Travel Consultant Tuesday: Camila Alfonso

In this week’s edition of #TravelConsultantTuesday, we sat down with travel consultant Camila Alfonso. She shares her passion for Europe and which destinations she'll be crossing off her bucketlist in 2018.

What inspired you to become a travel consultant?
Interestingly enough, my history with Synergy International Travels began when I walked into the Davie (Florida) location as a customer. My entire life, I’d convinced myself that I had to save up and wait to travel until I retired, but my Synergy International Travels consultant opened up my mind to other possibilities. I was paired with an affordable tour that visited thirteen European countries over the span of twenty-four days; and during those few weeks abroad, I fell in love with the culture, history and even a guy (that’s a story for another time!). When I returned, I knew that wanted to have that same kind of impact on other aspiring travelers.

We see you’ve traveled to 48 countries, that’s really impressive! What region of the world do you specialize in sending our customers?
Yes, I have certainly been bitten by the travel bug. When it comes to planning unique experiences on behalf of my clients, crafting custom Europe itineraries is my specialty. While guided tours are often a great option for those traveling to Europe for the first time, I find that once I describe how personalized I can make my clients’ trip outside of a tour, the majority of them choose that route. That’s why I love Synergy International Travels ’s exclusive CITYbreaks and Journeys packages, which are more independent and include the Travel Butler plus City Insider components that you cannot get anywhere else.

My goal when sending travelers to Europe is to ensure that they receive a high-end experience at an affordable price. I’m always sure to include personalized restaurant recommendations as a special touch! And while it’s important to book some VIP excursions so they see all the major sights on their list, I want to make sure my clients don’t feel rushed. They should leave the destination feeling like they’ve truly experienced the local culture.

What keeps you busy when you’re not traveling?
That’s a bit of a tough question since travel is my biggest passion! But, when I’m not planning my next getaway, I can be found outdoors, working out or trying new recipes in my kitchen. I’m not a TV watcher, but am an avid news-reader. I find that staying informed is critical to being a knowledgeable travel consultant since our world is changing every day.

What destination(s) will you be crossing off your bucketlist in 2018?
This coming year, I’m going to look to visit countries beyond Europe. While I've fallen into the habit of booking frequent trips there, I feel like I need to explore other continents, too! So, crossing into Africa and Asia will be a huge focus to broaden my horizons; more specifically, I’ve got my eye on Morocco, South Africa, China and Japan.

What’s your favorite travel tip?
Make the most out of every moment on your trip. While you’re on vacation, it’s pure bliss. Travel is something that’s beautifully unpredictable so a lot of things can happen, but no matter where you’re going, this is your moment and the trip of a lifetime. You need to own it and enjoy every second.

Are there any misconceptions about your role as a travel consultant?
I think people would be surprised to know how much the travel agency model has evolved. Working with me as your advocate and dedicated researcher means you won’t get a cookie-cutter trip. Plus, I’m passionate about sending my customers to areas of the world that are often overlooked by American travelers, such as Dubai. So, once I know more about the personality of my client(s), I tailor their itinerary to their unique preferences and work to open their eyes to a destination they may not expect.

Additionally, I really want to inspire other female travelers [of all ages] to get out there and see the world just as my Synergy International Travels consultant did for me many years ago. Thank goodness she showed me a safe way to navigate Europe on my own, because if I had waited around for someone to come with me, I may never have embarked on that life-changing adventure! So it's my mission to empower other women to make that same leap of faith.

Where can travelers connect with you?
I work in our Synergy International Travels Davie location in Florida, the same store where I first visited as a customer! You can reach me by phone at (954) 474-9782 or email at AlfonsoC@Synergy travel.com. For those looking to chat in another language, I speak fluent Spanish, moderate French and basic Italian and German. I’d love to connect on Instagram, too; you can find me at @camila.abroad.