Columbus Travel
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Why Columbus Travel?

History

Founded in the early 1950’s, Columbus Travel is one of the oldest travel agencies in the country. Columbus Travel’s current owners, Ramona and Michael Holbrook, purchased Columbus Travel in 2008 and merged it with their travel agency, Preferred Vacations & Cruises which they founded in 1994. Although they merged Columbus Travel with Preferred Vacations & Cruises, they kept the name, Columbus Travel, because of its long history and name recognition in the community.​

Columbus Travel operated out of offices in downtown Columbus for many years until moving to the north side of town in 2008 and to our current location on Veteran’s Parkway in 2010. 

Columbus Travel is a proud member of Virtuoso®, a network of the world’s finest travel agencies and luxury travel suppliers. Virtuoso is an invitation only organization through which member travel agencies and their travel advisors have access to exclusive amenities, special offers and unique experiences. The Virtuoso difference provides our Travel Advisors with the ability to offer their clients travel opportunities that they couldn’t get on their own, making the vacation special and memorable. Columbus Travel Avisors use Virtuoso's global connections to plan the most amazing experiences, from weekend getaways to dream vacations.

A Philosophy of Caring

Columbus Travel Advisors demonstrate a genuine concern for our clients’ vacation experiences.
We believe that when our clients choose to travel, they are not merely spending money, but also their free time. We like to spend time with our families too, and we realize that if a client does not enjoy their vacation, they have not only wasted their money but their precious time as well. That is why our professional Travel Advisors take the extra time necessary to understand exactly what their clients want and then assist in matching them to a vacation experience that will meet or exceed their expectations.

Columbus Travel Value

A Columbus Travel Advisor can elevate every trip. We know how to get the best value for your time and money, and, thanks to our global connections, we can VIP you at hotels, on cruise lines, on tours, and more. With a portfolio of over 1200 top hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and more, Columbus Travel represents the best of the best in travel.
Professional Experience
Columbus Travel Advisors are the most experienced and knowledgeable in the area. With an average of over 17 years of travel planning experience, they have turned vacation dreams into reality for thousands of clients. They know how to sew up the details of even the most complex itineraries, and, most importantly, will guide you through all those details and help you avoid any pitfalls while traveling.
We Take It from Ordinary to Extraordinary
A Columbus Travel Advisor can secure special benefits that you can’t get on your own, such as complimentary breakfast, spa credits, and upgrades at hotels. But we also see the nuances in every trip. From big-picture aspects (where to go – and when) to the details that matter (booking the hotel room with the best view, where to get the most authentic pizza on the Amalfi Coast, etc.), your Columbus Travel advisor knows how to plan a memorable trip.
We Know The World
Just as you might use a financial planner or an interior designer, it makes sense to entrust your most valuable asset – your time – to a knowledgeable Columbus Travel Advisor. We spend a lot of time traveling ourselves – scouting out hotels, sailing on the newest cruise ships, deepening relationships with tour companies, and finding the best restaurants and excursions.
We Know Your Travel Style
A Columbus Travel Advisor understands what’s most important to you and your traveling companions. You may want to take a cooking class or a private tour, or you just may want to lounge at the resort pool! Perhaps you want to use travel to educate your kids, plan an unforgettable anniversary trip, or celebrate a milestone birthday with friends and family. Your Columbus Travel Advisor will have plenty of suggestions on what might work best for you
We Expand Your Horizons
We recognize that many clients like to do some of their own research and a Columbus Travel Advisor can easily collaborate with you to make your travel dreams come true. We will help you think creatively about where to go and what to do. While Italy, France, and Hawaii will always be popular, other destinations can provide memorable experiences too. Your Columbus Travel Advisor knows the best ways to see Chile, Portugal, New Zealand, and many other hot destinations – plus new ways to experience the places you’ve already visited. Together, we can plan your next dream vacation or weekend getaway.
Pricing
Our pricing for cruises, hotels, resorts, and tours will be the same or sometimes even less than you could get by booking direct with the cruise line, hotel, resort or tour company. Moreover, we have access to unpublished airfares and other special pricing and amenities that often provide our clients with significant savings. 

