Don't ask me when, it's been too long to remember when or why, but I decided, for lack of another name, (you might say I am creatively challenged), to refer to the groups that my wife and I host as “The Travel Factory Gang”. Some tour operators and cruise lines have a little hesitation and suspicion when I announce the name of our group, so most of the time I have to explain the nature of the group.
Oh my goodness....we just returned from Alaska with a great Travel Factory Gang who were rewarded with some absolutely wonderful weather. We always do 5 nights on land visiting Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and Anchorage, and 7 nights on a cruise from Whittier visiting Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, flying home from Vancouver. Speaking of weather, for only the 4th time we were able to see the tallest mountain in North America in all her glory; she is so big she makes her own weather, but had mercy on us that day!! In our 22 years of taking groups to Alaska, we have never had a discouraging word about the trip, in fact, we have 3-6 couples every year who take a repeat trip.
Just so you know.....next years trip for the land and cruise begins on July 3-15; the cruise-only portion from July 8-15. Just so you know too, the early booker gets the best fare and promotion (right now and until Aug. 31, they are including the all-inclusive beverage package) and generally the least expensive air fare is available early.
How about going with The Gang to Hawaii? Call us today and join a good group traveling in a great time of the year to the 50th state in the Union.....October 13-22, 2016. We will be 2 nights in Honolulu at the Waikiki Beach Marriott, then get on the Pride of America and sail to all 4 islands, enjoying an overnight in both Maui and Kauai. We're within the 90-day final payment period, but I contacted them today and there are still some rooms available. What a way to reward yourself with a birthday or anniversary memory.....and you don't even have to have a passport!!!
We will occasionally get folks who don’t have a lot of history in Abilene ask us about how long we’ve been in business and if our agents are experienced enough to be giving out travel advice.
Up until last year about this time, I always had an answer that usually took too long, but since last October, we have that answer summarized on our website; www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com.
If you are a travel agent, after the customary hello, nice to see you, etc. exchange, this is a very common greeting, “where you going next?”. Of course, most of us in this business don’t mind it at all, because this gives us the opportunity to visit with folks about our next trips. So, if you asked me this morning that question, here’s what I would tell you. . .and by the way, invite you, to go with us.
