Who You Gonna Call?

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” If there is something strange in your neighborhood, Who you gonna call?…. If there is something weird and it don’t look good, Who you gonna call? ….”

Ghostbusters??? No. When weather goes awry, you want to have a travel agent on your side.

Now that I have that song stuck in your head, let me explain it’s relevance. I couldn’t resist as I watched the new 2016 release of Ghostbusters with Melissa McCarthy this snowy weekend. Which of course as you know takes place in NYC and is practically my backyard now. Anyway, unexpected resurgence of winter wreaked havoc on the northeast particularly for those flying.

Let me share a personal story, as the VIP client that I had to get out of here on Friday was my very own daughter who needed to be in Memphis by end of night in order to make a 6am flight out of Memphis on Saturday. She had plans to travel with some other very important clients aka friends of mine for Spring Break to Punta Cana. Here is how the 24hrs prior to her departure played out…

As is customary with the impending threat of weather of this nature, the airlines will often issue a waiver to passengers allowing them to make flight changes without any extra fees to fly in a specified date window either before or after the weather event. Such a notice arrived by email on the evening of the 8th. While I did look at options and considered changing her, she had a prior acting commitment that really was not an event she needed to miss. Anyway, I continued to monitor the weather conditions and flight statuses with the airlines because as it so happened, I happened to have several clients departing over the weekend for their vacations. The forecasters weren’t predicting much and just expected some slushy road conditions for the morning commute Friday. Then it happened, 8pm Thursday night I got an update on my mobile app that traffic control decided to cancel the flight. We were on the NJ Transit when the alert came through. I didn’t want to waste any time and I immediately got on my cell to United to get her on another flight. The evening direct flight that I wanted her on was fully booked, so oddly enough I had to go with a morning flight. Surprisingly, it was nearly at the same time as her original flight, but now required a connection. I found this to be strange until the United employee said the cancellation had come from traffic control and had to do with where the inbound plane for the flight was coming from not the snow coming to our area. I had her rebooked before our train arrived home. All was good.

Thursday evening, I was sure to set my volume up for any air alerts as besides my daughter I had other clients departing. We become like a doctor on call, especially on the days are clients are flying. I woke several times checking my phone just to make sure nothing had come through. We were up at 5am and the roads were dry. The preceding rain before snow had not come and snow was still not expected until later in the morning. I breathed a small sigh of relief.

We made our way to the airport with relatively no traffic and flight was still scheduled on-time. The airport was a bustle of people and the TSA security line stretched the length of the terminal. My daughter had pre-check and was good to go, but I had to get a gate pass and go through the regular line in order to meet her on the other side. (her first time flying alone out of Newark) It had begun snowing by now, yet other than flights that had been cancelled the night before by traffic control, all seemed to be moving along as scheduled…until she was on the plane.

The snow decided to increase its pace and visibility dropped significantly. I didn’t dare leave the airport until I knew her plane was in the air. I sat by a screen with phone in hand and waited. They had pulled from the gate, but then a delay came up of 15mins. I wasn’t worried yet, but knew now her connection in Houston was going to be tight. My app finally said departed and just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, my daughter sent a text. “We haven’t taken off. We are still sitting.” I continued to wait and wait. Now knowing that any further delay would make her miss her connection in Houston. She text in panic “Mom, what do I do? I’m going to miss my flight.” I told her not to worry. Once I knew the flight was in the air, I would take care of it. Of course at this point, I was praying please don’t come back to the gate. The flight took off 50 minutes late and I immediately got on the phone with United once again. I had already checked the schedule of Houston to Memphis flights for Friday afternoon and got her rebooked while she was in transit. Once the agent was done handling my request it immediately uploaded the new information into the United mobile app. I had my daughter download it on her phone as well before flying. Once she arrived in Houston, her new schedule and mobile boarding pass were ready and waiting for her.
6:30pm my time I got the notice flight had landed in Memphis. As mom and travel agent I could finally relax as she and her bags had reached their destination. The remainder of my passengers departing were spared the delays that we had here in the northeast and I can report everyone is happily in destination. You see as your travel agent, I am only a call away. I am already monitoring the situation and thinking of possible solutions before the events occur. And while, I can’t spare you the inconvenience, I can help you keep the stress at bay. You are never alone with an agent on your side.

So, who you gonna call?


