Perth undergoing Radiotherapy, (which was a result of having been diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2004),  away from my travel agency, family, friends and my home for over 8 weeks.  The procedure required me to visit the hospital  each morning for 10 minutes for my radiation treatment, which was emotionally more painful than physically debilitating (my skin was red and tender…radiation burn!!!)

I found myself with plenty of free time to rest and catch up with people whom I  would not have normally seen as I live five hours south of Perth,  a positive in all that is before us.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to have lots of coffee’s, meeting people for lunch or dinner and as usual the conversations would end up being around travel, travelling or wanting to travel, a great way to take my mind off what was happening!!!

What this  meant was that I could share my extensive travel knowledge and hard earnt skills to good use without having the  pressure of me making the bookings or my friends feeling like they had to book their travel with me.

As a result John and I discussed that this might be a good business idea to embellish on.

Unfortunately because of how I was emotionally and mentally this did not come to fruition

Five years later and a little bit wiser, John and I have re-looked at how this concept could work, as it would be a shame to not share my 30 years of  knowledge, wisdom and love of travel.   I want others to benefit from an award winning travel planner who has owned several award winning travel agencies.

Travel has developed into far more than a business… it is my passion and the vehicle I now know serves my lifes purpose…

“To lead, inspire and make a difference”.

Each week I will share with you my personal journey in travel,  how it has inspired me,  and how I have helped many of my clients achieve  some life changing travel journeys…

This has been very Powerful…

Travel has as many opportunites,  challenges and most of all, massive rewards…may I share with you one experience that had a powerful impact upon my thinking, while opening my eyes to the beauty and sincerity of another people and their culture… this happened on one of my trips to Peru where I was asked by the village Vice President to be god mother to his precious daughter, Benedicta.

Huilloq is Benedicta’s beautiful village which is nestled  high in the mountains near Cusco and the Inca trail.  This is another amazing story that I will share with you soon..

Travel has taught me so much and I feel that it is the most incredible learning tool.  It teaches you about yourself, other peoples cultures, food, communication and the list goes on.

John and I will be sharing our passion and insights into how travel can change your life… just like it has ours.  So you may want to  keep an eye on  www.yourspiritualjourneys.com as well.

Phew!!! I think that is enough for now…for those of you that know me…know that I can talk for hours without taking breathe, looks like I’m doing the same here…

Yes…there is more so keep in tuned to the next exciting episode of Nilla’s travel tales!!!

Thankyou for being part of our lives and I look forward to hearing you say…“thankyou for introducing me to the hidden wonders of travel via  www.yourtravelplanners.com“

Love and blessings

Nilla Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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Award winning Travel Planner…at your service!

by admin

in Best Travel Advice,Best Travel Packages,Little Known Travel Secrets,Travel Planning Tips,Travel Tips

“To lead, inspire and make a difference in people lives through travel”

Hello my name is Nilla Spark and I am so excited to be able to share with you each week my extensive travel experiences.

To say I love travel and what it can do for any of us is a gross understatement…you see travel has changed how I look at life.

What really excites me…is when I help others to also experience the wonder of travel. It is the most rewarding feeling when a customer returns barely able to contain themselves as they enthusiastically pour out their own unique journey’s every detail.

I am getting ahead of myself  here…please know that I will be writing every week with tips, planning ideas, and of course answering your pressing questions.

Perhaps though you might like to discover a little more about Nilla Spark and what makes me so enthused about your travel.

…I started my travel journey way back in 1974 when I went on a 21 day South Pacific cruise and I haven’t stopped travelling since…wow!!! That is 36 years ago, I’m really not that old am I?

As a result of my love of travel, people, food and cultures I embarked on making “travel” my life and lived my passion.

In 1979 I enrolled at TAFE to study at night for 3 years, and I graduated with  a Certificate in Travel Operations, and during that time studying I became involved in the travel industry.

My first introduction to travel was in 1980 at the Jetset Headoffice, where  I started off as a receptionist.

I was soon promoted to the ticket office (at that time that was a very elite department), then I was poached (by my lecturer actually) and so I went to work for my lecturer’s travel agency in 1982. This is where my true love for travel consulting began. To be able to sit with a person and help them realize their travel dreams was an incredible feeling, and I still today love watching people’s faces when we plan a trip of a lifetime and then to see them when they return full of amazing stories… this fills my heart with glee.

It was during that time that I met and fell in love with my husband John, John saw the love and the passion I had for the travel industry so we decided in 1985 to start our own travel agency. We actually purchased it with a credit card…amazing when I look back on it…remind to share this story one day. Now 25 years later and with several award winning agencies in Perth and acknowledged nationally for our achievements, we are still involved in the industry…and loving it even more.

Do you like the idea you could tap into a rich vein that has 30 years worth of travel knowledge at any time of the day or night 7 days a week? Tell me you think in the comments below. I would appreciate that.

Tomorrow I will continue the journey.

Before I sign off is there something about travel you always wanted to know? If so go ahead and ask me…I promise if I do not have first hand knowledge I will research the answer and post it here.

Thanks for being a reader of yourtravelplanners.com. Please know that we encourage dialog as together our combined experiences will “lead, inspire and make a difference to others”.

I want my posts to be meaningful…I promise to be guided by your feedback in the comments.

To your better travel…

always,

Nilla Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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Cruise industry secrets that will help benefit you right now!

by admin

in Best Cruise Advice,Best Travel Advice,Travel Planning Tips,Travel Tips

Steady as she goes Captain

Steady as she goes Captain

Or said another way …“Here’s How To Select An Amazing, Enjoyable   Cruise…every time”

Follow these simple cruise industry secrets which are proven to hold true for all types of travelers.

  • Take a short duration cruise if in any doubt what so ever about a cruise…it is much better to get off a cruise wishing it were longer than to have stayed to long.
  • Find  a cabin in mid ship as it is generally the area of a ship with least motion from the ocean…be careful not to be over the disco or theatre though. Also keep away from lift’s as you will hear them all hours of the day and night.
  • Choose an itinerary you really find interesting…then find the ship that best matches your style and budget. This will not always be as easy as it may seem. Be flexible!
  • Most people think they never spend much time in their cabins…think again it is your home while your are at sea. Your budget will govern your cabin to some decree…that’s fine…where possible get a balcony cabin as not only will it come with more comforts but also it may include special on board credits as part of the deal.
  • A very popular MYTH…Busted…you are unlikely to get bored!!! Want proof…90% of first time cruise passenger’s take another cruise. No more to say about that one.
  • I get sea sick in the bath…so I can’t cruise. If you are willing to take some medication and consider a cruise with an itinerary that may be mostly in calmer waters you will be fine. Also refrain from drinking too much water or liquids…it will slush around in your stomach. Instead eat some bread.
  • OK so you not into medication for sea sickness…but you still want to cruise…then stay tuned for what I promise will be an unbelievable highly effective no medication sea sickness cure.  I will be making a short video of  a  charter yacht skipper with 30 years sailing experience  and he will share his fail safe sea sickness cure later this week. DO NOT MISS THIS VIDEO if you are concerned about sea sickness.

That about covers the first part of “How you can select a really great cruise” On my next post I share :“What’s hot in the cruise world right now”

In the mean time why not share your tip on how you were able to find and enjoy a wonderful cruise?

Or if you had a shocker of a cruise tell me that as well. My worse cruise experience involved being denied boarding in Acapulco in Mexico…remind me to share that with you one day…some good lesson’s learnt.

Spoil yourself with rewarding travel

John C Spark

Expert Travel Planner

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