Besides having the relationships to make sure you are well looked after, advisors say they can help you figure out where the good deals exist. For example, Ezon recently booked a client for a long weekend at a five-star resort in Italy’s Lake District. The one-bedroom suite was $200 less per night than a similar property in Turks & Caicos. What’s more, the international business class flatbed suites across the Atlantic were half the price of the domestic first-class seating for the shorter flights to Providenciales.
Booking airport meet and greet services is now a must, say both Block and Ezon. “If you don’t, you can end up spending hours standing in a snaking line,” says Bloch. Ezon made a 40-minute connection in Athens by using a VIP service.
Not all hotels are charging astronomical rates, advisors say. European hotels want to attract Americans because they spend more once they get there. To do so, they are keeping a lid on room prices.
Despite the obstacles, a perk of traveling this summer is top tourist attractions are less likely to be crowded. “Without the huge cruise ships, this could be the best year to go to Venice,” says Ezon. Bloch points to Athens and Croatia, where many of the attractions are outdoors.
Still, come with the expectations of a different experience. Places like Greece, where outdoor living during the summer is a way of life, are likely to be more normal. Yet, Ezon says don’t expect the wild club scene normally found in places like Ibiza. “It’s just not happening, or as of right now, it doesn’t look like it will happen,” he says.
Most of all, book your trip knowing it may not be what you expected. “Everything changes day-by-day,” says Holtz. “A good travel advisor is keeping on top of it for you.”
In terms of whether or not you should go, Bloch says, “Personally, I wouldn’t rush my clients unless they feel totally comfortable. It’s not going to be the smooth luxury experience you think about. If they’ve been traveling all their lives, if they don’t travel this year, it’s not the end of the world. They have homes in Aspen and the Hamptons.”
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