Ask Susan,
Your Personal Travel Counselor
Susan kayaks in the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Vermont.
Tell me how you really feel about paddling through gorges, water-dancing around boulders and portaging log jams. How about dropping cliffs on your mountain bike or hiking knife ridgelines? I see. Perhaps you are perfectly content paddling flatwater or mountain biking old logging trails? Do you need gourmet meals? Does your exhausted body require a comfy bed? Lie back on your couch with a glass of wine and let me help you solve your trip planning problems.
I am a journalist with 14 years of experience researching and writing about travel, with special emphasis on “soft” adventure travel such as hiking, paddling, biking, camping, skiing and snowboarding. The Internet has made it infinitely easier to research and book travel, but with all the information resources out there, it’s difficult to sort through the conflicting messages and choose the right vacation. My “travel counseling” services can rescue you from the abyss.
I am not a travel agent and I do not book tickets or reserve hotel rooms. What I do is provide consultation services so you can find the best choice for your travel destination. As a personal travel counselor, I am not compensated for my recommendations by anyone but you. You are the sole reason for my being here. You can trust me to have your best interests at heart.
I am intimately familiar with “active vacation” destinations across North America. It’s exasperating to spend thousands of dollars on a vacation, only to discover it’s not what you expected. I can help you figure out where to go if you have a group of mixed abilities, if you are traveling as a family, if you have companions who don’t participate in your recreational activities, if you are traveling as a couple or even if you are venturing out on a solo trip. Whether you want to hike in the mountains of Maine or paddle along the coast of Alaska, plan a self-directed vacation or hire the services of recreational guides, outfitters and independent travel providers, I know how you can have the best experience possible. If you're interested in snowsports, my knowledge of skiing and snowboarding vacations extends into the backcountry, snowcat skiing and heli-skiing, so my advice is not limited to resorts. Whatever your dilemma, I can help you solve it.
Just fill out the questionnaire about your travel desires, and I will research options and contact you with my list of suggested destinations. You can expect your consultation to take place five to seven days after you’ve submitted your questionnaire; if circumstances prevent me from meeting that commitment, I will contact you to discuss an acceptable timetable. If I can’t help you, I’ll be upfront, direct you to a better resource and refund your payment within 10 days.
My fee for a travel planning consultation is $130, due at the time you submit your questionnaire. This payment covers research and a 30-minute phone consultation in which I make suggestions for your best vacation choices. Recommendations will be based on your requirements, expectations, preferences, and past trip experiences as detailed in your responses to the online questionnaire. If I have any questions while doing research for you, I’ll send you an email. You’ll receive a copy of your questionnaire via email so you can refer to it during our consultation. If, after our consultation, you would like me to do more research to make recommendations for lodging, dining, other activities, or any other special needs, my fee is an additional $75 per hour.
Let's start your questionnaire.