AAA Traveler - Summer 2019 - 16

AGENT SPOTLIGHT

Dream Trip Designer

BY KRISTY TOLLEY

From ski vacations in West Virginia to multi-stop adventures in Italy, no itinerary is too
challenging for Fran Wilder, AAA Travel Agent in Charleston, South Carolina. For over 21
years, she's crafted itineraries for all types of travelers.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT?

Many years ago, I traveled with my family to Costa Rica. At the time, it was very difficult
to find someone who had visited and could help us arrange it. That experience inspired us
to open our own travel agency, which we had for two years and then decided to close
down. My sister-in-law suggested I pursue a job at AAA because they were always
busy. I've worked as both a travel agent and a drive vacation specialist.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A TRAVEL AGENT?

My favorite part of my job is my clients. I really don't have clients, though.
They end up being my friends. I also love meeting new people. I love the
chance to help people fulfill their travel dreams. It's such a great feeling.
WHAT TRIPS DO YOU BOOK THE MOST?

I've booked all kinds of vacations - even a ski vacation to Snowshoe, West
Virginia. The most popular trips for my clients, though, are cruises and organized
tours. Those are my favorite things to book, too. Both cruises and tours are so
convenient for our members. Everything is included!
HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY TRENDS IN TRAVEL?

Last year I booked more Viking cruises and high-end tours than I have in the past.
I think people are spending more money on vacations than they have in a long time. I
recently had a client who was a referral and wanted to book a vacation for his and his wife's
50th wedding anniversary. They'd never been on a cruise before and wanted to cruise to
Alaska. He also wanted an all-inclusive experience. I suggested a Regent Seven Seas Cruises
itinerary that would be a perfect fit for them. All the shore excursions are included, and the
beer, wine and soft drinks are all included. From certain major cities, airfare is even included!
WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING VACATION TO BOOK?

One of my clients had two weeks to spend in Italy. However, she had about a month's
worth of things she wanted to do and places she wanted to visit - certainly more
than you could accomplish in a two-week time frame. I explained that they needed a
centralized location, then work tours from that - day trips and combination tours. I
removed a few things from her list, but I worked out an itinerary that included about
90 percent of what she wanted to see. It included Venice, the Cinque Terre, Florence,
Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast - quite comprehensive for two weeks!

Fran Wilder

AAA CHARLESTON,S.C.

I think the travel experience I enjoyed the most was a Rocky Mountaineer rail trip I
took through the Canadian Rockies two years ago. It was in April, and it was snowing.
I fell in love with the city of Vancouver.
My most memorable family trip was a trip to Costa Rica trip with my husband and
my daughter. We spent eight days there. We snorkeled, went horseback riding, zip lined
at Ecoglide Arenal Park and saw the loggerhead sea turtles in Tortuguero. It was awesome.
My daughter was 10 when we went. She's 19 now and still talks about that trip!

VISIT YOUR LOCAL AAA OFFICE

CALL 1-800-750-5386

CLICK AAA.COM/TRAVEL

TUMBLESTON PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS

WHAT IS YOUR MOST UNFORGETTABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?

http://www.AAA.COM/TRAVEL

AAA Traveler - Summer 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AAA Traveler - Summer 2019