Meet Ed Postal of laguna woods

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Postal.

Hi ed, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Back in 1991, a friend of mine who worked in corporate sales told me she had just hit $1 million in sales—but wasn’t happy where she was. I told her, “I’ll start an agency.”

I knew absolutely nothing about the business, but with a bit of research and determination, I launched a company from scratch—with a manager and six agents. My friend had a non-compete clause, so she couldn’t bring any clients over, but surprisingly, the business took off and grew successfully.

A few years later, I decided to sell the agency to focus on my rare bookstore and do some travel planning part-time. Over time, the bookstore world changed—as did the travel industry—so in 2016, I closed the store and returned full-time to my passion for travel advising.

In 2019, I was honored to be named one of Signature Travel Network’s Travel Expert Select Advisors for Italy, and since 2022, I’ve been recognized every year as one of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine’s Top Travel Specialists.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning my own agency taught me a lot about travel—and even more about people. I quickly realized that not everyone in business operates with integrity.

One incident stands out vividly. A woman came to me wanting to book airline tickets to Tonga and asked to do it through my agency. Being a bit naïve at the time, I agreed. She often came in at night to process the bookings, and I didn’t think much of it—until the end of the month, when I noticed $10,000 missing from the accounts.

It turned out she was collecting payments in cash and keeping the money for herself. I immediately called the authorities, and she was charged with embezzlement. Thankfully, I was eventually reimbursed through restitution—but it was a tough lesson in trust and oversight.

Not long after, another incident made me realize it was time to move on. One evening, I received a call from American Airlines. They had a man at the counter trying to cash in two handwritten first-class tickets to Paris—on my agency’s ticket stock. I was shocked to learn it was actually the person who had wanted to buy my agency! He had stolen the ticket stock to use as a “down payment” toward purchasing the business.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve never been one to do the ordinary or mundane—and that philosophy carries through to the way I design travel. My goal is always to wow my clients, crafting unique journeys that take them to remarkable places they may never have heard of but will never forget.

I specialize in Europe, especially Italy. While most travelers dream of Rome, Venice, and Florence, I love sending clients to places like Matera, Puglia, and Umbria—regions full of character, history, and soul.

I also believe that where you stay shapes your entire experience. I can’t imagine traveling all the way to Europe only to stay in a big chain hotel. Instead, I recommend 5-star boutique properties that offer incredible charm, authentic hospitality, and often cost a fraction of what major chains charge.

Another key part of my approach is helping clients understand how to travel smarter. Many people underestimate travel times or overpack their itineraries. I encourage them to slow down—spend more time in one place, take day trips, and truly savor each destination. The result? Less stress, deeper connections, and far more memorable journeys.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
As more and more places are being overrun by tourists, the smaller out of the way places will become more inviting to these who want a more authenic experience

Pricing:

• When you get home from a trip you don’t intend to frame pictures of your receipts but of photos of the trip. So spending a little more than planned can make a vacation much more enjoyable

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.internationaltravelplanners.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/internationaltravelplanners/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edpostaltravel
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/international-travel-planners-laguna-woods-2

Image Credits
All of the photos were taken by myself