Tammy Richardson, Author at Fairytales and Sunsets Travel, LLC

How to Become a Travel Agent

I am often asked this question and it inspired me to write this article. There are many things you should consider when asking about a career as a travel agent. I suggest you consider which agency is a great fit for you and your professional needs. You should do your research on what an acceptable commission percentage is for you and what are your long-term goals.

Travel planning is an amazing career and being full-time will set you up for success. Let’s dig in to some pros and cons.

Pros:

I love creating amazing vacations for families.
I love networking and making new friends in the industry.
Having a smaller team to brainstorm and grow together with is amazing.
We get to explore destinations around the world
You make your own schedule
Researching and exploring new destinations to grow your business

Cons:

We are on call 24/7 and 365 days a year. Think about this, your clients travel year round, this means cancelled or delayed flights, missed transfers, and issues at their resort, means you will most likely receive a call or email.
We get paid commission after the client travels. Book today and then you are paid 6 months later after the client travels.
The work load can be overwhelming if you are not organized.
Need for strong organizational skills
Spending time and quoting clients that do not book with you.

Obviously, this list is not an inclusive and covers everything; however, it does give you some things to consider for this career option.

You should definitely consider which agency is a good fit for you and you are a good fit for them. Always makes sure you ask about training, mentoring after training, what destinations the agency offers, support systems within in the team, and commission structure. Above all of this, make sure you read your contract! You should never sign your contract before reading and making sure you understand what you are approving with your signature.

If you are interested in learning more about our team, send us your resume today at [email protected]

Walt Disney World New Promo Savings

Disney World has released two new promos just in time for your vacation! Be sure to contact your favorite Fairytales and Sunsets travel planner today!

Stay in the Most Magical Place on Earth with this special offer and enjoy some Disney Magic!

Purchase a non-discounted 5-night, 4-day vacation package that includes:

A room at a select Disney Resort & Theme Park ticket(s)

Select Deluxe Resorts or Deluxe Villas Up to $150 Per Room, Per Night

Receive $150 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights July 1 to July 10, 2023
Most nights August 1 to September 14, 2023

Receive $125 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights June 25 to June 30, 2023
Most nights July 11 to July 31, 2023

Select Moderate Resorts Up to $100 Per Room, Per Night

Receive $100 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights July 1 to July 10, 2023
Most nights August 1 to September 14, 2023

Receive $75 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights June 25 to June 30, 2023
Most nights July 11 to July 31, 2023

Select Disney Value Resorts Up to $50 Per Room, Per Night

Receive $50 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights July 1 to July 10, 2023
Most nights August 1 to September 14, 2023

Receive $35 per room, per night applied to a digital Disney Dining Promo Card—for packages with the following arrival dates:

Most nights June 25 to June 30, 2023
Most nights July 11 to July 31, 2023

The number of packages available for this offer is limited. Everyone in the same room must be on the same package. Advance reservations are required. Certain restrictions apply!

Room Only Discount- Experience the Magic with this great offer!

Save on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels: Savings from 10% up to 25% depending on resort/room category.

Save up to 25% on stays most nights April 10 through July 10, 2023
Save up to 20% on stays most nights March 1 through March 31, 2023

The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Length of stay requirements may apply. Savings will vary based on availability and resort/room category.

Contact us today for more details!

Our Favorite Disney World Moderate Resort

Disney World has several resort categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, Deluxe Villas, and the Campground.

We have stayed in all of them and wanted to share our favorite Moderate Resort. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Resort Area. This moderate resort offers décor with a blend of Spanish, Southwest American, and Mexican cultures.

Our favorite thing about this resort: the Gran Destino Tower rooms. The rooms have the feel of deluxe resort amenities at the cost of a moderate resort pricing. The beds are comfy, and the room furniture is well appointed, so you feel you have extra space. The Keurig coffee machines are a bonus for coffee lovers. I always work during travel and love having a desk area with plenty of space. You are steps away from the lobby once you exit the tower elevators. This adds a nice touch when using ride share and a short walk to and from the bus area.

It is also important to note the food options are fabulous! Rooftop or lakefront dining, sports bar and grill, Maya grill, and quick service location, you will always find something delicious to eat while staying here. Guests of all ages love the main pool, Lost City of Cibola pool, which includes a 50-foot pyramid.

