I want to talk about something very important to me. One of the hallmarks of my luxury travel agency is the concept of Being of Service. But before I share why this is so important to me, allow me to share a personal story with you.
Life-Changing Experience
Several years ago, something extraordinary happened to me during my journey on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It’s a great example of how Being of Service can have a tremendous impact on a person’s life.
For those who might not be familiar with the Camino de Santiago, it is an ancient pilgrimage trail—spanning several countries—that leads to the final resting place of St. James (the Apostle) in Santiago, Spain.
Traditionally you would begin your Camino the minute you left your front door and finish it when you arrived on the steps of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. These days, several well-trod paths make up one of Spain’s most popular destinations for walking trips and spiritual journeys.
On this specific day, as I neared one of the towns on my route, I felt fatigued, and the bottoms of my feet were aching more than usual. Based on previous experience, I knew I had about 30 more minutes of walking before I hit the wall.
At that moment, all I wanted was to get to this particular holistic albergue I’d heard so much about that promised a healthy vegetarian meal, massage, and meditation room. Even its name was both promising and intriguing, El Serbal y La Luna, or the Rowan and the Moon.
As I entered the town, I slowed down to take in all the sights and the sounds around me, as it had become my routine over the past couple of weeks. The ornate wooden doors and the flower arrangements that adorned each home were a beautiful sight to behold.
Most small Spanish towns are built around the main plaza, and this one was no different. When I reached the plaza, I noticed that this specific town had a unique museum that showcased its Roman past. Being a history geek, you bet I was going to pop in for a minute or two.
I entered the museum and saw that they had glass cutouts on the floor that allowed you to see the ancient town fortifications. How cool! But when I sat down to remove my backpack, I instantly knew that I’d made a crucial mistake.
On the Camino, you quickly learn more than you ever knew about your body — what it’s capable of, how it works, and how you can best support it. From the cramps in my legs and the pin needles in my feet, I knew that I had overdone it that day. I was not getting up from that chair. No time soon, anyway.
The young lady at the counter could tell that I had run out of steam. I’m sure I wasn’t the first pilgrim she’s seen at the end of their day. She courteously asked me how I was doing.
I told her that I was in a bad place and didn’t think I would make it to the albergue just outside of town. She proceeded to tell me that she knew of the place and added that I would really enjoy my night there.
Before I could respond, she got on her cell phone and conversed with someone in Spanish. A few minutes later, a man in a car pulled up to the museum. I was invited to get in the car, but I was nervous as he was a stranger.
Unbeknownst to me, she had called a taxi to drive me the 4 kilometers to the albergue! I was overcome with gratitude and relief. I thanked her profusely and repeatedly told her how kind and lovely she was.
The cab driver could also tell I was bone-tired and didn’t try to engage in any small talk during the drive. And he went even further. When we arrived at the albergue, he wouldn’t let me pay him — not even a tip!
I was so overwhelmed that I started to cry at the purity of their gestures. I was a total stranger to them, but that did not matter. They saw that I was in distress and graciously extended a helping hand. They didn’t ask for anything in return, not even my gratitude.
The kindness didn’t stop there. Upon entering the albergue, I was led to a wooden bench near the front door and relieved of my heavy backpack. I groaned out loud as the blood rushed back into my shoulders.
A volunteer knelt at my feet, gently removed my hiking shoes and sweaty socks, and calmly washed my feet. I had seen this loving act performed in other albergues, but I’d never been on the receiving end.
At this point, my feet were so numb that I couldn’t even feel the pressure of the volunteer’s hands on my skin. I sat there, tears rolling down my cheeks as a total stranger cared for my aching feet.
At that moment, it occurred to me that, while I had set out to walk the Camino to figure out what to do with the rest of my life, I had inadvertently stumbled upon the meaning of life or, at least, my version of it. Love really does make the world go around. Suddenly, that popular Beatles song, “All You Need is Love,” made sense.
This was illustrated to me throughout my entire Camino experience. The energy of love pervades the ancient pilgrimage trail. It’s not only infused in the soil on the road, but in every individual you meet along the way. The lessons I learned on this journey about love and compassion were both powerful and profound.
How This Experience Shaped My Definition of Service
Not too soon after I returned home from the Camino, I launched my travel agency in 2015. I thought deeply about what would become the pillars of my company. What did I want my agency to stand for? What kind of relationship did I want to have with clients? How did I want to feel at the beginning and end of my workday?
The answers to these questions were deceptively simple and somewhat transgressive. I want to be known for providing my clients with the best travel experience possible. On top of that, I want to enjoy the journey of getting to know them, their travel styles, and preferences.
I want to wake up every day knowing that I’m going to have fun curating their trips. And finally, perhaps most importantly, I want to shower my clients with love and affection, as only a travel fairy godmother can!
Those experiences along the Camino stuck with me all these years later. This is why I always tell people how much I absolutely LOVE being of service in my business! Securing that impossible-to-achieve dinner reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome during the height of the holidays? Done!
Working closely with an airline partner over the course of several weeks to bring home a much-beloved son stuck in Amsterdam in the middle of a pandemic? Done!
This is the true art and style of being of service, and I’m proud to offer that to my clients.
The Unique Value I Offer as a Travel Advisor
As the travel industry has evolved over the decades, I have carved out my niche and defined the best way for me to serve clients while encouraging them to live well.
I’m an expert in elevating your vacation to luxury status, where luxury is actually defined by you.
I take pride in curating bespoke experiences tailored specifically to your passions and your interests. Everything that I do is done with your care and comfort in mind.
I care FOR and ABOUT you. From our initial consultation to your return home and everything in between, I handle all of the logistical details so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
I invite you to surrender to an entirely re-imagined travel experience and the luxury of concierge care.
Buen Camino.