Travel With LARRY
Welcome
Hi, I'm Larry Wedgewood, your personal travel advisor, and this is my wife Joanne.
A little about me
I’ve spent my life helping people step into new experiences with confidence, clarity, and care. Through decades of travel across more than 35 countries — and a career built around teaching, guiding, and supporting others — I’ve learned that the best trips aren’t just well planned, they’re thoughtfully shaped around the people taking them.
My role and goal are simple: To make travel feel easier, more personal, and more rewarding from the very first conversation. If you value experience over hype, clear guidance over pressure, and trips that leave you with real memories instead of checklists, you’re in the right place.
My Travel Philosophy
Travel doesn’t belong in the “someday” category, because someday isn’t guaranteed — experiences are meant to be lived, not postponed or left to chance. I believe travel should meet people where they are, whether that’s a weekend escape, a long-planned adventure, or a simple change of scenery. It’s not about how far you go or how often you travel, but about being present, curious, and open to moments that stay with you long after you return home.
Why work with a Personal Travel Advisor?
As a Personal Travel Advisor partnered with Flora Travel, I’m backed by a modern, forward‑thinking agency that provides access to trusted partners, added amenities, and industry‑level support — while you still work directly with me with personalized attention and care from start to finish.
Working with a travel advisor is about more than booking flights and hotels — it’s about having someone who understands how you want your trip to feel. Your itinerary is shaped around your pace, interests, and priorities, not a generic template.
A good advisor brings real experience and industry access: preferred hotel relationships, potential perks, and insight you won’t get from search engines. It also saves you hours of research and second‑guessing.
And when plans change — flights, weather, schedules — you’re not handling it alone. You have a professional advocating for you and keeping things on track.
In short, you get better experiences, less stress, and support from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost extra to use a travel advisor?
In most cases, there’s no added cost to you. Travel advisors are typically compensated by travel partners, not by charging clients extra. My role is to help you plan thoughtfully, avoid costly mistakes, and travel with confidence — without paying more than you would booking on your own.
Are you independent or part of an agency?
Think of a travel advisor like a real estate agent for your trips. Like a real estate agent, I’m an independent travel advisor who represents your interests, supported by Fora Travel — a respected agency with a network of professional advisors with access to vetted suppliers, exclusive perks, and industry-standard protections. That means you get personal, one-on-one guidance for your trip, backed by a trusted organization with experience and resources behind the scenes.
Why can't I book through my credit card portal - I get perks.
That's great that you're maximizing your credit card benefits! Here's what many travelers don't realize: when you book through me, you'll actually be prioritized for those same perks.
Ask yourself - how many times have you actually been upgraded when booking through your credit card portal? Most people never have been. Here's why booking with me is different:
Hotels review their weekly arrivals and decide upgrades based on a hierarchy. Guests booking through preferred travel advisors like me are at the top of that list - meaning you have the highest likelihood of getting that room upgrade.
Plus, you still earn your loyalty points when I book for you, and if anything goes wrong, you won't be stuck on hold with a call center. I work directly with hotel managers to resolve issues while you enjoy your vacation.
Why can't I book online and save money?
I understand wanting to save money! Here's what most people don't realize about those sites:
You're actually not saving money - you're missing out on value. When you book through consumer sites like Booking.com, those bookings aren't prioritized by the hotels for upgrades, perks, or special treatment.
You lose preferred partner benefits - When I book for you, you get access to exclusive perks like room upgrades, breakfast, resort credits, and late checkout that aren't available on consumer booking sites. These benefits often exceed any small savings you might find online.
Hidden costs add up - Those "cheaper" rates often don't include taxes, resort fees, or have strict cancellation policies. Plus, if something goes wrong, you're stuck dealing with a call center instead of having me advocate for you directly with the hotel.
The real question is: would you rather save $20 and get a basic room, or get the same rate with potential upgrades, perks worth hundreds of dollars, and personalized service when issues arise?
Can you help with only part of the trip, but not everything?