This resort has often been referred to not being as magical because of the conference vibe. I think this is an unfair statement as Disney often has characters appearing in the lobby and the resort is decorated with Disney memorabilia and photos.

Let us help you plan your next Magical vacation and we will pair you with the perfect resort.

Why River Cruises and Ocean Cruises Are So Popular

River Cruises

River cruises are a great way to experience multiples countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The ships are smaller than the large ocean cruise ships, so you get a more intimate vibe while onboard. The river cruises travel the inland waterways and stop in cities and towns. You also get to skip the hectic train schedules with multiple stops and connections. You have the luxury of several meals onboard that are included with your cruise pricing. The cruise line will offer some amazing excursions with your port visits, some may even be included in the price! Most of your time sailing will be at night, so you are sound asleep floating down the river. When your cruise is sailing during the day, you will typically enjoy amazing scenery. Who doesn’t love floating by castles and adorable Bavarian towns! Imagine drinking your morning coffee from your stateroom and floating by castles and vineyards. A river cruise brings the option for foodies and wine connoisseurs to have an experience of a lifetime!

Ocean Cruises

Sailing the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and world-wide destinations are back and in demand! Everyone is so excited about sailing again, the demand is high, and cruises are selling out quicker. The ocean cruises also stop in the most popular ports for you to experience the country. They offer amazing excursions that are fun for the whole family. We also suggest if you are not excited about a certain port, stay on the ship and let everyone else visit the port. You can have the ship to yourself with less guests. It is important to note that the ship may not have all the stores or casinos open in port because they cannot sell tax-free items when at port. They also may perform maintenance or crew safety drills during this time. Ocean cruises excel with experiences to keep you entertained during your cruise. Sea days are great time to experience many of these. From the pools, surf simulators, concerts, rock climbing, dance classes, youth programs, and their private islands, you can see why everyone loves

Where Should You Travel In 2023?

Travel is back and everyone is ready to get back to experiencing the world. I thought this would be a great time to share the trends we are seeing with our clientele for 2023. Let’s view our list below for all types of travel. Our best tip is to book early for the best pricing and availability. Our services are complimentary, so be sure to ask us for a quote.

Disney World and Disneyland

You can visit Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida. Both are unique and should always be on your list to visit at least once. We have seen a huge trend in adult only vacations to both locations, so it is important to know it is not just for families. It is a bonus that you can also add on to visit other locations during your Disneyland or Disney World vacation. Take a stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. in both locations and castles will take your breath away.

Universal Orlando

Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay, have something for everyone in the family, no matter the age! We love the options for younger kids in Suess Landing, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack!, and so much more. Of course, all Harry Potter fans will love Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

Hawaii

Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island, you can visit one or multiple islands. With the option of affordable inter-island flights, it is so easy to do split stays with all the beautiful islands. We love helping our clients build these vacations because they are usually celebrating huge milestones or a once in a lifetime vacation. Volcanoes, waterfalls, gorgeous beaches and oceans, and historic landmarks, all the islands are a great choice. Your hardest part will be deciding which islands to visit, and we are here to help.

Jamaica

Our most requested and honestly, my favorite island in the Caribbean; Jamaica is a must! The famous Seven-Mile Beach in Negril makes the list of beast beaches in the world over and over. You can snorkel, scuba dive, sunbath on some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. There are a lot of great all-inclusive resort options. We are here to help you find the one that fits you best.

Mexico

Cancun, Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres, Holbox, Tulum, the list is full of amazing locations. There are great options with historic landmarks, cenotes, amazing beaches, and some unique resorts. For us, trying to figure out just one spot to visit is the hardest.

Portugal

A trip to Portugal is very magical. Walking the streets of Lisbon, riding the tram, or visiting some of the iconic places, such as, Belem Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, wine tasting abundantly, cooking classes, touring medieval districts, and shopping, are just a few of the top things to experience in Portugal. Madeira is only a few hours away from the mainland and is a short flight. You must experience the Funchal Madeira Toboggan Ride!

