Leanna Wolfe Independent Travel Coach

08/12/2023

I am repositioning myself as a Travel Navigator. Thus rather than "coaching" folks on how to book travel, you can hire me to "NAVIGATE" your next trip. Having traveled extensively and booked much travel for others, I am able to provide a "Boots on the Ground" approach. I can do straight forward stuff like selecting cost effective flights (at hours that work for you) and well located hotels or homestays. I love sorting out adventures, trekking and excursions--ultimately creating a fully signature vacation. While travel agents receive commissions from their vendors, I do not. Rather, I take the time to sort out complicated itineraries including allowing time to change airlines and terminals, assessing Airbnb reviews and booking regional transit. I speak several languages and have the patience to sort out much foreign detail. I bill on a per trip basis with a minimum of $200. All travel costs are billed on your personal credit card so you can readily make your own changes and adjustments.

03/28/2023

On to Madrid! (If you need help in sorting out low cost airlines in Europe, I can help you. The trip from LAX to Madrid can cost as little as $360)

05/05/2022

Looking for a travel/hiking buddy for a Yellowstone Adventure May 21-28. Reserved three cottages/motels and a rental car out of Bozeman. (Travel buddy had to cancel.)

12/17/2021

08/11/2021

Sunset at the Harbor

07/03/2021

As travel takes off, considerations about planning independent travel vs. using a travel agent/tour company avound. Back in 2001 when I went to Papua New Guinea there was no way to get there without using a tour company. And using a flight consolidator was pretty much the only way to get a reasonably priced flight from the US to Kenya. In 2018 when I wanted to attend the Gerewol festival in Niger, I faced I absolutely had to book a tour simply for my own safety! Nonetheless, the main reason to use a tour operator is for their relationships and the trust they have generated with all their local guides, hotels, etc. In India my girlfriend and I used an agent whose network put us safely in hotels, aircon trains with other women and scheduled reliable people to pick us up from and deliver us to our trains. Travelers who did not align themselves with such networks were often subject to robbery and harm. That being said, today's travel agents do not have the time or energy to plan a low-cost trip for solo travelers. The best they can do (and make some profit) is to sell packages and tours. Costco Travel sells mix and match packages which include open jaw flights, car rentals and select hotels. Other than that if you want to travel deep and cheap, you're pretty much on your own! (I book low-cost travel for my friends, but have faced there is no money to be made in spending hours sorting out Google-maps distances, how long it might take to transit between airline terminals, whether to stay in a city center or in a residential neighborhood and what day-tours are worthwhile.)

06/28/2021

I am organizing a trip to several Greek Islands. Here is the proposed itinerary: Message me if you are interested.
Arrive in Santorini (Air or Ferry)
August 16-20 – Villa Vergina Hotel (4 nights; double occupancy) $250/person
August 16 – Solo Explorations, Beach time, Dinner together
August 17 – Mini Bus tour by Katerina (all day) $60
August18 – Walking Tour on Thirasia Isle (visit three UNESCO villages) $70
August 19 – Volcano of Nea Kameni Island and Hot Springs (3 hours) $25
August 20 – Ferry to Naxos (2 hours) Super Express: 2:15 – 4:05 PM $45
August 20 – 24 Kouros Hotel at Apollonas Beach, (4 nights) $115/person
August 21 – Bus Tour Around Naxos (8 hrs) - $31
August 22 – Walking Tour Around Naxos Old Town (Morning) $33
August 23 – Evening Bus Tour to Mountain Villages (5 hrs) $25
August 24 – Ferry to Paros (35 min.) Santorini Palace: 1PM – 1:35 PM $18
August 24 – 27 Hotel Ivi (3 nights) $90/person
August 24 – Sunset Beach Hike $35
August 25 – Lefkes Village Walking Tour (1 hour) $30 / Cooking Class (5 PM) $78
August 26 – Philosophy Walking Tour $15 - Last Group Dinner
August 27 – End of Tour. Depart by Ferry to Mykonos (1 hour); Athens (3-4 hours)
Paros has an airport, too.
Trip Planning Fee: $150
Total: $1040