Travel Planning FAQ | Fees, Process & International Travel
...Travel Advisors
Q. Do I really need a travel advisor?
A travel advisor isn't necessary for every trip. If you're booking a simple hotel weekend or a straightforward flight, you may prefer to handle it yourself.
Where I add the most value is with international trips that involve multiple destinations, complex logistics, special occasions, family travel, or experiences that require careful coordination. I handle the research, compare options, coordinate the moving pieces, and use my destination knowledge and supplier relationships to create a trip that fits you rather than a standard package.
My clients also value having a professional to turn to when plans change or something unexpected happens during the trip. The goal isn't simply to book a vacation. It's to make the entire travel experience easier, more thoughtful, and less stressful.
Q. What's the difference between a travel advisor and just booking online myself?
Booking online gives you access to an enormous amount of information, but you're still responsible for deciding what is right for your trip and coordinating all the pieces yourself.
As your travel advisor, I take a different approach. I get to know how you like to travel, research options that fit your interests and budget, coordinate hotels, transportation, tours, and experiences, and make sure the itinerary works as a whole.
I also serve as your advocate when plans change. If a flight is cancelled, a hotel issue arises, or an experience needs to be adjusted, you have someone who already knows your trip and can help coordinate a solution.
The value isn't simply in making a reservation. It's in having an experienced professional design and manage the journey around you.
Q. How much does a travel advisor cost?
My professional travel planning fees typically range from $300 to $600, depending on the complexity of the trip.
The planning fee covers the time and expertise involved in researching your trip, creating a customized itinerary, coordinating reservations, making destination and experience recommendations, providing travel insurance guidance, preparing you for departure, and assisting with travel-related issues during your trip.
The planning fee is separate from the actual cost of your vacation, including flights, hotels, tours, transportation, and other travel expenses. It is paid upfront once you decide to move forward with the planning process.
During our complimentary consultation, I'll explain the planning fee for your specific trip before we begin.
Q. What does your planning fee include?
My planning fee covers the professional time, research, expertise, and coordination required to create and manage your customized trip.
Depending on your itinerary, this can include:
• Researching destinations and recommending places that fit your interests, travel style, and budget
• Creating a customized day-by-day itinerary
• Selecting and booking hotels, villas, and other accommodations
• Coordinating flights, trains, rental cars, private drivers, transfers, and other transportation
• Arranging guided tours, activities, cultural experiences, dining reservations, and other special experiences
• Providing travel insurance recommendations
• Preparing you for your trip with practical travel information and documentation guidance
• Coordinating changes or issues that arise before or during your travels
The exact services included depend on the complexity and needs of your trip. My goal is to coordinate the individual pieces into one cohesive journey rather than simply making a series of separate reservations.
Q. Can you work with my budget?
I will definitely try. I work with a range of budgets maximizing value at every price point. During our free consultation, we'll discuss your budget openly, and I'll be honest about what's realistic for your destination and travel style. I can suggest ways to stretch your budget further, recommend shoulder season travel for better rates, or identify where to splurge versus save. My goal is to create the best possible experience within your financial parameters.
Q. Is a travel advisor worth the planning fee?
That depends on the type of trip you're planning.
If you're comfortable researching every destination, comparing hotels, coordinating transportation, managing reservations, and handling problems yourself, you may not need a travel advisor.
A professional travel advisor becomes particularly valuable when a trip is complex, involves multiple destinations, has special requirements, or represents a significant investment of your time and money. My role is to save you research time, help you make informed decisions, coordinate the details, and provide support when things don't go according to plan.
For my clients, the value is not simply in having someone make reservations. It's in having an experienced professional think through the trip as a whole.
...Working Together
Q. How does the planning process work?
We start with a complimentary 30-minute consultation - which oftentimes run longer, and it is absolutely fine, where we discuss your travel ideas, previous trips, likes and dislikes, budget, and timeline. If we're a good fit, I'll explain my planning fee and next steps. Once you're ready to proceed, I create a customized proposal with accommodation options, tours, transfers, and activities tailored to your specifications. You'll review the proposal, ask questions, and request changes. After refining everything to your satisfaction, I'll process deposits and confirm all reservations. Then you're all set to enjoy your trip while I remain available for support.
