Suffering from Mickey Fatigue Syndrome after one too many Disney trips?
Enter renowned travel agent Vanessa Kromer, a 15-year veteran of an ever-shifting industry who specializes in a dizzying array of luxury getaways.
“I love living the vacation through my clients,” she told The Citizen. “It’s an emotional experience, and that’s what I love about it. When my clients land and are texting me, telling me, ‘Oh my gosh, this is a dream,’ it’s like I’m there with them, experiencing it from home every step of the way.”
Kromer, owner of Luxury Boutique Travel, said local families are looking far beyond Florida these days, with European adventures and Caribbean resort jaunts more popular than ever.
She said no matter where clients want to roam, she stresses the importance of minimizing flights and connections.
With cancellations and delays hitting record highs, Kromer said families are shunning westward multi-leg trips to states like Colorado and Utah and opting for places they can reach in one shot from Orlando.
“Since COVID, it’s all changed,” she said. “It’s a pain. It’s those darn flights. People are tired of jockeying so many different things. If we want to go to Vail, we have to fly to Denver, then we have to get to Vail. I need to rent a car, I have to drive up to the resort area.”
Places like Hawaii, she said, are also less in demand because of the onerous treks required to get there. “We have the Caribbean, and it’s just so much easier,” she said. “So definitely, the trend is south. Or Europe. They are tired of out west because of the flights.”
Financial considerations are also fueling the trend, she said. Clients are realizing that they can see Amsterdam for the same price as another trip to Aspen.
London, Italy, and Greece, Kromer noted, have become especially popular destinations. She’s booked a lot of clients on direct flights from Orlando to London, and they often tack on a few days in Paris.
“How does a window table with a view of Paris for lunch or dinner sound in the Eiffel Tower? Consider it done!” she said.
With their backpack and hostel days long since passed, many of Kromer’s travelers — especially those with kids — seek out “white glove” packages. For three families this summer, she had every detail in place before they buckled into their airplane seats.
“From Venice to Florence, and Rome to Capri, they had everything planned including private transfers, train tickets, private escorted tours, luxury hotels, and even private boat rides on the Amalfi Coast,” she said. “A family favorite is always the private Vespa tours throughout Rome,” she added.
When it comes to the Caribbean, families are opting for the ease and predictability of all-inclusive resorts in places like Jamaica, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Cancun.
“The Sandals brand is super popular for my Florida clients,” she said. “A lot of the all-inclusive resorts are considered luxury, but they are still affordable.”
She also noted an uptick in interest in the British Virgin Islands.
“It’s very untouched,” she said. “There are small boutique luxury hotels and fewer tourists. If you want that raw beauty of the Caribbean, you’ll have that super bespoke experience.”
The appetite for cruises, she said, has never been more voracious. The proximity of in-state departure points makes marine travel an attractive option, and cruise lines are diversifying their experiences to meet demand.
While most cruise enthusiasts opt for Caribbean routes, Alaskan trips have emerged as a Florida favorite, Kromer said.
A growing number of clients long for a true change of scenery from Florida’s beaches, and Alaska provides just that. She touted Princess Cruises as a preferred brand.
Some of Kromer’s more adventurous types, she said, are looking farther afield than the main European capitals. A small but growing faction of Florida travelers are expressing interest in locales like Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
She stressed the importance of a seasoned travel advisor for that category of trip to avoid unsafe areas or unwelcome surprises upon arrival.
But an invigorating trip with the family, Kromer stressed, doesn’t always require a passport. She unveiled several Sunshine State hidden jewels that consistently delight her clients.
She recommended Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys and Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast as low-key spots that can be reached in the family SUV.
“If you can, book off-season for the best prices, and don’t forget about Florida resident and military discounts,” she added.
