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Deirdre Shahzad•Autism and Adventures•Online Business Mentor

@deirdreshahzad

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Luxury Travel Agent & Educator | 24 yrs experience | Autism & Accessible Travel Specialist
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If you’re done playing small…
You’ll feel at home here.

I don’t recruit robots. There’s no copy and paste here.
I build confident, capable women who trust themselves again.

You don’t need more motivation.
You need the right room.

Pull up a chair.
Let’s talk about what’s possible for you. by @deirdreshahzad

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9 months ago

Thirsty Tuesday is in full swing!!! by @deirdreshahzad

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3 days ago

What can I say about this weekend!!!! Every year Intele just pull it out of the bag and they surpass themselves, how far can the bar be raised???

You might be wondering what it was all about, this is our annual travel conference where our advisors get to get into the room with suppliers, something I’m very passionate about. I believe in networking and getting face to face with suppliers and hearing directly from them and their expertise and their own updates on what they have to offer our clients.

We had Friday evening to ourselves where myself and 14 colleagues headed to Krakow old town square for a beautiful dinner. One colleague who had been before was explaining where and how the Christmas markets set up and as the evening drew in you could absolutely picture how magical it would be covered in lights and sipping on mulled wine.

Saturday and Sunday we got down to business with main stage and after lunch break out classroom sessions covering everything from business growth, mindet, psychology of sales to indepth tour operator sessions from some of our incredible suppliers.

As with the last few years accessibility was high priority, not only because many of our agents live with disabilities day in day out but as the industry continues to grow and evolve with their accessibility supports, it allows more and more people to experience the world with less and less barriers in their way.

The innovation and supports our IT department has and continue to develop and create is phenomenal! How they have reigned AI to support advisors is mind blowing.

And of course as all my pals in the trade knows, there’s one thing we know how to do in the industry is party and Intele knows how to bring it. Saturday we had a cocktail party at the aviation museum and if that wasn’t enough we rounded off the weekend with a gala and recognition night, where so so many were recognised for their achievements within their businesses.

And of course I cannot begin to applaud my amazing friend and mentee on stepping out of her comfort one and highlighting Organ Donation week and sharing her journey.

Roll on Turkey in 2027!! by @deirdreshahzad

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18 days ago

Yes. This counts as work. 😂⛷️

One of the things I love most about working in travel is that you’re never actually finished learning it. Last nights classroom just happened to be slightly different…

A wonderful evening at the Ski Club of Ireland learning more about the ski market, destinations and the actual experience behind the holidays we sell. That’s something I’ve always been quite passionate about.

Let’s face it, anyone can Google a hotel or read a brochure, you can even look at photographs or You Tube a destination.

But there’s a huge difference between knowing what something costs and understanding the experience you’re recommending to somebody.

Over two decades into this industry and I’m still learning, still asking questions and still finding completely new areas of travel fascinating.

Although I’m not entirely convinced anyone needs to see me actually attempting to ski. 😂

Pizza, a glass of something nice and both feet firmly on the ground? Much more my area of expertise. I’m all for the apré ski and spas🥂

Are you team “best holiday ever” or team “absolutely not, give me a sun lounger”? ⛷️☀️

Of course, a huge thank you to our amazing country manager @annmarie_here_and_there for organising, Club Med for sponsoring and the fountain of endless knowledge, Irelands Ski Queen herself @aileeneglington by @deirdreshahzad

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a month ago

Being a travel agent for 24 years has made me see that value truly outweighs the costs when booking a holiday. Read the 5 things that I refuse to do when booking my own holiday and the reasons why…

I’m not paying to travel somewhere incredible and then saving €40 by staying miles away from everything.

Give me the central location, better amenities and the bed of dreams.

Once you’ve added transport costs and more importantly, the hours spent commuting backwards and forwards that “cheap” hotel often isn’t much of a bargain.

I will nearly always spend more on location and comfort.

“It’s only somewhere to lay your head” is a false narrative, the accommodation is one of the main fundamentals when booking a holiday. The ambience, the tranquil nights sleep, the views, the location and my husband’s personal favourite.. the breakfast all add to that memorable trip.

No two travel insurance policies are the same! This is a hill I will die on any day of the week.

Cheap insurance isn’t automatically bad and expensive insurance isn’t automatically good the policy that actually covers your circumstances and trip is what matters.

Medical limits, cancellation cover, activities, excesses, pre-existing conditions, destinations and exclusions can vary enormously.

And that “free” policy attached to an account? Check it. Don’t assume it covers the holiday you’ve just spent thousands booking. More often than not they have the bare minimum of coverage, unless they’re attached to an account that you are paying high monthly fees for.

Always read what the policy includes as well as the level of cover and excesses.

Similarly, travel insurance needs to be taken out at the time of booking, if you don’t have an annual policy, failure to do this can affect any claim you may need to make.

Another thing to watch, with travel insurance is to ensure your policy is appropriate for the trip you’re taking or the activities you intend to do eg Skiing, make sure Wintersports is covered as this is usually an added extra. If you intend on hiking does your policy cover the altitude you’re trekking?

Unless I’m on a cruise? Absolutely not.

People massively underestimate travel time. Check by @deirdreshahzad

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a month ago

Last night I went back to being the student. I loved it, I actually love learning new things but this is a different level! And it was exciting….

