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D/FW Travel Professional Suggests Choosing Travel Companions

  • By Bette Johnson
  • 22 Apr, 2013
D/FW Travel Professional Suggests Choosing Traveling Companions  As your travel professional in the D/FW Metroplex, I must advise you to choose wisely with whom you travel!  For the duration of the trip you will be stuck with them either in a car, a boat, a train, or an island (sometimes for days!).  Note of caution: […] The post D/FW Travel Professional Suggests Choosing Travel Companions appeared first on Special Moments Travel.

D/FW Travel Professional Suggests Choosing Traveling Companions

 As your travel professional in the D/FW Metroplex , I must advise you to choose wisely with whom you travel!  For the duration of the trip you will be stuck with them either in a car, a boat, a train, or an island (sometimes for days!).  Note of caution: from most of these you cannot jump if totally annoyed with your travel companion .
David and I recently returned from a 7-day cruise on the Celebrity Reflection.  I must say that is a beautiful new ship with a great staff and some terrific amenities.  But what made that trip so special for us was our travel companions, the Barrells and the Churans.  We met them at a time when we were in disparate need of a surrogate family, and they readily accepted the role.  That was over 20 years ago.  Now we’re scattered between three different states, but our love of travel and our love for each other (not to mention our love of food), keeps us together after all these years.  In fact, Bob introduced us to cruising in December 2004!
It’s fun and easy to travel with them because they understand the need to have some space apart, and then the time to open the balconies and say, “We have a bottle of wine, come join us!”  They are sensitive to the needs and desires of their fellow travelers, which makes it more enjoyable for all.

He puts up with so much!

Next month, I have the privilege of traveling with another long-time friend, Phyllis, to the Bahamas.  I’m already praying that I will be a great and considerate traveling companion for her.
My favorite traveling companion of all times?  My beloved husband, David, is the best because he puts up with my frenetic moods, my crazy desire to make everything “just right”, AND he carries my suitcases!  What a guy!!!
Kudos also go to both of my daughters, Kim and Courtney, who have traveled to Jamaica with me and endured site inspections and iffy internet connections.  Good job, Girls!
And a huge Shout Out goes to Margaret for putting up with me on 3 Survivors at Sea Cruises.  Always gracious, always fun, and always forgiving is my Marvelous Margaret.
Thank you to each of my wonderful travel companions past, present, and future!
Now, my question to you:  With whom would you most like to travel?  Where would you like to go?  And finally, when are you going to call me so I can set up this trip for you?
I’m Bette Johnson, Your travel professional , with Special Moments Travel, specializing in your travel moments.
By Bette Johnson 24 Jan, 2018

A very dear and special client sent the following story to me and I had to share it with the world so you too can have goosebumps and tears!

“This is kind of a long story but bear with me….

In October 1985 (I was 21) I was asked to go on a trip to Galveston by a man name Philip Hawker (he was 38). I had never been anywhere but Tennessee, on vacations as a child, to see my grandmother so I said yes I would go.

He flew us to Houston and then we rented a car and drove to Galveston. It was late at night but I still took it all in….going over the causeway made it seem as if I was traveling to another place…no longer Texas.

 We stayed at a hotel on the Seawall. The name of the hotel was the Key Largo. It was so pretty and almost magical to me. I remember the lobby smelled like flowers it was the most amazing smell! There were waiters at the pool and they wore black shorts and white button down shirts. They carried white towels on their arms and they would take my drink order and my drink always came back on a tray.   It had a swim up bar and a waterfall. Inside the lobby was a black piano and I loved sitting and listening to someone play at night. It had glass elevators on the outside of the building. It was a magical place for me.

Prior to this the only place I had ever stayed was a Days Inn or Motel 6 while traveling to Tennessee.

 Philip and I went back several times and stayed at Key Largo. I married him in 1986 and Steven was born in 1989 and we divorced in 1998 but we remain friends.   I have gone back to Galveston several times since Philip and I divorced but I never stay at the old Key Largo.

