AAA Traveler - Winter 2020 - 25

AGENT SPOTLIGHT

Living The Dream
BY KRISTY TOLLEY

After raising her two children and managing a busy family life, Vicki Balk decided it
was time to pursue a career change. "I thought about what I'd really like to do and
found my dream job," says the AAA Travel Agent in Raleigh, North Carolina. "I've
been a travel agent for three-and-a-half years - all with AAA!"
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I really enjoy meeting people and finding out where they want to travel. I also love
hearing about where they've been. There are so many stories! It's especially nice talking
with people when they return from their trips, too. Their experience is fresh in their
minds, and they get to recall their journey.
WHAT TYPES OF TRIPS DO YOU BOOK THE MOST?

River and ocean cruises are very popular. I also book a lot of Alaska, Ireland and
European tours.
WHAT'S THE MOST MEMORABLE VACATION YOU'VE EVER HAD?

I loved Banff. The scenery was stunning. Probably my most memorable
vacation, though, was my trip to Morocco last year. The riads (guesthouses), the
Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains, a camel ride and the medinas (walled cities) - it
was all so different! Traveling is so valuable for experiencing other cultures and
appreciating how they live, what they wear, where they shop and what they eat.
Now when I travel, I also pay more attention to what my clients will experience.
I notice the airports, transfer options, finding ports if they're going early and
the quality of hotels. As a travel agent I pay more attention to those details than
I did before. It really helps me provide my clients a better experience.
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU'VE FACED AS A TRAVEL AGENT?

It's gotten a lot easier, but initially I wasn't familiar with our various products
and suppliers and how they differ. Because I wanted to give my clients their best trip,
I had some anxiety. Now I know what AAA has to offer! I ask my clients more
questions about their travel style, expectations and must-sees. We often get emails from
suppliers about new offers or options, so I truly do learn something new every day!
WHEN YOU AREN'T AT WORK, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

I enjoy hiking, yoga and (of course) traveling!
WHERE'S YOUR NEXT TRIP?

My next trip is to Petra, Jordan with Club Adventures. It's a short trip prior to a longer
itinerary in Egypt with Insight Vacations. We'll spend a few days exploring the wonders of the
structures carved out of stone. It's incredible to me that it was only just discovered in the
1800s by a Swiss hiker, yet built over 2,700 years ago! The Nabateans built Petra as their
capital and were quite sophisticated. They even had radiant heated floors and thermal baths
carved on top of some of the rocks. In Egypt I look forward to seeing the pyramids and the
Sphinx, as well as the new Egyptian Museum. I'll also cruise the Nile. I'm excited to be able
to see more temples along the banks, as well as watch the fishermen.

Vicki Balk

AAA RALEIGH, N.C.

TRAVELER WINTER 2020

25



AAA Traveler - Winter 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AAA Traveler - Winter 2020

Contents
AAA Traveler - Winter 2020 - Cover1
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AAA Traveler - Winter 2020 - Contents
AAA Traveler - Winter 2020 - 2
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