24 years working in travel has taught me a lot, but one thing I never want to become is the person who thinks experience means there’s nothing left to learn. I always say “You don’t know, what you don’t know”.

So I’ve started something new.

I’m stretching myself and stepping a little further outside the lane I’ve occupied for a very long time.

And perhaps this is one of the things I’m enjoying most about my 40s.

I’m far less interested in asking “Am I qualified enough? Is this the right time? What will people think?”

And much more likely to think…Fuck it. Let’s see where this goes. 😂

Experience is valuable. But staying curious might be even more so, another favourite saying of mine is “If you think you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room!”

When was the last time you did something that made you feel like a beginner again? by @deirdreshahzad

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a month ago

This was an absolute winner in this house the other day with clean plates and double helpings all round.

Normally I would cook my carrots in with a casserole but I wanted the beef to be the star of the show so it was just regular roasted carrots for this.

The only thing I’d change is a little bit more gravy as it was devine!!!

Let me know if you make this and how you get on. by @deirdreshahzad

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a month ago

So much fun was had on Friday at the @stellarmagazine awards. Now, if you follow me for a while, you know I’m quite partial to an event night, especially an oul gala/awards night. I love to dress up, drink champagne and have the craic. I’d quite happily turn up to a work event on my own without hesitation because being in the industry for 24 years I know there will always be friends in attendance.

However, Friday wasn’t a travel event and @_joshhsmithh_ and were no longer in Kansas!! I felt so out of place walking into the unknown, we had feck all info on the night other than the initial invite 🤣.

Naturally not knowing who 97% of the people in the room were (Josh knew 2, me and @everywherewegopodcast as they worked together) it was daunting, but, we were sat at a table with the most beautiful women who were so warm and welcoming.

The food at the @anantarathemarkerdublin was devine, I will definitely be back! And if you see Amy Hubberman’s @ah_wines grab at least 2 bottles of the rosé you will thank me.

My favourite princess in all the land. Josh and I worked together in TUI head office in the UK 13 years ago and although we’ve changed jobs since then and I moved back to Ireland we’ve remained such good friends and the universe loves to keep us together in his current role at Princess Cruises.

An absolute gentleman, even more hilarious in real life and knows how to work a crowd. Such a professional too. Although, I did nearly just check myself into an old folks homes when he was telling me how old he was getting at he’s hitting 36!! 😵‍💫😵‍💫

Moral of the story, step outside your comfort zone. Put yourself at tables you don’t know, do things that might scare you as you might just surprise yourself! My only regret of the night, I didn’t get more photos!!! by @deirdreshahzad

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a month ago

I took this picture mid lunar eclipse, the moon was full and visible to the right of these clouds only moments before. But even when its brightness was covered in darkness to the visible eye its brightness still shone.

Sitting here this morning, I couldn’t help thinking how much that feels like life sometimes. I see it all the time, I’ve been there on many occasions myself.

We get bogged down in life lifeing, we allows others to dim our thoughts, dreams and needs. We allows others self doubt to creep in and question what we know. Or we simply suffer burnout in trying to be all the things to all the people.

Then the confidence you once had seems to have disappeared.
When you question your direction, your ability, your purpose… even your own spark.

You look at yourself and wonder, where did she go?

I can tell you, she didn’t go anywhere.

You’re just standing in a season where something has temporarily moved between you and your light.

The moon doesn’t stop shining during an eclipse.
We just temporarily lose sight of it.

Your spark isn’t gone.
Your magic hasn’t disappeared.
Your potential hasn’t suddenly left you.

It might be hidden beneath exhaustion, disappointment, fear, motherhood, responsibility, rejection, comparison or simply a chapter of life that has asked more of you than you expected.

But hidden is not gone.

The clouds move.
The eclipse passes.
And eventually, the light you thought you’d lost reminds you that it was there all along.

So if you’re doubting yourself right now, remember this:

Just because you can’t see your own light in this moment, doesn’t mean you’ve stopped shining. 🌙 by @deirdreshahzad

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2 months ago

What a great night we had on Wednesday! I had the privilege of being invited by one of our trade partners to an incredible evening at @montysofkathmandudublin2 in Temple Bar where we were treated to a cooking demonstration and dinner by the wonderful @lina_montys_restaurant_dublin Now you know me and my cooking so of course I was there with my pen and paper taking all the notes and will be recreating some of the dishes over the weekend, but I can’t wait to revisit Monty’s and take the family, it’s a gem in temple bar and the food was incredible and all so fresh!

Huge thanks to Samir @atts.gsa and Expedia Taap for a great night. taken in Dublin 2 by @deirdreshahzad

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2 months ago

Have you even been on holiday if you haven’t posted any or all of the above???

#holidayspam #travel #familytravel #wdw #universalstudiosflorida by @deirdreshahzad

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2 months ago

Make sure you add @First Watch to your Orlando itinerary. They open for break and lunch only closing around 2pm. Everything was delicious and amazing quality too. The kids meals came with fresh fruit sides. Those little biscuits (scones) were served warm with cream and jam. It was clear plates all round. Shoutout to our server Miguel who was amazing and gave so many tips and advice for during our stay too.

#florida #universal #kissimmee #familytravel #orlando taken in Kissimmee; Orlando, Florida by @deirdreshahzad

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2 months ago