When clients start planning an international trip, one question comes up almost every
Life is Better Traveling®
Your Premier Pittsburgh Travel Agency
"Connecting Friends and Family through Customized, Stress-Free Vacation Planning."
Our team is passionate about creating experiences that fully immerse you in the food, culture, and fun of your destination. You can trust our first-hand knowledge of destinations around the world. Every recommendation is hand-selected from vetted suppliers and tour guides that our team and our clients have loved over the years.
Experiences are invaluable, and they create the best memories you’ll ever have. That said, we are not the least expensive way to travel, because not every online “deal” is what it appears to be. We have connections with the management of 4-star hotels in Europe, and we only recommend all-inclusive resorts with excellent food. For that reason, we suggest a minimum budget of $4,000 per person for a week in Europe and $1,500 per person for up to a week at an all-inclusive.
We invest real time in planning amazing trips, and we love working with clients who value that expertise and are excited to experience new places. Life is Better Traveling® creates experiences you’ll remember year after year. To learn more, fill out the form below and one of our advisors will be in touch shortly. Thank you for considering us!
Why a Professional Travel Planning Fee?
Our planning fee starts at $150, paid before planning begins. It is not applied toward the cost of your trip. The travel industry has changed significantly over the past decade, and commissions alone no longer cover the time it takes to plan a trip well. The fee lets us give your trip our full attention. Here’s what it gets you:
1. Industry Connections and Troubleshooting Expertise
Our extensive network of contacts with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, and other travel service providers allows us to swiftly and effectively resolve any issues that may arise during your journey, saving you time and frustration.
2. Exclusive Perks and Upgrades
We have access to exclusive perks and upgrades, such as room upgrades, complimentary amenities, spa credits, and priority boarding, which are not available to the general public. These benefits significantly enhance your travel experience.
3. Expertise in Handling Complex Itineraries
Planning a trip with multiple destinations and intricate logistics can be daunting. Our expertise ensures that every aspect of your trip is meticulously planned and tailored to your preferences, allowing you to enjoy a seamless travel experience.
4. Experience and Ongoing Training
We continually update our knowledge through weekly training sessions and attendance at major travel conferences, enabling us to offer you the latest trends and opportunities for unforgettable travel experiences.
5. Exclusive Opportunities and Access
We provide access to unique opportunities and experiences, such as early bookings on new cruise ships and VIP access to events, ensuring your trips are truly memorable.
6. Cost-Effective Planning
By working within your budget, we create itineraries that offer the best quality and value, curating unforgettable journeys tailored to your individual travel style.
In an increasingly digital and do-it-yourself world, the benefits of using a professional travel advisor cannot be overstated. Our industry connections, troubleshooting skills, ability to secure perks and upgrades, expertise in handling complex itineraries, ongoing training, and access to exclusive opportunities all contribute to creating exceptional travel experiences for you.
“You have been a pleasure to work with and we are so impressed with your knowledge, thoroughness, and pleasant professionalism. It gives us much peace of mind that all the details have been taken care of.”
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Customized Vacation Planning
Thousands of clients have enjoyed customized vacation planning with a Life is Better Traveling® travel agent. Each of our agents specializes in a destination or niche to ensure you receive first-hand and in-depth knowledge. Our unique system of travel planning helps each of our clients maximize their time while in destination, and get the most value of their vacation experiences.
Disney Destination Planning
The Life is Better Traveling® Team is honored to be Authorized Disney Vacation Planners through the Disney Earmarked program. Our travel agency’s first-hand knowledge of Disney products has earned us this coveted invitation that only a few select travel agency's in the United States receive. Life is Better Traveling's ongoing focus and commitment to planning customized, magical trips to the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line® and other Disney vacation destinations worldwide is what keeps our clients planning their trips over and over again.
Customized European and Japan Vacation Planning
"Top Selling Travel Agency in the Northeast and Pittsburgh for Customized European Vacations in 2018 & 2019." by Europe Express
Europe is a fascinating continent filled with UNESCO Heritage sites, buildings that seem to be stuck in time, cultures that still embrace their ancestors beliefs and ways, and exotic spices that make your taste buds jump.
People travel to Europe to learn and see what they read about in history books or what they saw on the television. One little spark can make the imagination curious and the next thing you are on plane to a foreign country.
Looking beyond Europe? Japan offers the same blend of ancient history and rich culture, from Kyoto’s centuries-old temples to sacred Mt. Koya, and our founder Mary Yohannan is exploring it in person in December 2026 to plan your trip with first-hand knowledge.