Ireland

When you think of Ireland, most think of Saint Patrick’s Day, Guinness Beer, and Irish Coffee. There is so much to experience in Ireland. You can enjoy a drive through the beautiful countryside, visit Cliffs of Moher, Book of Kells, kiss the Blarney Stone, and drive the Dingle Peninsula. You should also stay the night in a castle, perhaps one that is haunted? You can spend several days in Dublin because there is so much to do and see; don’t forget the Temple Bar!

These are our most trending destinations. This list is just a starting point, and we offer destinations around the world.

Our Favorite Value Resorts at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World offers a variety of resort options to accommodate everyone’s travel needs. I wanted to share my top picks for the value resorts. The value resorts are the lead in category at Disney World.

It is important to note that this category for the resorts will offer the cheapest amenities. For example, the coffee pots are Cuisinart, so you will not find a Keurig at the value resorts.

The value resorts offer around 260 square feet with two queen beds (one is a queen size table pull down bed), and one sink. The room sleeps up to four adults.

My favorite is Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This resort does not share buses, is attached to the Disney Skyliner, and offers three pools. The theming is so much fun and grandparents, parents, and kids love it. Step back in time with the decades from the 50’s to the 90’s. You can enjoy life-size Walkman’s and Rubik’s Cubes or walk your way through the giant foosball.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a solid resort for your stay. You will love the resort pools, the food court, quicker transportation to the theme parks, and access to the Disney Skyliner.

My second favorite are the Little Mermaid rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation. The theming is cute, and this resort does not share buses. You also have access to the Disney Skyliner. It is important to note that the Little Mermaid rooms are usually excluded from Disney promotions.

If you are looking at the remaining value resorts, they are very similar with their amenities. The only difference is the theming. Disney All-Star Movies is my top pick for no reason other than the theming around the property. Disney’s All-Star Music and then Disney’s All-Star Sports is my least favorite. All the value resorts are great, these are ranked by my favorite to least favorite.

When you are ready to book your next Magical Vacation, email Tammy Richardson.

Savoy Palace

Savoy Palace is a great resort located in Funchal, Portugal. This resort has something for everyone and is perfect for couples, best friends’ getaway, and family vacations.

The rooms are spacious with wonderful amenities. The ocean views are fabulous with balconies made for those early morning espressos.

The resort dining options are wonderful, including room service. Everyone loves the large pools, with plenty of space for everyone. We cannot forget to mention the rooftop infinity pool because everyone loves to socialize by the pool.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a vacation without wine in Madeira. You can experience wine tasting or a wine dinner at Savoy Palace too.

Location is everything and Savoy Palace is in a perfect spot! The resort is within close proximity to lots of entertainment and close by dining options if you want something different. There is also a convenience store within walking distance. This comes in handy if you want to purchase snacks or water.

We love this resort and cannot wait to visit again! The location, accommodations, activities, and restaurants make Savoy Palace a perfect stay!

If you are interested in a vacation to Portugal, contact Tammy Richardson today.

Is Vacationing With Your Family Really Important?

Is vacationing with your family really that important? This is a question that I have received before, and my answer is always yes. I mean, you do love your family, right?

This resonated with me recently as we traveled and visited one of our sons. You see, the pandemic in 2020 stopped us from seeing him for 299 days. When you are close with your grown children, this makes the days and months so long. So why was this year so important to visit? When you are a military family, you appreciate your time together, even when it is short. You cherish those moments and look forward to it, just like a vacation! We knew deployment was coming so we took every opportunity to travel to him and spend time together.

I felt compelled to write this blog and I hope it inspires you to travel with the ones you love, no matter the destination. When your children are small, they look up to you, and they crave your attention and time. A vacation is one of the best ways to experience and capture these moments. When they are grown, they love it even more. Why you ask? They have the freedom of being grown and exploring on their own and still capturing those moments and attention with you. These are the things in life you and your kids will never regret. Take the vacation, no matter how big or small, or the destination, trust me, just go! You will smile looking back on these years together.

Love your family, embrace your time together, and keep on making those memories!

Ready to Sail Alaska?

Alaska is one of our most requested cruise destinations and with good reason; it has it all. Nature, history, breathtaking scenery, and you can explore by train and aboard a cruise ship!

