Planning a vacation today can feel overwhelming. Between endless online opinions, social media recommendations, review sites, and thousands of hotel options, it’s easy to spend hours researching and still not feel confident you’re making the right choice.

That’s where working with a travel consultant can make all the difference.

Whether you’re dreaming of an unforgettable Australian journey, a European adventure, a relaxing Caribbean escape, or a custom vacation designed around your interests, the goal is not simply to book a trip. It’s creating an experience that truly fits you.

A great travel experience is about more than finding a hotel that “looks nice online.” It’s about understanding your travel style, priorities, budget, pacing, and what you want to feel during your time away.

At Boomerang Escapes, we use our firsthand destination knowledge, industry relationships, and planning experience to help match travelers with vacations that fit them personally.

Here are my top 3 tips for getting the most value from working with a travel consultant.

1. Talk About What Everyone Wants From the Trip

Before planning begins, have a conversation with everyone who will be traveling.

You do not need every detail figured out, but it helps tremendously to understand the overall goals of the trip. Is this vacation focused on relaxation? Adventure? Food and wine? Family time? Bucket-list experiences? A mix of everything?

It’s also helpful to discuss:

• preferred travel dates
• trip length
• activity level
• budget comfort zones
• must-have experiences

If friends or extended family are traveling together, it’s important that key decision-makers are involved early in the process. At the same time, having one primary contact person helps keep communication organized and efficient.

2. Share As Much Information As Possible

The more your travel consultant understands about you, the better recommendations they can provide.

At Boomerang Escapes, many clients complete a planning questionnaire before we meet, while others share details during the consultation. Either way, the goal is the same: understanding your travel style and priorities so your vacation feels personalized rather than generic.

Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference.

For example:

• Do you prefer nonstop activity or downtime?
• Are you an early riser or a slow traveler?
• Do you love local food experiences?
• Are beaches important?
• Do you prefer luxury touches or value-focused travel?
• Are there mobility concerns or special celebrations?

The more we know, the better we can help craft experiences that fit your personality, interests, and goals.

3. Be Open To Expert Guidance

One of the biggest benefits of working with a travel consultant is gaining access to knowledge and recommendations you may not have considered on your own.

Sometimes travelers come in focused on one destination, hotel, or route because they saw it online. But after talking through their travel style and priorities, we may recommend something that fits even better.

That’s why an open mind matters.

Our planning conversations help us understand:

• your travel preferences
• pacing
• wish-list experiences
• comfort level
• budget expectations
• and what matters most to you overall

From there, we help narrow the options, guide the planning process, and create recommendations tailored to your trip.

Especially for larger or more complex vacations like Australia, New Zealand, Europe, or multi-destination itineraries, expert guidance can help save time, reduce stress, and often improve the overall experience significantly.

Final Thoughts

Travel planning should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

The best vacations are not one-size-fits-all. They are thoughtfully matched to the traveler, their interests, and the type of experience they truly want to have.

Whether you are planning an Australian journey, a European adventure, a luxury cruise, a Caribbean escape, or something completely different, I’d love to help you create a vacation that feels like the right fit for you.

Because the right trip is about more than just where you go… it’s about how it makes you feel!

Originally written April 22, 2014
Updated May 2026

Are you a bath person? Better yet, a deep soaking tub with jets kind of bath person? I don’t know many who don’t love to sink into the warm, often aromatic waters of a tub.

A good soak for me served as a critical need during my many years of migraines. Whether you disappear in silence, with a good book, maybe with a glass of wine, or just some soothing music, this escape can be achieved both at home and away.

Here are three main categories of benefits: “draw me a bath” more often.

RELAX-Stepping into a bath is like taking a deep breath. Those moments lost in the tub let your mind slip into oblivion. Soon you have emptied your brain, and your feel all your muscles settle back into their comfort state. Stress and anxiety literally get washed away. You step out of that tub a new human.

REFRESH-Baths make us clean. The dirt of the day, whether physical or mental, washes away. Warm water works to replenish the moisture and nourishes the skin. We step out with a new perspective and often increase energy to carry on the day or have a more profound slumber.

REJUVENATE-A good bath can cure what ails you. It relieves muscle soreness, joint pain, and overall body aches. Time spent soaking can alleviate cold symptoms. The circulatory system reaps benefits from sitting in the water through better heart health, improved blood flow, and even calorie burning.

The water should not be overly hot. The addition of fragrances, oils, or salts can increase the healing benefits of a hot bath. It only takes 10-15 minutes of soaking to achieve the benefits. Your happy place is just one bath away.