Providence, the Best Travel Agent

January 21, 2013 — Providence, travel

Providence RI

Making travel plans is a study in availability. As a seasoned professional I like planning trips almost as much as taking them. I can enjoy a spontaneous jaunt as well as the next person, but planning can make the difference between a mediocre and a memorable travel experience.  It is good to have purpose, even if it is simply to change the scenery.  It is also very smart to have all the essentials covered so you can virtually do whatever strikes your fancy while you are at your destination.  I enjoy studying maps more than almost anything, so all kinds of maps inform my decisions.  I like the freedom of a car but not the hassle of parking and driving in heavy traffic.  Details of transportation and accommodation need to match the budget and the preferences of the traveler. Providence is foresight.  Providence involves taking care of the details in advance.  When you do your part, the divine Providence takes over and creates magic.

Details contain not only the devil, but also a great deal of delight if handled correctly.  There are some basic outlines to create good vacations, but the key is to make the details cater to the taste of the traveler.  That is where I excel.   I have many years of experience in travel of all kinds.  More importantly, I am specific, particular, and discriminating in my personal preferences.  I do know what I like, and know how to procure it at the price I want to pay.  I also know that many people would be uncomfortable in a museum all day, or in a hot spring all night, so I am happy to travel sometimes alone.  This means I am free to linger or to cancel plans on my own whims. I have hit the road with various groups in the past.  I believe I have done my penance in that regard, and can travel for my own purposes now.  Often groups isolate themselves from the local culture, not intentionally, but because they are involved with each other all the time.  It can be a huge turn off to find yourself anywhere with a large tourist group you had not planned to encounter.

Find great value by shopping for exactly what you want instead of seeking the cheapest trip. Using a credit card to pay for travel you can’t afford to take will almost inevitably end in heartache.  Buyer’s remorse is debtor’s remorse when your holiday fun is digging a hole in your credit rating and peace of mind. Prepay for the hotel.  You can get fabulous discounts for a non refundable prepayment.  Better yet, when you take the trip it feels like the lodging is free.  It is very liberating.

1. Travel off peak.  Go when others do not go to that location.  The first two weeks of December is always the best for all destinations.
2. Study the details of the area, including special events. Tourism boards are just waiting to tell you everything there is to know about their areas
3. Consider alternative lodging, like Air BnB, for a more local contact
4. Weigh the cost against the time consumed when thinking of doing something cheap that takes up a big chunk of your time on holiday.  Your free time should be valuable to you.
5. Be particular.  If you do not feel excited about the destination, keep studying.  Choose a place that perfectly suits your needs and desires.

I am planning a trip to Plymouth Colony and the vicinity in April.  I am finding so much to do in a very small area, that the research is really a blast for me.  It looks like the right trip to discover Providence, RI.   My ancestors are all over the place, and I have never been there.  This is my kind of adventure.