Q. How far in advance should I start planning my trip?
For international travel, I recommend starting 6-9 months before your departure date, especially for popular destinations during peak season or if you have specific hotels or experiences in mind. This timeline gives us the best selection and often better pricing. However, I've successfully planned trips with shorter timelines too. If you're hoping to travel within 3-6 months, reach out immediately and we'll work with what's available.
Q. What if I need to make changes after everything is booked?
I'm here to help with changes, though airlines, hotels, and tour operators have varying policies. Some changes may incur fees from suppliers. I'll always do my best to accommodate your requests and will clearly communicate any costs involved. Having a travel advisor means you don't have to navigate these changes alone - I handle the calls, emails, and coordination.
Q. What happens if something goes wrong during my trip?
This is where having a travel advisor really matters. If your flight is cancelled, a tour doesn't show up, or you have a hotel issue, you contact me and I immediately work on finding a solution. I have direct contacts at hotels and tour companies, access to emergency support lines, and the experience to quickly pivot plans. Generally my clients have access to me 7 AM - 11 PM MST during their travels for exactly these situations.
Q. Do you only plan trips to certain places?
I can plan international trips around the world, but my strongest areas of expertise are Europe, the South Pacific, and Latin America, along with select destinations that I know particularly well.
My European experience comes from my years working as a tour guide in Europe. I also have extensive firsthand travel experience and destination knowledge in places including Fiji, Costa Rica, and Colombia, along with established relationships with travel partners around the world.
I don't believe in pretending to be an expert in every destination. If you contact me about a destination where I don't feel I can provide the level of expertise and service you deserve, I'll tell you honestly and help determine whether I'm the right advisor for your trip.
Q. Do you plan trips for solo travelers?
Absolutely. Solo travel requires a particular kind of planning attention, especially for international destinations, because logistics that are simple for two people can be more complex or more expensive for one. I factor in solo supplements on tours and cruises, prioritize properties and experiences that are genuinely welcoming to independent travelers, and pay close attention to safety and practicality in destination recommendations for solo clients.
Q. Can you plan a trip that combines multiple countries?
Multi-country itineraries are among the most rewarding to design and the most complex to execute well. The sequencing of countries, the positioning of flights, the pacing between destinations, and the logistics of crossing borders all require careful thought. This is precisely where working with an advisor makes the most difference, because a poorly sequenced multi-country trip wastes significant time and money in transit. I plan these regularly and enjoy the challenge of making them feel seamless.
...Trip Details
Q, What types of trips do you plan?
I create customized international travel itineraries for couples, families, solo travelers, and small groups.
This includes honeymoons, anniversaries and other milestone celebrations, multi-generational family vacations, adventure travel, cultural experiences, food and wine trips, relaxing getaways, and bucket-list journeys.
I particularly enjoy working with travelers who want something more personal than a standard vacation package. Your itinerary is built around your interests, travel style, preferred pace, budget, and the experiences you want to have.
Q. Can you handle group travel?
Yes! I've planned trips for couples, families, and small groups. Group travel requires extra coordination for accommodations, transportation, and activities that work for everyone, which is exactly where an expert can help. I'll ensure your group stays together logically while building in flexibility for different interests and energy levels.
Q. Do you book just hotels and flight tickets or can you arrange tours and activities too?
I arrange everything. Your itinerary can include hotels, villas, private drivers and transfers, guided tours, cooking classes, wine tastings, concert tickets, restaurant reservations, rental cars, and any other experiences that interest you. The beauty of working with me is having one person coordinate all these moving pieces seamlessly.
