Vista Travel

If one likes condescension and sneering disrespect, then this is the place! It was my misfortune to get Kathy /​Cathy on the phone and I had wanted her to give me a quote for flight and hotel to two sets of destinations, primarily, provide package options. Based on the quotes, I planned to pick one that was easier on my wallet. As far as I see, no other considerations are the travel agent’s business — such as how much I would need to spend in these cities once I was there. If I didn’t realize that Paris was more expensive than Athens (esp. this year!) then, that’s a stone in my shoe. Well, not at Vista travel. Here you have to prove first that you are worldly-​wise enough for travel, that you pass some kind of high-​horse jet-​setting muster. First the travel agent made sure that I knew Greece was a country and not a city. Then she proceeded to grill me on why I should even think about Paris and London if I wanted cheap. «They are the most expensive cities in the world». Thank you for telling me that, dear travel agent — how would I otherwise have known that an 8 sqm studio (yes, that is not a typo) goes for $ 140,000 in the Montmartre area? Oh wait a minute, she didn’t tell me that, I guess I just knew (and you can’t Google this kind of info). Whaddaya know?
Before calling Vista travel, I had already run some searches online and had some idea on the air fares + hotel rates that I could get on my own. At the start of our conversation I had told her that I had been to Europe before so, for the perceptive, and also those with good business sense, this should have been clue enough to stop the condescension, mais non! Next she kept asking me how much I was wanting to spend. Now what discerning customer tells a vendor what they want to spend? What are the chances that once I told the agent, par example $ 2000/​pp, her quote would come in at $ 500 less?
Truth be told, I can’t recall the last time I actually worked with a travel agent, since online travel engines have made the industry obsolete (and from my latest experience, thank heavens). But since I was thinking of two popular cities — I thought there might be some kind of package deal that the agencies are privy to. Doesn’t hurt to try … yeah right.
And no, I never got past the questioning of my ill-​devised travel motives to even get to an itinerary so I wouldn’t know if they are any good at what they do. I just only wish there was some way for me to share a clip of the tone of voice that the agent used with me throughout the conversation. You wouldn’t have thought that I was calling to make plans where I would be spending somewhere in the region of $ 4000, and this also in a recession. I see that others have had better luck at /​with the agency /​agent. Given that, I have to conclude that the one reason I received the disrespect I did was because I have an accent. So if you have an accent, think twice.

I have used Vista Travel on a few different occasions and have always been completely satisfied. Cathy, the owner, really knows the travel biz! Most recently, I sought her expertise for a trip with my extended family (I was looking to take a vacation with my family of four AND my parents – throwing around many options from a trip back to the wine country to a cruise, which was what we ultimately decided upon). Always professional, Cathy helped us navigate the intricacies of traveling with seniors and children. I couldn’t have been more pleased. The prices she has quoted me have always been competitive and, most importantly, she is incredibly knowledgeable. She thinks of things I wouldn’t have even thought of asking about. I also have referred a friend to her (which I’m always a little apprehensive about) to help plan his London adventure and he reported to be entirely pleased. He said that the flight she booked him was the same price as the cheapest flight he could find online with a much better itinerary (phew!).
So, if you’re looking for an adventure and would like someone else to do all the work for you (finding flights, travel itineraries etc, etc, etc,) – call them!