Travel Consultant Tuesday: Meet Christine

From river cruises to Disney vacations, Christine is using her wanderlust to help clients discover why travel is the best way to hit the reset button. Check out her fascinating story in this week’s #TravelConsultantTuesday.

What inspired you to become a Synergy International Travels consultant?
I became a Synergy International Travels consultant because my love for travel trumped my passions for anything else. I have always been a curious soul and love to get lost in the culture and local customs of a destination. Becoming a travel consultant allowed me to channel my wanderlust into a career.

Watch our full interview with Christine here:

What can travelers expect when booking with you?
When booking with me or any of the other consultants in my office, we really take everything that you are interested in into consideration. And we built it [your vacation] to be perfect for you.

Were there any trips you've taken recently that really left an impact on you?
I went on a river cruise on the Rhine with my mom. She's my best travel buddy! We started in Switzerland and then we went all the way up to Amsterdam. The coolest part was that I never had to unpack, re-pack and keep moving my stuff around. I loved that. When we got to each port you would just get off the ship and do whatever you wanted. There was guided stuff that was included, but if you didn't want to do it, you didn't have to.

But what stuck out most about the trip was how we immersed ourselves in each destination we visited. It was in the middle of November, so it was chilly and rained often. But I almost felt that I loved that trip even more than I would have if it was sunny and warm. I felt like I lived in that country and was experiencing everything as if it was just a regular day. That's my favorite way to travel. At one point, I was just sipping hot coffee at this cafe while it rained, and I felt like I was right at home.

Why do you believe vacations count?
I feel vacations count because you always need to take a break from your everyday life and experience something new that you've never seen before. I’m a big believer in the fact that you need to take mental health days, and I treat every vacation as an opportunity to relieve stress. Whether it’s a short or long trip, I find travel is the perfect way to hit the reset button.

What are the advantages to booking with you versus online?
At the end of the day, you want someone who is going to have your back while you travel, and that's what I'm here to do. I am your researcher, human packing list, personal concierge, restaurant adviser and activity guru. From start to finish, even after your travels, you can turn to me for answers! Not only do you have me as your resource, but I have a team and company that cares about you just as much as I do. My support team at Synergy International Travels is going to go the extra mile for you. For example, we have a dedicated 24/7 emergency team in case you need something when I’m not available. You can't tell me booking online has all of that for you.

What do you think people would be most surprised to learn about your role as a travel consultant?
I am not only a travel consultant for all-inclusive vacations. I can help you travel the world in any kind of way possible — plane, train, automobile, ship, you name it. No trip is too small or too big! I specialize in helping customers plan vacations to Walt Disney World® and Disneyland. These trips are very detail-oriented, and I love helping families navigate the process of arranging things like their Magic Bands, Fast Passes and dining reservations to enhance their experience. If you’re looking for a Disney travel agent, I’m your girl!

What's the most rewarding aspect of your role as a travel consultant?
The most rewarding part is when people that you sent on amazing vacations come back and thank you for not having to worry about anything while they were away. From leaving their house until they returned home, that they didn't have to worry about anything. They had their boarding passes, packing list, itinerary, vouchers, and it all went smoothly.

How can travelers connect with you to begin planning their next vacation?
For those in the Philadelphia-area, I’d love to schedule a complimentary in-person consultation in our Red Lion office. Otherwise, you can reach me via email at GerhartC@Synergy travel.com or on Instagram at @christinetravelbug.