Want to start traveling to see some of your favorite film and television sites, but don’t know how to plan a trip? I recently had Samantha Weck, a travel agent with Expedition Weck on the Reel Travels podcast. She provided some great tips on how to plan a trip around your favorite movie or television show:
Pick the Movie or TV Show First
“Pick the movie and know what scenes you’re looking for and then you come to me or another travel agent for research because our job is to research,” said Weck. “We will find those scenes where they’re filmed and how we can make that into a trip. If there are multiple scenes involved, we can certainly plan it all out for you and we could edit it together.
Internationally too? “Yes, I’ve had people interested in such places as (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies) Hobbiton in New Zealand,” she said.
And do more research around your favorite movies or television shows. “For example, my favorite show that I’m watching right now is Medium and it’s is based in Arizona, but it was actually filmed in California. So if I didn’t look that up ahead of time and I went to Phoenix — which is a great place — I wouldn’t see any of the places where that show is filmed. I also recommend looking at the filming location property. Is it public property? Is it private but do they offer tours? Know that you’re actually able to visit those places because some aren’t open to the public.”
Decide on a Budget
When you want to plan a trip, a budget is vital. “Money for food and hotel or vacation rental should be the most important because that’s how you’re going to have the energy to do what you’re going to do. Then, from there, decide if you’re going to take a tour or an excursion. For example, there are movie tours in Los Angeles that range anywhere from $20 and up, so start at what you absolutely need and then determine from there what you’re willing to spend money on. What I recommend to clients is 30 percent to 40 percent of your budget is for extra stuff that you don’t need.”
Stay on Top of Changes
“Because of the pandemic, things are constantly changing, which is why it can definitely seem very overwhelming when planning a trip,” said Weck. “Travel agents, like myself, keep on top of that. For example, (as of this printing) some states still require a negative test, but again, that is changing. If you’re doing international travel, most countries in the next six months to a year are going to start requiring the vaccine to be able to go to that country. So it is constantly changing. But your travel agent will be up to date on that.”
Watch for Money-Saving Deals
Want to plan a trip and save money? Of course you do. “Hotels booking during the slow season is the best for money-saving deals,” said Weck. “Just think of the reason you’re going to this destination and when it’s most popular and that’s the higher rate you’re going to get and vice versa. So Florida is busier in the summer and rates will be higher. As for when to book, the general rule of thumb is to book six months in advance.”
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
“Travel agents can help with road trips, even to rent an RV, but you can use us for travel insurance and to book excursions,” said Weck. “An excursion is an activity — either for a cost or for free — that you like to enjoy such as swimming with the dolphins or a bar-hopping tour. Travel agents aren’t an all-or-nothing deal. I think that’s a common misconception. I believe in helping people out whenever they need it. Also, travel insurance is very important even if you are doing a road trip because again, with the current circumstances, you never know.
“A person can get sick on their trip or lose documentation,” she said. “I had a client who lost their vaccine papers, and they almost couldn’t get on their plane to get home. Luckily, I always require copies of all my client’s documentation, so I had a copy and I was able to email it to them. It can be anything small from just forgetting a passport or document or something big like breaking a leg on a trip. It’s things that most people don’t think about because it rarely happens, but that’s why you always have to plan for the worst.”
