travel planning

The Perks of Hiring a Travel Advisor

As the travel industry evolves and travel demand continues to increase, more people are interested in working with a travel advisor. I thought it would be a good time to talk more about what the Atlas team can do for you when planning a trip and the perks of hiring a travel advisor. In today's fast-paced world, where time is of the essence, a travel advisor can save you precious hours and provide expert guidance, insider knowledge, and personalized recommendations to ensure that your next journey is unforgettable. Enlisting the services of a travel advisor can be one of the best decisions you make for your travel experiences.

I’ve spent most of the last decade traveling and have now visited over 40 countries and 150 cities to date. I’ve used these experiences to immerse myself in local culture, build relationships with travel vendors, and find the best aspects of any destination. Many of the travel questions you’re asking yourself while planning any trip are likely experiences my team has lived through first-hand. Whether you want someone to plan your entire trip, or you just want help with a few logistical questions, my team is here to help your travel dreams become a reality.

My team leverages our personal relationships and robust network of travel partners to ensure our clients receive VIP status and have the best trip possible. Our goal is to elevate your itinerary based on your dreams and preferences. These are just a few of the perks you receive when booking hotels through us:

  • Room upgrades 

  • Complimentary breakfasts

  • Food & Beverage Credits

  • Spa treatments

  • Welcome amenities

  • Early check-in/ late check-out

Your trip will be custom-tailored to meet your personal interests, travel style, and budget. You’ll have access to destination recommendations and need-to-know information (from our own experiences, our travel partners, and from on-the-ground locals we are frequently in contact with). Outside of our own experiences and knowledge, we also benefit from our even broader support from Embark Beyond bespoke travel collective based in New York. This allows us to tap into even more locations outside of our own team’s vast knowledge. 

While I hear from customers how much they’ve enjoyed planning their own trips in the past, they also mention how exhausting it can be. If you do an internet or social media search of the places you want to visit, you’ll be inundated with thousands of responses that will take hours to wade through. It can quickly become overwhelming and frustrating. Working with a travel advisor saves you time and includes reputable recommendations tailored to your interests. Time is one of our most precious resources and we’re able to give you back the hours, days, and weeks you could spend planning a trip.

If you’re planning an adventure-based trip like a safari or a hiking trip to the Dolomites, even more important details need to be planned for. We’re able to anticipate many of those important details that add up over time such as identifying the best airport to fly into, the best transfers, how to navigate public transportation, cultural considerations, and more. One of our favorite aspects is recommending special experiences that you might not have considered before such as access to premium event and concert tickets, private excursions, and exclusive access to museums. Those special moments are the core memories you’ll carry with you long after the trip has ended.

 It can be extremely overwhelming to plan a trip while also juggling your daily life. Let us take off some of the challenges of planning a trip so that you can truly enjoy your time without any worries. If you’re ready to access the perks of hiring a travel advisor, schedule a consult and we can get started planning a trip that aligns with your vision and preferences.

What I Packed for Provence

I am thrilled to be back in the Provence region of France! I’m combining work and pleasure on this six-day trip. The first few days of the trip will be spent scouting locations so I can check out hotels for clients and potential future Atlas Adventures trips. We’ll be exploring Gordes, Apt, Crillon-le-Brave,  Châteauneuf-du-Pape (for some wine tastings), Menebres, and a few others. Then, I’ll be joined by a few girlfriends for my bachelorette/hen party!

Why I Love Provence

Provence is arguably one of the most beautiful regions in France (which is probably why Rénoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, and other great impressionist artists frequented the area to inspire their work). The region is full of the most charming villages scattered throughout rolling hills. Whether you're nestled in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail, by the sparkling waters of Côte d'Azur, or discovering endless fields of lavender or sunflowers, Provence is a stunning variety of landscapes. There's so much to do here that you could easily spend months in the area and never get bored. A few years ago, a friend and I visited Valensole to see the lavender fields in all their glory before visiting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Paradou, Aix-en-Provence, Ménerbes, and Gordes. I’ve visited Provence several times since that trip and in 2023, we hosted our first Atlas Adventures trip in the region. 