 Now the reason for my long story…you just booked my son a room for his honeymoon at what use to be the Key Largo hotel. What a COINCIDENCE!!!!! When he sent me the link I laughed so hard. I told him this story and he said this makes even more special to stay there. I also told him to look around his Dad’s as there are probably tons of pictures of us there.

 AND….this is why I think you are such an awesome person …you are the person that can make magic happen

 Have an AWESOME day pretty lady!

  Sheila”


By Bette Johnson 03 Jul, 2016
As a travel professional and owner of Special Moments Travel in Northeast Tarrant County, it is my responsibility to learn as much as possible of a destination that I sell frequently.  I have been to the 4 major Hawaiian Islands on a cruise, I’ve done my Hawaii Destination Specialist courses, and I have to admit, […] The post Destination: Hawaii! appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 11 Apr, 2016
We had a wonderful time, thanks for everything.  We also thank you for the surprise gift after we got home. I can’t think of anything you could have done to make it a better trip, except to let the days be longer…… alas. Thanks again for the help with the airline tickets at the end. […] The post Couple Returns Sandals Halcyon Beach in St. Lucia appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 28 Mar, 2016
    Amazing Jamaica! Words can’t explain how amazing Jamaica was to us! It was beautiful and we loved every second of it! I definitely wasn’t ready to come home to this nasty weather we are having. Jewel Paradise Cove was picture perfect. The staff was amazing, everyone was super nice, we felt welcome wherever […] The post Amazing Jamaica! appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 14 Mar, 2016
  Cozumel Trip Fun with Added Adventure Kudos to my clients, Mike and Ashley, who had more adventure than they planned. See what happened to them:Even with the rain every day, and the flooded hotel room, getting sick on the ferry and check out incident… we still had a BLAST! The room was great, service […] The post Cozumel Trip Fun with Added Adventure appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 29 Feb, 2016
Family Sails Mediterranean on Princess Cruise Line It was lovely! Not relaxing, very very busy and fast paced but awesome- we saw ALLLLLLL the things :). I’d have liked another day or two in Rome. Malta was unexpectedly lovely and Messina was kind of so-so. The boat was wonderful, service impeccable. We will be doing […] The post Family Sails Mediterranean on Princess Cruise Line appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 15 Feb, 2016
Multi-Generational Family Has Fun on Cruise Our trip was amazing after we unloaded the family at the terminal we made it to the lot early the shuttle came straight to our cars and picked us up right at our driver-side doors. Once the shuttles took us to the terminal I explained the wheelchair assistance and […] The post Multi-Generational Family Has Fun on Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 01 Feb, 2016
Hi Bette, Thanks for everything– we had a marvelous trip. EVERYTHING was perfect. Our flight from DFW to Fairbanks was long but great. The train trip from Fairbanks to Denali was the best— our group had a glass covered coach and only about 1/2 full. We could walk around, visit with folks, eat and enjoy […] The post Four Great Travelers Return from Princess Alaskan Cruise appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 05 Jan, 2016
Our trip was amazing! We loved everything about Jamaica, from the beautiful beaches to the amazing food. The accommodations were wonderful, the staff was very sweet and helpful. The resort was gorgeous and very quiet and relaxing. We loved the fact that it wasn’t crowded and it was easy to get drinks and food. The […] The post Couple celebrates their anniversary at Secrets St. James, Montego Bay, Jamaica appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
By Bette Johnson 14 Dec, 2015
  Cabo San Lucas Hidden Treasures As I sat next to a beautiful infinity pool overlooking a golf course in front of the ocean, I was in awe of this amazing destination.  This is Secrets Puerto Los Cabos (all-inclusive, couples resort), and I was there for destination wedding training with AMResorts.  Last night, after our […] The post Cabo San Lucas Hidden Treasures appeared first on Special Moments Travel.
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