Running for cover from the wind during her photoshoot was like a scene from a Western movie for Cover Star Charlotte Garland.
Q. Would you have thought about visiting to Texas before your trip
with Cover Stars?
A. I would never have gone to Texas if I had not got on the trip. It is somewhere I did not know about before I went.
Q. Do you think going on the trip has helped you sell more of the destination?
A. People who go to America want to visit Orlando or New York, but it’s made me mention it more often.
Q. What was it like to be upgraded to business class on the flight there?
A. I had never flown business class before and it was amazing. When you get on board you are shown to your seat and they make you feel very special, especially with a glass of champagne in your hand. I get really irritable on flights normally, but the staff could not help me enough. They are always happy to help – rather like me in my job. On the way out there we had daytime flights and I did not sleep because everyone was so excited.
Q. What was the food like in Fort Worth?
A. There was a mile-long queue at Mexican restaurant Joe T Garcia’s. We were lucky enough to skip the queue, but once you got inside you could see why people were lining up down the street. The hospitality was amazing and the food was nice, and I am not the biggest fan of spicy food.
Q. Tell us about the hotels you stayed in…
A. We stayed in The Sheraton in Fort Worth, which was walking distance from Sundance Square where there are loads of restaurants and shops. We then went on to Austin, where we stayed at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, which was outside the city. It was lovely and really quiet. I got lost in the third and final one – Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel in Grapevine. It was so big.
Q. How was the shopping?
A. We went to Simon Shopping Malls in Forth Worth, where it was a lot cheaper than here. At the Domain mall in Austin I remember being in Victoria’s Secret and the body sprays were much cheaper than over here.
Q. What did you wear for the front cover photoshoot?
A. I did not know what I was going to wear so we started off with the footwear – suede knee-length boots. I also wore skinny black jeans and a suede jacket. It was a lovely outfit. I have worn the jacket a couple of times since.
Q. Where was the cover shot taken?
A. We took the photos at Nash Farm but the wind was blowing so hard we had to escape to a barn. I was a bit worried about the shoot because I’d never had my photo taken professionally before, but the team really relaxed me.
Q. Have you kept in touch with other agents on the trip?
A. I am still friends with them all and have seen some of them three times since we came back. Everyone was really lovely, it was a trip of a lifetime.
Charlotte’s outfit
Charlotte is right on trend with a sleek suede jacket from BCBG Maxazria and jeans from Lucky Brand Outlet. Her outfit is completed with some statement thigh-high boots from Nine West Outlet. Charlotte’s gorgeous curls are courtesy of the Gaylord Texan Resort Spa and make-up courtesy of Simon Shopping Destinations. Shot at Nash Farms, Charlotte’s look was created at Grand Prairie Premium Outlets, a Simon Shopping Destinations property in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Charlotte’s sales tips
- Upgrade the flight to business class if you can. The 10-hour flight felt like three hours.
- I would suggest visiting Forth Worth and the Stockyards National Historic District. Everyone dresses up as cowboys every day.
- Stay for a night or two at Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel in Grapevine. It is good to experience and only 10 minutes from
the airport.
Charlotte on…the lifestyle
The main thing I took away from the trip was the culture and lifestyle they have. Before I went I had an idea of what it would be like, knowing about cowboys. I didn’t expect them to live and dress that way every day. The rodeo is something that I will always remember. Even though it wasn’t really my cup of tea, not many people can say they have been to a rodeo in Texas. I now realise what an icon [musician] Willie Nelson is over there and how lucky we were to see him play live. I would always suggest Texas to people to get an idea of the way of life. Most people travel to Orlando, which is lovely, but in Texas you get to experience true southern hospitality.