Q. What about travel insurance - do I need it?
I strongly recommend travel insurance for international trips. The unexpected can happen: medical emergencies, trip cancellations due to illness, lost luggage, or travel delays. During our planning process, I'll recommend insurance options appropriate for your trip and help you understand coverage details. It's a small investment for significant peace of mind.
Q. Can you plan trips for multi-generational families?
Multi-generational travel is logistically demanding and deeply rewarding when done well. I have planned trips with grandparents, parents, teenagers, and young children traveling together, and I know from personal experience as a parent exactly where the pressure points are. The key is building an itinerary with enough shared experiences to create lasting family memories while allowing different generations the flexibility to move at their own pace. Room configurations, accessibility considerations, and activity options that genuinely work for every age group are all part of the planning process.
Q. What destinations are best for a first international trip?
The right first international destination depends heavily on the traveler, but a few factors make some destinations more accessible than others for first-timers: English-speaking or English-friendly environments, straightforward entry requirements, reliable infrastructure, and a manageable time zone difference from the US. Western Europe, particularly the UK, Ireland, and Portugal, consistently works well for first-time international travelers from the United States. Costa Rica is an excellent first international adventure destination. Fiji, despite the distance, is exceptionally welcoming and easy to navigate. During our consultation I will ask the right questions to match you with a destination that fits your comfort level and travel goals.
...About International Travel
Q. I've never traveled internationally before - can you help?
I love working with first-time international travelers! I'll guide you through everything: passport requirements, what to expect at customs, currency exchange, tipping customs, cultural norms, and practical details like power adapters and phone plans. Your itinerary will include all the logistics spelled out clearly so you feel confident and prepared.
Q. How do you handle language barriers in the destinations you book?
In my destination recommendations, I connect you with English-speaking guides for tours, provide hotels with English-speaking staff, and include practical phrases and translation app recommendations in your travel documents. I also arrange private transfers with drivers who can communicate effectively. Part of my value is anticipating these challenges and building solutions into your itinerary.
Q. What if my plans change before I leave?
Life happens, and sometimes trip dates need to shift. The earlier you let me know, the more options we typically have. I'll work with suppliers to modify dates where possible, though change fees may apply depending on their policies. This is another reason I recommend travel insurance - it can protect you financially if you need to cancel for covered reasons.
Q. Do I need a visa to visit Europe?
US passport holders can travel to most European countries within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa. I keep current on entry requirements for all destinations I plan and will brief you on exactly what is needed for your specific trip.
...Getting Started
Q. What's the first step to working with you?
Book your free 30-minute consultation here. We'll discuss your travel dreams, timeline, and budget, and I'll explain exactly how I can help. There's no pressure or obligation - it's simply a conversation to see if we're a good fit. If you decide to move forward, I'll outline the next steps and planning fee, and we'll get started creating your perfect itinerary.
Q. How do I know if we're a good fit?
We're a great fit if you value personalized service, want a trip designed specifically around your interests rather than cookie-cutter packages, appreciate having a professional handle the details and logistics, and want support before, during, and after your travels. If you're someone who enjoys researching every detail yourself or wants the absolute lowest price over quality and service, we might not be the right match - and that's okay! The consultation helps us both determine this.
Q. What do I need to prepare before our first consultation?
Just come with an open mind and some ideas! It's helpful if you've thought about: where you'd like to go (or even just "Europe" or "beach destination"), when you'd like to travel, how long you can be away, your approximate budget, and what you enjoy doing (adventure, relaxation, culture, food, etc.). But don't worry if you're not sure yet - our conversation will help clarify these details.
Q. Can I see sample itineraries?
While each itinerary I create is fully customized, I'm happy to discuss past trips I've planned during our consultation to give you a sense of my planning style and the level of detail I provide. Client privacy prevents me from sharing complete itineraries publicly, but the testimonials and case studies on my website showcase the types of experiences I create.
Ready to start planning your dream trip?
Book your complimentary 30-minute consultation and let's turn your travel dreams into reality. I'll handle the details while you look forward to the adventure ahead.