While there are instances where we charge a small planning fee for a custom or complex itinerary or a small ticketing fee for airline tickets or rail tickets, you can rest assured that the value provided by a Columbus Travel Advisor will far exceed any applicable fee.
Knowledge And Advocacy
From the time of your deposit through the time you return from your trip, your Columbus Travel Advisor will be there to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. We will sew up the details of your trip, and make sure your travel documents are complete. Moreover, should any issue pop up on your journey we are here to assist so you can get back to enjoying your vacation. As the old saying goes – without a travel advisor, you are on your own.
Follow-Up
Columbus Travel Advisors stand behind their recommendations, are genuinely interested in your vacation experiences, and we want to hear all about them when you return home. It is this client feedback that helps us provide the best possible advice to all our clients.
​We invite you to call or stop by our offices and see how Columbus Travel can turn an ordinary vacation into something quite extraordinary!
Why use a travel advisor?
When choosing to enlist the help of a travel advisor, you're choosing to value your time and sanity. You travel advisor will save you money by providing the best pricing and options for you vacation, and you'll save time on searching the internet for the best deal. With their extensive product knowledge, your advisor will also be available to answer any questions you have and advocate for you should any issues arise. 
what are the benefits of using a travel advisor?
  1. Save time
  2. Save money
  3. Get a tailor vacation to fit you and your family's needs
  4. Have an advocate that can help resolve problems with vendors
  5. Get expert advice from an advisor that has extensive knowledge of the travel industry and your destination
does it cost more to use a travel advisor?
There is a small fee attached to some services, but, overall, it does not cost more to use an advisor. The cost of your trip will not be inflated because you are using an advisor. If anything, you will receive more value for your money when booking with an advisor. 

See the Value

Booking Direct with Waldorf Astoria - Atlanta
5 Nights
Junior Suite Balcony King Room
$3,565.90
Booking with a Columbus Travel Advisor
5 Nights
Junior Suite Balcony King Room
$ 2,385.71
No Extra Hotel Credit
$100 Hotel credit
No ​Early Check-In / Late Check-Out
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
No Room Upgrade
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Breakfast Available for Purchase ($20+ per person/per day)
Daily Breakfast for up to two guests per room
Flat Rate of $3,565.90
No Additional Hotel Credit
No Room Upgrade
Breakfast is an Additional Charge
$0 of Added Value
Columbus Travel Value:
Save $1,180.19 on room rate*
Addition $100 Credit
Upgraded Room
Breakfast: Value of $200 or more)
Value of: $1,300 or more!
*Sample savings based on rates obtained on October 31, 2023 for a stay starting January 1-6, 2024.
Booking Direct with Seabourn
Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia
February 3, 2024 - February 17, 2024

$7,999 per person
Veranda Suite
​Booking with a Columbus Travel Advisor
Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia
February 3, 2024 - February 17, 2024

$7,999 per person
Veranda Suite
No Complimentary Excursions 
​No Shipboard Credit
Your choice of the following:
Complimentary 6 Hour tour of Ho Chi Minh City
or
$200/person Experience Credit
or
$175/person Shipboard Credit 
Insurance through Seabourn: $720 per person
Insurance through Columbus Travel: $600 per person
Seabourn Cost:
$15,998 total cruise fare
$1,440 per couple for insurance
No added amenities
Total Trip Cost: $17,438
Columbus Travel Value:
$15,998 total cruise fare
$1,200 per couple for insurance
Total Trip Cost: $17,438
Complimentary Shore Excursion
or 
Added Amenity
Total Trip Cost: $17,198
Added Value of $500 or more in savings!*
​*Sample savings based on rates obtained on October 31, 2023.

Meet Our Travel Partners

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Columbus Travel
Columbus Travel
6002 Veterans Parkway, Suite A
(706) 323-6471
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Monday- 9:00AM-5:00PM
Tuesday- 9:00AM-5:00PM
Wednesday- 9:00AM-5:00PM
Thursday- 9:00AM-5:00PM
​Friday- 9:00AM-5:00PM

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  • Home
  • About
  • Meet the Team
  • Inspirational Itineraries
  • Plan Your Trip
    • Contact Us
    • Virtuoso Advantage
    • Cruises
    • Tours
    • Virtuoso Hotels, Resorts & Lodges
  • Blog
  • Join Our Team