We all lead busy lives, so a getaway is essential to break routine, reconnect with your spouse and have new experiences. Liz Van-Boxel worked in Europe for over ten years, and her travel agency is now based on the Gold Coast. So we quizzed her on planning an amazing European Summer getaway. Get your notepads out and be ready to pack your swimwear and kaftans!
Q. How do you choose the itinerary for someone who is unsure where to book?
I generally catch up and have a coffee, making sure that everyone that is travelling is present. It makes things easier. I ask that my clients make a bucketlist for the trip. Say if you want to go to Spain or Portugal for the architecture and then your friend that’s going with you just wants to sit on a beach and drink cocktails in the South of France, you’ll have a problem. It’s good to sit down and find out what people want from holiday, what they hate to do, what they love to do, and also a budget. I then choose an itinerary around these factors and also put the countries in right order.
Q. What are your travel tips for long-haul flights?
First of all, be mindful when booking on sites like skyskanner. The flight may seem cheap, but the flight time can be up to 74 hours for a discount flight. It should be around 28 hours to Europe. If you don’t like lot’s of stopovers, choose wisely, or use an agent. If you don’t travel well, ask your doctor for a mild sleeping tablet. My best top tip for jetlag is to book a night flight leaving at 11pm. Your body is already into the rhythm of sleeping, and after the airline serves dinner it will be easier to stay asleep for at least the first leg. Have you been onto seatguru.com? You can check out the seating for every airline, very handy! For those of us travelling economy, prepay for an emergency exit seat for extra legroom.
Q. What are your top 3 picks for Europe?
- I love Santorini in Greece. It is exactly like all the brochures show. White stone buildings, stunning views, amazing food, the culture, everything!
- The South of Italy, on the Amalfi coast is incredible. You can do day trips to Capri, just sensational.
- Austria. Salzburg is beautiful in Winter. The Alps, fresh air, great buildings, the history. When I was younger I did 4 seasons in Austria. It’s very small, but very pretty, and so close to Munich!
Q. What would you suggest for a European family getaway?
It all depends on the age of the kids and what the family is interested in, but I would definitely recommend apartment style accommodation. A week or two in a small room together can be very testing! Anywhere in the Mediterranean is great, because they cater well for children. The kids are spoilt, and places like Club Med have babysitting facilities and other activities. I’d probably also say not to move around too much, choose one or two places if you’ve only got a few weeks. Don’t do too much lengthy travelling.
Q. Where was your last holiday to?
I went to Thailand in September – to Phuket. We had massages everyday. We drove to Krabi, and found a cool little boutique villa, with shade sails and daybeds. You could go on the beach and catch a boat to all the islands. It was fantastic, complete relaxation!
Q. Why do you love your job?
I just love putting together itineraries. Also, people are usually happy when booking a holiday, they’re looking forward to it, so it’s always a happy atmosphere. Because of this, I don’t mind taking calls on weekends, because it is a pleasure to make people feel excited about their trip. And when my clients come back, I love to hear about the experience, their trip of a lifetime!
Q. And what is the most incredible holiday you’ve booked for a client?
I’ve booked quite a few Honeymoons, but there was one couple that got engaged on the Eiffel Tower – I booked them a table at the restaurant on the top, and she said yes! It was so exciting organising all the travel documents with him. We had to hide it all from his fiancee to be. That was pretty memorable, but arranging any proposal is pretty special.
The benefit my clients have is that the service is personal. It’s my business, so you’ll always speak to me. I love to follow up with clients, and for that reason they come back to me. I love to give incredible personal service.