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslWho You Gonna Call?
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Don’t Leave Home Without It

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American Express owns this slogan, and with all due respect I wouldn’t think of infringing on their right to use it. This is not about credit cards though, but about what you need to take with you on an airplane to be the most comfortable and make your time pass quickly.

Flying on an airplane can give you the feeling of being a sardine, even if you are in Business or First Class. Preparing ahead for a flight is mandatory to have the best experience and once you have it down, you won’t be second guessing yourself about what to pack. Here are my three top absolutely necessary items to take on a flight; whether it is 1 hour or 5 hours or even 15 hours.

1. A Pashmina
For me, this is the Number One item on the Don’t Leave Home Without It List. About five years ago before traveling to China I realized I needed something to keep me warm on airplanes and motor coaches. My research led me to Pashmina and the hunt for the perfect one that would meet my needs for warmth and fashion accessory. A Pashmina is a scarf or shawl but not just any scarf or shawl. Pashminas are made from the finest grade of cashmere wool, from certain goats raised in the Himalayas. The wool is the world’s finest and provides the most luxurious warmth. A Pashmina Scarf is a luxury fashion statement, and can be added to a dress with spaghetti straps or over jeans. Versatility makes it essential for travel on planes, trains, and automobiles.

Airplanes can be very cold, an extra layer of warmth is usually required to stay comfortable. Blankets distributed on the plane are not only limited, but the cleanliness is questionable. Ick! Drape a pashmina over your shoulders and you will increase your warmth immediately, If my Pashmina could talk it would tell you of travel to China, Thailand, Hong Kong, London, Paris, New York, Las Vegas, Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, Napa, and more.

2. Something To Do
This Don’t Leave Home Without It item can be different for each travel. Some people enjoy doing a craft and others would rather read. Reading (and sleeping) are my preferred way to pass the time. The graphic represents my personal choice of an electronic device, such as a Kindle, Kindle Fire, Nook or even a tablet such as an ipad. It can help you avoid speaking to a boring seat mate (smile). The variety of topics it holds will not only keep you interested, but also lighten your load. Gone are the days when you take a vacation and have to pack a stack of books. They will even hold your magazine subscriptions. In a word, they are WONDERFUL! If you haven’t moved to the electronic reader, what are you waiting for? One argument I hear is that you can’t share the book with your friends and that is absolutely right. But, how many books have you carried with you and left on the ship, at the resort or hotel room because packing a book takes up room for those purchases you made during “Retail Therapy”.

3. Loose Fitting Shoes
The final Don’t Leave Home Without It is essential for comfort, especially if flying on long flights. Clogs are a great choice but my favorite shoes to fly in are Crocs, UGLY, yes, but so simple to take off and put on again. The TSA is slowly moving away from the requirement to remove your shoes, but it is still there at this time. TSA Pre-check is a new system that allows you to keep your shoes and jackets on and allows you to leave your 1 quart bag in your luggage. It’s a hit or miss system for everyone except the people who pay for the privilege of receiving TSA pre-check. This doesn’t even mean you will always receive it, sometimes you may have to go through the regular line at their whim. The bottom line is always be prepared to remove your shoes just in case.

If you have read to this point, the you receive a BONUS. One more essential for carry on bags.

4. Noise Cancelling Headphones
The BONUS Don’t Leave Home Without It not only reduces or eliminates cabin noise, it also gives better sound for the inflight movie or music when plugged into the airplane’s sound system. There are a variety of brands and range of prices to choose from. Google “Noise Cancelling Headphones” do your homework.

Now it’s your turn. What do you think is most important to have on a plane ride for COMFORT! Maybe you need to have a video game, chocolate chip cookies, earplugs or eye shades. Let us know your thoughts.


Jan Scheyer-Personally Yours Travel by Jan, Your Travel Advisor in Greater Cincinnati.

I am Jan Scheyer and I am a connoisseur of history. Like a great author who can bring history to life through words, I do this through travel. I plan travel experiences for people who want to connect with the past and bring it to life. If you love history, let me help you plan travel experiences in a way that you’ll never forget. I will illuminate options you’ve never considered and plan every last detail so that you can have an experience that you’ve only dreamed (or read) about.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Jan ScheyerDon’t Leave Home Without It
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7 Reasons You Should Use A Travel Expert

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Life today seems automatic. With the advances in technology many of life’s chores have become automated. Cars are built by machines, phones are answered by computer generated voices that can respond to our voices, and your very own phones are automated. The human has been taken out of everything and everyone seems to be jumping on the band wagon to do it yourself. The travel industry is not immune to this electronic trend with the birth of the online travel agency. The birth of them along with the vast information now available on the world wide web has led many individuals ready to escape believe that travel agents, now preferred to be called travel advisors or consultants, have gone wayside. While searching for destinations, hotels, flights, and more has become easily accessible, it is important to understand that navigating the vast amount of options available for a single destination without an advisor or consultant is difficult at best, and often results in a disastrous vacation.

