You almost jealously guard your vacations days, watching them pile up until they’ll be able to allow for a worthwhile trip to a destination worthy of your time and money. You’re happy with your life and you’re definitely thankful that you have a job to go to every day, but that doesn’t mean you’re not looking forward to getting away with what could be described as childlike glee. You dream about it at night, and want your vacation to be perfect. Perhaps you should think about focusing your near-obsession on Isle of Palms, the tropical-sounding yet attainable place known for clean, pretty beaches and an all-around good vibe.

Isle of Palms is a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, just a few miles from Charleston and within reach of numerous other vacation magnets. There’s plenty to like about Charleston County, but something about Isle of Palms causes it to stand apart from its surroundings, and will make you glad to have chosen it.

You’d probably be interested to know that Isle of Palms has been designated a Blue Wave Beach for the past several years, meaning that it meets certain environmental standards in the eyes of the Clean Beaches Council. This is good news for anyone with global conscience and an eye for untainted sand, sparkling water, and healthy marine life. Warm but not hot summer temperatures and activities galore will complete the basic scene, so if you’ve yet to formulate a clear idea in your head, let’s get started.

The island is thought to be 25,000 years old, so as you walk around don’t be surprised to pick up on some historical stirrings beneath the surface; the Seewee Indians once called this home, and British explorers and reportedly, pirates, are said to have played a role in shaping the island’s personality. A Revolutionary War battle took place here, and the island was also changed following the Second World War when it became a community for veterans. Following the lead of nearby resort developments, Isle of Palms was soon made into an ideal pleasure land for Charleston weekenders and vacationers from all over the place.

Embrace this experience for all its worth by taking advantage of the isle’s tried and true diversions. Say goodbye to monitoring gas prices and rent a bicycle or a pair of rollerblades, as the island is well set up for pedestrians and fun-seekers. Two world-class golf courses will please the putters in the family, and if you’ve never had the chance to try your tennis game on clay courts, you’ll have the option here. Opportunities abound for staying active, so live it up and effortlessly burn a few calories.

We’ve already covered the fact that the beaches are pristine, but remember that they’re welcoming for other reasons, too. Public areas are safe and equipped for picnicking, playing beach volleyball, building sand castles, swimming, and renting boogie boards. Marinas and rental outlets will keep you supplied with everything you need, so go after what you want and end the day feeling exerted yet filled with life.

Speaking of marinas, fishing contests are common here, so anglers should be sure to bring their game. Keep your eyes peeled for the Island Turtle Team, which watches out for local turtle life and keeps track of hatchings on the beach. Go exploring by kayak or jet ski, taking in the unique barrier island coastal terrain that you’ll see nowhere else. In case you haven’t noticed, your days are going to be pretty full here.

To top everything off, make sure that your nights and your down time will be as appealing as the aforementioned outdoor activities. Do this by renting a vacation property; all your hard working and saving up will pay off big time when you find yourself living with plenty of space, privacy, and amenities. Hot tubs, fireplaces, granite counter tops…the list goes on of typical delightful details found in the array of Isle of Palms SC vacation rentals.

Go online to see for yourself, just don’t neglect this portion of your trip. You’ve been so looking forward to it, after all.

A travel agent career is the dream of many people. Do you have a vision of travelling the world on a discount or even for free, and imparting your knowledge on your customers? Well, whilst being a travel agent can be this glamorous at times, most of the time is spent in the office or store talking to clients and organizing their vacations for them. All agents find this to be a very rewarding position as vacations are a happy time in people’s lives and you are helping to make their dreams a reality. It is however true that many real estate agents receive highly discounted personal travel.

The role of a travel agent is to be able to assess the travel needs of people for both person and business travel. Ideally a travel agent can book an entire trip including flights, transfers, cruises, hotels, entertainment and more. However this is not always the case and some clients only wish for a portion of their travel plans to be arranged by a travel agent. In any case a travel agent must be flexible, knowledgeable and personable when it comes to helping clients in the best possible way.

Most qualified travel agents gain employment with a major or minor travel agency. Less than 15% of qualified travel agents are self employed however this is becoming a more popular option as people’s travel needs change. Niche travel agencies that specialize in a particular type of travel are booming. These can include things like African safaris, eco-friendly travel, bird watching travel, historical travel and many more options. Being seen as an expert in a particular travel niche can bring you more clients than you would receive if you were a ‘jack of all trades’.

To start your travel agent career you must undertake some study. Generally a high school diploma will qualify you to be accepted into a travel agent certificate course. Some travel agents have a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism however this is not necessary, but is an excellent way to boost your career prospects. It is also preferable that a travel agent can speak at least one foreign language and have a very good knowledge of world history and geography. Communication is a skill that is vital for travel agents since you speak to people on a daily basis.

The nice thing about being a travel agent is that it doesn’t require too much education, but is a respected career with a decent salary. So if you want to begin your career right away and not spend years seeking a college degree, becoming a travel agent will allow you to do so. The best type of personality for becoming a travel agent is a people person. You will constantly work with people during your career and how well you communicate and portray yourself and your services will determine how well you do in this career.

A travel agent career is a very exciting one and that brings rich variety to each and every day of your working life.