Sarah Bender

I have been a Travel Advisor since 1993. My primary focus is international leisure travel, though I do corporate and domestic travel on a limited basis. I can help with all aspects of travel planning, including air, hotels and cars, rail, packages, tours, cruises and travel insurance. I also have valuable experience booking groups for a variety of purposes and to various destinations.

I am an independent Travel Advisor affiliated with The Travel Society. The Travel Society is a highly respected agency in the travel industry, and we have many preferred relationships with travel suppliers. The benefits of these relationships are often passed through to the client, especially for added extras or when there are challenges. In addition, I have access to support not only from knowledgeable and experienced staff and suppliers, but from hundreds of colleagues as well. This can only help to serve my clients better.

I am a certified Aussie Specialist (Australia) and Kiwi Specialist (New Zealand) as well as an Accredited Cruise Counselor. I also specialize in Mexico, Costa Rica & Belize, Tahiti & Fiji and Europe (especially Italy, Greece & Croatia as well as river cruises) and book these destinations more than anywhere else. Antarctica is actually also one of the destinations I sell a lot. I travel frequently to experience destinations and hotels/resorts personally, so that I can advise and recommend with real first-hand knowledge.

My very favorite destination, for personal travel as well as booking for clients, is the South Pacific, particularly Australia and New Zealand. I backpacked through Australia and NZ for a year back in 1990/91 and have returned to Australia many times since. and have visited nearly every tourist region and major city/destination on the continent. I have returned to New Zealand multiple times as well. I have also attended numerous Aussie & Kiwi Specialist Conventions. I am very familiar with these countries and am comfortable creating any personalized itinerary there. I also have an excellent relationship with a wholesaler for Down Under.

Of-course I book many other destinations besides Down Under, particularly Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, African safaris, and cruises (ocean and river). Mexico is a primary focus of my business, and I have excellent relationships with many of the local suppliers & resort managers. I also enjoy working with groups such as family reunions and multi-generational trips, clubs/common interest groups and destination weddings. I find working with a travel advisor is especially beneficial for groups, having one point of contact and an experienced advisor familiar with group needs and procedures.

I can provide references upon request. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you, utilizing my expertise to help make your travel planning as stress free and effortless as possible.