The questions I hear most, answered honestly. If yours is not here, that is what the first conversation is for.
Do you charge a fee?
Yes, and here is why it is worth it. I charge a planning fee because what you are paying for is the research, the relationships, and the time most people do not have to give a trip. The fee is not a markup on your hotel or your flights. It is the design work: the itinerary built around how you actually travel, the rooms and tables chosen because I have stood in them, and someone in your pocket the entire trip if anything goes sideways. Most of my clients come back, which tells me the fee pays for itself in the trip they would not have gotten on their own.
Do people still use travel agents?
More than ever, and for reasons that have changed. The image of a travel agent booking a flight you could have booked yourself is long gone. What I do is design. I have firsthand knowledge of the places I send you, relationships with hotels and guides built over years, and the ability to fix a problem in real time from anywhere in the world. The internet gave everyone access to options. It did not give them time, judgment, or a person who has actually been there. That is the part that did not get automated.
What is the benefit of using you?
You get a trip designed around you by someone who has been there. I do not typically recommend a place I have not seen or a restaurant I have not eaten at, so the advice you get is firsthand, not pulled from a brochure. I have spent ten years and sixty-three countries learning the difference between a beautiful itinerary and one that stays with you. On top of that you get the relationships, the logistics handled so you arrive ready to enjoy yourself, and a single person accountable for the whole thing from the first conversation to the trip home.
When should I start looking at river cruises?
Earlier than most people think, generally nine to twelve months out for the sailings and cabins worth having. The best ships, the most popular routes, and the cabin categories people actually want sell out well in advance, especially for high-demand seasons like the Christmas markets. Starting early is not about pressure, it is about choice. The further ahead we start, the more of the good options are still on the table. If your dates are flexible or you are open on the route, there is more room to move later, but the premium experiences reward planning ahead.
What is the best time to travel to Italy, Japan, or Vietnam?
I plan around shoulder seasons whenever I can, because you get milder weather and smaller crowds without giving up what you came for. For Italy, that is April, May, September, and October. For Japan, March through May and October into November, and while spring is not technically shoulder season it is worth it, especially for the cherry blossoms. For Vietnam and Cambodia, aim for March, April, and September through November, the transitional months when temperatures are milder and there is less humidity and rain. Because these regions span several climates, I still tune the exact timing to your route.
What type of ship is best for Antarctica?
Smaller than most people expect, and the reason is regulation, not just comfort. To actually get off the ship in Antarctica you want a vessel under 500 guests, because above that the rules do not allow landings at all. The real sweet spot is under 200 guests, which is what allows two landings a day, and no more than 100 people are permitted on shore at any single landing site at one time. So the smaller the ship, the more time your feet are actually on the continent rather than waiting your turn. Beyond size, the right ship comes down to the experience you want. There is true luxury with a lighter expedition style, where the ship itself is part of the trip, and there is the National Geographic kind of voyage where you are sailing with the scientists and naturalists and the learning is the point. Both are wonderful and they are not the same trip, and that is the first thing I help you figure out.
Is travel insurance worth it?
I always recommend it, and the biggest reason is medical coverage. Your regular health insurance usually does not cover you once you leave the country, so a single illness or injury abroad can become very expensive very quickly, and that is before you account for emergency evacuation, which can run into the tens of thousands on its own. On top of the medical piece, travel insurance protects the nonrefundable money you have put toward a high-value trip if weather, illness, or a family emergency forces a change. I would rather you carry it and never need it than skip it on the one trip something goes wrong.
Doesn’t my credit card already cover me?
It depends on the card, and in most cases the card is only secondary coverage. Some premium cards include travel protections, but they are often capped, narrow in what they include, and usually secondary, meaning they pay only after your other coverage does. Just as important, card benefits are frequently thin on the thing that matters most overseas, which is medical care and emergency evacuation. Before you rely on a card, you have to check with the card issuer directly to see exactly what is and is not covered. In most cases a dedicated travel insurance policy fills the gaps the card leaves, especially the medical ones.
How does the planning process work?
It starts with a conversation. We have an initial consultation where we zero in on what you are really looking for. From there I start to plan the trip, and once it is assembled I send it to you to review, so you can tell me what you love, what you like, and what we need to adjust. We work together from there until you are genuinely happy with what we have put together.
How far in advance should I book a trip?
For most trips I recommend booking six to twelve months out, especially for popular destinations in peak season. There is nothing worse than setting your heart on something for a last-minute trip and finding out the thing you most wanted to do is sold out. Planning ahead is not about pressure, it is about making sure the trip you are picturing is actually the trip you get.
Can you work with my budget?
