You may be wondering, why use a travel advisor, and why Journeys Unparalleled specifically, rather than just researching your travel online and booking it all yourself? Here are 5 simple reasons:
- Global Experience and Connections– Not only have we personally traveled extensively throughout the world, covering 6 continents and countless countries, but because of our combined 20+ years in the travel industry, we also have developed fantastic relationships and personal connections with people and companies who can help create extraordinary vacation experiences — whether it be a complicated trip or simply a hotel stay.
- Saving Time – It’s also because of our global connections and our own travel experiences that we can save you time and money as well. Instead of you spending hours scrolling back and forth through different hotel and tour websites and searching on the internet, we can do the work for you. Just like a hotel concierge, we know how to find what you’re looking for and have access to best resources in the industry, except that we work on a global scale. We take the guesswork out of the equation because we know where the best hotels are for your needs, what tours and sights are worth experiencing, and what you’re better off skipping.
- VIP Treatment/Added Value– We often have access to the same (and sometimes better) pricing that you can find on the internet. At the same time, when you book with us, you won’t have to worry about those frustrating experiences like finding yourself booked into a hotel room next to the elevator or the ice machine. Because of our connections, you get the royal treatment: better service and special perks like free room upgrades, daily complimentary breakfast and/or other benefits you would not receive by booking on your own. And because of our connections and partnerships, we can also offer access to exclusive events, private tours and other select VIP extras.
- Personal Planning, Done Your Way– Whether you’re the type of person who likes to be on top of every step of your planning or the person who just wants someone else to take care of everything “soup to nuts”, when you work with us, your trips are tailored to your needs and wants and at your budget.
- Peace of Mind– When booking direct or through an online booking service, not only do you not receive the same benefits and treatment, but when something goes wrong, you’re often left to fend for yourself. But when you book through Journeys Unparalleled, we see to your needs before, during and after your trip. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy!
But don’t take our word for it; take a look at some of the feedback from our clients:
Testimonials
US Virgin Islands: Hi David, I just wanted to thank you for coordinating our trip. We really had a wonderful time on the tours and at the B&B. Also, we got engaged! So this trip will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Really grateful to you for all your work and help on this trip.
- A.S., Silver Springs, MD
Multiple Locations: We haven’t done big trips in a while, but all our small trips from the last year were just as incredible! Thank you so much for making our trips incredible. You’re the best Kim!!
- H.J., San Francisco, CA
Napa: Margot was great to work with – very knowledgeable and efficient. She really knew the properties around where we wanted to go and actually steered us to Calistoga Ranch when we had originally planned to stay somewhere else because she knew we would get a lot more there and that it would also be more aligned with what we were looking for. Margot even managed to secure an upgrade for us prior to our arrival. The activities Margot organized for us were also spot on – a certified sommelier-led wine tour and a private spa experience – truly made the occasion unforgettable….[my wife] made the comment that we’re never going on vacation again without consulting Margot first.
- N.D., San Francisco, CA
London & Spain: Margot and David were fantastic! So knowledgeable and so flexible dealing with our fickleness. We are devoted clients and look forward to planning our next getaway. Everything was so seamless we never wanted our trip to end.
– Sara P., San Francisco, CA
Barcelona: My family had a wonderful experience at our hotel thanks to Margot Kong. She was able to have our trip include free breakfast each day plus we received a resort credit and enjoyed other amenities. We are so thankful for our experience and cannot wait to work with her again!
– Lisa B,. San Francisco, CA
Hawaii, Las Vegas, Japan, Cancun, San Diego, Los Cabos, Vancouver, New York, Punta Mita: Stuff goes wrong. Weather doesn’t allow the plane to land. There’s undisclosed construction at the hotel. That’s when Margot is on the move. So reliable, so comforting! I’ve had disaster strike a few times and Margot has been there to help me get to my happy place smoothly and efficiently. Never takes more than a few minutes to hear back from her and she’s got the solution every time. Her fee is going up (slightly) but it’s well-worth it, very pleased to have found her! Thanks, Margot!
– Geoff D., Oakland, CA
San Francisco and Silicon Valley (hotels, transportation, meeting logistics and space procurement): I am writing to thank you for the quality of service provided by your company for our International Business Study Trip. We sincerely appreciate your efficient, gracious customer service, the level of detail and accountability you have demonstrated on each project, and the way you conducted business as a whole.
