Why Struck by Travel — Edmonton's Boutique Advisor
Our Story

Travel with Someone
Who Has Been There.

I'm Irena, and I help Albertans trade the stress of planning for the joy of discovery.

Irena Struk, founder of Struck by Travel
5★Google Rated
Who We Are

Struck by Travel.
Rooted in Edmonton.

"My love for travel didn't start at a desk, it started on the cobblestone streets of Europe, where I was born and raised."

When I made Edmonton my home, my passion for exploring only grew. I know the specific challenges we face as Alberta travellers from long winter escapes to navigating the best connections out of YEG. Whether I'm planning a luxury Mediterranean cruise or grabbing a coffee on 124th Street, my mission is the same: to ensure you see the world with the same wonder I do.

Struck by Travel was built around one simple belief that the best trips happen when a real person who genuinely cares about your experience is in your corner. That's what I offer, every single time.

Plan My Trip →Read Client Stories
What Sets Us Apart

Three Reasons Albertans
Choose Struck by Travel

The difference isn't the destinations, it's who's planning them.

🏡

A Neighbour, Not a Toll-Free Number

You aren't calling a call centre or chatting with a bot. You're talking to an Edmonton based expert who cares about your trip and is reachable by name, number, and WhatsApp.

🌐

The Power of Partnership

Backed by Baconko Travels, Struck by Travel offers the personal touch of a boutique agency combined with the VIP perks and buying power of a global host agency. Room upgrades, resort credits, insider access: included!

👁️

The "Through My Eyes" Promise

I don't just book hotels I vet experiences. If I wouldn't send my own family there, I won't send you. Every recommendation comes with my personal endorsement.

The Process

How We Work Together

From first inquiry to boarding pass, here's what working with Struck by Travel looks like.

1
💭

Dream Together

We start with a quick call or message to hear your vision, budget, and must haves. No forms, no algorithm just a conversation about where you want to go and what would make it perfect.

2
✏️

Design Your Itinerary

Irena crafts a custom itinerary built around exactly how you like to travel. You review it, request changes, and we refine it together until it's exactly right. No pressure. No commitment until you're ready.

3
✈️

Depart with Confidence

You pack your bags and head to YEG. From that moment, we're your 24/7 backup. Flight disruption? Hotel issue? Message Irena not a 1-800 number. We handle it so you stay on vacation.

Start the Conversation →

The Insider Advantage:
Baconko Travels

Struck by Travel operates under the umbrella of Baconko Travels a professional host agency that gives us access to wholesale pricing, industry partnerships, and VIP perks simply not available to the public. You work directly with Irena. You benefit from the network behind her.

Note: Your booking confirmations will display the Baconko Travels name. If you have any questions about this arrangement, just ask Irena directly.

🏨
VIP Hotel Perks

Room upgrades, early check in, resort credits, and welcome amenities

🚢
Cruise Insider Rates

Preferred pricing and onboard credits on major cruise lines

💰
No Extra Cost to You

Our fees are built into the prices you already see online

🛡️
Full Advocacy

A real person in your corner: before, during, and after your trip

Common Questions

Honest Answers to the
Questions You're Thinking

We believe in full transparency. Here's what clients ask us most.

Surprisingly, no. In almost all cases, professional fees are built into the prices you already see online. By booking through Struck by Travel, you get Irena's expertise, personal advocacy, and often VIP perks, like room upgrades or resort credits, for the same price you'd pay to do it yourself.

Think of Irena as your Collaborator-in-Chief. You do the fun part, dreaming and pinning photos, and she handles the hard part: vetting hotels, checking the fine print, and managing logistics. She doesn't take away the control; she takes away the "what if I'm making a mistake?" anxiety.

This is where Irena truly earns her keep. If a flight is delayed or a resort doesn't match the photos, you don't spend four hours on hold with an airline. You send one WhatsApp message. Irena handles the rebooking while you stay on vacation.

You can, but Expedia won't tell you the resort next door is under construction, and Costco won't be there if your luggage goes missing in Rome. Irena provides the human to human connection that a search engine simply cannot replicate.

Baconko Travels is the host agency that backs Struck by Travel, think of it like a franchise relationship. You deal exclusively with Irena, but confirmation and booking documentation will show the Baconko name. Any questions, just ask Irena directly.
Client Stories

What Travellers Say

Don't take our word for it, read theirs.

★★★★★
"Irena organized a wonderful road trip in France for us. We would not have been able to put it all together ourselves in such a short time frame. She suggested amazing cities to visit and booked wonderful hotels for us and she worked well with us to customize the trip to our specific needs. It was all easy to keep track of in the app. A+ rating!"
— Carol · Travel Leaders Review
★★★★★
"Irena helped out right from my first phone call. I gave her the details for what we wanted and a budget and she did the rest. In the end, all three families were over the moon. We will do another one next year. For me the most important thing was a heated pool - Irena recommended a resort and she was right. Again, thank you Irena for the help."
— Luke · Travel Leaders Review
★★★★★
"Irena did an amazing job at planning our European trip. The first 2 of 3 weeks were with my daughters dance group. It was busy but we had a great time. The last week was just the two of us on a Greek cruise with MSC. We have so many fabulous memories. Irena even wished me a happy birthday while traveling. We will definitely call Irena again. Happy travels."
— Debbie · Google Review
See all Google Reviews ⭐

Let's Turn Your
"Someday" into a Date.

Your dream trip deserves someone who cares as much as you do.

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Free consultationNo booking feesReal person responds within 1 business day
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