When is the best time to travel?
As you can imagine, this question has many answers, depending upon where you want to go. For instance, if you want to visit the Caribbean, it’s best to avoid hurricane season. If you want to visit Europe, it’s better to avoid the summer crowds. Of course, sometimes summer is the only time you can travel, so you’re willing to deal with the hustle and bustle of the busy travel season. (Some people actually prefer it!) When you work with us, we take many things into consideration to help recommend the best places to visit at the best times for your schedule.
How far in advance should I start planning my trip?
To ensure that you have the best options available, we encourage you to book as early as possible. This is particularly true if you want to travel during peak seasons, especially the winter holidays.
Why should I use a travel agent when I can book everything online?
If you are the type of person who really enjoys the countless hours involved in travel planning … or if you love the thrill of finding a super deal AND you understand how to make sure the “deal” is legitimate, then you probably wouldn’t find value in working with a travel agent.
Our clients work with us because they value our expertise and the connections we have in the travel industry. They understand that we have their best interests at heart, combined with the know-how to make quality recommendations tailored to their interests and needs. They want to be taken care of and they appreciate our unwavering attention to detail.
How does the planning process work?
Usually, we begin with a conversation to get to know you and your travel style. Then, we ask pertinent questions to find out where and when you want to go, and to get an idea of your budget. From there, we do research, make recommendations, and create a travel quote for you. Based on your feedback, we continue to make changes to your itinerary until everything is exactly as you like it. For this hands-on service (which our clients find enormously valuable) we charge a reasonable fee.
What kind of support can I expect once I’m traveling?
Our itineraries are well-planned, and well-explained before you depart, so most of our clients can simply enjoy their trip and have no need to contact us while they’re traveling. On the off chance that something goes wrong, we’ll most likely have an in-country contact who you can call. They are on the ground where you’re traveling and can help resolve any issues you have. Otherwise, we are available by email and phone and are here for you until you return home safely.
Do I really need travel insurance?
Short answer: Yes. For a more complete answer, check out our
article on the topic.
I want to travel with a large group. Can you help me?
Definitely! We absolutely love working with groups and would love to help.
Can I book my whole trip through you?
Of course! In fact we prefer it when you do. When we plan a trip from start to finish, we can make sure that all of the pieces fit together perfectly. We take care of all details so you can focus on looking forward to your adventure.
How do I get the best pricing on plane tickets?
There are many misconceptions out there about airfare, especially when it comes to price vs. value. That’s why we wrote an entire article on it: [to come]. But to put it simply, if you can be flexible, and if you are able to bundle air with another element (like a hotel or car), oftentimes we can help you get the best value.
I have booked flights and hotels already. Can you help with the rest of my itinerary?
We want to provide a unique and tailored experience for you as well as support you throughout your journey. The best way for us to do that is to be responsible for the majority of your trip. If you have already booked your flights, we will still be glad to help you with the rest of your itinerary, but generally speaking, we do not arrange isolated experiences or partial hotel bookings.
Can you book a flight for me using my frequent flyer miles?
Your frequent flyer accounts are private and password-protected, so we don’t normally get involved with bookings made with rewards miles.
What types of documents are required to travel?
For international travel, a passport that is valid at least six months beyond your return date is required. A visa may also be necessary. To check the rules of the country you want to visit, go to
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html.
What happens if I need to cancel my trip or change the dates?
The answer to this question will vary with each trip you take. When you work with us, we will make sure you are aware of the change/cancellation deadlines and penalties for each piece of your trip so you can make informed decisions. We also offer travel insurance, which can help to protect you if you have to cancel a trip unexpectedly. For more information about travel insurance, see this article: [to come].