The region includes the coast of southeastern France next to the Mediterranean and includes hundreds of cities, towns, and villages. Many of these villages could easily be pulled from the pages of Beauty and the Beast. While it will be at the beginning of summer, the temperatures typically range from high 70s to mid 80s. I’m packing plenty of lightweight clothes to match the casually chic vibe of the villages.

My Tips for Visiting Provence

If you’re visiting Provence (and I highly recommend you do), let me first suggest renting a car. A lot of these quaint villages are fairly remote and would be difficult to get to without a car. It may seem intimidating to drive in a foreign country, but I assure you that if I can do it, so can you! Just be sure to always have plenty of Euros handy because the tolls in France are a pretty penny. You’ll also want to make sure and book your reservation for an automatic car if you aren’t used to driving stick shift. 

The markets in the towns are a true joy and a must-see. However, market days tend to get very busy so be sure to plan ahead (and know which day they take place in each town!) Many of these villages are built within the hillside; which means you’ll likely come across stone staircases and plenty of cobblestone streets. You’ll want to pack comfortable shoes with good tread to easily navigate the charming thoroughfares. 

My team has a wealth of knowledge about this region: everything from the best hotels, to fantastic restaurants, navigating which specific towns to visit & more. We’d love to help you plan a trip of your own! When you book with us, we’re also able to get you exclusive perks & even upgrades at the top hotels. Get in touch to start planning!

What I packed for provence

For this trip, I packed a few classic pieces that can be used in various settings. For my hen party, we’re staying at a villa with a pool that overlooks a winery so I anticipate a lot of relaxing poolside and exploring a town or two here & there.

I have been living in this olive green linen top and pants and these sandals. They are so chic yet incredibly comfortable. I love being able to mix and match the pieces. For cooler evenings I’ll pair it with a sweater. In Italy recently, I paired the top with this silk skirt and these espadrilles for a dinner out in the town. This outfit is making a repeat appearance in France. I packed a floral print Ellie Nap Dress and a linen maxi dress to wear when exploring the area. I also packed my trusted woven flats.

We will likely spend an evening or two in town so I’m taking this dress with the sweetest lace cut-out detail. The draping of the hem has a perfect flutter to it. I’m also packing a blue floral dress from Sezane. While mine is sold out, the Mariama dress from them has a similar cut.

For days spent lounging at the pool, I’m taking this floral one-piece. I got so many compliments on it when I wore it last! I also packed this gorgeous caftan that can be worn over my swimsuit and I also wear it on its own. I wore it to lunch in Capri a few weeks ago while visiting a new luxury hotel. Finally, I packed my favorite set from Lake Pajamas. These are hands down my favorite pajamas!

I am so looking forward to this trip and feel incredibly lucky to have this special time with my friends!

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This Week in the World: Week 12

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Hello again, and thanks for joining me to read another issue of “This Week in the World”. It is officially spring (as of yesterday) and London’s blooms are out in full force! It’s certainly made my walks more enjoyable when unassuming corners suddenly look like this. This change in seasons is ushering in a lot of planning for the brighter days ahead (I know I’m starting to make my own travel plans…including an Atlas Adventure announcement coming soon!) I also mentioned last week that I’ve seen a surge in travel planning inquiries, so be sure to contact me for a consult (more HERE) or watch my online courses if you’re in need of some assistance.

If you’re new here, ‘This Week in the World’ is a weekly recap of content ranging from around the globe. My hope is that each week, no matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to feel more connected to it: through news, travel, food & wine… really, anything that appeals to the culturally curious. Let’s dive into the content I sourced for week 12.

TRAVEL NEWS, UPDATES + INSPIRATION

AROUND THE WORLD

MISCELLANEOUS

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That’s all for today. Happy reading and hope to see you back again next week!

xx

Whitney