Absolutely! I'm flexible and can work with whatever level of support you need. Many clients prefer this approach - maybe you want to handle flights yourself but need help with hotels and activities, or you've already booked accommodation but want expert guidance on tours and experiences.
Here's what's great about working together on just part of your trip: you still get my expertise and preferred partner relationships for the components I handle, which means better rates, upgrades, and support when you need it. Plus, I can coordinate everything seamlessly so even though we're splitting responsibilities, your trip still flows perfectly.
How far in advance should I start planning?
It depends on your destination and trip type! Here's what I typically recommend:
For most trips, 6-9 months in advance gives you the best selection and rates. However, post-COVID, many travelers are booking just 2-3 months out and still finding great options.
For high-demand experiences: Book as early as possible - some luxury lodges and safaris take bookings 12-18 months out. Think African safari, exclusive resorts, or special events like Oktoberfest.
For Europe trains: Long-distance routes (Florence to Rome) should be booked 90-180 days ahead for the best seat selection.
For popular destinations: Places like Chile's luxury lodges or Amalfi Coast hotels book up fast - earlier is definitely better.
The sweet spot is usually 6 months out - you get good availability without your plans feeling too far away. But don't worry if you're planning last-minute - I can often work magic even with shorter timelines!
Do you only plan luxury trips?
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Do you plan group trips or solo travel?
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Do you plan adventure or dive travel?
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How do I get started booking my vacation?
It starts with a conversation. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just tell me where you’re thinking of going, what kind of experience you want, and what matters most to you—pace, comfort, adventure, budget, or all of it.
I’ll help you sort through the options, share what I’ve learned from years of traveling, and we’ll build a trip that actually fits you.
When you’re ready, I’ll handle the planning and booking details so you can focus on the fun part: looking forward to the journey.
My Personal Travel Tips
Here are some travel tips I’ve used over the decades that have consistently helped create smoother, more meaningful travel experiences. I hope you find them useful.
Plan your pace before you plan your route
Decide how busy you want your days to feel, then build the trip around that. A realistic pace makes travel more enjoyable and leaves room for rest, spontaneity, and unexpected moments.
Stay longer in fewer places
Traveling less often between locations reduces stress and increases connection. Extra nights in one place give you time to settle in, notice details, and experience destinations beyond the highlights.
Book key logistics early, keep the rest flexible
Secure the essentials — flights, accommodations, major transfers — then leave space for decisions made on the ground. This approach reduces pressure while still keeping the trip organized.
Plan for transitions, not just activities
Arrival days, departure days, and travel days are part of the trip. Treat them as such by avoiding tight schedules and allowing recovery time, especially when crossing time zones.
Travel with curiosity, not comparison
Social media shows highlights, not reality. The best trips happen when you stay present, follow your interests, and let moments unfold naturally instead of chasing someone else’s version of a perfect trip.
Travel with awareness, not fear
Take a few minutes to learn local norms, common scams, and how people move around day to day. Keep your phone charged, know how you’ll get back to your accommodation, and stay aware of your surroundings — most issues are avoided by paying attention and trusting your instincts.
More about me
At the core, I’m a people person who believes relationships matter more than titles. Over the years, that’s shown up in different ways — as a scuba instructor focused on calm, confident learning, a business coach who values practical thinking over hype, a baseball umpire who respects fairness and accountability, and a storyteller who enjoys connecting dots between people, places, and experiences.
I’ve lived and worked in Canada, New Jersey, Switzerland, Thailand, and Japan, and each place has shaped how I see the world and the people in it. (and visited many more)
I grew up on a small farm on the Saanich Peninsula, just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. Farm life taught me early lessons that still guide me today: hard work matters, your word means something, show up when you say you will, and earn trust the long way — by being consistent. It also taught me to respect a hard-earned dollar and never take an opportunity for granted. Those values have traveled well, whether I’m teaching, coaching, calling a game, or simply sharing a story over coffee.
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India Trip
Korea Trip
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