Q: Why should I book with a travel advisor instead of doing it myself online?
A: Booking online takes hours of research, reading conflicting reviews, and hoping everything goes smoothly. Working with me gives you personal support, tailored recommendations, and an advocate in your corner. If a flight gets delayed or a reservation needs changing, you call me instead of waiting on hold with customer service.
Q: What travel services do you specialize in?
A: I specialize in three primary areas: Bespoke Itineraries (custom land trips built around your pace and budget), Escorted Tours (guided group journeys with trusted tour operators), and River Cruises (boutique, unpack-once cruises along scenic rivers worldwide).
Q: Can you help me stick to a specific budget?
A: Absolutely. During our initial consultation, we will discuss your realistic overall budget. I aim to maximize the value of every dollar by finding great accommodations, reliable transfers, and quality experiences within your price range.
Q: What does your $200 custom itinerary planning fee cover?
A: The standard $200 planning fee covers full destination research, custom day-by-day itinerary design, supplier coordination, and complete booking management for trips up to 7 nights and up to 4 travelers.
Q: What if my trip is longer than 7 nights or for a larger group?
A: Longer trips and larger groups require additional logistics and research time. For extended vacations or groups of 5+, I will provide a custom quote during our initial consultation before any work begins.
Q: Are your planning fees refundable?
A: Planning fees are non-refundable as they cover the professional time and dedicated research spent building your personalized proposal.
Q: How far in advance should I start planning my trip?
A: The earlier, the better! Booking 6 to 11 months in advance offers the best availability and pricing for hotels, tour spots, and river cruise cabins. However, if you are planning on shorter notice, feel free to reach out to check availability.
Q: Can you help with my flights?
A: My primary focus is on comprehensive land accommodations, tour packages, and river cruises. Flight coordination can be discussed during our initial consultation depending on the overall scope of your package.
Q: Do I really need travel insurance?
A: Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended for every trip. It helps protect your investment against unexpected medical emergencies, cancellations, delays, and lost baggage. I can provide quotes and help you pick a plan that fits your trip.
Q: What happens if something goes wrong while I am traveling?
A: You will have direct access to contact me during your journey, along with 24/7 support contacts from the local tour operators, hotels, or cruise lines handling your arrangements. You are never left to figure things out alone.
Q: Do I pay you for my trip or do I pay the hotels and cruise lines directly?
A: Aside from the planning fee, all payments for your actual travel arrangements (accommodations, tours, cruise lines, transfers) are processed securely and directly with the suppliers using your credit card.
Q: How do I get started?
A: The first step is scheduling a complimentary discovery call through the Contact page! We will discuss your travel ideas, timeline, and budget to ensure we are a great fit before moving forward.