And just in case you thing you may confuse her with another car, here is a shot from the back.

So here is the back story on my car and a little contest.

We participated in the 2009 BizTech Expo and happend to be down a few booths from Wrapture Graphics. (I secretly wanted my car wrapped) So I would go down to the Wrapture booth and talk to Ben when foot traffic was slow. I entered in the drawing to win a free partial wrap and low and behold I won!!!!! Woot!! Woot!!! (I never win anything). I got together with their graphic designer and this is what that came up with. I LOVE IT!!!!!! (only downside is I can no longer hide).

I get stopped at gas station, daycare, the mall, stop lights and all sorts of places, by people asking about a vacation (yea!!) and some who want to know who did my wrap (yea for Wrapture).  Well that is pretty much my back story, now for the contest!!

If you see my car around town, take a picture of it and post it on our Facebook page. You have until September 30, 2011 for send in your entrys. Winner will be announced October 3, 2011.  Prize will be a Royal Caribben prize pack (includes a tote bag, towel, t-shirt and hat). Just a few rules…

You must Like us on FaceBook

The picture can be taken anywhere you see the car, put in the description where you saw it.

Tell all you friends to Like us too! (if they post on our page that you told them about us I will throw in another prize pack for the person who referrs the most).

So get out there and find the car, take a picture of the car, post it on Facebook and tell all your friends!!!!! Looking foward to all your pictures.

Whitehead Travel and Cruise was originally owned by Jewel  Whitehead and had been in Denham Springs since the 80’s. In early 2006  Whitehead Travel sold to Associated Travel (based in Lafayette, LA), I started working here in October of 2006 and my mom (LeeAnn) started working here in November. We were a small office and had some ruff times, I became the assistant manager in July(ish) 2007 and in late November the owner came to us and told us he was  either going to close the office or sell it, it had become to much for him to manage from Lafayette. He offered it to LeeAnn and I, we kicked it around a little bit and January 15, 2008 we dove in head first (partly blindfolded, and backwards)  and purchased Whitehead Travel and Cruise.

The 2 years is was under the previous management were kinda bumpy (to say the least) so we decide to change the name of the agency and move locations. We kicked around all sorts of names (L & K Travel, Around the World, Up and Away, Planes Trains and Automobiles Cruises Too) We ended up with about 5 pages of names, we wanted it to be catchy and clever. We kept going back to Going Places, but it wasn’t quite right and there was already and agency by that name located out of state. We wanted something unique, we like Flur De Lis Travel, but it didn’t make me want to pick up the phone and call. Finally after going back and forth and getting down to the wire, Laura (our Alaskan and European specialist) said why dont we do Going places but spell it with E-A-U-X, and the rest is history, that day we became Geauxing Places with Whitehead Travel (we decided to keep Whitehead so people would know it was us).

I quickly got togeher with Suzonne of SMB Graphics to create our logo and within no time we had our new name, logo and were moving into our first location in the Antique District. We stayed there for 2 years when our current location came avaiable. We are still in the Antique District of Denham Springs, located “on the backside of the Antique District, the one-way north bound, across from Captial One, third building on the right once you cross the tracks, Jimmy Durban’s old building” (yep, that is how I give directions, on a daily basis and you know by the time I get to the last one everybody know exactly where I am talking about, I love small towns!) Our actual address is 112 Hummell St, look for the red door with a palm tree, if you are in town stop by and say hi.

Well that is how we became Geauxing Places Travel. When did you first meet us? Were we Whitehead or Geauxing Places?  

Very old pic but that's me!

I am not exactly sure where to stat here so I will start with the Blog Challenge. I stopped by Drift Web Design the other day (which FYI they are pretty amazing) to talk about some tweeks (is that really a word?) to our web site. David in his total web savvy awesomeness told me that if I really wanted this to work I needed to be consistent with my blogging. More specifically I needed to blog once a week on Tuesdays. He forced made twisted my armchallenged me to blog once a week on Tuesdays for 20 minutes at a time for 4 straight weeks.  So here is week one…

I know that a blog is supposed to be the “face” of our company (so to speak) and that it should be personal, not just promoting the next sale, event, etc. (that should be done too but need a mix). I know this, I really just struggle with it – not sure why, I just do. So that brings us to this post…Let me introduce myself.

 Hello, my name is Kristie (with a K and ie).

