Sponsored by Tiffany Ellis Travel

If you ask most people what a travel agent does, they will probably picture someone booking flights to Bali or plotting a bucket-list trip to Italy. But according to Tiffany Ellis, Founder and Lead Travel Designer of Tiffany Ellis Travel, that image only tells half the story.

“A lot of people that contact me think that I only plan big bucket list trips,” Ellis says. “Sometimes the best travel discovery is closer to home than we realize.”

Her boutique agency handles everything from milestone celebrations to weekend getaways just a short drive from home. Ellis says partnering with an experienced travel advisor can take your staycation to the next level by tailoring experiences to your unique preference. Here are her five keys for turning a weekend close to home into a lifelong memory:

1. Think beyond the hotel room.

A staycation should feel like more than a simple change of scenery. Going small on transportation allows you to go big on luxury. Think: honeymoon suite, spa treatments, sunset on a chartered sailboat

“The goal is to make it feel like a destination,” she says, “even if you’re just going 30 minutes or an hour away.”

2. Build a simple, balanced itinerary.

Ellis warns against packing a staycation so full of activities that you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. Experienced travel advisors are trained to help you find the sweet spot between downtime and shared experiences based on your travel style.

“It doesn’t have to be a packed schedule to feel like you’ve gotten away,” Ellis says. “Create enough shared experiences to make memories, while leaving enough room to relax and enjoy the moment.”

3. Discover the destination you think you already know.

Rather than always seeking someplace new, Ellis encourages clients to revisit familiar places with new eyes. That is especially worthwhile in a state as culturally rich as Louisiana, where local food traditions, natural beauty and off-the-beaten-path retail treasures offer boundless potential for unexpected delights.

“It could be these hidden gems that you may have never considered, just to give you a completely different perspective,” she says. “Get out and see what’s local.”

4. Make it personal.

Some of the most memorable trips Ellis plans are built around the “why” rather than the “where.”

“My initial call with a client is to find out the real reason behind the trip, so that I can build the experience around the people traveling,” she says.

5. Let someone else sweat the details.

Sometimes, the ultimate escape is just letting a professional handle the planning. Ellis researches properties, secures the right room, makes reservations and arranges special touches so clients can hit the road without a worry.

“When you check in, you can check out,” she says. “You don’t have to worry about any of the details.”

In the end, a successful vacation isn’t measured in miles, but in how thoughtfully it was designed around the people taking it.

“These little special touches that you won’t get from an online booking tool can make a world of difference,” she says. “It may be as simple as a welcome amenity when you walk into your room. It’s the thoughtful experience that’s designed to make it yours.”

Want to explore ways to elevate your next staycation? Connect with Tiffany at tiffanyellistravel.com.