Travel agent

bemmeb.60, I'll take a shot. IMO a good TA is worth it. The trouble is finding a good one. That is, finding one that is experienced in going to the kind of places you're interested in, and listens to your wants. Most of the ones I've talked to are good for booking packages in Las Vegas, cruises, Disney World, and Cancun, but not so much for Europe. Ones who have been to Europe, have usually been on paid excursions by major hotel chains or airlines. And especially, if they have a limited idea of what hotels are like, they default to suggesting American-style business class hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, etc.), or booking the big bus tour companies (Trafalgar, Gateway, etc.) Since they no longer get commissions on most other things, you may have to pay directly for their services.

We had a good one, who was worth using just for booking airline tickets. Mostly when we had trouble getting decent connections, seat assignments, and she often alerted us to upcoming fare sales. We had to pay her $75/pp for the service, but it was worth it, as she would track schedule changes, check us in, and find the occasional perk. And she was a lifeline if we had flight issues while overseas. But as far as the details of what to do on the ground, we did that planning & booking ourselves.

Most of the people here enjoy the planning part, and the RSE guidebooks are a great resource for that. Since you know exactly where you want to go, it should be pretty easy to figure out. But if you prefer to leave that up to someone else, go for it.

Just be absolutely sure the travel agency you choose is bonded.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tourist-scams/scammed

I used them occasionally in the past but found their options very limited. I use a 'cruise specialist' travel agent at the moment, but she isn't as good with the cruise lines I like because they are not 'the big 5'. For land work, I gave up years ago. Even when I told them where I wanted to stay they 'couldn't book it as it wasn't in their system'. I have seen flights online that they couldn't book - for the same reason.
However, if you want a North American experience in some other global location, maybe they would be able to help just by making it easier for you. And yes, it seems they were worth their weight in gold for fixing flights during Iceland's ash fallout and getting clients out of Cairo during Arabic Spring. Smart folks called their agents, whilst others stood for hours at the airport airline counter.
With only 2 cities you want to visit, it shouldn't be that difficult. I use the old travel agent website - matrix ITA - to check flight options and costs. They don't sell tickets, so you then book directly with the airline website so that you have their support. Google flights is the updated version of Matrix ITA, but it doesn't work as well for me.
Booking dot com is a common third party website for hotels and lodgings. They do everything from hostels to apartments to hotels. You put in your city and dates. From the list, you can short list your preferences - free parking, free wifi, free breakfast, 8* and up, all that sort of thing. You may want to check directly with the hotel website to see if there is any better benefits - and to be honest, it would be the fair way to book it in the current situation - but Booking is also fine. One nice thing about that sort of website for researching is that you can look at the lodgings by location on a map, thus reducing your choices to an area of interest.
Personally, as a solo traveler, using Cdn$, I don't consider Rick Steve's accommodation recommendations; but they are good for narrowing down areas of where to stay.

I can’t remember the last time I used a travel agency, but it went out of business about 20 years ago. I do my own research and can spend more time setting up my itinerary than any agent probably would want to. Booking ones own flights and accommodations is so easy now, I’m surprised TAs can stay in business. I see no point in going through a middle man if it can be avoided.

Thanks everyone for the input. Looks like I will be planning it myself.

@bemmed60, if you decide to DIY, you have a great community here, many frequent visitors that know the city inside out, and other that are residents -and even some, like myself, born and bred here. Just shoot your questions and we all will try to assist. But be precise... vague or very personal questions are difficult to answer.

Well, I guess I'll take a shot at this also... It really depends on what type of trip you're looking to book, your preference in activities/tours/experiences, and yes, your budget. There many incredible travel advisors who are European experts.

Most of the ones I've talked to are good for booking packages in Las
Vegas, cruises, Disney World, and Cancun, but not so much for Europe.

My response to that is you're booking with the wrong people as most expert travel advisors do not sell "packages," rather each trip is tailor-made for the clients' wants & needs. The first step most good advisors take is called the DISCOVERY phase, where they simply listen.

Ones who have been to Europe, have usually been on paid excursions by
major hotel chains or airlines.

Yes, many travel advisors do take excursions to Europe (and other parts of the world) to gain knowledge on what they are selling. These are not "paid excursions" - they're often at a discounted rate but the advisor usually has to make an investment. And in most cases, they ARE INVITED because they already sell this product. No 5-star hotel is going to want someone staying there that is not, or cannot, sell their product. Rarely - and I mean very rarely - are these trips free for an advisor. (I know, I've been on 100+ and it's a big part of my annual budget).