 I am a mother, daughter, wife, sister, friend and Geauxing Places owner/manager. I have 2 girls ages 5 and 2, so we started Kindergarten and PreK3 this year. I am doing homework (helping - I am not doing her homework) for the first time is umpteen hundred years (well really 6ish if you count college it just feels like forever). I married my high school sweet heart a little over 10 years ago and we have 2 dogs, 1 rabbit a salt water aquarium and I think that is it (sometimes I am surprised when I get home — hence the rabbit). I have an older brother and a younger sister who are the best siblings anybody could ask for. My mom and dad, my in-laws and my brothers family all live within 10 minutes of my house (more like 7 but if you catch the light red it takes a little longer) got to love a small town! I graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University (GEAUX LIONS (even though we did not have a football team when I was there)) with a BA in Marketing and a minor in Management. ………….. And that is me in a nutshell.

Now on to the travel side of me…

My mom worked in travel as long as I can remember, it was outside sales our home town agency then on to AAA (that may explain my obsession with maps and globes). I remember going to work with her on the weekends and studying the maps. Fast forward to when I was 17-18 AAA needed some part time summer help. I already knew my way around the office and could draw a triptic from Baton Rouge to Orlando with my eyes closed, so it was a natural fit. I stayed there for 2 years (give or take a little bit) “drawing on maps” (that’s how I described it) and “taking people on their vacation” guiding them on how to get there, where to stay and where to eat. I loved it but I moved on and stayed out of travel for several years. I completed my degree and took a few jobs in the Marketing and Management fields. (But once travel is in your blood you always go back) So lets fast forward again to 2006. I was working for a bank (and I hated it), my mom was working for a wholesale travel company. One of her agents called and was looking for some new travel agents and she needed them fast. They called me and a few weeks later I was working for Whitehead Travel and Cruise in Denham Springs.

Next week I will tell you how I went from working at Whitehead Travel to partnering with my mom and owning Geauxing Places with Whitehead Travel.

Now that the I have introduced myself, its your turn.

Group travel is a great way to get together with friends, families, and business colleagues (did you know that you can hold a conference onboard a cruise ship)  you are able to spend some time together (and apart).  Many times on a cruise group we can arrange for a group excursion that will be exclusive to your group only. You can have dinner together every night, if you choose. There are also many things you can do in small groups or on your own; visit the spa, hit the gym, or play miniature golf (took every ounce of me not to write Putt Putt, if you are from the Baton Rouge area and over the age of 25 you will understand). Heck, some cruises have a rock walls, ice skating rinks and surf simulators! Land packages can offer just as much togetherness, if you choose. 

Some of the advantages of booking a group are……

#1 LESS STRESS!!!!! A lot of people do not want to do a group because they are to much work, but is really dosent have to be. Let us know what type of group, approximatly how many people, and where you would like to go. We work with the group leader to make sure all the details are tended too and then (and this is the best part) we handle the rest. Yes, that is correct, you tell them to call us. The group leader does not have to worry about collecting money, making payments, keeping track of all the deadlines. We do that!! 

#2 Reduced deposits. For many groups we can offer a reduced deposit for the trip. For example most cruises require a deposit between $150-200 per person, for a group cruise most deposits are $75 per person. There are some circumstances that this doesn’t work (such as last minute and when air is included) but for the most part, this is a tremendous help to our clients.  

#3 (This one is for my group leaders) You may be able to go at a reduced rate!! Most cruise lines offer a discount for every 9th cabin booked and most hotels start at 10 rooms (some more, some less). Each vendor is different, but most of the time there is something for the groups leader (sometimes is its a room upgrade).

Groups are really easy to put together, they usually have the snowball effect . My first group started with just my husband going on a cruise, we told a few friends and before we knew it we had 28 couples going with us. So the next time you are thinking about a trip, think about who could go with you, then give us a call and we will take care of the rest.

What trips have you taken as part of a group? What was the best part it?

February 15, 2011 we are hosting our annual Disney Night. If you are thinking about a Disney trip this is the event for you. We will have information on Walt Disney World, Disney Land, Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney. This event will be held at our office (112 Hummell St, Denham Springs) at 6pm. Come learn about all Disney has to offer.

Last but not least, our biggest event of the month. Holland America Line’s popular Explorer is coming to Louisiana for the first time. The Explorer Coaches are touring the United States promoting Holland America Line’s 2011 Cruises and CruiseTours to Alaska and the Yukon. Seminars and events will be held onboard the Coaches. One of the Explorer Coaches will be in the Baton Rouge and Denham Springs area February 17, 2011. Four seminars will be held, 1pm and 2pm at North Park in Denham Springs and 4pm and 6pm at the Mall of Louisiana. The seminars are interactive, educational and show off the stunning features of Alaska and the Yukon. The seminars are open to the public but are on an RSVP then first come basis. Only 45 seats per seminar are available. Come see this moving piece of art-fun, unique and educational.

Contact Geauxing Places Travel for more information or RSVP (225) 665-7050 or info@geauxingplaces.com.

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!!