– T’Nasha La Roche, University of the West Indies
Beijing, Xian and Shanghai: Wow! That about sums it up! The hotels were fantastic. The staff, especially [our China Host] were spectacular. Everything was planned to a T and we never had to wait at any of the sites. The highlights had to be lunch on the Great Wall, the private tour of the Emperors rooms in the Forbidden, absolutely the Terra Cotta Warriors, the museum in Shanghai, all of our hotels especially the Peninsula and the final dinner at Jean George’s in the Cupola overlooking the Pudong side and the river!!! You did us perfect. The trip was so well planned we never wanted for anything and they left the perfect amount of time to rest at the end of the day before dinner. We could not be more pleased. Thank you so much; we will certainly check with you when traveling again.
– J. & M. Semcken, Los Angeles, CA
Amsterdam: White glove treatment – Margot is absolutely fantastic. She learned my preferences and makes sure that all hotels and the like are aware. She is a fire and forget missile! I indicate where I’m going and my budget–off she goes to find three or four good options with a synopsis describing the differences. Even on airfare, I was amazed. She saved me $1400 on a b-class flight to Europe a few weeks ago. I’m going to have her do all of my future travel.
– T. Parr, Ph.D., San Francisco, CA
Four Seasons Santa Barbara: I want to thank you for setting up such a wonderful weekend. We really appreciate everything you have done for us, especially the time and effort you put in to make our stay so special. The special gifts, such as the wine, room upgrades, etc were awesome!!! I’m so touched by your thoughtfulness.
– Kevin Lien and Joannie Sun, Irvine, CA
China: Working with Journeys Unparalleled was the first time that I’d worked with a travel advisor. Given the vast amounts of online information and anecdotal information from friends, and the multiple cities and travel style options in China, my usual methods of planning a vacation were causing me analysis-paralysis. Margot had infinite patience and both broad and deep knowledge about options given my budget, time frame, and travel style. She was able to objectively understand my goals and offer several recommendations within my budget to get me what I needed and help me understand trade-offs of various choices. Even while on my trip, she was able to help with last-minute new requests. And when I arrived in China, I realized I was very fortunate to have had the advanced assistance that provided a seamless experience without it feeling overly planned.
– Liz K., San Francisco, CA
Bali: It’s not often that you find an advisor that can anticipate your needs as well as Margot. For our trip to Bali, I planned to stay at a hotel in Ubud that I had heard of. After fully scoping our needs, Margot recommended a five-star hotel which was the same price as the four-star hotel I had in mind. We followed her recommendation to go to The Kayon Resort and were we ever glad we did! Not only did it exceed our expectations, Margot had secretly arranged a birthday surprise for me. This oasis in the jungle was perfect! Margot also arranged the overnight hotel in Hong Kong for our return flight. She astutely recommended a hotel providing very good value. The hotel was a mere 5 minute walk through the airport which was highly appreciated after landing at 1:00am in the morning. My typical practice is to arrange trips myself (I’m a bit of a control freak). However, Margot’s expertise, knowledge and customized service surpasses anything I could ever plan on my own.
– Doug & Carol, Toronto, ON
Santa Barbara: Many thanks to Margot at Journeys Unparalleled for taking time to coordinate the perfect location for our last-minute “kids-free” getaway to Santa Barbara! Margot took the time to patiently research and answer all my questions (including the detailed, nit picky ones) which saved time and resulted in a better hotel selection than I would have made on my own.
– Victor W. and Carla P., Cupertino, CA
Rome: The gladiator lesson was fun for both us and the kids. The boys LOVED the gelato making lesson. A customer tried the gelato the kids had made and faked falling down because it was so tasty. This thrilled the boys to no end! These were our biggest highlights in Italy.
– Drs. Jean Y. and Craig S., San Francisco, CA
Beijing: It was definitely the right way to get an immersive experience of Beijing and I hope that I will have another opportunity to go and see more of China that way. Thanks so much for connecting me to the right people and setting everything up for me. I really appreciate your help with everything.
– Tracy Quan, Plantation, FL, AVP at Royal Caribbean
London: We were able to check-in right away upon arrival (around 11:30am), shower and get our day started. Our friends who booked via Expedia didn’t end up checking in until 5:30pm and they arrived at the hotel at 9am. Needless to say they didn’t start the trip on the best note. There is no doubt in my mind that if we had used Expedia vs. you, we would have had a similar experience. We are so grateful because that set the tone for the rest of the trip for us.
– Ellie D., San Francisco, CA
Rome: You folks really are the best. I am completely ruined for regular travel.
– Naomi W., San Jose, CA
Contact us to plan and book your next trip: info@journeysunparalleled.com