Cruise Planning
Cruising is a great way to see the world. Whether you are cruising on the oceans, rivers, or lakes you endless possibilities of destinations.
Our cruise agents have extensive first-hand knowledge of various cruise lines and destinations. Their commitment in gaining more knowledge through cruise line certifications, and onboard trainings helps them pair the perfect cruise for our clients needs.
All-Inclusive beach planning
Caribbean, Mexico, French Polynesian, South East Asia all have amazing beaches. Relax, unwind, and sip on a nice cool drink while taking in serenity. Our agents have enjoyed hundreds of beaches throughout the world so they can help pair the perfect beach for you.
Benefits of Planning with a Life is Better Traveling® Agent
Personalized travel planning is the NEW way to vacation.
Customization Benefit
We plan a vacation that you want to take, not one that is pre-set for you. See the sites that you want to see and on your time. Customization is the way to see it all!
Travel Preferences Benefit
Travel Preferences are what you prefer when you travel. Whether you want breakfast included each day or concierge class, we provide you with exactly what you are looking for, each and every time you book with us.
Comprehensive Arrangements Benefit
We plan everything for you from airfare, accommodations, transfers to travel insurance. We provide you beautiful travel documents that contain your complete itinerary.
Direct Contact Benefit
We are always just one phone call away. You will immediately get a real person whether you have questions before your vacation or during. We promise you will be satisfied with our “one phone call” guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of trips do you help plan?
Pretty much anything! Our clients' reviews mention everything from Disney and Universal parks to Alaska cruises and land & sea combos, European river cruises, honeymoons in Italy and Japan, multi-generational family trips, bus tours through Ireland and Scotland, all-inclusive getaways in Mexico, and more. Whatever kind of trip you're dreaming up, one of our agents has likely planned something similar.
I've never used a travel agent before — will this be easy for me?
Absolutely. So many of our clients tell us this was their first time working with an agent, and they were surprised how simple it was. As one client put it, "I hate planning, so this was a great option." We handle the details so you don't have to.
How responsive are your agents once planning begins?
Very. Our clients consistently mention getting answers quickly — even outside normal hours, and even while they're already on their trip. Several reviews specifically call out agents answering questions "on the ship" or turning around new options in as little as a day when plans changed.
What happens if my plans change after booking?
Changes are part of the process, and our agents are used to it. One recent review said it best: "We threw everything (including changes) at Mary and she handled them perfectly." Whether it's a shifted travel date or a last-minute request, we adjust with you.
Do you only plan family and theme park trips?
Not at all. While Disney and Universal trips are popular with our team, our agents also specialize in cruises, honeymoons, international tours, girls' trips, milestone celebrations, and more. Many clients come to us for one type of trip and return for something completely different the next time.
Can you plan trips for large groups or multiple families traveling together?
Yes! We regularly coordinate trips for extended families, multi-family vacations, and larger groups, keeping everyone's preferences and budgets in mind while managing all the moving pieces so you can focus on enjoying the trip together.
Will my agent still be available once I've left for my trip?
Yes. Our clients often mention staying in touch with their agent throughout the trip itself, not just during planning. If something comes up while you're traveling, we're just a message away.
Do you accommodate special requests or specific needs?
We do our best to make every trip work for your family. Clients have shared how their agents took extra care with accessibility needs, special occasions, and unique requests — and found creative solutions, like locating a last-minute spa reservation on a Sunday.
Will I feel pressured to book things I'm not sure about?
No — our clients describe our agents as knowledgeable and helpful without being pushy. We're here to offer options and guidance, and the final decisions are always yours.
Can I work with the same agent for future trips?
Of course, and many of our clients do exactly that. Several reviews mention having planned multiple trips with the same agent over the years, building a relationship where the agent already knows their travel style and preferences.
How far in advance do you start planning?
Whenever works for you. We've helped clients plan trips as far as two years out and others who needed something put together quickly. Either way, our agents stay on top of every detail from start to finish.
Do you help with the small stuff too, like documents and packing details?
Yes — our agents take care of the details that are easy to overlook, from printing travel documents to sharing packing and planning tips, so you can travel with confidence.
Have a question we didn't cover? Reach out to our team at Life is Better Traveling — we're happy to help.
awards Highlight
Four Time Magellan Award Winner
Magellan awards represent the BEST in the travel industry. Judged by peers in the industry, Life is Better Traveling repeatedly wins this prestigious award as our peers see the amazing work we are doing.
Trusted by 250+ travelers, with a 4.9-star average on Google
Our clients have spoken with their reviews. Our Life is Better Traveling agents are great at what they do!
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