Below you will find the top seven reasons why you should work with a travel expert.

Access to Suppliers

Yes, it’s true the internet is amazing and has tons of information at your fingers’ disposal. More information than you could consume in a lifetime. That said, it’s guaranteed that any travel expert will have direct access and relationship with the suppliers no matter the mode of travel. It’s a guarantee, especially for an expert who specializes in a specific type of client, travel or destination, that they will have advance notice or access to things not on the websites or that have not been updated yet. As such, experts that get to know their clients can keep a watch list for when these specials become available and notify you in advance based on your travel preferences.

However, while access to the suppliers is great, it is important to realize that the value of an expert goes well beyond our initial search for the right fit for you. Indeed, any one of the benefits on the list below would be enough to justify hiring an expert. Put all of them together, and you’ve got a precious gem

Savings? Hold up

The main excuse for going without a travel expert is that doing so will save money. Indeed, you may find a cheap bargain online and assume you are “to the good” keeping money in your pocket by not paying a consultants’ fee. It is certainly possible a good vacation can be had by taking things into your own hands, it has often proved to be not the case with clients calling after the fact wanting an expert to help fix the bad situation they got themselves into. Generally, an expert will take a very small percentage as an upfront fee to cover time, research, and intellectual property while receiving most of their compensation from supplier commissions which add no additional cost to your vacation package, only the value of the guidance and care you will receive. Not to mention experts often have access to additional amenities or can make special requests that you can’t do online yourself.

All in all, you probably won’t save a whole lot of money by booking your vacation yourself without an agent, and it’s likely that you’ll end up paying more or having less, as you won’t have an expert around to help you secure the best value for your budget.

Connections

While some of us wilt when it comes to asking for extras, travel experts are trained in the art of building relationships. Our travels and attendance at industry events lets them build one on one relationships directly with the tourism boards, hotels, cruises, tour operators, and more. Their belief in cultivating an environment rich on knowledge and building direct contacts in their areas of expertise only deepens their benefit of getting you the best value and experience for your dollar. All in all, you can rely on a consultant to navigate the sea of options out there to secure you the best value and experience.

Reliability

While there is no 100% guarantee that an agent won’t be what they advertise, it is highly unlikely. Why? Travel agencies and their advisors pursue the best outcome for their clients, not for themselves, due to various seller of license requirements among states and error and omission insurance requirements. The travel industry has predominantly built on word of mouth and referrals. And, we all know how one bad review can ruin a reputation. Therefore, you can count that most experts are working on your behalf to provide you an experience you will never forget.

Paperwork

Did you know all vacation packages come with documents? Did you also know, unless you hire a travel expert, you will be doomed to figure out exactly what you need to print and have for your travel destination? Do you need a passport? Are visas required? Do I need proof of marriage? Does the destination have travel alerts? These are all questions that your travel expert will be on top of before you travel to make sure you have the right items in hand. Travel experts will take the time to answer questions and go over any special instructions or needs for your vacation package so there are no surprises. Showing up to the airport or arriving in your destination without the necessary paperwork will certainly leave a bad taste in your mouth and often ruin your entire trip.

Relationships

Travel advisors make it their business to develop and cultivate a robust professional network. We already mentioned their connection with suppliers, but it goes beyond. They cultivate within their own competitors, developing relationships with other travel experts and agency owners. Using the depth of their network to increase their base knowledge, but the good ones will actually refer you out to one of their connections if they feel you would be better served by another expert. The best experts have built a network of industry partners to fill in the spaces so they have the best resources for all destinations only a call or email away.

Advice

Last but certainly not least, a travel expert provides a wealth of advice vital to the vacation experience. Each client and each vacation experience is unique. An advisor will use their knowledge, experiences, past client feedback, and industry relations to build you the ideal escape. The advice begins from the initial contact, through the building of the package, suggestions while in destination, and through follow-up upon your return. The best advising and the most important bonus of using an expert, the one they hope you never have to use, is advice in a crisis. They are there to weather any storm, mishap, or worse when it comes to your vacation.

