Meet Anne Jones | Travel Advisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
This is an interesting question, one I could easily answer while in NC. I’m new to Texas, only here these past two years so this question is more along the lines of how I plan to connect with and grow my community here. I’ve done this in various ways back in NC so I look forward to collaborating with local businesses: I need transportation for group outings around Texas, hotels to connect with; area Chambers often give trips to their ambassadors so I would love to be called on in helping them with an itinerary. I also look for hosts to journey with me and teach my guests interesting tidbits, such as wine owners as hosts for trips to the Hill Country or even abroad to learn the origins of the wines they procure. Radio show hosts/DJs are such outgoing personalities; I look to connect with them to host cruises out of Galveston. Rotary/Shriner’s group outings to Astros games—the list is endless. So my question to readers is: how can I be of service?

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Virago Journeys is not your typical “travel agency.” I wanted it to be more than that, so I designed my business around the concept of a travel concierge who serves their guests by listening and fulfilling their wants and needs in terms of travel, creating an “experience” for them, not just a vacation. A concierge who provides detailed information on what to expect upon arrival, how to go through customs/immigration, where to find transfer driver(s), if any tourism tax is required upon arrival/departure, not-to-miss tours or sights around the area, travel tips to make life easier, and so much more!

I started in this industry working as a tour manager for another travel company, guiding small and large groups on short and long journeys to various places all over the US and Canada. But back in 2018 when I created my own itinerary and took a group of 18 guests to Italy, bam! that was my deciding factor in launching my own business. All the guests had a wonderful time, raved about me and that trip as one of the best they’d ever had with said travel company, and I felt so much love and gratitude for them and myself for my accomplishment. I had researched this itinerary thoroughly, plus I spent almost two weeks in Italy to see each site myself, making the contacts and setting everything up.

After that things seemed to fall into place. I knew this is what I wanted to do full-time, create experiences for others. I learned the ins and outs of the travel industry. I took certificate courses in tourism and hospitality, went to industry shows to connect with suppliers and vendors of travel. And I am committed to learning and growing within the industry.

Travel for me is a passion, not a job, and seeing the happiness on others’ faces and hearing about the memories they’ve made (by themselves or with loved ones) brings joy to my heart. Yes, I know a bit sappy, but I’m a true romantic at heart.

Readers should know that I create experiences not vacations, and that every client is treated like family. I care about their needs and wants, and I listen. My guests would say I go above and beyond their expectations. I’ll give you a for-instance. I had a guest who suffered from COPD while with me in Italy and her machine broke. It was about midnight when I got the call that she was suffering. They were frantic and had no idea what to do. I went to her room, took the machine, and went to an all-night pharmacy to get another one. I stayed with them to make sure it worked, and she was breathing easier, and then I checked in with them again first thing in the morning to make sure she was okay or if some further action needed to be taken.

Things tend to happen on most trips, small and large, there are disagreements, sometimes issues with hotels, disgruntlements at airport delays, and so forth, but I stay calm and work to keep my guests calm and then I handle the situation, no matter what it is.

I am a huge researcher. I love delving into things, new sites, new hotels, new experiences and I do them myself, so when I recommend something (for instance, don’t rent a car to see Pisa or Genoa but rent a car to tour Tuscany) my clients should know that I’ve vetted this thoroughly and know what I’m talking about.

Plus I do not charge fees for my travel planning services and I always price match what you may find on your own. But what I do is unique, I curate travel to your wants and needs, and plan for the things you might not think of. Yes, you can go on Google and research and buy your trip online, spending perhaps 10 hours to do so, but do you really want to? Also, do you know where the hotel that you picked is? Do you know the service they give guests? Will they help you when things go wrong? Who will you call when your room has been cancelled? Think of me as your personal concierge. I go the extra mile and research everything for you. Use your time to focus on other things and let me do the work I have trained to do. Think of it this way: you go to a doctor because they’re trained in medicine, thus you go to a travel agent because they’re trained in travel.

You can come to me for all your travel needs: flights, cruises, custom itineraries, travel insurance, and so on. Also, at least four times per year I offer a specialty vacation, where you travel with me within a small group to various places. On tap for 2023 is Italy in May, Israel in July, Greece in October, and a cruise for New Year’s in December.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh boy, being slightly new to Texas (over two years now) I’m still scoping out local areas. My favorite local spot so far is Kemah, such a wonderful boardwalk to traverse with so much to see and do, plus it’s family and couple friendly. It’s definitely a weekend place to go to. Listen to the band play in the square, watch the couples and kids dancing, and eat some smoked sausage from the food cart set up there. I love that they turned a small caboose into a meat smoker! For myself, I want to take my friend on a dinner cruise or a party cruise, cause I love to dance. Others might prefer the sightseeing cruise. And food? The choices are endless, the Flying Dutchman offers a delightful sit-down meal, while I love Landry’s for sitting outside and soaking in the sun and view. If you’re a seafood lover like I am, then everything here will tempt you.

In town I love the oysters and the menu at Schafers. Can you tell I’m a big foodie? We’d go to the Preamble Lounge to imbibe an interesting cocktail as well as listen to a live artist strum his guitar and sing us some tunes. I love Nobi House, they have crab chips but me and my friend actually call this “crack”—probably shouldn’t say that here, but it’s something so bad for me yet I can’t stop eating it. Plus the brews on tap always change and the bartenders are knowledgeable enough to offer me something not “beerlike.”

We’d have to go canoeing on Clear Lake or down along the Bayou—who knew you can canoe right here in the city? That’s amazing!

We’d have to spend a day in Galveston, rent some bikes and travel up and down the Seawall, stopping for a seafood lunch perhaps at Gaido’s or Miller’s Seawall Grill, then a walk along the Strand, regaling them with tales of ghosts who still haunt the area (and yes there’s a tour for that, I did a stint as a tour guide there so it’s a wonderful hour to learn about the Ghosts of Galveston).

Heading into the downtown area, we’d have to walk around Memorial Park. There always seems to be something going on downtown, whether it’s an art show, music, picnic, parade, something’s always happening. And speaking of picnics, we’d have to do a mystery picnic in Montrose, such an interesting blend of art, antiques, thrift stores and food for every palate. I love the uniqueness of a food treasure hunt, trying new things, finding new stores and ending at an unplanned spot to enjoy it all.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this to my family and friends, who are always there giving me a little (sometimes big) push to keep moving forward. My friend Suzy has been my rock for over a decade, lending a willing ear, support, and encouraging me forward in starting and continuing my business. I am grateful to my friend Zach who has been an awesome sounding board for bouncing off business ideas. When it comes to mentorship, Tammy Levent is a great motivator/mentor in the travel industry—talking with her or taking her familiarization trips with other travel agents always inspires me to grow and be better than I am. Her business acumen is phenomenal. I am pleased to call her friend. And, of course, nothing in life is worth more than the love and support from my family: my son, Matt; his wife, Don-El, and my two grandkids, Ryliee and Channing—there is nothing in this world that I wouldn’t do for them. It’s for them that I keep pushing forward.

Website: https://www.viragojourneys.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viragojourneys/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViragoJourneys/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG3uQCvFtXwwlt1U3yrWuhQ