Agent offers some advice on picking a destination

PITTSFIELD — It is not impossible to be in London in five hours, Paris in seven. And people can travel safely and economically despite the changing world.

These were some of the messages Chris Faria of Travel Ambassadors in Pittsfield conveyed in an informal workshop last week in conjunction with adult education.

“You don’t need a second mortgage to take a vacation,” she said.

Planning is key to successful traveling, she said. A priority is not to stand out, she said. People who fear theft or personal injury shouldn’t advertise themselves as wealthy.

“You don’t want to stand out in a crowd. You don’t want to look like flashy, outspoken Americans in a foreign country,” she said. “We have to remember we are ambassadors of our country each time we travel.”

Don’t travel with a lot of jewelry or expensive luggage. Pack light and know something about where you are going, she said. This is the type of advice a good travel agent can give.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is helping people see the world. Some people come in and they’re intimidated to just ask questions. It doesn’t cost anything to ask questions.”

Finding out the various likes and dislikes of a client is part of the agent’s job.

“We don’t want to send someone to a country, a hotel or on a cruise that’s not right for them,” she said. “Some people say they don’t care where they sleep. They say that, and some may mean it, but it means different things to different people.”

Some people may enjoy an inexpensive bed and breakfast while others want the service of a reputable hotel. Others still may be content to be dropped in a country to make their own way, including sleeping in a train station.

Planning includes knowing your destination and its popularity. Many popular destinations need to be booked up to a year in advance to insure good accommodations. Maine people still prefer to plan most of their vacations in warm climates, so Hawaii, Florida, Las Vegas and cruises are common destinations. School vacation trips to the south and particularly Disney World usually require early booking.

Cruises are popular vacations, but each line varies, she said. The newer ships have become floating shopping malls with endless activities. But with the larger ships, the stereotypical promenade deck may have been lost.

The popular vision of “The Love Boat” is still afloat, but it isn’t found in every cruise package, she said.

An avid traveler herself, Faria has trouble convincing Mainers she’s a native. “I just happen to be one who made a decision to travel. I’ve gotten more education from traveling than any money I ever made.”