Home schooling mom opens travel agency

WILLIAMSBURG — Lindsey Carey loves to research travel destinations, even when she’s not going herself.

That’s how Exhilarating Getaways Travel was born. Carey makes travel plans for others from her Williamsburg home.

“I grew up in northeast Iowa,” said Carey in a recent interview. She attended school in Monona and graduated from MFL High School

Carey graduated from the University of Iowa with degree in psychology and a graduate degree in physical therapy.

Carey and her husband lived in Solon for 13 years. Four years ago they moved to Williamsburg to escape Johnson County’s high property tax, Carey said.

Carey’s husband is from Sigourney, and the move to Williamsburg got them closer to his family.

Carey was a physical therapist for 10 years, then worked for her church. She started home schooling her children the fall before COVID arrived, and tutored students in China virtually.

When COVID restrictions were relaxed, Carey’s hours with her virtual students fell drastically, so she started looking for another way to earn money from home.

“I’ve always loved to travel,” said Carey. She enjoys meeting people of different cultures.

Carey also loves the research aspect of planning trips. She thought that was something she could enjoy doing for a very long time.

Carey found the travel agency position online and started the process of learning the business. She’s been a travel agent for three years.

“I have switched host companies,” said Carey, but that doesn’t affect her clients. It only changes whose credentials she uses and the quality of the help she receives.

“I’m my own business, but I’m an independent contractor,“ said Carey. She’s trained by the company she contracts with and uses its resources.

Clients can call Carey or visit her website, exhilaratinggetawaystravel.com, to schedule a 30-minute consultation.

The initial consultation will take place via Zoom, giving the client a face-to-face meeting with Carey. “[It’s a] chance to see if we’re a good fit,” she said.

“My services are personalized,” said Carey. She’s not just a booking agent.

The clients talk about what they want, said Carey, and she’ll find the little details that can make a big difference.

Following the consultation, Carey sends email to recap the meeting. After that, the clients can hire her, discuss options or bow out.

Carey has five children from the ages of 7 to 16, so she hasn’t traveled much lately, she said. But she used to travel often.

Carey studied abroad in Australia for six months and has vacationed in Ireland and Jamaica.

“We’re going to Hawaii next month,” said Carey. “We” means she and her husband. The children won’t make this trip.

Carey has planned a lot of trips to Europe for clients this year, she said. It’s on her bucket list as well.

“I do a lot of all-inclusive, which is what I love to do.” She’s planned cruises and has had requests for trips to South America, Maldives and Iceland.

“I do a lot of spring break trips for families,” Carey said. In January and February she has requests from couples who want to travel to warm places.

Carey checks out resorts, hotels, locations and amenities. She gathers passport and visa information and entry documentation.

“And I’ll make sure they’ll get the appropriate links,” said Carey. Many websites are scams, charging for services that are free.

Carey creates a document for travelers providing information about the customs of the areas they’ll be visiting, information about tipping and things to look for in customs and immigration.

“It saves them the time having to do the research,” said Carey.

Some people enjoy the research, Carey admitted, but if they don’t, hiring a travel agent can free up time that clients can use for something else.

Carey is available to her clients 24/7 while they’re traveling. If a problem crops up, they can continue to enjoy their vacations while Carey solves the problem.

“They don’t have to spend the time on the phone,” Cary said.

“I know how busy people are,” Carey said. “I’m going to save them time. Time is something they’re not going to get back.”

Visit exhilaratinggetawaystravel.com to schedule a consultation or text 319-400-2484.