As you can see, it’s always advantageous for you to work with a travel expert. With an expert you have a human who cares to turn to.

 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl7 Reasons You Should Use A Travel Expert
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3 Weeks, 3 Trips, 1 Bag!

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End of summer found me with a jammed pack travel itinerary. Only having just arrived in our new home location in NJ, I had to hit the road for 3 weeks of travel that would take me to Memphis, TN, Queensland, Australia, and Charlotte, NC. With the relocation and the divorce I found myself with out my large purple bag that had become my standard companion for my Australia trips. I decided I would order myself my own new gold bag with the convenience of 4 swivel wheels along with some ebags.

As luck would have it, the gold suitcase did not arrive in time for my travels and I was left with my one black, carry-on size suitcase to fit 3 weeks of travel in.

Fortunately, my new green ebags (green is my favorite color) arrived and I was excited to give them a shot and see if they made a long haul trip any easier to manage in the packing department. I had heard from other professionals in the travel industry how much they enjoyed how these bags worked for keeping all your stuff organized through the unpacking and packing that happens when out on tour. So here I was, the day before the trip with my black suitcase (pictured above) and my ebags. The challenge was to fit enough clothes for all the events into this one bag. Here’s the thing… I needed to have business casual, evening dress, tour wear, and exercise wear as part of the mix given the different locations and itineraries. And guess what folks, I did it. When I returned, I actually had pieces that I didn’t end up wearing and even added a few new items that I had purchased in Australia into the bag. I AMAZED myself!

How did I do it? What did I pack?

First, I planned on wearing most things at least twice. I knew I would have at least two occasions to do wash. I planned around a color theme (black) which meant I could mix and match and bring less shoes. I used the ebags to pack my items by category to keep everything organized.

Here is what ended up in that black suitcase of mine…..

Flip flops, low black sandal, medium black heel, tennis shoes
Night shirt and a lounge outfit
3 swimsuits and a cover up
Bras
Underwear
Socks
2 long sleeve knit tops
8 short sleeve
2 shorts
2 nylon Capri
2 black dress pants
2 jeans
2 dresses
1 dressy jumpsuit
3 yoga pant, 3 exercise tops, 2 sports bras
2 sleeveless dress tops
1 3/4 sleeve dress top
1 long sleeve blouse
1 knit cardigan
I packed all that plus the outfit I was wearing as well.
I think that’s it.

Wait! Of course, I put my personal bag with my toiletries in there too. Who knew you could put so much into one bag? The best part was that this bag weighed only 33lbs. I was allowed 50lbs for the trip to Australia, but I like to have a little to spare for those items I purchase. When I got back from Australia and had to head to Charlotte, I was so used to traveling light that I pulled only the few things I needed for the trip and traveled with only a backpack to my conference. At the end of the day, less is more and nobody cares what you are wearing. Travel light my friends.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl3 Weeks, 3 Trips, 1 Bag!
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Passport for Your Palate-Ginger Saves the Day!

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How many of you had moms that gave you ginger ale when you had the tummy bug? I remember fondly the days as a child lying on the family room couch with a bucket by my side, a glass of warm ginger ale, and a package of Saltine Crackers. To this day, when my kids are not feeling well, the first offering is a glass of ginger ale.

Surprisingly, moms know what they are doing as ginger has long been used in many ways with one of its attributes as a tummy soother.

 

Ginger is a flowering plant whose root has been used for centuries now in a wide variety of cultures in cuisine. It can be used fresh or dried. It’s often associated mostly with Asian and Indian cuisines. Of course, some of our sweet favorites such as gingerbread, cookies, and cakes showcase this plant as well. For medicinal purposes, it is used to treat nausea caused from sea sickness or motion sickness.

On a recent trip to Australia, we discovered just how great this root can be for nausea.

One of the travelers with me was very much into herbal medicinal relief for her aliments and had ginger chews with her. Myself and others in our group found her sharing of these little chewy gems to be of great relief. One of the travel agents used a chew to combat her sea sickness while we were aboard a catamaran headed out to Whitehaven Beach. For myself, the chew came in quite handy when too much champagne left me wanting to “toss my cookies”. One chew had me going from green in the face to my happy party self within hours.

And while I’m flying, one of my favorite Australian air treats is to ask for a ginger beer.

