Travel Crush Tuesday: Kareesha
Photo Source: Kareesha and Instagram
Welcome to Travel Crush Tuesday!
In the age of the internet it's easy to assume that you don't need a travel consultant, that you can do everything yourself. This week our TCT, Kareesha made a pretty strong case for the opposite. We chatted with Travel Consultant and enthusiast, Kareesha, about the benefits of hiring a travel consultant, her number one travel hack, her best piece of travel advice and so much more.
Don't miss this opportunity to save your coin while creating new travel mems and leveling up your next vacation. Keep Reading!
Tell us about yourself! Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do? What inspires you to travel?
Hey there! My name is Kareesha and I am a Travel Enthusiast from Virginia. I would love to move to the West Coast (preferably San Diego) because I’m a sucker for good weather! I am also a Travel Consultant, curating travel experiences for my clients as owner of Boundless Bliss Travel. I created Boundless Bliss Travel because I wanted to solve the problem in my community of people who desire to travel but think they can’t afford it. I have the desire to help people and show them that travel is affordable and that any trip they envision can be made possible with proper planning. The motto for my business is to “Travel MORE and spend LESS”. I decided to name my business “Boundless Bliss Travel” because I want people to follow their travel bliss. I want them to know that their options are unlimited and that anything is attainable when it comes to travel.
What inspires me to travel—my desire to create unforgettable memories and experiences! I am always down for a trip. So invite me! I don’t care if it’s a staycation, a road trip or quick beach getaway count me in! Travel brings me so much happiness and the memories are priceless!
In the era of the internet, what does a Travel Consultant do and why is it important to consult one?
I literally get this question all the time! So many people ask the question “why do I need a Travel Consultant when I can book everything myself?” My answer to them is simple. “I will save you time and money”. As a Travel Consultant we have access to great rates, upgrades and we can throw in some extras to enhance our clients’ overall travel experience. We offer package deals, with more savings than one will have booking on their own. For individuals who don’t want to pay in full at the time of booking we offer payment plans for flexibility.
What I love the most about being a travel consultant is relieving the stress of travel planning from my clients. Curating the ultimate travel experience for my client is my top priority. I put everything in my hands, taking care of all the planning and logistics. Travel Consultants can book our clients’ flights, accommodations, transportation, excursions, travel insurance and anything else that’s needed during the vacation. If there’s a cancellation or if changes need to be made to the reservation, we take care of this in full for our clients. Sometimes we are on the phone for hours with travel suppliers, but again we take care of everything, so our clients don’t have to. Overall, I think that it’s very important to turn to a Travel Consultant when planning travel because we have insider knowledge on the destination which benefits our clients because we have knowledge on the best places to stay, what to do, where to eat and much more.
What is the travel hack that everyone should know about, but not enough people do? What are the benefits of this hack?
This is a tough one because there’s literally so many great travel hacks! But I would say that not enough people are flexible when it comes to travel. Booking smarter and being flexible can help you save so much money and you can experience more destinations in the long run when it comes to travel. Being flexible with your travel dates and destinations is the ultimate hack! For example, I know so many people that are dying to go to Tulum because everyone is posting it and it seems like the place to be. Personally, I’m going to wait for the hype to die down and the prices to drop. For price of a round trip flight and accommodations in Tulum I could’ve booked TWO separate trips to Central America!
Therefore, it’s great to be flexible and book travel based off on the current deals, without being so stuck on one destination. Use Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” feature to find the cheapest flights to anywhere and book that trip!
It’s time to book smarter and save some coins! All without sacrificing travel memories or experiences!
What is the destination you would visit, re-visit and visit again? What makes this destination special in your eyes?
Pretty simple. It would be The Motherland for me! I was supposed to visit Africa for the first time last year but unfortunately the pandemic canceled my trip. I’ve started planning a trip for next year to visit Kenya and I can’t wait! I’m excited to embrace the culture, encounter wildlife and I also have plans to visit a Maasai village.
I know that Africa will be a destination that I will be happy with visiting over and over again, no problem! There are so many different counties to visit and cultures to embrace. Some of the top countries on my list include Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa. I know that I will leave Africa more inspired than ever and empowered. Visiting Africa will give me the opportunity to connect with my roots and ancestry and there’s no greater feeling!
What is the best piece of travel advice you’ve ever received?
The BEST piece of travel advice I’ve ever received was from a solo traveler. I was told that I had to experience solo travel because solo travel would change my life in a good way. In the back of my mind I had thoughts of all the bad things that could happen as to why I never considered solo travel. Safety was a MAJOR concern of mine, especially as a Black woman. However, with the support of friends and family I finally decided to book my first solo trip. I decided to plan a trip to Miami, Florida because I had visited a few times prior and I was familiar with the area. For safety purposes I decided to stay at the Eden Roc Miami Beach opposed to an Airbnb so I wouldn’t feel too “alone”. The resort hotel had many amenities, dining options, a spa and it was close to the beach. I spent most of my time relaxing at beach or by the pool. I also planned a spa day which was AMAZING! I got hot stone massage with a facial and let me tell you, that was the best part of my trip!
Needless to say, I will definitely be booking more solo trips in the near future. What I liked the most about my solo trip is that I was on my own time and got to do whatever I wanted to do, WHEN I wanted to do it. I got time to focus on self-care and enjoy time with myself. I was able to come out of my comfort zone and gain a boost in self-confidence, while doing things that made me uncomfortable. For anyone considering solo travel take the leap of faith and JUST do it!
Where else can folks find you?
I just recently started a Tik Tok, folks can find me there at @boundlessblisstravels.
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