... especially, if they have a limited idea of what hotels are like,
they default to suggesting American-style business class hotels
(Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton, etc.)...

No, good agents are NOT booking at American chain hotels. They have carefully curated relationships with the hotels they work with and sell. In Barcelona, the primary hotels most agents work with would include El Palace, The Majestic, Hotel Arts Barcelona (which is a Ritz Carlton). Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, Serras, or the W Barcelona. I've been to all of those and stayed at all but one - so I KNOW these hotels, as would an expert-in-Spain travel advisor.

... or booking the big bus tour companies (Trafalgar, Gateway, etc.)
Since they no longer get commissions on most other things, you may
have to pay directly for their services.

I think in 10 years I've booked ONE "big-bus tour" and that was for a friend who had no budget to work with. I'm also very surprised to read that travel advisors no longer get commissions on "most other things." (perhaps Economy Air!) For a good agent, you WILL pay a consulting/planning fee. They have a finite amount of time and their time and expertise are valued. If you don't think so, I suggest you don't use one!

But as far as the details of what to do on the ground, we did that
planning & booking ourselves.

A good agent will work with local DMC's to coordinate tours, activities, and unique experiences. Working jointly with these local contacts, there are so many options - like ballooning, biking, cooking classes, behind-the-scenes experiences at wineries, and so on. These local, on-the-ground DMC's have incredible connections and contract-pricing that you cannot get at local hotels. A good advisor creates an itinerary coordinated to their preferences and can/will plan everything - flights, transfers, hotels, tours, activities, experiences, dinner reservations, train tickets, car rentals, and so on.

Since you know exactly where you want to go, it should be pretty easy
to figure out. But if you prefer to leave that up to someone else, go
for it.

A good advisor LOVES a client who knows exactly what they want... it makes their job SO MUCH easier. On the other side of the coin, many travelers are going to a destination for the first time. Having someone who has been there, done that, is always helpful.

I would say that most of these views are generalizations and I've worked with 100+ agents - all are incredibly experienced and proficient. I'd say you're working with the wrong advisors.

For a Travel Advisor, their job is all about relationships - with their clients and their partners. The good agents spend a lot of time investing in both. Networking with partners and other advisors is a big part of their day. If they don't know an answer to a client's question, they can ask a DMC or another agent. Many companies have "intranets" set up so advisors can communicate - and get help from each other! Any agent working in a silo will soon become just a "booker of trips" and not a "builder of trips."

Certainly, there are "bad" travel agents, just as there are "poor performers" in all job fields. And there are folks who sit in cubicles and have never been outside the USA. Those are not travel advisors - they are booking agents. I suggest you research and find the type of agent you're looking for. Many are cruise experts, flight experts, or yes, European experts.

If you are ever booking a luxury property - such as a 5-star hotel - you should use a Travel Advisor to book that SINGLE property. That's because a good travel advisor will have a relationship with that hotel. It could be because they are a Ritz-Carlton STARS agency, a Virtuoso agent, a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, a Dorchester Collection Diamond Club agency, a Rosewood Elite member, a Belmond Bellini Club agent, a Peninsula Pen Club agency, a Relais & Chateaux Preferred Partner, a ​​Sir Rocco's Knights agent, a member of the Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, in the Shangri-La Luxury Circle, or an Oetker Collection Pearl Partner.

ALL OF THESE provide the client with amenities and VIP status... at no additional charge. And an advisor who has these credentials KNOWS the Director of Sales, the concierge, etc. at these hotels. So even if every other accommodation on your trip is a 2-star hotel or an Airbnb, book your luxury product with a certified agent to get those FREE amenities. Take advantage of their experience, network, and connections!

Here's a few articles on the subject:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/20/why-you-need-a-travel-agent-part-1/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/22/why-you-need-a-travel-agent-part-2/
https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/04/30/why-it-pays-to-book-with-a-travel-agent

Some folks don't need a travel advisor. They know what they want and they enjoy the planning experience. And I applaud those folks as I know it can be incredibly challenging! I simply suggest that travel agents should not be painted with such a broad brush.

RnR, I guess you object to all the negatives in my reply, but not the first statement that a good one (travel agent) is worth it. I respect that you're defending your profession, but you're actually making my point. Here at ground level, in the non-VIP travel class, the desk-bound booking agents you describe are more likely what you'll come across at local travel agencies. Good to know there is another level of service available. I stuck with the good TA I found for years, but haven't used another for advice since she retired.

