“This Is Why You Need A Travel Advisor For Your Post-Pandemic Vacation” - Forbes

We loved seeing this article last week by Christopher Elliott, popular travel author and travel columnist and founder of a consumer advocacy non-profit. In it he describes his 10 reasons why you need a travel advisor for your post-pandemic vacation:

1. Prepare you for the travel experience

2. Understand where you're going

3. Screen every travel company

4. Hold your hand

5. Help you navigate the rules of travel

6. Be available to you 24/7

7. Leverage insider contacts to help you have a smoother trip

8. Go the extra mile to get you home

9. Solve your problems

10. Help you secure a no-hassle refund if necessary

I think our clients would agree with his list. We work hard to thoroughly research options for clients and plan with them to ensure their trip goes smoothly. We are staying on top of hotel openings, CDC guidelines and travel advisories to best advise our clients based on their comfort level with travel. Additionally, our suppliers are thoroughly vetted to help ensure company solvency and protect our clients.

In the article, Elliott also describes his own experience when his travel advisor “saved” him while he was abroad during the pandemic lockdown. For a link to the full story, click here.

What To Know Before You Rent

We received a lot of questions from clients who are ready to start traveling. They want to know the best place to drive - or fly? And what is open there?

“Should we rent a house?” “If so, how do we know that that home is vetted and up to current health/ sanitation standards?”

“Where do we start?”

Well, friends, that is what we are here for.

We are working hard to find quality private home rentals in some of the most sought-after destinations — most of which are drivable for clients in Texas and California and typically offer better weather or different activities than what we have at home.

We work with professionally managed rental homes that have all been thoroughly vetted so there are no surprises. Our homes can also offer additional services and benefits like pre-stocking, concierge service and custom amenities.

Here are some of our top considerations when selecting your vacation rental property:

• Deposit schedule and cancellation policies are understood.

  • Several of our partners have implemented 2 week flexible cancellation policies and waived change fees.

• Confirming CDC guidelines are met/ exceeded and sanitation protocols are in order.

• The rental is in accordance with local policies and quarantine requirements.

• Availability of on-site managers.

  • Most of the properties we work with have service lines available 24/7 should anything arise during your stay. This gives us and our clients peace of mind.
    

This summer we are already seeing the most long-term vacation rentals in history with travelers wanting to get out of town and getaway for 30, 60, 90-day windows. Some are able to work remotely and others are wanting to make the long road trip worth it.

Below are some of the most popular destinations and some of our favorite properties (that are still available):

Lake Travis, TX rental. 5 bedroom, 4 bath sleeps 10. Dates available in August starting around $1,600 a night.

Rental in Aspen, CO. 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, sleeps 10. Dates available in June and July starting at $1,000 a night.

Destin, FL rental . 6 bedroom, 6.5 bath sleeps 15. Dates available in late July starting around $975 a night.

Port Aransas, TX rental. 5 bedroom, 5.5 bath sleeps 14. Dates available in July starting at $1,500 a night.

Beachfront Galveston, TX rental. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath sleeps 6. Dates available in August starting around $510 a night.

Santa Fe, NM rental. 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, sleeps 10. Dates available in late July and August starting at $1,300 a night.

We’d love to help you find the perfect fit for your summer vacation rental. Get in touch with us here!

Ranch Roundup

With domestic travel on the rise, many clients are looking for something different than a beach destination for their summer vacation. We have rounded up a list of some of our favorite all inclusive ranch resorts with plenty of activities and wide open space. 

The Resort at Paws Up

Montana

Photo Credit: The Resort at Paws Up

Paws Up is a luxury Montana mountain resort situated on a 37,000-acre, authentic working cattle ranch in western Montana.

How to get there:  30 minute ride from the Missoula, Montana airport

Accommodations: Choose between 28 private homes with 2-4 bedrooms or luxury camping in one of 36 luxury tents, each with a private ensuite bathroom and dedicated camping butler who can help guests with everything from starting campfires and preparing s’mores to planning daily itineraries. 

Activities: Horseback riding, fly fishing, river rafting, repelling to paintball, hot air ballooning, and chuck wagon dinners. Kids club activities for ages 3-12 and nanny services available. 

KJ Travel Amenity: $300 activity credit to use during your stay. 

Travel Tip: If you can’t decide between a private home and a luxury tent, then we suggest you do both! Split your time between the two and enjoy the best of both worlds. 

Brush Creek

Wyoming

Photo Credit: Brush Creek

Reconnect and relax on over 30,000 acres of a working cattle ranch at Brush Creek Ranch, a collection of all-inclusive guest ranches in Wyoming. 

How to get there: 3.5 hour drive from Denver, Colorado

Accommodations: 11 log cabin residences with 2 and 3 bedrooms, 13 spacious rooms in the Trailhead Lodge, and 9 cabin suites. 

Activities: Archery, horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking and trail running, ATV riding, shooting sports, rock climbing, and yoga to name a few. 

KJ Travel Amenity: $150 per adult resort credit to enjoy during your stay. 

Travel tip: The cattle drive is a once-in-a-lifetime horseback experience where you move cattle to different pastures on the ranch. 

The Ranch at Rock Creek

Montana

Photo Credit: The Ranch at Rock Creek

In Western Montana, The Ranch at Rock Creek sits on 6,400 acres of wide open space. 

How to get there: 1 hour from Missoula, Montana

Accommodations: There are 10 glamping cabins available that are a combination of structure and canvas tent, or go glamping in the Homesteader wagons that have a king bed, twin bunks, and luxury amenities. Other accommodations include a historic upscale barn, uniquely designed lodge rooms, and luxury homes. 

Activities: During summer, guests can look forward to rodeos, fly fishing, ropes course, yoga, shooting sports, stagecoach rides, mountain biking, photography and art classes and little grizzle’s kids club (ages 4-12) to name a few. 

KJ Travel Amenity: $100 ranch credit to enjoy during your stay

Travel Tip: Off property activities are also available including white water rafting. 

If you are looking to bring your whole crew for a private ranch experience, Brush Creek is offering the option for private ranch buyout for groups of 10 - 29 people exclusively for 2020.  The buyout is inclusive of most activities, on-site spa, and three-meal dining services and the dates are filling up. Let’s talk if a multi-gen ranch vacation is on your bucket list.

The Ranch at Emerald Valley

Colorado

Photo Credit: The Broadmoor Resort

Check in at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs and get ready to disconnect and relax in the open air at the nearby Ranch at Emerald Valley.

How to get there: 15  minutes from the Colorado Springs airport and 90 minutes from the Denver airport. 

Accommodations: Choose your two or three bedroom cabin from the 13 different private homes available. Dine in your cabin or the grand lodge for a gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared by the Broadmoor chefs. 

Activities: Horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, archery and campfires complete with s’mores. Childcare services are also available. 

Special welcome gift

Travel tip: When you stay at The Ranch you have full access to the facilities at the Broadmoor Resort. 

Lake Austin Spa Updates

One of my favorite Texas spas has recently completed a room and living space renovation designed by a very talented friend, Brianna Wright- Guay of Brianna Wright Interiors. The rooms are fresh, charming and beautifully appointed.

I love the Lake Austin Spa Hot Tub Cottages for a fall or winter romantic getaway with their fireplaces, private garden and outdoor hot tub. In the summer, I would choose the luxury lake view room to soak in the views for an active girls getaway. And, with a group of friends, family or if you want some extra space the Lady Bird Presidential Suite can’t be beat.

When booking your Lake Austin Spa vacation with KJ Travel, each traveler will receive a $100 credit to use on a pampering spa treatment or extra activity like a sundown wine cruise.