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Caribbean? Want to learn about Sandals, Beaches or Grand Pineapple properties that are scattered throughtout the Caribbean.
Join us November 4, 2010 at The Wedding Gallery and Bridal Libary for more information.

(info summarized from Carnival Cruise Lines Press release)

1. Plan Early
   1. In order to get a good price and a low deposit you need to book now. If you wait you may end up paying more for the same trip or worst case without a trip at all. Also booking now gives you time to pay on the balance so you don’t have to come up with a lot at one time.
   2. Have your chaperones
      1. This is always a tuff one because each destination is going to have different rules regarding chaperones. As a rule of thumb I recommend that all chaperones are over the age of 25. If you have your chaperones now, it will save a lot of last minute scrambling to find somebody.
      2. Start saving now
         1. Depending on which type of trip you choose, you will need $50-100 a day spending money. I recommend saving a little at a time and putting it on a prepaid credit card (or traveler checks) and that way you are protected if it is lost or stolen,. Check the terms and conditions on some prepaid card because they can charge high transactions fees. The best one I have found are the ones you purchase from the bank not from a store.

You need to have a range of how much you want to spend.  Be realistic, you probably won’t find a 5 star all-inclusive resort for 7 nights for only $1000.

Avoid peak season.

All destinations have a peak season, find out when that is. Holiday weeks are always busy. Try to avoid booking during that week, or be prepared to pay for it.

All –inclusive

All-inclusive hotels charge on average $125 per person per day for food and drinks. If your budget is tight reconsider; do you really want to pay $250 per day for food and drinks? Instead find a hotel with a free breakfast; then use your “money dance” to pay.

Be open and explore different options

Don’t limit your self to only one area. If you want something beachy try, west coast instead of the Caribbean. If you wanted to go skiing consider Canada. If you limit your destinations, you are limiting the amount of specials you may be able to find

Cheaper doesn’t mean better

You don’t want to get stuck in room with only bunk beds or an air schedule that leaves you wondering the airport for 2 days. Just because it is “cheaper” doesn’t make it the better deal

Use a professional

Don’t be afraid to use a travel agent. Most don’t charge a fee. There are honeymoon specialist and they have access to specials that you may not be able to find yourself. (Plus you let them do all the work, you just enjoy)

Book early

Avoid last minute planning. When booking early (especially during peak seasons) you have a better chance of getting a lower rate. If the land or sea portion of your package goes down in price you can usually negotiate your rate.

Be flexible

Are you able to adjust your dates? Sometimes by moving up or back one day you may be able to qualify for a special.

Buy insurance

Protect your investment, the unexpected can always happen. Purchase travel insurance to cover you in case of an emergency.

Always compare apples to apples

If you are booking online it is real easy to miss something. If you find something drastically different on one site than from elsewhere, call and talk to somebody make sure you aren’t missing something major like the air, airport transfers, or taxes.

Go with your gut

Only you know if you will be happy with your choice, so be willing to compromise, but remember this is your vacation and you want to enjoy it.

There are all types of travel agencies and travel agents out there, and not every agent is a perfect fit for every client.  I encourage you to find an agent that likes to travel the same as you. Say a cruise specialist if you like cruising or an adventure specialist if you like adventure travel.  Your travel agent should be someone you trust, some one that takes time to get to know you. You need to be comfortable with your agent because sometimes they need to know a few personal things such as your travel budget and date of birth. This information is needed so that the agent can make sure they are booking the best possible vacation for you. You don’t want to stay at a Holiday Inn if you are used to staying at the Ritz and you don’t want to be booked on a high school “senior trip” when what you were looking for was a “senior trip” for people over the age of 65.

One of the biggest myths our there is that you can always find a better/cheaper deal online or directly thru the vendor. Well the truth is that most of the time we can meet or beat what you are finding online if we are comparing apples to apples, we just need to know what you found. Look carefully at the airline schedule when looking at something online, you don’t want to waste 2 days of your 5 day vacation sitting in an airport, or having to wake up at 2am or 3am in order to catch the 6am flight home. Your agent would be able to point those things out to you. Another thing to keep in mind is, if you book online who are you going to call when the hotel lost your reservations or your flight has just been cancelled? If you booked online you hope there is someone you can call if you book with a travel agent you know there is someone you can call.

Still not convinced? Here is another reason try using a travel agent. Booking your vacation should not become your second job. The internet is a wonderful tool for doing research on the type of vacation you want, but finding the “best deal” can very quickly become a lot of work. That is our job, let us do that work.  We get 10-15 faxes/emails a day about current specials, hotel sales, and last minute deals. Let us do the work for you and find the best vacation.

So if you don’t have a travel agent I encourage you to find one for your next vacation. Ask someone you know who they use, shop around and find one that you feel comfortable with. So for your next vacation consider a travel agent and consider it done.