Fora Advisors (with Fora's Head of Travel Operations, Leslie Overton) on a Mexico FAM trip, 2023
Feeling over this winter slump? Us too. So, as the travel-obsessed hotel junkies we are, we grabbed a few friends and headed south.
And by ‘a few friends,’ we mean the best kind of friends: our Fora Advisors. And by ‘south,’ we mean two of our favorite destinations of the moment: Mexico and Nicaragua.
These getaways were the first of this year’s Fora FAM trips, a special travel industry perk offered to Fora Advisors. These small-group FAM trips, or “familiarization trips,” give advisors a chance to experience a destination firsthand, often free of charge or at reduced travel agent rates. By sampling the product — staying at the hotel, exploring the location, networking with partners, meeting with the General Manager, testing various tour operators — they can level-up their expertise and plan amazing trips, complete with personally vetted travel experiences, for their clients. Interested in learning more? Check out Everything You Need to Know About Fora FAM Trips.
Read on to learn more about Fora’s recent FAMs, and how you can get on board. And if you want to travel to Mexico or Nicaragua sooner rather than later, connect with Fora to plan and book your getaway today.
FAM trip #1: Soaking up the energy of Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende
Fora Advisors (with Fora's Head of Travel Operations, Leslie Overton) on a Mexico FAM trip, 2023
Advisors first headed to one of our favorite metropoles in the Western Hemisphere: Mexico City. They explored Zócalo and Coyoacán, visited Frida Kahlo’s home and of course toured several hotels (these hotel visits, which give travel advisors first-hand experience of a property, are referred to as “site inspections”). Celebratory lunches and cocktails ensued. And for two nights, the modern Sofitel Mexico City Reforma served as their urban-chic home. Here, guests can take in panoramic views from the pool on the 38th floor (see more of the best hotel swimming pools), enjoy an expertly-crafted meal at the rooftop restaurant and stroll to many of the city's best attractions.
Fora Perks at Sofitel Mexico City Reforma:
$100 food / beverage credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Image courtesy of Sofitel Mexico City Reforma
Next stop: San Miguel de Allende, a charming city (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) in the Mexican highlands. Advisors participated in more site inspections, urban exploration and delicious meals before settling into Our Habitas San Miguel de Allende, a magical countryside retreat offering numerous on-site activities including yoga, sound baths, farm-to-table dining and numerous other experiences designed to immerse guests in the local culture and environment.
Fora Perks at Our Habitas San Miguel de Allende:
Welcome amenity.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
FAM trip #2: Relaxation & adventure in Nicaragua
Image courtesy of Rancho Santana
In Nicaragua, the nine-casita Jicaro Island Lodge hosted our advisors for the first two nights. This blissfully private escape sits on Granada Isletas, an island on Lake Nicaragua. From there they toured Granada proper, a Spanish colonial city (the oldest such city in North America) on the lake’s shore, and hiked a nearby volcano. We worked with Vaupes Tours, which excels at organizing and facilitating experiences that celebrate the gorgeous natural surroundings, as well as the culturally-rich environs.
Image courtesy of Rancho Santana
Then, the team headed to Nicaragua's idyllic Emerald Coast for the final three nights, where the luxurious Rancho Santana awaited. This sprawling resort amidst 2,700 acres of secluded beachfront jungle is the ideal place for complete relaxation and active adventure. Surf, sandboard, birdwatch, scout for monkeys, indulge in farm-to-table cuisine, relax at the spa… Here is a place suited for numerous vacation styles. (And check out more of the world's best adventure resorts.)
Join Fora’s community of travel professionals
Fora Advisors (with Fora's Head of Travel Operations, Leslie Overton) on a Mexico FAM trip, 2023
Curious about how to get on the next Fora FAM? (Also check our recent FAM on one of Virgin Voyages' adults-only cruise ships.) The first step is to join Fora. After you complete the first two levels of our training model, you can eventually join our Pro advisors, those who have hit certain booking milestones and are looking to make travel advising a full-time career. Only Pro advisors get invited on our special FAM trips.
Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, which hosted a site inspection on the FAM
And as if you needed more incentives apart from the potential to join FAM trips, our modern, tech-enabled travel agency equips you with the community, tools, technology and expertise to help you build your dream travel business — and become a world-class seller of travel. In the meantime, please feel free to check out our resources on how to become a travel agent, and sign up to become an advisor today.
Connect with Fora to plan and book your getaway today.