It is similar to our ginger ale but with much more fresh ginger taste and not quite as bubbly. It works great when flying and helps when I still feel a bit sour in the stomach after cocktail and food indulgences during my travels. I highly recommend the use of ginger the next time your vacation leaves your tummy in a tumble.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Ginger Saves the Day!
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For A Good Time Call…

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Looking for a good time?

Call me! I’m your friendly travel professional (aka travel agent, travel consultant, travel concierge).

I’ve now been in the travel industry for just over eight years, which still makes me a baby by some standards in the travel world. However, the best of us, new or old to the industry, is worth your time to call if you are looking for the best value in your travel experiences.
Why may you ask do I need a travel agent when there is so much available online? That, my friend, is exactly why you need a travel consultant (we prefer this over the antiquated use of an agent). The internet is awesome and is how I perform my business’s daily operations, but it is also daunting if you don’t know what to be looking for. It has its uses, and there are times when I will tell my clients it is in their best interest to go ahead and grab what they see online, but in most cases, your travel consultant will outperform any booking engine out there.

Here’s why…

Knowledge-Travel professionals, in general, know more than you do. In fact, we invest a lot of time, energy, and money into our profession. It is an ever-changing industry, and we are forever in learning mode. Through tourism board certification programs, supplier webinars, trade shows, personal development, and hands-on destination visits, we further our knowledge every day. Nothing teaches you better than visiting the destination. Besides seeing the destination, we experience what there is to do. There’s nothing like getting down and dirty with the locals and being able to come back and share with our clients the best tours, restaurants, or pubs to visit. Believe me, and we often can tell you if a place truly is what you see on the web. What is even better is a lot of us are now specialists in a specific type of travel or destination. Some are even hyper-specialized, like me, in the destination of Australia. I don’t call myself an Aussie Expert without good cause. Besides the continued online education I do with Australia Tourism and my suppliers, I will be making my 5th visit in 5 years this August.

Resources-All the visits, trade shows, and conferences lead to something even greater…a network of other highly specialized individuals at our disposal. We develop relationships with key people in our industry in the destinations we service, and we work with other agents. Yes, you heard me. We are not competitors. We are collaborators. I’ve even been known to have one of my fellow travel partners book my client’s vacation instead of me. What??? If it is in my client’s best interest to be matched with someone with greater expertise than myself, that’s exactly what I do. It all works out in the wash, and the ultimate goal is to provide my client with value and a trip they will never forget. I guarantee that your online booking engine is not consulting with other trained specialists to offer you the best choice.

Personal-Probably the best reason to use a travel professional is we care about you. Our primary goal is to get to know you! The best of us want to know everything about you. The more we know about you, the better we can match the right experiences to your trip. The longer you work with your professional, the greater the relationship becomes. Another bonus of working with a travel professional is we are there 24/7 to take care of your travel mishaps. Canceled flights, lost luggage, stolen items, whatever the case may be, you will get a person to help you through it. Crazy stuff doesn’t happen often, but believe me, when it does, you will be glad you booked your trip with your travel consultant.

I could go on with why you should call a travel professional. I challenge you to call me or another travel professional you know and experience what we can do for you. We are in an industry that is hard work but work we absolutely love. And when it is work you love, it isn’t working at all. When you build relationships with your clients, they aren’t clients but friends. There is a lot of passion that goes into what we do. Our greatest joy comes from following your journeys.

“Do something you’ll never forget”-Funjet Vacations.



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.


Lisa RossmeisslFor A Good Time Call…
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A Day in the Life…

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What does a day in the life look like?

This past week, my lawyer commented to me, “I don’t know how you do it or even keep straight what time zone you are in.” during our first meeting. “Every time I spoke to you,” he said, “it appeared you were in a different state.” This same week, I had another friend comment on a Facebook post about my various travels and “wasn’t it too much.” For me, there is nothing as too much travel, even when it runs me ragged like this past week. In fact, the experiences I go through are exactly why you want someone like me to be in your pocket when you travel.

This week, I had to do the proverbial “planes, trains, and automobiles” when at the last moment the closing on my new home in New Jersey was ready to be executed only within 24 hours of me needing to be on my way to Charlotte, North Carolina for meetings. Mind you, when this call came through, it was the end of the business day on Tuesday, and I was at my parent’s home in Vermont. I had travel arrangements for Thursday and Friday to be in North Carolina and a complimentary planning session at 2 pm for clients on Wednesday. I agreed I could make it to the closing if it were the last appointment of the day, knowing it was at least a 3-hour drive from my folks into New Jersey. I then worked on getting a hotel near the Newark airport and making schedule changes with my friend, who would pick me up on Thursday in Charlotte. She is one of the many people through this crazy move that has been involved in lending me a helping hand. So, with new travel arrangements in place, I left Wednesday morning for New Jersey.

