Why I Wish I Had Used a Travel Agent: A Real Travel Mishap Story
A real travel mishap story that shows how travel agents can reduce stress, handle logistics, and save your vacation when flights, weather, or plans go sideways.
Talitha Soldera
8/5/20263 min read
Why I Wish I Had Used a Travel Agent: A Real Travel Mishap Story
Lots of people tell me they prefer to book their own travel — and honestly, I get it. I love researching destinations, hunting for the perfect itinerary, and finding the best price. I like being able to change my mind without having to explain myself to anyone (well… except Vince 😊).
But sometimes, even the most independent traveler hits a moment where a travel agent would have made all the difference.
When a Travel Agent Would Have Been So Helpful
In late April, the 27th to be exact, we were on our way to the Faroe Islands via Copenhagen — Nanaimo to Calgary, Calgary to Frankfurt, and finally Frankfurt to Copenhagen. The plan was simple: recover from jetlag, enjoy a day exploring Copenhagen, and take a city tour before continuing on to the Faroe Islands.
Then Calgary happened.
As we looked out the airport windows, snowflakes began to fall — not typical for the end of April but Calgary gets lots of snow so not too alarming, but this time it caused chaos. Planes lined up on the runway, and after boarding, we sat…and sat…and sat. Eventually, we were told to get off the plane and wait inside the terminal with no clear information about what would happen next.
We were starving, options were limited, and just as our food arrived, an announcement came: our flight was cancelled. We had to clear customs (despite never leaving Canada) and collect our luggage.
The airline’s phone line was jammed — ten flights had been grounded — so I booked a hotel on my phone while Vince grabbed our bags. Outside, the snowstorm was in full force, and the taxi line stretched endlessly. We hopped on a hotel shuttle and arrived just after midnight. Someone at the counter was crying because the hotel had run out of rooms. I was so grateful I had booked ahead.
The airline website told us to “check back in the morning,” and I knew we wouldn’t make it to Copenhagen the next day so I contacted our Copenhagen tour company to reschedule. Thankfully, they were understanding.
After a few hours of sleep, I checked the airline’s website again. The airline seemed determined to send us to Frankfurt — but there were no flights for two days, meaning we’d miss our flight to the Faroe Islands. I called and waited on hold for over an hour before finally reaching someone who could help.
They asked if we could get to the airport within an hour. We said yes, rushed out the door, and were rebooked via Toronto instead.
What a way to start a holiday — stressed, exhausted, and scrambling. In that moment, I truly wished I had used a travel agent. They could have handled the hotel, dealt with the airline, and reorganized our Copenhagen tour while we rested.
Planning the Perfect Getaway Is a Lot
Planning and booking a trip — especially a DIY trip — takes time, energy, and attention to dozens of details:
Flights and connections (and what happens if one is delayed or cancelled?)
Transportation to and from the airport
Choosing the right neighbourhood and accommodations
Understanding safety, logistics, and how much moving around you’ll need to do
Emergency planning and insurance
Daily activities, closures, special events, and transportation options
Navigating local quirks — like the Faroe Islands, where almost everything is closed on Sundays
Before I became a travel agent, just thinking about all these details made me tired. I deserve a vacation too — and sometimes that means not having to make decisions every single day.
How Travel Agents Make Travel Easier
Travel agents take the time to understand what you like, what you don’t like, and what you hope to experience. Then they present options, refine them with you, and handle the logistics so you can relax.
In my post Adventure Travel for Mature Travelers, I talk about how anyone can have the adventure of a lifetime with the right trip — whether independent travel with organized excursions or a guided tour.
I often combine travel styles myself. For example, my mom and I recently did an Imperial Cities guided tour. We arrived early to explore Prague on our own, stayed an extra day in Budapest, then flew to Paris for three days of independent exploration using public transportation.
Moral of the Story
Travel agents help take the stress and worry off your shoulders so you can enjoy your vacation — even when unexpected snowstorms, cancelled flights, or complicated logistics get in the way. Ready to plan your next trip stress‑free? Let’s chat.