Stan, I WOULD disagree that you can't find a "good travel agent" at different budget levels. Probably 40% of our clients are luxury travelers. And it's not the "negatives" I disagree with in your post It's all the misinformed, outdated, and incorrect generalities you make about the profession. I never used a TA until I became one. But looking back, I realize now how much BETTER my trips would have been with even small adjustments that I simply did not know about. Good luck with your travels!!

Ok well there seems to be an argument for both sides. I have booked our flights and made hotel reservations in both Barcelona and Valencia. We will be traveling from Barcelona to Valencia spending 4 nights in each city then back to Barcelona to catch the flight home. Question is do we break the trip up even further with additional stops, is 4 days in each city too much time? I am open to all suggestions, Thank you in advance

@bemmeb.60.... are you the type of tourist to "tick a bucket list" or do you enjoy "submerging yourself in the experience"? If the latter, four days in Barcelona is rather short. Besides, within Catalonia, you have literally dozens of DIY day/weekend trips very worthwhile doing.

Also, I believe it's important to know whether you're the sort of traveller that likes to have "everything done for him" or on the other hand you like "do it yourself" (with a little help when necessary)

Any special reason you are visiting Barcelona? and València? Maybe if you let us know about you and your travel style, likes and dislikes... there could be more precise advice given ;)

My husband was in Valencia a couple years ago on business and loved it, has been wanting to go back since then. Our son was in Barcelona for business as well and loved it there.

Personally I am more of a spontaneous vacationer, I like to get where I'm going and just explore the sights and sounds. maybe the occasional guided tour. My husband is the opposite, he likes to hone in on the history, loves museums. He can spend hours looking at one place, whereas I buzz through them. I see the beauty, he sees the history.

I'm not one for doing an in-depth research project of things to do and see. I would like to know the best mods of transportation while there.

Hi bemmeb.60

I think I get "your style" a bit better now. I would imagine you're set to visit València, so I wouldn't suggest skipping it, but perhaps to allot 3 days max for this city and add the remaining one to Barcelona. There you have lots more to see, not only in the city itself but also on day trips to places like say Girona, Costa Brava, Besalú etc.

But before jumping into making suggestions... are you going to be driving or relying on trains/buses?

Last time I used a travel agent was 2017, the one who stole our money. I don’t know what state you’re but be sure your state requires licensing and $1million bond, e.g. Nevada (lesson learned the hard way). If not, do the planning yourself. It’s easy and less complicated. If there are problems you will be dealing directly with airlines/trains, hotels and tours. Plus the planning is a lot of fun.

EDIT: I saw your post that you booked after I posted. I’m keep this up so it may help someone else.

My Trip to Madrid and Andalucia is in October. This will be my 5th solo trip to Europe. I have never been to Spain but planning this trip shouldn't be more difficult. I was 33 on my first solo trip to Europe, if that should matter. I am skipping Barcelona and Valencia. Because there is not time to go everywhere and I am only taking ten weekdays off of work. My work is closed on weekends. I am not using a travel agency. I bought Rick Steve's guidebook and the Rough Guide to Spain. Maybe I will look at the Lonely Planet guidebook. Maybe if I had kids or had other obligations I wouldn't have time to plan my own travel. I searched for and bought my plane tickets, made hotel reservations online. I still need to buy some tickets to fortresses or castles, and long distance train or bus tickets.

See, if you can set aside the time to read guidebooks, read the advice of the guidebook writers, pick what you think you want to do and what you want to skip, and if you are willing to spend a certain number of hours searching for tickets online, on multiple different evenings, looking at maps, and so on, you can teach yourself to plan your own travel. I find it helpful to make a written day-by-day itinerary. Yeah it is easy to doubt you are planning "right" and maybe some need a travel agent reassure them that what they want is ok to want. I have never used a travel agent.

My first career was in corporate travel planning. In the late 90s I worked at a posh travel agency on Park Ave in Manhattan, where our office was visited regularly by sales reps from luxury travel brands like Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and the like, The best agents in the office had those reps on speed dial, and could often get their clients upgrades and other perks that were unavailable to the average traveler. These days, one of the best parts of taking a trip for me is the planning and researching. But, as RnR pointed out, if I were thinking about taking a luxury trip -- First class airfare, 5 star hotels, a deluxe cruise -- then I would be wise to at least consult a luxury travel planner. It's true there are far fewer of them in business today, but they do still exist. And the best ones will have access that makes their consulting fees worthwhile.