Now the drive is typically 3 hours, but we always recommend you allow extra time when you are heading to the airport because it is inevitable that something will go wrong when you have a limited amount of time. Well, that is exactly what happened to me as I ran into the lovely summer construction delays. The saving graces were the blue tooth and the navigation system (though I must say sometimes I really don’t like her). It became clear that I would not make my hotel in time to change or make my call to my client from the lobby’s comfort before meeting my agent at the condo for the final walkthrough. As 2 pm arrived, I dialed my client because I did not want to cancel on such short notice. Once we were connected, I explained the unusual circumstances and then found an exit to pull off into a quiet neighborhood and discuss Australia with them. I felt the call went well, even though I could not apologize enough for my strange circumstances, and agreed I would follow up by an email from the hotel that evening. Once we finished our chat, I quickly called the realtor to let her know my time situation. I was now a good 30 minutes or more behind once the navigation system rerouted me from my original destination to now go straight to the new home.

Fortunately, I didn’t run into any additional delays other than the tolls. ( Note to anyone making US driving trips: Buy the EZPASS or IPASS for your vehicle. It will save tons of time and on my list of priorities once I am in the home.) I arrived at the new condo at quarter past 3. We did a quick walkthrough to check on the home inspection repairs. Then, we were off to the closing. For the most part, the closing went as planned, and I left the offices for my hotel. Now, here is where life gets a bit interesting. I don’t know how many of you are familiar with the interstate and route systems in New Jersey, but they are a bit different with their whole “U-Turn” system. Despite my lovely GPS lady, I missed the hotel and had to figure out how to navigate these “U-Turns” to get myself back on track. The parking lot security guard chuckled as I arrived and said, “Even though you passed us 8 times, you haven’t broken the record.”

A great thing I discovered about the Wyndham Garden Hotel I was staying at was they offered airport parking even if you were not returning to the hotel as a guest. After my evening experience with the “U-Turns,” I decided not to risk it in the morning by attempting to make my way from the hotel to an airport parking lot. One thing to note is that the shuttle from the hotel to the airport only runs on the 1/2 hour and drops you at a point at the airport that then requires the riding of the AirTran to get you to your terminal. (Be sure to allow enough extra time for the shuttle, train, checking-in, and security.)

Fortunately, I was up and downstairs, ready to leave with lots of extra time to catch my mid-morning flight. This was a good thing because, besides the shuttle delay, you have to make sure you get on the AirTran in the right direction for your terminal. Yes, I wasn’t paying attention to the signs and did an extra stop or two to get to my terminal. (See, I make mistakes, so you don’t have to.) Once the train drops you at your terminal, you will have to do a bit of walking actually to get to the check-in point. (Never be too shy to ask a stranger or airport employee for assistance.)

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch. Returning to Newark, riding the AirTran, catching the shuttle, and driving my car back to Vermont was a long but easy day. Now, most of my travels go much smoother than this, but isn’t it nice to know I am out there regularly trying these scenarios out and sometimes making mistakes, so you don’t have to? A big part of what I offer you is the “been there done that,” because why reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to? Your career “road warriors” know what I am talking about. Safe travels!



Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.


Lisa RossmeisslA Day in the Life…
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Find a Date and other Tips for Stress-Free Travel

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FIND A DATE:

PASSPORTS: Find the expiration date of your passport and make sure it is more than six months AFTER your travel dates. You MUST have a valid passport to fly internationally, If you are traveling to Italy in July, and your passport is due to expire in November, it is NOT valid – RENEW it now! There is still time. Generally, it takes approximately six weeks to receive your new passport. However, if it is necessary, for an extra fee, you can have it in considerably sooner – even within 24 hours.

*Make a copies of your valid passport. Take one with you, and leave one at home with a family member. Scan the copy and email it to yourself or save it on a flash drive. In case of loss or theft, having the copy will make it easier for you to be reissued a new passport.

ANTICIPATE EMERGENCIES: Purchase travel insurance or make sure your own insurance will cover you in case of trip cancellation or interruption, illness abroad, cancelled/delayed flights, lost luggage or other unexpected adversities during your travel. Travel insurance is optional, but always highly recommended.

