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Travel
BRENTWOOD TRAVEL
Travel the World By Emma Dent
“W
ith travel planning, you’re creating a memory for somebody,” proclaims Stacey Acree, executive VP of Brentwood Travel. Founded by her grandparents, Robert and Ruth Lurie, Brentwood Travel is a full-service, family-owned travel agency that offers clients something that popular travel websites simply cannot: a personal touch. “People still need people,” affirms Acree. “The internet can be overwhelming. People call us when something goes wrong on the web. Everyone is so busy nowadays, and you can do everything on your own. But, we’ve built our business on creating relationships.” With four specialty departments – corporate, groups, individual travel and luxury – Brentwood Travel caters to a diverse clientele with varied travel needs. Clients not only benefit from concierge treatment, but also from the agency’s longstanding relationships with suppliers and contacts across the globe. Rather than having to ask Alexa or Siri about a particular destination, Brentwood Travel’s clients are able to consult directly with on-site experts. “We frequently conference in specialists to speak with our clients,” shares Acree. “Say, you’ve never been to Costa Rica. We’ll have our Costa Rica specialist answer all of your questions.” Although the Hawaiian Islands, Australia and European cities, like London
and Paris, remain perennially popular, Acree has noticed an uptick in requests for less mainstream destinations. Some of these trendy, under-the-radar spots include Costa Rica, Iceland, and Scandinavian countries, like Norway and Sweden. Eastern European cities with less visibility, but equally rich histories, like Budapest and Prague, are in greater demand now, as well. European river cruising is also a favorite with Brentwood Travel’s clients, not to mention Acree herself. “It’s my absolute favorite trip,” she enthuses. “River cruising is a great alternative for people who are afraid of the ocean, because the river is so calm. With only 150 passengers, it’s like floating on a small boutique hotel. Every day, you wake up in a new city, with a guide waiting to show you around.” Whether it’s a cruise along the Danube River or a multi-city tour of Italy or France, Acree finds that travelers increasingly “want experiences tailored to their interests, from biking to cooking to yoga.” “Traveling today is not easy,” Acree concedes, “but we are highly experienced, well-trained and have the right contacts to ask for amenities, upgrades or just that extra special something. From daily breakfast to early check-ins to a bottle of wine in the room, we can secure extras for clients that most other people can’t.”
1022 Executive Parkway, St. Louis 314-439-5700 | brentwoodtravel.com 62
JUNE 22, 2018 | LadueNews.com