I can work with most budgets, as long as it is reasonable and you are realistic about what it will get you. I cannot put together a champagne trip on a beer budget, but I genuinely love helping people realize they can travel even when finances are tight. Tell me what you have to work with and I will tell you honestly what is possible.
Do you book flights too?
I can book flights, though I usually charge a ticketing fee to service them. The other option is that I help you find the perfect flight and you book it directly, which saves you that fee. Either way, you are not left to guess on the most stressful part of the trip.
Can you help with just part of a trip?
Sometimes, and it is case by case depending on what that part looks like. I am always willing to book just a hotel if that is what you are looking for. One thing to know: pricing is often better when I can book as a package with additional components, so a piece on its own does not always come in lower than you would expect.
What happens if something goes wrong while I’m traveling?
You reach out to me and I help you through it, often solving it on the back end while you go on enjoying your day. Here is the mindset that matters: when something goes sideways, like a transfer that does not show up, do not let it ruin your day. Grab a cab, tell me what happened, and let me work on resolving it behind the scenes. That is exactly what having someone in your pocket is for.
Do you only book luxury trips?
I predominantly book luxury, but I can book other trips too, and I think luxury looks different to everyone. For some people it is fine dining, yachts, and beautiful hotels. For others it is access to a special place, or an extraordinary experience like a climb up Kilimanjaro. Part of my job is figuring out what luxury means to you, then building around that.
I found a cheaper price online. Can you match it?
I am always willing to look, but I cannot guarantee it is possible. There is more to consider than the number itself, like the rate type and the inclusions that may already be built into what we booked, and those can be the reason a price cannot be matched. Often the cheaper online price is not actually the same thing once you compare what is included.
Can you help with passports and visas?
I am happy to look up passport and visa information and answer any questions you have during the process, but the application itself is something you have to do on your own. I will make sure you know what you need and when, so nothing about entry requirements catches you by surprise.
Do you book group and multigenerational trips?
I love to, and family and multigenerational trips are some of my favorite groups to plan. Getting several generations traveling well together takes real coordination, making sure everyone from the youngest to the oldest is looked after, and that is exactly the kind of puzzle I enjoy.
What’s the difference between an ocean cruise and a river cruise?
Ocean cruises are predominantly larger and usually have more onboard entertainment, while river cruises are about the experience of being in the small cities and having more time in each. There is also a docking difference that matters, especially in Europe. Ocean ships are often not near the city center, so you take a bus, book one of their tours, or figure out the trip on your own. River ships are frequently docked right in the heart of the places they visit, so you step off and you are already there.
Is a guided tour or an independent trip better for me?
It comes down to the style of travel you enjoy. Guided is probably a good fit if you like being with a group and making friends from around the world, if you like knowing someone is there to get you where you need to be, if you are comfortable on buses, and if you like having most of your meals included. Independent is the better fit if you have very particular places you want to see, if you prefer traveling with just your own family or friends, and if you want room for spontaneity and the surprises that come with discovering things on your own.
What should I know before my first safari?
No two safaris are exactly alike, and a safari in South Africa is different from one in Kenya. The most important thing to understand is that these are not zoos. I can all but promise you will see animals, but no one can guarantee a particular animal on a particular day. The area is vast, and spending the day searching for that lion or leopard is part of the adventure itself.
When is the best time for an Alaska cruise?
The peak window is late June through late July. That is when marine wildlife is most active and visible and the weather is at its clearest, so if you add on Denali you have the best shot at seeing the peak. The bears become most visible during the salmon runs, which start in late July, so your timing can shift slightly depending on what you most want to see.
How many days do I need for Italy or Japan?
For either one, I think you need a minimum of two weeks to truly enjoy it, with three weeks giving you a more immersive trip. I would not go to either for less than ten days. That holds for international travel generally: plan on a minimum of ten days to two weeks so the trip has room to breathe rather than feeling like a sprint.
What’s a realistic budget for a Maldives honeymoon?
For a two-week honeymoon to the Maldives, you will usually stop for a couple of days in each direction, often in Dubai or Singapore. Not including flights, since that depends on the class you fly, I would allow twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars, which gets you the overwater bungalow you go there for. It is possible to do it for less. One option is to split the stay, starting in a different room type and finishing over the water.
How do I get started working with you?
Fill out my form, send me an email, or use my Calendly to set up an appointment. I do not charge for a consultation. I only charge a planning fee once we have determined that we are a good fit and are working together, so the first conversation costs you nothing but the time to tell me what you are dreaming about.
Who do you work best with?
I work best with wine and food lovers, honeymooners, families and multigenerational groups, and people who love to explore destinations that are more off the beaten path. I also love working with empty-nesters who are finally having the time to see the world. If that sounds like you, we will get along well.