DON’T GET DECLINED! Notify your bank and credit card company of your travel plans and dates to avoid having your account blocked because they suspect fraudulent activity. Let them know ahead of time and save yourself the hassle of having to contact them and wait to have the account reactivated and a new card issued.

WHEN IN ROME, DON’T ROAM! Check with your mobile carrier on your data plan and international rates to avoid excessive roaming charges. Or simply disable the data till you are somewhere with free WiFi. Before you leave the US, download free apps such as Viber and WhatsApp for talking and texting. Use FaceTime on your I-phone or Skype and Facebook calling for free video calling.

MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ‘ROUND – if it’s the right kind. Withdraw cash from ATMs or exchange money at a bank to get the best exchange rates. Yes, you will pay a fee, but it will still be a better rate than the exchange centers at airports or around town. To minimize service fees, use your debit or credit card for large purchases and pay cash for smaller ones.

TAKE CHARGE! Take a universal voltage adaptor. In fact, take two. Different countries have different size plugs and voltage than we do in the US, so you will need an adaptor to charge your electronics. If everyone wants to charge their phones, cameras, kindles, laptops, etc., you will need more than one!

BONUS TIP: HAPPY FEET! Make sure yours are. In addition to all your fun and fancy shoes, please pack TWO pairs of good, comfortable walking shoes. No matter how much walking you think you will be doing, you will do more. Trust me. And no matter how comfortable your shoes are in the morning, after walking all day, they won’t feel so great in the evening. Trading off different pairs of shoes will keep your shoes from rubbing the same spot on your feet – and keep blisters at bay. I know of what I speak.

FINALLY, assume you will return.

The “General MacArthur approach” is key to travel happiness. You can’t see it all in one trip – don’t even try. Enjoy what you’re seeing and doing. Forget about what you can’t get to this time. This way you’ll have something to start dreaming about on the flight home…for the next trip! 🙂


Anjana Duff is the owner of Travel Connection, a boutique travel agency specializing in tropical escapes and worldly adventures.

She creates customized vacation packages for individuals and groups. With her expertise, clients can relax before the vacation even begins. They are able to focus on what is truly important – connecting with their favorite people in their favorite places.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslFind a Date and other Tips for Stress-Free Travel
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“Live Funner”

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Live Funner is a concept coined by Island Routes, an excursion operator in Jamaica.

I was in Jamaica a week ago to attend one of my two TESA (Travel Entrepreneur Success Academy) meetings for the year. The three-day event was held on the beautiful property of Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. During one of our morning sessions, we were blessed with the presence and high spirits of Richard Moss III, aka “Richard Routes” Trade Development Manager of Island Routes Caribbean Adventures Jamaica. Now, those of us in the travel trade are very familiar with Richard and his larger than life personality, so it was pure joy to have him show up and get the energy levels up.

The company he represents, Island Routes, is an excursion company in the Caribbean islands, and their desks can be found in all the lobbies of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Having Richard show up that morning reminded us all that your vacation isn’t about your awesome resort, but the experiences you have while you are there. Richard says, “Get off the resort and have an adventure.”

I have to tell you Jamaica and Island Routes have a wonderful playland available for any traveler. Jamaica’s backdrop of lush vegetation, snaking rivers, cascading waterfalls, and sea green waters combined with Island Routes and knowledge create experiences that will leave memories of a lifetime. The great thing is that these off the resort activities can be booked before you go, which falls right in line with why you were looking for that all-inclusive experience….you’ve paid everything before you go!

What can you do while you’re in Jamaica? Well, here is a list of some of the top handpicked tours you can select from.

Deep-Sea Sport Fishing
Dolphin Swim and/or Encounter
Dunn’s River Catamaran Cruise
River Tubing and the Blue Hole
White Witch Zipline Canopy
Reggae Catamaran Cruise
Rick’s Café Experience
Appleton Rum Factory Tour
Bamboo River Rafting

The list above is only a sample of the different things available from Jamaica’s four main resort regions. Be sure to contact your travel consultant when booking for more details and pricing.

Are you ready now to get off the resort and “Live Funner”?




Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa Rossmeissl“Live Funner”
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Tipping Ain’t Just for Cows

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Have you ever heard of cow tipping?

