Tucked between the oak trees of San Antonio’s hill country sits a suburban home that holds treasures from across the globe, including handwoven African table runners, Aztec tapestries, and spirit animal idols painted at Machu Picchu. It’s the home of Nikki and Tommie Jones, Stone Oak locals and retired Army veterans with a combined 50 years of service and a passion for travel that has taken them to six continents.
Their story begins in 1999 at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where they met and went on a few dates before being stationed apart. Nikki was sent to South Korea, and their connection was put on pause. But in 2005, fate intervened when Tommie was also stationed in South Korea, and the two reconnected overseas.
While Nikki had grown up traveling, Tommie needed a little convincing. “Travel in the military was simple. You went where they told you to go,” he explained. “Whenever I had free time, I would just go home to visit family.” That changed after their first vacation together to nearby Vietnam. Nikki planned every detail, from the hotel to the excursions, and it was the spark that lit a fire. “I had always wanted to own my own business,” she said. “And Vietnam was the catalyst that made me want to become a travel agent.”
In 2019, Nikki launched Jones Getaways, and Tommie joined her full-time a year later after retiring from the Army. “Most agencies are one person,” Nikki said. “A couple running an agency is rare. Our strength is that we’re a team.”
Jones Getaways specializes in international travel and cruising across all seven continents. As parents and now empty nesters, they’ve done it all, from family vacations and girls’ trips to romantic escapes. Their personal experience gives them a deep understanding of their clients’ needs. One of their favorite trips? Visiting the Colosseum in Rome, the filming location of Gladiator, the movie they saw on their very first date.
Tommie now runs their YouTube channel, Jones Getaways by Dream Vacations, where the couple posts weekly travel vlogs. Recent destinations include Jamaica, Rome, the Disney Magic, and SeaDream II. Coming up: a river cruise through Bordeaux and a visit to Ghana to explore the origins of the transatlantic slave trade.
“As African Americans, we don’t always have a direct connection to the culture we came from,” Tommie said. “Seeing it in person gives us a stronger connection to our history.” Through DNA testing, he discovered he has Nigerian roots, though tracing specific tribes isn’t possible due to the legacy of enslavement. “We’ve been on cruises where we were the only people of color,” Nikki added. “A big part of why we travel so much is to show people that the world is open to everyone.”
Their mission is resonating. Jones Getaways was recently named Best Travel Agent of 2024 by their franchiser, Dream Vacations, and business is booming. Still, for Nikki, the real reward is simpler: “When clients come back and say they had a phenomenal experience, that’s what motivates me. The joy of giving people something new."
Travel Like a Veteran
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Book Ahead
The Joneses recommend planning a trip at least a year in advance. This allows you to accurately pay in advance and get the best deals. Some agents recommend booking up to three years in advance for more expensive trips to offset costs and accurately save or pay in advance.
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Research
To travel authentically, research is your best friend. Spend time learning the language and customs of the country you’ll be visiting. Look into restaurants, experiences or excursions you’d be interested in. Explore the best views of monuments you’d want to see.
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Get a Travel Agent
If you don’t want to spend hours booking or planning, a travel agent is here to help. The process is simple: tell the agent what you want, and they do everything to make it happen. Jones Getaways is commission based, meaning that the extra cost for a client is minimal for the work they do. In most cases, agents get clients a steep enough discount that an agent can actually save a client money.
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Don’t Overpack
The best way to pack light is to create a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a closet where anything can be mixed and matched with ease. If you’re unable to do laundry while traveling, a capsule wardrobe ensures that everything coordinates well and minimizes outfit planning.
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Timing Is Everything
To avoid crowds, the time of day you’ll sightsee is most important. They recommend visiting popular sites in the morning before 10 AM or in the evening after 7 PM. This allows you to have a less stressful experience by photo taking and getting around with ease.
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Skip The Souvenirs
When Nikki and Tommie found themselves with a large collection of fridge magnets and souvenir mugs, they decided to be intentional about buying souvenirs. Nikki opts for clothing, jewelry and decor that will be both useful and cherished.
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Enjoy It
As beginner travelers, the Joneses utilized fast-paced itineraries that caused them to be running from place to place and could easily stress them out. They recommend having a few lighter days to ensure you’re able to truly take in your surroundings.
We’ve learned that people around the world are more alike than different. Traveling reminds us that joy, love, and connection exist everywhere and that the world is wide open for all of us to explore.