If you have been dreaming about going to Alaska, now is the time to make those dreams come true! You can sail onboard one of Alaska’s most popular cruise lines and we know which one will fit your travel style! You won’t regret it. We want to tell you of the six most significant reasons you should cruise to The Last Frontier sooner rather than later.

1. You decide which cruise line to take. Sailing in Alaska extends from the middle of May to mid-September. During these months, you won’t likely see a shortage of cruise line options. Choose to go on a luxury or expedition-style cruise or maybe something a little more unique.

2. Alaska is desirable to people of all ages and tends to be high up on many bucket lists. Many families come here each year to enjoy the beauty of the great state and the broad scope of activities and events.

3. The wildlife is absolutely out of this world. When traveling to Alaska by cruise ship, don’t be surprised to spot bear hunting for fish, whales, eagles, and several other beautiful creatures.

4. Dare to go dog sledding? You may have to take a helicopter ride to get into the mountains first. This could be one thrilling adventure. Best of all, you get to hang with sweet huskies all day.

5. Go on a land tour before or after your cruise. Hike through the Denali National Park or the Kenai River Valley.

6. Don’t wait, right now, you can see the nation in all of its iconic glory. From lush forests to enormous glaciers, there is so much to admire and capture those Alaskan travel memories!

Alaska truly is one of the most magical places on Earth, and it’s right here in the United States. If you, like almost everyone else, have “visit Alaska” on your bucket list, what are you waiting for? There’s no better way to visit the state than by ship, so contact us now to start learning of all the cruise line options. Before you know it, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind vacation planned that will undoubtedly bring you memories that last a lifetime.

5 Reasons Curacao Needs To Be On Your Caribbean Radar for 2022

Curacao is destined to be the next big thing in the Caribbean travel scene! With Sandals opening a new resort next April, it is time to dig in on why you need to see Curacao! We love all-inclusive resorts, and they are a great value. However, you should consider visiting outside the resort and

When planning a trip where the fun in the sun and beaches you only see on television is concerned, the Caribbean is one of the premier destinations in the world. It is an area that people flock from all over to admire the beauty and fun the Caribbean delivers.

When people think about going to the Caribbean, they often visit St. Kitts, Grand Cayman, Saint Martin, or Antigua. These are amazing places with so much to offer visitors, but they are not the only choices. There is an island that tends to get overlooked by many: Curacao.

5 Reasons To Consider Curacao

Curacao is a beautiful island located just east of Aruba and just off the coast of Venezuela. Curacao has so much to offer visitors, and here are five reasons why Curacao needs to be on anyone’s radar if they’re looking to take a trip to the Caribbean.

The Beaches.

Anyone traveling to the Caribbean is going because of their desire for fun under the sun. There are 35 different beaches to hit while visiting Curacao. So many beaches considering that it only takes an hour and a half to drive the island’s length. Every beach has a personality of its own; there is a beach that will suit any visitor’s desires.

Affordability

Sticking to a budget is important to every traveler, and Curacao can help travelers stay within that budget. Curacao is ranked as one of the most affordable of the Caribbean islands to visit. Another great thing about Curacao is that it is located outside the hurricane belt, so traveling during storm season doesn’t pose a real issue.

Nightlife

Curacao has a hopping nightlife scene for those looking to fill your days and nights with fun. Live music is a staple of this multicultural island, and all types of music can be heard, from jazz to soca. There is going to be the perfect bar or watering hole for any traveler.

4. Art.

If you are looking to partake in a bit more of a sophisticated type of fun, there are plenty of arts across the island to enjoy. From excellent art galleries to stunning murals across the cities, there is an art to be enjoyed everywhere. There are also multiple museums for visitors to see and enjoy.

Culture.

The island of Curacao is a multicultural place that has a varied history. Citizens of Curacao carry a Dutch passport, but from the native Arawak people to the Spanish, Portuguese, and Jewish peoples, there have been many influences on this island. Its proximity to South America also adds to its diversity.

Curacao is a place that every traveler needs to consider. It is a beautiful island that has as much to offer travelers as any of the other more popular island destinations. Maybe the fact that this island flies under the radar of many Caribbean travelers can be another reason it is such a great place. Happy travels!

When you are ready to explore the Caribbean’s best kept secret, contact me and let’s start the fun planning!