If you were ever a teenager, you probably know exactly what it is. Hopefully you never participated and if you did…well, hopefully the farmer was too slow to catch you. Cow tipping is just not the nicest thing in the world to do to an innocent cow, but tipping for good service, is not only good but also quite proper – most of the time.
So how do you know when and where and who and how much to tip? That’s a mighty big question and the answers can certainly vary depending on the service, on the country, and even on your mode of travel. One very important idea is to ‘know before you go.’ When traveling (whether in the US or abroad) be sure to educate yourself. Know which people along your journey are expecting a tip, which ones are depending on a tip, and which ones are deserving of a tip. And most importantly, know how much is appropriate for a tip. One of the best sources for detailed tipping advice and lots of other helpful info is a good guidebook. Guidebooks are almost as important as a good travel professional when it comes to creating a smooth and memorable adventure. In this article, we hope to offer you a quick and easy guide to tipping that will get you through most situations.
First of all, on many cruise ships, the gratuities are already built in to a total of about $9 – $13 a day, but for service above and beyond, you can always leave extra. You should consider tipping for great service from the dining room staff (including servers, waiters, bus boys, and maître ‘ds.) You should certainly consider tips for spa services, tour guides, and drivers unless specifically discouraged by the particular cruise line.
The second and most confusing area of gratuity rules are those for service in other countries. Most westernized countries are open to, encourage, or even expect gratuities for service oriented workers. In these western countries, you can feel safe in using customary US rules for tipping. However, it is almost always preferable to tip in the currency of the particular country. You should consider tipping any person who provides you a service including servers, bellman, concierges, maids, drivers, guides, etc. In non-westernized countries, it is very important to know the customs and the culture. You should always check to see if the tip is included in your bill. Anything extra is up to you. Doing the right thing can make or break your time in that country. For instance, if you don’t tip certain workers in India, they may chase you down the street looking for you to correct your mistake. Workers in some Asian countries will wholeheartedly refuse your tip. Some European countries prefer a discreet token of your appreciation while in Russia “giving in style is good practice.” And if you’re down under (in Australia or New Zealand), they do not want a tip for what they consider to be just proper service. You’re considered a guest the first time around and family the second time. You’d never expect a tip from guests or family members and neither will they expect it.
No matter where you are, you should always try to tip with proper change. It just makes the exchange that much easier for everyone. When traveling, always use your larger bills for purchasing things like trinkets and dinners and keep the smaller bills for those people who make your travel more pleasant. If you’re unsure, consider an amount between 5 and 10%. But no matter what, your instincts are a great start when trying to follow local customs about tipping. If it feels like the service person has earned it, tip for it. If they’ve gone above and beyond, tip for it. When in doubt, look around and follow suit. And, discretion is almost always appreciated.

Just remember, in a world where people not only hope for a tip, but sometimes even demand it, you make the choice. You decide who and when and where and how much? Be generous when it’s well deserved and when it’s not…well, just follow your instincts and be ready for whatever response you might get.

For more information on these and other travel topics, visit our web page and like us on Facebook.

Gratuity Expected? Acceptable Gratuity % Other Notes

Restaurants Hotels Taxis
USA Yes Yes Yes 15 – 20% Tip for everything
Canada Yes Yes Yes 10 – 20% Tip for everything
Mexico Yes Yes Yes 15% Tips are their only wages!
France Included Yes/Included No 15% or more Also tip your tour guides
Germany No No No 5 – 10% Workers get higher wages
Italy No No No Just round up Look for cover charges
Switzerland Included Included Included None Can tip other service people
England Yes Yes Yes 10 – 12.5% Pint of beer as a tip!
Egypt Yes Yes Yes Undetermined Tipping is expected for all
Brazil Included Included No 10 – 15% Tips are discretionary
Singapore No No No None Tips are frowned upon
China No No No None Foreigners are charged more
Hong Kong No No No None Except taxis to the airport
Japan No No No None Absolutely no tipping!
New Zealand No No No None Only for exceptional service
Australia No No No None Only for exceptional service


Judy Jay

Judy Jay is the owner of Signature Tours Travel. Signature Tours Travel specializes in the designing of unique travel experiences.

Travel is my Passion!

When I was young, I use to dream of traveling to different parts of the world to experience other cultures.  In 1968,  I became a Flight Attendant for one of the world’s largest airlines.  After retiring in 2001,  I still had my passion for travel and the desire to share my expertise; I decided to open my own agency with my daughter to provide custom and unique luxury travel experiences.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Judy JayTipping Ain’t Just for Cows
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