MEDIA POST DIGITAL MAGAZINE
December 5, 2023
Trend Watch: Pucker Up For Pickleball-Themed Venues
"Communications executive Marcia Simon, who also runs Friendly Group Travel, only began playing pickleball a year ago, but now plans pickleball-themed resort vacations."
www.mediapost.com/publications/article/391636/trend-watch-pucker-up-for-pickleball-themed-venue.html?edition=132553
December 5, 2023
Trend Watch: Pucker Up For Pickleball-Themed Venues
"Communications executive Marcia Simon, who also runs Friendly Group Travel, only began playing pickleball a year ago, but now plans pickleball-themed resort vacations."
www.mediapost.com/publications/article/391636/trend-watch-pucker-up-for-pickleball-themed-venue.html?edition=132553
TRAVEL WEEKLY
April 12, 2023
How Travel Advisors Are Selling Front-of-Cabin and Business Class Air Travel
"To attract — and keep — luxury clients, it's all about customer service. It requires more work at times, but if these clients have a good experience, they tend to be very loyal, and they refer their friends and families. It's worth the extra time," says Marcia Simon, owner/travel advisor at Friendly Group Travel in Westbrook, Connecticut.
https://www.travelweekly.com/Strategic-Content/Air-Canada-first-class-air-travel
April 12, 2023
How Travel Advisors Are Selling Front-of-Cabin and Business Class Air Travel
"To attract — and keep — luxury clients, it's all about customer service. It requires more work at times, but if these clients have a good experience, they tend to be very loyal, and they refer their friends and families. It's worth the extra time," says Marcia Simon, owner/travel advisor at Friendly Group Travel in Westbrook, Connecticut.
https://www.travelweekly.com/Strategic-Content/Air-Canada-first-class-air-travel
AUTHORITY MAGAZINE
October 15, 2022
Remote Work: Marcia Simon of Friendly Group Travel on How To Successfully Navigate the Opportunities and Challenges of Working Remotely
https://medium.com/authority-magazine/remote-work-marcia-simon-of-friendly-group-travel-on-how-to-successfully-navigate-the-f0863b5a24a6
October 15, 2022
Remote Work: Marcia Simon of Friendly Group Travel on How To Successfully Navigate the Opportunities and Challenges of Working Remotely
https://medium.com/authority-magazine/remote-work-marcia-simon-of-friendly-group-travel-on-how-to-successfully-navigate-the-f0863b5a24a6
WELLNESS AND WANDERLUST PODCAST
November 18, 2021
https://wellnessandwanderlust.net/2021/11/18/ep-60-embracing-spontaneity-in-our-travels-with-marcia-simon/?fbclid=IwAR1HLEpPtWkabs6DQgJzGnd2v0w1pSgqKcbfsisemxx6UWxxEaGKbPLLpis
Marcia talks about her month-long road trip across America during the Summer of 2021 – visiting national parks and making no advanced hotel reservations. Get inspiration to rediscover the joys of spontaneous living and the beauty of spending quality time with your kids.
THE E LIST
March 29, 2021
5 Family Travel Ideas to Celebrate a Graduation
What’s lovely about Marcia’s services is that she’ll create an itinerary and make all the plans, leaving you free to enjoy your vacation.
She’s full of great ideas (and contacts) and can put together your dream journey.
https://the-e-list.com/5-family-travel-ideas-to-celebrate-a-graduation/?fbclid=IwAR2sZmR_c9wLGqbNaNfZ5oF8G3e7EQd1ScFRqpZKniXjHLguqzGn5FcKdCg
THE WASHINGTON POST
January 27, 2021
How to find a travel adviser amid the pandemic
by Christopher Elliott
Pay attention to the details: If you reach out to a travel adviser and get a lot of questions, that’s a positive sign. “Does the adviser take time to learn your preferences and ask about any physical limitations you may have that can affect your pace or ability to keep up with a group?” asks Marcia Simon, an adviser with Friendly Group Travel in Westbrook, Conn. Look for a lot of detailed health questions. Your new adviser may also charge a new-client fee of $100 or $200. Simon says that’s a sign the agent is serious about researching your travel profile.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/travel-adviser-agent-pandemic/2021/01/27/4e51cf58-5f55-11eb-9430-e7c77b5b0297_story.html
TRAVEL WEEKLY
August 5, 2019
Italy For a New Generation
“The cuisine in the northern and southern parts of the country are different,” says Marcia Simon, principal/owner of Friendly Group Travel. “So are the wine, olive oil, capers, Limoncello, parmesan, pine nuts, pesto, prosciutto, pizza, pasta and seafood. Especially when you get out of the cities, restaurants serve local food, so it’s farm-to-table without trying to be hip about it. Plus, local wines are served in carafes and are not just house wines; they’re delicious.”
Simon adds that because agriturismos (farm stays) are big in Italy, food-minded travelers can even stay on working farms where they can get to know the families running them and eat homegrown meals at low costs. Simon’s clients are asking about unique destinations like the Sassi di Matera cave dwellings, a UNESCO World Heritage site that still feels like a well-kept secret, as well as Cinque Terre National Park, which she says is gaining popularity due to its ocean-view hiking trails. She adds that Lake Garda is “less commercial and often less busy” than iconic Lake Como, and she’s also noticing interest in bicycle tours on the coastline of Puglia.
https://www.travelweekly.com/Strategic-Content/Italy-Generation
