“Memory Maker! Pavlus’ Kincaid Talks Travel Tips, France and Scotland

For most of us, travel delivers a special gift – those unforgettable moments and one-of-a-kind experiences that become etched in our memories for a lifetime. For Dianne Kincaid, personal travel planner, Pavlus Travel, Noblesville, IN, it’s all about France, her favorite personal travel destination. And she loves providing travel tips to those heading across the pond.

“To gaze at the Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa, to walk across the beaches of Normandy and to stroll over the actual bridge in Claude Monet’s painting ‘The Water Lilly Pond,’ these are experiences I never could have imagined in my youth,” she emphasizes. “I will absolutely cherish those moments of my travels in France for the rest of my life.”

(Photo of the Normandy beaches is shown above. This is the 80th anniversary year of World War II’s D-Day landings there. Photo by Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.)

What is Kincaid’s second favorite global travel destination? The 10-year Pavlus Travel veteran cites Germany for its “incredible castles and charming small towns,” adding: “It truly felt like stepping into a Disney movie.” She also appreciates “Ireland for its wonderful people and breathtaking landscapes.”

10 Years with Pavlus

Hired by Pavlus Travel in 2014, Kincaid spent a year in guest relations before shifting to her current role as a personal travel planner. She now specializes in working with customers to plan their luxury travel, luxury cruise or expedition cruise vacation.

She’s also built a multifaceted skill set based on more than 25 years of diverse travel industry experience. Early in her career, for instance, she worked at Walt Disney World. She also handled corporate travel for many years and also served as a travel supplier’s reservation agent booking Hawaii vacations.

Also, in a bit different twist, she previously served as a program coordinator and convention event planner for the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America). She planned youth leadership conferences throughout the U.S. In addition, she was part of the team that planned the annual National FFA Convention, attended by 65,000 people.

Today, Kincaid is truly an experienced travel veteran. Brimming with unbridled enthusiasm, she’s also tireless in her efforts to assist Pavlus Travel’s clients. Many of her customers love traveling with Tauck, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises or Viking.

“The service our guests receive from these brands is truly exceptional,” she says. “I love that they strike the perfect balance of luxury or high premium quality without feeling too formal.

Travel Tips – Making it All About the Client

That said, she also emphatically says: “To me, it’s all about the client and what makes their vacation special for them – and matching them with the right vacation product for their travel style, personality and expectations.” She also offers travel tips to help make the vacation special and smooth.

With that in mind, she has become an expert in planning vacations for customers traveling with many different, top travel suppliers. For instance, she now holds certifications as an expert personal travel planner with Tauck, Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Viking, Oceania Cruises, Globus, Princess Cruises and many others.

Her favorite style of travel, which she also recommends to customers, is “mixing different travel experiences.” For example, Kincaid says it’s fun to enjoy a cruise or tour and take in all the exciting activities and adventures, but then also following that up with a few blissful days relaxing on a beach. “It’s all about finding that perfect balance,” she emphasizes.

Travel Tips: Kincaid’s “Wish List”

While fond memories of France linger, Kincaid is also dreaming about several other “bucket list” vacations she’d love to take. Readers might also check these out as a potential vacation experience.

First, she’d like to combine two different Tauck itineraries, the eight-day land tour, “A Week In Scotland,” which starts at $5,990 per person, double occupancy, with an 11-day small ship cruise, “Legendary Scottish Isles, Edinburgh & Glasgow,” starting at $9,990 per person, double occupancy.

What’s special? “I love that by combining these two itineraries, you would experience a very extensive look at Scotland,” says Kincaid. “If you really want to explore Scotland in depth, the land tour takes you inland and the cruise covers the Scottish Isles. Separately, she’d also like to take her grandchildren to Scotland so they can connect with their heritage.

Kincaid’s other top “wish list” itineraries are focused on South America destinations. First, she singles out the 16-day “Exploring the Galapagos + Machu Picchu and Peru’s Land of the Inca” cruise/tour itinerary operated by Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.

At press time, that itinerary started at $12,397 per person, double occupancy. “I have a strong desire to explore the Galapagos Islands,” she explains. “Why? All the unique fauna and flora there truly captivate me.” For instance, travelers might spot blue footed boobies (see photo above).

Off-the-Beaten-Path River Cruising

For another top “wish list” vacation, she mentions something exciting and new for global river cruising. She’d love to set sail on either of AmaWaterways’ new seven-night itineraries on Colombia’s Magdalena River; those start at $3,339 per person, double occupancy.

Her travel tips about these vacation options? While those sailings operate on an unfamiliar river region for many travelers, Kincaid stresses that all departures are with a seasoned global operator. AmaWaterways is also building luxurious new riverboats for the Magdalena River.

“It’s an off-the-beaten-path journey, yet one closer to home than many other global rivers,” Kincaid says. “It’s also a fabulous way to experience incredible wildlife and learn about rich culture within this South American region.”

Travel Tips: Take Time to Relax and Reflect

Kincaid advises her clients to “soak up” the elements of each vacation experience and fully enjoy the activities. But she also advocates taking a bit of time for reflection and just living in the moment.

Once, she was on a cruise ship at sea at night, surrounded by complete tranquility. “I looked up and was absolutely mesmerized by the sky filled with a zillion stars,” she stresses. “There were so many shooting stars that it literally took my breath away.”

Another unforgettable personal experience for Kincaid was swimming at night with giant manta rays, a bit out of her comfort zone, she acknowledges. “Even though I felt a mix of fear and excitement, their serene and graceful movements brought me a sense of peace. It was a beautiful encounter with nature at its finest.”

When she’s not traveling herself or planning dream vacations for her clients, the travel advisor enjoys painting, playing video games, listening to music and hiking. “I’m also an avid reader.”

A Flora Admirer

What else makes Kincaid tick in her career and in life? “I love capturing the beauty of flowers through photography,” she says. She acknowledges that she simply can’t resist snapping shots of gorgeous blooms wherever she is in the world.

“I also have a keen interest in space programs. Of course, on the personal front, “I also cherish the moments I spend with my grandson, and I’m excited to welcome a granddaughter soon,” she says with pride.

In her community, she has volunteered at food banks, Habitat for Humanity and a woman’s shelter. “I’ve also spent a lot of time volunteering as a veterinarian assistant,” she adds.

One last personal factoid? “I love amusement parks (and in my younger years, roller coasters),” she says. So, she’s a good resource for those travelers who are perhaps considering a multigenerational theme park vacation.

But each day as a personal travel planner for Pavlus Travel, “I absolutely love the joy and excitement that comes with every trip I help plan for my clients,” she emphasizes. Some of those trips can be highly complex.

Most recently, she planned a client’s detailed private tour through Australia. One unique feature was that it had a focus on visiting and experiencing adorable quokkas.

But whatever her customer’s desires are for travel, “it brings me so much happiness to know that I play a part in creating unforgettable experiences and helping people transform through travel.”

Top Travel Tips

So, what does this globetrotter suggest to clients heading out across the globe? What advice does she have? Most importantly, “Just go with the flow,” she stresses.

“It’s so important to embrace the unexpected,” Kincaid explains. “There are bound to be changes during your travels. So, embracing them can really enhance your enjoyment of the overall vacation experience.”

She’s also a big fan of laughter. “I’ve had the pleasure of living in various places across the country, and one thing I cherish is a good laugh,” Kincaid adds. “It really is the best medicine and can brighten up just about any day!”

Important Notes from Pavlus Travel